The concept of salvation is central to many religions, especially Christianity. Salvation refers to the rescue or deliverance of the human soul from sin and its consequences. It is made possible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When someone commits their life to following Jesus, repenting of their sins, and trusting in His sacrifice, it is said that their soul is saved. There are several key terms used to describe this experience.
Being Born Again
One common term for salvation is being “born again.” This comes from a conversation Jesus had with a religious leader named Nicodemus in the Gospel of John:
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ ‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit'” (John 3:3-5).
Here, Jesus describes salvation as a spiritual rebirth. Just as we are physically born once, someone who is saved undergoes a second, spiritual birth. This grants them access to God’s kingdom and eternal life. The water likely represents baptism, while the Spirit represents the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – something given to all believers at salvation.
Why is it called being born again?
Salvation is called being “born again” because it signifies a fresh start spiritually. When someone is saved, it is as if they have entered a whole new realm of existence. Their sins are completely forgiven and washed away, and they are given a new heart and mind to follow God. Just as a newborn baby begins a new phase of life, so too does someone who is born again start a whole new spiritual life. The old sinful person is gone, replaced by a new creation in Christ. Being born again also indicates that salvation is ultimately the work of God in someone’s heart, just as physical birth is not something we do ourselves. It is a work of His Spirit, bringing new life where once there was spiritual deadness.
Being Saved
Another common phrase used to describe salvation is being “saved.” This comes from the biblical understanding that all people are lost in sin and separation from God, requiring deliverance or rescue. Consider the following verses:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5).
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
These verses present Jesus as the Savior who came to rescue people from the consequences of sin. When someone trusts in Christ, they are delivered from sin, given eternal life, and made right with God. Their soul is spared from eternal punishment in hell and instead receives eternal salvation with God in heaven. In this context, Christ has “saved” their soul by paying the penalty for their sins through His death on the cross.
Why is it called being saved?
Salvation is described as being “saved” because it conveys the idea of deliverance from danger. Without Jesus paying the price for our sins, all of humanity would remain eternally separated from God and destined for hell. However, because of God’s mercy and Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf, our souls can be spared from this fate. Being “saved” implies being freely given rescue. Just as a drowning person must be saved from certain death by a rescuer, so too must lost sinners be delivered from the consequences of their sin by their Savior, Jesus. He provides the salvation we could never earn or achieve through our own efforts.
Conversion
When someone goes from a state of unbelief to belief in Christ, this is referred to as “conversion.” It signifies the turning away from an old way of life and toward a new life with God. For example:
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19).
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
These verses present conversion as both a change of thinking and a change in behavior. To be saved, someone must turn from their sins and turn toward following Christ. This change of mind and heart results in a changed life. Whereas someone once rejected God’s truth, at conversion they fully embrace the gospel message.
Why is it called conversion?
Conversion adequately captures what takes place at salvation because it represents a dramatic life change. When someone is converted, their spiritual condition goes from darkness to light – blindness to sight. They exchange their own wisdom for God’s truth. It signifies a complete about-face from pursuing the world to pursuing Christ. Just as Paul underwent a radical conversion on the road to Damascus, all who are saved experience a total 180-degree redirection in their purposes, passions, and pursuits. Conversion also implies this change is ongoing. From that point forward, everything changes as the new believer walks with Christ.
regeneration
Regeneration is another word used to describe what takes place at salvation. It comes from biblical passages such as:
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…” (1 John 5:1).
These verses indicate that anyone who puts their faith in Christ undergoes a spiritual rebirth or regeneration. This means they are given new spiritual life – a regenerated heart with new desires, loves, and purposes. Whereas they were once dead in sin, they are made alive in Christ.
Why is it called regeneration?
Regeneration fittingly captures this change of heart that takes place when someone is saved. Prior to salvation, a person is enslaved to sin, bound by fleshly desires, and incapable of pleasing God. Their heart is hardened and rebellious toward God. Regeneration occurs when God replaces a sinful heart of stone with a new heart of flesh – tender toward Him and His righteousness. At salvation, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in that person, empowering them to live in a way that honors Christ. Just as the word implies, regeneration is akin to the revitalizing of something that was once dead. Eternal life begins within.
Justification
Justification is a theological term that describes what happens to someone’s standing before God at salvation. Consider the following passages:
“And by him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39).
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
These verses teach that at salvation, the guilt of a sinner is removed, and they are declared righteous by God. Though previously condemned for their sins, at justification, the believer is legally acquitted and given right standing before a holy God.
Why is it called justification?
The term justification fittingly captures this legal transaction that takes place between God and the repenting sinner. The sinner approaches the divine Judge guilty of breaking His laws. But instead of condemnation, the Judge offers justification. Because of Christ’s sacrificial death, the penalty has been paid. So God declares the sinner justified, as if they have never sinned at all. Their debt has been canceled at Christ’s expense. This undeserved justification comes purely by God’s grace. At salvation, the believer’s relationship with God is set right through forgiveness of sins.
Redemption
Redemption is another rich theological term for what takes place at salvation. Consider the following verses:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
These passages present Christ’s death on the cross as paying a ransom price to secure the believer’s deliverance from sin and death. We were enslaved, but Christ has obtained our freedom and restored our relationship with God. This is the biblical concept of redemption.
Why is it called redemption?
Redemption paints a word picture of emancipation from slavery. As slaves to sin, we were in spiritual captivity, unable to free ourselves. But in His mercy, Jesus paid the price necessary to secure our release. His sacrifice on the cross served as full payment to redeem us from the consequences of sin. No longer bound by sin and death, we are set free to know and experience life in Christ. Just as a slave is redeemed by the payment of a ransom, so too have believers been purchased by Christ and released. We belong to Him.
Reconciliation
One final theological term for salvation is reconciliation. Consider the following verses:
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10).
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
These passages teach that our relationship with God was once characterized by hostility and separation due to sin. Yet through salvation, we are brought back into relationship with God; we are reconciled and restored.
Why is it called reconciliation?
Reconciliation is the ideal word to express the changed relationship between God and those He saves. We were his enemies, but are made friends. There was alienation from God, but we are brought near through Christ. As the verses say, we are reconciled to Him in the sense that two parties resume a peaceful, loving relationship. Whereas sin had severed our connection with God, salvation repairs it entirely. We are brought back together. We are reconciled.
Conclusion
In summary, salvation is described in the Bible using various terms: being born again, saved, converted, regenerated, justified, redeemed, and reconciled. Each highlights a unique aspect of what takes place when someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Collectively, they provide a rich, multifaceted picture of this life-changing spiritual experience. At its core, salvation delivers someone from sin and grants eternal life through Christ’s sacrifice. But it involves much more – a changed heart, a new relationship, and an eternal future with God. Thanks be to Him for this glorious gift of salvation!