Topical Bible: The Gospel is Called the Word of Salvation

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Word of Salvation" is a profound designation for the Gospel, emphasizing its divine origin and its purpose in delivering humanity from sin and death. This concept is deeply rooted in the New Testament, where the Gospel is presented as the message of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The phrase "Word of Salvation" is explicitly mentioned in Acts 13:26 : "Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentiles who fear God, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent." Here, the Apostle Paul addresses both Jews and Gentiles, underscoring the universal scope of the Gospel. The "message of salvation" is synonymous with the Gospel, which is the good news of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

The Nature of the Word

The Gospel as the "Word of Salvation" highlights its nature as a divine proclamation. In John 1:1 , the Apostle John writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This passage identifies Jesus as the living Word, the ultimate revelation of God. The Gospel, therefore, is not merely a set of teachings but the living and active Word that brings salvation to those who believe.

Salvation Through Faith

The Gospel's role as the Word of Salvation is further elucidated in Romans 1:16 : "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." This verse emphasizes that the Gospel is the means by which God's power is manifested to save those who have faith. Salvation is not achieved through human effort but through belief in the message of the Gospel.

The Apostolic Proclamation

The early church understood the Gospel as the Word of Salvation, as evidenced by the apostolic preaching recorded in the Book of Acts. In Acts 4:12 , Peter declares, "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." This statement affirms that salvation is found exclusively in Jesus Christ, the central figure of the Gospel message.

The Transformative Power

The Gospel as the Word of Salvation is transformative, bringing about a new creation in those who accept it. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 , Paul writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" The acceptance of the Gospel results in a radical transformation, as believers are regenerated and reconciled to God.

The Eternal Promise

The Word of Salvation carries with it the promise of eternal life. In John 3:16 , the assurance of salvation is encapsulated: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse highlights the ultimate purpose of the Gospel: to grant eternal life to those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

The Gospel, as the Word of Salvation, is central to the Christian faith. It is the divine message that reveals God's plan for humanity's redemption and offers the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. As the living and active Word, it continues to transform lives and bring salvation to all who believe.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 13:26
Men and brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and whoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... the word of faith which the apostles preached;" and for this reason the gospel is
called "the ministration of righteousness," "the word of salvation," and "the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 2 on the sufficiency.htm

The Word as a Means of Grace
... Lutheran Church, concerning the use and efficacy of the divine Word. ... come to Him;
but the Holy Spirit hath called me through the Gospel, enlightened me ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii the word as.htm

On the Vocation of Men to Salvation
... External vocation is by the ministry of men, who propound the word of the law and
of the gospel, and who are on this account called "workers together ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 16 on the vocation.htm

The Title "Word" is to be Interpreted by the Same Method as the ...
... in the Acts, that the stone is no other than Christ; the Gospel as follows ... they proceed
differently and ask, What is the Son of God when called the Word? ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the title word is.htm

"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we ...
... but as touching the efficacy of it, for the gospel is a word of life ... to bear witness
of that light," John 1:8. So the gospel, though it be called "the power ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i that which was.htm

God Undoubtedly Converts, Without the External Preaching of the ...
... converts, without the external preaching of the Gospel, great numbers ... for "the preaching
of the Divine word by mortal men," to be called "the ordinary ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/article xviii god undoubtedly converts.htm

On the Vocation of Sinful Men to Christ, and to a Participation of ...
... that both of the law and of the gospel, subordinate to ... The boundary to which they
are called, is, the communication ... according to the command of the word of God ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xlii on the vocation.htm

How the Word is the Maker of all Things, and Even the Holy Spirit ...
... its seeming corollary, that the Spirit must have been called into being by the Word,
may certainly ... 4684] "and His Spirit," and in the Gospel He declares ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 how the word is.htm

The Canons of Dort.
... As many as are called by the gospel are unfeignedly called; for God hath most earnestly
and truly declared in his Word what will be acceptable to him ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 67 the canons of.htm

On the Church of the New Testament, or under the Gospel
... from the period of his ascension into heaven, began to be called out from a state
of sin which was plainly manifested by the word of the gospel, and by ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lii on the church.htm