Look at Jesus and how we receive the gift of God’s salvation. First, John 1.1-3-”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.”
That clearly says that Jesus is equal to God the Father… being with Him from the beginning. It also says that He was involved with creation of everything [Colossians 1.15-20 confirms this].
1 Peter 3.18-”For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” This text clearly states that Jesus’ death was on behalf of every human.
Romans 3.21-25 ”But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;” Again, based on the normal meaning of the words this text claims that we have salvation/righteousness apart from the Law. It claims that every single person has sinned and that no one can be justified/made righteous except by placing their faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 4.2-5 “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,” This text uses the example of Abraham to demonstrate the one is made righteous/justified by faith apart from works.
Romans 6.23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” This text clearly states that a person earns death through sin, but can gain salvation as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ.
Finally, Ephesians 2.8,9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This text clearly states that salvation is based on God’s grace alone offered on the basis of the faith a person has, placed [based on the Romans’ texts] in Jesus Christ.
