Part 2 - God’s side of Salvation

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Acts 16:29-34 New King James Version (NKJV)

Regeneration is the new birth, being born again, becoming a new creation. A regenerated person does not receive a new spirit or personality, but the Holy Spirit recreates the moral basis of our character, setting it free to act according to God’s will giving the desire and ability to seek and follow God. It involves:

• Being born again (John 3:3-6)
• Washing by rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
• Becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Becoming a new person created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness - being renewed in the image of the creator. (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10)
• Made truly alive (Ephesians 2:5)

Justification is a change of our status before God. As it is an act by which the sinner is acquitted and declared righteous in God’s sight (declared free from the penalty of sin). Remission of sin and its penalty equals forgiveness. The basis of this justification is in Romans 3:26, where Jesus Christ is said to be both Just and the one who justifies.

Because God is holy, sin must be dealt with, He cannot arbitrarily forgive sin. The judgment and penalty of sin, which is death, was poured out on Jesus Christ who is our substitute. He takes our sin instead of us. Therefore justice has been done, because God is just. By faith in Christ we are declared righteous as a free gift, and Christian Disciples are therefore justified.

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turns it where ever he will. 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord ponders the hearts. 3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4 a high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. 6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. 8 The way of man is perverse and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. 9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. 10 The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes. 11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness. 13 Whoso stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. 14 A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. 15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16 The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. 17 He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich. 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. 20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up. 21 He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour. 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23 Who ever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. 24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath. 25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labour. 26 He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind? 28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that hears speaks constantly. 29 A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way. 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. 31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

Part 1 – What is Salvation?

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. (Acts 16:29-34 New King James Version)

Salvation has two sides to it. There is God’s side, which may seem obvious. But there is also the human side of salvation. God provides the salvation, but it is the human’s responsibility to take it.

Salvation includes several parts. Initially there is a call (Romans 8: 30) when the Spirit starts to speak to, and be heard in, the life of the individual. That then leads to conversion, or as Jesus put it in Matthew 18:3: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” That means a voluntary change, turning from sin to God. That is the concept behind repentance. From there, that point of beginning the life of a Christian Disciple, it is a dynamic life and not passive. But what does this entail in regard to salvation?

What must I do to be saved is a question asked in the book of Acts. “Believe in the Lord Jesus” is the reply according to Acts 16:30-31. To believe does not mean just head knowledge; but believing in the heart (Romans 10:9), relying on the finished work of Christ for salvation. That is the human response to God’s offer of salvation.

But what is God’s part of the deal? That is for next time!

9:1 I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works.

9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

9:3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence.

9:4 For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.

9:5 You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

9:6 The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.

9:7 But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.

9:8 He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.

9:9 Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.

9:10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.

9:11 Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.

9:12 For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted.

9:13 Have mercy on me, Yahweh. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death;

9:14 that I may show forth all your praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in your salvation.

9:15 The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.

9:16 Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands.

Meditation. Selah.

9:17 The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God. 9:

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

9:19 Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.

9:20 Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men.

Selah.

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:1-6

The conversion of Saul (his name was changed to Paul later) is one of the most notable in the history of the Church. Certainly within the Bible itself. Indeed the conversion of Saul/Paul, was celebrated yesterday, 25 January, in parts of the Church around the world. Luke tells us the story three times. But was Paul's conversion special? Many people say "I have not had a Damascus Road experience". There were, it is true, special events on that day, which make Paul's conversion unique. However are they in any sense so special that they constitute an example for us today?

Download or listen to the mp3 to discover more, as we look together at Paul’s conversion experience. Right Mouse click or tap here to save this as an audio mp3 file

Psalm 17

17:1 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

17:2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

17:3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

17:4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

17:5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

17:6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

17:7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

17:9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.

17:10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

17:11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

17:12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

17:13 Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;

17:14 from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

17:15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.