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Becoming a Christian and Receiving Salvation

Becoming a Christian and receiving salvation involves a transformative process initiated by God's grace and received through faith. This salvation is described as the goal of faith, leading to the salvation of souls [1]. It is not earned through human actions but is a free gift from God [16, 17].

The process begins with conversion, which Easton's Bible Dictionary defines as the turning of a sinner to God [3]. This turning is not merely an abandonment of previous beliefs, but a profound change influenced by divine grace, where "old things pass away, and all things become new" [3]. Examples of such conversions include the Philippian jailer, Paul, the Ethiopian treasurer, Cornelius, and Lydia [3].

Central to receiving salvation is faith in Jesus Christ. This faith is the means by which individuals become righteous before God, rather than through adherence to the Law of Moses [16, 17]. Salvation is received as a free gift through faith [16, 17], and it is by God's grace that one is saved [8, 9]. Preaching the Gospel is considered an ordinary means of salvation, as faith often comes through hearing the word of God preached [18].

Upon becoming a Christian, individuals are united with Christ, sharing in his resurrection both now and in the future [8, 12]. This union means believers' bodies become parts of Christ [15]. This spiritual joining results in a new identity, where believers strip off their "old sinful nature" and put on a "new nature" in Christ [11, 13]. This new nature is characterized by God's Spirit expressing his life within the believer [13].

The concept of adoption is also significant, where individuals are received into God's family from the world [7]. This adoption is by faith and is a result of God's grace through Christ [4]. It signifies a close relationship with God, similar to that between a natural father and son in Roman custom [7]. The Holy Spirit acts as a witness to this adoption, and being led by the Spirit is an evidence of it [4].

Salvation also involves a new birth, a complete departure from a life of sin and death into a realm of life and purity [9]. This new birth is connected with adoption [4]. Believers are "created anew in Christ Jesus," enabling them to perform good works that God planned for them [10]. These good works are a result of salvation, not its cause, produced by God's Spirit working through a transformed heart [10].

Furthermore, believers receive the sealing of the Holy Spirit, which is given to them and is for the day of redemption [6]. Through Christ, believers gain access to God [2]. This access is by Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and is obtained through faith [2]. It is a privilege of those who are reconciled to God [2].

Those who become Christians are often described as "pilgrims and strangers" in the world, having their faces toward Zion and looking for a heavenly country and city [5]. They are called to forsake all for Christ and are strengthened by God [5]. This journey is characterized by giving thanks for all things, even adversities, recognizing that all blessings come from God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ [14].

Sources

  1. I Peter “I Peter 1:9 (BSB) — now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Conversion — The turning of a sinner to God (Acts 15:3). In a general sense the heathen are said to be "converted" when they abandon heathenism and embrace the Christian faith; and in a more special sense men are converted when, by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new (Acts 26:18). Thus we speak of the conversion of the Philippian jailer (16:19-34), of Paul (9:1-22), of the Ethiopian treasurer (8:26-40), of Cornelius (10), of Lydia (16:13-15), and others. (See [125]REGENERATION.)”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Adoption — Explained -- 2Co 6:18. Is according to promise -- Ro 9:8; Ga 3:29. Is by faith -- Ga 3:7,26. Is of God's grace -- Eze 16:3-6; Ro 4:16,17; Eph 1:5,6,11. Is through Christ -- Joh 1:12; Ga 4:4,5; Eph 1:5; Heb 2:10,13. Saints predestinated to -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:5,11. Of Gentiles, predicted -- Ho 2:23; Ro 9:24-26; Eph 3:6. The Adopted are gathered together in one by Christ -- Joh 11:52. New birth connected with -- Joh 1:12,13. The Holy Spirit is a Witness of -- Ro 8:16. Being led by the Spirit is an evidence of -- Ro 8:14. Saints receive the Spirit of -- Ro 8:15”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pilgrims and Strangers — Described -- Joh 17:16. Saints are called to be -- Ge 12:1; Ac 7:3; Lu 14:26,27,33. All saints are -- Ps 39:12; 1Pe 1:1. Saints confess themselves -- 1Ch 29:15; Ps 39:12; 119:19; Heb 11:13. As saints they Have the example of Christ. -- Lu 9:58. Are strengthened by God. -- De 33:25; Ps 84:6,7. Are actuated by faith. -- Heb 11:9. Have their faces toward Zion. -- Jer 50:5. Keep the promised in view. -- Heb 11:13. Forsake all for Christ. -- Mt 19:27. Look for a heavenly country. -- Heb 11:16. Look for a heavenly city. -- Heb 11:10. Pass their soj”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sealing of the Holy Spirit — Christ received -- Joh 6:27. Saints receive -- 2Co 1:22; Eph 1:13. Is to the day of redemption -- Eph 4:30. The wicked do not receive -- Re 9:4. Judgment suspended until all saints receive -- Re 7:3. Typified -- Ro 4:11.”
  7. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Adoption — an expression used by St. Paul in reference to the present and prospective privileges of Christians. (Romans 8:15,23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5) He probably alludes to the Roman custom by which a person not having children of his own might adopt as his son one born of other parents. The relationship was to all intents and purposes the same as existed between a natural father and son. The term is used figuratively to show the close relationship to God of the Christian. (Galatians 4:4,5; Romans 8:14-17) He is received into God's family from the world, and ”
  8. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
  9. Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
  10. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
  11. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
  12. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
  13. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
  14. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:15: 6:15-17 To be a Christian is to be spiritually joined to Christ in both life and death (cp. Rom 6:3-11). As a result, believers’ bodies have become parts of Christ (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-28; Rom 12:4-5). This spiritual union (cp. John 14:20; 17:21-23) means that they are not free to violate their bodies by physical union with a prostitute.”
  16. Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 3:9: 3:9 Paul here summarizes the contrast between his understanding of salvation and that of his opponents (3:2). • Believers become one with Christ by trusting him for salvation and sharing his life (cp. John 15:1-5). • We become righteous, not by observing the law of Moses, but through faith in Christ. This is God’s way of making us right with himself: Salvation cannot be earned, but only received as a free gift (see Rom 1:17; 3:21-26; 4:5-8; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9).”
  17. Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 3:9: 3:9 Paul here summarizes the contrast between his understanding of salvation and that of his opponents (3:2). • Believers become one with Christ by trusting him for salvation and sharing his life (cp. John 15:1-5). • We become righteous, not by observing the law of Moses, but through faith in Christ. This is God’s way of making us right with himself: Salvation cannot be earned, but only received as a free gift (see Rom 1:17; 3:21-26; 4:5-8; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9).”
  18. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing - Preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of salvation; faith in Christ is the result of hearing the word, the doctrine of God preached. Preaching, God sends; if heard attentively, faith will be produced; and if they believe the report, the arm of the Lord will be revealed in their salvation.”
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