Defining salvation according to the Bible is yet another instance in which simply getting out a dictionary or “going to the Greek” is useless. Knowing the Greek word for “salvation” (“soteria” – rescue or safety either physically or morally, deliverance, preservation) doesn’t really help. Understanding salvation according to the Bible requires looking at how God has defined it in the context of His word. It’s only then that we can fully understand what biblical salvation is and how it applies to us.
How Scripture answers "What is salvation according to the Bible?"
Salvation, according to the Bible, is one’s opportunity to triumph over physical death and live eternally78. God wants all mankind12810 to be saved by belief in Jesus and His gospel message124567810. Salvation is both a moment in time13 as well as a continued state of being145678910, and ultimately, remaining faithful until “the end”11.
Salvation’s “moment” is only possible by receiving the Father’s “grace”10 of Jesus Christ124578, which is thanks to His completed mission on earth. Everyone who comes to obey of/by their own free will1 must then remain faithful15781011 and take care their salvation is not “neglected”4, instead being “transformed”9 and “sanctified” in the Spirit6.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Go out and make followers of all the people, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teach them to abide by all that I [Jesus] have commanded. Behold, I will remain with you to the end of this age.
The very close of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life on earth. This address was made to the eleven apostles (vs 16) and similar accounts are given at the end of the accounts from Mark (16:15-16) and Luke (24:45-47).
Applying Matthew 28:19-20 to this question...
Jesus summarized discipleship or the “making of disciples” as two things: (1) being baptized in the name of (authority) the unified Godhead, and (2) teaching them to obey the commandments.
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.
Because your servant [Simeon] has seen your [God] salvation prepared by you for all people – a light for revelation to Gentiles and glory for your people of Israel – I can now die in peace according to your word.
The infant Jesus is being presented at the temple to observe what was written in the Law of Moses (vss 22-24). They encounter Simeon who was a devout Hebrew who had been promised that he would see “the consolation of Israel” (vs 25) before his death.
Applying Luke 2:29-32 to this question...
Jesus was the salvation that was seen by men, coming for both the Jews and the Gentiles (all mankind).
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Each day, as they attended the temple and broke bread together in their homes, they received their food with thanksgiving, praising God and enjoying the good will of the people. And God added to their number each day those that were saved.
Describing the days immediately following the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 were saved upon the hearing of the gospel message from Peter and the apostles. Those “added” or “being saved” has already been defined by verse 41: “So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Scripture later refers to this group of saved believers as the “church in Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1, 11:22, 15:4).
Applying Acts 2:46-47 to this question...
Salvation is a moment in time that begins when someone is “added” [to the church] by the Lord.
Those who are “added” or “being saved” in verse 47 have already been defined by verse 41 as “those who received His word [and] were baptized, and there were added that day…”. Their baptism in water was the moment in which they were added by the Lord to the church and body of Christ.
For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
If the message declared through angels proved reliable and every transgression and disobedience received just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such great salvation? The Lord first declared this salvation, those who heard Him attested it to us, and God confirmed their witness through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
The Hebrews letter is all about holding firm to the gospel message and showing why it was better than what the Jewish Christian had left behind (the Mosaic law). In the opening of this letter, the writer is reminding of Jesus’ superiority over the angels (chapter 1).
Applying Hebrews 2:2-4 to this question...
God’s salvation was communicated by Jesus and confirmed by eyewitnesses.
Salvation can also be “neglected” by those who already received it (which is the audience he is writing to).
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
You, however, should continue in what you learned and confidently believed, having been instructed from childhood with the Scriptures, which give you the wisdom leading toward salvation through belief in Jesus Christ.
Paul is writing to the younger Timothy and giving general advice about his work in preaching the Gospel. Paul has repeated contrasted those that are teaching false doctrine and their motives for doing so against how Timothy should conduct himself, which leads to this opening transition of “But as for you…”.
Applying 2 Timothy 3:14-15 to this question...
Salvation comes from (e.g. “thorough”) belief in Jesus,10 but must be kept or maintained by “continuing in” God’s word.
