We believe and confess that salvation is the absolution of man from the consequences of violating divine laws. It concerns both the nature of man and the deeds he has done.
Man cannot save himself. He cannot wash away his sins, nor justify himself, nor hide from the penalty of sin.
Jeremiah 2:22 “For though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord God.”
Romans 1:20 “…they are without excuse.”
Amos 9:2-3 “If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down. If they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, I will search them out and take them from there; and if they hide from my sight at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them.”
Man cannot create merits through good works to cover his guilty past and earn his salvation.
Romans 3:20 “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight…”
Isaiah 64:6 “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”
Jeremiah 13:23 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are practiced in evil.”
Salvation is by the grace of God. It is a grace given to us freely, without our deserving it. Good works are the fruit of salvation.
Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works…”
Acts 15:11 “…we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus…”
Titus 3:5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness…”
The sole means of salvation is the Lord Jesus, who was crucified in our place. No other means of salvation [cross, sacraments, saints] exists.
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
1 John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins…”
Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions…”
Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses…”
2 Corinthians 5:18 “God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself…”
Romans 3:24-25 “…justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation…”
This salvation accomplished on the cross, which can be received freely, is for all people, regardless of race, nationality, or social class.
1 John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”
1 Timothy 2:4 “who desires all people to be saved…”
For the sinful person to enjoy this salvation, two conditions must be met: repentance and faith. These are always inseparable.
Repentance means recognizing sin, sorrow over it, forsaking it, and confessing it before the Lord, which is turning back to God. [Luke 15:11-24 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son]
Faith means the sinner's reception of the divine grace offered by God in Christ for salvation and eternal life.
Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Luke 13:5 “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you…’”
Acts 17:30 “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent…”
Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…”