Return to Catechism Index

Salvation Through Jesus Christ

The first message from the newly born Church on Pentecost Day, 30 A.D., ended with these words from the Apostle Peter: "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

Since the days of the first recorded murder, when Cain killed Able, the inhabitants of the 3rd planet from the Sun have found new ways to be lost. Murder was one way to disrupt the first holy family (Adam and Eve were made in God's image).

To day we have many more opportunities to lose our way. Jesus taught with stories. He told a story about a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost boy.

The coin, had value, but did not know it was lost. Because it was of great value, the lady ransacked her house to find that valuable coin.

The sheep perhaps had only a dim idea that it was lost as it grazed and followed its nose. It was lost and in grave danger of death.

With the boy, it was another matter. While he at first enjoyed the freedom of a life lived without restraints, he soon found that he lived in a corrupt world that exacted of him a great price; everything was gone. He was no longer a free man. He knew he had to find his way back to the Father if he were to save his life. Salvation is for this world as well as the next.

The story of the lost coin tells us that we are of great value. Holy Mother Church keeps the lights on and looks for the lost. God the Father sent the Son to look for his lost sheep throughout this world. People are of great value, so great that Christ was willing to lay down his life for all.

Jesus taught that He is the Good Shepherd, and He came from His own place of safety to this corrupt and dangerous world to find his lost ones.

And every prodigal son and daughter in the world can take heart. Not only is the light on shining the way to the Father's house, but he also comes out to meet us and take us to his heart.

These parables of Jesus are found in the New Testament in Luke chapter 15.

John the 10th chapter records sayings of Jesus regarding His role. Jesus said, "I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. . . .I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Christians sing, "This is my Father's world." If that is true, then it seems reasonable if we find ways to live in harmony with the Creator that life will be "abundant", good and joyful.

It is an outrageous thought that the Creator would come and visit us, since we are so small and lost in this world amongst billions of others. Yet, that is exactly what Jesus tells us. God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have ever lasting life. (John 3:16)

On Pentecost Day, after Peter had informed the hearers of his first sermon that they were responsible for the death of Jesus, God's Son, the crowd was cut to the heart and said, "What must we do?"

Peter's answer was, "Repent (change your mind) and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and you will be saved. The next step is changing one's mind about what is important in the world and who is deserving of our loyalty. Then comes trusting that Christ whom the Father sent enough to be baptized in to his name. That is the next step. That step of baptism, and taking on Christ's name, following His course is the safe way to live in this world, because then we are living in harmony with the will of the Creator.

Faith is more than simply saying, I believe, it is living a life trusting that Jesus will show us the way to live safely in this world and will provide for us in the world to come.

Here is a dramatic story from Acts chapter 16 about an ordinary jail keeper and how he found the answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?"

Paul and Silas in Prison
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune- telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants[c] of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.

But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Converted
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."And the jailer[d] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

--------------------------------------------

There is much more to be said about salvation in Jesus, but it begins with trusting the Son of God, being sorrowful for being lost in this world, turning toward the Son and determining to follow wherever he leads. The next step is baptism and living the Christ life.

If you have questions, call Charles Scott, 317.512.5404 or write to crscottblu@yahoo.com.

Return to Catechism Index