Saved; what does it mean?

Ken-1122 said:

What does it mean to be saved? Please explain.

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It means that the new birth has taken place and one is justified by faith - accepted by God. It means that if that person should die while in the saved state - they would not end up in the lake of fire but rather would be in the 1 Thess 4:13-18 resurrection of the saints at Christ's appearing.

Ken-1122 said:

How is one born of water and spirit?

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The best that you can do is to ask God to show you how [BTDT].
It is not the intellectual exercise that you are hoping it to be.

Ken-1122 said:

What does it mean to be saved? Please explain.

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In Greek sozo and derivatives speak of rescue. Salvation refers to God's rescue of creation. The Good Samaritan seeing the left-for-dead man on the side of the road saves him by taking him to the inn, having his wounds cleaned, fed, and ultimately healed and restored. That is what God has done, is doing, and will do when it comes to us and the whole universe.

-CryptoLutheran

Ken-1122 said:

How is one born of water and spirit?

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The ancient, traditional, and normative Christian answer is Baptism. Through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism God has promised to unite us to Christ, Christ's Passion, Christ's death, and burial, and His resurrection. So that the baptized have been forgiven of all their sins, and have been adopted as a child of God, and set aright with God for a life of discipleship under Jesus Christ. To take up their cross and follow Him, loving their neighbor, feeding the hungry, and generally living like the Gospel we believe is actually and indeed true.

-CryptoLutheran

Ken-1122 said:

But in order for a change of heart to happen, that means there was a time in your life when you did not trust Christ. Is't it possible for a person to have been raised in a way to have always trusted Christ for as long as they were capable of understanding?

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Yes. Faith is not something we do ourselves, but is the gift of God to us by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), which comes by the power of God through the Gospel (Romans 10:17). Which is why the Church has always welcomed children born to believers through the waters of Holy Baptism as full members of the Church, because it is God who gives faith, not we ourselves; so that even the baptized infant has faith. The idea that one has to make a "personal decision for Jesus" is a purely modern construct invented in the 19th and early 20th centuries by Revivalists like Charles Finney and Billy Sunday. It has no basis in the historic teaching of the Christian Church; neither in the Bible itself, or the ancient and medieval Church, or even the Protestant Reformers.

I've always had faith in Jesus, even before I could walk and talk. There has never been a time in my life that I haven't believed. I grew up in a modern church tradition that did not baptize infants or children, and as such I didn't receive Baptism until I was 17. And nevertheless I've always believed. God has generously given me faith through the Gospel since I've been in diapers.

-CryptoLutheran

Ken-1122 said:

So when a person gets saved, what happens?

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The language of "get saved" is sort of strange from a more traditionalist Christian perspective. As historically salvation isn't viewed as some kind of singular on-off switch that gets flipped on. Salvation speaks to the full and robust work of God, not just for us, but for the whole world and all of creation. Which is why the Church--and Scripture--often speak of "being saved" in the present tense. Salvation is described as the objective work and power of Christ in the world by His death and resurrection; which is the present-tense reality in which we live by grace through faith, and is also the ultimate hope when God makes all things new.

In one sense we won't be saved until the resurrection of the body and the renewal of all creation; in one sense we have already been saved because Christ died and rose again and He "tasted the death of all men" (in that sense, everyone has already been saved, such St. Paul says in Romans 5:18, and is perhaps the meaning, or part of the meaning, of 1 Timothy 4:10). And we are also being saved.

For Lutherans Justification, or us receiving the justice/righteousness of Jesus, is by grace alone through faith; which is given to us through God's Means of Word and Sacrament. I wasn't justified at one point in the past and now I can just live however I want; I am justified because God continually justifies me on Christ's account alone, which I receive as pure gift, through faith. So that whenever I hear the Gospel, God is saving me; whenever I receive Christ's Supper where His flesh and blood are given "in, with, and under" the bread and the wine God is saving me. Because I am baptized, and that reality of my baptism is continual through my life, God is saving me.

