Many books have been written on the Biblical doctrine of salvation. The following definition will not attempt to cover all precepts of God's salvation plan for man. We do wish, however, to give a foundational understanding of Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship's belief on Biblical salvation.

Salvation is the process unto which one is saved. Salvation, in the broadest sense, is deliverance from danger or suffering. The word carries the idea of victory for preservation. Sometimes the Bible uses the word saved for salvation to refer to temporal, physical deliverance, such as Paul's deliverance from prison. (Philippians 1:19)

More often the word salvation denotes and eternal, spiritual deliverance. When Paul told the Philippian jailer what he must do to be saved, he was referring to the jailer's eternal destiny. (Acts 16:30-31) Jesus equated being saved with entering the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24-25)

The Christian doctrine of salvation can be defined as the merciful deliverance, by the grace of God, from eternal punishment for sin, granted to those wo accept by faith, God's conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. Salvation is available in Jesus alone. (Joh 14:6; Acts 4:12) and is dependent on God alone for provision an assurance.

Sin (not living up to God's standard) is the reason we need to be saved. God's salvation work in us is completed in there stages- past, present and a future phase. When we are saved (justified) we are saved from the penalty of sin. This, for us, is a past act. Jesus paid for our sin on the cross and when a person trusts Him for salvation, that person is forgiven and justified (just as if he never sinned) before God. This is a once- for- all transaction.

The three stages of salvation:

Past: We have been saved form the penalty of sin. We have been justified.

Present: We are being saved from the power of sin. We are being sanctified.

Future: We will be saved form the presence of sin. We will be glorified.

Because we have sinned against an infinite God, either a finite person (ourselves) must pay for our sins for an infinite amount of time, or an infinite Person (Jesus) must pay for our sins one time. There is no other option. Jesus saves us by dying in our place. Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself on our behalf, paying the infinite and eternal penalty only He could pay (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2). Jesus took the punishment that we deserve in order to save us from an eternal destiny separated from God. Because of His great love for us, Jesus laid down His life (John 15:13), paying the penalty that we had earned, but could not pay. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating that His death was indeed sufficient to pay for all sins and that His life conquers death on our behalf.

Jesus saves all who will receive His gift of salvation by faith, fully trusting in His sacrifice alone as the payment for sin (Jon 3:16; Acts 16:31). Jesus's sacrifice was sufficient to pay for the sins of all humanity, but His gift of salvation is only received through faith (John 1:12). We must trust Him, it is only through the blood that we are made right with God.

Provide (God's love and provision for all people)

P- People Sin: This sin separates all from fellowship with God, therefore a divine provision became necessary. (Genesis 3:15-24, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:22)

R- Responsible: Everyone is "able to respond" to God's appeal for reconciliation because a divine provision will be heard and understood. (Deuteronomy 30:11-19, Matthew 23:37, Luke 8:12, Romans 2:4, Hebrews 3:7-8)

O- Open Door: An open door is the divine provision offered impartially to all, for anyone to enter though faith; for whosoever may come to His open arms. (Isaiah 55:1-7, John 3:16-17, Romans 10:12, 1 Timothy 3:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9)

V- Vicarious Atonement: This is the divine provision given of sufficient value of the sins of the whole world and provides a way for anyone to be saved on the basis of Christ's shed blood. (Isaiah 32:1-12, John 12:32-33, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 John 2:2)

I- Illuminating Grace: This is the divine provision offered sufficiently to all and provides clearly revealed truth so that all can know and respond in faith. (Job 33:12-30, Jon 1:9, Romans 1:16-2:16, Rosa 10:18, Titus 2:11)

D- Destroyed: Condemnation is for unbelief and resisting the Holy Spirit's drawing to God's mercy will be the divine provision of justice at God's final judgment. (Hebrews 10:39, John 3:18, Jon 12:48, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

E- Eternal Security: Everlasting salvation is the divine provision that is for all true believers. (John 5:24, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5)

Conclusion

If you now understand what it means that Jesus saves, and you want to trust in hi as your personal Savior, you can, as can act of faith, communicate the following to God: "God I know that I am a sinner, and I know that because of my sin I deserve to be eternally separated from You. Even though I don't deserve it, thank You for loving me and providing the sacrifice for my sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and I trust in Him alone to save me. From this point forward, help me to live my life for You. Help me to live the rest of life in gratitude of the wonderful salvation You have provided. Thank You Jesus for saving me!"

If you have believed this prayer in your heart, please contact us. Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship would love to help you grow in this new faith you have begun.