The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ Book 1 THE TRUE MEANIING OF SALVATIION By Sandy Jackson Copyright© 1993 The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 2 Copyright© 1993 – Sandy L. Jackson All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. Short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group stud is encouraged and permitted. Requests for printing will be granted upon written request and subsequent approval. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. Exousia Center Ministries, International Publishers Norcross, Georgia 30092 This and all other Exousia Center books are available at http://www.thepurposeofthewoman.org Printed in the U.S.A.The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................... 4 Introduction To The Bible.......................................................... 5 How To Develop Good Bible Study Habits................................ 7 Salvation -Defined.................................................................... 9 Knowing The Savior ................................................................ 12 Just Who Is Jesus And Why Is He Important? ....................... 12 You Are Forgiven………………………………………………….16 How Does Forgiveness Really Work? .................................... 16 What happens once you believe in Jesus and are baptized?..17 Summary……………………………………………………..……19 Note-Taking Space……………………………………………....20 The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 4 \NTRODUCTION The Exousia New Believers Series™ equips the Christian new Believer with the Biblical foundational truth they need to grow spiritually strong. The series is authored by Minister Sandy Jackson. These small and powerful booklets are excellent tools for home, self and small group Bible studies. As an added convenience, they are designed as workbooks to facilitate learning. May the Lord bless you richly in the knowledge of His Word, through The Exousia New Believers Series™. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the King James Version of the Bible. In His love, Minister Sandy Jackson – Author Email: MinisterSandy@aol.com Websites: http:www.exousiapowerwordministry.webs.com http:www.thepurposeofthewoman.org The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 5 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE It is important for every Believer to become knowledgeable about the Bible, which is the Word of God. In fact, each topic within the Exousia New Believers Bible Series is directly from the Bible. Although the Bible was written via the hands of human beings, it was inspired by the Spirit of God. Consequently, this section introduces you to the Bible’s history and content. THE BIBLE HAS TWO DIVISIONS KNOWN AS THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS The Old Testament (Contains 39 Books) 1. GENESIS – The Book of Beginnings (by Moses) EXODUS – The Book of Departure (by Moses) 2. LEVITICUS -The Book of Worship, also known as "The Law" (by Moses) 3. NUMBERS – The Book of Wanderings (by Moses) 4. DEUTERONOMY -The Book of Obedience (by Moses) 5. JUDGES – The Book of Leadership 6. RUTH -The Book of Loyalty 7. 1 SAMUEL -The Book of Choice 8. 2 SAMUEL – The Book of David 9. 1 KINGS – The Book of the Divided Kingdom 10. 2 KINGS – The Book of Warning 11. 1 CHRONICLES – The Book of Restoration 12. 2 CHRONICLES – The Book of Progress 13. EZRA – The Book of the Temple 14. NEHEMIAH -The Book of City Walls 15. ISAIAH thru MALACHI – “The Prophets” (Major and Minor) The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 6 The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew by the Jewish people, while the New Testament was originally written in Greek. The New Testament (Contains 27 books): The New Testament was written after Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension. 1. MATTHEW thru JOHN -The Four Gospels of Jesus Christ 2. ACTS -The Historical Book 3. ROMANS thru HEBREWS -4 Epistles (letters) of the Apostle Paul 4. JAMES thru JUDE -7 General Epistles (letters) 5. REVELATION – The Prophetical Book THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD God, not man, inspired the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Inspiration is literally defined as “God-breathed” or “God’s Spirit.” Man was the vessel through whom God wrote the Bible. The Bible is infallible. There is absolutely no error in the Bible. If a Bible passage seems to contradict another passage, remember it really isn't contradicting. The misunderstanding lies within the reader. If you run into this problem in your studies, simply pray and ask the Lord to open your understanding. He will do it. The Bible is the "food" our spirit man eats. The more you study the Word of God, the more your spirit matures and the more sure your spiritual foundation becomes. The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 7 HOW TO DEVELOP GOOD BIBLE STUDY HABITS It is important for new and mature Christians to study the Bible daily. Developing good Bible study habits as a new Believer, results in strong study habits as a seasoned Christian. Use the below checklist as your guide to improving your personal Bible study habits: Select A Bible. Start by locating a local Christian book store. Browse through the available Bibles and purchase a translation which is easiest for you to read and understand. Basic Bible Study Tools. Select a “Study” Bible which contains one or more of the following study aides: 1. A study commentary 2. Cross-reference scriptures 3. A concordance 4. Jesus' Words in Red 5. A good dictionary 6. A daily reading guide Online Bible Study Aid. An excellent Bible study tool is The Online Bible North America. I have used it personally for more than 15 years. The basic program and study tools are free as of this printing. It includes a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, cross reference aids, dictionaries and popular commentaries. You may download it at