This week’s column begins a new series about “salvation.” Christians use this word a lot, but what does it mean? Though the word “salvation” is used in many ways in the Bible, in these columns we are referring to God’s actions to forgive sins and save sinners.
We will begin by looking at the purpose statement that Jesus gave to a man named Saul, or as we more commonly call him, the Apostle Paul. I will call him Paul. You probably know his story: Paul opposed the new sect of Jews called the Followers of the Way—or, as we call them, Christians. He was traveling to the city of Damascus to imprison Christians when he was blinded by a bright light from heaven. In a vision a man asked him why he was persecuting him. Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?’And the man replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:5) Can you imagine the impact those words had on Paul? His life was immediately changed! Jesus became his master, and the gospel (good news) about Jesus became his message. He became the first Christian missionary! The story of Paul’s transformed life is truly one of the most remarkable testimonies in the history of Christianity. But Jesus had much more to say to Paul. In the vision Jesus gave Paul four tasks to do. These tasks outlined Paul’s future ministry, but they also described what had just happened in Paul’s own life—and they tell us what happens in our lives when we become believers. They explain what it means to be saved.
Jesus gave Paul four tasks, “You are to tell others what you have seen of me today and what I will show you in the future…. You are to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God’s chosen people.” (Acts 26:16-18—Good News Bible).
The primary task given to Paul was to tell people about Jesus. He started doing this right away. He went to the synagogues in Damascus and declared that Jesus “is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). As Paul’s understanding increased, he began traveling throughout the Roman empire telling people in every major city who Jesus was. Salvation centers on Jesus.
The second task given to Paul was to open people’s eyes, turning them from darkness to light, and from Satan to God. These phrases described what had just happened to Paul: his eyes had been opened, the bright light that blinded him physically, had enlightened him spiritually, and he now realized that his opposition to Christianity had been in service to Satan. Hereafter he would start serving God. Those phrases: closed eyes, darkness, the power of Satan, describe the condition of our world, and the condition of our hearts without God. But Jesus came to bring light, reconciliation with God, and godliness. This is the best possible news for us and for those with whom we share it!
The third task given to Paul was to announce that sins can be forgiven through faith in Christ. I suspect that the mention of forgiveness made Paul think of one sin in particular in which he had recently participated: the murder of Stephen, a Christian who was executed by stoning for preaching about Jesus (Acts 6:12-8:1). As he was dying, Stephen had prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Stephen had prayed for Paul’s forgiveness! Now, Jesus was sending Paul to tell others that “everyone who believes is set free from every sin” (Acts 13:39). That message of God’s forgiveness applied to Paul, and it applies to us as well. The fourth task was to unite these new believers with God’s people, past, present, and future: all those sanctified by Christ whom the Bible calls saints. We probably think of salvation as an individual event, but it is also a corporate one. If we believe in Christ, we become one of the saints. Perhaps you do not think of yourself as a saint, but if you believe in Jesus as your Savior, he sanctifies you, making you a saint. And he makes you a member of the great congregation of saints located on earth and in heaven. This is the ultimate goal of salvation.
Stephen was already part of this great congregation. Now Paul also became part of it. He went from being a persecutor of the church to being an active member. And soon he was persecuted for committing the same offence for which Stephen was killed: preaching about Jesus.
Thus, on the road to Damascus, Paul’s life was totally transformed. And the lives of billions of other believers have also been transformed through faith in Jesus. My hope for you, my readers, that this story is also your story.
Greg Giles is a published author, who, along with his wife Jean, has embraced the call to serve and teach around the globe. Their life together has included missionary work in Liberia, Bangladesh, teaching in China, and raising a family in Bemidji, Minnesota. Between global travels and local commitments, including serving as superintendent of Corn Bible Academy and their current part-time roles at Corn Heritage Village, the Gileses have found “home” in many places; yet, they now happily reside in retirement in Cordell. Please visit his website at reflections-on-wisdom.com.