This article was originally written in May 2019 as a response to my Dad who had sent me the following challenge, “By just reading the Bible it would be impossible to reach the conclusion that salvation comes from the complex and convoluted doctrine of the RCC outlined in its own words above.” He wrote a large letter to me in April 2019 outlining what he understood Catholics believed about salvation (which was mostly accurate) and contrasted it with what he believed the Bible said about salvation (being through Faith Alone).
Being the overly enthusiastic guy I was, I marked down every single time the Bible mentioned salvation in the New Testament and categorised them. I wanted absolutely no possibility of cherry-picking and laid out my findings to be open to correction. Unfortunately, my dad's health deteriorated quite significantly while he was writing his response to this letter I sent him, and he never finished the reply. Mum had seen what he had written but thought it best that I did not receive what he wrote for reasons that were personal to her.
However, after re-discovering this letter I thought I would republish it here as a helpful resource for anyone who is wanting an in-depth look into what the Bible says about salvation. Enjoy!
If Faith alone is true then the Bible logically won’t say that anything else saves us. Now, to look at exactly what the Bible says about Salvation I will look at all New Testament verses that refer to being saved, entering the Kingdom of God, and having eternal life and all its variations. There will be no cherry-picking of certain verses, instead, we will look at all of them. If I miss any I’m sorry. I’m using the Bible Study Tools website to find these keywords in the Bible. I’m also using the King James Version.
So, Bible verses that mention being saved/save/will save, etc are:
Matthew 1:21, Matthew 8:25, Matthew 10:22, Matthew 13:57, Matthew 14:30, Matthew 16:25, Matthew 18:11, Matthew 19:25, Matthew 24:13, Matthew 27:40, Matthew 27:42, Matthew 27:49, Mark 3:4, Mark 8:35, Mark 10:26, Mark 13:13, Mark 15:30-31, Mark 16:16, Luke 6:9, Luke 7:50, Luke 8:12, Luke 9:24, Luke 13:23, Luke 18:26, Luke 19:10, Luke 23:35, Luke 23:37, Luke 23:39, John 3:17, John 5:34, John 12:27, John 12:47, Acts 2:21, Acts 2:40, Acts 2:47, Acts 4:12, Acts 11:14, Acts 15:1, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 27:20, Acts 27:31, Romans 5:9-10, Romans 8:24, Romans 9:27, Romans 10:1, 9-10, 13, Romans 11:14 Romans 11:26, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 3:15, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 7:16, 1 Corinthians 9:22 1 Corinthians 10:33, 1 Corinthians 15:2, 2 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8, Philippians 1:28, 1 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 5:7, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:39, Hebrews 11:7, James 1:21, James 2:14, James 4:12, James 5:20, 1 Peter 3:20-21, 1 Peter 4:18, Jude 1:23
The Bible verses that mention salvation are:
Luke 1:69, Luke 1:71, Luke 1:77, Luke 2:30, Luke 3:6, Luke 19:9, John 4:22, Acts 4:12, Acts 13:26, Acts 13:47, Acts 16:17, Acts 28:28, Romans 1:16, Romans 11:11, Romans 13:11, 2 Corinthians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 6:17, Philippians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:15, Titus 2:11, Hebrews 1:14, Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 6:9, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Peter 1:9-10, 2 Peter 3:15, Jude 1:3, Revelation 7:10, Revelation 12:10, Revelation 19:1.
The Bible verses referring to the Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God are:
Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:19-20, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 10:7, Matthew 11:11-12, Matthew 12:28, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:24-52, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:1, Matthew 18:3-4, Matthew 18:23, Matthew 19:12, Matthew 19:14, Matthew 19:23-24, Matthew 20:1, Matthew 21:31, Matthew 21:43, Matthew 22:2, Matthew 23:13, Matthew 25:1, Mark 1:14-15, Mark 4:11, Mark 4:26, Mark 4:30, Mark 9:1, Mark 9:47, Mark 10:14-15, Mark 10:23-25, Mark 12:34, Mark 14:25, Mark 15:43, Luke 4:43, Luke 6:20, Luke 7:28, Luke 8:1, Luke 8:10, Luke 9:2, Luke 9:11, Luke 9:27, Luke 9:60, Luke 9:62, Luke 10:9, Luke 10:11, Luke 11:20, Luke 12:31, Luke 13:18, Luke 13:20, Luke 13:28-29, Luke 14:15, Luke 16:16, Luke 17:20-21, Luke 18:16-17, Luke 18:24-25, Luke 18:29, Luke 19:11, Luke 21:31, Luke 22:16, Luke 22:18, Luke 23:51, John 3:3, John 3:5, Acts 1:3, Acts 8:12, Acts 14:22, Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23, Acts 28:31, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Timothy 4:1, James 2:5, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 12:10.
