Beliefs about salvation - the good, the bad and the ugly

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We continue our exciting series exploring relevant research findings from Teleios!

 

Teleios conducted a survey with 244 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! (full report here Belief survey: Understanding the gospel)

 

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. The non-biblical additions to salvation were (percent agreeing with statement):

• Believe in the trinity (i.e., Father, Son and Holy Spirit) - 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.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

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Disclaimer - Teleios, Inc. provides this website and its content for informational and educational purposes only. The Stewarts are not trained or licensed theologians, pastors, or psychologists. For spiritual, psychological, medical, or other specific concerns, please consult qualified professionals or conduct your own research. Content is intended for visitors over 18 and should not be taken as advice or recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. Materials may change and contain errors; Teleios makes no guarantees regarding accuracy, completeness, or suitability. Use of this site is at your own discretion, and Teleios accepts no liability for the content or its use. External links do not imply endorsement. All content is protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial educational purposes. This website is operated from the United States.

 

 

What is baptism?

 

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We recently started an exciting series about the compelling research findings from Teleios!

 

Teleios completed a survey about baptism. We had 189 participants, of whom: 61% were <18 years; 74% evangelicals; and 50% from the southeast or Midwest USA. In total 86% believed that they were saved by grace alone and 40% believed they could not lose their salvation. See the full report here -Current views about baptism.

 

We asked them if they had been baptized and the method. We also inquired as to what baptism signified. Although we have never seen data, in speaking with young people they often appear confused over the significance of baptism and what scripture says about it. When asked how they were baptized, here are the top 4 answers and some associated meanings:

Ø     Immersed as an adult (32%) - Strong differences in the rite of baptism exist across denominations. Immersion baptism, which perhaps most closely represents the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, is preferred strongly by Baptists. They believe generally the rite should be performed after salvation when the convert is old enough to make a responsible decision. Many Christians believe it symbolizes primarily a commitment to God by the new believer which was true also in or survey (20%).

Ø     Sprinkled as a child (23%) - This form of baptism is preferred by several traditional denominations and is generally believed to convey either:  

·       Forgiveness of the sin nature, and prior sins, allowing for a fresh start and working towards salvation, combined with grace (Catholic viewpoints) 

·       Salvation in infants too young to make a decision for Christ. This protection lasts to the time of the age of responsibility (Presbyterian viewpoints). 

·       Commitment by parents to raise a child in a Godly manner leaving the responsibility to the child to be saved and baptized as an adult (various individual churches).

Ø     Never been baptized (19%) - Although this group might be seen as disobedient by Christians, the epistles, which contain the injunctions to the church, do not command water baptism. Water baptism is seen as an example at least once (Acts 8), and maybe more early in the book of Acts (speculative). In Scripture, it was performed in almost exclusively among early Jewish Christians early in the church. Of course, salvation itself is by grace alone with no added works required (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Ø     Spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit at salvation (15%) - This choice is closest to the meaning of baptism in the Epistles.  The apostle Paul explained that spiritual baptism ‘identified’ us (βαπτιζω, baptizoo) in the death and life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

 

Baptism represents the regeneration by the spirit to a new person who can serve our Lord. This regeneration appears to occur at salvation accompanied by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6: 2-9; Colossians 2:11-13; Ephesians 2:4-7). Indeed, 68% of the participants in our survey believed baptism represented the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Titus 3:5).

 

The rite of baptism is a very controversial topic and often elicits strong emotions from people who believe one way or another. We have tried to comment in a scripturally based and transcultural manner. Christians are free to water baptize out of faith in the method that they wish to demonstrate their commitment to our blessed Savior. 

 

Join us again next week as we continue to look at the fascinating results of Teleios research and what they tell us about the truth of scripture and our Christian culture.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

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Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.

 

 

 

The influence of church on wellbeing

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We have been reviewing the exciting research findings from Teleios! 

 

Teleios completed a survey of visitors to the Instagram account, Instapray, mostly all comprised of youth (<18 years) and millennials (18-34 years) and 77% self-identified evangelicals. There were 884 participants surveyed about their Christian lifestyle, and how church affected their wellbeing. Amazingly, the church’s influence on wellbeing did not differ between youth and millennials (P=0.09). What helped wellbeing the most? Participants could select up to 3 choices from a list of 12 items. Please find more complete results at https://teleiosresearch.com/influence-church-wellbeing/.

 

Well, this is encouraging!

1.     Prayer (59%) – Prayer is a cornerstone of our Christian walk allowing us to come directly before God, unafraid and give our petitions to him for ourselves and others. By prayer also we praise God and thank Him (Hebrews 10:20-22; Philippians 4:6). The assembled church might assist prayer by acting as a guide to our supplications to God, a more expansive prayer experience and promoting prayer in our lives.

2.     Spiritual growth (56%) – Participants generally recognized the church helps them in their Christian lives and helps them become mature believers.

3.     Praise and worship (54%) – Praise of our gracious God for His righteous character and actions is essential for a healthy Christian Life. Praise allows us to remind ourselves that God’s thoughts and goals are greater than ours. God deserves our praise (Hebrews 13:15; Psalms 147-150).

 

But there is still room for growth…

4.     Emotional support (38%) – This finding is heartening in that young believers look to the church, perhaps specifically to the church leadership or their trusted Christian friends and colleagues, to help them through life with sympathy and advice. Access for young Christians, desiring support from believing peers, is an important function of the church.

5.     Comfortable and pleasing worship surroundings (35%) – I suspect that this finding is important not just in young people but for many older congregants as well. Indeed, a beautiful church, often combined with stirring music and liturgy combine to create an awe inspiring and encouraging ambiance. 

Nonetheless, as Christians, we are commanded to take our Christian lifestyle beyond the mountaintop experience of a church service, or a faith-based conference, and practice our faith on a daily basis. Over time, scripture tells us that we should become confident in our relationship with God through knowledge and understanding; emotionally stable, making correct decisions between right and wrong, as well as teaching others (Hebrews 5:11-14; Colossians 1:27-2:3; Colossians 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:15-19).

Our Christian walk comprises generally of: prayer, praise, bible-based fellowship, learning scripture and teaching others scripture and the gospel (Acts 2:42,47). These practices promote our growth by the power of the Spirit to the maturity God desires for us (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18).

 

The above list from our survey is encouraging in the emphasis of spiritual growth, prayer and praise in young church attendees. However, the amazing finding is that Christian youth have the same desires for their church experience as the millennial generation. It appears the Holy Spirit has used parents as well as church members, leaders and teachers to help form the next generation of believers to carry forth God's great work. Thanks be to God!

 

Please join me next week as we continue to explore the church and wellbeing. Thank you for reading my blog. 

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

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X - https://x.com/TeleiosTweets

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

 

Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.