International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 8 Issue 6, Nov-Dec 2024 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

The Way of Salvation and Peace

Paul A. Adekunte1, Matthew N. O. Sadiku2, Janet O. Sadiku3
1
International Institute of Professional Security, Lagos, Nigeria
2
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
3
Juliana King University, Houston, TX, USA

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Paul A.

Without any gainsaying, the entire world is now witnessing and Adekunte | Matthew N. O. Sadiku | Janet
passing through periods of wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, O. Sadiku "The Way of Salvation and
famines, pestilences, conflicts, violence, divers evils, lack of peace, Peace" Published in
International
etc. as declared by the Holy Bible in Matthew 24:6-14. We hear, we
Journal of Trend in
see, and read about terrible happenings occurring in different parts of Scientific Research
the world today, such as mass killing of innocent souls, the tense and Development
situations between Israel and Palestine (Hamas), war between Russia (ijtsrd), ISSN:
and Ukraine, ISIS terrorizing the world, the Boko Haram terrorist 2456-6470, IJTSRD71575
group cum the herders in Nigeria, among several others. Salvation of Volume-8 | Issue-6,
humanity as well as peace is by and through the saving grace of our December 2024, pp.263-268, URL:
Lord Jesus Christ through His finished work on the cross of calvary. www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd71575.pdf
The paper looks into some of the challenges facing the contemporary
world and the way towards achieving peace and salvation. Copyright © 2024 by author (s) and
International Journal of Trend in
KEYWORDS: Salvation, peace, wars and rumors of wars, conflicts, Scientific Research and Development
terrorism Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Salvation history is God’s plan to save mankind from sanctification, newness of life, and adoption. A sinner
sin and lift the human family to the glory of heaven, is said to occupy a sevenfold position before God i.e.
as shown in Figure 1. This plan unfolds through as a debtor, a condemned criminal, an enemy, a slave,
Abraham, Moses and David, and came to fulfillment defiled and unholy, dead, and a poor stranger.
through Our Lord Jesus Christ. This then continues
The six steps to salvation are:
through the work of the church until Jesus comes  Hear the gospel – Romans 10:17, John 8:32
again. The four stages of salvation history are: from
 Believe the Gospel – Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31
creation, the law, and patriarchs and prophets, to the
 Repent of past sins – Luke 13: 3, Acts 17:30
life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, and  Confess your faith in Jesus Christ – Romans
then to the work of the Holy Spirit in the Apostles
10:10, Matthew 10:32
and Church, which will continue until the end of the  Be baptized – Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts
age. A very simple outline of salvation history is: (1) 2:38
God as the Creator, and all that He created were good,
 Be faithful unto death – Revelation 2:10
(2) the fall of man which established the nature of the
problem, and (3) the redemption work of God, a THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM
solution to the fall of mankind – John 3:14-21, for as In the Christendom, baptism is a basic or fundamental
God told Moses to make a serpent of bronze, so must step in accepting Christ into one’s life. As put
the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in forward by Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:27: “For many
him may have eternal life [2]. Salvation is a three- of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
phase sequence of justification, sanctification, and Christ.” The word baptism is from the Greek word
glorification. (baptize), which means, “to immerse.” Baptism is a
ceremony in which a Christian is immersed in water
The seven doctrines/elements of salvation are: before the church to publicly symbolize their belief in
forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, redemption,
Christ, showing that you are a follower of Jesus

