Welcome!

QUESTION 1
The Bible clearly states that if I "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" I will be saved. Acts 16:31. I do believe, but I'm not sure I am saved. Can you explain?

ANSWER:
There are likely two reasons you do not know that you are saved. The likely reason is that you have never repented of your sins first. It is the first step to salvation. Paul in his ministry of the gospel summarizes it in Acts 20:21, "..repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." You will note that repentance precedes faith or believing. In Acts 8 Simon believed and was even baptized, but he was not saved. In Acts 8:13 we read, "Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized...." It is clear from Acts 8:20-21, that he was not saved. In verse Acts 8:20, he was said to be perishing. This could never be true of a real Christian. John 10:28. In Acts 8:21, he was said to have no part in this matter and his heart was not right with God. Peter gives the reason and solution in Acts 8:22, "repent". Jesus said, "Repent or perish" Luke 13:3.

The word believe in Acts 16:31 literally means to rely or depend upon. This you cannot do unless you repent; which means to have a change of mind and purpose toward sinning against God. Once you repent it means, you now sense your need of salvation, so you can now trust in the Saviour.

Secondly, it might be that you do not believe God's truth. God does say believe and "thou shall be saved."? If you have truly repented and do trust in the Saviour to save you from your sins and still do not know you are saved, then you do not believe God's truth and promise "THOU SHALL BE SAVED" Acts 16:31. A little girl put it very nicely when questioned about being saved, she said, "God said it, I believe it and that settles it."

What about you dear reader? Have you really repented of sin? Do you really trust Christ as Saviour from sin? Do you really believe the promise of God? Do these and thou shall be saved and know it.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

Return to Salvation Questions Main Page

Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen