Beth-El Baptist Church

07/17/2011

Greg Tomlinson


Can anyone be saved?


There are actually three ways to understand this question. The first, based upon the teaching of Harold Camping of Family Radio, is whether or not the time of salvation has ended and all who will be saved have already been saved. The second way to understand the question is in regards to the type of people that God will save. That is to say can certain people who have committed certain sins (rape, murder, genocide, homosexuality, adultery, suicide, Islamic faithful, etc.) be considered candidates for salvation. The third way to understand the question is in regards to the types of effort to be extended. Some people view salvation as being equally available to every person and the difference between the saved and the unsaved can be found in the mind, wisdom, and experiences of the individual. Others view salvation as being a divine work of God in which the individual has nothing to do with their own salvation but all can be found in the hand of God.


  1. Has the time for being saved come to an end?

Hebrews 3:12-15 2 Corinthians 6:2

2 Timothy 4:1-5 Luk3 19:13


As the scriptures state, “now is the day of salvation”. There is no timeline given by scripture as to when teaching and preaching the Word of God should end. We are told to “occupy” until he returns. We are told to “preach the word” regardless of the time. As far as I understand the scriptures, there is absolutely NO reason to believe that God has given up on the possibility for people to be saved yet. We are to continue until he finishes.


  1. What does it take to be saved?

Romans 10:13-15 Philippians 3:8-11

Romans 8:29-30 Luke 18:13-14

John 17:3


In order to be saved, one must believe in the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Note that the scriptures state that all that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. In order to be saved, one must call upon the name of the Lord. This means that the person must recognize his own weakness and his own ability to save himself. He must cry out to God for mercy through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.


  1. Who decides whether one is saved or not?

Matthew 19:23-26 John 6:37-45

1 Corinthians 4:1-4 Romans 9:15-16

John 1:11-13


It is impossible for a person to save himself, it is up to God through Christ to save. It is God who does that saving. It is God who does the deciding.


  1. What is my part in the salvation process?

Acts 16:30-31 Romans 10:9-11

Luke 18:13-14


My part in the saving process is to humble myself before God and cry out to Him for mercy. No one deserves salvation but it is a gift of God by faith in Christ. The only way for faith in Christ to come about is to hear the preaching of the Word of God and for God to do a marvelous work in the life of an individual so that God might show him grace.


  1. Can I know for certain that I am saved?

John 20:31 1 John 5:12-14

Romans 8:16-17


It is the Word of God (the scriptures) that proclaim to us the truth about ourselves, God and Jesus. It is also the Word of God which aids our knowledge about the truth of our relationship with God. It is therefore possible to know if you have been saved by grace through faith.



  1. What am I saved from?

Romans 5:9-10 John 3:36

Revelation 20:6


The believer is saved from the outpouring of God's wrath upon him. Furthermore, the believer is saved from the second death – eternal condemnation in the lake of fire.