This Shabat, our topic is to consider what kind of security of salvation the Bible promises and under what conditions?
The Bible promises certainty of salvation
As an introduction, we read a passage from the night conversation between Adonai Yeshua and Nicodemus. John 3:1-8
>>1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Yeshua by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from Elohim: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except Elohim be with him.
3 Yeshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Elohim. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Yeshua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Elohim. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.<<
We notice from that conversation that anyone who wants to get to heaven must absolutely be born again, by the power of the Holy Spirit!
What does it mean to be born again?
We read the promise in this next teaching of the apostle John, John 1:12-13. He taught receiving Adonai Yeshua through faith in the heart.
>>12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become children of Elohim, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of Elohim. <<
In what name should we believe? At the angel's command Joseph to give our Savior the name Yeshua, because he will save his people from their sins. Matt. 1:21. The name Yeshua is Hebrew and means 'Salvation'.
It is therefore consistent to use for our Savior the special name assigned to him by an angel from heaven, and not the translation names. Likewise, it is consistent to also use his Hebrew title name 'HaMashiach', which means the Anointed one.
So we should believe in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach, then the promise according to that verse is valid for us to have the power to become a child of Elohim.
How are faith and baptism related to salvation?
We first read Adonai Yeshua's teaching according to Mark 16:16
>>He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.<<
Some teach that faith alone is enough and baptism is not necessary. That is not what is written in the verse and the apostle Peter taught as Adonai Yeshua commanded him. We read verses Apt. 2:38-39 (In them I use the original names of our Savior that I explained earlier)
>>38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Adonai our Elohim shall call.<<
It is baptism by immersion in water and it is performed after the person who wants to be baptized has first repented in his/her life. Baptism is performed for the forgiveness of sins. Only after that is the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit valid.
P.S. That teaching excludes infant baptism and baptism 'in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit', because they are not in accordance with the teachings of Adonai Yeshua and his apostles (see e.g. Peter's teaching), but a wrong interpretation and textual falsification in the Bible!
After receiving the Holy Spirit as shown below, the promise of the power to become a child of Elohim, mentioned earlier in the NT, has come true for you! (John 1:12-13)
Being filled with the Holy Spirit
According to true apostolic immersion baptism, there is a promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the baptized. He, the Holy Spirit, does not automatically come to the baptized, but the baptized must sanctify himself, pray and patiently wait for the fulfillment of that promise.
Our examples of this are the apostles, who waited for the fulfillment of the promise they received for 10 days (from Ascension Day to Pentecost) in the upper hall, praying and praising Adonai Yeshua. Only after that the following happened: (Acts 2:1-4)
>>1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.<<
After that happens, you will be equipped to carry out the great commandment of proclaiming the heavenly gospel. You get to take the world's greatest glad tidings of Adonai Yeshua's victory at Calvary, his resurrection and omnipotence, and his coming back to collect his own in the glory of heaven!
Walking in faith is a constant race and we are called to race together with other believers in Adonai Yeshua as follows: (Acts 2:42)
>>And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.<<
When you compete and are faithful until death, you will be gifted with a crown of eternal life. Its level depends on how obedient you have been and how many sinners you have managed to lead to salvation, to the Savior.
Because of that, some of us get a gorgeous crown with gorgeous and multiple jewels, but some only get the small crown pictured on the bottom right, with no jewels. If you are not satisfied with just that, then be diligent in evangelizing!
More promises of eternal security of salvation
- John 6:37 (A promise given by Adonai Yeshua)
>>All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him/her that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.<<
- John 5:24 (A promise given by Adonai Yeshua)
>>Verily, verily, I say unto you, He/she that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.<<
- John 14:21, 23b (The promises given by Adonai Yeshua)
>>He/she that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he/she it is that loveth me: and he/she that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him/her, and will manifest myself to him/her.<<
>>..."If someone loves me, he/she will keep my words: and my Father will love him/her, and we will come unto him/her, and make our abode with him/her.<<
- 1. John 5:13 (Teaching of the Apostle John)
>>These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of Elohim; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of Elohim.<< (That name is Yeshua HaMashiach, so it is a question of knowing, and no longer just a matter of faith.)
- Rome 10:9-11 (Teaching of the Apostle Paul, with reference to Tanakh)
>>9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Adonai Yeshua, and shalt believe in thine heart that Elohim hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Tanakh saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.<<
Four songs related to the topic
Because He Lives
Come Holy Spirit
Shadow of Shaddai (Psalm 91)
You Are My Hiding Place
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