Baqash : To Seek

It has become abundantly clear in the last few days that people have far too much ignorance as to how Salvation of the Soul(Or being) works in the Christian faith. Some say all you must do is believe Jesus rose from the grave and died for your sins. Others would say, that if you just “have faith in Christ” you are saved.

Here, I will make the case that Salvation is a three category process in this way. “A person has been saved” – “A person is being saved” – “A person will be saved”. Most Protestant Christian groups (Those who do not fall under the authority of the Orthodox or Catholic Churches) stay in either the first or second categories. “I have been saved” or “I have and will be saved.” Many ignore the second of “I am presently being saved”.

First, lets identify what we are being saved from exactly, and why this is such an important issue.

Sin

Sin: Sin as defined explicitly in scripture is this: 1 John 3:4:“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” The consequence for sin is a subject with great debate, but for this first example, here is the most explicit determination Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…” Sin is the transgression of the Law, and the consequence for breaking it is Death. Each time God gives a command, or says to reject something against His natural creation, that is a Law(rule).

–Original Sin: Sin is typically broken down into two categories in scripture, early church teachings, and tradition. The first is that of original sin Genesis 2:17 “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” Here in the very beginning of human history is where we see the first “transgression of the law” or the first Sin. Mankind after the transgression of God’s eternal command to Adam and Eve was doomed to die, and their descendants were destined to be created in the image of their sinful flesh. Genesis 5:3: “When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.” See here, Adam’s son Seth was not made exclusively in the “Imago Dei” or Image of God, but in that of his father Seth. From then on, humanity was cursed under sin and death. Romans 5:14: “death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.” Paul the writer of Romans continues in explaining this concept by saying “the many died by the trespass of the one man…The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation… the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man… one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people“.

–Personal Sin: If we take that same definition of sin (1 John 3:4:“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law“) and apply it to our person lives, we will all see that we have failed to live up to the standard God has commanded us to. The ten commandments are often the way people (even non-Christians) measure themselves. Exodus 20″3-17: 1:”You shall have no other Gods before Me” 2: “Do not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below you shall not bow down to them or worship them” 3:”Do not take the name of your Lord in vain” 4: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” 5: “Honor your Father and mother” 6: “You shall not Murder” 7: “You shall not commit Adultery” 8: “You shall not Steal” 9: “You shall not bear false witness” 10: “You shall not covet“. Simply looking at these 10 on the surface we know that at the very least, none of us have perfectly honored our father and mother, we have bore false witness(deceived or lied), and we have coveted(envied). This is transgression of the Law, sinful, and leads us to grave consequence.

For those whom for whichever reason do not believe the 10 commandments are binding for Christians (Yes, those people do exist)…simply looking at the two commandments Jesus gives His people should make us consider whether or not we have done God’s will and kept His commands perfectly. Mark 12:30-31: “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Have we loved God with everything we had, and dedicated ourselves to Him in everything? Have we Loved our neighbor and treated them as well as ourselves? The answer is very simply…No. Each personal “transgression of the law” or a failure to love God with all our heart, or Love our neighbor as ourselves, is sin and punches a one way ticket to the grave.

No one is righteous from their own deeds: Romans 3:10-18,23: “both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;¹⁰ As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:¹¹ There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.¹² They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.¹³ Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:¹⁴ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:¹⁵ Their feet are swift to shed blood:¹⁶ Destruction and misery are in their ways:¹⁷ And the way of peace have they not known:¹⁸ There is no fear of God before their eyes… For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God“

Death

As we can see from the above section, we are all doomed to die whether in this temporal or earthly fashion, or spiritually. Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you“

Hades/Hell/The Grave/Eternal Punishment

I’ve written an article on the different ideas of Hell. Since writing, I have come to some slightly different conclusions but all have the same general idea. In the future, I will write something a bit more cohesive. At the very least, Hell is an Eternal(Forever)separation from God with such torment that there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth”, and a pain that is like a fiery furnace. Whether or not the torment itself lasts forever, is disputed. https://baqash.org/2024/02/01/hell/ – Even if one does not believe in Eternal Conscious Torment, essentially Hell is a total separation from God and any future hope or goodness. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/would-god-really-send-someone-to-hell — https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/30/t/hell-fire

The Bible speaks on “Hell” on many different occasions, and is described as the place where those who do not receive salvation go. Matthew 25: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal….Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:…throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Psalm 9:17: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.“ Revelation 14:11: “And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” Matthew 13:43: “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.“

Now that we have established what someone needs to be saved from, let’s establish how to be saved.

