In the Episcopal Church we believe that God intends all people to be saved, and that Christ has come to save us. The question of “what do Episcopalians believe about salvation?” is not one that can be answered in a single sentence or phrase. This article promises to answer this question.
Episcopalians believe that salvation is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ and confess their sins. Episcopalianism is an inclusive religion; it welcomes people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and ethnic backgrounds without judgment or prejudice. Let us dive into some of these believes:
What is the Episcopal Belief about Salvation?
In the tapestry of Christian faith, the Episcopal Church weaves a unique understanding of salvation, a journey paved with grace and illuminated by good works. Unlike some theological paths that emphasize a singular act of faith, Episcopalians believe in a dynamic dance between God’s unyielding grace and our active response through faith and good deeds. This intricate melody resonates throughout their understanding of salvation, offering hope and purpose to all who seek refuge in Christ’s embrace.
At the heart of this belief lies the unwavering conviction that we are saved by grace alone through faith, as eloquently expressed in Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” This “grace” is not merely a fleeting moment of divine favor, but rather a constant stream of God’s love and forgiveness flowing towards us, washing away the stains of sin and drawing us closer to His presence.
Understanding this grace requires a shift in perspective. We are not self-sufficient beings earning our way into heaven through good deeds, but rather broken vessels receiving a gift beyond measure. This gift, bestowed freely and unconditionally, is the foundation upon which our journey towards salvation begins.
Do Episcopalians believe in salvation through faith alone? While faith is undeniably crucial, the Episcopal Church views it as the seed planted in fertile soil, requiring nurturing and care to blossom into a life transformed by God’s grace. This care comes in the form of good works, the tangible expressions of our love for God and our fellow man. As James 2:17 succinctly states, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Thus, the Episcopal tapestry of salvation is not one-dimensional, but a vibrant interplay of God’s grace and our active response. It is a journey of faith expressed through good works, a continuous dialogue where God extends His love, and we respond with gratitude and service. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into this intricate dance, exploring how grace manifests in our lives, the role we play in receiving it, and the tangible ways we experience its transformative power.
1. Salvation Is Not a Singular Moment in Time
Salvation is not a singular moment in time. It’s the process of becoming more like Christ and God, and thus becoming more like ourselves. When we choose to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are saved from death and sin; but this process doesn’t end there. Salvation requires that we work on ourselves throughout our lives so that we can become more like Christ every day.
2. Not Everyone Will Be Saved
The good news is that it’s possible to be saved. The bad news is that your salvation isn’t just about what you do or don’t do — it’s about God’s grace, given through Jesus Christ. Episcopalian Christians believe in the unconditional love of God, but we also believe that no one can earn their own way into heaven by perfecting themselves or meeting some moral standard.
The Gospel of John says, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16). In this passage, Jesus becomes an offering for our sins because he knows what it feels like to suffer himself. He understands our pain and gives us freedom from sin by forgiving us when we ask him to save us from what separates us from God: our inability to achieve goodness on our own terms
3. Salvation Is Healing
Salvation is about becoming whole. We are all broken, and salvation is the process of bringing us back to wholeness. For some people, that means acknowledging their need for grace in order to accept it—and then going on a journey toward healing. For others, it means embracing the fact that they cannot heal themselves and seeking out healing from those who can help them find it (such as clergy or friends).
It’s also important to note that salvation is not just about God’s work in our lives; it’s also about our work on ourselves. God has given each person certain gifts and abilities; through repentance (turning away from sin), we can use those gifts to further His kingdom instead of contributing to its destruction by continuing down a path of sinful behavior
3. Christ Has Been, Is and Will Be Saving Us
“Jesus Christ was, is and will be saving us.” This is a simplistic way of saying that Jesus Christ’s work on the cross continues to save us, whether in this life or the next. Salvation is a process that involves God acting in history, with Jesus as the central figure.
While we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, Episcopalian Christians believe that God not only provides salvation but also works to bring us into relationship with him so that we can have his help throughout our lives.
4. We Are Saved only Through Christ
The Episcopal Church teaches that salvation through Christ is the only way to God. This belief is based in Scripture, which states that “no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus is not just one way to God; he is the only way.
The Bible also emphasizes that humankind cannot earn or maintain its own righteousness before God but must rely on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for their salvation. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.”
Episcopalians understand that we are saved by grace alone and maintained in our faithfulness through God’s mercy and forgiveness—not by any merit of our own actions or good deeds. Our salvation comes not because we are perfect but because Christ took our place on earth when he died for us during his crucifixion so that we may know him as Savior and Lord forevermore.
5. God’s Intent Is to Save All People
God’s intent is to save all people. God’s love for us never fails, and in Christ we are saved through grace. The Bible teaches that salvation comes through Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Through his sacrificial death and resurrection, he paid the full penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8; Colossians 2:13-15). In addition to being forgiven of our sins when we turn from them and believe in Him (Acts 3:19; Romans 10), Christ also provides us with eternal life when He returns (1 John 2:25).
6. Salvation comes from God alone and that God’s love for us never fails.
The Episcopal Church teaches that salvation comes from God alone and that God’s love for us never fails. Grace is the unconditional favor of God, bestowed on all people, because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. No matter what we have done or not done, God loves us and wants to save us (1 John 4:10). God’s gift of salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Final Thought
There is no such thing as a perfect human being. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace, and it is through our faith in Jesus Christ that we receive salvation from sin. Everyone who accepts this gift of salvation finds eternal life through God’s love for them and their willingness to receive it.