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Common Misconceptions About Salvation
John R. Gentry
Thus far in our study of God’s plan for our salvation we have discussed 1) Our Need For Salvation, 2) Heaven And Hell, and 3) Christ, Creeds, Christians And The Church. In this article we want to look at a few of the more common misconceptions about God’s plan for our salvation.
Some Are Predestined To Be Saved, Others Are Not
This teaching comes from a misconception of passages such as Romans 8.29-30, Ephesians 1.1-14, etc. A close look at these passages shows that predestination refers to salvation being IN Jesus; predestination does not refer to our names being on some master list of the saved and the damned that God fashioned before forming man and the world. The truth from God’s word is that he is no respecter of persons (Acts 10.34-35; Romans 2.11; Ephesians 6.9; Colossians 3.25; 1 Peter 1.17). God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2.3-4; 2 Peter 3.9). God invites all people to receive his grace and mercy (Matthew 11.28; Revelation 22.17). “Chose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods (denominations or man-made religions, JRG) of your fathers...But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24.15).
We’re Saved By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone
Some denominations teach that this is a “most wholesome doctrine” and “full of comfort.” But it is not from God. This common teaching comes from a twisting of Ephesians 2.8 which actually states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” The word “alone” is inserted by man. As a matter of fact, the Bible states the exact opposite in James 2.24, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James also states, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder!” (2.19). Are you going to believe God or man? Certainly Ephesians 2.8 teaches us that grace and faith are essential to our salvation, but it does not say they are the only two thing necessary for salvation.
The Sinner's Prayer
A very popular means of teaching people how to be saved is to get them to repeat some kind of sinner’s prayer. The exact wording of the prayer varies from denomination to denomination. Did you know that the sinner’s prayer is not mentioned in the Bible? It’s true. Not a single person mentioned in all of the New Testament received the forgiveness their sins because they simply prayed to God for it. As a matter of fact in 1 Peter 3.12 we learn that God does not hear the prayers of sinners (that is to listen with the intent of answering). Some base their use of the sinners prayer on the passages that deal with calling on the name of the Lord to be saved (cf. Romans 10.13; Acts 22.16). But a close look at these passages will show that we call on the name of the Lord so as to be saved when we are baptized, not by repeating some sinners prayer! (See also 1 Peter 3.21.) If someone ever says you can be saved if you will repeat some set of words they have labeled as the sinner’s prayer, ask them to show you where a single person in the Bible was commanded to utter or was saved by repeating those same words. If they can’t put their index finger on the passage, you should not believe them!
We’re Saved By A Man, Not By A Plan
Whenever we mention God’s plan for our salvation, some immediately object and say that by submitting ourselves to some plan (which they claim we made up) we make void the shed blood of Jesus. These people fail to realize that the only way to escape the consequences of sin is to submit ourselves the plan and pattern that God has revealed to save us (Romans 6.17-18; 2 Timothy 1.13; Hebrews 8.5). Yes, we are saved by the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1.18-19), but we must do the will of God to go to Heaven (Matthew 7.21-23), and we will go to Hell if we do not obey the gospel, i.e. his plan for our salvation, (2 Thessalonians 1.7-9).
We Must Earn Our Salvation
Another misconception at the other end of the spectrum is that we must do something to earn or merit our salvation. The implication of such a teaching is that we must be good enough to go Heaven. That this is a false concept could not be stated any clearer than the words of Paul in Romans 3.20, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified…” Later in the same passage, Paul said that “all of have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” He then stated in 6.23 that “the wages of sin is death.” Truly God’s mercy and grace (his willingness to forgive our sins) is wholly unmerited and undeserved. It is his free gift to us (Romans 6.23; Ephesians 2.8-9; John 3.16; Romans 5.6-11; 2 Timothy 1.8-9; Titus 3.4-7). There is absolutely nothing we can do to ever deserve to receive forgiveness and spend an eternity in Heaven.
However, it would be equally as wrong to assume that we do not have to do anything at all in order to receive God’s grace. If so, then all people would be saved and no one would go to Hell. In the next few bulletins we will discuss what God has done to extend his grace and mercy to us and what he requires of those who would come to him to receive the blessings of this grace and mercy.
Galena Guardian
Vol. IX, No. 4, April 2007