Bible Matters 414: Saved – The Sequel 

My wife and I witnessed to some men this week that said they are saved.   They took the “Best You Now” gospel tract, but implied they didn’t need it.   What does it mean when someone says they are saved?  Let’s review. 

My wife and I won a court case this year against a man and wife that said they are saved.   They respect no one and are evil in their dealings with neighbors.  

Several times a week a witness tells me that they are saved!  

Let’s look at the Pharisee and the publican in Luke.  Clearly the Pharisee believes he is saved as he judges himself against others!    This is exactly what God has told you not to do!   The publican knows he is a sinner and humbly begs for God’s mercy.  God hears and will exalt the humble.

Luke 18:11-14 – The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

It is no mystery that the word “saved” is the catch phrase used by man in modern day churches to make promises that only God can make!  They may even throw in a work of water baptism and use this one witness verse as your justification to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

An act of man cannot save you and give you the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Jesus in the flesh could not give the gift of the Holy Ghost.  He breathed on his followers in the upper chambers during Pentecost, but the Holy Ghost didn’t come.  

John 20:22 – And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

It wasn’t until Jesus ascended into heaven did God send the gift of the Holy Ghost to those followers that were not afraid to be a testimony for the Lord and assembled into the upper chambers.   These followers had just witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus.  Jesus was considered a heretic.  These followers were aware of the consequences for being a follower of Jesus.  Peter had just denied Jesus three times.   These followers decided that being a witness and spreading the gospel of Love was more valuable than their own life. 

Acts 2:2,4 – And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It is clear that the Holy Ghost is a gift of God that cannot be given by any act of man.   If the Holy Ghost were a reward given by man, then Jesus could have promised the gift of the Holy Ghost and “eternal life” to the rich man.   Jesus knew that he couldn’t do that.   Three witnesses offer testimony on Jesus’s command to follow him. (Matthew 19:16-21, Luke 18:18-23, Mark 10:17-21)

Luke 18:18-23 – And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

Jesus’s command was simple.  Come and follow him.  God is looking for your change of heart and works of righteousness.  Not by living a sinful life.  Philip and then Peter and John testified to the Samarians exactly what God is looking for.  Simon practiced the art of sorcery and witchcraft to the Samarians.  He loved Philips message.  He was impressed with the miracles being performed.  Simon asked if that gift could be purchased with money.  Peter told him that his heart must be right with God.   

Acts 8:9,12-15,17-24 – But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Joseph of Arimathaea was a rich man and a disciple that cared for Jesus.  He made sure that Jesus received a proper burial. His heart was right with God.  Medieval interests have recorded Joseph as the founder of British Christianity.

Matthew 27:57-61 – When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:  He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.  And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

John 19:38 – And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

It is clear that when you believe, your heart is right with God and you follow the teachings of Jesus by doing the will of God.  Endure to the end and look forward to God’s judgment.  The testimony of the witnesses could not have been clearer.

1 Peter 4:16-19 – Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Do not be lured into believing that your salvation is a function of following the acts of man, walking after the flesh and living a life of sin.  The Lord will know how to deliver you out of temptations.

2 Peter 2:9-10,15-16,19-20 – The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;  But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and he did the will of God.

Acts 10:37-38 – That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Do not be offended by the truth in God’s word.  Do not be lured into believing that you are “saved” and do nothing for the Lord.  In this year of 2025, plan on living in the spirit, doing the will of God and serving the Lord!  To spread the gospel and the love of God. 

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.