Requirements of Salvation

February 1, 2006 by BA
Filed under: Doctrine 

This post is more of a queston than anything else.

The question is…what are the minimum requirements of salvation? The question is not meant in a manner of “what is the least amount I must do to be saved”. On the contrary, the question is meant to address traditions that may not be scriptural.

For example, some may say you must be baptized…some may say you must believe certain things, etc etc…

I am interested in hearing what other people may think.

I will post one statement along these lines. Do you have to believe in the Bible in order to be saved?

Now, I am one that believes the Bible is the only authoritive Word of God that we have to reference (I believe it is the inspired Word of God). However, when I ask myself the above question, I have to say “no”. The Bible is not what gets us into heaven (nor is the belief in it).

The mere thought of the above may seem like a sacrilege to some. However, if you study the scripture I think you find that it is true.

In fact, I put forth there is only one single (absolute) thing that you must believe in order to be saved…

You must believe in Christ (and that He is your only salvation). By His blood we are saved and our total dependence upon Him for salvation (and everything) should be the cornerstone of our belief structure.

AMDG

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2 Comments on Requirements of Salvation

  1. Greg on Sat, 18th Feb 2006 20:57

    2. I agree. Belief seems to be the only Biblical requirment for salvation. The question is, exactly what does it mean to beleive?

    First,you could say that that a person needs to realize that they need to be saved becaue sin separtes them from God. They have to beleive that Jesus is the only one that can take care of that sin problem for them. They have to beleive and trust that Jesus took thier place on the cross an that is sufficient to remove thier condemnation. I also think that it is essential to beleive that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and this cannot be separated from the good news because this confirms that Jesus was the Son of God and had the power and authority to take our sins away. Without the fact of the resurection, the Bible is just another self help book that will ultimately let us down.

    This is what the early church beleived. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord. (Romans 6:23)”

  2. BA on Sun, 19th Feb 2006 13:31

    3. Thanks for the comments Greg.

    The points you made are excellent.

    When you take these points to a conclusion though it is possible for a man to get to heaven without believing the Bible. In that same light, it is possible for a man to get to heaven by believing different things about the Bible (i.e. calvinism vs arminianism).

    I believe that the Bible is the only authoritive word of God and we must use it as a basis for everything we do/think/feel/say. However, I think in understanding that concept we must always remind ourselves that Christ and His sacrifice are the only things that are getting us to heaven.

    These days (in my life) I like to put all the focus I can on Christ and His work.

    AMDG

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