Articles
How Does Someone Get To Heaven?
If a person walked up to a hundred people and asked this question, then it would not be surprising that a variety of responses would be given. A common answer might be, “I believe that I am good person.” Another response could be, “I believe in God.” One sadly may say, “I don’t know.” These replies fall way short of comprehending the plan of salvation that God has laid out in His word. Many might think the answer is simple, but in reality it is complex. The first step that is needed is willingness to sit down with an open mind and honestly look at the Scriptures.
Common False Teachings
Many people have been brought up with a false teaching of the gospel of Christ. Generations after generations have passed down erroneous paths toward salvation. One of the prevailing myths that is believed to be scriptural is what is called, “The Sinner’s Prayer.” False religious teachers have used this particular method to draw individuals to a wrong conclusion about their spiritual condition. For example, the crusades put on by Billy Graham, adopted John 1:11-13 from the Living Bible. The version is a paraphrase and the passage does not instruct a person to pray for salvation. Another passage is a misunderstanding of Rev. 3:20, which also does not involve prayer, but in context was written to lukewarm Christians. One other common section of scriptures that are misused are from Rom. 10:9-10, and verse 13. These verses do not instruct an individual to pray, but does indicate that belief and confession are both essential but not the only things necessary to ensure salvation. There is no book, chapter, or verse that provides this in all of the Bible.
A very common belief among people is the teaching “Once saved always saved.” This is part of the basic teachings of John Calvin, in that believers or saints are preserved and that cannot change. This obviously sounds wonderful, but is it scriptural? Multiple passages point out that a person can fall from grace, and that it will happen. “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). The Hebrew writer affirms, “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:26). There is much more that can be said through God’s word that proves that individuals have to make that daily choice to live for Him and that salvation is ultimately assured only for the person who has been faithful until the end.
Another so-called way of salvation is by faith alone. Some may point to the thief on the cross as an example of an individual that was saved by faith alone, and therefore that affirms this doctrine. People commonly cite John 3:16, but it does not express this idea either. The best passage to present to an individual who says that all a person needs is faith, let them read James 2:20-26 which reads,
“But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
Those that claim to hold this viewpoint probably would admit, if they are honest, that at least confession and repentance are essential as well.
One other important unscriptural belief out there is that mankind has no role at all in the salvation process and God does everything. Even by looking at James chapter 2, an individual can see that a person is involved. Now to make things perfectly clear, the works described in the passage were righteous deeds and not works of merit. Jesus in John 6:28-29 makes this distinction, “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” God has His role and nobody would deny that, but each person also has responsibilities in order to be saved. Scripture speaks of at least 23 distinct parts that are essential in the salvation process. One has already been mentioned and that is works by faith. In order to get a clear picture, then it is necessary to look at each of the various parts. This will be broken down into the two main roles: God’s and mankind’s.
God’s Role
Salvation begins and ends with God, which means that all three persons in the Godhead are involved. In multiple passages, the Bible declares the Father as Savior, e.g. Is. 12:2; 1 Tim. 4:10; Rom. 6:23, among others. Everything begins with the Father and without His involvement salvation would be impossible. Jesus makes this clear in Matt. 19:25-26, “When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” All should also agree that Jesus is essential and the Bible undoubtedly provides evidence of this fact. One can look to passages such as: Matt. 1:21; 1 Tim. 1:15; and Luke 19:10. The Holy Spirit, who completes the Godhead, is likewise very much involved. Passages regarding the Holy Spirit include: 1 Cor. 6:11; John 16:7-13; and Eph. 6:17. Each member of the Godhead has been working in a harmonious fashion since the beginning of creation and will continue to do so until the Final Judgment. Other aspects of God need to be addressed as well.
God’s grace is clearly stated as being vital for an individual’s salvation, e.g. Eph. 2:8-9. Grace is usually grouped with God’s mercy, e.g. Titus 3:5. Without God’s love, all would perish. One of the most known passages in all of Scripture really connects grace, mercy, and love. Most people recognize John 3:16 from sporting events, but it would be safe to say few know the true meaning of this beautiful passage, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” If the Father did not send Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for mankind then all would be without hope for eternal life. John 3:16, clearly tells us that God has given mankind something they do not deserve. Furthermore, if anyone chooses to accept what has been accomplished by God through Jesus, then eternal punishment will be withheld. Grace, mercy, and love are gifts offered to all, but many refuse to accept them. Some people might end the gospel message there, but so much more remains!
People might not consider that hope plays a part, cf. Rom. 8:24; Titus 1:2. Another essential component that may not come to someone’s mind, is simply truth, cf. John 8:31-32. How about the Name of Christ? Jesus’ name brings salvation, which is expressed in Acts 4:10-12,
“…let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
The cross of Christ is likewise paramount, because without His sacrifice then no one would have any hope. Read 1 Cor. 1:18, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” In connection with the cross, one has to consider the blood and life of Christ that was given to provide the only way towards reconciliation with God, cf. Rom. 5:8-10.
Two other parts that cannot be understated are the Gospel itself and the individuals that spread it, preachers. Romans 1:16-17 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.’” Preachers are the messengers sent out to proclaim the good news. In 1 Cor. 1:21 declares, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” There are more passages that can be discussed and used to show the role that God plays in the salvation process, but it is important to look at how and what a person must do to respond to the gospel.
Mankind’s Role
In order to be able to respond to the good news of Christ, then a person must first hear it. Rom. 10: 14-17 reads,
“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’ However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
A person can see the connection of a preacher and faith in the gospel in this passage as well. Probably the most common response to the question of eternal life, which one would give would be simply to have faith. No one would doubt that faith is included and John 8:24 is one of multiple passages that expresses this notion. There is a close relationship between belief and hearing, but there are still other things to consider before one can truly be saved.
If someone was to be honest and open to a conversation about the gospel of Christ, then they would have to realize that one must repent of their sins. An individual cannot maintain a lifestyle that is in continual disobedience to what the Bible teaches on how a Christian is to live. Various passages speak on repentance—e.g. 2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 17:30. One must not only repent, but they also need to be willing to confess the name of Jesus as Christ. Matt. 10:32-33 declares, “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”
The Bible tells us that the life of a Christian is difficult—e.g. 2 Tim. 3:12. It is vital that even when the most trying of times come, and they will, every believer is commanded to endure. Matt. 10:22 tells us, “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” The life of a Christian is a marathon filled with various trials. When anyone looks honestly at the Scriptures, it should be clear that faithful obedience is a requirement, cf. Hebrews 5:8-9. There are only a couple more to mention, and without them a person would have incomplete/false knowledge of God’s plan of salvation.
Works have already been mentioned near the beginning, and these are not ones done by man to glorify themselves, but to bring glory to God. People struggle with the idea of works, but even more so individuals will deny the necessity of baptism. The following passages clearly indicate that baptism is a command from God.
• “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
• “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).
• “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).
• “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21).
One thing to make clear about baptism and that it is a work of God. Colossians 2:12 is a passage that makes a defense for a believer because it says, “…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Much more can be said in regards to the topic of baptism, but the word of God is sufficient.
The final thing one must do is to make the choice. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Cor. 5:20,
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
The purpose of this article was to present the case that the plan of salvation is broad since there is unfortunately a poor understanding of what it entails. If you have read this and have begun to question your beliefs, then please seek further knowledge about God’s word. I pray that you come to the right conclusions before it is too late. May you be given the discernment necessary as you study the word of God to become part of His family.
