Salvation
Salvation [1]
(1) John had the task of presenting Christ to Gentiles, who were as unfamiliar with the technical meaning of such phrases as "kingdom of God" or "Son of Man" as is the world today, and to Gentiles who had instead a series of concepts unknown in Palestine. So a "translation of spiritual values" became necessary if the gospel were to make an immediate appeal, a translation accomplished so successfully that the Fourth Gospel has always been the most popular. The Synoptists, especially the extremely literal Mark, imperatively demand a historical commentary, while John has successfully avoided this necessity. (2) The "kingdom of God," as a phrase ( John 3:3 , John 3:5; compare John 18:36 ), is replaced by "eternal life." This life is given in this world to the one who accepts Christ's teaching ( John 5:24; John 6:47 ), but its full realization will be in the "many mansions" of the Father's house ( John 14:2 ), where the believer will be with Christ ( John 17:24 ). A judgment of all men will precede the establishment of this glorified state ( John 5:28 , John 5:29 ), but the believer may face the judgment with equanimity ( John 5:24 ). So the believer is delivered from a state of things so bad as expressible as a world under Satan's rule ( John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11 ), a world in darkness ( John 3:19 ), in ignorance of God ( John 17:25 ), and in sin ( John 8:21 ), all expressible in the one word "death" ( John 5:24 ). (3) The Jews had real privilege in the reception of Christ's message ( John 1:11; John 4:22 , etc.), but the extension of the good tidings to all men was inevitable ( John 12:23 , John 12:12 , etc.). Belief in Christ is wholly a personal matter, but the believers enter a community of service ( John 13:14 ), with the unity of the Father and Son as their ideal ( John 17:21 ). (4) The nature of the moral ideal, reduced to the single word "love" ( John 13:34; John 15:12 ), is assumed as known and identified with "Christ's words" ( John 5:24; John 6:63 , etc.), and the necessity of progress toward it as sharply pointed as in the Synoptists. The sinner is the servant of sin ( John 8:34 ), a total change of character is needed ( John 3:6 ), and the blessing is only on him who does Christ's commandments ( John 13:17 ). This "doing" is the proof of love toward Christ ( John 14:15 , John 14:21 ); only by bearing fruit and more fruit can discipleship be maintained ( John 15:1-6; compare John 14:24 ), and, indeed, by bearing fruit men actually become Christ's disciples ( John 15:8 , Gr). The knowledge of Christ and of God that is eternal life ( John 17:3 ) comes only through moral effort ( John 7:17 ). In John the contrasts are colored so vividly that it would almost appear as if perfection were demanded. But he does not present even the apostles as models of sanctity ( John 13:38; John 16:32 ), and self-righteousness is condemned without compromise; the crowning sin is to say, "We see" ( John 9:41 ). It is the Son who frees from sin ( John 8:36 ), delivers from darkness ( John 8:12; John 12:46 ), and gives eternal life ( John 11:25 , John 11:26; compare John 3:16; John 5:24; Copyright Statementthese Files Are Public Domain And Were Generously Provided By The Folks At Wordsearch Software. Bibliography Informationorr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry For 'Salvation'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Https://Www.Studylight.Org/Encyclopedias/Eng/Isb/S/Salvation.Html. 1915.
