Article
What Does the Bible Say About Salvation?
The Bible says people are saved by grace through faith, not of works. Churches that confess the Trinity disagree about baptism and about whether a believer can fall away.
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The Bible says salvation is by grace through faith, and that it is not of works. Ephesians 2:8–9Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James Version2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James VersionOpen source says that by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Romans 3:23Romans 3:23 · King James VersionFor all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 · King James VersionOpen source says all have sinned. John 3:16John 3:16 · King James VersionFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 · King James VersionOpen source says God gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Churches that confess the Trinity disagree about whether baptism is necessary for salvation and about whether a person who believes can fall away. Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?, Once Saved, Always Saved?, and Catholic vs Protestant quote those churches and do not decide the dispute. This page states the sentence in Ephesians.
Key Points
- Ephesians 2:8–9Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James Version2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
2:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James VersionOpen source says salvation is by grace through faith, the gift of God, not of works. (1) - John 3:16John 3:16 · King James Version
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 · King James VersionOpen source says God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him has everlasting life. (2) - Romans 3:23Romans 3:23 · King James Version
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 · King James VersionOpen source says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (3) - Titus 3:5Titus 3:5 · King James Version
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:5 · King James VersionOpen source says he saved us not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy. (4) - Colossians 3:23Colossians 3:23 · King James Version
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:23 · King James VersionOpen source, Romans 12:21Romans 12:21 · King James VersionBe not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 · King James VersionOpen source, and Romans 14:1Romans 14:1 · King James VersionHim that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Romans 14:1 · King James VersionOpen source are about work, about not returning evil, and about receiving a weak brother. They are not a set of steps into salvation. (5) (3) - Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed texts disagree about falling away and about baptism. The articles linked below quote them and do not pick a side.
What Is Salvation According to the Bible?
Paul’s sentence to Ephesus is the short answer. Ephesians 2:8–9Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James Version2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James VersionOpen source:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James Version
(1) Grace is the gift. Faith is how the sentence says a person receives it. Works are what the sentence excludes as the ground of boasting. John 3:16John 3:16 · King James VersionFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 · King James VersionOpen source names the gift’s content: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. (2) Romans 3:23Romans 3:23 · King James VersionFor all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 · King James VersionOpen source says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (3) The need and the gift are both in the text. Jesus is that Son, and he is God. Is Jesus God? is that confession.
Not by Works of Righteousness
Titus says the same exclusion in the language of mercy. Titus 3:5Titus 3:5 · King James VersionNot by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:5 · King James VersionOpen source:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:5 · King James Version
(4) The verse denies works of righteousness as the cause, and it names washing and the Holy Ghost in the same sentence. Churches read that washing differently. Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? quotes the Catechism, the Augsburg Confession, the Westminster Confession, and the Baptist Faith and Message, and it does not decide among them. What Do Pentecostals Believe? quotes the Assemblies of God, which confesses the Trinity and speaks of baptism. What Is Oneness Pentecostalism? quotes the United Pentecostal Church International, which ties obeying the gospel to baptism in Jesus’ name. That church’s confession of God is not the Trinity. The Ephesians sentence still says the gift is not of works.
What Are the Five Steps of Salvation?
This page does not print a list of five steps. The sentence it quotes is grace through faith, not of works. A numbered method added in front of Ephesians 2:8 is not the verse. Where churches disagree about baptism, repentance, and perseverance, the articles already on this site quote each side. Once Saved, Always Saved? quotes Westminster and the Baptist Faith and Message on one side and Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and Assemblies of God texts on the other, and it does not decide. Catholic vs Protestant quotes the Catechism and the Protestant confessions on authority, justification, and the sacraments, and it does not decide.
Colossians 3:23 and Romans 12
People ask these verses in the same breath as salvation. They answer a different question. Colossians 3:23Colossians 3:23 · King James VersionAnd whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:23 · King James VersionOpen source says whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (5) That is how work is offered. It is not the ground Ephesians denies. Romans 12:17Romans 12:17 · King James VersionRecompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:17 · King James VersionOpen source says recompense to no man evil for evil. Romans 12:21Romans 12:21 · King James VersionBe not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 · King James VersionOpen source:
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 · King James Version
(3) Romans 14:1Romans 14:1 · King James VersionHim that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Romans 14:1 · King James VersionOpen source says to receive the person who is weak in the faith, and not to doubtful disputations. The verse is about how believers receive one another. It is not a formula for being saved. Romans 12:1–21Romans 12:1–21 · King James Version12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:1–21 · King James VersionOpen source is the chapter those lines sit in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Mean to Be Saved?
Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:8 · King James VersionFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:8 · King James VersionOpen source says by grace you are saved through faith, and that this is the gift of God. John 3:16John 3:16 · King James VersionFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 · King James VersionOpen source says the believer in the Son does not perish and has everlasting life.
Does the Bible Say Baptism Saves?
Titus 3:5Titus 3:5 · King James VersionNot by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:5 · King James VersionOpen source names the washing of regeneration in a verse that also says salvation is not by works of righteousness we have done. Churches that confess the Trinity do not all read that washing the same way. Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? quotes them.
Can a Person Lose Salvation?
Once Saved, Always Saved? quotes the churches that say a true believer will not fall away and the churches that say a real fall is possible. It does not decide.
Keep Reading
References
- Letter to the Ephesians, 2:8–9Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James Version2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
2:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Gospel of John, 3:16John 3:16 · King James Version
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Letter to the Romans, 3:23; 12:17; 12:21; 14:1Romans 3:23 · King James Version
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Titus, 3:5Titus 3:5 · King James Version
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:5 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Letter to the Colossians, 3:23Colossians 3:23 · King James Version
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:23 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version
See Also
- Can You Lose Your Salvation? What Each Church Teaches About "Once Saved, Always Saved" — Can a Christian lose salvation? Official teaching from Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and other churches, with the King James verses each side cites.
- Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? — Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal texts on whether baptism is necessary for salvation, with Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, and the thief on the cross.
- What Is Calvinism (TULIP)? — TULIP is a later name for five points the Synod of Dort stated against the Remonstrance. Westminster, Dort, the Remonstrance, the Articles, the Baptist Faith and Message, and a Methodist article are quoted. The page does not decide.
- Are Mormons Christians? — Latter-day Saints worship Jesus Christ and use his name. Their teaching of God, of Jesus, and of salvation is not the Nicene confession, so they are not a denomination inside Trinitarian Christianity.
- What Do Mormons Believe? — Latter-day Saints believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as three beings, and they receive the Book of Mormon beside the Bible. Nicene Christians confess one God.