Experience of Salvation
by Paul J. Rico (paulrico@hotmail.com)
Much confusion concerning the experience of salvation exists, causing doubts and numerous questions to continually occur in the minds of believers and seekers of truth alike. Different religious denominations disregard the complete teaching of the Word of God constantly adding to the confusion. False definitions and misunderstandings concerning revelation, illumination, repentance, conversion, justification, sanctification, predestination, election, adoption and other doctrines need correction and clarification. At issue is your eternal salvation and afterward your victorious spiritual life. What is not at issue is which synagogue, church or denomination to which one belongs, or where one donates money. Below you will find a beginning for your study. Remember that what God will require of you is adherence to the Word of God and not to the traditions of man, denominational doctrines, worldly philosophy, Hollywood, or even our personal preference. If you believe a lie you may very well perish. (Mt 7:13-15) We will all stand in Judgment for accepting or rejecting what God has said; therefore we must base our beliefs and the way we live purely on the clear teaching of the Word of God-the Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16.
God promised that through the nation of Israel an “anointed” one would come, the Messiah. Messiah (Messiah=Christ=anointed one) means God’s anointed. Messiah Ben-David would be the son of David, that is David’s descendent (2 Sam 7:12-16, Ps 89:3-4). Messiah is to bring world peace and the kingdom of God. But the Scriptures also clearly state that besides being the 1) King of the world, Messiah also was to be anointed as 2) Prophet (Deut 18:15-22) teaching Israel and all mankind the truth about the Creator and 3) Priest providing the essential sacrifice for sin (Is 53:1-12). It is in this capacity that the Talmud (Rabbinical commentary on the Torah) also speaks of a Messiah Ben-Joseph the suffering servant. Some have questioned if there were to be two Messiahs. The New Covenant clears this up for us by explaining that there is only one Messiah, the same person who has two appearances separated by time. The first appearance was as the suffering servant to reveal truth as the Prophet and as Priest to accomplish the payment for sin. In the second coming He is the conquering King. The first has already occurred when Y’Shua (Jesus) came and died on the tree to pay for sin and the second appearance which is still future when He will return as the King, the Master of the Universe.
We are all separated from our Creator by sin (Is 64:6, Rom 3:9-20) but Messiah has provided the answer to our dilemma. Each person (Jew and Gentile) has the opportunity to accept Y’Shua the Messiah of Israel, receive the free gift of the sacrifice for sin and enter into an intimate spiritual personal relationship with God the Creator and Master of the Universe. God is the Creator of the whole world and loves all of His Creation. It’s His will that all should come to faith in Him to be saved. (John 3:16, 1Peter 3:9) The choice is yours.
Steps of Salvation as They Generally Occur
Illumination: Every person created by God is enlightened by the Holy Spirit to know of the existence of God. Even the person in the remotest area of the earth knows that God exists, Jn 1:9-10, Rom 1:18-21. Because of this even the heathen, who has never heard the gospel, stands guilty before God. If at any time they (the heathen) desire to know God, God will provide them with answers. God is omniscience He knows everything. He knows the thoughts of every creature on Earth. He knows every person’s questions even before the person asks the question in prayer. There has never been a person who wanted to know God and have a relationship with Him but that God provided the answers. Seek and you will find Mt 7:7,8.
Illumination must not be confused with revelation, which is when God has spoken through His prophets, apostles and His Son. Illumination is the understanding of the existence of God and the Word of God that has already been revealed. People commonly say that they have received a revelation from God when what they accurately mean is that they have finally understood something that God has already revealed in Scripture. The Books of the Bible have been completed and God is not adding to the revelation of the Bible. Ask God to illuminate your mind and heart to understand His revelation.
Conviction: The Holy Spirit, besides giving us illumination concerning God’s existence, gives us full knowledge of our sinfulness, God’s holiness and His judgment of sin within our conscience and deepest innermost being of our soul, Jn 16: 7-11.
Repentance: Repentance (Greek- metanoia, Strong’s dictionary #3341, from repent-metanoeo #3340) means to have a change of mind, to think differently after receiving the truth and to reconsider. False beliefs and belief systems must be replaced by the truth. We must change our minds and accept the truth concerning who God is, our position spiritually before God and how we must properly relate to Him to be accepted as a prelude to faith in Messiah. Each person must come to the realization that they stand before the Holy God, Creator of the Universe, as a sinful person deserving judgment and eternal separation in hell. All must realize that there is nothing that we can do in the order of good works to offer up to God that will redeem us from our depraved situation and sinful human nature, (Eph 2:8-9,Titus 3:5).
