What Is True Salvation In The Bible?

Acts 2:21
And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Not necessarily. The way their spiritual condition is described, that description is more appropriate for a group of professing Christians, but unconverted people.

• wretched
• miserable
• poor
• blind
• naked

How can someone clothed with the robe of the righteousness of Christ be called "naked"? The "white raiment" Christ offers is imputed righteousness.
How can someone having the Holy Spirit within be called "blind"? The "eyesalve" Christ offers is the Holy Spirit.
How can someone having the riches of Christ be called "poor"?
How can someone having the assurance of salvation be called "miserable"?
How can some saved from Hell be called "wretched"?

ROMANS 10: CALLING UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD TO BE SAVED
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed*.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What does Isaiah 47:17 (probably alluded to in verse 11) say? But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

So whosoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, and shall not be ashamed. This is all about the grace of God, not someone trying to keep themselves saved. We are saved "in the LORD".

A church is of saved, baptised believers. That is what a church is. Unconverted people in a church aren't part of it. Simple as that.

Its not a building. It's the converted, baptised people who meet there.

Proof? The church at Corinth is called the body of Christ.

Not necessarily. It was "the church at Laodicea" just like any gathering anywhere today. Now there are millions in this world who are all professing Christians, have even been baptized as babies, and do attend a church and have church membership. But they are not all regenerated and having the Holy Spirit within.

Why would Christ call a genuine Christian "naked" and offer that person a "white raiment"? What is this white raiment "clean and white"? What about the man who did not have on a "wedding garment"? What was that wedding garment? These are all the questions which people should be asking. And finally why was Christ standing outside and knocking on the door of each one's heart, if He was already within?

Because in context He is knocking on the door of the local church.. it's about church membership. Revelation 3:20 is not a verse about eternal salvation but becoming a member of a church.

Getting saved is not in the context.

This is about a luke warm church, of saved baptised believers overcoming issues. Any christian can be luke warm and need to overcome things to be pure in the faith. The church of Loadicea is a church characterised by lukewarmness that needs to overcome.

The 'candlestick' in this.. is not the place of the Holy Spirit in an individual's heart.. but the place of the Holy Spirit in the midst of a church. The Holy Spirit will not leave an individual.. but can leave a church and no longer call it one of His own.

righteousness
Romans 11:6 is correct. In Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of works which we have done in righteousness , but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

There are two types of works: There are "works of righteousness" which cannot save us according to Titus 3:5. But there are also "works of Faith": 1 Thessalonians 1:3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of LOVE and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father and 2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,

Without "works of faith" we cannot please God!

Wayne

Hi Wayne (@WayneKCobb), you mentioned that there are two types of works, "works of righteousness" and "works of faith". I'm hoping that you will go one step farther and give us a few practical examples of each of these so that we can see what you mean (IOW, please list the kind of things or works that you consider to be, "works of righteousness", as well the kinds of things/works that you consider to be "works of faith").

Also, I'm not sure whether this matters or not, but the noun that we translate as "work" in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2 Thessalonians 2:11 is singular, not plural (IOW, both verses speak of a "work of faith", not "works of faith"). As such, as a singular "work" that is, it does seem to harken back to something that the Lord Jesus said in the Gospel of John.


I have a couple of other questions for you, but this seems like enough for now

Thanks

God bless you!

~Deuteronomy
p.s. - as a final point of interest and then a question too, I noticed Paul using his oft repeated theme of "faith, hope and love" again in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. My question is, did that fact play any part in the conclusions that you came to concerning v3?

Thanks again

You are trying to avoid the plain meaning of what Christ said to this church. Those words are not applicable to genuine believers. And if you think they are go ahead and show us how. You also did not address any of my questions.

I agree with you that nobody is saved by their works. We see the context is referring to salvation here.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Have you ever heard of "a labor of love?"
Of course you have.
It comes from that same verse KJV.
A BELIEVER does not work to maintain salvation any more than an unbeliever works to get saved.
A saved person labors because of love for and faith in Jesus Christ. Motive is love and faith. Jesus will reward those believers accordingly.

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Works of righteousness would be the result of the work of faith in someone. See Ephesians 2:8-10.

The term Lord has a meaning

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (?this man’s house doesn’t fall when tested )


But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”( this man’s house is destroyed )
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:46-49‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus being lord has a meaning it sounds about like this

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-

I’m not sure who we say is lord is everything I think it’s who we serve as lord as well if

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,


or of obedience unto righteousness?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I could say Jesus is lord but then serve the devils Will d I’m showing who my lord is faith is it doesn’t have any action with it isn’t complete

Scripture does not contradict itself.

