You have probably heard it countless times, as I have: “Accept Christ as your personal savior!” Most who use this terminology have a misguided concept of what “accepting Christ” is. They usually have some form of the “sinner’s prayer” in mind. God’s word does not contain the “sinner’s prayer.” But aside from that, why is there such an emphasis on “personal” savior?
Your relationship with God certainly has a personal or individual aspect. Your own personal sins separate you from God. You personally become one of God’s children when you individually believe and obey the gospel of Christ. You will stand before God individually to be judged (2 Corinthians 5:10). To this degree, referring to Jesus as your “personal” savior is Biblical.
Using the expression “personal savior” became common, however, as certain religious leaders sought to play up the personal aspect of Christianity while downplaying any connection to the church. “You don’t need the church,” we were told. “You can just have a personal relationship with Jesus.” This fit perfectly with the anti-establishment mentality of the 1960s.
Scripture, however, teaches that your relationship with Christ is both personal and corporate. Acts 2:47 says that the Lord added the saved to the church. The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). He nourishes and cherishes the church (v. 29). Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it (v. 25). He is the savior, not just of the individual, but of the body (v. 23).
We see, then, that Jesus is not just our “personal” savior. When He saves us individually, He adds us to His church, which He loves, for which He died, and over which He is the head. You can no more have Christ without His church than you can have a head without a body!
“To [God] be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21).
