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%).
The survey found, concerning salvation and:
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.
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!
Complete results of this survey can be found here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-8MSGG9NLV/).
Complete results of this survey can be found here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-8MSGG9NLV/).
For
questions or to view more of our research…