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Christ. The water is a symbol of sin being washed that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and
away. It shows that we are buried with him by desperately wicked: who can know it? It is only God
baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was that can discern the heart of man. From the heart of
raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we man proceed all kinds of evils e.g. striving, murder,
too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). evil concupiscence, inordinate affection, fornication,
The four types of baptism are: immersion, uncleanness, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice,
submersion, aspersion, and affusion. Jesus said in blasphemy, filthy communication – as stated by Paul
Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be the Apostle in Colossians 3:5-8, as all of these breed
saved; but he that does not believe will be wars and lack of peace, as shown in Figures 2 and 3,
condemned.” and hence the need to mortify the members of our
WAY TO SALVATION body.
What then is salvation? Salvation is the great work of This therefore calls for man to urgently come unto
God in which He forgives sin and gives eternal life to God, seek God’s face for mercy and for him to make
a believing sinner as a free gift of His grace – Jonah a U-turn away from all sins alienating him from God
2: 9; Ephesians 2: 8-9. All people need new life since in order to ensure his salvation by the finished work
we are born spiritually dead and separated from God, of Christ on the cross, because he (Jesus Christ) has
these alienates man from God, making people totally paid the ultimate price for us via the shedding of his
depraved and unable to please God by the good deeds blood, death, and resurrection. Salvation is assured
they may achieve (Romans 5: 12; Ephesians 2: 1-3; only in Christ Jesus, for there is no other name by
Isaiah 64 :6; Jeremiah 17: 9; Mark 7: 20-23). which we can be saved, as shown in Figure 4.
Let us consider the following Bible passages: THE WAY OF PEACE
“He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto Christian religion: The Book of Isaiah 9: 6, states
God the Lord belong the issues from death.” - that: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
(Psalms 68: 20) given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince
appeared to all men,” - Titus 2:11. of Peace.”
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a Jesus Christ is the only way to inner and world/global
salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the peace, joy, peace from grief so on, as shown in
Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Figures 5 and 6. “The way of peace they know not;
him” – Hebrews 2:3. and there is no judgment in their goings: they have
“And being made perfect, he became the author of made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein
eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” - shall not know peace.” – Isaiah 59: 8. Peace has
Hebrews 5:9 eluded the world and individuals because they have
gone their individual ways. God’s own peace from
We can therefore see from the few passages, that the His Son Jesus is not as that of the world – John 14:
free gift of salvation to man comes from God through 27. The three types of peace are:
His only Son Jesus Christ. This free gift of salvation  Spiritual peace – peace with God.
must not be neglected or ignored by man as the  Relational peace – peace with others.
consequences would be very grave. The utter  Emotional peace – peace within ourselves.
depravity of human nature, the necessity for
repentance and regeneration and the eternal doom of James Allen in his Book “The way of peace”
the finally impenitent. By nature, the natural man is discussed on the following seven issues [3]:
wicked, which made God to declare in the Book of 1. The power of meditation.
Genesis 6: 5-7: “And God saw that the wickedness of 2. The two masters, Self and Truth.
man was great in the earth, and that every imagination 3. The acquirement of spiritual power.
of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 4. The realization of selfless love.
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the 5. Entering into the infinite.
earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord 6. Saints, sages, and saviors: The Law of Service.
said, l will destroy man whom l have made from the 7. The realization of perfect peace.
face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the Islamic religion: Nazir Ahmad Zargar said that: the
creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it gist of the message of Islam is in two fold, i.e.
repenteth me that I have made them.” In addition to 1. Surrendering to the Divine Will which means
this, in the Book of Jeremiah 17: 9, it was declared giving due regard and reverence to the

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commandments of Allah i.e. acting upon them overcoming evil which has helped humanity in
with utmost sincerity, and achieving peace. The noble mission of the Buddha
2. Showing utmost compassion, love and affection helped not only India but also South-eastern and Far-
towards Allah’s creation. eastern countries to create conditions for justice,
political and socio-economic stability, fraternity,
These two aspects can be summed up into one – peace and social harmony [7]. Buddhist scripture
LOVE – of God, for He is our Creator and of the condemns violence in every form. “Ahimsa” a term
creation, for all things belong to the same God. He meaning “not to injure”, is a primary virtue in
submits that a true Muslim believer must love the rest Buddhism [8]. Historically, violence has also been
of the creation, which is expressed when he meets used or as a form of exceptions to commit violence
others and greets them with peace (salam), wishing for various reasons, and as it is found in other
good to them all. This explains the fact that peace can religious traditions [9-11].
prevail when people love each other, and that peace is
essential in Islam [4]. CONCLUSION
Salvation is the state of being saved or protected from
Hinduism: Hinduism is the oldest and the third largest harm or a dire situation. However, in religion or
of the world’s major religions, after Christianity and theology, salvation generally refers to the deliverance
Islam, with 900 million adherents. Hinduism is also of the soul from sin and its consequences. The
known as “Sanatana dharma,” which means incarnation and the death of Jesus Christ formed the
“immemorial way of right living.” About 80% of the climax of a divine plan for humanity’s salvation. This
Indian population regard themselves as Hindu. plan was conceived by God before the creation of the
Hinduism has monotheistic (one God) as well as world, achieved at the cross, and would be completed
polytheistic (many Gods) elements: the one Ultimate at the last judgement, when the second coming of
Reality or Supreme Being (Brahman) also exists Christ would mark the catastrophic end of the world
simultaneously in the deities of the Creator (Brahma), and the creation of a new world. For the Christians,
the Sustainer (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva). The salvation and peace is only possible through our
sacred writings, the Four Vedas, are considered to be belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
divine in origin and the direct transmission of God’s who offered himself as the once-for-all sacrifice that
word, not delivered through a prophet. A Hindu seeks atoned for the sin of humanity.
personal purification on the path to self realization
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[7] S. Rakesh, “Buddhism and its message of Ayx5OlH9kfyofUfrh41ii7MJR49ai3I&sa=X&ved=
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Figure 2 Peace.
Source:https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=85
68a6baa21243e5&sxsrf=ADLYWIIw5rqfBZJS0Ur
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Figure 1 Salvation. Tb5xODqo_tJpGmaSU4pQVEbQQTDWnMPSk8
Source:https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=85 wZNRhz5PGHQwbe9VGOsTvTC6PzQFjR3A55M
68a6baa21243e5&sxsrf=ADLYWIIw5rqfBZJS0Ur cI87gzvGpjAGq9Nm2Y19Am3ZfXn3nnrjEbsyiaT
s3uJqTXX23zO6lA:1728720497928&q=images+o Ayx5OlH9kfyofUfrh41ii7MJR49ai3I&sa=X&ved=
n+the+way+of+salvation+and+peace+by+wikipedi 2ahUKEwirmMfZsYiJAxWPVqQEHQ-
a&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0A- RBFgQtKgLegQIDxAB&biw=1366&bih=580&dp
2qeMemLzzt_2BVemHLFNuCSl5jMwuDXSDytc r=1#vhid=UvDxEc9U_xSSoM&vssid=mosaic
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cI87gzvGpjAGq9Nm2Y19Am3ZfXn3nnrjEbsyiaT

