How Does Salvation WORK

[Christian Jacocks]

I grew up in church, and I understand that His death and the resurrection are essential to salvation, but I have been asked before and have even asked myself the same question.

"HOW does it WORK, though."

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

Edit:
Perhaps a deeper explanation of my question is needed. Logically speaking, how does it work. Some of you have quoted scripture stating that it works, but I am not asking to be told THAT it works, but HOW it works. WHY was His death and resurrection enough?

 

[crossnote]

Through faith in the atonement their sins are washed away, they are regenerated (born again) and the Holy Spirit takes up residence continuing the good work of purification started at Calvary.

 

[dqhall]

I grew up in church, and I understand that His death and the resurrection are essential to salvation, but I have been asked before and have even asked myself the same question.

"HOW does it WORK, though."

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

Jesus said, “Many are called, few are chosen.” He also talked about the straight and narrow, the difficult path and repentance.

 

[Tolworth John]

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

It is like Bill Gates offering to buy everybody a cup of coffee. He has the means to buy everybody a cup of coffee.
In the same at Jesus's rightousness and Holiness is so great that he won't even notice the amount that is used to deal with All our sin.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I grew up in church, and I understand that His death and the resurrection are essential to salvation, but I have been asked before and have even asked myself the same question.

"HOW does it WORK, though."

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

Here is how it works. I have to tell you first how man was lost. Read Genesis.
1)In the beginning man was made in the very image of God. He had the Holy nature of God.
2) Man disobeyed God's instruction and ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
3) Sin entered (invaded) man's nature by this disobedience. Man's nature changed from Holy nature to sin nature and death entered also.
4) Now every other man(person) born from the seed of man is born with the sin nature (no loner Holy).
5) But God's plan to use the seed of the woman (egg) to rescue man from his sin nature.

Now to how it works. You must be born again. Read John 3.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

[Soyeong]

I grew up in church, and I understand that His death and the resurrection are essential to salvation, but I have been asked before and have even asked myself the same question.

"HOW does it WORK, though."

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

If you had a friend who had a debt that they couldn't pay, then the only way for you to cancel their debt would be for you to pay it for them in their place. This would still be true even if you owned their debt because in order to wipe the books clean you would essentially be giving up the money that you originally loaned them in order to pay their debt in their place. The wages of sin is death, so the only way for God to our debt would be for Him to pay it for us in our place, which is why it was necessary for Jesus to die in order to atone for the sins of the world.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Here is how it works. I have to tell you first how man was lost. Read Genesis.
1)In the beginning man was made in the very image of God. He had the Holy nature of God.
2) Man disobeyed God's instruction and ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
3) Sin entered (invaded) man's nature by this disobedience. Man's nature changed from Holy nature to sin nature and death entered also.
4) Now every other man(person) born from the seed of man is born with the sin nature (no loner Holy).
5) But God's plan to use the seed of the woman (egg) to rescue man from his sin nature.

Now to how it works. You must be born again. Read John 3.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

It makes sense that believing in His love has both lateral and vertical perspective and in so believing is law and prophet fulfilment and admission into the blessing accepted in reconciliation to God. Basically turning from self (idol) to Him who has the power to save completely.

 

[eleos1954]

I grew up in church, and I understand that His death and the resurrection are essential to salvation, but I have been asked before and have even asked myself the same question.

"HOW does it WORK, though."

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

Because Jesus was completely without sin (sin = transgression of the law) Christ fulfilled the law completely ... lived a perfect life (something none of us can do). Through the perfection of Jesus the gift of salvation (eternal life with Him) is available to anyone who accepts this gift ... confesses their sin to Him and repents (turns from sinning) ... in doing so they are born again ... that is ... they invite Jesus into their lives and asks Him to help them to change their thinking (which in turn effects their actions) ... becoming more like Christ (through the work of the Holy Spirit) in us. Only through our on-going relationship with Christ can one be reconciled to God ... there is no other way to receive eternal life.

