REDEEMED, CONVERTED, SAVED
And BORN AGAIN . . .
Are they all the same?
These terms have been used by Christians to all mean exactly the same thing when in actual fact, there are differences which, when grasped, are a great blessing, for each term unveils a further aspect of the glorious provision of our full salvation that Christ bought for us all.
The Bible references and the meaning of the words will help to shed light upon our tremendous, overwhelming salvation.
REDEEMED
The Greek word used is EXAGORAZO which means to buy (ransom), rescue (from loss) and improve (opportunity). The dictionary’s meaning is simply this, to pay off; fulfill (a pledge); to set free or to restore one’s honour (from a latin root meaning to buy).
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
REDEEMED FROM THE DEMANDS OF THE LAW
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Like retrieving an object from a pawnbroker . . . one pays the price and the item is again all yours! Christ did NOT pay the devil for us for the devil never owned mankind at any time! However, Christ Himself fulfilled all the demands of the law so that now Christ-in-us sets us free from its demands. Christ bought us back from the laws demands so that we never need again to be in condemnation or feel guilty!
Rev 5:9b . . . and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred. The blood of Christ provided redemption for the world and all will eventually receive the full benefit from such a gift of salvation. However, there is a first-fruits company that will avail themselves of such grace and be changed into a vessel usable by God in His great plan. Redemption includes the forgiveness of sins . . . all sins — past, present and future! (Col.1:14).
144,000 FIRSTFRUITS APPROPRIATE WHAT IS GIVEN
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
A ‘song’ is a revelation from the Lord. The spiritual meaning of the number ‘144,000’ is the glory of God (1000) revealed through the 100% spirit-filled life (144). These are set fully free earthly influences.
Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. ‘Virgins’ are those who are untouched by the world’s system of thinking etc. ‘Firstfruits’ indicate that others will follow.\. These firstfruit-overcomers have separated themselves from the status quo of what is generally accepted as a Christian by Christendom and have yielded themselves fully to the Spirit of God. REDEEMED FROM A TRADITIONAL LIFE-STYLE - 1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Luke 21:28 says that your redemption comes to you . . . and it is by grace not because you did anything!
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Grace now provides redemption which is coupled with wisdom, righteousness and sanctification (1 Cor 1:30).
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. The fullness of redemption is ADOPTION (see ‘re-think’ No.25) which includes the transfiguration of our whole being.
GRACE PROVIDES REDEMPTION FOR ALL
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The purchased possession is you, all of you — spirit, mind and body.
The Greek word used is EPISTREPHO and means a specific turning around or reversing. The dictionary’s definition = to change from one form to another and/or to change from one purpose to another. What is involved with conversion?
The prospective believer prior to conversion, will have a self-centred nature (heart), unable to hear a spiritual word and fail to see any application of God’s word to their life . . . but God said He would draw all men to Himself and thus enable them to turn right around from where they have been (ignorant of His presence with and in them) to where they can acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour (John 12:40). Matthew 13:15 adds that a further benefit of being converted is that one might also be healed.
Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Assurance of salvation will not occur until one is converted.
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Peter had been with Jesus and seen many marvellous things take place, but that did not give him a new life . . . he needed to be converted . . . turn from his previous lifestyle. Be converted and enjoy the rerality and assurance of sins forgiven and be also aware of the constant presence of the Lord with you.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. A true conversion will be seen in one becoming teachable like a little child who is constantly in a state of learning and developing.
SAVED . . . what from?
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Greek word translated ‘saved’ is SOZO and means to deliver; to protect and be made whole. There are two conditions for being ‘saved’. Confess the LORDSHIP of Christ and BELIEVE in your heart that JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE today in your life. The word ‘confess’ carries the meaning of something said by man in agreement with God.
You were saved, you are being saved and he that endures to the end shall be saved. What do we need to be delivered from, not just initially, but constantly through our life’s walk as the Spirit changes us? Answer = the hangover and effect of the old Adamic nature that so readily puts self to the fore resulting in sin.
Christ has JUSTIFIED us to stand before the Father because Christ has made us righteous. He has given us the victory over our enemies within and without and He has raised us up to sit with Him in heavenly places.
We are REDEEMED and set fully free by Christ from the demands of the law (of ‘got-to’, ‘should have’ and ‘ought to!) so that we can be CONVERTED from living out of self to having Jesus Christ, the Living Word, as Lord. Then the process of BEING SAVED continues as the Holy Spirit delivers us from every hangover effect of the old Adam nature enabling each to become teachable until Christ is fully formed in us. All this developing is brought about by the grace of our providing God (John 6:29). We have been and are truly blessed as we grow up into Him in all things.
BEING ‘BORN AGAIN’
The whole process of salvation is in ‘BEING BORN AGAIN and it has many steps. (See ‘re-think No.4). §
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