Salvation in the Bible

Paul addresses divisions in the Corinthian church where factions claim different leaders. He argues that the message of the cross is foolishness to the world but the power of God to those being saved. God chose the foolish things to shame the wise, so that no one may boast before Him.

The resurrection chapter: Paul presents the gospel—Christ died, was buried, and rose on the third day. If Christ has not been raised, faith is futile. But Christ has been raised as the firstfruits. Paul explains the resurrection body and declares victory: Where, O death, is your sting?

John declares that whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory is our faith. He gives assurance of eternal life: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life. He closes urging confidence in prayer according to God's will and a warning to keep from idols.

Peter writes to scattered believers, praising God for a living hope through the resurrection. Their faith, more precious than gold, is being tested. He calls them to set their hope fully on Christ's grace and to be holy in all conduct, since they were redeemed not with perishable things but with the precious blood of Christ.

Paul charges Timothy to confront false teachers in Ephesus who promote myths and genealogies rather than God's work of faith. He testifies to God's abundant grace in his own life—formerly a blasphemer and persecutor—as a demonstration that Christ Jesus came to save sinners, of whom Paul says he is the worst.

Paul urges prayers for all people, including kings and those in authority, so that believers may live peaceful and godly lives. He declares there is one God and one mediator between God and man—the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

Paul teaches that believers long for their heavenly dwelling and live by faith, not by sight. If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come—the old has gone, the new is here! God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, making us Christ's ambassadors to the world.

The Holy Spirit is poured out at Pentecost with rushing wind and tongues of fire. Peter preaches powerfully, three thousand are saved and baptized. The early church is born, devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, sharing everything in common.

Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus. Peter, filled with the Spirit, boldly declares that salvation is found in no one else—there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. The believers pray for boldness, and the church shares possessions generously.

Persecution scatters the believers, spreading the gospel. Philip preaches in Samaria with signs and wonders. Simon the sorcerer seeks to buy the Spirit's power. Philip is directed by an angel to an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah; Philip explains the gospel and baptizes him on the road.

Saul, breathing threats against Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus in a blinding light. He is converted, baptized, and begins preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. Ananias obeys God to minister to Saul. Peter raises Tabitha from the dead in Joppa.

Peter receives a vision of unclean animals and the command to not call anything impure that God has made clean. He is sent to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles, demonstrating that God shows no favoritism—the gospel is for all people.

Peter defends his ministry to Gentiles before the Jerusalem church, recounting his vision and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius' household. The church in Antioch is established, where believers are first called Christians. Barnabas and Saul teach together in Antioch.

The church in Antioch commissions Barnabas and Saul for their first missionary journey. They preach in Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch, where Paul delivers a major sermon about Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's story. Some believe, but jealous leaders oppose them, and they turn to the Gentiles.

The Jerusalem Council debates whether Gentile believers must follow the Law of Moses. After testimony from Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, James proposes a compromise. The council writes a letter freeing Gentiles from circumcision. Paul and Barnabas separate over John Mark, doubling the missionary effort.

Paul begins his second missionary journey with Silas. Timothy joins them. The Spirit redirects them to Macedonia through a vision. In Philippi, Lydia is converted, and Paul and Silas are imprisoned for casting out a spirit. At midnight they worship, an earthquake frees them, and the jailer believes. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.

Paul arrives in Corinth, meets Priscilla and Aquila, and stays eighteen months planting the church. The Lord assures him in a vision not to be afraid. Apollos, an eloquent Alexandrian, begins preaching and is further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus.

Paul gives thanks for the Colossians' faith and prays that they be filled with spiritual wisdom. He presents the cosmic Christ hymn: Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, in whom all things hold together. He is the head of the church, and through Him God reconciled all things.

Paul warns against deceptive philosophy and human tradition. In Christ, the fullness of deity dwells bodily. Believers are complete in Him, circumcised spiritually, raised with Him through faith. Christ has canceled the record of debt against us, nailing it to the cross, disarming spiritual powers.

Paul praises God for every spiritual blessing in Christ—He chose us before the foundation of the world, predestined us for adoption, redeemed us through His blood. He prays for the Ephesians to know the hope of their calling and the incomparable greatness of God's power.

By grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Paul describes how we were dead in sins but made alive in Christ. Jew and Gentile are united into one new humanity, with Christ as the cornerstone.

Paul expresses astonishment that the Galatians are turning to a different gospel. He defends his apostolic authority, insisting his gospel came by direct revelation from Jesus Christ, not from any human source. He recounts his conversion and early years of ministry.

Paul recounts his visit to Jerusalem where the apostles affirmed his mission to the Gentiles. He confronts Peter for hypocrisy in withdrawing from Gentile fellowship. He declares: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Paul argues passionately that the Galatians received the Spirit by faith, not by observing the law. Abraham was justified by faith, and the law was a guardian until Christ came. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female—all are one.

Paul explains that before Christ, we were enslaved under the law like children under guardians. But when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son so we might receive adoption as children. Paul pleads with the Galatians not to return to slavery, using the allegory of Hagar and Sarah.

The author warns against drifting from the great salvation announced by the Lord. Jesus was made lower than the angels for a time so that by dying He might destroy the power of death and free those held in slavery by the fear of death. He became like us to be a merciful and faithful high priest.

The author warns about the impossibility of restoring those who fall away after experiencing God's gifts. But he is confident of better things for his readers. God's promise is anchored by His oath—two unchangeable things. This hope is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure, entering behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner.

