Bible Question: I have a question as to how and when a person is saved. What exactly must a person do inorder to be saved? Some people tell me that you must go before the chruch alter and profess Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour. I've also been told that making this profession where 3 or more gather in his name, will also save someone. Also, what about if one was Catholic from birth and went through the various practices of the Catholic religion up until adulthood. Then began practicing another religion. Was that person saved as a Catholic or were they never saved? I find this all very confusing. There is nothing worse than someone calling you a non-Christian when you thought you were. |
Bible Answer: In examining how to be saved, there are many different opinions. Perhaps if we could get this one figured out, we wouldn't have such division within the kingdom of God, but even with all the scriptures available, we still seem unable to clear it up. So here goes my shot: 1/ At the core is belief. We all would have heard Jn 3:16, and other scriptures like it, so we can generally agree that this is essential. Many would say that this is enough, but I would have to mention Jas 2:19. Then we need to read the whole passage to keep it in context. From this passage we can see that there is more involved than plain belief. NB: I should note that definitions of 'belief' vary, with some meanings even suggesting more than what is commonly held to be the definition. That brings me to the next step. 2/ Repentance: Here I would point to Acts 20:21 as an example of what the disciples were preaching in the early years in the church. The problems with this come when the decision to repent, and the actual change, merge into one. One is a choice, the other is a 'work'(which instantly troubles the group that believe in 'faith alone'.). Yet if we look at Acts 26:20 we see the choice and the deeds ARE clearly separate, though obviously connected. But as you can see, the theme of repentance continues throughout. So on to the next point. 3/ This is the one that causes the most controversy in the entire kingdom, but cannot be ignored. Baptism. Some consider it unnecessary, but I would point out that Acts 2:38 suggests that Baptism is essential for the forgiveness of sins. If that is so, then how 'not necessary'? Others call it symbolic, which in on sense it is, yet by downsizing the importance of it, we risk that it will become scorned and ignored, which is what has happened. Baptism is symbolic in the sense that it doesn't equate with what such a gift should cost us, but that doesn't change that fact it is still the pivotal point of salvation from all biblical accounts of the early church. If we look also at the historical accounts, it becomes even more clear. These then, are the building blocks I've found from studying the word, though I can almost guarantee others will suggest other ideas and scriptures. All I can suggest is doing the same as the Bereans (Acts 17:11). Check out all of it. One thing I should note. What I've written means nothing without the heart to love God, and love others. Because when all is said and done, thats what it's really about. |