In this article by Elder Buddy Abernathy, he asks and answers the questions, “Are we saved by believing on Christ?” The reference here is to eternal salvation, i.e., must we believe in order to be saved eternally? Bro. Buddy shows us that even the act of believing is a work, and we are NOT saved eternally by works (see Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5; 2 Tim. 1:9; esp. Rom. 11:6). There IS a salvation in believing: believing in the finished work of Christ will save us here and now, from the struggle of trying to work our way to heaven (see Rom. 10). In this article, Bro. Buddy is concerned with dispelling the misunderstanding that eternal salvation is by works of any kind, including believing in Christ. I hope you are blessed to see the finished work of salvation that Jesus wrought on the cross!

Elder Chris McCool, Pastor

Are We Saved By Believing on Christ?

by Elder Buddy Abernathy

Most Christians think that a person must accept (i.e., believe on) Christ in order to be saved and go to heaven when they die. They will readily agree that salvation is not based on works. The following verses make it clear that salvation is not based on our works:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, butaccording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Tit. 3:5); “Who (referring to God) 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” (2 Tim. 1:9).

Did you know that Jesus taught that believing on Him is a work? Consider the following verse: “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, hat we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29)

The people asked Jesus what they needed to do in order to “work the works of God?” They wanted to learn how to perform miracles like he did. Jesus then told them, “this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” Jesus is telling them that the work they needed to be concerned with was to “believe on him (Jesus) whom he (God) hath sent.” Jesus plainly teaches that the act of believing is a work. The verses above make it clear that we are not saved by works.

We are NOT saved by works! Jesus said that the act of believing is a work. So how are we saved? The answer is simple. Jesus made himself and offering to God for our sins. God accepted his offering. JESUS SAVED US (past tense).

HE DID NOT MAKE US SAVEABLE. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Mat. 1:21 KJV).

WE WERE MADE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST (past tense). HE DID NOT MAKE IT [MERELY] POSSIBLE TO BE RIGHTEOUS. “For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Co 5:21).

HE PERFECTED US (past tense). HE DID NOT MAKE US PERFECTABLE. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:14).

HE PURGED OUR SINS BY HIMSELF (past tense). HE DID NOT MAKE OUR SINS PURGEABLE. “Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1:3).