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Redemptive-Historical Context for Biblical Examples of Salvation

The concept of salvation in the Bible is understood within a redemptive-historical framework, tracing God's saving acts from ancient Israel to the ultimate deliverance offered through Jesus Christ. The term "salvation" itself refers to deliverance from evil or danger, as seen in the Israelites' exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:13) [1]. In the New Testament, this concept expands to encompass deliverance from the guilt and pollution of sin, a "great salvation" accomplished by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:3) [1]. The name "Jesus" itself means "savior" or "deliverer" [8], and the name "Ishi" also carries the meaning of "salvation" [6].

Old Testament examples of salvation often highlight God's intervention in the history of Israel. The psalmist, for instance, recounts Israel's redemption, though specific circumstances are not always detailed [20]. The longing for this deliverance is expressed in prayers like, "Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad" (Psalm 14:7) [10]. This historical context demonstrates God's long-suffering character, which is part of His divine nature (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15) [2]. This long-suffering is intended to lead people to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) [2].

The New Testament clarifies that salvation is primarily achieved through Jesus Christ. It is described as a "redemption," which signifies the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom [3]. The Greek word apolutrosis, used nine times in Scripture, consistently conveys this idea of a price paid for redemption [3]. Colossians 1:14 states, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" [4]. This forgiveness of sins is central to the knowledge of salvation given to God's people (Luke 1:77) [9].

Salvation is presented as a gift of God's grace, not earned by human actions. Ephesians 2:5 emphasizes that believers are "made alive together with Christ" by grace [11]. Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians further clarifies that "it is only by God’s grace that you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:8-9) [11]. Similarly, Titus 3:5 contrasts human merit with God's mercy, stating that salvation is "not because . . . but because" of God's grace, received through faith [12]. Good works are understood as a result of salvation, not its cause, flowing from a transformed heart by God's Spirit (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:22-23) [13].

Through salvation, believers are united with Christ, sharing in His resurrection both presently and in the future (Ephesians 2:5-6) [11, 16]. This union results in a new nature, where believers "strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life" (Colossians 3:9-10) [15]. This new nature, empowered by God's Spirit, enables believers to live a life of righteousness (Ephesians 4:24) [17]. The scope of this salvation extends to all who believe, including Gentiles, who are no longer considered "strangers and foreigners" but are fully accepted into God's family alongside believing Jews (Ephesians 2:19; Romans 8:14-17) [14].

The New Testament also speaks of salvation as a future event, a "final victory over sin and death that believers will experience when Jesus returns in glory" (Romans 13:11) [19]. While baptism is mentioned in connection with salvation (1 Peter 3:21), it is clarified that it is "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" [5, 7]. This underscores that salvation is fundamentally a spiritual transformation and a relationship with God through Christ's resurrection. Adam Clarke notes that this method of salvation by faith through Christ is the only way for all, as all have sinned [18]. Matthew Henry interprets Isaiah's prophecies of deliverance as types and figures of the spiritual glories and repairs of the church of Christ, highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive plan across testaments [21].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Salvation — This word is used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), and of deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, "the great salvation" (Heb. 2:3). (See [546]REDEMPTION; [547]REGENERATION.)”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] Colossians 1:14 — In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
  5. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 3:21 — The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
  6. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ishi — salvation”
  7. I Peter “I Peter 3:21 (KJV) — The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
  8. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jesus — savior; deliverer”
  9. King James Version “[KJV] Luke 1:77 — To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,”
  10. King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 14:7 — Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.”
  11. 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.”
  12. 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).”
  13. 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).”
  14. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
  15. 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.”
  16. 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).”
  17. 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).”
  18. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 4:24: But for us also - The mention of this circumstance has a much more extensive design than merely to honor Abraham. It is recorded as the model, according to which God will save both Jews and Gentiles: indeed there can be no other way of salvation; as all have sinned, all must either be saved by faith through Christ Jesus, or finally perish. If God, therefore, will our salvation, it must be by faith; and faith contemplates his promise, and his promise comprehends the Son of his love.”
  19. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 13:11: 13:11 The New Testament often speaks of salvation as the final victory over sin and death that believers will experience when Jesus returns in glory (see 5:9-10).”
  20. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 136:23: 136:23-24 The psalmist relates the recent history of Israel’s redemption, although the circumstances are not specified.”
  21. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 61 (introduction): In this chapter, I. We are sure to find the grace of Christ, published by himself to a lost world in the everlasting gospel, under the type and figure of Isaiah's province, which was to foretel the deliverance of the Jews out of Babylon (Isa 61:1-3). II. We think we find the glories of the church of Christ, its spiritual glories, described under the type and figure of the Jews' prosperity after their return out of their captivity 1. It is promised that they decays of the church shall be repaired (Isa 61:4). 2. That those from without shall be made ser”
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