For months now I have been examining the Bible more closely and looking at what might be tradition versus God’s truth. Some of you might remember that during the Christmas season I wrote an article on many things we think are true about Christmas, but are not really in the Bible. I have found that some denominations have developed their own beliefs maybe based on one Bible verse, but never took the time to look at the verse in context or to find other verses in the Bible to support their beliefs. It is sad that many people say they are Christians, but do not read their Bibles unless in church. We don’t need to be Bible scholars, but we do need to study our Bible to learn about God, His character, and His truth. It is important to delve into Scriptures to deepen our relationship with Christ and to ensure we know His instructions through His Word.
Lately, I have been challenged by some Bible verses in respect to the timing of salvation, so I have had to dig deeper to find the truth. Since I became a Christian, I have been taught that salvation happens at the time when we accept Christ into our lives, however verses like, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” (see Philippians 2:12), and “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved,” (see Romans 10:9) have made me look at more Bible verses to see when salvation takes place. Why do we have to “work out our own salvation” if we already have it? Is this working out of salvation sanctification which leads to salvation? And, look at the tense of “will be saved” in Romans 10:9 which is future tense, while the others are present tense.
In this article I am not going to have a conclusion, but I would like to hear your thoughts on these Bible verses. First, I will share the Bible verses that are used to support salvation at the time of receiving Christ and then I will share some that I found that point to salvation coming later.
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:37-41
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26
Two of the above passages do not mention salvation or being saved specifically. The following are some verses I found which support that salvation comes later after repenting, accepting Christ and sanctification.
That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
Well, what do you think? Will we receive salvation at the end of our faith? Why are we hoping for salvation if we as believers already have it? Why was Paul enduring all things for the sake of the elect for them to obtain salvation if they have already received salvation? Do we have to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit to receive salvation as God’s chosen? Please let me know what you think after reading these Bible verses.
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