In the New Testament, the concept of salvation is portrayed as having past, present, and future aspects. Here are some Bible verses that support each of these perspectives:
- Past Salvation – This aspect of salvation is often seen as the act of being saved or delivered from sin and its consequences through faith in Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
- Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
- Present Salvation – This reflects the ongoing process of sanctification, where believers are being saved from the power of sin in their daily lives.
- Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
- Future Salvation – This aspect refers to the final deliverance from sin and its effects, including physical death, at the return of Christ.
- Romans 13:11: “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”
- 1 Peter 1:5: “Who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