When we are resurrected, we have been judged (and are declared not guilty because being covered by the blood of Christ) ... because we are covered by His blood we are redeemed ... He paid the sin debt for everyone ... but one does need to ask and receive the gift of salvation that is available. He doesn't force himself on anyone.

Philippians 1:6

New Living Translation
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

 

[5thKingdom]

I grew up in church, and I understand that His death and the resurrection are essential to salvation, but I have been asked before and have even asked myself the same question.

"HOW does it WORK, though."

First a little CONTEXT.
The Bible teaches that all men belong to one of three (3) groups:
(1) The saved "wheat" in the church (sown by God) or
(2) The unsaved "tares" in the church (sown by Satan) or
(3) The lost souls OUTSIDE the church (also children of Satan)
like Moslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists,
Pagans, Satanists, etc.

When man sins there is a penalty. That penalty is eternal torment.

God sent the Lord Jesus to PAY for the sins of those who God
"ordained" to believe... and "chose" to save... and "elected"
to eternal life. These are "His sheep", the saved "wheat".

Their sins are already PAID by Jesus... so they have no more
condemnation or guilt before God.

The sins of all others (groups #2 and #3 above)
were NOT PAID by Jesus and, therefore, must be PAID
by the sinner. Every idle word and EVEN sinful thoughts.

.......

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

The closest model given of what salvation is to what we have is a marriage and the question of to whom the marriage is to. That of the old husband of Romans 7 or to Christ.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Children of God have only scripture at this time for a map home.

 

[5thKingdom]

The closest model given of what salvation is to what we have is a marriage and the question of to whom the marriage is to. That of the old husband of Romans 7 or to Christ.

I disagree...
The closest model to what salvation is is that we
have been found guilty of a crime that requires eternal torment.

But we have a Savior that has PAID that penalty for us.
So now we are guiltless before God the Judge.

Note: when I say "we" I mean the saved "wheat" in the church
and NOT the unsaved "tares" in the church or those OUTSIDE
of the church.

.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I disagree...
The closest model to what salvation is is that we
have been found guilty of a crime that requires eternal torment.

But we have a Savior that has PAID that penalty for us.
So now we are guiltless before God the Judge.

Note: when I say "we" I mean the saved "wheat" in the church
and NOT the unsaved "tares" in the church or those OUTSIDE
of the church.

.

A prisoner must accept the governor’s pardon. Saved or the opportunity to be saved? Marriage represents consent, a two-fold agreement.

 

[5thKingdom]

A prisoner must accept the governor’s pardon. Saved or the opportunity to be saved? Marriage represents consent, a two-fold agreement.

Who is talking about a governor's pardon?
Not me.

When the Bible says those who are "ordained" believe
(how is that like a marriage?).

When the Bible says that those who are "chosen" are saved
(how is that like a marriage?)

When the Bible says that those who are "elected" inherit
eternal life (how is that like a marriage?)

The "marriage" of the "Bride of Christ" occurs at the END
of seeking and saving all of "His Sheep". Not before.

The Bible teaches that God Creates some men to be
"vessels of mercy" (they are saved) and He Creates
others to be "vessels of destruction" (they cannot
chose to be part of the "Bride of Christ")

The Bible teaches that NO MAN can come to Christ
unless the Father first "draws them" and ALL MEN
the Father draws "shall come" to Jesus and He will
lose NONE of "His sheep" (how is that like a marriage)

The idea that salvation is like a marriage is based on
the false doctrine that EVERY MAN can "chose" to be
saved. So it is a poor or false analogy at best.

A better analogy is that God CHOSE who would be part
of the "Bride of Christ"... as in an "arranged marriage"...
that is an analogy that is Biblical.

.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Who is talking about a governor's pardon?
Not me.

When the Bible says those who are "ordained" believe
(how is that like a marriage?).

When the Bible says that those who are "chosen" are saved
(how is that like a marriage?)

When the Bible says that those who are "elected" inherit
eternal life (how is that like a marriage?)

