I am well aware that the definition of the words used in the English Bible have been changed in a way to lead people away from the truth, just like the word marriage has been redefined to mean something other than the union of a man and a woman.
That does not mean that the new English definition can rewrite scripture, it means that we must be diligent in finding out the true meaning of the words in scripture instead of relying on 21st century American English definitions of the words that were originally written in 17th century British English to translate 1st century Koine Greek.
Here is one of the many words translated as "gift" in 17th century British English:
_____
χάρισμα • (khárisma) (genitive χαρίσματος); n, third declension
A favourable disposition towards: grace, favor
A voluntary favourable act: favor, gift
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Many Christian influenced dictionaries will give a distorted definition based on the un-Biblical idea that the gift is given to someone that does not merit it.
However the truth is that the gift is given only because God is pleased, and the things that please God the most are love for Him, true humility, and true faith.
So, the way the scriptures are written show that the Apostles believed that
Salvation is a gift of God that is only given as a reward to those who earn it by pleasing God through their faith.