“And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?” Luke 18:26
The doctrine of salvation is the most critical of all Bible subjects because it determines our eternal destiny. People want to know whether they are going to heaven or hell. It is obvious, then, if they have any sensitivity toward their souls, that they understand this doctrine very thoroughly. People also want to know if their loved ones are saved. This makes any pronouncement of yea or nay extremely important to them.
We need to make our mandate clear. We are not and cannot become someone else’s judge. The most unfair question people ask of us it: “Are you saying that I am not saved?” Our answer must be: “I can only point you to the scriptures. Read and obey the Bible.”
Here are some statements by an Apostolic Scholar, Brother David Bernard. “We do not reject those who have not had the N. T. experience, but simply encourage them to receive what God has for them.” Also, “We do not presume to play God or to judge anyone’s ultimate salvation on our own authority. However, we can and must present the Word of God.” The New Birth, David Bernard, WAP, 1984
There are a number of perspectives from which we need to view the doctrine of salvation. Here are the most basic questions that need to be answered:
What is salvation?
There are past, present and future implications to this concept. There are also specific terms of salvation discussed in the Bible. We will confine our study to these specific terms because they bring the added weight of scripture to our teaching. It is one thing to speak your opinion. It is very different, and far more powerful, to say, “This is what the Bible says.”
Accepted by God.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Admission into heaven.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Escaping the fires of hell.
Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Who saves us?
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Who can be saved?
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Acts 15:7-9 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
How was salvation accomplished?
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
What must a person do to be saved?
As we study these scriptures, we will find that there is human, individual and personal responsibility to obtaining salvation. We must never think that we can save ourselves, but rather that we have a duty to respond to Christ’s invitation to salvation and obey his instructions for salvation.
If we do not believe that we have any responsibility in salvation, then we, in effect are saying that we do not need to respond to the grace of God and that we can disobey the Word of God. This can be either active or passive. We can either actively reject and rebel against any instructions God gives us to be saved or we can passively fail to do anything at all. Either way leads to the same outcome.
The Word of God is necessary for salvation.
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
The name of Jesus is necessary for salvation.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Believing on Christ is necessary for salvation.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Openly confessing Christ is necessary for salvation.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Repentance is necessary for salvation.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (In context: verses 37, 40 and 47.)
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Baptism is necessary for salvation.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The Spirit infilling is necessary for salvation.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Acts 2:38)
Living a righteous, overcoming life is necessary to salvation.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Faithfulness to the end is necessary for salvation.
Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Who will not be saved?
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Revelations 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
In the final analysis, salvation is not to be seen legalistically, but as a marvelous experience with God! Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.