The "marriage" of the "Bride of Christ" occurs at the END
of seeking and saving all of "His Sheep". Not before.

The Bible teaches that God Creates some men to be
"vessels of mercy" (they are saved) and He Creates
others to be "vessels of destruction" (they cannot
chose to be part of the "Bride of Christ")

The Bible teaches that NO MAN can come to Christ
unless the Father first "draws them" and ALL MEN
the Father draws "shall come" to Jesus and He will
lose NONE of "His sheep" (how is that like a marriage)

The idea that salvation is like a marriage is based on
the false doctrine that EVERY MAN can "chose" to be
saved. So it is a poor or false analogy at best.

A better analogy is that God CHOSE who would be part
of the "Bride of Christ"... as in an "arranged marriage"...
that is an analogy that is Biblical.

.

It’s elemental to try to bring things like laying on of hands into the further revelation of what marriage to God means. It doesn’t use human hands to form the rock upon which it stands. Perhaps the wall is only as thick as the size of a thumb. The Holy Spirit to the eunuch was as the wind that goes as it may.

 

[5thKingdom]

It’s elemental to try to bring things like laying on of hands into the further revelation of what marriage to God means. It doesn’t use human hands to form the rock upon which it stands. Perhaps the wall is only as thick as the size of a thumb. The Holy Spirit to the eunuch was as the wind that goes as it may.

I have NO IDEA what you are talking about with laying on of hands.
I never mentioned anything like that.

And I have no desire to fight about this...
So let me give you some SCRIPTURE that talks about
the "marriage" process.

This first passage is talking about the Jewish "Kingdom of Heaven"

Mat 22:2-7
The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king,
which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants
to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not
come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which
are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my
fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm,
another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants,
and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king
heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

That was the END of the Jewish "Kingdom of Heaven".
The next part of the passage talks about the Christian
"Kingdom of Heaven" and the MARRIAGE of the Bride.


Mat 22:8-14
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they
which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the
highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered
together all as many as they found, both bad and good:
[remember, the church contains both "wheat and tares"]
and the wedding was furnished with guests.
[at the end of the Great Commission of the church age]
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there
a man which had not on a wedding garment: [unsaved "tare"]
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither
not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot,
and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness;
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are chosen.

Moral of the story:
The Jewish Kingdom proved unworthy and God decided
to TAKE the Holy Spirit away from them and GIVE it to
the Christian "Kingdom of Heaven". We see this in the
verse below (in verse 45 is says the chief priests and
the Pharisees KNEW this verses was talking about them):

Mat 21:43
Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be
TAKEN from you, and GIVEN to a nation bringing forth
the fruits thereof.

So the Great Commission of the Christian "Kingdom of Heaven"
went out and gathered both "good and bad"... also shown as
both "wheat and tares" [Mat 13] and "good fish and bad fish"
[Mat 13] which are SEPARATED during the Final Harvest.

So... salvation is NOT like a marriage with two consenting
people. Clearly the "tares" were consenting... but not "chosen".
As I said earlier, the "marriage" analogy only works when you
realize it is an "arranged marriage" where MANY are called
(called by the Christian Gospel) but FEW are chosen
(chosen to be saved).

We see that MANY who call Jesus their "Lord" (who THOUGHT
they were part of the "Bride") learn that they were NEVER
included in the "chosen".

Mat 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

They THOUGHT they were PART of the "Bride of Christ"
They were CONSENTING... but they were never "chosen".
And that is why your analogy of two consenting adults
in a marriage is a flawed analogy at best.

So we see the "consenting" Jews rejected
And then the "consenting" Christians rejected.
The marriage analogy simply does not fit.

I am done arguing this issue.
If you have any questions about Scripture or
you want to talk about doctrines (like "election")
then I am fine with that. But the issue about the
"Bride" of Christ being like two humans consenting
is REFUTED in the Scriptures above.

.

 

[bling]

I grew up in church, and I understand that His death and the resurrection are essential to salvation, but I have been asked before and have even asked myself the same question.