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, prefigures Christ's eternal priesthood. Unlike the Levitical priests who die, Jesus lives forever and holds His priesthood permanently. He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.

The author describes the old tabernacle system with its outer room and Most Holy Place. Christ entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not with animal blood but with His own blood, securing eternal redemption. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Christ offered Himself once for all.

A short hymn of thanksgiving concluding the first major section of Isaiah. The redeemed sing of God's salvation with joy, drawing water from the wells of salvation and proclaiming His deeds among the nations.

A song of trust and salvation. The righteous enter the strong city of God, kept in perfect peace because they trust in Him. Includes a vision of resurrection — the dead will live and their bodies will rise.

God declares He has redeemed Israel by name and will be with them through fire and flood. The famous promise — when you pass through the waters, I will be with you — is paired with God's declaration that He makes all things new.

God calls Cyrus by name as His anointed (messiah) to conquer Babylon and free Israel — remarkable because Cyrus doesn't even know God. The chapter declares God's absolute sovereignty: He forms light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates calamity.

The second Servant Song: the Servant is called from the womb as a light to the nations. Though Israel feels forgotten, God inscribes them on His palms. The Servant's mission expands beyond Israel to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

God encourages the faithful remnant to look back at Abraham — one man called, yet God made him many. Salvation is eternal, outlasting the heavens. The chapter calls Jerusalem to awake and shake off the dust of captivity.

Zion is told to awake, put on beautiful garments, and shake off chains. The famous declaration: how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. The chapter ends with the fourth Servant Song beginning — the Servant will be disfigured beyond recognition.

The climactic Suffering Servant passage: He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows. He bore our griefs, was pierced for our transgressions, and by His wounds we are healed. He was led like a lamb to slaughter. The most detailed messianic prophecy in the Old Testament.

Israel's sins have separated them from God — His arm is not too short to save, but their iniquities have hidden His face. Sin is vividly described. God Himself puts on righteousness as armor and comes as Redeemer to Zion.

God will not rest until Zion's righteousness shines like a blazing torch. Jerusalem receives a new name and is no longer called forsaken. Watchmen on the walls give God no rest, praying continually until He establishes Jerusalem as the praise of the earth.

The Gospel opens with the cosmic prologue: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word becomes flesh and dwells among us. John the Baptist testifies about the light, and the first disciples—Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael—begin following Jesus.

Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. This chapter contains the most famous verse in the Bible: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, offering her living water that becomes a spring of eternal life. She becomes an evangelist to her entire village. Jesus also heals an official's son from a distance, demonstrating that faith transcends physical proximity.

Jesus feeds five thousand and walks on water. He declares Himself the bread of life—whoever comes to Him will never hunger, and whoever believes will never thirst. Many disciples leave after His hard teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, but Peter affirms there is no one else to follow.

Jesus declares Himself the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He teaches that His sheep know His voice and that He gives them eternal life—no one can snatch them from His hand. He proclaims that He and the Father are one.

Jesus comforts His disciples, promising to prepare a place for them. He declares: I am the way, the truth, and the life—no one comes to the Father except through me. He promises the Holy Spirit as the Helper, and offers His peace: not as the world gives do I give to you.

Jesus prays His high priestly prayer for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers. He prays for unity among believers, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. He asks the Father to protect them and sanctify them in truth.

Elihu argues that God speaks through dreams and suffering to turn people from destruction. He describes a mediating angel who finds a ransom for the sufferer, offering a more nuanced view than the three friends.

From inside the fish, Jonah prays a psalm of thanksgiving — even from the depths of Sheol, God heard his cry. Salvation belongs to the Lord. After three days, the fish vomits Jonah onto dry land. Jesus cites this as a sign of His own death and resurrection.

Jesus is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. Angels announce His birth to shepherds, who rush to find the baby. Simeon and Anna recognize the infant as the promised Messiah at the temple. At age twelve, Jesus astonishes teachers in the temple.

Jesus calls for repentance, telling the parable of the barren fig tree given one more chance. He heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath and teaches about the narrow door. He laments over Jerusalem, longing to gather her children under His wings.

Zacchaeus the tax collector climbs a tree to see Jesus, who invites Himself to dinner, and salvation comes to his house. Jesus tells the parable of the ten minas about faithfulness. He enters Jerusalem, weeps over the city, and cleanses the temple.

Jesus is tried before Pilate and Herod, neither finding guilt. Pilate offers to release Him but the crowd demands Barabbas. Jesus is crucified between two criminals; one repents and Jesus promises him paradise. Darkness covers the land, the temple curtain tears, and Jesus commends His spirit to the Father.

Women discover the empty tomb and angels remind them of Jesus' words. Two disciples encounter the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus, recognizing Him in the breaking of bread. Jesus appears to all the disciples, opens their minds to Scripture, and ascends to heaven.

Jesus teaches about marriage, divorce, and celibacy. He blesses children brought to Him and encounters the rich young ruler, teaching that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter God's kingdom. He promises reward for those who leave everything to follow Him.

Women come to the tomb at sunrise and find the stone rolled away and a young man in white who announces Jesus has risen. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, to two disciples on the road, and to the Eleven. He commissions them to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

Paul calls believers to imitate Christ's humility: though He was in the form of God, He emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and humbled Himself to death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name. Paul urges them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling as God works in them.

The fool says in his heart there is no God. David describes universal human corruption and the oppression of God's people. He longs for salvation to come from Zion and for God to restore his people.