Beliefs Concerning Salvation

Beliefs Concerning Salvation

Our research has recently found that those who believe they are saved by God’s grace alone to salvation have better wellbeing then those who do not. Unfortunately, many misconceptions remain among young Christians regarding what happens at salvation. Understanding these biblical events is important to help build a believer’s confidence in their faith and avoid the pitfalls of false guilt as well as insecurity in their relationship with God. 

 

Accordingly, we recently surveyed Christian adolescents and millennials to determine their beliefs on what the Bible describes at the time of salvation, defined as belief by faith alone in forgiveness of sins by Christ's death and resurrection. Of the 201 participants the majority were: female (55%), <35 years old (67%), from the United States (53%), and evangelical (80%). For full data - What happens after salvation?

The survey found, concerning salvation and:

• The church - Subjects noted they became aware they needed a local fellowship of other Christians (37%), and the Holy Spirit placed them permanently into the church universal of all believers (34%). In addition, 28% said they became cognizant they should be water baptized to express publicly their commitment to Christ. Separately, 65% of participants indicated they were adopted permanently into the family of God at salvation.

• Righteousness (sinlessness) - Participants expressed they were forgiven through faith by Christ's death on the cross (54%). Nonetheless, participants also said they needed to ask forgiveness every day for new sin (52%). However, 34% indicated they have an advocate in Jesus Christ so no one can lay a claim against them.

• The Holy Spirit - Participants most commonly indicated He indwelt them permanently as a seal of their salvation (54%). Further, He regenerated them to a new person identified with Christ (57%) giving them power to defeat sin (34%).

• Regeneration – In total, 30% of participants believed they were baptized (regenerated) by the Holy Spirit at salvation. Further, 50% noted regeneration gave them power through the Holy Spirit to live a holy life. In addition, 35% recognized the regeneration created them as a new person identified with Christ.

This survey suggests that within a population of mostly adolescent and millennial evangelical Christians, they frequently recognize sound doctrine concerning events accompanying salvation, including the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a seal to salvation, forgiveness of past and future sins by faith in Christ’s death on the cross, adoption into the family of God, placement within the universal church, and regeneration to a new person who can defeat sin.

However, the percentages of subjects providing correct answers were generally between 1/3 to 2/3 of the survey sample. This demonstrates a strong need for biblical teaching by church and youth leaders concerning events accompanying salvation to help provide power for Christian living and security in salvation.

Further, each of us as true believers in the grace of God to salvation should encourage each other in our eternal security as well as the accompanying benefits of salvation described above. 

We have a great God who is given us graciously a wonderful salvation. Discovering the full knowledge about salvation through scripture is vital to understand the great confident relationship we have with God which then enhances our wellbeing and helps us live our daily life. Scripture is true and is worth our time to investigate it!

Join me next time for more exciting explorations into the truth of scripture! 

William C. Stewart, MD

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