“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” — Acts 2:38 (BSB)
“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.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (BSB)
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” — Galatians 3:27 (BSB)
“But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but born of God.” — John 1:12–13 (BSB)
Baptism is the sacramental means by which we are formally joined to Christ’s death and resurrection. Galatians 3:27 tells us that in baptism, we “clothe ourselves with Christ.” It is not magic, nor is it optional; it is a visible sign of God’s grace and a means through which the Spirit works. In the words of Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, “Salvation is not just a private event but a new identity in Christ, publicly declared and sacramentally sealed.”
The Anglican tradition holds that salvation involves the whole person—mind, body, and soul—and it unfolds in the life of the Church. As the Book of Common Prayer states in the baptismal rite: “Seeing now that this Child is regenerate, and grafted into the body of Christ’s Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God.” God uses means—His Word preached, the sacraments, prayer, and Christian fellowship—to apply salvation to our lives.
Another trusted voice, Canon Dr. John Stott, Anglican evangelical and preacher, once explained: “We receive salvation by trusting in Christ, resting on His promises, and responding to His call. But this faith is not static—it leads to obedience, love, and worship.” The presence of the Holy Spirit is what assures us that we have truly been born again and are being sanctified.
Finally, salvation must be personally received but never in isolation. As Bishop Keith Ackerman of the Forward in Faith movement reminds us, “Salvation incorporates us into the body of Christ, the Church, where we are nurtured and formed as disciples of the risen Lord.” Receiving salvation means entering a lifelong relationship with God, nurtured in the community of believers, with our eyes fixed on the hope of glory.
Justin affirms both repentance and baptism as part of receiving salvation.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) said: “Faith is the mother of salvation; it opens the door to life, and through baptism and the Spirit, we are reborn to God.” — Against Heresies, 4.34.1
Irenaeus links faith with baptism and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) taught: “Receive the faith and sign yourself with the cross. Be ready for the bath of regeneration… and believe with full confidence that you will receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.” — Catechetical Lectures, 1.3
Cyril connects salvation to the faith-filled reception of baptism and the Spirit’s work.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) wrote: “Salvation comes by grace through faith, not of ourselves. Yet even the faith by which we believe is itself a gift from God.” — On the Spirit and the Letter, 32
Augustine emphasizes God’s initiative in both providing and enabling our reception of salvation.
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD) proclaimed: “Believe, and you shall be saved. But not merely in the head—believe with the heart, that faith might produce fruit.” — Homily on Romans 10
Chrysostom stresses that true saving faith involves the whole person and results in transformation.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