"HOW does it WORK, though."

Why is it that the death fo Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES?

Edit:
Perhaps a deeper explanation of my question is needed. Logically speaking, how does it work. Some of you have quoted scripture stating that it works, but I am not asking to be told THAT it works, but HOW it works. WHY was His death and resurrection enough?

You seem to be asking: “How does atonement work”, which is a huge topic with only “theories” right now with conflicting answers.

You already start off with the assumption: “the death of Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES.”

We might agree Christ’s crucifixion (torture, humiliation and murder) was the atonement sacrifice for “everyone”, but that does not mean the atonement process was completed for everyone.

Jesus, Peter, Paul, John and the Hebrew author describe the atonement process as a literal ransom/kidnapping scenario and not some like a ransom scenario.

We can all agree on the unbelievable huge payment being the Christ, we can agree on deity making the huge payment and we can agree on a child being set free to enter the Kingdom.

What everyone has a problem with is the kidnapper:

Some say it is satan, but that makes satan out to be way to powerful and God can easily and safely take anything from satan without paying him a ransom so it would actually be wrong for God to pay an undeserving satan anything.

Some say God is the kidnapper, but God is not undeserving criminal kidnapper, holding His own children back, and having to “pay” Himself.

Some say the kidnapper is an intangible or does not exist all together. No kidnapper means no kidnapping scenario. Intangibles do not have to be paid or can they accept a ransom payment. Paying sin, death, evil or human nature does not change them.



Think about this:

When you go to a nonbeliever, you are not trying to sell them on a book, theology, doctrine or culture, but you are trying to get them to accept: “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” and if he/she accepts Jesus Christ and him crucified, a child is released to enter the Kingdom, yet if the individual does not accept “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” a child is kept from entering the Kingdom. Does this not sound like a kidnapping scenario with “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” being the Bible’s description of the ransom payment?

This is just one small aspect of the atonement explanation there is a lot more to cover, but do you really want to?

Remember this: “Atonement is something better experienced then explained”?

 

[5thKingdom]

You seem to be asking: “How does atonement work”, which is a huge topic with only “theories” right now with conflicting answers.

You already start off with the assumption: “the death of Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is enough to atone for not only MY sins but EVERYONE ELSES.”

We might agree Christ’s crucifixion (torture, humiliation and murder) was the atonement sacrifice for “everyone”, but that does not mean the atonement process was completed for everyone.

Jesus, Peter, Paul, John and the Hebrew author describe the atonement process as a literal ransom/kidnapping scenario and not some like a ransom scenario.

We can all agree on the unbelievable huge payment being the Christ, we can agree on deity making the huge payment and we can agree on a child being set free to enter the Kingdom.

What everyone has a problem with is the kidnapper:

Some say it is satan, but that makes satan out to be way to powerful and God can easily and safely take anything from satan without paying him a ransom so it would actually be wrong for God to pay an undeserving satan anything.

Some say God is the kidnapper, but God is not undeserving criminal kidnapper, holding His own children back, and having to “pay” Himself.

Some say the kidnapper is an intangible or does not exist all together. No kidnapper means no kidnapping scenario. Intangibles do not have to be paid or can they accept a ransom payment. Paying sin, death, evil or human nature does not change them.



Think about this:

When you go to a nonbeliever, you are not trying to sell them on a book, theology, doctrine or culture, but you are trying to get them to accept: “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” and if he/she accepts Jesus Christ and him crucified, a child is released to enter the Kingdom, yet if the individual does not accept “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” a child is kept from entering the Kingdom. Does this not sound like a kidnapping scenario with “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” being the Bible’s description of the ransom payment?

This is just one small aspect of the atonement explanation there is a lot more to cover, but do you really want to?

Remember this: “Atonement is something better experienced then explained”?

You said (and I quote)
Jesus, Peter, Paul, John and the Hebrew author describe the atonement process as a literal ransom/kidnapping scenario and not some like a ransom scenario.

