One of the most basic doctrinal differences between Primitive Baptists and most of the rest of the religious world involves our understanding of the term “saved” or “salvation” in the Scriptures. Most people read the Bible and think that every time the word “saved” appears, it is referring to eternal salvation. Primitive Baptists, on the other hand, believe that when you see the word “saved” in Scripture, you have to ask the question, “Saved from what?”

There are two different types of salvation taught in the word of God. One type is eternal salvation, which is solely and wholly in the hand of God; the other is what I call “time salvation”, which has to do with deliverance from dangers and troubles here and now. It is my purpose today to begin looking at this topic of “time” vs. “eternal” salvation.

One of the first questions we should ask about any doctrine is whether it is in the Bible? The term “time salvation” does not appear in the Scripture, but neither does the term “Trinity.” Nonetheless, both of these concepts are clearly taught! In Exodus 14:30, we read as follows: “Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians. . . .” The context is the parting of the Red Sea by the power of God, which delivered the Israelites from the swords of the Egyptians. This was a “that day” salvation, which was clearly NOT salvation from sin and hell, nor was it regeneration. Rather, it was a “time” salvation – i.e., a deliverance here in time.

In 1 Pet. 3:21, we read about a “now” salvation: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. . . .” Here is a “now” salvation by baptism, NOT eternal deliverance into heaven!

In Mat. 8:25, the disciples woke Jesus up as He was sleeping on the boat, and cried out, “Lord save us, we perish!” Were they asking to be delivered into heaven and immortal glory? No! They could have just let Jesus sleep and drowned in the sea if they were seeking eternal deliverance. Instead, this is another example of timely deliverance – salvation that is here and now, deliverance from trouble in the life.

The problem with confusing “time” and “eternal” salvation is that it will cause you to be confused about what is necessary for our eternal salvation. In Matthew 1:21, we are told that Jesus is coming to “save His people from their sins.” In Hebrews 1:3, we learn that “when he had by himself purged our sins, [He] sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” The Scripture is clear that eternal salvation rests solely and wholly in the hands of God!

When we confuse “time” and “eternal” salvation, we are at risk of getting humans involved in eternal redemption. There are many scriptures that declare that our eternity rests in God’s hands. Lord willing, we will look at this issue a little more in the coming weeks.

May the Lord bless you is my prayer!

Elder Chris McCool, Pastor