This article will explain in detail the Eight Stages of Biblical Salvation necessary for Christians to avoid spending eternity in Hell.
Each of the above stages is essential for Christians to experience the “revelation of the mystery” to understand how to “run the race” that each Christian must “run” – spiritually.
“…and let us RUN WITH PATIENCE the RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb 12:1-2)
It is every Christian’s responsibility to RUN WITH PATIENCE their RACE to avoid spending eternity in Hell.
The Gospel of Initial and Final Salvation closely associates with the Apostle Paul’s Gospel that he termed “My Gospel“. This is the ONLY Gospel that will give Christians the promises of eternal life that God has promised.
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, which was kept secret since the world began,” (Romans 16:25)
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, TO MAKE KNOWN THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL," (Eph 6:19)Christians must RUN and STRIVE to achieve Biblical Salvation in God’s Kingdom
The Bible says that every Christian is required to “…RUN with patience THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE EACH OF US” (Heb 12:1). This requirement is to prove our worthiness to God and to therefore inherit eternal life.
Description of the Eight Stages of Biblical Salvation
Everyone born on the Earth is born into ‘unbelief’ in God. This is because every human has inherited ‘unbelief’ in their Creator because of the curse placed on Adam and Eve’s descendants by God (Gen 3:24).
For anyone to overcome this curse, it requires the Gospel of Biblical Salvation being preached, and for people to respond to it in their spirit (Acts 15:7; Eph 1:13). These gospel words then ‘awaken’ that individual’s personal spirit to his or her Creator’s voice.
"…Every one that is of THE TRUTH HEARETH MY VOICE." (John 18:37)
“Those by the way side are they that HEAR; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.” (Luke 8:12)
Sometimes the words of the Gospel of Salvation can remain dormant in a person’s heart for decades prior to the child of God begins to respond. Quite often, it is God who knocks on their heart’s door (Rev 3:20) and says, “Hey, remember Me”? This is because God says that His words will NOT return to Him “void”. He sends His words faithfully preached by His servants to accomplish the purpose for which He sent them (Isa 55:11).
Stage 1: INITIAL Stage of Biblical Salvation
The symbol associated with the sperm swimming towards the egg represents spiritual life beginning in God’s kingdom. Here, God the Father desires that each of His “sons of God” on Earth are to be procured by the “God of TRUTH” (Psalm 31:5; Isa 65:16). The sperm represents “many truths” entering the “spiritual soil” within each Christian’s heart (Matt 13:3-9).To achieve this transformation from a “son of God” being “begotten”, God uses the Seed of the Gospel message (Matt 13:3-9).
"For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have BEGOTTEN YOU through THE GOSPEL." (1 Cor 4:15)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...Of his own will BEGAT HE US with THE WORD OF TRUTH [scripture verses within the Gospel message], that we should be a kind of FIRSTFRUITS OF HIS CREATURES [or a New CREATURE in Christ Jesus — 2 Cor 5:17].” (James 1:17-18)
Stage 2: “Striving to enter in…”
During a period when Jesus was speaking to the people following Him, one discerned that it was NOT EASY to obtain eternal life with Christ. He then asked Jesus this question:“Then said one unto him, LORD, ARE THERE FEW [Christians] THAT BE SAVED?” (Luke 13:23)Jesus warned people (below) that to obtain eternal life with Him and God, each individual needed to “STRIVE to enter into the kingdom” so as to secure the Gospel of Christian Salvation:
“Striving” means that Christians must not only read their Bibles every day, they must also “study” to understand what each and every word means. Only then can they understand “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9) that will enable him or her to detect “heresies” (1 Cor 11:19). This is because Satan’s people who appear as “ministers of righteousness” often preach lies in church pulpits (2 Cor 11:14-15).
