YAHSHUA AND SALVATION
THE SALVATION OF THE SOUL – DAILY SALVATION – THE SALVATION OF THE DEAD
TRADITION VS THE BIBLE – THE CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT REFORMATION
© Carlos Padilla, October 2021
What is salvation? What to be saved from? Is Jesus the only saviour? Can we intercede for our dead and ask them for help? These and other relevant questions for the last generation called “generation Z”, that if concepts are not clarified, the message of the Gospel which the Christian student of the Bible gives for granted, remains without significance for the Z listener, avoiding the Great Commission to be fulfilled in those who are influenced by the thinking of the present society. The Holy Spirit continues to fulfil a work of convincing the world of sin through the preaching of the Gospel to offer salvation free by grace, through faith in the redemption work of Jesus Christ on the cross in Calvary. Do you believe you have received salvation; that you are born again and that you have everlasting life?
WHAT IS SALVATION? WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED FROM? SALVATION OF THE SOUL
What is salvation? From how many things does Jesus Christ save us? Does He only save us from condemnation and from hell? Nowadays the word hell is used in a metaphoric way to refer to any difficult situation in life, or catastrophic that we may experience. However when Jesus talks of condemnation and of hell He is referring to the Biblical meaning of that place which a non saved person will go after resurrection and the judgment, when it has been declared guilty of sin and condemned if it has not repented an received Christ as Saviour. That is a place of suffering without end of time, far from the presence of God. This is the first thing of which the Lord wants to save us from, and He does it in such way that it meant to give His own life on the Cross of Calvary as the payment for our sins, being the first of them to live separated from God, without loving God our Creator and giver of life. From that is from the first thing that I must be saved of, and I cannot do it myself by my own merits, my religion, my works, but the Son of God had to come from the Father and become man to die for us, as expiation for our sins, raise defeating death, and ascend back to the throne of glory. And now we wait His definitive return to put an end to this world and bring the new world, the Kingdom of God for those who are waiting for Him, for His promise of the eternal Paradise without death, without suffering, in peace.
As well as saving us from the eternal hell, there are other hells from which Yahshua wants to save us from, and are here before each of us. Hells of depression, of suicide, or ruin, of war, of alcoholism, of drug addiction, of abuse, of maltreatment, and a long etcetera of horrors that are in this world full of evil, as well as of goodness. God is near those who love Him, in every circumstance: “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7-8.
This does not mean that the Christian lives in a life where all is easy, but to count with the love of God, His help and His celestial armies through prayer and His presence, is a real privilege that Jesus Christ has won for us, to save us from tribulations in this world, to help us in the midst of suffering, and to take us forward in the midst of the “valley of shadow of death.” Psalm 23. For also, the greatest is, that God wants us to go to His eternal kingdom, to the place that is the Paradise that He has created to share it with those who love Him.
Salvation is, therefore, a miracle, through faith, a work of the Holy Spirit who in His work, does not change His mission: John 16:8-11 tells us in words of the Lord Yahshua that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict the world of three things: of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. And also it explains each of them:
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”
In the same way Romans 5 gives us the Gospel concentrated with its blessings:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
RELATIVISM AND SALVATION – DAILY SALVATION
Many youngsters, and not so young of today, reply they are not sinners and do not have to be saved from anything. When they are preached the Gospel, following the work of the Holy Spirit of convicting the world of sin –something evident in all humanity– the relativist and postmodernist answer is that all is relative, that if one does not hurt anyone and helps the neighbour, then that the key, and if he believes in heaven, thinks that he has earned it. The truth is that if we compare ourselves with God’s Law of 613 commandments and ordinances, we cannot say we are not sinners. But the main sin is not to believe in the Son of God as saviour, not to believe that we need His redemption work on the Cross and think that one can save himself despising His death for our sins; that is man’s sin.
https://www.yahshua.net/postmodernism-and-christianism/
If, as relativism and postmodernism, or as transmodernism proclaim, there is no sin, then all can be assassins, rappers, thieves, and all kind of evil, without consequences. The conclusion is obvious as soon as it happens to them personally to those who defend that thinking. They all prefer good to evil. The problem is defining the ethical guide. The Commandments are valid today, because God is the same yesterday, today and for eternity; Hebrews 13:8. The grater of all commandments is love, but who loves God must keep His Commands; John 14:15-31.
