The Christian concept of salvation is a common topic within the faith, yet it is often misunderstood and misapplied. This confusion has led to the adoption of various evangelism methods that contradict biblical teachings. Techniques such as psychological manipulation, material incentives, and the integration of worldly practices into the church—used by movements like Church Growth and the Emergent Church—highlight either a lack of understanding or a deliberate distortion of the biblical view of salvation. The spread of this issue calls for a straightforward clarification of the central principles of the biblical concept of salvation that permeate the entire Bible.
The foundation of salvation is election. You might ask, "Election?" Yes, election! While the doctrine of election is a debatable topic, it is fundamental to the biblical understanding of salvation. To fully grasp the subject of salvation, one must consider the concept of election. God, in His divine plan, chooses to show mercy to those He decides to have mercy on (Romans 9:18). Sin separates humanity from God and makes it impossible for people to choose God on their own. Until God strengthens a person through election, that individual cannot seek or relate to Him.
God's mission to save humanity began after the prophetic act in Genesis 3:21 through His choice of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 and 16:19. When the nation of Israel was in bondage in Egypt, they may have almost forgotten that they were a chosen race. However, God remembered His promise to Abraham, their forefather. To fulfill His calling upon this chosen people, He raised Moses to deliver them and lead them to the Promised Land.
In the Old Testament, Egypt symbolizes slavery to sin, Satan, and damnation, which is reflected in the New Testament. Moses serves as a prototype of Jesus Christ, as indicated in Deuteronomy 18:15 and John 3:14.
This process of salvation is relevant to the New Testament. Unlike the Old Testament, which restricts God's call to the Israelite race, the New Testament offers an open invitation to everyone who desires to be saved (John 3:16). However, there is a caveat: only those enabled by God can respond to this call (John 6:41-45; Romans 9:14-18). This highlights the mystery of God's sovereign will.
It is possible for individuals to pretend to be part of God's chosen people. In other words, some may attempt to choose themselves for God's fold, but in reality, they are not truly chosen. Analogously, a person cannot become a Jew simply by living in Israel and practicing Jewish customs without having Abraham's bloodline. Similarly, one cannot become a Christian through mere self-declaration or by following religious rituals.
It is essential to be cautious, as many such pretenses exist within the church, just as Christ foretold would happen (Matthew 7:21-23, 22:14). A true Christian is someone chosen by God, possessing the life of God through sanctification by the blood of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.