What does the Bible say about salvation?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that salvation is God’s gracious rescue of sinners through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not something we earn by our works. Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5 declare that we are saved by God’s grace and mercy, not by our righteousness. Jesus is the only Savior and way to the Father, as Acts 4:12 and John 14:6 affirm. Romans 10:9 calls us to confess Jesus as Lord and believe in his resurrection. This faith produces obedient lives, yet Matthew 7:21 warns against mere profession without true submission. Even our coming to Christ depends on the Father’s gracious drawing, according to John 6:44.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 2:8-9
[8] for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, that no one would boast.
- Titus 3:5
not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
- Acts 4:12
There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"
- Romans 10:9
that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
- Ephesians 2:8
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
- John 6:44
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- ILLUSTRATED BY
- A horn Psalms 18:2; Luke 1:69
- A tower 2 Samuel 22:51
- A helmet Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:17
- A shield 2 Samuel 22:36
- A lamp Isaiah 62:1
- A cup Psalms 116:13
- Clothing 2 Chronicles 6:41; Psalms 132:16; Psalms 149:4; Isaiah 61:10
- Wells Isaiah 12:3
- Walls and bulwarks Isaiah 26:1; Isaiah 60:18
- Chariots Habakkuk 3:8
- A victory 1 Corinthians 15:57
- Typified by the bronze serpent Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14; John 3:15
- See ATONEMENT
- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Genesis 12:1; Genesis 12:3; Exodus 15:2; Deuteronomy 30:19; Deuteronomy 30:20; Deuteronomy 32:15; 2 Samuel 14:14; 1 Kings 8:41-43; 1 Chronicles 16:35; 2 Chronicles 6:41; Psalms 3:8; Psalms 36:8
- See ADOPTION
- See REDEMPTION
- See REGENERATION
- See SANCTIFICATION
- CONDITIONS OF Matthew 3:2; Matthew 18:3; Matthew 19:16-21; Matthew 24:13; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:8; Luke 14:25-33; Luke 18:18-26; John 3:3-12; John 3:14-18; John 5:24; John 6:28
- See BLESSINGS, CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE
- See FAITH
- See OBEDIENCE
- See REPENTANCE
- See PERSEVERANCE
- PLAN OF Mark 4:11; John 6:37; John 6:44; John 6:45; John 6:65; John 17:4; John 18:11; John 19:28-30; Acts 3:18; Acts 17:3; Romans 1:16; Romans 1:17
- See JESUS, MISSION OF
- See REDEMPTION
- See REGENERATION
- See SANCTIFICATION
- See SIN, FORGIVENESS OF
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Is of God Psalms 3:8; Psalms 37:39; Jeremiah 3:23
- Is of the purpose of God 2 Timothy 1:9
- Is of the appointment of God 1 Thessalonians 5:9
- God is willing to give 1 Timothy 2:4
- Is by Christ Isaiah 63:9; Ephesians 5:23
- Is by Christ alone Isaiah 45:21; Isaiah 45:22; Isaiah 59:16; Acts 4:12
- Announced after the fall Genesis 3:15
- Of Israel, predicted Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 45:17; Zechariah 9:16; Romans 11:26
- Of the Gentiles, predicted Isaiah 45:22; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 52:10
- Revealed in the gospel Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 1:10
- Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews Romans 11:11
- Christ
- The Captain of Hebrews 2:10
- The Author of Hebrews 5:9
- Appointed for Isaiah 49:6
- Raised up for Luke 1:69
- Has Zechariah 9:9
- Brings, with him Isaiah 62:11; Luke 19:9
- Mighty to effect Isaiah 63:1; Hebrews 7:25
- Came to effect Matthew 18:11; 1 Timothy 1:15
- Died to effect John 3:14; John 3:15; Galatians 1:4
- Exalted to give Acts 5:31
- Is not by works Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5
- Is of grace Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:11
- Is of love Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9; 1 John 4:10
- Is of mercy Psalms 6:4; Titus 3:5
- Is of the long-suffering of God 2 Peter 3:15
- Is through faith in Christ Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:5
- Reconciliation to God, a pledge of Romans 5:10
- Is deliverance from
- Sin Matthew 1:21; 1 John 3:5
- Uncleanness Ezekiel 36:29
- The devil Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 2:15
- Wrath Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10
- This present evil world Galatians 1:4
- Enemies Luke 1:71; Luke 1:74
- Eternal death John 3:16; John 3:17
- Confession of Christ necessary to Romans 10:10
- Regeneration necessary to John 3:3
- Final perseverance necessary to Matthew 10:22
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