http://www.theonlinebible.org. Reading Order. I recommend that you read the Gospel of John, in its entirety, first. Then begin with the Book of Genesis and continue reading until you have completed the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Reading Schedule. Be sure to read a minimum of once chapter each reading session. Try to have two sessions per The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 8 day: One in the morning and one before bedtime for a minimum of two chapters per day. As you are faithful The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 9 CHAPTER TWO SALVATION -DEFINED WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO "BE SAVED" OR "BE BORN AGAIN"? Salvation Defined The word, "Salvation" means deliverance, victory and safety. It also means to be made whole, healed, to be kept safe and sound. When a person is rescued from destruction they are said to be “saved.” Also, when some person falls in their conduct, salvation restores them to a place of moral integrity. To be delivered from judgment and to be preserved is TO BE REDEEMED, the popular definition for salvation. When you become saved or born again, all these definitions apply to you. The below verses further define salvation. Use the space provided to jot down any thoughts you have about them: • Matthew 19:25-26 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? Matthew But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. – Through Jesus, God has made it possible for all mankind to be saved. ____________________________________________________ ________________________________________ • Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 10 God provided a way for fallen man to be saved, that is, be reconciled to Him and live with Him forever, because God has no pleasure in wicked men dying in their sins and being eternally separated from Him. He wants everyone to live forever. __________________________________________________ ______________________________ • John 3:16-18 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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. To be saved, you must, first, believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, the Father. God gave Jesus to die for on behalf of every human being. If Jesus had not taken the death penalty of sin upon Himself, all of mankind would receive the sentence of eternal damnation. What love that would die on our behalf! Your belief in the humanity and the deity of Jesus appropriates to yourself everlasting life with the Father. • Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. After you believe in Jesus, you confess that belief aloud with your mouth. Tell someone that Jesus is Lord. Please understand that your belief in Jesus requires more than a simple acknowledgement of His existence. When you say that you "Believe" in Jesus, it means that you agree to commit all to The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 11 Him and you place your full trust in Him, being persuaded by the truth of His Word (the Bible). Your belief in Jesus also means that you give Him all credit and the honor that is due to Him. He becomes Lord of your life. Next, you must believe in the power of the resurrection of Christ, that God raised Jesus from the dead. Through your belief in Jesus, you are saved. It is then and only then that God forgives your sins and covers them. God then casts your sins as far as the east is from the west. He remembers your sins no more (Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from u)s. • Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Next, you must repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus. To repent means to be severely sorry and regret your sinful lifestyle to the degree that your heart no longer desires to live in the manner that you did before you believed on Jesus and accepted Him. After repenting, you must be baptized in water in the name of Jesus. Baptism is an outward symbol of the of you inward believe in Jesus’ death burial and resurrection. Baptism is one of the major sacraments in the Body of Christ. In baptism, you are literally immersed in water as an outward show of your belief. It is at the point of baptism that you qualify to receive the Holy Ghost. In Mark 16:16, Jesus Himself states that Believers must be baptized: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 12 CHAPTER THREE KNOWING THE SAVIOR JUST WHO IS JESUS AND WHY IS HE IMPORTANT? Christianity is said to be a religion. However, I believe that Christianity is an intimate relationship with the Father that flows into your everyday life. Consequently, you cannot have true spiritual intimacy with the Lord if you do not truly know Him. To receive a deep belief and trust in Jesus, every Christian must first realize who Jesus is, as the Bible portrays Him: Jesus Is the Son Of God • John 6:69 -And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus He is the Christ "Anointed One," and Son of God. He is the Messiah who had been prophesied was to come in the Old Testament. • Genesis 1:26-And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Jesus was with God from the beginning. • Jesus is the living manifestation of the spoken Word of God. John 1:1 -In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. • Jesus is the Word of God that became flesh. John 1:14 -And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 13 • Even though Jesus is the Son of God, He was conceived in a human woman. How? The Power of the Holy Ghost conceived Him. Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Jesus Is Deity • Even God called Jesus "God." Hebrews 1:8 -But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews 1:9 (KJV) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. • Everything that exists was made through Jesus and they all are held together by Him. Colossians 1:14-17 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. • Not only are all things made through Him, but all things are made FOR Him. Revelation 4:11-Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Jesus Was Came as a Human Who Was Crucified and Died • So that the world would be saved -John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 14 whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. • Matthew27 -He suffered much persecution on our behalf. • So we would be forgiven, delivered, and healed. Isaiah 53:5 -But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Jesus Resurrected On the 3rd Day • Matthew 28:5-7 -And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. ________________________________________________ ____________________________________ • Acts 13:30 -But God raised him from the dead: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Jesus Ascended Into Heaven and Is Seated On the Right Hand of God • Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ • In Heaven, Jesus intercedes for you. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 15 come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ • Romans 8:34 -Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 16 CHAPTER FOUR YOU ARE FORGIVEN HOW DOES FORGIVENESS REALLY WORK? Since the fall of Adam and Eve, every human being is born deserving eternal death. With the exception of Adam and Jesus Christ, all human beings are born a sinner. Consequently, apart from Christ your sins remain with you. “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.” Romans 6:20-21 Sin and iniquity cause eternal death and separation from the Creator and Father of all mankind. It is only through Jesus Christ that you are reconciled to the father in a restored and everlasting relationship with Him. Jesus’ shed holy blood and subsequent death on the cross have rendered you forgiven. To your sins past, present and future, God says, “NOT GUILTY!” God now sees you as righteous, being in right standing with Him, through the atoning blood and sacrifice of Jesus. Read Hebrews 9:15-22. In the space provided below, jot down what you discover how the shed blood of Jesus renders you as forgiven to God: Hebrews 9:15-22 notes: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ • While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 17 Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. • This great act of love by God was to reconcile the lost race of mankind back to Himself. Jesus took our sins upon Himself so that we would be righteous before God. His shed blood covers our sins (2 Corinthians 5:13-21). What Happens Once You Believe in Jesus And Are Baptized In Water? • To become “born again” requires the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit (see The New Believer Series Book 5, The Holy Spirit, Your Helper, for or information). John 3:3-6 -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. John 3:4 (KJV) 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? John 3:5 (KJV) 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. John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. -• Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost means God, Himself in the person of The Holy Spirit, takes up residence within you. Because He lives within your spirit (John 14:17), He transforms your spirit into the character of Jesus Christ Himself. Acts 2:38 -Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 18 In the Greek (the original translation of the New Testament) baptize is “baptizo” means to be submerged in water. As stated previously, baptism is one of the sacraments of the Church that symbolically demonstrates the inward witness and acceptance of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Consequently, baptism also is a prophetic symbolism that the baptized Believer will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, who will consume the believer’s heart, leaving the Believer transformed into a new nature and character, the nature of Christ Himself. The word, “name” is translated as the character and nature represented by the name. In the instance of baptism, as a Believer, you are baptized or immersed in the NAME of Jesus. You are immersed in His character and nature. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ • The Holy Ghost regenerates you from the old sinful nature that is rebellious against God and gives you a divine rebirth so that you are born again. You become inwardly changed for the better because you have received a spiritual cleansing. Titus 3:5 -Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ • Not only are you born again in your spirit, but you are now born from incorruptible seed. You are no longer dead spiritually. Your spirit, now resurrected from the dead, has been transformed from corruption to incorruption. The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 19 1 Peter 1:23 -Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ SUMMARY: New Believer, God came to the earth in the form of a human being in the person of Jesus Christ, knowing He would be innocently murdered. However, His love for you is so great that He appropriated His death to atone for the sins of the whole world so that all that repent and receive Jesus will receive eternal life. 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. . Next, He gave you the precious gift of His Spirit so you would become like Him in the inner man as a new creation so you too, could share His Gospel with the world so that others too, would receive the gift of eternal life. This is the true meaning of your salvation. Now go out and tell the world about Him. After all, from the beginning of existence it was God’s plan to reconcile the world back to Himself by Christ Jesus! Ephesians 1:4 -According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: The EXOUSIA New Believers Series™ The True Meaning of Salvation 20 The space provided below is for your note-taking convenience: NOTES:______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________