God is saving me by not only justifying me, but also by sanctifying. It is this sanctification, or the present work of God in our lives by calling us to lives of faithful discipleship, is how we, as St. Paul writes, "work out our salvation with fear and trembling". That is, the life of faith is also a life called and devoted to good works (Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 5:14)

And, when all is said and done, when even this body of flesh and bones is lifted out of the dirt of the earth and restored to life, and becomes immortal and incorruptible and God does the same with all creation, then I shall also be. As I share in the life which God desires for all things, and I inhabit that good world of justice, peace, love, and true freedom to be human.

-CryptoLutheran

Ken-1122 said:

What does it mean to be saved? Please explain.

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Saved means that we can look forward to receiving the promise of salvation provided that we remain in Christ. It doesn’t mean we have received it already.

BrotherJJ said:

All your sins Past-Present-Future are forgiven & Christ gives you eternal life with Him.

King James Bible Dictionary FORGIV'EN: Pardoned remitted.

We are justified & receive a Full Sin ACQUILTTAL. When a sovereign God judicially pronounces us righteousness. Bases on our faith placed in Christ's FAITHFUL, Finished, redemptive work & resurrection.)

At the moment we truly make the decision to trust Christ we are justified = Judicially declared righteous by a sovereign Creator God = Saved (DONE DEAL). Our salvation is forever secure via receiving the eternal seal of God's indwelling Holy Spirit. We are also SANCTIFIED = set apart for a for an ongoing purpose/work/mission that continues until the day we meet the Lord.

Only God/Jesus truly knows our heart. When our confession & belief in His sin atoning death, burial & resurrection are honest. He (only Christ can) can baptize us with is eternally sealing, indwelling Holy Spirit.

All in a new birth moment/event we become forgiven, justified, sanctified & He is glorified. Amen & amen.

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Well according to John 15:1-7 we must remain in Christ in order to receive salvation right? 2 Timothy 2:12 is another example.

Ken-1122 said:

When a person is on this journey of sanctification, what do they do differently than they were doing before the journey?

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Well IF they choose to conform to the Holy Spirit they will walk with Christ. But it’s not an automatic given that anyone will. We can see this in the very same verse that Paul said we are sealed with the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4 and on into chapter 5.

BNR32FAN said:

Saved means that we can look forward to receiving the promise of salvation provided that we remain in Christ. It doesn’t mean we have received it already.

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I agree 100%. Unfortunately, some erroneously claim we already have eternal life. Ask them why we are still susceptible to death, and they start scratching their hair. You hit the nail on the head because it is an irrevocable promise that will be redeemed at the rapture/resurrection - when we receive immortality/eternal life. It is, however, contingent on the believer abiding unto Christ till the end of their mortal life.

BNR32FAN said:

Well according to John 15:1-7 we must remain in Christ in order to receive salvation right? 2 Timothy 2:12 is another example.

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Many cling to certain verses like the couple you cited, Heb 4:6 & 10:19 etc. You are free to promote your heart, as I am Mine. I'll reply with scriptures & a question as well.

1st some Bible dictionary background"

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: definition - Seal
English "seal" = Greek "sphragis" context as a Noun - Strongs ref #4973
(a) "the seal of the living God," an emblem of "ownership & security" the persons to be "sealed" being "secured from destruction & marked for reward"

English "seal" = Greek "sphragizo" context as a verb - Strongs ref #4972
(d) ownership and security, three indications are conveyed in Ephesians 1:13 , in the metaphor of the "sealing" of believers by the gift of the Holy Spirit, upon believing (i.e., at the time of their regeneration, not after a lapse of time in their spiritual life, "having also believed," "after that ye believed;" the aorist (TENSE) participle marks the definiteness and completeness of the act of faith); the idea of destination is stressed by the phrase "the Holy Spirit of promise" (see also Ephesians 1:14 ); so Ephesians 4:30 , "ye were sealed unto the day of redemption;"
Seal (Noun and Verb) - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Vines Expository Dictionary: definition - Earnest
"arrabon", noun, Strongs ref #728
originally, "earnest-money" deposited by the purchaser. In general usage it came to denote "a pledge" or "earnest" of any sort; in the NT it is used only of that which is assured by God to believers; it is said of the Holy Spirit as the Divine "pledge" of all their future blessedness, 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, Eph 1:14, 4:30, 2 Timothy 1:14. particularly of their eternal inheritance.
Earnest (Noun) - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. In modern Greek arrabona is an "engagement ring

My question to you is what about these verses?

