Teleios
recently completed a survey of visitors to the Instagram site, GodsHolyScriptures.
We had 224 participants: 93% were adolescents (< 18) and millennials
(18-34), 60% evangelicals and 60% female. We asked them what they must believe
to be a Christian. Wow, we received some amazing answers!
The
good
– Fortunately, almost all participants agreed that salvation was by faith
through grace based on Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for our sins on the
cross (87%). Furthermore, most (60%) believed their salvation was secure after
their belief through faith; all very scriptural, YAY! (Romans 10:9-11; Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Peter 1:4-5; John 10:28-30).
The
bad –
However, high percentages of our participants also added in some extra biblical
requirements for being saved, which are not mentioned in biblical salvation
texts (see Table).
Table: Non-biblical
additions to salvation
(percent agreeing with statement)
|
87%
|
|
|
Believe heaven and hell are real
places
|
78%
|
|
Believe the devil is real
|
65%
|
|
Believe in creation
|
64%
|
|
Believe every word of the Bible
|
58%
|
Although
our participants are admirable in their zeal, when sharing the gospel, we
should be careful not to add burdens that God does not Himself mention. For
salvation a person simply needs to believe in the sacrifice of Christ for their
sins and His resurrection by faith.
Then upon
belief, a person is regenerated by the Spirit to become a new person in Christ.
They will then grow in orthodoxy, accepting the issues listed in the Table, by
the help of the Spirit as they study and grow in biblical knowledge.
The ugly
- Further,
the participants also frequently added in some extra-biblical requirements
for salvation, including being anti-abortion and water baptized (40% each). Again,
these are important topics but have nothing to do with our salvation. Christ
alone and His glorious sacrifice is sufficient to save us.
We have
a wonderful Savior who has provided the amazing gift of salvation. For those
who already have believed to salvation, He then graciously causes us to grow.
Don't make it hard for others! It is God who causes young believers to stand,
not us (Romans 14:4).
Join us
again next week as we continue to explore what one must do be saved and assured
of salvation. We will continue the amazing findings of Teleios research and the
advantages of the scripture.
WC
Stewart
Response policy - The purpose of the comment section is to promote discussion that
is encouraging, propels the further search of Scripture and raises interesting
and thought provoking Biblically related questions. You may feel free to
disagree with me in a constructive manner using appropriate language. I reserve
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