At What Point is a Person Saved?

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: James 2:14-24

I. Different views of the point at which salvation occurs

A. Before belief

B. Some believe that before He created the earth God chose certain individuals to obtain salvation leaving the others without any chance of salvation. In this system, only those who have been chosen will be changed from corrupt men by the direct work of the Holy Spirit and given the ability to believe the gospel. This conflicts with God’s justice and His will for man (2 Peter 3:9) The choice to obtain salvation is with man, not God (Luke 13:3)

C. After belief

D. Some believe that salvation occurs when a person realizes that Jesus is God’s Son and accepts that He died to save us. John 3:16 would support this if it were the only scripture on salvation.

E. In fact, the scripture teaches that more than belief is needed for salvation.

F. Insufficiency of salvation by faith only

G. James 2:19 – The demons believe but it does them no good. John 12:42-43 – Some who believed but would not confess him James 2:24 – Not by faith only

H. Faith must be accompanied by obedience

I. James 2:20-23, 26 – Faith without works is dead Hebrews 11:30 – By faith the walls of Jericho fell when people acted

J. At confession

K. Some argue that a person is saved when he confesses Jesus as God’s son.

L. Matthew 10:32 – Necessary for God’s favor Romans 10:9-10 – Believe and confession for salvation

M. Confession is a necessary step for salvation but not the only step

N. In Romans 10, repentance is not mentioned but those who say one must believe and confess in order to be saved will also argue that one must repent in order to be saved. As with belief, if this were the only passage that discussed salvation then only belief and confession would be necessary for salvation. In a moment we will see how there are many things that link to salvation.

O. NOTE: Everyone acknowledges repentance as necessary for salvation but does not accomplish it alone.

P. At baptism

Q. Those who hold this view teach that baptism is the culmination of the previous steps and that after one is immersed in water his sins are removed. Jesus taught baptism as a prerequisite for salvation: Matthew 28:19

II. Harmonizing the gospel message

A. If we want to understand this most important of all Bible subjects, we must take everything the Bible says about the subject of salvation

B. The Word of God saves (James 1:21) The Gospel saves (Romans 1:16) The blood of Christ saves (Hebrews 9:14) The life and death of Christ saves (Romans 5:10) Heeding the doctrine of God saves (I Timothy 4:16) Belief saves (John 3:16) Repentance saves (Luke 13:3) Confession saves (Romans 10:10) Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21) Works save (James 2:24) The mercy of God saves (Titus 3:4-5)

C. We cannot pick the items on the list that we want and exclude the others; they all belong together and are connected to the conversion of the sinner to a child of God.

D. To further demonstrate the problem of selective obedience, some of these things are linked together; for example baptism:

E. Linked to belief

F. Mark 16:15-16

G. Belief and baptism are linked by the conjunction “and” Both are steps leading to the result: salvation

H. Jesus further illustrates the importance of both by removing one part

I. If one does not believe then baptism is useless for salvation The reverse proposition must be true: that if one believes but is not baptized he will not be saved. If 1 + 1 = 2; therefore, _ + 1 = (not 2) cannot have 1 + _ = 2

J. Acts 8:12 – when they believed, they were baptized (note that confession and repentance are not mentioned here) In these instances—and all accounts of Bible conversion—belief precedes baptism. We do not baptize infants for they cannot believe in order to be baptized; belief comes first and they have no sins to wash away

K. Linked to repentance

L. Acts 2:38

M. The multitude had been convinced of their guilt of killing Jesus and Peter offered them hope for escaping God’s wrath. Like Mark 16:16, the two commands are linked by “and” making them a unit necessary to accomplish the desired result: salvation

N. Does “for” mean “because sins have been remitted”

O. Conflicts with a parallel passage: Matthew 26:28 (Was Jesus’ blood shed because sins had already been remitted?)“In order to have remission of sins” applies to both repentance and baptism; to argue differently would mean that one sins have already been remitted before they have turned from them!

P. As with belief, repentance comes before baptism

Q. Linked to confession

R. Acts 8:35-39 – Example of confession and baptism

S. The eunuch asked what obstacle stood between him and baptism Philip said that if he believed, he could be baptized. The eunuch confessed his belief in Christ, the hindrance was removed and he was baptized. As with belief and repentance, confession precedes baptism

T. In all of these passages (and more we could consider) belief, confession, repentance, and baptism are all linked together not opposing one another.

III. Does it really matter? (over chart of all that connects salvation)

A. We must first ask, “Does it really matter if we do all that God has commanded one to do in order to be saved?”

B. If it does not matter, what we do, does it matter if we do anything at all? If we say one must do something, on what grounds can we say one thing is required but others are optional?

C. The second question we must ask is “Why would I not want to do something that the Bible says is necessary in order to be saved?”

D. Is it pride or arrogance that will prevent me from doing something when I do not know “how” God accomplishes salvation through a specific act? Is it prejudice against certain commands because, despite what is clearly revealed, someone says that you do not have to do it?

E. The last question we must ask is “Is it so difficult for one who wants to please God to do all these things in order to be saved?”

IV. Conclusion: The question for you today is will you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and confess it before men, turn away from your sins and disobedience, and be baptized into Jesus so your sins can be washed away and inherit eternal life? Only you can answer the question and only you will be held accountable for your answer.