what the Bible says about Salvation

The heart should be the very last thing we trust^1,4,5,8,10. It is where evil thoughts and deeds are spawned^6,7. What’s worse, our heart/mind can deceive us^1,4 into thinking we are doing right. This isn’t to say that man is inherently sinful or “totally depraved”. Rather, we must focus on God’s will and not our own^2,5,9,10,11 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.

There is literally no passage that describes a “sinner’s prayer” or any prayer related to or connected with one’s being saved or converted. The only passage 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 in Paul’s own conversion. There is no such thing as a “sinner’s prayer” in Scripture! And take heed, Jesus actually warns that there will be those that 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 will^1,6,7,8. Not only does Paul tell us this plainly in his letters, but we see it played out in conversion stories in Scripture^2,3,4,5. Interestingly, we see visions playing a role in all of these examples^2,3,4 – 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, and is consistent with the purpose of John’s baptism³ that prepared the way. Jesus’ blood fulfills the requirement¹⁰ and is the cleansing agent^2,5,7,8,9 of sin. It is only through “death” (e.g. baptism) that an individual contacts His blood^6,7. 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 our salvation is not simply one thing. It’s not grace³ (alone). It’s not faith^1,2 (alone). It’s not baptism⁵ (alone). It’s all of these and more^{4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19}!! All of these have a part in what saves you; without any one you are not saved.

Yes, what saves you is all made possible and starts with God’s grace³. Specifically, the gift of His Son^1,17,18,19. However, that gift can be accepted (or rejected) by belief^2,4,12,18,19 in Him. We also see the necessity for obedience to His word^{1,2,3,6,8,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,17}. We see the working/setting apart by the Holy Spirit^7,8,13,14. We also repeatedly see the critical role that baptism plays^5,15. By the way, it’s 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 obedience^4,7,8,15. Just as Paul emphasizes grace in one passage³, Peter (and Jesus¹⁵) emphasizes baptism in another⁵.

God has made provision for our salvation^{1,2,3,6,7,8,10,14,16,17,18} to all the world; things we can only understand from His word^{2,9,10,11,13,16}. It’s up to each of us to respond^{1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11,13,14,15,16,18,19}.