So firstly we must take the meaning of Romans 10 to heart and simply believe it. Those who sincerely call upon the name of the Lord to be saved will also do what the Lord commands. But what you cannot grasp (like some others) is that SALVATION IS THE FREE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE. Period. You can do nothing to maintain your salvation, just as you could do nothing to earn it. It is all purely of grace.

yes I understand scriptire doesn’t contradict itself i also inderstand one scripture doesn’t omit the rest so

this is true as well but a my point

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:4-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Gods grace teaches this repentance and obedience and accepts it and follows after it it doesn’t say “ grace means it’s not true “ grace teaches repentance because without it there’s no salvation

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;( Gods grace teaches us to repent and live right now )


looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Grace doesn’t erase repentance and obedience it brings us to it if we don’t resist and explain how repentance and doing what he said isn’t part of it it’s when we start accepting the truth that repentance comes from God

“in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have to accept it we have to stop sinning and start living right it’s not a second thought it’s something we have to first hear and believe but we can’t because when we hear it we reject it

“‬‬

The reason is because we have to be judged by what we do and say so we need to repent now before it’s too late if we repent we have remission of sins and won’t have to pay for them

repentance is a Gift of grace through faith as well brother we have to hear about it though and not reject it’s central place on doctrine

“and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:46-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus came to call us to repentance and salvstion all we have to do is listen to God and follow in trust like man never does

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

because he knows the truth

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

and doesn’t want it to happen to us

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭KJV

But we then say “ no we’re saved by grace only nothing else “ the scripture doesn’t contradict itself “

It does often contradict our conclusions though we are saved by grace and through faith

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Saying grace doesn’t erase anything it’s all true and it’s all coming to us because god is gracious tonus like he was to Noah when he told him the truth so he could be saved through faith

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬
L

rhe condition of salvstion is to accept it as Jesus offered it freely to believers who hears and believe his word

Precious friend, isn't the "cart before the horse"? Because, as you posted here:

"I Acknowledged My Sin Unto Thee, And My Iniquity Have I Not Hid:

Must not this take place, first, before "there can be any love"? Thus:

'Forgiveness of sin' is the "Real" salvation issue. Until God's OPERATION Is
Performed, And The Holy Spirit Indwells the new believer, then, Next Is:

Then, and only then, can the new believer In Christ's Shed BLOOD, and Resurrection,
According To Scriptures, "fulfill all the ( Old works ) law" with God's New Law ( of
'faith' ), which "worketh by Love." (Romans 3:27; Galatians 5:6):

Christ Living In us, To:

Then this, as well as the next doctrine below, prepares believers for
"rewards ( not 'salvation' ) for good works" At The Bema Judgment Seat, As
God Tells us, both the "faithful and Unfaithful" members In Christ "shall be saved!"
(1 Corinthians 3:8-15)

@Walter said:
"As we along with others abide by the scriptures rightly divided unto God.

Love, Walter"

Amen, isn't this also, along with loving our neighbor, "Approved" (for
"rewards at Judgment"?):


Examples:

Basic Distinctions of prophecy and Mystery (1)
More Distinctions of prophecy and Mystery (2)

Bible Contrasts I
+
Bible Contrasts II

Precious friend(s), please Be Very Richly Edified and Encouraged In The LORD, and
In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!

That goes without saying. And they are two sides of the same coin. But every passage does not always mention both.

Excellent post, just want to add a little more.....Salvation, what would you trade fore it? This is a question you should ask yourself. The answer should be nothing.

Jesus says in Mark 8: 34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Look at verse 35 in Mark, For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. What life are you losing? That sinful life. If you pick up his cross and bare it, you put off that old man and put on the new. Verse 36, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Remember you cannot take anything with you into the next life. What shall you give in exchange for eternal life in the GOD family? Look what JESUS says here. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. So when you are being persecuted for the Word's sake, and you are ashamed instead of standing your ground, HE will be ashamed to mention you when he returns. Do you know what that means? You will hit the bottom of the Lake Of Fire.

Interesting Bro Tan.

Love, Walter and Debbie

amen but it’s all part of the same message

Paul

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The message is “ I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength “

But this doesn’t conflict with the basic general true statement “ we’re saved by grace through faith so no one can ever boast “ that they saved themself

But the faith part is important also

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this doesn’t mean we are t saved by grace either it’s just the faith part that says we’re going to live rather than die it’s like Jesus is promising in his words , what he paid for with his blood, if our faith is in him as we hear him it’s correcting our mind and perception of God “ working in us to change our Will and actions”

Like paul Peter says for us to be active in our salvation and calling

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

again we can believe we’re saved by grace and also this part that tells us we need to keep believing and hearing and walking by faith

This part

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8, 10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

doesnt conflict with this part a little later on the letter when Paul is stirring the believers up to repentance and right living . Notice as he concludes what he’s been saying about grace and inheritance ….he then gives this warning that no one can really avoid but to be affected by in the same letters conclusions

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬


You see Paul’s not saying “
Regardless of what you do your saved and that’s what grace means “ he’s saying this true grace saves us because it includes the call to repentance

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So when we read things say like this in the Bible elsewhere it’s in agreement and is actually the pet of grace that’s teaching us to repent and live right to ac try ally do the word we’re learning band so walk by our faith we believe from hearing the gospel

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:21-22‬ ‭

See whether it is Paul motivating the people to repent and obey by warning them about losing thier inheritance or james saying” actually do what your learning in the new word of the gospel or your only deceiving yourself “

What they are saying is the same things Jesus was saying “ hear what hes saying , and follow what you learn as you learn it and grow “

We dont have to start at the finish line but we need to start walking towards it

if you examine an epistle of Paul you’ll see he taught repentance and faith in God as well as telling us that Gods grace and forebearance is essential and the source of it all

what I mean is Gods grace is a concept that not only my forgives sinners past sins , Gods grace teaches us to put away sin from us and fill us with righteousness so our actions change also

Part of this message of grace that changes us is that we accept that there’s a whole new way for us to live and though we’re not perfect by any means we need to really give our heart and mind to God and his word so we can learn what he wants from us while we stand in grace and relationship with him