What Do We Believe? The Salvation of Man by GraceWe believe that man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16).Grace is God's loving and merciful provision for the need of lost man. Man in his natural state is self-centered and proud; he is in bondage to Satan and spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. Because of his sinful nature, man is helpless to save himself. But God is graciously disposed toward all men in spite of their moral corruption and spiritual rebellion. Salvation is not the result of human merit or achievement but of divine purpose and initiative. It is not by means of sacramental mediation or moral training but by divine mercy and power. Salvation from sin is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ, conditioned only upon repentance toward God and trust in and commitment to Christ the Lord. Prayer is one of the greatest privileges the human race has today. If an individual has not been born again, the first prayer that God wants to hear is a prayer of repentance. Jesus Christ said, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." St. John 1:11-12. "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." I John 2:1-2. When we pray in faith and ask Christ to forgive us of our sins, then a whole new world of opportunity and privilege will open for us. Many times, Christians make the mistake by only going to Christ in prayer about a problem. They think there is no other way out unless God intervenes. This is good and this we should do. But the Bible says "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Peter 5:7. "But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19. According to these two Scriptures, if we have a care or need, then Jesus is concerned about it. Anything, regardless of how large or small it may seem, if it is a care, He invites us to cast that care upon Him through prayer. It can be any one of the many cares of life that come each and every day, need for strength to be a better Christian to do His will, or it could be healing for the physical body. "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." James 5:15. We as Christians cannot heal anyone, but He did say that we could pray and that the prayer of faith would save the sick and the Lord would raise them up. Jesus said in St. Matt. 18:19: "Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." "Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." St. Mark 11:24. Another verse of Scripture is Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." We know in the Bible days Jesus answered prayer for all problems, sickness and troubles that plague humanity. In accordance to this verse of Scripture, Jesus answered prayer and the truth is that God always will. Salvation, which comes by grace, through faith, brings one into a vital life-changing union with Christ, which is characterized by a life of holiness and good works. The same grace by means of which one has been saved is the assurance of God's continuing forgiveness and help in living the Christian Life. Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense, salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. A regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart brought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth and grace should continue throughout the regenerated person's life. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
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