“STUDY to show thyself APPROVED unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15)
“And we know that we are of God [because of our new found righteousness that aligns with Bible values], and [in comparison] the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19)
Stage 3: The New Birth
There are many Christians who have been told that once they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, that such a Christian is “born-again”. This is NOT true. As it is with the natural birth of a baby, there is a “seed” (i.e. the sperm from the father and the egg from the mother to achieve the birth. When “truth” from God forms a union within the hearts of men, this initiates the potential “New Birth” process of the child of God into God’s kingdom on Earth.
Once the necessary nutrition and incubation period have taken place within the ‘fetus‘, the ‘unborn child‘ then looks toward escaping its mother’s womb. This is because the required spiritual growth within this ungodly world cannot continue. It needs the “new birth” into God’s kingdom to continue its growth to full spiritual maturity.
The “new birth“— by becoming “born again” (John 3:3-8) into God’s kingdom—is something only God can do.
After the New Birth has happened, this enables the new child of God to “walk in the spirit” (Rom 8:1) and to ultimately “run the race” set before him or her (Heb 12:1).
Therefore, it is up to God to determine the point where the “new birth” is necessary for continued spiritual growth to take place. In many instances, this fails to occur in Christians today. This is because Christians prefer the beliefs of their ‘religion‘ rather than Biblical truth.
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of [the] water [of the word— Eph 5:26] and of the Spirit [John 3:3-8], HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD." (John 3:5)
If God’s people prefer their religious beliefs rather than Biblical truth, this means they have squandered the Gospel of Biblical Salvation (1 Cor 9:26-27).
Stage 4: “Babe in Christ”
As with any natural new-born baby, the child needs to suckle its mother’s breast milk to grow. For it to then grow beyond where “milk” is insufficient for continued growth, solid food is vital for proper nourishment.So it is with God’s children who have been “born-again” in the spirit:
“As newborn babes, DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD, that YE MAY GROW THEREBY:” (1 Peter 2:2)
The Apostle Paul admonished the Church at Corinth for failing to progress beyond the new-born baby stage of spiritual growth by saying:
"And I, brethren, could NOT SPEAK UNTO YOU as unto SPIRITUAL, but as unto CARNAL, EVEN AS UNTO BABES IN CHRIST. {2} [It is because of your preference for carnality] I HAVE FED YOU WITH MILK, and NOT with [spiritual] MEAT: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. {3} FOR YE ARE YET CARNAL: for whereas there is among you ENVYING, and STRIFE, and DIVISIONS, are ye not carnal, and [ye now appear to] walk [before God] as [unsaved] men?" (1 Cor 3:1-3)If Christians fail to partake of the “sincere milk of the word”, the Bible says that “…ENVYING, and STRIFE, and DIVISIONS” result. It also means they become estranged from God (1 Cor 3:3). It also means they have cast aside the Gospel of Biblical Salvation.
Therefore, Christians MUST continue to GROW spiritually from the “milk of the word”. They must also become as a “little child” in God’s kingdom through “humility” (Matt 18:4).
What represents the “milk of the word”?
From the above passage of scripture, we see that if Christians prefer to keep focused on “the principles and the doctrines of Christ” they are seen by God as Babes in Christ. If they remain as “babes”, they are of no practical spiritual maturity because they need regular feeding, and therefore of no use to God.
Stage 5: “Little Children”
As revealed above, the “babes in Christ” should continue their studies towards understanding the meaning behind:“…the DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, and of LAYING ON OF HANDS, and of RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, and of ETERNAL JUDGMENT”(Heb 6:1-3). Jesus had a very high regard for “little children” in His kingdom. This is because this stage of spiritual development demonstrated such Christians had risen above the carnality common in most Christian churches. It also demonstrated such Christians had been “weaned from the breast“ (Isa 28:9) and able to care for themselves. It also means he or she has avoided spending eternity in Hell.
