As ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven, we are called and we desire to share the good news. But it can be a real challenge to communicate it.
The gospel that we share is often reduced to forgiveness and faith. What are the limits of that, and what else does the Bible have to say about salvation? In this episode, we explore the depth and breadth of the good news God has for us.
Sharing the good news–what is salvation?
As ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven, we are called and we desire to share the good news. But it can be a real challenge to communicate it. The gospel that we share is often reduced to forgiveness and faith. What are the limits of that, and what else does the Bible have to say about salvation?
The word “salvation” (swthriaj) occurs 46 times in the New Testament, with twenty of those times informing us about salvation. Consider these Bible verses:
- To give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins (Luke 1:77)
- “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham . . .” (Luke 19:9)
- “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” (Acts 16:17)
- The good message is the power of God for salvation to everyone who is honest about dependence (Romans 1:16)
- . . . and he confesses with his lips and so is saved . . . (Romans 10:10)
- If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation (2 Cor 1:6)
- For godly grief produces a change of mind/heart/care that leads to salvation (2 Cor 7:10)
- In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the good message of your salvation, and have come to honesty about dependence on him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit . . . (Eph 1:13)
- . . . and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear omen to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. (Phil 1:28)
- . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling . . . (Phil. 2:12)
- . . . and for a helmet the hope of salvation (1 Thess 5:8)
- For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess 5:9)
- God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and honesty about dependence on the truth. (2 Thess 2:13)
- . . . the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through honesty about dependence on Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:15)
- . . . how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Heb 2:3)
- . . . should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Heb 2:10)
- . . . we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation. (Heb. 6:9)
- . . . by God’s power are guarded through honesty about dependence for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)
- . . . long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation (1 Peter 2:2)
- “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” (Rev. 12:10)
Forgiveness is just the tip of the iceberg of the gospel. Below is a link to a one-page PDF that lists fourteen aspects of the good news that God gives us. Consider it, and share this good news with others.