Understanding Salvation: Past, Present, Future

When many people hear the term "salvation," they immediately think of something that occurred in their past. Many Protestants believe salvation is received the instant they express genuine faith in Christ as their personal Savior, and that it can never be forfeited. As we shall notice, these ideas are not accurate.

Consider several passages that speak of salvation from varying vantage points in time.

Future Salvation

In the Great Commission, according to Mark's record, Jesus said: "He who believes and is immersed shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). This passage speaks of the sinner who has never known Christ, but who learns of the Lord, believes his gospel, and, based upon penitent faith, is immersed in water.

What is the result? He "shall be saved." The verb is in the future tense, and salvation is contingent upon the obedience specified. Regrettably, so many repudiate this very clear declaration.

First, the text negates the false notion of "universalism" (i.e., the idea that all people will ultimately be saved). Second, it refutes the Calvinistic theory that "election" is "unconditional." Third, as noted already, it contradicts the erroneous idea that salvation is by "faith alone"; rather, "works" [obedience] also are involved in salvation (see James 2:24).

Note: J. H. Thayer described the "works" in James 2 as relating to "the conduct of men, measured by the standard of religion and righteousness" (248).

Past Salvation

Writing from a different time perspective, Paul reminded Titus that, because of his kindness and mercy, God "saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-5).

The verb here is in the past tense. It refers back to the salvation received when one submitted to the "washing" (i.e., baptism – cf. Acts 22:16) of "regeneration" (the new birth – John 3:3-5). This resulted from the "renewing" instruction of the Holy Spirit, operating through the gospel message (Ephesians 6:17). At the point of our baptism, all our past sins were pardoned forever.

Present Salvation

Contrary to many beliefs, the salvation process does not end with our conversion to Christ. One's redemption is not a "done deal" that can never be forfeited. That is Calvin's dogma, not Christ's.

In a letter to the church at Corinth, Paul wrote: "Now I make known unto you, brothers, the gospel which I preached unto you ... by which also you are saved" (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). The Greek verb rendered "are saved" is in the present tense; literally, "are being saved" (see also 1:18, ASV footnote). Salvation is a continuous process as we faithfully live the Christian life.

Future Final

Paul once stated that "our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11). Later, he would tell Timothy, "The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom" (2 Timothy 4:18). The apostle Peter would speak of Christians "receiving the end [goal] of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9).

I recently found it quite remarkable that an internationally recognized Bible scholar, Peter Davids, wrote the following regarding 1 Peter 1:9.

Salvation, then, is a goal. It is what Christians are moving toward. According to 1 Peter it begins with baptism (1 Pet. 3:21), but it is finally revealed only in "the last time" (1 Pet. 1:5). The mark of those who are "being saved" is their remaining firm in the faith under persecution (710).

That is most refreshing from a denominational scholar. Rejoice, therefore, in your salvation — past, present, and future — if indeed you have embraced the promises of the Lord (cf. Hebrews 5:9).