Understanding Salvation in Evangelical Theology
The act of Jesus Christ being crucified for the salvation of humanity is the core of all Holy Scripture. Through His blood shed on the cross of Calvary, one finds the redemption of sins for every human being who repents and, consequently, confesses that Jesus is Lord.
However, salvation is an act of grace, in which a person cannot attain it by their own merits. They can, however, choose to accept or reject saving grace. There are various ways of interpreting the work of salvation; however, it will be addressed here from the perspective of Protestant Evangelical Theology.
The term justification, as described by theologian Myer Pearlman, is “a forensic term that reminds us of a law court. The man, guilty and condemned before God, is acquitted and declared righteous, that is, justified.” Human beings find themselves in a state of condemnation as a consequence of original sin, and this sentence is only annulled through the saving work of Christ on the cross, which declares them righteous before God.
In summary, the work of salvation is by grace alone, through faith, and was consummated by the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Through the vicarious sacrifice of Christ, humanity, in Him, has peace with God and receives the inheritance of eternal life.
PEARLMAN, Myer. Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible. Springfield: Gospel Publishing House, 1981.
