Articles
Does the bible teach that all religious people will be saved?
Question- Does the bible teach that all religious people will be saved?
Answer- No. It takes more than just being religious and going to church to be saved. Certainly, one cannot go to heaven without being faithful in attendance (Heb. 10:25), and abiding in the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9). However, we see many examples in the bible of religious people who were not in s saved condition.
Cornelius was a devout, just, man who feared the Lord and was generous to the poor (read his story in Acts 10:1-48), He prayed often and even contributed money for a synagogue for the Jews. He was further, well-thought of among the general public. However, he was not in a saved state, because the Lord sent Peter to convert him through the preaching of the gospel. He and his household were baptized.
Apollos was an eloquent preach who was preaching error. In Acts 18:24-26. Aquilla and Priscilla took him aside and explained to him the way more perfectly. It was important not only to be active in teaching Christ, but to do so according to the:” doctrine of Christ” (2 Jn.9). The church at Laodecea was a lukewarm group and the Lord told them in Rev. 3 that he was going to cease to recognize them as the true church if they did not repent. In Revelation 2 and 3 5 of the 7 churches of Asia addressed by John, were called on to repent or “have their candlestick removed” (which meant they would be rejected by Christ).
Jesus preached hard to possibly the most religiously devout people in the first century but they were in error and He was going to reject them if they did not turn from their evil. These “religious” people called Pharisees and Sadducees were more interested in promoting their religion than following Christ. In Matthew 23 Jesus pronounces woe upon them because of their hypocrisy. Jesus also stressed 5 times that “if you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn, 14:15). Doctrine matters as much as sincerity. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus teaches “not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven but he that does the will of my father that is in heaven.” In Matthew 7:22- Jesus continues, “on that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, can cast our demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” Sadly, in verse 23 it says, “then will I profess to them, I never knew you, depart from me you workers of iniquity.”
There are many sincere people in denominations of men who do many good things, but they are not serving God correctly in their doctrine. The Lord has shown in the Bible that it takes more than good morality and doing good deeds to be saved. We must teach and practice the doctrine of Christ and walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).
