This question merits the very best possible answer that can be given, because it is sometimes sincerely asked. But besides the motivating factors which have prompted the question from some, it deserves our attention from another standpoint, and that is this: If the good and honest in all churches are going to be saved, why make any effort at all to persuade them to change churches?
The question implies that there are good and honest people in all churches. We do not question the implication of the question. No doubt there are good and honest people in all churches. By “good” we mean morally sound, virtuous, kind, benevolent, and well-behaved. By “honest” we mean characterized by being sincere, straightforward, frank, open, and fair-minded.
One cannot be saved unless he is good, but goodness alone does not save. There are many people who are upright and good morally. They are good citizens and fine neighbors. Their kindness and generosity toward others are self-evident. Yet, no one can be saved by his own self-righteousness or goodness. Paul said of the Jews, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” (Rom. 10:3.) The same writer in another place concludes, “...they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:9-10.) The Psalmist said, “Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no not one.” (Psa. 53:3.) All men are sinners by their transgression of the law of God. (I John 3:4.) All men stand in need of salvation but cannot, by their own goodness, be saved. Cornelius is a case in point. He was a good man; yet, he needed Peter to come and speak to him in order that he might be saved. (Acts 10:1-2, 22; 11:14.)
Without honesty one cannot be saved, but honesty alone will not save a man. Many have been honestly mistaken about matters. No one can accuse Jacob of having been dishonest in thinking that his favorite son, Joseph, had been devoured by an evil beast. His tears of mourning were sincere. His honest mistake was based on a wrong conclusion of the evidence presented by his lying sons. (Gen. 37:31-36.) Joshua and Israel were honestly mistaken in thinking that the Gibeonites had come from a far country. (Josh. 9.) The young prophet was honestly mistaken in assuming that the old prophet was telling him the truth, but the Bible says he “lied unto him.” (I Kings 13:1-18.) Saul of Tarsus thought he was doing God’s service by persecuting the early church, but he was wrong. (John 16:2; Acts 26:9-11; 23:1.)
The question is then raised, “who then can be saved?” (Matt. 19:25.) If goodness and honesty are not sufficient to save one from a devil’s hell, then just what will it take to save a soul?
It takes Jesus Christ and the salvation he offers in order for a man to be saved. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12.) In I Timothy 4:9,10 we are told, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” Jesus died for all. (I John 2:2.) Potentially, Christ is the Saviour of all men if they obey him. (Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9.) In reality, Jesus is the Saviour of only those who believe. This is not belief alone, but an obedient belief.
Christ procured (obtained) our salvation by his blood. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission.” (Heb. 9:22.) “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26.28.) See also Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7; and Rev. 1:5.
The salvation which Christ offers which was procured by his blood is found in him. Paul wrote, “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (II Tim. 2:10) “In whom [i.e., ‘in Christ’—BFV] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
The penitent believer contacts the blood of Christ and enters him by baptism. (Rom. 6:3-4; Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:16; Lk. 24:47.) Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” This verse simply and clearly tells us that we are baptized into Christ. One who has not been baptized is not in Christ; and, therefore, his sins have not been removed; nor does he have the hope of eternal life; nor does he enjoy any of the other spiritual blessings. (Eph. 1:3.)
To be baptized into Christ is to be baptized into his church. The same act which puts one into Christ puts one into the church. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,…” (I Cor. 12:13.) The one body is the church. (I Cor. 12:20; Col. 1:18.) One cannot be in Christ and not be in the church, for it is the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1:22-23.) Christ is the Saviour of the body. (Eph. 5:23.) Therefore, it is necessary to be in the body, his church, on order to be saved.
The good and honest in all churches will be saved:
(1) If goodness and honesty alone are enough, but we have shown otherwise in this article.
(2) If one can be saved without the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:22; Rev. 1:5; Rom. 6:3-4);
(3) If one can be saved outside of Christ (II Tim. 2:10);
(4) If one can be saved outside of the church (I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:23);
(5) If Bible faith is not essential (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24);
(6) If repentance is not required (Acts 17:30; II Pet. 3:9);
(7) If confessing Christ is optional (Acts. 8:32; Rom.10:9-10);
(8) If baptism for remission of sins is not necessary (Acts 2:38);
(9) If it is not mandatory to have God and Christ (II Jn. 9-11);
(10) If it is not wrong to cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine of Christ (Rom. 16:17-18);
(11) If it is not obligatory to do the will of the Father (Matt. 7:21);
(12) If one church is as good as another (Psa. 127:1; Matt. 15:13; 16:13-19);
(13) If vain, ignorant, or false worship is acceptable to God (Heb. 11:4; Matt. 15:9; Acts 17:23; John 4:23-24);
(14) If faithfulness to God is not necessary (I Cor. 4:1; Rev. 2:10).
—Informer, Jan. 18, 1987
Vol. 40, No. 13