SALVATION: CONDITIONAL AND ETERNAL

SALVATION:ETERNAL AND CONDITIONAL

In response to a discussion about salvation in Christ and the possibility of falling from grace this article is written to show what the Bible teaches concerning the destiny of man and the promise of eternal life to those who are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

How do we know of our need for salvation and the provision which God has given in His
bountiful grace? Titus 2:11; Rom 3:23; 6:23

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

II Thessalonian 2: 14 “...salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
where unto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Mark 16:15-16 Go ye into all the world, and preach to gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

From these we see that the gospel is and essential and initial part of the hope offered to a lost and dying mankind. Not just any message but a specific unaltered message is necessary. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. BUT THOUGH WE, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL UNTO YOU THAN THAT WHICH WE HAVE PREACHED UNTO YOU, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.” Repeated for emphasis Galatians 1:6-9.

Paul also confirms this necessary message in Romans 10:14-16. It must be heard and obeyed from the heart. From these few verses we learn that the gospel must be preached, heard, believed and obeyed. Without any further evidence it is clear that there are conditions required by God for the salvation of men. Is this all there is?? If we only consult certain favorite verses offered by men we will be left without the whole truth a revealed in the Bible. Paul preached the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). This is what we must accept to truly be a disciple and saved in Christ.

“And he said unto them, This it is written, and thus it behooved 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 24:46-47

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Mt 28:18-20.

These verses with Mark 16 record the last words of Jesus before He ascended from the Mount of Olives to sit on the right hand of the Father. They are marching orders, instructions for preaching the message of salvation to all mankind until the end of the world. Often men with good intentions tell of a message that excludes some of what Jesus said. We must be careful to follow Jesus and not the ideas of men. In addition to hearing the gospel men must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, repent of their sins and be immersed in water before having hope of eternal life. This is not merely my opinion nor is it some church's human guidelines, but it is the word of God which you can read for yourself. Many deny these conditions as being works of merit by which we earn salvation. First they are commands of God. They are not works of merit but are commands we obey from the heart by faith accepting the revealed will of God. Romans 6:16-18
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10. it is possible to perform certain tasks with the wrong intent but you cannot obey from the heart and claim merit.

The question remains, Do the scriptures teach that salvation is conditional or unconditional upon man's part. Some would say that justification is by faith only without any works of obedience. Such error results from a misreading of Paul to the Romans particularly in Chapter four. Paul surely condemned those who tried to bind the law of Moses on those who sought Christ in the new Covenant. Paul also declared that there is a law of faith Rom 3:27. The law of faith is not without obedience, including repentance and baptism. Faith without works is dead. James 2:26 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and NOT BY FAITH ONLY.” James 2:24.

At this point rejection of conditions results from following the unbiblical human wisdom often called reformation theology. Augustine, Luther and Calvin formulated a system of doctrine which has plagued the true faith of followers of Christ for many centuries. The heart of that theology is expressed in the doctrines called TOTAL Depravity, Unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and perseverance of the saints. If any one of the presuppositions are true they all are true and also if any are false, all are false.

The first, total depravity falls in the face of truth spoken to Ezekiel (18:20) “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”

The last, perseverance of the saints or “once saved always saved” likewise will not stand the test of truth. “For is AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, that after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them' II Peter 2:20-21.

As set out from the start, I have shown simply how salvation is eternal and conditional. The eternal salvation is promised to whosoever will come to Christ. (Rev 22:17) If salvation is unconditional then it is also universal (none lost). It is the will of God that all men be saved and that none perish. (II Pet 3:9). If it depends only on the will of God, all will be saved. It is dependent upon the will of men to chose or reject salvation. (Acts 17:30-31; John 7:17). Grace has been offered to all mankind (Titus 2:11) on the condition that they will diligently seek Him (Heb 11:1-6) by faith, believing and obeying. It is human wisdom that rejects these plain words revealed in Scripture.

Repentance from sins is essential to remission Luke 13:3-5; 24:47.
Immersion in water in the name of the Lord is essential for remission of sins. Acts 2:38.
Please search these passage and see obedience of faith is more that just believing.
Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:32-38; Romans 6:1-4; 16-18; into Christ Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 4:1-6 one baptism; Colosian 2:11-12; John 3:5; Titus 3:5 water and spirit; I Peter 3:21 and others.

It is possible to fall from grace: John 15:9-10 (v.2) Luke 8:11-15; Matt 7:21-23; I Tim 1:19; I Tim 4:1 fall away; I Tim 5:8 deny faith; I Tim 5:11-12; I Tim 6:20-21; Hebrews 3:12; II Peter 3:17; I Corinthians 10:12 take heed lest ye fall.
Please consider what is written in the Bible and be pleasing to Him.
Thanks for reading. I will assist you any way possible with questions or study.
Donald Raby deraby at att.net