Common Misconceptions Concerning Repentance: Many people who claim to be believers in the Bible and in Jesus Christ add good works to salvation (therefore creating a false gospel) through a false doctrine concerning repentance. They therefore nullify salvation by grace through faith alone, Matt 7:13-15, 21-23, Eph 2:8-9. This is an area where it is easy to get confused if a person isn’t diligent to rightly divide the Word of Truth, 2 Tim 2:15. Repentance does not mean reformation-to turn from sin, to clean up one’s life, to stop sinning, the change of our ways or the change of direction we are going. Also repentance does not mean penitence-to feel sorry for sin. If repentance meant reformation or penitence it would add good works to our salvation and negate salvation by grace through faith Eph 2:8-9, Rom 4:5, Tit 3:5. Reformation and penitence are good works that a believer should accomplish after salvation, but not to be saved.
Suggestion: Look up the Greek word for repent (or repentance) in a Greek dictionary (such as the Strong’s Concordance and not Webster’s English Dictionary, New Testament writers didn’t have or use a Webster’s). You will find the word repent to be Strong’s Concordance number 3340 metaneoeo- to think differently, afterwards reconsider or in the NASB concordance (same number 3340) to have a change of mind.
Faith: To believe, trust, completely rely upon another. God sent Messiah to die on the tree in order that He (Messiah Y’Shua) might pay for sin in our place, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We receive the holiness of Messiah by faith because He loved us and gave Himself for us. This was done so that we wouldn’t have to die and spend eternity separated from Him in Hell, Jn 3:16-18, 2 Cor 5:21.
The free will of man and the sovereignty of God is by far the most perplexing theological problem that man has ever tried to unravel. This is an area where it is easy to get confused if a person isn’t diligent to rightly divide the Word of Truth, 2 Tim 2:15. As always but especially here the Word of God has to be our sole source of truth. God is totally in control. Nothing happens except that it is first filtered through His loving hands. There is nothing that comes as a surprise to Him and nothing that gets out of His control while His attention is elsewhere. There is nothing that is in His plan that fouls up while He is asleep, He doesn’t slumber or sleep.
God in His sovereignty has given humankind the free will to accept or to reject His love. We can have faith in Him or reject Him of our own free will, because the Sovereign God has given us a free will. He draws us to Him, everyone of us that He has created. He illuminates our understanding and convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment, but doesn’t force us to respond in faith by trusting in the sacrifice for sin made by Messiah. God is sovereign but that does not mean that he does not give us a choice to believe or not to believe since this is the clear teaching of His revelation, Jn 3:16-18, Rev 22:17. It is God’s will that none perish, but He gives all a choice to reject His love and spend eternity separated from Him 2 Pet 3:9. God doesn’t send people to hell; He simply honors the choice of each person’s free will. That doesn’t contradict His sovereignty since that was His decision on how He wanted to set up the universe. God has a perfect will and also permissive will. It is His perfect will that we all believe in Him Jn 6:26-29, but His permissive will is that He allows those who so choose to reject Him, Jn 3:36. When we reject His perfect will it is called SIN, something that we are allowed to do within His permissive will. His perfect will for us is to believe in Messiah to receive eternal life. His permissive will is to allow us to reject Messiah and eternally be separated from Him by our own choice. (Mt 7:13-14) Also within His permissive will– believers, those already saved, can make choices to obey the Spirit of God within them or their flesh the sinful human nature. Rom 7:1-25, Gal 5:17 This is part of the free will given to man by his Sovereign God.
The choice to respond in faith is ours and ours alone. In the end, at the judgment of our souls, God will honor our choice. Did we accept Him in faith or reject Him resulting in eternal separation in Hell? It’s a choice of our free will.