2 Tim 1:14 Refers to the Holy Spirit as a Guard & Deposit.

2 Cor 5:5, Eph 1:14 & 2 Cor 1:22. Refer to the Holy Spirit as "the earnest" = Pledge or Promise.

Eph 1:13, 2 Cor 1:22 & Eph 4:30 Refer to the Holy Spirit as a Seal.

2 Tim 1:14 The Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you
(MY NOTE: The Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Is God's deposit & guards us until the day of redemption)

2 Cor 5:5 God, who also hath given unto us the "earnest" of the Spirit
(MY NOTE: God's Holy Spirit dwelling within us is the earnest. Earnest translated from the Greek word: arrabon. Also means a pledge)

2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also "sealed us" & "given the earnest" of the Holy Spirit in our hearts
(MY NOTE: God has placed His Holy Spirit in the believers heart. As a pledge & a SEAL until the soon coming day of our redemption)

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(MY NOTE: You heard about Christ's finished sin redemptive payment & resurrection. When you believed/trusted, Christ sealed/baptized you with His Holy Spirit).

Eph1:14 Which is the "earnest" of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession
(MY NOTE: The Holy Spirit by which Christ baptizes/seals & indwells us. Is the earnest = a down payment, a pledge, a promise, a guarantee)

Eph 4:30 grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are "sealed" unto the day of redemption
(MY NOTE: Believers are SEALED with God's Holy Spirit. It's a pledge, promise, guard & guarantee that Christ will come for us)

1 Jn 5:13 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
(MY NOTE: John writes: that you may know ""PRESENT TENSE"" that you have eternal life)

Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
(MY NOTE: God doesn't go back on His Word or Promises)

I can post many, many more verses that speak of the believers secure salvation. Best wishes, JJ

Ken-1122 said:

What does it mean to be saved? Please explain.

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I cut and pasted this from my website, rather than rewrite it:

What is Salvation, how can I be saved?
What is salvation, or how is a person saved from separation from God in hell. The bible tells us that:


Jesus also said:


So we need to look to the words and commands of Jesus to see how to be saved. The bible uses the word “faith”, which means trust, to describe salvation. We are told:


We are justified by our faith in Jesus to save us, and not by our own righteous deeds.


We can be assured of salvation, because it is by faith, not our works. This will bring us peace.


Yet we are not to take advantage of grace and just continue in sin:




So we as Christians, are saved now, by grace, not by our deeds, yet we are not to continue to live in sin, God has a higher path way for us. The grace that saves us, and the thing in which we trust is the forgiveness offered by Jesus when he died in our place on the cross. As a sacrifice for sin.

Every sin we committed was placed upon Jesus at the cross, and He took the penalty that we deserve. Being crucified in the body, but then made alive.




So the question has to be asked, what if I were to sin, would Jesus forgive me, would I lose grace. Do I need to be perfectly sinless. Although it is good to be sinless the bible tells us that we will all have a degree of sin at the time we die.


So it is not by being sinless that we get to heaven. Yet I give a warning to the one who makes deliberate use of grace to sin, the bible says that when we sin we are hardened, we move toward spiritual blindness.


God allows this progressive blindness to occur, so that we will no longer believe if we are desirous of sin.


So we should always move toward God, and away from sin.

Ken-1122 said:

What does it mean to be saved? Please explain.

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All people are headed for eternal hell, saved from that end only by trusting in Christ as Lord and Savior. (John 3:16-18; John 3:36; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

Ken-1122 said:

So when a person gets saved, what happens?