Lastly, the Bible verses mentioning eternal life or everlasting life or receiving a crown of life are:
Matthew 19:16-17, Matthew 19:29, Matthew 25:46, Mark 10:17, Mark 10:30, Luke 10:25, Luke 18:18, Luke 18:30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 4:36, John 5:24, John 5:39, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 6:47, John 6:53-54, John 6:68, John 10:28, John 12:25, John 12:50, John 17:2-3, Acts 13:46, Acts 13:48, Romans 2:7, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:19, Titus 1:2, Titus 3:7, James 1:12, 1 John 1:2, 1 John 2:25, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 5:11-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:21, Revelation 2:10.
These are obviously a lot of Bible verses, and many of them are verses which just mention the word save or just mention the Kingdom of God and don’t talk about what saves us and brings us into the Kingdom of God.
However, through reading these verses we can come up with different categories about what they say about salvation which we will get to after we lay out a brief description of each verse.
Bible verses that mention being saved/save/will save, etc
First let’s look at the verses around the word “save”. These are:
Matthew 1:21, Matthew 8:25, Matthew 10:22, Matthew 13:57, Matthew 14:30, Matthew 16:25, Matthew 18:11, Matthew 19:25, Matthew 24:13, Matthew 27:40, Matthew 27:42, Matthew 27:49, Mark 3:4, Mark 8:35, Mark 10:26, Mark 13:13, Mark 15:30-31, Mark 16:16, Luke 6:9, Luke 7:50, Luke 8:12, Luke 9:24, Luke 13:23, Luke 18:26, Luke 19:10, Luke 23:35, Luke 23:37, Luke 23:39, John 3:17, John 5:34, John 12:27, John 12:47, Acts 2:21, Acts 2:40, Acts 2:47, Acts 4:12, Acts 11:14, Acts 15:1, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 27:20, Acts 27:31, Romans 5:9-10, Romans 8:24, Romans 9:27, Romans 10:1, 9-10, 13, Romans 11:14 Romans 11:26, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 3:15, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 7:16, 1 Corinthians 9:22 1 Corinthians 10:33, 1 Corinthians 15:2, 2 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8, Philippians 1:28, 1 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 5:7, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:39, Hebrews 11:7, James 1:21, James 2:14, James 4:12, James 5:20, 1 Peter 3:20-21, 1 Peter 4:18, Jude 1:23
Let’s first deal with Matthew:
· Matthew 1:21 says that Jesus will save people from their sins.
· Matthew 8:25 is talking about the disciples asking Jesus to save them during the storm.
· Matthew 10:22 says that those that endure persecution until the end will be saved
· Matthew 13:57 is Jesus saying that a Prophet is not without honour, save in his own country. Not relevant to what we are talking about here.
· Matthew 14:30 is about Peter asking Jesus to save him when he was walking on the sea and started sinking.
· Matthew 16:25 is Jesus saying, whoever shall save his life shall lose it and whoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it
· Matthew 18:11 is talking about Jesus coming to save the lost like a shepherd saving his lost sheep.
· Matthew 19:25 is after Jesus said that rich men hardly enter the kingdom of heaven and the disciples asked, “who can be saved?” Jesus went on to say that with God all things are possible.
· Matthew 24:13 again says that those who endure will be saved.
· Matthew 27:40,42,49 is the Jews and Pharisees mocking Jesus saying to him to save himself. This isn’t relevant to our discussion.
Mark:
· Mark 3:4 is Jesus rebuking the Pharisees about noting working on the sabbath and asks is saving life was lawful on the sabbath. Not really relevant to our discussion here.
· Mark 8:35 is repeating what was said in Matthew 16:25
· Mark 10:26 is repeating what was said in Matthew 19:25
· Mark 13:13 again talks about those who endure shall be saved.
· Mark 15:30-31 is again the Jewish priests mocking Christ at the Crucifixion.
· Mark 16:16 is Jesus saying that whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.
Luke:
· Luke 6:9 is repeating what was said in Mark 3:4
· Luke 7:50 talks about the women who washed Christ’s feet and anointed his head with oil and after this exchange he says to her, “Thy faith has saved thee”
· Luke 8:12 is dealing with the parable of the sower and he is explaining the meaning behind the seed that fell by the wayside and was trodden upon and devoured by the birds. He says that this represent the devil taking the word out of their hearts lest they believe and be saved.
· Luke 9:24 is repeating what was said in Matthew 16:25 and Mark 8:35
· Luke 13:23 is speaking of whether many will be saved? Jesus then gives a parable about how when the master closes the door many will knock but be turned away.
