Les Feldick Bible Study

How is salvation by the gospel conditional?

Salvation by the gospel is conditional because a person must understand and truly believe the gospel, not merely profess it. Scripture says believers are saved by the gospel wherein they stand, but warns they must know what they believe, unless they have believed in vain. The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.

Les explains that 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 gives the gospel Paul preached, which the Corinthians received and wherein they stand, by which also they are saved. It is conditional: a person had better understand and know what they believe, unless they have believed in vain. This gospel is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Les notes Paul received this by revelation from the ascended, glorified Lord, not from Jesus of Nazareth in His earthly ministry, and that it was all pre-planned before anything was created.

1 Corinthians 15:2

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.