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Salvation is God's deliverance of humanity from sin and its consequences through Jesus Christ. It includes forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the gift of eternal life. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by human effort or good works.
Why this answer? It starts with Ephesians 2:8-9, then cross-checks John 3:16-17 and Acts 4:12 so the summary stays anchored in Scripture.
This answer focuses on salvation according to the Bible: what it means to be saved, why grace matters, how faith receives Christ, and which passages explain forgiveness and eternal life.
Salvation in the Bible encompasses God's complete work of rescuing humanity from sin and death. To be saved by grace means receiving God's gift of God through faith—not by earning it through good deeds. The process of salvation includes justification (being declared righteous), sanctification (being made holy), and glorification (final perfection). Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers are redeemed from the penalty of sin, reconciled with God, and given eternal life. Jesus said in John 3:3 that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God—a spiritual rebirth that makes us a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The forgiveness of sins is complete and permanent for those who trust in Christ, and this deliverance from sin transforms both our standing before God and our daily lives.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9
According to Scripture, salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Salvation is a gift of grace received through faith, not earned by works.
Grace is God's unmerited favor—His love and mercy given freely to humanity despite our unworthiness. In Christian theology, grace is the foundation of salvation, given through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Justification is God's act of declaring sinners righteous based on Christ's work, not our own merit. When we trust in Jesus, His righteousness is credited to us and our sins to Him. We're declared 'not guilty' before God—a legal standing, not gradual transformation. It's by faith alone in Christ alone.
Ask any question about the Bible, Christianity, or theology and get answers grounded in Scripture.
Answers are informed by Scripture and trusted theologians including Matthew Henry, John Calvin, and John Wesley. Always verify with Scripture and consult your local church for pastoral guidance.