Jesus, Our Savior

THE name Jesus means Savior, and the Logos, the beloved Son of God, came to earth as a human, that he might save the sin-cursed, dying and dead world of mankind from death. (Luke 2:11) To obtain salvation through Jesus, therefore, simply means to be rescued from death. This actually takes place in the resurrection although, reckonedly, dedicated believers in Jesus obtain salvation now upon the basis of faith.—John 5:24

Throughout the Old Testament Jehovah, the Almighty God and Creator, is represented as the Redeemer and Savior. (Isa. 45:15; 60:16) In the New Testament, Jesus is presented to us as the One whom the Heavenly Father uses in carrying out the plan of salvation, of which he is the Author.—Luke 1:68-70; 2:30-32; Acts 5:30,31; I John 4:14

The method by which Jesus provided for the salvation of mankind from death was by giving his own, uncondemned life as a substitute for the forfeited life of Adam. This aspect of the divine plan is described in the Bible by the word ransom which, in this association, means “corresponding price.”*—Matt. 20:8; I Tim. 2:6

* “The Atonement Between God and Man,” pages 427-429.

No member of the adamic race was in a position to offer this corresponding price, for all were imperfect. (Ps. 49:7) This means that God’s provision for the salvation of the world was the only workable one. It reveals God’s love, and enables him to be just, and at the same time the justifier of all who come to him through Jesus.—Rom. 3:23-26

The first to receive salvation through the redemptive work of Christ are those who become his footstep followers during the present Gospel Age. The blessings of life these receive are described by the Apostle Paul as the “great salvation. (Heb. 2:3) It is a “great salvation” because it involves an invitation to a plane of life above the human, even the divine nature, to those who are faithful.—Heb. 3:1; II Pet. 1:4; Rev. 2:10

As a group, these faithful ones are prophetically described, after they are raised from the dead, as the “bride” of Christ, and they are to be associated with him in offering the blessings of life which he provided by the sacrifice of his perfect human life, to the whole world of mankind. (Rev. 22:17) This will be restored human life, received through the process of “restitution.”—Acts 3:21

This was the “blessing” which God promised to Abraham when he said to him that through his “seed” all the families of the earth would be blessed. (Gen. 12:3; 22:18) Jesus is that promised “seed,” and his faithful followers, who attain the “great salvation” of this age, will also be a part of the “seed,” and, together with Jesus, will also have the privilege of dispensing life to the believing and obedient of mankind.—Gal. 3:8,16,27-29

All the dead and dying members of the human race will be given an opportunity thus to obtain salvation. The dead will be awakened from the sleep of death in order to be given this opportunity—an opportunity based on their receiving a knowledge of the truth concerning the redemption provided for them by Jesus the Savior.—I Tim. 2:3-6; Isa. 35:10

QUESTIONS

You have heard much about Jesus, the Savior of the world. Read the lesson carefully, and then see how many of these questions you can answer.

In what sense does Jesus save the world, and when does it take place?

Who is referred to in the Old Testament as the Savior, and how is Jesus related to these references?

What important word is used in the New Testament in connection with the method by which Jesus provides salvation? Why?

Could any of the adamic race be the Redeemer of the world? If not, why not?

Who are the first to receive salvation through Jesus, and how does the Bible describe their salvation? Why?

What will salvation mean for the human race in general, and under what symbolic title is the church of Christ shown as offering life to the people?

Who is the “seed” of Abraham, and what is the blessing ‘which will reach mankind through this “seed”?

How will those of the unbelieving world who have died obtain salvation through Jesus, the Savior?

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT THOUGHTS

Jehovah is the Author of the plan of salvation, and Jesus implements his Father’s loving plan to rescue man from death.

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