· Luke 18:26 is repeating what was said in Matthew 19:25 and Mark 10:26
· Luke 19:10 is telling of the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus saying that Salvation has come to his house and that Jesus has come to save the lost.
· Luke 23:35, 37, 39 is again telling of the mocking at the crucifixion.
John:
· John 3:17 speaks of the world being saved through Jesus
· John 5:34 speaks that we will be saved through Christ’s testimony
· John 12:27 is Jesus speaking to the Father to save him from this Hour which was his impending crucifixion. Since this is about a temporal saving and not an eternal saving this isn’t relevant to what we are saying.
· John 12:47 is saying that Jesus came to save the world.
Acts:
· Acts 2:21 says that in the end times that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
· Acts 2:40 is Peter calling people to repent and be baptised further going on to say, “save yourselves from this untoward generation”
· Acts 2:47 is following on from and saying that people were being saved daily.
· Acts 4:12 is describing Christ as the Cornerstone saying that there is no other name whereby, we are saved.
· Acts 11:14 is Peter retelling the story of the conversion of Cornelius the Centurion saying that Cornelius called for Peter because an angel had told them that the message Peter would bring him would save him and all his house
· Acts 15:1 is describing the Early Christians who believed that you still needed to be circumcised to be saved.
· Acts 15:11 says that it is through the grace of Jesus that we are saved.
· Acts 16:30-31 is speaking about the prison keeper who asked Paul what he must do to be saved and Paul responded saying to Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he will be saved and his house.
· Acts 27:20 is speaking about Paul on the ship heading from Crete was caught in a storm and they lost hope of being saved. This is referring to temporal saving and is therefore not relevant to our discussion.
· Acts 27:31 this is also referring to the same above story and it thus not relevant.
Romans:
· Romans 5:9-10 Speaks about being saved through Jesus’s blood and being reconciled through his death.
· Romans 8:24 says that we are saved by hope
· Romans 9:27 talks about only a remnant of Israel will be saved.
· Romans 10:1 describes Paul’s desire that the Children of Israel be saved.
· Romans 10:9-10 says that whoever confesses Christ, and in his resurrection, will be saved.
· Romans 10:13 says that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
· Romans 11:14 talks about Paul saving people through emulation
· Romans 11:26 talks about when all the gentiles come to the faith that then all Israel shall be saved.
First and Second Corinthians:
· 1 Corinthians 1:18 talks about the preaching of the cross for those who are saved is the power of God.
· 1 Corinthians 1:21 is talking about how that we are saved by the foolishness of our preaching compared to God’s wisdom through our belief.
· 1 Corinthians 3:15 talks about how our works will be made manifest and those works which shall be burned will make us suffer loss as through a fire although we will still be saved.
· 1 Corinthians 5:5 is speaking about handing those people over to Satan who sin so that the spirit may be saved.
· 1 Corinthians 7:16 is talking about married couples who have an unbelieving partner and whether the believing partner is able to save the other.
· 1 Corinthians 9:22 talks about appealing to all sorts of men to save them
· 1 Corinthians 10:33 is again talking about pleasing all men in order to save them
· 1 Corinthians 15:2 says you are saved by the gospel preached by Paul
· 2 Corinthians 2:15 just speaks of all people (those who are saved and those who will perish) are a sweet savour to God.
Ephesians, Philippians, First and Second Timothy:
· Ephesians 2:5 says we were dead in sin and saved by grace
· Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by grace through faith
· Philippians 1:28 says we are saved not only through believing in Christ but also to suffer for Him.
· 1 Thessalonians 2:16 speaks about how the Jews were forbidding the Christians to speak to the Gentiles so that the Christians could save them.
· 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says we are saved through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.
· 1 Timothy 1:15 says that Christ came into the world to save sinners.
· 1 Timothy 2:4 says that God wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
· 1 Timothy 2:15 says that women are saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, charity and holiness and sobriety.
· 1 Timothy 4:16 says that those that continue in the doctrine will be saved.
· 2 Timothy 1:9 says that God has saved us and called us to holiness according to the grace of God given to us through Jesus Christ.
Titus, Hebrews, James, First Peter, and Jude:
· Titus 3:5 says that we are saved through God’s mercy by the washing of regeneration of water and renewing of the Holy Spirit and this is not through the works of righteousness we have done.
· Hebrews 5:7 says the Jesus was saved from death through His prayers and supplications
· Hebrews 7:25 says that Jesus saves us when we go to God through Him through His intercession
· Hebrews 10:39 distinguishes between those who draw back into perdition and those who believe in the saving of the soul.
· Hebrews 11:7 talks about how Noah saved his house by the building of the Ark. Not really relevant to our discussion.
