What is Salvation? (Matthew 16:13-20)
 
What is the greatest mistake that Christians make? They go into the world without really knowing the Gospel. If you really know the mystery of the Gospel, tremendous powers will be found.
 
1. Content: What is salvation?
(1) Our old status, which used to be our fate, remained in three things: hell, Satan, and sin, Freedom from this fate is salvation. In Romans 8:2, it says we have been set free from the law of sin and death. John 5:24 says that we have crossed over from death to life.
(2) We have been delivered from sin and curses. We have been delivered from our original sin, which started because of Satan. We have been delivered from the sins and spiritual problems of our forefathers. We have been completely resolved of our problems from the past, present, and future. John 1:12, Ephesians 2:1-6, and Romans 8:31-39 tell us that we will never perish.
 
2. Misunderstanding: Many believe that they are saved when they are actually not. Meanwhile, some are saved but are not at all aware of the blessings that come with salvation.
(1) John the Baptist cried out against the wrongs of the society, but this is not the essence of Christianity.
(2) Elijah performed all kinds of mystical works, but this is not the essence of the Gospel.
(3) Jeremiah is representative of philanthropy, which is good, but is not the Gospel itself.
(4) Prophets taught religion and the Law, but the Gospel is not religion.
Such thoughts [that these factors constitute the Gospel] will lead to constant failure.
 
3. Assurance: What must we now realize? Who do you say I am??
(1) Christ means the Anointed One: the Prophet (John 14:6), Priest (Mark 10:45), and King (1st John 3:8). He is the One spoken about in Genesis 3:15, who would come to break the darkness. He is the One spoken about in Isaiah 7:14.
(2) He is the Son of the living God. As soon as Peter confessed this, Jesus said, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah?
(3) Jesus spoke of blessings after this confession. We are given the blessing of the Rock upon which Jesus would build His Church. We are given the authority so that the gates of Hades will not overcome us. We are also given the keys of the Kingdom, which we can use by prayer. Christ is the solution to all problems (1 Co. 12:3, Rom. 10:9-10, John 1:12, and Rom. 10:13).
 
4. How can we enjoy these blessings of salvation?
(1) We gain salvation by faith (Rom. 5:8, John 1:12, Rom. 10:13, Rev. 3:20).
(2) If we just change our inner nature, you can fully and richly enjoy these blessings (Mt. 17:1-9).
(3) If we enjoy the Gospel in the midst of conflicts in our everyday lives, evidences will be manifested (Mt. 17:24-27).
 
Conclusion: Because you are already saved, what you must first experience is prayer!
(1) As children of God, the Holy Spirit abides with us, which is why children of God will absolutely gain answers.
(2) Your prayer with authority can break the forces of darkness.
After this confession, you will realize that this is only the beginning of the blessings that are supposed to come as you begin to understand the Gospel. I pray that you would receive real answers. When you first hear the Gospel, receive it in faith, and accept it in prayer, the Holy Spirit will be at work. When you experience this Holy Spirit, changes will occur in you.