WAY TO SALVATION

Abstract

This study was on way to salvation. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out whether having faith in Jesus Christ can lead to salvation, to find out whether Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and to find out the purpose of salvation. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected members of winners chapel and assemblies of God churches in Ibadan. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

 Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

The concept of salvation is central to Christianity. From a historical perspective, the experience of Jesus as savoir is the basis from which the Christian movement sprang. Salvation from sin generally and in particular original sin is made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which in the context of salvation is referred to as the “atonement”. Christian salvation (soteriology) ranges from exclusive salvation to universal reconciliation concepts while some of the differences are widespread as Christianity itself, the overwhelming majority agrees that Christian salvation is made possible by the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, dying on the cross.

Jesus Christ proclaimed, “I am the Way, and the truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6). The Apostles echoed this claim, stating, “And there is salvation in no one else; there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

To have another way of salvation, a person must change the goal of salvation itself. For example, if the purpose of “salvation” is to become a god, realize your godhood, or merely escape incarceration in a cosmic jailhouse, the means of accomplishing salvation will reflect those mistaken salvific ends.

While the means of biblical salvation includes many concepts such as justification, adoption and regeneration, the objective of biblical salvation is easy to understand: to enjoy a loving, mentoring relationship with our Creator, the one true God. As Adam walked with God, so should we. But how can one restore a broken relationship with God?

The requirements for restoring a broken friendship are easy to understand but difficult for most to do. To restore a lost friendship, the offended person must be willing to forgive by bearing the harm caused by the transgressor, electing not to hold it against him if certain conditions are met. The conditions for forgiveness are that the offending party must repent, confess his sin and want to restore the relationship with the offended party. Since the goal of forgiveness is the restoration of a genuine friendship, the offending party must begin with repentance. When the sinner genuinely repents, confesses and receives the offer of forgiveness, the estranged parties reconcile, walking together again in righteous harmony. If anyone has ever lost and genuinely restored a meaningful friendship, they know this is the only way to do it.

So how does this relate to Jesus Christ as the only way? Simple. To restore the broken relationship with the one true God, the offended party, God, must be willing to bear the consequences of our sin. God accomplishes this by means of the Second Person of the Trinity assuming a full human nature, living a sinless life, and satisfying our penalty for sin on the cross. Sinners, the offenders, need to repent, confess and trust God’s offer of forgiveness. When we do, we are reconciled to God for the purpose of fellowship with him as his beloved children.

Statement of the problem

There are many reasons that people do not accept God’s free gift of salvation, but perhaps the most common of all is insistence on making our own way trusting our works, our resources, our abilities, and our efforts rather than relying on the finished work of Christ alone.  Based on this background the researcher wants to investigate the way to salvation

Objective of the study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To find out whether having faith in Jesus Christ can lead to salvation
2. To find out whether Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation
3. To find out the purpose of salvation

Research hypotheses

The study formulated the following research hypotheses;

H0: having faith in Jesus Christ cannot lead to salvation

H1: having faith in Jesus Christ can lead to salvation

H0: Jesus Christ is not the only way to salvation

H2: Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation

Significance of the study

The study will be significant to students, lecturers and Christians. The study will give a clear insight on the way to salvation. The result of the study will makes us to know the purpose of having Jesus Christ as our lord savior Jesus Christ. It will also enlighten us as Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. The study will also serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic

Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the study covers way to salvation. The study will be limited to Christians, especially winners chapel and assemblies of God churches

In the course of the study, the researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

Definition of terms

Salvation: Salvation (from Latin: salvatio, from salva, ‘safe, saved’) is the state of being saved or protected from harm or a dire situation. In religion and theology, salvation generally refers to the deliverance of the soul from sin and its consequences. The academic study of salvation is called soteriology.

Related Project Topics :