Salvation through Jesus

After his resurrection, Jesus declared: “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations!” As the Sovereign over all things, he dispatched his disciples to announce his Lordship and Salvation to the “uttermost parts of the Earth.” The Era of Salvation commenced following his death and resurrection; therefore, the message of reconciliation must be announced to all mankind. The man named ‘Jesus’ had achieved salvation for his people.

God exalted Jesus to the Messianic Throne where he now reigns, just as promised in the Scriptures: “I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession” – (Psalm 2:8).

[Photo by Michail Dementiev on Unsplash]

Because of his enthronement, by the Gift of the Spirit, he empowers his followers to preach his Good News to the entire planet. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the Earth” – (Acts 2:8).

For this reason, the entire creation proclaims him “worthy” to rule over the entire Cosmos: “You are worthy to take the Scroll and open its seals BECAUSE you were slain and purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, and made them a kingdom, priests for our God, and they reign upon the Earth” - (Revelation 5:9-10).

Because of his faithful obedience and death “for our sins,” God raised him from the dead and “highly exalted him, granting him the name that is above every name,” – JESUS, the “Salvation of Yahweh.” He is the one who will reign on the Davidic Throne forevermore, the “King of kings” and the “Ruler of the kings of the Earth.”

Therefore, the nations of the Earth belong to him, and no longer to the Devil. The covenant promises to Abraham to “bless all nations” is being fulfilled as his Gospel is announced to all nations – (1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Philippians 2:6-11, Revelation 1:6-8,3:21, 5:5-14).

NO DISTINCTION

In Jesus, the God who created all men has “spoken” definitively and with great finality. The words given previously “in the prophets” were true enough, but partial and preparatory. It is His Son alone who has “achieved the purification of sin,” therefore, he now sits “at the right hand of the Majesty on High places” as the Great High Priest who mediates forgiveness and life for his people. Only he attained the Salvation that was foretold by the “prophets” – (Hebrews 1:1-4).

The “righteousness of God” is available to all men “through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe, FOR THERE IS NO DISTINCTION.” The offer of Salvation is open to all men and women because of the faithful obedience of the Son of God, the one who “died for our sins” even while we were yet “enemies of God” – (Romans 3:21-22).

Sin is the Great Leveler that previously condemned every man, woman, and child to bondage, decay, hopelessness, and death. In the end, neither ethnicity nor economic status made any difference. Death awaits one and all.

Because of his sacrificial death, anyone may receive the forgiveness of sin and right standing before God, and on the same basis for all, whether Jew or Gentile, male or female, poor or rich; namely, “from the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST.” In response to his faithful act, the penitent man is acquitted by God by placing faith in Jesus and what God has accomplished in him.

In his declaration to the assemblies of Rome, the Apostle Paul employed his RADICAL MONOTHEISM to make the point. The one God of Israel is the God of both Jews and Gentiles. No man or woman is advantaged or disadvantaged before Him because of biological descent or national origin:

• “Or is He the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, of the Gentiles also, if so be that GOD IS ONE, and he will justify the circumcision from faith, and the uncircumcision through the faith” – (Romans 3:29-30).

THE ONE NEW PEOPLE OF GOD

Ever since His Son “achieved the purification of sins,” God has been CREATING A NEW COMMUNITY composed of men and women from every nation who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

• “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” - (1 Peter 2:9).

In the preceding passage, each noun is in the SINGULAR number – one priesthood, one nation, one people. Regardless of anyone’s nationality, Jesus is forming men and women into one new humanity that is being conformed to his image. Every person who places faith in him and submits to his lordship becomes a member of this community and a “priest” in His Kingdom – (Ephesians 2:15).

[Photo by Travis Leery on Unsplash]

No nation, civilization, or political ideology can claim Jesus as its exclusive property. His announcement of Salvation is a message of life for EVERY man, woman, and child on the planet, therefore, it transcends all national and cultural boundaries. His domain is a UNIVERSAL kingdom, and his priestly representatives are proclaiming one message to all men.

Since this Gospel is for everyone, in the truest sense, it is a universal religion. All men have sinned. Every man needs Salvation and everlasting life. No one deserves it, but God graciously offers it to everyone “freely.”

Finally, this Salvation is offered on the same basis to every man, woman, and child, namely, from the faith of Jesus Christ. All we can do is respond with repentance and in faith to what God has achieved for us through the death and resurrection of His Son. The offer of Salvation is open to one and all.

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RELATED POSTS:

• The Mission - (The church’s mission between now and the return of Jesus is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations – Matthew 24:14)

• Call His Name Jesus! - (‘Jesus’ means ‘Yahweh saves.’ In the man from Nazareth, the salvation promised by the God of Israel arrived in all its glory)

• The Spirit and Mission - (Jesus dispenses the Gift of the Spirit to his people to empower them to carry out the proclamation of the Gospel to the Earth)