"But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the LITTLE CHILDREN to come unto me, and forbid them not: FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD. {15} Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child [in the spirit], HE SHALL NOT ENTER THEREIN.” (Mark 10:14-15)This means God’s “little children” should have a strong appetite for and to to be able to consume “strong meat” relating to Bible-based doctrine:
"For the time will come [in these ‘Last Days’] when they [today’s Christians] WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves [false] teachers, having itching ears [to hear more of their lies]; {4} And THEY SHALL TURN THEIR EARS AWAY FROM THE TRUTH [that is plainly stated in the Bible], and [scripture] shall be turned unto fables [or stories that are unrelated to facts]." (2 Tim 4:3-4)If Christians “will not endure sound doctrine“, this means they have rejected the Gospel of Biblical Salvation.
Stage 6: “Strong Young Men”
There are TWO generations of spiritual growth mentioned in this one verse of scripture by the Apostle John:“I have written unto you, FATHERS, because YE HAVE KNOWN HIM [meaning such individuals who had developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ] that is from the beginning [–Christ]. I have written unto you, YOUNG MEN, because YE ARE STRONG, and the word of God abideth in you, and YE HAVE OVERCOME THE WICKED ONE.” (1 John 2:14) It appears from this one verse that the following conclusions relating to “young men in Christ” can be drawn:
- They are STRONG in their knowledge and understanding of God’s word;
- This is because “…the word of God abideth in you”;
- Through this, these “STRONG YOUNG MEN” are able to “…OVERCOME THE WICKED ONE”.
Such “STRONG YOUNG MEN” are able to perform deliverance ministry on anyone that enables them to “…OVERCOME THE WICKED ONE”. This means they are able to overcome Satan and his evil spirits (Luke 10:19).
Example: The Sons of Sceva
Just as the sons of Sceva commanded evil spirits to come out of a man (Acts 19:14), so Christians today can command evil spirits to come out of people. However, Jesus said not all of this type of Christian will spend eternal life with Him, as stated below:
"Not every one [meaning, NOT very Christian] that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; BUT [ONLY] HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN. {22} Many [Christians] will say to me in that day [immediately following the Rapture], Lord, Lord, have we not PROPHESIED in thy name? and IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? and in thy name done many WONDERFUL WORKS? {23} And then will I [Jesus will] profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye [Christians] that work iniquity." (Matt 7:21-23)Therefore, the above scripture verses indicate that Christians who are seen by Christ as symbolizing “STRONG YOUNG MEN” have this single unique quality that separates them from other Christians who commit “iniquity” against God. The ONLY feature that separates such Christians is this:
“…BUT [ONLY] HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN… shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 7:21)
The above verse indicates that any Christian who does NOT do God’s will, will NOT achieve eternal life with Christ after they die. This means they no longer have the Gospel of Biblical Salvation to save them from Hell.
Stage 7: “Fathers”
A “father” in God’s kingdom represents the second highest stage of spiritual maturity that a Christian can attain to.
It is expected that a spiritual “father” should have produced spiritual “sons” during his period of being a “father”.
“I beseech thee FOR MY SON Onesimus, WHOM I HAVE BEGOTTEN in my bonds:” (Phile 1:10)
“I beseech thee FOR MY SON Onesimus, WHOM I HAVE BEGOTTEN in my bonds:” (Phile 1:10)
Here, the Apostle Paul reveals that as “…a father in Christ”:
- He procured a spiritual child through his ministry;
- That child’s name was “Onesimus”;
- He also procured “Timothy” (1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2):
“Thou therefore, MY SON [Timothy], be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 2:1)
The Role of a “Father in Christ”
The role of a “father in Christ” is where the man begets children who are like himself. Both he and his children walk in the spirit (Rom 8:1). They also follow Christ:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, and FOLLOW ME.” (Matt 16:24)
Such a “father” will teach the true doctrines of God in those churches that desire to follow Christ. Each of these ‘followers’ should be passionate about becoming one of the “members of Christ’s spiritual body” on the Earth.
This enables each individual member within the Body of Christ“ to do “the will of God the Father” (Matt 12:50).
