What is salvation? It’s the center of the gospel proclamation yet again, what is it? At its core, salvation is the cosmic victory of Jesus Christ over sin, death, and the devil. The early church fathers called it theosis—humanity’s participation in God’s own life—highlighting that it’s not about a destination, and escaping punishment, but a now reality of restoration and healing.
Rooted in the Latin word salvare (“to save” or “to heal”), salvation points us to wholeness and a reunion with the Triune God. As Paul proclaims, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). This isn’t legal appeasement; it’s Christus Victor: Christ liberating all creation from the forces of darkness.
Salvation is not a one-time event but an ongoing relationship with the Triune God. Just as God’s love is unchanging, so is His commitment to us. From a Trinitarian perspective, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in perfect unity to bring us into communion with God, and this relationship is grounded in God’s faithfulness, not ours.
- 2 Timothy 2:13 – “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”
Salvation, then, is deeply relational and universal in scope, embracing the entire cosmos. We experience it by receiving it, stepping into our true identity in Christ, where His resurrection secures life over death and grace triumphs over judgment. We’re invited into this restored relationship—a new creation reality where we share in the very life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
How Does Jesus Explain Salvation?
From a Trinitarian, Christus Victor viewpoint, Jesus presents salvation as far more than personal rescue; it’s the restoration of all creation in and through Him alone, under God’s loving reign.
Jesus and The Kingdom of God
Jesus declared, “The Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15), describing God’s dynamic rule breaking into history to heal and renew. Salvation is entry into this kingdom, recovery of sight to the blind, participating in the Triune God, in Whom love and justice prevail.
Parables of Restoration
In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), the father runs to embrace his wayward child, revealing salvation as reconciliation rather than punishment.
Abundant Life
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10), highlighting salvation as wholeness and communion with God—freedom from sin and death.
New Birth
In John 3, Jesus calls it being “born again”— or more accurately “born from above” and Peter tells us we are born again at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Experiencing this reality is initiated by the Holy Spirit.
Liberation
Quoting Isaiah, Jesus proclaimed “freedom for the prisoners” (Luke 4:18–19), unveiling salvation as liberation from all forms of bondage, aligning with Christus Victor, where Christ overcomes sin and oppression.
Eternal Life: A Relationship, Not a Doctrine
In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing “the only true God, and Jesus Christ.” Salvation is an invitation to share in the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, restoring us to our intended purpose: living in God’s kingdom, where love triumphs and death is no more.
What Do I Have to Do to Become Saved?
From a Trinitarian, Christus Victor perspective, salvation isn’t earned or achieved—it’s a gift, flowing from Christ’s finished work. On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), revealing that sin and death were defeated on behalf of humanity. We don’t strive for salvation; we awaken to what God has already accomplished.
When Jesus calls us to “repent and believe” (Mark 1:15), He’s inviting us to shift our minds, turn from self-reliance, and trust in Him alone. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:19, “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ,” which means reconciliation is done—our response is to embrace it.
This involves recognizing our identity as beloved children of God, letting go of fear, and resting in His grace. Salvation then unfolds as participation in God’s life: putting off the old and embodying who we truly are in Christ Jesus. This is life in the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit empowers this journey, transforming us and drawing us deeper into divine fellowship.
In short, to “become saved” is simply to trust in Christ, repent of self-sufficiency, and receive the love God has already poured out. It’s not crossing a finish line; it’s stepping into a relationship where Christ’s triumph and grace are enough.
What Does the Bible Say About Salvation?
The Bible presents salvation as the overarching story of God’s love and redemption for humanity, accomplished through Jesus Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, salvation is revealed as God’s work to restore His creation and reconcile all things to Himself (Colossians 1:19–20).
Key Scriptures on Salvation
- John 3:16–17 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
- Salvation flows from God’s love, and Jesus came not to condemn but to rescue.
- Ephesians 2:8–9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- Salvation is a gift of grace, not something we can earn.
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 – “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”
- God’s salvation is universal in scope, grounded in reconciliation through Christ.
- Romans 5:8–10 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!”
- Salvation is rooted in the self-giving love of Christ, even when we were undeserving.
- Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
- Salvation is to everyone through God’s grace.
- Acts 4:12 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
- Jesus Christ is the sole source of salvation.
Salvation is God’s initiative, a gift of grace through Jesus Christ, and freely given to all. Salvation is not about a put off into the future reality but a present experience of living in relationship with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Will Everyone Be Saved?
The question of whether all will ultimately be saved has been a topic of much debate within Christian theology. But the truth is God’s will is that all will be saved and come to the knowledge of this Truth, which was accomplished in Christ alone. In the Christus Victor perspective, the focus rests on the finished work of Christ on the cross and God’s overarching plan to reconcile all things to Himself.
The Cross: “It Is Finished”
At the heart of this discussion is Jesus’ declaration on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30)—the Greek word tetelestai. This term means “paid in full” or “completed,” signifying that the work of redemption has been fully accomplished. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus overcame sin, death, and the devil, securing victory for all humanity and creation (Colossians 2:14–15). The work of salvation is not partial or dependent on human effort; it is fully the work of God.
