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Are There Many Ways To Salvation?

Justin Johnson

Is there more than one way to be saved? No.

The Bible is clear that the only way of salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ. About whom it was said, “Neither is there salvation in any other…” (Acts 4:12). All men in every dispensation and throughout history face the same inherited problem – sin. The solution to that problem always lies in God through Jesus Christ.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” – Romans 5:12

This inherited sin works in every man to produce death; for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). It is this condemnation that will be enforced on the day of judgment that generates our need for salvation. To defeat the stronghold of death over our lives and sin over our being, God out of his mercy and grace sent Jesus Christ in the fashion of a man to die a death of sacrifice and to resurrect.

All Men Saved by Grace

All men in every dispensation are saved on the merits of what Christ achieved at the cross, defeating death and sin. It is from the message given to Paul that we first learn that God can be just in saving any man, while at the same time being the very justifier of every man that believes in Jesus. For when Christ took our punishment upon himself, he who knew no sin became sin for us. God’s wrath was satisfied and he is free to justify men based upon their faith.

“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” – Romans 3:26

Therefore it is by God’s grace at all times that a man is saved on the basis of faith. It was this salvation that the prophets diligently sought as recorded by Peter:

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:” – 1 Peter 1:9-10

John tells of the grace that would come by Jesus Christ:

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17

The Lord himself said during his ministry on earth, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Paul’s revelation from God supports this statement for our current time when he says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Jesus is everywhere and always the way of salvation for every man.

The faith of all men

Faith in God’s revealed instructions is the means by which God can appropriate righteousness and salvation to any man. However, we must realize that the instructions that he dispenses throughout the Bible has differed between times and people. The differences occur as a result of the separate part each man plays in the eternal will of God.

For example, Noah’s instructions were to build an ark, Abraham’s instructions to sojourn in a foreign land, Moses’ instructions were to deliver Israel. What is right for one man in the Bible is not necessarily proper for another. However, what is right for every man is to come to God by faith performing the instructions for which God has given responsibility.

“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.” – Hebrews 11:6

Therefore, it is extremely important that we discern the times carefully, and divide the scriptures rightly so that we can obey the instructions he has for us responsibly.

Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery

It is at this point that we find ourselves in the most exciting time in history, that at this time God has given unto us the ministry of reconciliation.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” – 2 Cor 5:18

This ministry could not be preached at any other time until now. For it is at this time that God has declared his righteousness to be granted to men without the works of the law! Instead it is bestowed upon men by faith, and that faith in Christ’s victory over sin!

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” – Romans 3:21-22

The specific instructions for our salvation today do not require works, and this aspect makes the current time a unique celebration of God’s grace for all time!

Whereas the work of Noah’s ark-building accompanied his faith, and the sacrifices of those under the law accompanied their faith, no work accompanies our faith for salvation to be appropriated!

Instead we claim salvation through simple faith in the death of Christ Jesus our Lord and his victory over death and the grave! His amazing grace displayed when he died for us so that we may be righteous before God on judgment day. What a glorious message we have to share to every man!

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And, it is this same Christ “by whom we have now received the atonement.” – Romans 5:8, 11

One Lord, one faith

Men at all times can only be saved on the basis of the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The dispensational truths we discover as distinct for every age communicate the will of God that we are required to obey for salvation.

Ironically, the religions of the world teach that the better person that we are and the more good works that we perform, the closer we will be to salvation. Yet, the message of this time from God about salvation does not concern our ability to perform good works, but instead revolves around the good work performed by Christ at Calvary and performed in our stead.

If you are attached to a religion that touts its works as a standard of salvation, remember that the obedience of faith is today exhibited not of works:

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Romans 4:5

It is your belief of Christ’s death for your sins and resurrection that places you in a righteous position before God. Once you are saved and are taught to mature in your knowledge of God and his love you will find that:

“…the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” – 2 Cor 5:14-15

The only way to be saved today is to believe in Christ’s blood as a payment for your sin.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” – Eph 2:8

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Published: September 21, 2009
Last Modified: July 8, 2023
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