I have been saved

Here I will present all the things that someone is called to do in the beginning of their faith journey to “be saved”. Many protestant denominations will simply say “Just believe”. However, we will see that “belief” in of itself is not sufficient.

John 3:5-7: “⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.“

Mark 1:15: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent(μετανοεῖτε,metanoeite) and believe(πιστεύετε,pisteuete) the good news(εὐαγγελίῳ.,euangeliō)!” It is important to note the difference here in repentance and belief. The root word for metanoeite of metanoeó is used 34 times in the New Testament, and each of them is in reference to someone turning from their old sin. https://biblehub.com/greek/strongs_3340.htm

Acts 2:38: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent(Μετανοήσατε,Metanoēsate), and be baptized(βαπτισθήτω,baptisthētō) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission(ἄφεσιν,aphesin) of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.“ Note: there is a slight nuance in the word for repentance here Metanoesate compared to metanoeite. They are still of the same root metanoeó which is another word translated to repentance.

Acts 16:30-33: “Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. 33At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.“

John 3:16: ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes(πιστεύων,pisteuōn) in him should not perish but have eternal life.“

Luke 10:25-28: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Matthew 19:16-17,20-21: “what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?…but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments…All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?…Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.“

1 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.“ Ephesians 4:24: “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.“ Notice here that the writer of Ephesians is saying it is “by grace” that you are saved. It is not something you earn, but is a gift from God. He gives the follower of Jesus forgiveness of sin and a new life.

Romans 3:21-26: “²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.“

Luke 23:40-43: “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ He replied, “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” Here is the story of the Thief on the Cross, or the Penitent Thief as he is often referred to. His story is often one that people refer to when they point to the common doctrine of “Once saved, always saved” or to show that there is no work that must be done for salvation. However, if we break down what he says, we see that there is a declaration of belief, confession, repentance, and acceptance of punishment. Earlier in the story, Jesus tells Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom of God, you must be “born again“. He tells others to “Keep the Commandments“, “Follow me(Christ)”, and tells others to “Repent and Believe“. The Apostles tell the gentiles to “Repent and be Baptized“.

So how was the Thief saved, and how can he be an example for our salvation? His first statement “Do you not fear God?” declares his own belief and fear of God. The Second “We indeed have been condemned justly for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds” is the thief being given a torturous punishment for his crimes and has repented and confessed his fault, his most grievous fault. He states that justice is being done for his crimes. The third, and potentially most significant “this man has done nothing wrong“. Here the thief has compared his own un-righteousness to the righteousness of Christ and knows that where he is full of sin, the Man nailed to the cross beside him is innocent. This is the key to repentance and contrition, which allows for Christ’s righteousness to cover your failures. The final statement from Dismas the Thief is “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom“., and proclaims a belief that Jesus will return and is King. Because of his repentant attitude, recognition of his fault, Jesus’ righteousness, and a belief in who He is (King).

In conclusion, we see that at the very least for the Thief, he needed to “Repent and Believe” to be saved. How do re reconcile that with commands to be baptized, be born again, and keep the commandments? Well, the Thief had no access to be baptized and born again of water and spirit. A God of mercy would certainly make an exception there.

https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/Bemmelen-Justification-by-faith.pdf?searchsite=gc.adventist.org&ref=on-site-search&searchterm=Justification

https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/13/t/assurance—justification-made-simple

I am being Saved

Something of great controversy within all Christian denominations is the “Once saved always saved” doctrine, or the idea that once you have stated your belief in Christ you could do whatever you want and simply be forgiven and still go to “Heaven” or be given “Eternal Life” in the Promised land.