· James 1:21 says our soul can be saved by receiving with meekness the engrafted word.
· James 2:14 asks if we can be saved with faith apart from works.
· James 4:12 says there is one lawgiver that is able to save and destroy.
· James 5:20 says that someone who converts a sinner from the error of his way shall save his soul from death.
· 1 Peter 3:20-21 says that just as Noah was saved through water now baptism also saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
· 1 Peter 4:18 says that the righteous scarcely are saved.
· Jude 1:23 says that some are saved with fear.
Bible Verses that mention Salvation:
The verses that mention salvation are:
Luke 1:69, Luke 1:71, Luke 1:77, Luke 2:30, Luke 3:6, Luke 19:9, John 4:22, Acts 4:12, Acts 13:26, Acts 13:47, Acts 16:17, Acts 28:28, Romans 1:16, Romans 11:11, Romans 13:11, 2 Corinthians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 6:17, Philippians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:15, Titus 2:11, Hebrews 1:14, Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 6:9, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Peter 1:9-10, 2 Peter 3:15, Jude 1:3, Revelation 7:10, Revelation 12:10, Revelation 19:1.
Luke and John:
· Luke 1:69 is Mary saying that God has raised up a horn of Salvation in the house of David His servant.
· Luke 1:71 is Mary continuing saying that we will be saved from the hands of our enemies.
· Luke 1:77 says that the people will have a knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
· Luke 2:30 is talking about Simeon after seeing the Baby Jesus saying, “My eyes have seen thy salvation.”
· Luke 3:6 says all flesh will see the salvation of God.
· Luke 19:9 is Jesus saying that salvation had come to the house of Zacchaeus after he said that he would repay those he had defrauded.
· John 4:22 is Jesus saying that Salvation is of the Jews.
Acts and Romans:
· Acts 4:12 says that we are only saved by the name of Jesus
· Acts 13:26 says that the word of salvation is sent to the Jews and those who fear God.
· Acts 13:47 says that salvation is also for the Gentiles.
· Acts 16:17 says that Paul and those who followed him showed the people the way of salvation.
· Acts 28:28 says that salvation is for the Gentiles.
· Romans 1:16 says that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto Salvation to the Jew first and then the Greek.
· Romans 11:11 says that through the fall of the Jews that salvation has come unto the gentiles.
· Romans 13:11 says that salvation is closer than when we first believed.
Second Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, and First Thessalonians:
· 2 Corinthians 1:6 says that our sufferings are for our consolation and salvation.
· 2 Corinthians 6:2 says that now is the day of salvation
· 2 Corinthians 7:10 says that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.
· Ephesians 1:13 mentions the gospel of salvation
· Ephesians 6:17 mentions the helmet of salvation
· Philippians 2:12 says to work out our salvation with fear and trembling
· 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 says to put on the helmet which is the hope of salvation and that we will obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Second Timothy, Titus, Hebrews:
· 2 Timothy 2:10 says that salvation is through Christ Jesus.
· 2 Timothy 3:15 says that the scriptures make us wise unto salvation which is in Jesus Christ
· Titus 2:11 says that the grace of God brings salvation to all men.
· Hebrews 1:14 says that angels are ministering spirits sent forth for the heirs of salvation.
· Hebrews 2:3 says that we should not let slip the things we have heard lest we fail to escape a just recompense of reward for our disobedience by neglecting our salvation.
· Hebrews 2:10 says that Jesus is the captain of our salvation.
· Hebrews 5:9 says Jesus is the author of Salvation to all those who obey him.
· Hebrews 6:9 says that there are things which accompany salvation (works of charity, hope unto the end, be not slothful but followers through endurance)
· Hebrews 9:28 says Jesus will appear a second time until salvation.
First Peter, Second Peter, Jude and Revelation:
· 1 Peter 1:5 says that salvation is for those who are kept by the power of God through faith.
· 1 Peter 1:9-10 says that through the trial of our faith that we will receive the end of our faith and the salvation of our souls which the prophets prophesized that by the grace of God would come unto us.
· 2 Peter 3:15 says that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation.
· Jude 1:3 says that Jude is writing unto them of the common salvation.
· Revelation 7:10 is speaking of a multitude of people crying out to God, “Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
· Revelation 12:10 is saying that salvation has come.
· Revelation 19:1 is similar to Revelation 7:10.