Conversion: Things which occur when a person receives salvation, wrought instantaneously and simultaneously;
Born Again Jn 3:3-8 Those who are children of God become the children of God because of the new birth and not because of being “adopted” into the family of God. Unlike modern American culture’s usage of adoption, the adoption of sons during Biblical times has to do with the giving of full rights and privileges as an adult to someone who was born into a family and therefore already an heir although still a minor. This process of the adoption of sons, for believers in Messiah, occurs at the death of the believer when we receive our glorified resurrected bodies. This is an area where it is easy to get confused if a person isn’t diligent to rightly divide the Word of Truth, 2 Tim 2:15. The five verses in the Bible pertaining to adoption are noted in the final section called Glorification.
Become a Child of God Jn 1:12 This is the natural result of being born again.
Forgiven Eph 1:7, 4:32, Col 1:14, 2:13, 3:13
Justified Acts 13:38-39, Gal 2:16, Justification is salvation from the guilt and penalty of sin, not to be confused with Sanctification. Justification is a judicial process by which we are declared not guilty, we are declared innocent-or in a way easy to remember “just as if I never sinned”.
Sanctified (Positionally) 1 Pet 1:2 Sanctification is to be set apart for special use. Positional Sanctification is the process whereby God immediately imparts His holiness and declares the believer holy at the point of salvation. Sanctification also has additional aspects covered later called Experiential Sanctification and Ultimate Sanctification. This is an area where it is easy to get confused if a person isn’t diligent to rightly divide the Word of Truth, 2 Tim 2:15.
Cleansed (washed) from Sin Acts 15:9, 1 Jn 1:7
Conscience has been purified (cleansed) from dead works by the blood of Messiah Heb 9:14
Freed from the Curse of the Law Rom 8:1-2
Made Acceptable to God Eph 1:6, 1 Pet 2:5
Made Accepted in the Beloved Eph 1:6
Made Righteous 2 Cor 5:21
Perfected Forever Heb 10:14
Enlightened Heb 10:32, 2 Cor 4:3-6
Tasted of the Heavenly Gift Jn 4:10, 1 Cor 10:4,21, 1 Cor 12:13, Heb 6:4
Predestined Eph 1:5,11, Rom 8:29-30 God exists simultaneously in the past, present and future in relationship to our space-time continuum. He therefore is present when we trust in Messiah and is at the same time back at the beginning of the creation of the universe so that He foreknows and predetermines our final destination (Eternal Life/Heaven) on the basis of our faith in Messiah. He predestinates us to go to heaven on the basis of our faith. He does not predestinate us to exercise our faith in Messiah as some falsely suppose. Our faith in Messiah is an act of our free will. The issue is that faith results in God predestining us to receive eternal life and NOT the other way around. We do NOT have faith because God predestined us to have faith. Faith results in predestination, NOT predestination results in faith.
Elected Rom 8:33 God voted for us, Satan voted against us, We break the tie when we believe in Messiah Y’Shua
Chosen Eph 1:4 Again as with predestination God has chosen us on the basis of our faith in Messiah.
Called Rom 1:6-7, 9:24-26 Called on the basis of our faith in Messiah.
Made Partakers of the Inheritance Col 1:12
Made nigh (near) to the Covenant of Promise Eph 2:12-13
Delivered from the Dominion of Darkness Col 1:13,
Delivered from This Present Evil Age Gal 1:4
Redeemed Eph 1:7, Col 1:14
Reconciled Col 1:20,22
Regenerated Titus 3:5
Seated in Heavenly Places Eph 2:6
Made Heavenly Citizens Phil 3:20, Lk 10:20, Heb 12:22, Eph 2:19, 2 Cor 5:8
Baptized by the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 12:13 This is not speaking in tongues, but rather the immersion of the believer in the Holy Spirit which results in the inclusion of the believer into the Body of Messiah (the Church) and the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit on the believer.