The entire books of 1 and 2 Timothy (and Titus) show Paul’s grave and urgent concern over the younger Timothy (and Titus) keeping/maintaining their salvation and not being pulled back by worldly desires or false teaching.
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should give thanks to God for you, brethren loved by the Lord, since God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved through the setting apart by the Spirit and belief in the gospel. This salvation is what He called you to by the gospel message we had preached, and its end is glorification with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica. The preceding verses describe deception among those who refuse the truth and take pleasure in unrighteousness, and God’s sending a strong delusion (vss 9-12). Paul then contrasts this with thanksgiving for his readers and their calling (vss 13-14).
Applying 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 to this question...
One is saved (e.g. “called”) through belief in the gospel message (e.g. “truth”) and being set apart (e.g. “sanctification”) by the Holy Spirit.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Even though you've not seen Him (Jesus the Christ) you love Him, believe in Him, and rejoice with a joy that's beyond words and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Peter’s letter(s) of encouragement to the saints who were facing great persecution and longing for their reward in Christ Jesus — revealed to them in the “last time” (vs 5). He goes on to tell them to be prepared for Jesus’ revealing (vs 13).
Applying 1 Peter 1:8-9 to this question...
Peter defines “salvation of your souls” as a result of remaining faithful.
The context clearly speaks to the fact that these Christians were currently in a saved state, but their salvation would not be complete or confirmed until the end of their natural lifetime or until Jesus returned (vs 13), whichever came first.
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
God hasn’t planned wrath for us, but to achieve salvation that is through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that regardless is we live or die physically, we may live eternally with Him. Therefore, encourage and build each other up just as you’ve been doing.
The closing admonitions of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians that begins back at the beginning of chapter four (“Finally, then, brothers…”). Among other things, Paul turns to remind them that the “day of the Lord” has not come yet, but will still come “like a thief in the night” (vs 2).
Applying 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 to this question...
Salvation is God’s intent for everyone and is “obtained” through Jesus alone.10 It is eternal, triumphing over the physical, and necessitates persistence by those who have been saved.
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Lying had to do with your old self, so don’t do it since you’ve put on the new self — it is what’s being transformed by knowledge into the likeness of its creator and to this end there is no distinction between cultures, race, ethnicity, or station in life. Christ is all and in all.
Paul is encouraging the Colossians to “keep seeking the things above” (vs 1), qualifying it with “IF” anyone has been raised in Christ. He gives many things to “put to death” (vs 5) or to “put off” (vs 8) before he gives specific “in the Lord” behavioral instructions for wives (vs 18), husbands (vs 19), children (vs 20), fathers (vs 21), and slaves (vs 22).
Applying Colossians 3:9-11 to this question...
Christians become more like the Son through the knowledge of God’s word.
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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
You have been saved by grace through faith. Salvation isn’t possible because of anything you did, so don’t boast about being saved. Rather, we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand for us to walk in.
Paul is writing to the Ephesians (Christians), and specifically here, Christians who had been Gentiles (vs 11, 3:1). He reminds them of their past lives in sin (vss 1-3) and being alienated from Israel’s commonwealth and strangers to the covenants of promise (vs 12). However, they are now “brought near by the blood of Christ” (vs 13).
Applying Ephesians 2:8-10 to this question...
Paul highlights two of the things that save someone: it’s “by grace” (salvation is only possible because it’s a “gift of God”) and “through faith” (the gift is only received by believing in/accepting/obeying in Jesus, the Word). Once accepted, we are called to “walk in” good works.5
Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Kinsmen will turn against each other, and even family members will turn each other over for death sentences. Everyone will hate you for speaking in My name. But whoever remains faithful to the end will be saved.
Jesus is sending out the twelve apostles to teach and giving them instructions.
Applying Matthew 10:21-22 to this question...
Jesus is sending those who are already “saved”, but motivates them to endure the pending persecution since ultimate salvation will only occur at “the end” if they endure.
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