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.
TRADITION VS THE BIBLE – CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT REFORMATION – THE SALVATION OF THE DEAD
Tradition has dilapidated the Gospel. Traditional churches that put their man traditions first, history and their own reputation of centuries, before the truth of the Bible have emptied the content of what they teach, and therefore have no impact in the salvation of the soul. The Bible, in the teaching of Jesus Christ in the New Testament is clear with respect to the salvation of the soul, and leaves no space for masses for the dead, or for any possible penitence, indulgencies, sacrifices, or nothing alike after death. Faith in the work of Yahshua on the Cross as the only way of salvation is the centre of the Gospel, as Jesus Himself taught the master Nicodemus in John 3:3-16. One must be born again, from the Spirit, to be saved.
In the celebration of the day of all saints November the 1st, when all saints who departed are remembered, known and unknown, martyrs and plain Christians, not only are remembered, but in the traditional churches prayer to these saints is promoted, something against the doctrine of Jesus Christ that also the apostle Paul teaches: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5. Therefore it is of justice to remember the saints and the example of their lives, but not to seek their mediation, even if it is a tradition, but pray to God only in the name of Jesus Christ. That day is also celebrated in the evening of October 31st, day in which Luther nailed his 95 Thesis. Also know as All Hallows Eve, that following the Anglo-Saxon practice of shortening words and sayings ended in Halloween. On their part, in November 2nd, Catholicism celebrated the day of All Souls, and they dedicate the day to praying “for” the dead, instead of “to” the saints, to offer for them masses and prayers to alleviate their souls, something only taught by tradition, not by Jesus Christ. Here both Protestantism and medieval Catholicism encounter, as the second was selling indulgences to alleviate the supposed suffering of the souls in the purgatory. But, where do these concepts come from in the Bible? They are not in the Bible, at least in the Biblical Canon. But if we add books that are not inspired to a Bible, like Catholicism does, we can add any doctrine, but a Biblical Christian cannot accept apocryphal doctrine. In fact they were a deviation of the people of Israel who contaminated religiously from the nations who invaded them, bringing practices reflected in the apocryphal books, in particular in this case in 2 Maccabees 12:46, where we read of sacrifices for the souls of the dead. If we study the doctrine of Jesus Christ, in the Parable of the Rich and Lazarus, precisely what the Lord is teaching is that once we die, those who are alive cannot do anything for the dead; neither can the dead for the living. Luke 16:19-31.
Purgatory. On the other hand the concept of the purgatory is antagonist with the work of Christ for us, for it is the blood of Christ that has expiated our sin, but it is our mouth that confesses for salvation due to having believed, Romans 10:9-10. Also in Matthew 25:46 in words of Jesus Christ tells that some will go eternal punishments, and the others to eternal life, therefore there is no middle option of purgatory, the Bible simply does not mention it, Jesus Christ does not mention it, God does not mention it. Again Maccabees, in this case in the first book, chapter 1, which is apocrypha, not in the canon, not inspired, but historic, what is telling is how Israel has adopted pagan practices from the Greeks, after the death of Alexander, and in times of Antioch, between the centuries V and I, B.C. what is known as the prophetical silence of 400 years, when Greece falls and Rome raises, until the Messiah Jesus Christ had come. In that book, those invading pagan leaders, to those who did not accept the practices of the Greeks, greatly pagan, where threatened to be slaughtered, what took them to the hellenization of their lives.
If a dead of our loved ones, in life, did not accept the salvation of Jesus, we cannot do anything after their death, only to trust in the mercy of God, if in any moment that we do not know he gave his life to Christ before death, as it happened to one of the two thieves on the cross next to Christ: “Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42-44.
