What Does It Mean to Be Saved According to the Bible?

Direct Answer

To be saved means to be rescued from eternal doom by believing the gospel of Christ.

Les Feldick explains that the biblical word salvation means being saved from something, just as an inheritance can save a person from financial ruin. Scripture says the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Salvation is God's all-inclusive work on our behalf the moment we believe, not the result of works.

Key Scriptures

Romans 1:16 — Paul declares that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, directly defining what it means to be saved.

1 Corinthians 1:18 — This verse states that the preaching of the cross is the power of God to those who are saved.

2 Timothy 1:9 — Paul affirms that God saved us and called us, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible uses the word 'saved' to describe being rescued or delivered from something. Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." He also says, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." Salvation is not based on our works. Paul wrote, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." The saving gospel promises that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures."

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Being Saved?

Les Feldick teaches that salvation means being saved from eternal doom. He uses the analogy of a man about to go broke whose rich uncle dies and leaves him an inheritance, saving him from financial ruin. In the same way, the gospel is our salvation. He emphasizes that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, but it is not church membership, baptism, communion, tithing, or good works. Rather, believing means totally entrusting your eternal destiny to the Word of God and the power of the gospel. Les also stresses that a person must know what he believes so he does not believe in vain. At the moment of belief, God accomplishes everything — forgiveness, justification, sanctification, glorification, baptism into the body of Christ, sealing with the Holy Spirit, and filling with the Holy Spirit. These things may not be felt, but they are true because the Bible says so. This gives the believer day-by-day assurance that he is God's child.

What Does 'Saved' Mean?

Les Feldick explains that the word 'salvation' simply means being saved from something. He illustrates this with a man who is about to go bankrupt and is saved by an unexpected inheritance from a rich uncle. The same word is used spiritually: believers are saved from an eternal doom, and the gospel itself is our salvation.

How Is a Person Saved?

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Les Feldick stresses that this does not come through joining the church, being baptized, taking communion, tithing, or doing good works. Instead, believing means totally entrusting your eternal destiny to the Word of God and the power of the gospel. He also warns that you must know what you believe, lest you believe in vain.

What Happens at the Moment of Salvation?

Salvation is an all-inclusive work of God on our behalf. The instant a person believes, God forgives, justifies, sanctifies, glorifies, baptizes into the body of Christ, seals with the Holy Spirit, and fills with the Holy Spirit. These changes may not be felt physically, but they are true because the Bible says so. Faith rests on the Book, not on feelings.

Is There Only One Way to Be Saved?

Les Feldick is adamant that there are not fifteen different paths to heaven. The Bible says there is one way. He warns that an eternal lake of fire awaits those who reject it, and that even religious people who assume all roads lead to God are mistaken.

Why Can't Works Save a Person?

Paul wrote that God saved us and called us 'not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.' Les Feldick explains that it takes the power of God to save a sinner, which is why we cannot work for it or merit it. This plan of salvation was established before creation, with the Son coming to die and be raised from the dead.

From the Teaching

Only One Way

Les teaches that being saved is not one option among many — there is only one way, and those who reject it face the eternal lake of fire.

Definition of Salvation

Les defines salvation as being saved from eternal doom, using the analogy of an inheritance rescuing someone from financial ruin.

Assurance of Salvation

Salvation includes day-by-day blessed assurance that you are God's child, known because the Bible says so, not because of feelings.

Understand the Gospel

Les says this gospel is what makes salvation possible, but it must be understood and kept in memory so that you do not believe in vain.

Salvation Not by Works

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, not church membership, baptism, communion, tithes, or good works; belief means totally entrusting your eternal destiny to the gospel.

All-Inclusive Work of God

At the moment of belief, God does everything — forgives, justifies, sanctifies, glorifies, and seals — even if you do not feel anything.

Power of God

The preaching of the cross is the power of God to those who are saved, and it takes God's power to save a sinner, so we cannot work for it.

Saved by God's Purpose

God saved us by a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose, a plan set before creation.

Bible Verses

Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

This key verse shows that salvation comes through the gospel to everyone who believes.

1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Les cites this verse to show that the cross is God's power to those who are saved.

2 Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

This verse explicitly rules out works as the basis of salvation, instead pointing to God's purpose and grace.

1 Corinthians 15:3: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

This is the core gospel content that Paul identifies as the message by which we are saved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be saved?

To be saved means to be rescued from eternal doom. Les Feldick compares it to a person being saved from financial ruin by an unexpected inheritance. Spiritually, the gospel saves us from eternal destruction.

Is salvation by works?

No. Scripture says God saved us 'not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.' Les Feldick emphasizes that church membership, baptism, communion, and good works have nothing to do with salvation.

How do I know I'm saved?

Les teaches that salvation gives 'blessed assurance' that you are His and He is yours. You may not feel anything physical, but you know it is true because the Bible says so. Faith rests on the Word of God.

Are there many ways to be saved?

Les Feldick says no. The Bible says there is one way, and anyone who assumes there are many paths to heaven is wrong. He warns that the eternal lake of fire awaits those who reject the one way.

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