What is Salvation? (And How do I Get I?)

by Pastor CW Mayberry

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Acts 2:37

The question of what is really necessary for the salvation of the soul is often neglected by those teaching in the Hebrew Roots and even the Messianic communities. 

As with all matters of faith, we believe the scriptures are the only authority we can trust. Any teacher who cannot support their salvation doctrine from the plain word of God should not be teaching anyone.

Any doctrine that cannot be found throughout the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, is a false doctrine. Any doctrine built on one or two verses alone usually proves to be extrabiblical.

Having said that, what is biblical salvation?

Let’s see what Yeshua said when He was asked.

¹There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:1-3 ​¹

See, G3708 horaō, hor-ah’-o
to see with the eyes, to see with the mind, to perceive, know become acquainted with by experience, to experience

Yeshua clearly teaches that we will not even understand the kingdom of Yehovah (God) until we are “born again”.

The question we must ask ourselves in light of this is, what does it mean to be born again?

⁵Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5

In verse 5, Yeshua gives us the first two of three defining parts of the “born again” experience. It is a birth of both water and spirit.

⁸The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:8

In verse 8, Yeshua teaches us that the birth of water and spirit is accompanied by a sound that is produced in every believer as the spirit of Yehovah is made manifest in this “born again” experience.

John 3:1-8 is an outline of what would happen in the initial salvation experience of all believers.

We could not see this experience play out in the lives of any New Testament believers until the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah.

Now, let’s have a look at what John 3:1-8 looks like when the promise has been made a reality.

¹ When the Day of Pentecost (Shavuot) had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Solomon’s porch) ² And suddenly there came a sound (3) from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (2) and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1-4 ​

 Note that of the one hundred and twenty believers of Acts 1:14-15 would have been baptized (1) prior to this, especially the twelve disciples.

• Water (2) spirit (3) a sound, tongues.

⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all (2) them which heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues,(3) and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, (1) which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 10:44-48

Once again, we see all three elements of the born-again experience represented in Acts 10:44-48

¹ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, ² He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ³ And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. ⁴ Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized (1) in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; (2) and they spake with tongues, (3) and prophesied.
Acts 19:1-6 ​

Although I am sure that there will be many who would like to argue against what is being written here, the fact is this is the picture that scripture presents.

Nowhere in the word of God does anyone “ask Jesus into their heart” or “accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior”. Nowhere does anyone “pray the sinner’s prayer”.

All of these modes of “salvation” are human inventions.

The truth is that we must come face to face with the fact that sin is going to destroy our souls and our present lives and relationships.  All of the other “modes of salvation” were created by so-called evangelists such as Billy Sunday.

It was an attempt to keep from losing the crown. The truth is, the crown was already lost and still is.

Yeshua did a great deal of agonizing in the garden and suffered a lot on the cross.

It is an absolute outrage to deny biblical salvation, choosing instead those man-made formulas that are meaningless.

And it is a slap in the face to the God of the universe who died for us, for YOU.

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