Page 11 - TH200 Abundant Life A4 Final

CH A P T E R 1

The

Background

of Salvation

uring the last part of the twentieth century, salvation became
a familiar word not only in religious groups but also in public
Ddiscussion and political debate. Perhaps the main reason for
this public awareness of salvation occurred because the people of the
United States of America elected a born-again Christian to be their
president. Although Christians rejoiced because their leader confessed
Jesus as Lord, non-Christians the world over used his confession of faith
to blame him for every economic, political, and natural disaster that
occurred. As a result, the theme of the new birth and the concept of
salvation have become prominent in the minds of people.

The new birth experience and the teaching on salvation, however,
rest on some important concepts that Christians don’t often fully
understand. These concepts are basic to the new birth; they represent
its foundations. The first foundational element is God’s grace that
makes possible the plan of salvation. We will learn that salvation
comes from the grace of God that is expressed through the atoning
work of Christ. Finally, we will consider ways in which salvation
meets the needs of all people.

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