Bible verses that mention the Kingdom of God/Heaven
The verses which mention the Kingdom of God/Heaven are:
Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:19-20, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 10:7, Matthew 11:11-12, Matthew 12:28, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:24-52, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:1, Matthew 18:3-4, Matthew 18:23, Matthew 19:12, Matthew 19:14, Matthew 19:23-24, Matthew 20:1, Matthew 21:31, Matthew 21:43, Matthew 22:2, Matthew 23:13, Matthew 25:1, Mark 1:14-15, Mark 4:11, Mark 4:26, Mark 4:30, Mark 9:1, Mark 9:47, Mark 10:14-15, Mark 10:23-25, Mark 12:34, Mark 14:25, Mark 15:43, Luke 4:43, Luke 6:20, Luke 7:28, Luke 8:1, Luke 8:10, Luke 9:2, Luke 9:11, Luke 9:27, Luke 9:60, Luke 9:62, Luke 10:9, Luke 10:11, Luke 11:20, Luke 12:31, Luke 13:18, Luke 13:20, Luke 13:28-29, Luke 14:15, Luke 16:16, Luke 17:20-21, Luke 18:16-17, Luke 18:24-25, Luke 18:29, Luke 19:11, Luke 21:31, Luke 22:16, Luke 22:18, Luke 23:51, John 3:3, John 3:5, Acts 1:3, Acts 8:12, Acts 14:22, Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23, Acts 28:31, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Timothy 4:1, James 2:5, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 12:10.
Matthew:
· Matthew 3:2 John the Baptist says, repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand
· Matthew 4:17 Jesus says, repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
· Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
· Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
· Matthew 5:19-20 Jesus says that those who break the commandments and teach others likewise will be least in the Kingdom of Heaven and those who follow it and teach others likewise will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then goes on to say that unless one’s righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and pharisees they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
· Matthew 6:33 says that we should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
· Matthew 7:21 Only those who do the will of God will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Not even those who say, “Lord, Lord’.
· Matthew 8:11 says that many from around the world will sit in the kingdom of heaven.
· Matthew 10:7 says to preach that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
· Matthew 11:11-12 says that the least in the Kingdom of Heaven will be greater than John the Baptist was on earth. It also says that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.
· Matthew 12:28 Jesus says that because he casts out devils by the Spirit of God that the Kingdom of God has come unto them.
· Matthew 13:11 Jesus says that his disciplines have been given the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
· Matthew 13:24-52 in this Jesus gives multiple parables about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, like a mustard seed, a women who had put a bit of leaven into meal, like a treasure hidden in a field, like a merchant seeking good pearls, like a net cast into the sea, and like a householder which brings out his treasure.
· Matthew 16:19 Jesus gives to Peter the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
· Matthew 18:1 The disciples ask who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
· Matthew 18:3-4 says unless we are converted and become as like little children, we will not enter the kingdom of God.
· Matthew 18:23 Jesus again mentions another parable about the Kingdom of God being likened to a King who would take account of his servants.
· Matthew 19:12 speaks of those eunuchs who made themselves that way for the Kingdom of God’s sake.
· Matthew 19:14 Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of God.
· Matthew 19:23-24 Jesus says that rich men will hardly enter the kingdom of God and that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
· Matthew 20:1 Jesus here tells of the parable of the householder who hired labourers.
· Matthew 21:31 Here Jesus ends his parable to the chief priests and elders of the people about the man who had two sons who were asked to work in his vineyard. He ended it saying that the publicans and harlots will enter the Kingdom of Heaven before you.
· Matthew 21:43 Jesus finishes another parable about the householder who let his vineyard out to husbandman who kill his servants and son. Jesus goes on to say that the Kingdom of God will be taken from those and given to a nation who bear fruit.
· Matthew 22:2 Jesus speaks of another parable about a King who made a marriage for his son.
· Matthew 23:13 Jesus rebukes the scribes and pharisees for shutting up the Kingdom of God.
· Matthew 25:1 Jesus tells another parable about the Kingdom of God liking it to ten virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom.
Mark:
· Mark 1:14-15 says that Jesus was preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven and repeats Matt 4:17.
· Mark 4:11 repeats Matt 13:11
· Mark 4:26-30 repeats the first two parables in Matt 13:24-52
· Mark 9:1 says that some of those with Jesus will not die until they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power.
· Mark 9:47 says it is better to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than for you to be cast into hell with both of them.
· Mark 10:14-15 repeats Matt 19:14
· Mark 10:23-25 repeats Matt 19:23-24
· Mark 12:34 responds to a scribe who affirmed Christ’s two commandments of Love God and love thy neighbour by saying, Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God.
· Mark 14:25 Jesus says he will not drink anymore wine until he drinks it new in the Kingdom of God.
· Mark 15:43 speaks of Joseph the honourable counsellor who waited for the kingdom of God asking for the body of Christ from Pilate.
Luke:
· Luke 4:43 Christ talks about preaching the Kingdom of God to another city.
· Luke 6:20 Blessed be ye poor for yours is the kingdom of God.