Sealed by the Holy Spirit Eph 1:13 The Holy Spirit then becomes the “earnest” or down payment, that is the pledge of our salvation, like an engagement ring that is not to be returned if the groom were to break the engagement. If God were to break the engagement (not a possibility) we would still possess the Holy Spirit who is God so that we would still have Him and He cannot leave, desert or forsake us. (Heb 13:5)
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 3:16-17, 6:19
Made Partakers of the Holy Spirit Heb 6:4
Made Part of the Body of Messiah by the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 12:12-14
Blessed with all Spiritual Blessings Eph 1:3
Become Heirs of the Abrahamic Covenant Heb 6:13-19,
Become Joint Heirs with Christ Rom 8:17
Joined to Christ for the judgment of the old man unto the new walk Rom 6:1-10
Quickened Eph 2:1, Col 2:13
Placed on the Rock, the Foundation of Christ Matt 7:24-27, 1 Cor 3:9-15
Recipients of the Gift of God Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8-9
Gift from God the Father to God the Son Jn 6:37-40, 17:2, 6 (twice), 9, 11, 12, 24(stated 7X)
Circumcised in Christ (not made with hands) Eph 2:11, Col 2:11
Partakers of the Holy and Royal Priesthood 1 Pet 2:5
Made Part of a Chosen Generation, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar People 1 Pet 2:9
Made Part of the Fellowship of the Saints Jn 17:11
Made Partners with Christ in Life Col 1:27, Col 3:4, 1 Jn 5:11-12
Made Partners with Christ in Position Col 3:1,
Made Partners with Christ in Service 1Cor 1:9, 2 Cor 6:14
Made Partners with Christ in Suffering 1 Pet 2:20-21, 2 Tim 2:12, Phil 1:29, 1Pet 4:12-13, Col 1:24, Rom 8:18, 1 Thess 3:3
Made Partners with Christ in Betrothal 2 Cor 11:2
Made Partners with Christ in Expectation Titus 2:13, Heb 10:13
Given Access unto the Father Eph 2:18
Given Access unto the Throne of Grace Heb 4:16
The above list is not considered to be exhaustive, you may add to it as the Holy Spirit illuminates your understanding.
A POINT OF CONFUSION: Note that Sanctification has (3) three aspects:
1) Positional Sanctification occurs at the point of salvation, the second a person believes. This is a work done by God without effort on the part of the believer. We are made holy, set apart for God’s service by declaration of God the second we put faith in Messiah.
2) Experiential Sanctification is the growth process that believers go through during the days of their life. It requires faith plus Holy Spirit empowered works in the life yielded to God.
3) Ultimate Sanctification occurs at the physical death of the believer. When the believer receives their glorified resurrection body they are saved from the presence of sin, the sinful human nature, the sinfulness of others, the evil world system and the enemy of our souls-the devil, Satan.
ANOTHER POINT OF CONFUSION: It is commonly stated in an invitation to salvation, that if you want to be saved you must invite Jesus into your heart. We are sorry to inform you that Y’Shua will not do it. We have listed over fifty things that occur during the salvation experience. One thing that does not occur in the salvation experience is Y’Shua coming into the heart of the believer. Y’Shua has ascended into heaven and in His place He has sent the Holy Spirit. Jn 7:39, 14:15-26 The Holy Spirit will indwell the innermost being (the heart-soul-mind) of the believer at the point of receiving salvation, but not the blood pumping organ. Never once in the whole of Scripture are we commanded to let Jesus into our heart or to give our heart to Jesus as a condition of eternal salvation. You cannot find it anywhere in the Bible. That being stated we must ask exactly what does asking Jesus to come into your heart or giving your heart to Jesus mean? If one lets a person of the opposite sex into their heart it would generally be accepted that the meaning is clear, that affection and a commitment to love that person has been made. But used in relationship with God it will not save you. Loving God is the most important commandment of all of the Law according to Y’Shua Mk 12:28-30. This is a restatement of Deut 6:4 the “Shema-Hear O Israel”. It is the central verse of the Torah and considered the most important verse by all of Judaism. Y’Shua agreed. But the issue is “Will the Law save you? Could the Law ever save anyone or has it ever saved anyone?” The answer is a profound absolute “NO!!!” Acts 13:38-39, Gal 2:16, Phil 3:9 Titus 3:5 If what a person means by “Let Jesus into your heart” is to believe that He died to pay for your sins, then it should be said clearly and not made confusing by unclear and unbiblical analogies and metaphors. This is an especially harmful thing to say when trying to explain the gospel to little children, who become totally confused as to what the gospel means and what they must do to be saved. Don’t be fooled by this masterful trick of Satan to hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. Give the Gospel, explain it according to the Scriptures, say it clear, say it boldly and say it with love.