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They are reconciled to God and adopted into His family, made alive spiritually by the coming of the Spirit to dwell with them, and, over time, "conformed to the image of Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:30; Titus 3:5-8; John 3:3-7; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Ken-1122 said:

When a person is on this journey of sanctification, what do they do differently than they were doing before the journey?

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That depends upon the genuineness of their salvation, their understanding of their own faith, and the length of time they've had walking with God. Really, it isn't so much what the Christian does for God, but what God does for them. By His conviction of them, His teaching of them, His strengthening of them, His comforting them, and His discipline of them, God transforms the thinking, desires and conduct of His children so that they are more and more a reflection of Jesus Christ. But this is a life-long process, no one achieving an all-perfected state this side of the grave.

Ken-1122 said:

So you can continue sinning free of punishment?

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No. Sin cannot eternally destroy the person "in Christ," the Christian, but it can certainly separate them from intimate fellowship with God and all the good things such fellowship brings to the believer's life. Sin has temporal consequences for the believer, too, that are not alleviated by their membership in God's family.

Ken-1122 said:

How about those raised in a Christian household and spent their entire lives trusting Christ, are those people born saved because they have always trusted Christ?

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One is not born-again spiritually by being born physically into a "Christian household," nor is salvation obtained by mere intellectual assent to the existence of God and the saving work of Christ. One must be born-again, Jesus said to Nicodemus, born a second time spiritually and only by this birth is salvation obtained (John 3:3-7), accomplished by the Holy Spirit, not by familial association to Christians (John 14:17; Romans 8:9-11; 1 John 4:13; Titus 3:5). And one must also not only assent to the tenets of the Gospel and the Christian faith but expect to live in alignment with them, conforming one's life to these tenets. (James 2:14-26)

Ken-1122 said:

I guess my question is; if a person has always received Christ by faith, was he always saved?

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There is no such person. Every believer has come to a knowledge of Christ and believed it; they don't possess this knowledge and belief congenitally.

Ken-1122 said:

What does it mean to be saved? Please explain.

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Rescued, delivered, saved

Isaiah 52:6-7 I am present as a season of beauty upon the mountains, as the feet of one preaching glad tidings of peace, as one preaching good news. For I will publish thy salvation: saying, O Sion, thy God shall reign.

Isaiah 26:16-20 Lord, in affliction I remembered Thee: Thy chastening was to us with small affliction.[17] And as a woman in travail draws nigh to be delivered and cries out in her pain, so have we been to Thy Beloved.[18] We have conceived, O Lord, because of Thy fear, and have been in pain and have brought forth the breath of Thy salvation, which we have wrought upon the earth: we shall not fall, but all that dwell upon the land shall fall.[19] The dead shall rise, and they that are in the tombs shall be raised, and they that are in the Earth shall rejoice: for the dew from Thee is healing to them: but the land of the ungodly shall perish.[20] Go, My people, enter into thy closets, shut thy door, hide thyself for a little season, until the anger of the Lord have passed away. ("we have wrought", Revelation 7:4-8, Manasseh is Dan: Revelation 12:17)

Revelation 12:1-6 And there appeared a great wonder in Heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.[2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth and pained to be delivered.[5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.[6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (rod of iron, Revelation 2:27)

Isaiah 66:7-8 Before she that travailed brought forth, before the travail-pain came on, she escaped it and brought forth a male.[8] Who has heard such a thing? and who has seen after this manner? Has the earth travailed in one day? or has even a nation been born at once, that Sion has travailed and brought forth her children?

John 19:28-30 After this, Ιησους knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.[29] Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to His mouth.[30] When Ιησους therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.

Exodus 12:21-27 And Moses called all the elders of the Children of Israel, and said to them, Go away and take to yourselves a lamb according to your kindreds, and slay the Passover.[22] And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and having dipped it into some of the blood that is by the door, ye shall touch the lintel, and shall put it upon both door-posts, even of the blood which is by the door; but ye shall not go out every one from the door of his house till the morning. ...[26] And it shall come to pass, if your sons say to you, What is this service?[27] that ye shall say to them, "This Passover is a sacrifice to the Lord, as He defended the Houses of the Children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, but delivered our houses."LXX

The Gospel of the Kingdom Heaven for the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.
Isaiah 52:3-7, Isaiah 59:21, Deuteronomy 18:18-19, John 12:44-50

Ken-1122 said:

How is one born of water and spirit?

