Last week, we began to look at the difference between “time” and “eternal” salvation. Both of these types of salvation are taught in the Scripture, but many (if not most) in the religious world only ever interpret the word “saved” or “salvation” to mean ETERNAL salvation. However, in order to rightly divide the word of God, it is essential to understand the difference!

“Time” salvation refers to the deliverances we experience here on earth, from things like drowning, accident, and other dangerous situations. Last time, we looked at two examples of “time” salvation in the Scriptures. Today, I want to look at another, very clear, example of this concept.

In Matthew’s gospel, we find the following passage: “And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying,Lord, save us: we perish.” Mat. 8:25. Under the false assumption that the word “save” always means eternal salvation, this would have to mean that the disciples were talking about being eternally saved by either regeneration or by being taken home to heaven.

But this interpretation doesn’t make any sense when we read the context! Backing up to the beginning of this episode in the life of the disciples, we see that Jesus and His disciples had entered into a ship, and while they were on the ship “there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.” Mat. 8:24. This great storm had overtaken them, while Jesus was sleeping in the ship. Mark’s account of this event gives us a little more insight: “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.” Mark 4:35.

Clearly, the disciples were speaking to Jesus about a timely deliverance from the storm, and NOT about eternal deliverance into heaven! If they had wanted to be delivered into heaven, all they had to do was let Jesus sleep and let the ship sink – they would have died by drowning, and gone to heaven! But this makes no sense – clearly the context shows us that they were seeking to be saved not from eternal hell, but from the storm.

Next week, we will look at an instance where eternal life IS INDEED under consideration. Until that time, I encourage you to study to see how many times “saved” or “salvation” refers to timely deliverance as opposed to eternal salvation.

May the Lord bless you is my prayer!

Eld. Chris McCool, Pastor