Can you provide some Scriptures to support that statement?
No need to quote them, just cite chapter and verse please.

You said (and I quote)
When you go to a nonbeliever, you are not trying to sell them on a book, theology, doctrine or culture, but you are trying to get them to accept: “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” and if he/she accepts Jesus Christ and him crucified, a child is released to enter the Kingdom, yet if the individual does not accept “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” a child is kept from entering the Kingdom.

I am not aware of any Scripture that talks about "accepting"
Jesus. Can you please cite the chapter and verse that you
think teaches this doctrine.

As you are aware, there are MANY who "accept" Jesus and
they call Him LORD... but they never had their sins PAID
(the Atonement did not cover them) and will spend eternity
PAYING for their own sins.

Mat 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

.

 

[JIMINZ]

"HOW does it WORK"

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

Paul laid it out for you here.

Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

The Full Assurance of Faith

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised,
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Heb 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Heb 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

By Faith

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Therefore the answer to your question is.

"BY FAITH AND THE PROFESSION OF THAT FAITH"

Rom. 8:24,25
24) For we are saved by hope: (Faith) but hope that is seen is not hope: (Faith) for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25) But if we hope (Faith) for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

HOPE
G1680
ἐλπίς
elpis
el-pece'
Fromἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence: - faith, hope.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I have NO IDEA what you are talking about with laying on of hands.
I never mentioned anything like that.

And I have no desire to fight about this...
So let me give you some SCRIPTURE that talks about
the "marriage" process.

This first passage is talking about the Jewish "Kingdom of Heaven"

Mat 22:2-7
The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king,
which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants
to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not
come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which
are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my
fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm,
another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants,
and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king
heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

That was the END of the Jewish "Kingdom of Heaven".
The next part of the passage talks about the Christian
"Kingdom of Heaven" and the MARRIAGE of the Bride.


Mat 22:8-14
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they
which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the
highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered
together all as many as they found, both bad and good:
[remember, the church contains both "wheat and tares"]
and the wedding was furnished with guests.
[at the end of the Great Commission of the church age]
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there
a man which had not on a wedding garment: [unsaved "tare"]
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither
not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot,
and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness;
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are chosen.

Moral of the story:
The Jewish Kingdom proved unworthy and God decided
to TAKE the Holy Spirit away from them and GIVE it to
the Christian "Kingdom of Heaven". We see this in the
verse below (in verse 45 is says the chief priests and
the Pharisees KNEW this verses was talking about them):

Mat 21:43
Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be
TAKEN from you, and GIVEN to a nation bringing forth
the fruits thereof.

So the Great Commission of the Christian "Kingdom of Heaven"
went out and gathered both "good and bad"... also shown as
both "wheat and tares" [Mat 13] and "good fish and bad fish"
[Mat 13] which are SEPARATED during the Final Harvest.

So... salvation is NOT like a marriage with two consenting
people. Clearly the "tares" were consenting... but not "chosen".
As I said earlier, the "marriage" analogy only works when you
realize it is an "arranged marriage" where MANY are called
(called by the Christian Gospel) but FEW are chosen
(chosen to be saved).

We see that MANY who call Jesus their "Lord" (who THOUGHT
they were part of the "Bride") learn that they were NEVER
included in the "chosen".

Mat 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

They THOUGHT they were PART of the "Bride of Christ"
They were CONSENTING... but they were never "chosen".
And that is why your analogy of two consenting adults
in a marriage is a flawed analogy at best.

So we see the "consenting" Jews rejected
And then the "consenting" Christians rejected.
The marriage analogy simply does not fit.

I am done arguing this issue.
If you have any questions about Scripture or
you want to talk about doctrines (like "election")
then I am fine with that. But the issue about the
"Bride" of Christ being like two humans consenting
is REFUTED in the Scriptures above.

.

Psalms 45 proves that it was not an arranged marriage because the bride queen was told to forget her father and bring her children to the essence of Who He is.