However, it is important for us to understand that the Biblical writers and Jesus Himself condemn this type of thinking, and could actually be something that leads to your “cutting off” from His grace. Many people use New Testament books like Galatians and Ephesians to support these beliefs, but those same books contradict them. I have another article that deals with this topic of “walking like a Christian” and prayer that may be useful for the reader to check out. “Each person must crucify themselves daily, rejecting their own flesh, their own desire, their old self, to seek a new life with a new body, new desire, and walk a narrow path of righteousness.“https://baqash.org/2024/02/06/nothing-happens-when-i-pray-overcoming-your-lack-of-faith/

Ephesians 4: 11-16: “¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.“

Ephesians 4:17-32: “¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matthew 7:19-23: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!“

John 15:2,4,7-8,10:2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful….4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me…⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples...¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.“

Romans 3:20,28-31: “…through the law we become conscious of our sin…²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, ³⁰ since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. ³¹ Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.“

1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “⁹ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.¹¹ And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.“

James 2:14… “¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?….¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.…¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!…O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?…²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

Looking at all of these sections in their entirety, we see that there is an expectation of Christian life. There is a standard set that must be sought after. In the Corinthian Church there were idolaters, drunkards, and homosexuals, until they encountered Jesus the Messiah either through direct knowledge or preaching of the Apostles and Paul. They changed their behavior, and were justified, sanctified, and cleansed. You see, it is only by the Grace of God that a person is saved, but that Grace is given as a gift to someone who abides “in Christ”. To abide in Christ is to always pursue His standard, and understand that we cannot do a good work unless it is the Holy Spirit working through us. We must walk a life that will produce “good fruit” fully relying on the Power of God to do a good work which perfects and proves our faith.

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/justification-process-or-one-time-deal

https://www.revivalandreformation.org/?id=23365&searchsite=gc.adventist.org&ref=on-site-search&searchterm=sanctification

I will be saved

Psalm 5:4-6: “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.⁵ The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.⁶ You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.“

We are in the final stage of the Salvific process. “I will be saved”. There will come a point in the faith journey of all seekers who ask the question: “I know I am not good enough on my own to stand in the presence of God at the end of my life. How can I enter heaven when I am still selfish, still resentful, unforgiving, and still hateful? All the sins I have dealt with committing for so long, I still commit. How will I be able to stand in the presence of God?“

Phillipians 1:6: KJV “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:“ NIV “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.“

He who begins a good work will finish it. How exactly that happens…well we can’t be certain. The Catholics will say that it’s a purgatory like state in which the rest of your sinful tendencies will be cleansed away. How long that lasts and if it is a place exactly, is un-determined. From my Adventist background we would simply state that somehow God will make a way for you, so long as you have given yourself to Him. We also know that at the Second Coming of Jesus we will all be given new bodies without the tendency and nature of sin. This is described in 1 Corithians 15:52: NIV “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. KJV “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.“

Somehow the good work Christ has begun in us, changing us into His perfect image will be finished. Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.“

https://www.catholic.com/qa/well-have-physical-bodies-in-heaven

Conclusion

This quote from an article on inversbible.org sums up this process as we have given great detail for quite perfectly. “Some might think this is heresy, but the goal of Christ is the redemption of humanity to its original purpose …and to bring forth the righteousness of God as through justification (the new birth, seeing us as He would see Christ—His righteousness imputed or credited to us; Rom. 4:3–5; 6:6, 7), sanctification (growing in grace through His holiness being imparted to us; Rom. 8:4; Eph. 5:9), and glorification (the “finishing touch” of immortality at the second advent; Rom. 8:17; 1 Cor. 15:53).“

https://www.inversebible.org/sex03-3?searchsite=gc.adventist.org&ref=on-site-search&searchterm=glorification