Frequently Asked Questions

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Go to 4 different denominational churches and get 4 different answers. Why is this so hard to answer? Many scriptures answer this question. Acts 2:37 phrases the question in this exact form. The answer there was to repent and be baptized for (unto) the remission of sins. But what about Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized. Or how about Matthew 10:22 he that endures to the end. Acts 2:21 whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

I think this is the root of the problem in understanding the question; What must I do to be saved? People get the impression that there is just one thing they need to do in order to be saved and then it's a done deal. Not So!

You must hear the word, believe, repent of your sin, confess Jesus Christ is the Son of God, be buried in Christ's death through baptism and live righteously to the end. "What is the plan of Salvation?"

The word saved is a past tense word, which indicates something that has happen to you.

Definition of the suffix “ed”

ed (1) Used to form the past tense of regular verbs: tasted.

You are saved but only up to your present condition. To be saved eternally would be a future event that will be determined when we die, looking to our pass life.

Let me give you an example. Say you are in a burning building. A fireman tells you “you shall be saved”. This is a past tense phrase used for a future condition. He comes and rescues you and you are safely on the ground. You say, “you saved” my life. This is past tense. I have been “saved”. This is past tense. You then turn walking away waving goodbye not paying attention walk back into the build as it collapses, killing you. In a class for fireman, they are taught, people “are saved” from fires by firemen. But after they “are saved” from the fire they have to stay away from reenter the fire until there is no more fire.

Most verses clarify "saved", as “shall be saved”.

Look at what the word shall,means.

Definition for Shall shall (shl) Used before a verb in the infinitive to show: Something that will take place or exist in the future: We shall arrive tomorrow.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Notice in Mark 16:16.He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Now answer this. Those who believeth not, are they damned right away? Is it over for them from that point on? - No, not until they die. If they change their believe before they die, and fulfill the complete plan of salvation, then they will be saved. They are damned if they continue to not believe until the day they die. Same thing, they are saved as long as they continue to believe until the day they die. If they change their ways before they die than they too will be damned.

In this verse "shall be saved" and "shall be damned" will happen at the same time (When you die). You are saved if you believe and are baptized and damned if you believe not.

There are a few verses that could mislead someone to believe “saved” is something that is from now and forever.

1Co.15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

At first this verse could mislead one to think, “are saved,” means presently and forever, but notice what the next word is. “IF” This clarifies the word “saved” as again being something only up to the present condition.

Other verses use the wording “are saved” but they are referring to what your condition will be if you continue to obey Gods commandments. There are to many verses which deny the condition of never becoming, never being able to change your fate. We have an example of someone being saved and then the sin enters in and he is told he would perish with his money. That's right Simon the sorcerer. In Acts 8:9 Simon has not yet believed nor has he been baptized.

Ac 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

Simon was taught or heard the word and believed and was baptized.

Ac 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now Simon witnessed Philip performing miracles. Philip was not an apostle and could not pass the gift on. When the apostle heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to lay there hands on them so the Holy Ghost would be given.

Acts8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

This is when Simon sinned, he not only want what Philip had but wanted the power to pass the gift of the Holy Ghost on to others. This lust and desire he had was a sin. He covet the gifts of the Apostles and offered money for them. I'm sure he was thinking he could sell these gifts.

Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19) Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

This sin separated him from God. God forsake him just as he did Jesus when the sins of the world was on him.

Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Not only did he not receive the gift to pass on the Holy Spirit, he received no gifts either.

Acts 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22) Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23) For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Now because he was baptized and because Jesus die for him, he has the mercy of God if he repents for the sin he committed. This is were many people fall short of the truth. He can sin, fall from grace or have God to forsake us due to the sin, but through Jesus Christ we can receive forgiveness of that sin and be reconciled or made whole again. It's not automatic. You must repent from every sin and pray for forgiveness just like the example above shows us. Grace and Mercy is something we receive in prayer when we ask for forgiveness. There is no more Grace and mercy after we die.

Being saved is something that happens when this life is over. Being in a saved state of presents is something that has to be endured to the end. (Matthew 10:22)

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.

It's a race as the writer of Hebrews puts it. (Hebrews 12:1)

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Another misconception people have is the meaning of the word BELIEVE. Webster defines believe - to accept as true, genuine, or real. This is not what the original Greek word means. Strong’s translates the Greek word “pisteuo” <4102> below:

100 pisteuw pisteuo pist-yoo’ -o from 4102; TDNT-6:174 , 849; v King James-believe 239, commit unto 4, commit to (one’s) trust 1, be committed unto 1, be put in trust with 1, be commit to one’s trust 1, believer 1; 248

Commit unto is not, something you do once and than it's a done deal.

This is the same thinking that misleads people in believing that they can not fall from grace. Thinking, "elieving only" saves them and that nothing can change their salvation. There are just to many scripture that tell us we can fall from grace.

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