· Luke 7:28 repeats Matt 11:11-12
· Luke 8:1 Jesus continues preaching the Kingdom of God.
· Luke 8:10 repeats Matt 13:11
· Luke 9:2 Jesus sends his disciples to preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick.
· Luke 9:11 repeats Luke 8:1
· Luke 9:27 repeats Mark 9:1
· Luke 9:60-62 Jesus tells someone to let the dead bury their own dead but go and preach the Kingdom of God, Jesus then goes on and says, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
· Luke 10:9-11 the disciples are told that regardless of whether a city receives them or not they are to tell them that the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
· Luke 11:20 repeats Matt 12:28
· Luke 12:31 repeats Matt 6:33
· Luke 13:18-29 repeats the parables from Maat 13:24-52
· Luke 14:15 blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
· Luke 16:16 Jesus is talking to the Pharisees saying to them that they are hypocrites for wanting to justified by men and not God and that the Law was until John but now the Kingdom of God is preached.
· Luke 17:20-21 Jesus answers the Pharisees after they ask Him of when the Kingdom of God should come, he answers that The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation because the Kingdom of God is within you.
· Luke 18:16-17 repeats Matt 19:14
· Luke 18:24-25 repeats Matt 19:23-24
· Luke 18:29 speaks about how those who leave house, parents, brethren or wife or children for the Kingdom of God’s sake will receive more in the life everlasting.
· Luke 19:11 At the start of Jesus teaches the parable of the talents Luke prefaces by saying that the parable was taught because they thought the Kingdom of God was near.
· Luke 21:31 speaks of when you see the signs of the end times then you will know that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
· Luke 22:16-18 repeats Mark 14:25
· Luke 23:51 repeats Mark 15:43
John and Acts:
· John 3:3-5 says Unless a man be born again of the Spirit and water he will not enter the Kingdom of God.
· Acts 1:3 says that after Christ’s resurrection he appeared to people and spoke to them about the Kingdom of Heaven.
· Acts 8:12 says that when people of Samaria believed what Phillip said about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ they were baptised.
· Acts 14:22 talks about how the Apostles taught that the people must continue in the faith and that through tribulation that they would enter the Kingdom of God.
· Acts 19:8 talks about Paul going into a synagogue and disputing and persuading them about things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
· Acts 20:25 speaks about how Paul preached about the Kingdom of God.
· Acts 28:23 speaks about Paul using the law of Moses and the Prophets to testify of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
· Acts 28:31 speaks about how Paul continued preaching the Kingdom of God.
Romans, First Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians, Hebrews, Second Timothy, James and Revelation:
· Romans 14:17 says the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
· 1 Corinthians 4:20 The Kingdom of God is not in word but in Power
· 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 The Unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, Effeminate, Homosexuals, Thieves, Covetous, Drunkards, Revilers, and Extortioners won’t inherit the Kingdom of God.
· 1 Corinthians 15:50 says flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
· Galatians 5:21 says those who practice the works of the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God being: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.
· Ephesians 5:5 says whoremongers, unclean people, covetous men and idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven.
· Colossians 4:11 Paul lists people who are his fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God.
· 1 Thessalonians 2:12 says that we should walk worthy of God who has called us to His kingdom.
· 2 Thessalonians 1:5 says that faith and patience in persecutions is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God, that we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God.
· Hebrews 1:8 says that the Sceptre of Righteousness is the sceptre of His Kingdom.
· 2 Timothy 4:1 says that Jesus will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.
· James 2:5 says that God chooses the poor of the world who are rich in faith and who love God to be the heirs of His Kingdom.
· Revelation 1:9 John says that he is a brother in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ.
· Revelation 12:10 describes a voice from heaven saying, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before Our God day and night.
Bible Verses that mention Eternal/Everlasting Life or Receiving a crown of Life
The verses that mention Life in this way are:
Matthew 19:16-17, Matthew 19:29, Matthew 25:46, Mark 10:17, Mark 10:30, Luke 10:25, Luke 18:18, Luke 18:30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 4:36, John 5:24, John 5:39, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 6:47, John 6:53-54, John 6:68, John 10:28, John 12:25, John 12:50, John 17:2-3, Acts 13:46, Acts 13:48, Romans 2:7, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:19, Titus 1:2, Titus 3:7, James 1:12, 1 John 1:2, 1 John 2:25, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 5:11-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:21, Revelation 2:10.
Matthew, Mark and Luke:
· Matthew 19:16-17 describes a man coming to Jesus asking Him what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus answers to follow the Commandments.
· Matthew 19:29 says that those who forsake houses, brethren, sisters, a father, a mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for Jesus’s name’s sake shall receive a hundredfold and shall inherit eternal life.