Stage 8: “Good Soldier of Jesus Christ”
This final stage of spiritual development is for ALL spiritually mature Christians to achieve in this life, which is to become a “good soldier of Jesus Christ”. This level of maturity applies to both male and female Christians.
Becoming a “Good Soldier of Jesus Christ” represents FINAL Salvation. It also represents the state of “perfection” being achieved in the spiritual realm. In this, Jesus Christ commanded every Christian to “Be ye therefore PERFECT” (Matt 5:48).
“BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)
Every Christian is expected by Jesus to press towards the “Mark of High Calling in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14):
“I press toward THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14)
Seven Blessings of achieving the State of Perfection:
- Maturity—no longer children (Eph 4:14)
- Established in the faith. We are no longer of a doubtful mind or tossed to and fro like the waves. (Eph 4:14; James 1:5-8)
- Rooted and grounded in truth. We are no longer carried about by the winds of false doctrine. (Eph 4:14; John 8:32-36; Eph 3:17; Col. 2:6-7; 2 Peter 1:12)
- Freedom from deception—able to discern truth from error (Eph 4:14; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb 5:11-14; John 8:32-36)
- The ability to speak the truth in love to others (Eph 4:15; Rom 15:14; Col 3:16)
- Constant growth in spiritual things (Eph 4:15; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18)
- In UNITY with all others in Christ Jesus (Eph 4:16; 2 Cor 1:10; 13:11)
By God dwelling within us and by our dwelling with Him (John 14:23), we have the fullness of God’s love. If the above listed qualities appear, we may then have boldness in the Day of Judgment we have achieved ‘perfection’.
“Herein is OUR LOVE MADE PERFECT, that WE MAY HAVE BOLDNESS IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT: because as he is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)
The Evidence of a “son of God” being born
The foregoing claim is possible because we have:
- Been changed from our former Adamic nature (1 Cor 15:45-49);
- We are now in the image of the Last Adam (1 Cor 15:47);
- Instructed by God through our “Bible studies” (2 Tim 2:15);
- Been chastened by God through our “fiery trials” (1 Peter 4:12);
- Received personal instruction from God the Father (John 6:45);
- Striven to become just like our Savior Jesus Christ. This means—holy, pure, loving, good and true—in this world (Luke 13:24; Titus 2:11-12);
- Been able to overcome the Evil One (Rev 3:21).
Every Christian who attains “perfection” is considered to be “a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim 2:3)
The Christian should also be a member of Christ’s spiritual body of believers here on the Earth. This should be achieved within their church congregation (1 Cor 12:12-27). Such Christians should be using the various “gifts of the spirit” (1 Cor 12:8-11). These are necessary to defeat those in Satan’s kingdom who work unrighteousness.
The Result of Failing to Achieve Biblical Salvation
The following diagram illustrates that Christians who fail to progress beyond the Stage 2 will symbolically become a ‘still birth’. This means the Christian has failed to avoid spending eternity in Hell.
“Ye did run well [at INITIAL Salvation]; WHO DID HINDER YOU that ye should NOT OBEY THE TRUTH [in the scriptures by preferring Satan’s lies instead — just as Adam and Eve succumbed to Satan’s lies]?” (Gal 5:7)
“Some [‘seed’ of the Gospel] fell upon [the ‘soil’ in human hearts symbolic of] STONY PLACES, where they had not much earth [or desire for TRUTH]: and forthwith they sprung up [to embrace Satan’s ‘religion’ instead], because they had no deepness of earth [symbolising KNOWLEDGE of the scriptures].” (Matt 13:5)
“And some [‘seed’] fell among THORNS [meaning the spiritual ‘soil’ that produces 'weeds'often found in human hearts]; and THE THORNS sprung up, and choked them [the ‘seed’ of God’s words]” (Matt 13:7)
Therefore, it is every Christian’s responsibility to ensure that the “soil” within their hearts is:
“…GOOD GROUND, and [it] BROUGHT FORTH FRUIT, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt 13:8-9)
Summary of the Gospel of Biblical Salvation
Below is the chart again that reminds us of the EIGHT Stages of the Gospel of Biblical Salvation. Every Christian MUST aspire to these levels of spiritual maturity to spend eternity in the presence of Christ and God.
“…BUT [ONLY] HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN… shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 7:21)
Why did you list Jehovah’s Witnesses? It is not a “Christian” church. It is a false religion. A cult.
Hi Kathy – I totally agree with you, but sometimes on my journey, I stumbled upon congregations that turned out to be JW’s. As I have discovered, God’s people are often ensnared in cults and these often cry out to the Lord for help. Jesus has to send someone to give them some advice, and He uses me occasionally to share some light into the spiritual darkness of their world.
I had the pleasure of sharing my faith with a JW at a child’s playground only last weekend. It was a God arranged appointment. I’m still praying for the lady.
I hope this answers your question, Kathy.
Blessings. Alan
God bless you brother Allan. Am already blessed by this material. and the Lord has not stopped me from reading It. So I am convicted beyond reasonable doubt that he used you as a vessel to reach me and many others. amen. Thanks for giving me freedom to contact you, i will if need arises. Thanks. God Bless.
I attend the Presbyterian and totally agree with you that many claim to be saved but practicing religion that produces dead works. I discovered this last year 2021 February, all my over ten years of salvation were wasted at a stagnation stage, Glory to God through many materials and this included I am convicted now my journey just started. God bless you man of God and Glory to our father in Heaven for having used you to bring the truth that many have rejected . It’s may prayer many Christians will read and reap big time from this work like I am doing,
Hello Sister Juliet,
Thank you so much for your kind words – and especially the encouragement you have given me. It is hard work ploughing the “fallow ground’ of human hearts that have been hardened by ‘religion’. Christ’s “labourers” do get weary at times trying to break-up Christianity’s “fallow ground” – so your words are like water at this time, and most refreshing.
To anyone reading this who is ‘religious’ among you, the Lord says this:
“…Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns [the cares of this world – Mark 4:19].” (Jeremiah 4:3)
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” (Hosea 10:12)
Feel free to contact me if you ever feel the need to have some fellowship in the Word, Juliet.
Many thanks again and blessings, Sister!
God bless you brother Allan. Am already blessed by this material. and the Lord has not stopped me from reading It. So I am convicted beyond reasonable doubt that he used you as a vessel to reach me and many others. amen. Thanks for giving me freedom to contact you, i will if need arises. Thanks. God Bless.
Very good explaination on Salvation in Christ. However, I don’t think it is the only way though the final will be the same. Once saved definately always saved! However as bible tells us Jesus is life, which means if we fully understand the love of God, we will have the orientation to be Christ-Like by the strenghth of God. If we followed strictly the step by step prodecures, we just narrow minded God’s creation made it nothing more than religion. Our God is true God and the truth from Jesus set us free. We can be saved and have a joyful life. Everything should come naturelly by faith. Any self disiphine effort can only build up bitterness inside. That makes Knowing God the priority in our spiritual life, and only through Jesus Christ, without any confusion. The slope illustration is fantastic.
Thank you for your comments Peter.
I don’t accept the alternative pathway to Salvation that you have offered, as Salvation MUST be fought for, as stated in the scriptures:
I don’t know or understand on what basis you feel you can ignore this and many other warnings like it in preference to your own beliefs, but the Apostle Paul also provided the following warning to Christians that you also appear to have rejected:
This warning clearly indicates that even though you may have Salvation secured one day, if you are NOT diligently maintaining the progress you have made, you will find that Satan or one of his many agents have robbed you of your Salvation when you need it – at death. We either take heed to such warnings or we ignore them to our peril.
Thanks for your contribution anyway, Peter.