The first Christians believed that salvation came as a gift from God.

• A. salvation through merit
• B. salvation by works
• C. salvation through strict law-keeping
• D. salvation came as a gift from God

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is that salvation in early Christianity is understood as a gift from God, rooted in grace rather than human effort. This means God takes the initiative to save, and people receive that salvation through faith and repentance rather than earning it through merit or strict rule-keeping. Early Christian teaching often emphasizes that salvation is not earned by works, but given by God’s mercy and accepted by individuals through faith, sometimes expressed in baptism and continual fidelity.

The other descriptions imply a merit-based or works-based path to salvation—earning it through good deeds, strict adherence to laws, or a combination of works with faith. While obedience and ethical living flow from genuine faith and gratitude, they are not presented as the means to earn salvation itself. Therefore, describing salvation as a gift from God best matches the early Christian understanding of grace as the decisive factor in salvation.