Key Scriptures Supporting Universal Reconciliation
- Colossians 1:19–20 – “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”
- The cross achieves cosmic reconciliation, with God’s love extending to all creation.
- 1 Timothy 4:10 – “We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
- God is described as the Savior of all people, with belief being the means through which this salvation is experienced now.
- Romans 5:18–19 – “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
- Paul draws a parallel between Adam’s act that brought death to all and Christ’s act that brings life to all.
- 1 Corinthians 15:22 – “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
- This verse reinforces the universal scope of Christ’s redemptive work.
- Revelation 21:5 – “Behold, I am making all things new.”
- In the end, God’s plan is restorative, not destructive, encompassing all of creation
Scripture repeatedly affirms God’s desire for all to come to Him:
- 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
- 1 Timothy 2:4 – “God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
While these verses point to the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan, the Bible also emphasizes human response to God’s grace. It is important to state that this is not a salvation apart from Jesus Christ, but that God’s desire is to draw all into His embrace.
Christus Victor and the Hope of Universal Restoration
The Christus Victor framework views Christ’s victory as extending over all forces of sin and death. Early church theologians like Gregory of Nyssa and Origen, proponents of apokatastasis (universal restoration), emphasized that God’s love and justice would ultimately reconcile all people to Himself.
While not every tradition embraces universal salvation as a certainty, this view aligns with the biblical testimony of God’s overarching plan to reconcile all things through Christ. As Paul wrote, “God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32).
Ultimately, the question of whether all will be saved invites us to trust in the boundless love and grace of God, whose mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13) and whose purpose is to restore all creation into the fullness of His glory.
Can You Lose Your Salvation?
Salvation Is God’s Work Alone.
Scripture consistently affirms that salvation originates and is sustained by God:
- Ephesians 2:8–9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Salvation is not something we achieve; it is something we receive (Strongs 2983: Lambano). If God is the initiator and sustainer of salvation, then it cannot be undone by human frailty or failure.
What About Falling Away?
Some passages, like Hebrews 6:4–6 or 2 Peter 2:20–22, appear to suggest that a person can “fall away” from grace. However, a closer look reveals that these warnings are not about losing salvation but about the consequences of rejecting God’s grace after encountering it. Warnings in Scripture that are not meant to induce fear but to call us into deeper trust and reliance on God.
Christus Victor: Salvation as Victory, Not Fear
The Christus Victor view of salvation emphasizes Jesus’ complete victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. This victory is not partial or tentative; it is final and complete. Paul echoes this assurance in Romans 8:38–39:
- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love, then salvation cannot be “lost” in the sense of being revoked or undone.
Assurance, Not Anxiety
While salvation is secure in Christ, we are still called to participate in this gift by responding in faith, living in the light of His grace, and growing in our relationship with Him. This is not about earning or maintaining salvation but about experiencing the fullness of what God has already accomplished through Christ.
From the Christus Victor perspective, salvation is a triumph of God’s love and grace, rooted in the finished work of Christ. It is not something we can lose like a misplaced object, nor is it dependent on our ability to hold on to it. Instead, it is the unshakable reality of God’s victory in Christ—a victory that cannot be undone.
We can live with confidence, not fear, knowing that the One who saves us is also the One who keeps us. As Paul reminds us in Romans 11:29, “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” Salvation is God’s irrevocable gift to humanity, secured forever in the love of Christ.
GAN TV Teachings we recommend about Salvation:
Jamie Englehart’s Grace for All series: It is Finished
Jamie Englehart’s Grace for All series: Are All God’s Children?
John Crowder’s The Jesus Trip series: Contract vs Covenant
John Crowder’s The Jesus Trip series: Am I Saved?
Bill Vanderbush’s episode: Unveiled Horizon with Bill Vanderbush
Reference Sources:
Patristic and Theological Works:
- Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation – Explores the victory of Christ over death and corruption.
- Gregory of Nyssa, On the Soul and Resurrection – Discusses the relational and restorative nature of salvation.
- Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies – On the recapitulation of all things in Christ as part of God’s redemptive plan.
Systematic Theology:
- Gustaf Aulén, Christus Victor – The foundational work on the Christus Victor model of atonement, emphasizing Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil.
- T.F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith – A modern theological work that connects salvation to the relational nature of the Trinity.
- Jürgen Moltmann, The Crucified God – On the comprehensive victory of God’s love and grace through Christ.
Early Church Perspectives:
- Origen, On First Principles – Highlights the universal scope of salvation and God’s unchanging love.
- Clement of Alexandria, Stromata – Discusses salvation as enlightenment and growth in the knowledge of God.
- Maximus the Confessor, Ambigua – On humanity’s participation in Christ and the transformative nature of salvation.
Commentary on Eternal Security:
- Charles Spurgeon, All of Grace – While Reformed, Spurgeon emphasizes the unshakable nature of grace.
- Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics – On God’s sovereign grace and the assurance of salvation.
Supplementary Articles and Studies:
- Articles on Christus Victor Theology from the Grace Communion International archives.
- Scholarly analysis of John 10:28–29 and Romans 8:38–39 in academic journals on biblical studies.
- Writings by David Bentley Hart, particularly his works on universalism and the scope of salvation.
