Two Stages of Salvation

• Nobody can save themselves
• No one can earn their salvation
• We are saved through the grace of God
• Salvation is a gift-but it is a conditional gift

Stage One

We are saved by grace through faith at the time that (1) be believe in Christ, (2) repent of our sins, and (3) are baptized.

1. No prior works are required. It is all of faith and grace.
2. We in no way merit this salvation.

In referring to it as “stage one”, I am not implying that we are only half saved at this point. We are fully saved, but the journey is not over.

What happens at this time? What does it mean to bel saved?

1. All past sins are washed away; we start with a clean slate; if we died immediately after being saved, we would go straight to Paradise.
2. We are born again, becoming a new creature in Christ; we are now a child of God, adopted into HIs family. As a new creature, we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
3. To this first stage can be applied all of th popular verses about being saved by faith, not by works.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

2 Timothy 1:9

who has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

What doesn’t happen at this first stage of salvation?

1. We aren’t perfect, we are still capable of sinning, we have a lifelong journey ahead.
2. Our future sins are not pre-forgiven. In other words we start with a clean slate, but we can walk away from the salvation we have received.

It is like someone who is lost at sea on a little rubber raft. Then comes along a huge freighter who recuses him/her. Once aboard and sufficiently recovered the captain tell you that you must join in and do the regular duties of a sailor like swabbing the deck, peeling potatoes and washing dishes and cleaning the bathrooms. You tell the captain that you are a professor of theology and those things are below you. The captain tells you that they have saved your little rubber raft and you are free to go back in the water with it or do what you are told.

Stage two

1. We retain our saved condition by holding fast to our faith and maintaining an obedient love-faith relationship with Christ. We must endure faithfully to the end or our earthly life.

2. We do not have to live a perfectly. God only expects forms the obedience and love that an imperfect human can give.

3. God assists us all the way in our Christian walk. If we abide in Him, He gives us power. We are not left on our own.

Matthew 10:22

and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Note the future tense)

Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

John 15:10

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

John 15:1-2,6

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. So it is not all over—abide

John 5:28,29

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Romans 2:6,7

He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;

Ephesians 5:5,6

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

James 2:24

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.