Can someone steeped in church background still not know real salvation?
Yes. Many people steeped in a particular church background—Sunday school teachers and church officers—have written to say that only later did they come to know what it is to have real salvation. That shows religious involvement and church roles do not necessarily equal genuine salvation.
Les explains that people who have been steeped in their particular background, including Sunday school teachers and church officers, write and say, “For the first time in my life I now know what it is to have a real salvation.” He sees this as evidence of God’s blessing and approval on the ministry, because if the Lord were not blessing it, that could never happen. He also stresses that on the fundamentals—who Christ is, His virgin birth, His deity as the Creator, His atoning work of the cross completing every requirement for salvation, His resurrection, and His coming again—he will never compromise. This relates to his concern not to mislead anyone to miss heaven’s glory.