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Figure 3 War and peace.

Source:https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7d18109a394306ad&sxsrf=ADLYWIIrK1DsIX3h8Q9KB
PpHLd3MmA5Rrg:1728721151480&q=images+on+the+way+of+salvation+and+peace+by+wikipedia&ud
m=2&fbs=AEQNm0A2qeMemLzzt_2BVemHLFNuCSl5jMwuDXSDytcTb5xODqo_tJpGmaSU4pQVEbQ
QTDWnMPSk8wZNRhz5PGHQwbe9VGOsTvTC6PzQFjR3A55McI87gzvGpjAGq9Nm2Y19Am3ZfXn3n
nrjEbsyiaTAyx5OlH9kfyofUfrh41ii7MJR49ai3I&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinhZmRtIiJAxWucaQEHewbFiM
QtKgLegQIDxAB&cshid=1728721159646957&biw=1366&bih=580&dpr=1#vhid=z4dm8KxGWYxdvM&
vssid=mosaic

Figure 4. Sary: Mormon plan of salvation diagram (English)

Source:https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8568a6baa21243e5&sxsrf=ADLYWIIw5rqfBZJS0Urs3uJ
qTXX23zO6lA:1728720497928&q=images+on+the+way+of+salvation+and+peace+by+wikipedia&udm=2
&fbs=AEQNm0A2qeMemLzzt_2BVemHLFNuCSl5jMwuDXSDytcTb5xODqo_tJpGmaSU4pQVEbQQTD
WnMPSk8wZNRhz5PGHQwbe9VGOsTvTC6PzQFjR3A55McI87gzvGpjAGq9Nm2Y19Am3ZfXn3nnrjEb
syiaTAyx5OlH9kfyofUfrh41ii7MJR49ai3I&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirmMfZsYiJAxWPVqQEHQ-
RBFgQtKgLegQIDxAB&biw=1366&bih=580&dpr=1#vhid=ZC0795yWsUdzCM&vssid=mosaic

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Figure 5. Christianity and violence.

Source:https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7d18109a394306ad&sxsrf=ADLYWIIrK1DsIX3h8Q9KB
PpHLd3MmA5Rrg:1728721151480&q=images+on+the+way+of+salvation+and+peace+by+wikipedia&ud
m=2&fbs=AEQNm0A-
2qeMemLzzt_2BVemHLFNuCSl5jMwuDXSDytcTb5xODqo_tJpGmaSU4pQVEbQQTDWnMPSk8wZNR
hz5PGHQwbe9VGOsTvTC6PzQFjR3A55McI87gzvGpjAGq9Nm2Y19Am3ZfXn3nnrjEbsyiaTAyx5OlH9k
fyofUfrh41ii7MJR49ai3I&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinhZmRtIiJAxWucaQEHewbFiMQtKgLegQIDxAB&cshi
d=1728721159646957&biw=1366&bih=580&dpr=1#vhid=jwMttzXW4jN0UM&vssid=mosaic

Figure 6. Religion and peacebuilding.

Source:https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7d18109a394306ad&sxsrf=ADLYWIIrK1DsIX3h8Q9KB
PpHLd3MmA5Rrg:1728721151480&q=images+on+the+way+of+salvation+and+peace+by+wikipedia&ud
m=2&fbs=AEQNm0A2qeMemLzzt_2BVemHLFNuCSl5jMwuDXSDytcTb5xODqo_tJpGmaSU4pQVEbQ
QTDWnMPSk8wZNRhz5PGHQwbe9VGOsTvTC6PzQFjR3A55McI87gzvGpjAGq9Nm2Y19Am3ZfXn3n
nrjEbsyiaTAyx5OlH9kfyofUfrh41ii7MJR49ai3I&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinhZmRtIiJAxWucaQEHewbFiM
QtKgLegQIDxAB&cshid=1728721159646957&biw=1366&bih=580&dpr=1#vhid=yE7c1rGfCqCupM&vss
id=mosaic

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