Dedication: The decision at some point in time to present our lives to be used by God is also an aspect of Experiential Sanctification. (Rom 12:1) Common Misconception Concerning Dedication: People think that they can love God (a work of the Law of God, Mk 12:28-29, Acts 13:38-39, Gal 2:16) or dedicate themselves to God in order to be saved. The individual who thinks that they have been saved from the guilty and penalty of sin because they have dedicated their life to God or made Jesus Lord of their life has added good works to salvation by grace through faith alone. Rom 11:6. The false doctrine of demanding that people make Jesus Lord of their lives in order to be saved is called Lordship Salvation. This is getting the “cart before the horse” theology. A person can only properly be dedicated to God after they are saved and not before. Every believer (not unsaved or lost person) is duty bound to dedicate their life to God that is to make Messiah Y’Shua Lord of every aspect of our lives and to serve Him. This is not in order to be saved but in appreciation for being saved. It is of utmost importance that we realize the proper order here, for in failing to maintain the proper order we risk adding good works to the plan of salvation. First a person must become a believer and then after the point of salvation, dedication must be made as a separate decision even if it comes at the point of salvation. To combine salvation and dedication into one decision is to tell the unbeliever that they must grow in experiential sanctification in order to be initially saved. This is impossible because a person must first have the Holy Spirit in order to grow in experiential sanctification. The point that a person is empowered by the Holy Spirit is from salvation onward. Telling a person to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit (that they don’t get until they are saved) to be saved is a contradiction, theological foolishness and a heavenly way to go to hell.
Reformation: (Commonly mislabeled as repentance) We’re not talking about the period of time where Protestant Reformers separated themselves from the Catholic Church, but rather the changing of the life of the believer from the old sinful life controlled by the sinful human nature to spiritual maturity controlled by the Spirit of the living God. Before we are saved we cannot stop sinning because we don’t have the Holy Spirit. But after we are saved we should stop sinning by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can reform only after being saved because only then do we have the Holy Spirit and therefore the supernatural power to stop sinning and obey God’s commandments (Rom 7:25). God did not save us to give us a license to sin, a license to break His Holy Law. He saved us in order that we might be freed from sin to live Holy lives that glorify Him by keeping His commandments (Eph 2:10). We don’t live holy lives in order to gain God’s love but rather in response and appreciation for already having received it. (Rom 12:1-2) This is an important aspect of Experiential Sanctification.
Maturation: Experiential Sanctification is salvation from the control, power and dominion of sin in our daily lives. This is not to be confused with justification, which is salvation from the guilty and penalty of sin. (penalty of sin=spiritual death, going to Hell) Believers are commanded to keep on being filled by the Holy Spirit of God, which is to let the Holy Spirit control our daily lives Eph 5:18. Nowhere in Scripture is a believer commanded to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. This is a work that God performs on us the second that we believe. We however are commanded to be filled that is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit Eph 5:18. We do this by yielding our will in submission to the will of God. Jn14:15 Y’Shua said, “If you love me keep my commandments.”
Glorification: Salvation from the presence of sin, the flesh (sinful human nature), the evil world system and the enemy of our soul the devil Satan
The Redemption of our bodies, the resurrection, Jn 5:25-29, 1 Thess 4:13-18, 2 Thess 1:6-10
The Adoption of Sons, Rom 8:15,23, 9:4 Gal 4:1-5, Eph 1:5
Sanctification (Ultimate)
Do you question your salvation? Are you absolutely sure that you are saved? We should all examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. If you find that you are not saved or are not absolutely sure about your eternal destination, then settle the issue right now, say a prayer like this, “Dear God, I know that I have sinned and violated Your holy nature. I realize that I deserve to be separated from you for all eternity and there is nothing in my power to save myself by my own good works. You have promised that You will save those who trust in You. You came to earth, took on human flesh, died on the Cross, were buried and rose from the dead. I trust in that sacrifice that You made to save me from my sin. Thank you for accepting me as Your child and giving me the free gift of eternal life. Now that I’m your child, help me to learn to live a holy life that honors you. Amen”
Saying the above prayer is not what saves you, it is repentance followed by faith in Messiah that saves a person. The prayer is simply a way of confessing what the Holy Spirit has convicted you of in your inner most being. If you just made that decision to trust in Messiah, welcome to the family of God!!!
John 20:31: “…but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
I John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
All Scripture quotations are from the NASB, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
