Some Thoughts Before You Start
By William Handschumacher
"Likewise He also took the
cup after supper, saying,
'This cup is the new covenant
in My blood, which is shed
for you.'"(Luke 22:20)
Welcome to our section on the "Basics of Salvation". We appreciate your interest in wanting to know more about who Jesus is, why he died and what his death accomplished for us.
Before reading the articles in this section it's important to understand that our intention is to present the Gospel of Christ as it was originally understood in the culture of early first-century church. According to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, His salvation is primarily governed by the principles of a blood covenant. A covenant is an ancient institution that represents the most comprehensive, binding and life-changing agreement that can be made between two individuals or parties. A blood covenant is an ancient institution validated (sealed) by blood. It was originally created by God Himself. When Jesus Christ spilled his blood at the cross ... it was to establish a blood covenant.
The information in this section entitled "Basics of Salvation" is written using somewhat general terminology to minimize confusion. Modernism, which has crept into the Christian Church removes Christ's salvation from its covenant framework. Today, a battle rages within Christian Orthodoxy between those who want to change the Gospel of Christ into something more agreeable to our culture - and those who rightly seek to preserve the Gospel's original intent. Modernists and the gospel they proclaim sound Christ-centered and Bible-based to the average person. Most church organizations allow varying degrees of modernism in its doctrine and traditions. This means that the foundation for Biblical faith required to receive eternal life can be redefined and altered. This practice has catastrophic effects on the genuineness of our salvation. Those who attend these churches can believe they're headed for heaven, while the opposite is true. According to the teachings of the New Testament, your eternal destiny literally depends on what you decide to believe. Many wrongly place their faith in church affiliation, religious activities, personal merit and good works. But the Bible warns that authentic salvation is based on 'faith in Christ apart from works' (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:4-8, Titus 3:5-7).
When God begins the process of drawing us to Himself - many begin to experience a sense of "discontentment". This eventually grows into an awareness that someone wiser and more powerful should be in control of our lives ... and that there is a God who loves us and seeks to deliver us from a spiritual death sentence that awaits every unsaved member of the human race. Many respond by saying something like, "God can't save me because I've done too many bad things." Yet, the Bible teaches that you're the very one qualified to receive eternal life. Saint Paul was used by God to write nearly half of the New Testament. He was probably one of the most influential apostles of the first century church. Yet, before he personally came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, he relentlessly persecuted Christians and had them thrown in jail for their faith. It is believed that some were executed because of Paul's campaign of hate against believers in Christ.
Paul had this to say to all those
who consider themselves "sinners
who are too bad to be saved"...
"This is a faithful saying, and
worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners; of whom I am
chief." (1 Tim 1:15)
Jesus, the one whose death provided
our great salvation said ...
"I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance."
(Luke 5:32)
I don't know about you - but I'm glad
Jesus set it up that way.
Once the reader decides to act on the truths presented in this section he or she should continue into an in-depth study of Christ's salvation based on the blood covenant. A good place to start is HERE.
Salvation's most precious blessings and deepest truths are found in this ancient concept ... and God hasn't changed his ways. Removing "salvation" from its covenant framework replaces authentic faith in Christ with a powerless and counterfeit 'religious faith' that appears to be the same - but isn't. Some visitors may think that Christ's covenant (as presented on this website) represents some 'new teaching'. Yet, the concept is as old as the Bible itself and is seen in the early pages of the book of Genesis. The covenant of blood is initially created by God as the way He relates with man. Modern-day Bible teachers rarely cover the topic of the blood covenant because it isn't culturally relevant. Never forget that God always relates with the human race through blood (or a blood covenant). Any so-called gospel that removes or minimizes the importance of Christ's blood in salvation is false. The institution of covenant is not some legalistic system where eternal life is earned by works and personal merit. Rather, it represents a blood-bought redemption where Eternal life is God's unmerited and undeserved gift to man, which cannot be earned. The very act of attempting to earn eternal life proves that your faith is wrong - and disqualifies you from having God's gift.
Paul warns the Church about this
spiritual condition by saying ...
"Examine yourselves as to whether
you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
Do you not know yourselves, that
Jesus Christ is in you? - unless
indeed you are disqualified."
(2 Corinthians 13:5)
While the basic truths of Christianity are simple - sorting out these truths from all the contrary religious voices we encounter - is difficult and confusing. Don't be persuaded into allowing the 'majority' to determine what you believe. The Bible reveals that those who seek and embrace truth are usually in a persecuted minority. Since we're talking about your eternal destiny ... don't take the easy path by allowing someone else to decide what you believe. Spend the time necessary to gather the facts, then make your decision. If you have a sincere heart in wanting to know God and his ways, He is committed to lead you into all the truth no matter how long it takes. God loves those who have a passion to know the truth concerning His Son.
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (The Words of Jesus From John 16:13-14)
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