· Matthew 25:46 says that the righteous will go into eternal life
· Mark 10:17 repeats Matt 19:16-17
· Mark 10:30 repeats Matt 19:29
· Luke 10:25-28 says to inherit eternal life that you must love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind.
· Luke 18:18 repeats Matt 19:16-17
· Luke 18:30 repeats Matt 19:29
John:
· John 3:15-16 says that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life
· John 3:36 says that whoever believeth on the Son will have everlasting life
· John 4:14 says that the water that Jesus gives us to drink will be a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
· John 4:36 says that those who reap receive wages and gather fruit into eternal life.
· John 5:24 says that those who hear Jesus’s word and believe in Him who sent Jesus will have everlasting life.
· John 5:39 Jesus says to search the scriptures because in them they think they have eternal life but the prophets where pointing to Jesus.
· John 6:27 Tells us not to labour after the meat that will perish, but for the meat that will endure unto life everlasting which Jesus will give us.
· John 6:40 says that everyone that sees the Son and believes on Him will have everlasting Life.
· John 6:47 says that those who believe On Jesus will have everlasting Life.
· John 6:53-54 says that unless we eat Jesus’s flesh and drink His blood will won’t have eternal life. Those who eat His flesh and drink His blood have eternal life.
· John 6:68 Peter says to Jesus that He has the words of Eternal life.
· John 10:28 Jesus says that His sheep that hear His voice and follow Him will be given eternal life.
· John 12:25 says that those who love their life will lose it and those who hate their life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life.
· John 12:50 says that Jesus has a commandment from God about what He should speak and what he shall say. And this commandment is life everlasting.
· John 17:2-3 says that eternal life is those who know the one true God and Jesus Christ whom God sent.
Acts, Romans, First Timothy:
· Acts 13:46-48 says that the Jews judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life and so the Apostles turned to the Gentiles and those gentiles who heard this were glad and came to everlasting life.
· Romans 2:7 says that God renders to every man his deeds. Those who by patient continuance in well doing seek the glory and honour and immortality will receive eternal life.
· Romans 5:21 says that grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ.
· Romans 6:22-23 says that the end of holiness is eternal life and that eternal life is a gift from God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
· 1 Timothy 1:16 says that through obtaining mercy for our sins and through longsuffering through Christ which is a pattern for those who believe on Christ will have everlasting life.
· 1 Timothy 6:12 says that we are called to eternal life
· 1 Timothy 6:19 says that the rich should not be high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches but be rich in good works that they may lay a good foundation against the world to come and that they may lay hold of eternal life.
Titus, James, First John, Jude and Revelation:
· Titus 1:2 says that God promised eternal life before the world began.
· Titus 3:7 That those justified by Grace are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
· James 1:12 says that those who endure temptation will receive a crown of life which God has promised to those who Love him.
· 1 John 1:2 says that eternal life was with the Father has been manifested unto us,
· 1 John 2:25 says that those who continue in the Son and in the Father will be promised eternal life.
· 1 John 3:15 says no murderers have eternal life in them
· 1 John 5:11-13 says that God has given us eternal Life through His Son and that we may believe on the name of the Son of God and know we have eternal life.
· 1 John 5:20 says that Jesus is the true God and eternal life.
· Jude 1:21 says that we should keep ourselves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal Life.
Revelation 2:10 says that the devil will cast some of us into prison that we may be tried and we shall have tribulation for ten days and if we are faithful unto death God will give us a crown of Life.
Overview
So, what do we make of all these verses? These verses show us that we are saved by many different things. They all say that we are saved through Jesus Christ. This is incontestable. They also say other things like we are saved by Jesus’s name, by grace, by hope, through mercy, through endurance, through baptism, through holiness and righteousness, through obeying the commandments, through doing good works, that doing bad works means you won’t inherit eternal life, through loving God and loving our neighbour, but even some more bizarre ones like eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood, and even after being cast into prison by the devil that after a period of tribulation that we will be saved, and many others. So how do we consolidate all these verses into one comprehensive understanding?
We see from these verses that the obtaining of salvation has different tenses. Some verses describe salvation in the past tense like in Ephesians 2:8 where it says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” However, it also uses the present tense like in Philippians 2:12 which says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Lastly, it also uses the future tense with salvation like in Matthew 24:13 which says, “but he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.” This past, present and future tense of understanding salvation show that it’s more than a once-off moment. So, how do we understand these three tenses to salvation?
Let’s first look at the verses that refer to baptism and salvation. The most explicit is 1 Peter 3:20-21 which says, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 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.”