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Matthew 3:11-17 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:[12] Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

John 14:15-20 If ye love Me, keep My Commandments:[16] and I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever:[17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him. But ye know Him for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Ken-1122 said:

Page 4 under “Recieving Christ involves”

turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be.

Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

I guess my question is; if a person has always received Christ by faith, was he always saved?

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Faith means trust... and because of that trust, doing whatsoever the one you say you believe commands you to do. Matthew 5:19 and Matthew 7:24-27 and Matthew 28:18-20 inspire this thought. John 12:44-50 tells us these Kingdom Laws and Commandments come directly from the Father. Deuteronomy 18:18-19 prophesied the coming of Ιησους and so, the words that He speaks in the Sermons in Galilee are the words the Father gave Him to speak. The Gospel of the Kingdom in Matthew is the Gospel of the Father.

Ken-1122 said:

So when a person gets saved, what happens?

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So, after that comprehensive explanation in answer to your OP request, it seems that you have no idea what our friend was talking about. Not your fault. It is like explaining rocket science to a back country sheep farmer.

When I was at university in the 1980s as a mature student, I came to the table in the cafeteria to join a friend who had no Christian background. Another guy was there who was a zealous Christian and he was explaining to my friend what Christianity was all about. I listened for a while, and when he paused. I asked my friend, "Do you understand what he is talking about?" She answered, "I don't have a clue. It all sounds like gobbledy gook to me." I don't think the Christian friend was very pleased with me when I explained to him that atheists and people with no Christian background don't understand Christian jargon and that he just wasted his time and energy sharing something that certainly made really good sense to him, but meant nothing to my female friend. I didn't try to translate to my friend, and she appreciated me for that.

I'll probably get a bit of flak for what I just said, but I don't care. It is the truth.

"Being saved" for a Christian means to be saved from an eternity in hell once he dies. How I can explain how that is accomplished to you without using Christian "jargon" is a bit difficult without a person to person interactive conversation.

There is a Christian street evangelist named Ray Comfort. He has quite a number of Youtube videos in which he speaks to atheists and those without Christian backgrounds, to explain the Gospel in real, down to earth words. Have a look to see how he explains what it means to be "saved". I'm not expecting you to suddenly, magically believe what he is saying, but it may go some way to explaining what the term "saved" means, and why people need it.

Ken-1122 said:

Why? If a child can grow up trusting their parents from day 1, what's to stop them from trusting Christ?

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Nothing. Nothing at all.

Matthew 19:13-15 Then were there brought unto him little children, that He should put His hands on them and pray, and the Disciples rebuked them.[14] But Ιησους said, Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto Me: for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.[15] And He laid His hands on them, and departed thence.

Exodus 20:1-17
[1] And the Lord spoke all these words, saying: I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods beside Me.
[2] Thou shalt not make to thyself an idol, nor likeness of anything, whatever things are in heaven above, and whatever are in the earth beneath, and whatever are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them; for I am the Lord thy God, a jealous God, recompensing the sins of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generation to them that hate Me, and bestowing mercy on them that love Me to thousands of them, and on them that Keep My Commandments. (John 14:15-17)
[3] Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord thy God will not acquit him that takes His name in vain.
[4] Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy...
[5] Honour thy father and thy mother...
[6] Thou shalt not commit adultery.
[7] Thou shalt not steal.
[8] Thou shalt not kill.
[9] Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
[10] Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's...LXX

[1-4] Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37)
[8] Thou shalt do no murder,
[6] Thou shalt not commit adultery,
[7] Thou shalt not steal,
[9] Thou shalt not bear false witness,
[5] Honour thy father and mother,
[10] Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 19:16-21)