what the Bible says about Salvation

The heart should be the very last thing we trust¹⁴⁵⁸¹⁰. It is where evil thoughts and deeds are spawned⁶⁷. What’s worse, our heart/mind can deceive us¹⁴ into thinking we are doing right. This isn’t to say that man is inherently sinful or “totally depraved”¹². Rather, we must focus on God’s will and not our own^259101112 and should be asking God for help³ and wisdom⁷ to understand His word⁹ better. Anything less is to “judge by appearances” which Jesus explicitly commands not to do¹¹.

Not a single passage describes a “sinner’s prayer” or any prayer related to or connected with one’s being saved or converted. The only passage most used to justify such a prayer¹ actually qualifies “calling on the Lord” not as any sort of prayer. Rather, Paul¹ ties it to belief (heart) and confession (mouth). Further, we see the phrase used again by Paul² to describe the ongoing worship that the saved engage in as a local church. Indeed, we can go to other passages to see a more complete definition, including Paul’s own conversion. There is no such thing as a “sinner’s prayer” in Scripture! And take heed, Jesus warns that there will be those who think they are justified in “calling on the name of the Lord”, but they will be condemned³.

An individual must hear the gospel in order to know God’s will¹⁶⁷⁸. Not only does Paul tell us this plainly in his letters, but we see it played out in conversion stories in Scripture²³⁴⁵. Interestingly, we see visions playing a role in all of these examples²³⁴ – even visions of Jesus, Himself⁵ – yet, in every case the fundamental pattern¹ is followed (e.g. preacher sent, hearers hear, believers “call on him“⁸), thus fulfilling what Isaiah writes, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”¹

Baptism is for, not because of, the forgiveness of sins¹. This is consistent with the purpose of John’s baptism³ that prepared the way. Jesus’ blood fulfills the requirement¹⁰ and is the cleansing agent²⁵⁷⁸⁹ of sin. It is only through “death” (e.g. baptism) that an individual contacts His blood⁶⁷. It’s just as Paul asked rhetorically, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”⁶ and why Peter directly linked baptism to what saves us⁴.

If we are to follow all Scripture without Scripture weighting, we understand that what saves you eternally is not simply one thing. It’s not grace³ (alone). It’s not faith¹² (alone). It’s not baptism⁵ (alone). It’s all of these together, plus more^{467891011121314151617181920}!! If “The sum of your word is truth” (Psalms 119:160), then any contextual relevant passage must be included in what saves you. Likewise, if any single part is missing, then you are not saved.

What saves you eternally is all made possible by, and starts with, God’s grace³. Specifically, the gift of His Son^1171819. But that gift can be accepted (or rejected) by initially believing^234121819 in Him. We also see the necessity for obedience to His word^{12368911121314151617} by continuing to “walk in the light”²¹. We see the working/setting apart by the Holy Spirit⁷⁸¹³¹⁴. We also repeatedly see the critical role that baptism plays⁵¹⁵. Baptism is never presented as anything optional or ceremonial. Along with belief and confession² with an open heart¹⁰, it is one of the very first acts of obedience⁴⁷⁸¹⁵. Just as Paul emphasizes grace in one passage³, Peter (and Jesus¹⁵) emphasizes baptism in another⁵.

God has made provision for our salvation^{1236781014161718} to all the world; things we can only understand from His word^2910111316. It’s up to each of us to respond^{123456891011131415161819} and remain faithful until the end²⁰.