And in Mark 16:16 which says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Baptism saves us, but how? By being born again. John 3:5 says, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Titus 3:4-5 also says, “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.” How do we know that these verses are referring to Baptism? If we look at John chapter 3 we see the query of Nicodemus. After Nicodemus asks his questions Jesus’s reply goes until verse 21 and straight away in verse 22 we see Jesus starts baptizing and we further see how John the Baptist’s disciples respond to Jesus Baptising. The Whole of John 3 is about baptism and this makes sense when we look at what the two parts in John 3:5 that gives us a new birth. Water and the Spirit or the Holy Spirit. Water which we see in 1 Peter 3:21 was a figure that saved Noah and now saves us.
We also see a figure of baptism in the Israelites and the parting of the Red Sea where God’s chosen people passed through water and were saved. We understand the part of the Holy Spirit in baptism when we read verses like 1 Corinthians 12:13 which say, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” This drinking of the Spirit is what we read of in John 4:14 which says, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” We see water as a symbol of the Holy Spirit like in Revelation 22:1 which says, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” This verse is describing the Holy Spirit proceeding from both the Father and the Son.
Paul in Romans 6:3-4, shows how through baptism we have this new life saying, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Baptism is how we accept Jesus’s death of the Cross. It is through our baptism that we die to our sins and are born again into Christ. These symbols of water and the Holy Spirit for baptism are then seen again in Titus where we can begin to understand the process of salvation.
Titus 3:5-8 says, “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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
The way we are saved through grace and not through righteousness is through our baptism. Baptism saves us through God’s mercy because baptism cleanses us of sin, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16) This mercy from Baptism is a grace from God and not something we can merit through any works. Our Baptism is an act of Faith as Peter says in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
We see in Acts 2:38 it talks about being baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. This is how we are saved by believing in the name of Jesus because we believe that through our baptism Jesus has saved us. We see this in Acts 8:12 which says, “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
So, Baptism is the start of our salvation. We are saved through our baptism. So, why do we still need to work out our salvation through fear and trembling if we are saved through our baptism? What does Paul mean in Romans 13:11 when he says, “for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed”? We need only look a little further in Titus chapter 3 to see what it says next. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Those who have believed in God (through their baptism) might be careful to maintain good works. Why should we be careful to maintain good works? Because we read in Romans 2:5-7, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.”
We see here in Romans that God renders to those according to their deeds and for those who by patient continuance in well doing God will render eternal life. But, does this mean we somehow merit salvation through our deeds? If we look a little further in Romans we see our answer. In Romans 5:21 we read, “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” These good deeds that we do are us cooperating through our righteousness with the grace of God. We are being saved by God’s grace through our righteousness. This isn’t us earning salvation apart from God but us working with God and His grace towards our salvation. As it says later in Romans 6:22, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” And it is also written in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” The end of our good works and our sanctification is eternal life when we do these things out of obedience to God and in imitation of Him. This is why it is said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life.” (John 10:27) and why Jesus constantly affirms the importance of following His commandments in order to gain salvation. “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16-17)
This is also why it is said that sinners won’t enter the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5). They won’t enter the Kingdom because it is only those who endure to the end who will be saved and this is where the future tense comes in. However, before we move on the the future tense doesn’t Paul say that we aren’t justified by the works of the Law in Galatians 2:16? Yes, but thanks to the Dead Sea Scrolls we have found that the ‘Works of the Law’ was actually an ancient Jewish document that taught salvation through ritual purity. It doesn’t have anything to do with being saved by works. As Paul was a Rabbi and a lawyer, he would have been familiar with this document which is why he would have commented on it so many times.
Now, to the future tense. Matthew 24:13 says, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:13 repeats this saying, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” We must endure in good works for our sanctification. If we don’t endure then we can lose our salvation as it says in Hebrews 2:1-3, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Let them slip is the word pararyōmen in greek. The word can also be translated as “to fall off, decline from steadfastness, make forfeit of faith” (billmounce.com) We can also see this loss of salvation in the parable of the vine where it says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:1-2) See how Jesus describe that the branch that doesn’t bear fruit is still in him? He later makes a distinction of a branch not in him that is cast into the fire, but here he talks of a branch still in him but that does not bear fruit or some who believes in Jesus but doesn’t have any good works. This branch is still taken away, only the branch that bears fruit remains in the vine.
Another verse we see the Bible talking about people losing their salvation is Romans 11:22, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” And again in Hebrews 10:26-29, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” and also in 2 Peter 2:20-21, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
As we can see the Bible teaches a past, present and future tense to the salvation process. We also see the importance of baptism in salvation, and that salvation can be lost.
Post Script: While faith plays an important part in salvation, it is clear from these passages that faith alone is not a Biblical doctrine for salvation as perseverance in good works and other things are also said to be necessary for salvation.
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