Luther nailed his 95 Thesis on the door of the church of the castle of Wittenberg precisely to denounce the lie of the Vatican by selling indulgences by order of Pope Lion X, to obtain funds for the construction of the Basilica of Saint Peter. There you see how true history proves that the excuse of having apocrypha books in Catholic Bibles was none other than to keep alive a very lucrative business of religion, by lying to millions of believers who had no access to the Bible, or to theology. Therefore those who initiated it and those who still lie to the believers will give account in the court of Christ.
Catechisms have been an intent to inculcate Christian doctrine, with the problem of mixing tradition and doctrine, which separated our heart from the Gospel. The Protestant Reformation was a return to the Bible, although it would not last long before it would mix with traditions and doctrinal battles that have ended in the many denominations. Therefore the spirit of the Reformation is still alive and it is necessary that every Christian studies the Bible, because the Word of God, and with base on the New Testament and the Words of the Master Jesus Christ, to know the correct interpretation to not be deceived with false doctrines. After more than 500 years, that spirit of the Reformation continues to reform each Christian that continues to study the Bible with other brothers in a humble way and to teach the message of Salvation to the new generations. For us Spanish speaking, Cassiodorus de Reina and Cyprian of Valera “Bible Reina-Valera” are the Spanish equivalents to Luther, who translated to German, who translated the Bible from the original tongs to Spanish, in the XVI century.
Salvation is so important to each person on an individual level that it must dedicate time to study it, not letting traditions and uses to distract him, but studying the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which can only be found in The Bible, in base to the New Testament, through His precious blood that was shed, as a Lamb without fault, for the payment of our sins; to believe this makes us humble and knowing that we have no own capacity to save ourselves, nor we should try, because we would become anti-Christ.
SUCH A GREAT SAVIOUR
If we have such a great salvation, in all aspects, is because we have a Saviour that makes it so great, Jesus, Yeshua, Yahshua, Emmanuel, which is the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, which means Salvation of Yahweh, the Salvation of God. The same essence of Christ is to be our Saviour. The Bible tells” “Nor is salvation in any other.” Acts 4:12.
We cannot imagine how the Lord felt when He saw that man was going to be a sinner, and how He had to decide to become man and come to this world, and in the time He came to die on a cross for us, being God, being in His throne as the Creator of the universe, of all that exists. Our mind cannot reach the magnitude of His feeling but has received the blessing of His grace that although we were sinners Christ gave His life for us. No other person in history n be compared with Jesus being God and becoming man to give His life for us; all others only request to keep laws, norms, philosophies, but do not save us. What greater demonstration of love can the Father Creator give us? The following Biblical Texts show the different facets of Salvation, both of the soul for eternal live in resurrection, as well as in our daily lives:
“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. 15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. “ Exodus 14:13-15. The exodus of Israel from Egypt.
“But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalm 37:38.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9.
“Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” John 4:42.”
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17.
“To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.” 1 letter of the Apostle Peter 1.
CONCLUSION
Salvation is a miracle; no one can save himself from condemnation and from hell. Salvation is individual, not collective. Each of us must come to Christ through His precious blood. Only Jesus Christ can save us, but the miracle is the gift of faith in His work. The Saviour is the Name of Jesus, Yahshua, Yeshua, is the essence of Jesus Christ Himself, Messiah, Saviour, Protector, Redeemer, Son of God, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.
The Holy Spirit continues to do His work of convicting the world of sin, through each Christian who preaches the Gospel, well based in the Word of God, and touching the heart of each listener. If man does not recognize himself a sinner, the deceiver has won the battle for that soul. That is the salvation for eternal life. But the salvation is daily in all our tribulations, where Jesus Christ assists us, where the Holy Spirit intercedes for us each day, Romans 8:26. It is therefore our work to preach the true Gospel to fulfil the Great Commission that brings salvation to the neighbour, that through faith in the work of Jesus Christ they may receive eternal life, and in living a life of love to the neighbour in good works with the attitude of the Beatitudes, Matthew 5, which will give testimony of our true faith. I close with the central verse of the Bible, which includes the message of Salvation through the love of God:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Amen! If you believe this verse; do you believe that you have everlasting life?
