Example of Bible Study by Subject - Salvation

Subject: SALVATION

What does SALVATION mean?

  1. Regular English Definition: preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.
  2. Theological Definition: deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.

Of course, the theological definition of the word ‘SALVATION’ is what we Christians believe to be the correct version. I looked up the word ‘Salvation in the Strong’s Concordance and this is what I found out. The world ‘Salvation’ appears in the King James Bible 170 times. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated as ‘Salvation’ is ‘yshuw’ah (yesh-oo’-aw)’ which means:

  1. Something Saved
  2. Deliverance
  3. Victory
  4. Health
  5. Help
  6. Salvation
  7. Save
  8. Saving (health)
  9. Welfare

In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as ‘Salvation’ is ‘soteria (so-tay-ree’-ah)’ which means:

  1. Rescue or Safety (physically or morally)
  2. Deliver
  3. Health
  4. Salvation
  5. Save
  6. Saving

‘Salvation’ is closely related to the word ‘Saved’ which comes from the Greek word ‘sozo (sode’-zo)’ which means:

  1. Rescue or Safety (physically or morally)
  2. Deliver
  3. Health
  4. Salvation
  5. Save
  6. Saving

Now you most likely are thinking what I was thinking when I saw the full meaning of the word ‘Salvation’ first time in the Strong’s Concordance. Yes, it means a lot more than just deliverance from sin through faith in Jesus Christ. Of course, deliverance from sin might be the most important primary meaning but who are we kidding. It seems our “Salvation Package’ contains a lot more than just deliverance. It contains Health, Safety, Victory, Help, Welfare etc. That ought to make you shout with joy. It sure made me. Those are some very powerful words associated with the “Salvation Package”.

We will now look at some important verses which contains the word ‘Salvation’ and ‘Saved’. Space and time does not permit me to talk on all the 170 verses but we will surely look at some of the most common and widely quoted verses on ‘Salvation’. First, we will look at the Romans 10: 9, 10, 13 (KJV):

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

We learn several points from Verse 9. Confession is made with the mouth and believing takes place in the heart. Paul is not talking about your internal organ – the heart. He is referring to the real person on the inside called the inner man or the hidden man of the heart which is the human spirit; the real you. What does it mean to “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus”? It means to make him your divine master, your only master, the supreme authority. God’s method of salvation may seem too easy for most people. Some may rightfully question, “Are you serious? Is it that simple?” Yes, it is that simple. No explanation is needed here. Just do exactly what verse 9 says.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Verse 10 is basically a repetition and reinforcement of Verse 9. The writer wants the reader to fully comprehend the importance of believing with your heart and confessing with your mouth. These are the two essential elements of “Salvation”. They are not only important but necessary components of ‘Salvation’.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

In Verse 13, the writer drives his point home by demonstrating that the Lord Jesus Christ is the reference point of confessing and believing. Remove Him and the gift of ‘Salvation’ is lost. The object of your confession and believe is very important. All religions confess and believe something or someone but that is not sufficient to obtain ‘Salvation’. The object of your ‘Salvation’ must be the person of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the Bible is very clear on this proposition and never gives neither allows for any other alternative.

We will now have a look at some verses from the Old Testament.

Psalm 27:1 (KJV) The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

This is a very powerful verse. Just look back at the full meaning of the word ‘Salvation’ in the Hebrew language and you will notice how deep the meaning is! We can easily rewrite this verse as, “The Lord is my light and my deliverer, victory, helper, health and welfare.”

Isaiah 12:2 (KJV) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Another powerful verse. God is my ‘Salvation’. Once again, you can simply replace the word “Salvation’ and rewrite the verse as, “God is my deliverer, victory, helper, health and welfare.” This gives the word ‘Salvation’ a deeper, wider and powerful meaning.

I hope the above sample of Bible Study by subject on ‘Salvation’ gives you an idea of how you can go about studying other subjects. Please refer to my teaching on “How to Study the Bible by Subject?” for helpful tips. Here’s the link:

http://rhemabiblechurch.net/index.php/articles/bible-study-notes/563-how-to-study-the-bible-by-subject

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