The question of who can be saved is an important one that the Bible addresses throughout its pages. At the heart of this question is how a person can have a right relationship with God and receive eternal life. The Bible makes clear that salvation is made possible only through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). However, there are differing perspectives on how inclusive or exclusive salvation is. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about who can be saved:
Salvation is available to all who believe in Jesus
The good news of the gospel is that eternal life is available to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Numerous verses affirm that putting one’s faith in Christ is key to salvation, regardless of background or circumstance. John 3:16 famously states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The invitation is open to “whoever” believes. In Romans 10:13, Paul writes: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Salvation is not restricted by race, class, age, gender, or nationality – it is offered to all.
Jesus frequently welcomed and showed mercy to those despised or marginalized in society, such as tax collectors (Luke 19:1-10), Samaritans (John 4:1-42), and women with bad reputations (Luke 7:36-50). His love extended beyond the religious elite to embrace the outcast. After his resurrection, Jesus commissioned his followers to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15), showing salvation’s universal availability.
Not all will accept this offer
Although Jesus died “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2), sadly not everyone will receive this offer of salvation. Jesus himself declared that the way to salvation was narrow, and few would find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Why is this? The Bible indicates that not all will place their faith in Christ and repent of their sins:
– Some will reject Christ out of unbelief (John 3:18; Acts 4:10-12). Salvation requires recognizing one’s need for a Savior and trusting in Christ alone.
– Some will turn away because they love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-20). Salvation involves coming into the light and pursuing truth.
– Some fall away over time from once professing faith (Matthew 13:20-22; Hebrews 6:4-6). Salvation must take root deeply to persevere.
Though none are worthy to receive salvation in themselves, pride, unbelief and hard hearts can prevent people from accepting God’s free gift of eternal life. Jesus died for the sins of the world, but only those who believe in him are saved (John 3:16).
What about those who never hear the gospel?
A difficult question is what happens to those who never get the opportunity to respond to the gospel in this life. Scripture affirms that faith comes by hearing the word about Christ (Romans 10:17). Can God justly condemn someone who never hears this message?
We can trust the Judge of all the earth to do what is right (Genesis 18:25). We do not have full knowledge, but several biblical principles can guide our thinking:
– God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and will judge with righteousness by what each person has received (Acts 17:30-31).
– God desires all to come to repentance and has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 33:11). He seeks to get the gospel to all peoples.
– Without Christ, people stand condemned already for their sin (John 3:18). The offer of salvation is a mercy.
– Those who respond to the light they have received will hear God’s voice leading them to the fullness of truth (John 7:17).
While we cannot settle this issue definitively, we can trust God’s justice and mercy. Our task is to faithfully spread the gospel so more have the chance to know Christ. In the end, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).
Children & the mentally disabled
What about those deemed too young or mentally impaired to comprehend the gospel? Are they under condemnation? Again, we cannot be certain, but can find assurance in knowing:
– God’s dealings are perfectly just, and He judges according to what each is given (Luke 12:47-48).
– God specially cares for the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3-4; Matthew 18:1-5). Their limitations are no barrier.
– The Bible indicates an “age of accountability” where children are not held accountable in the same way as adults (Deuteronomy 1:39; Isaiah 7:14-16).
– David believed he would one day join his deceased newborn in paradise (2 Samuel 12:23), suggesting God redeems those unable to believe.
While details are limited, we can trust the mercy and justice of God. Perhaps God enables those incapable of conscious faith to receive Christ’s payment for sins in some manner.
False professions of faith
Jesus warned of false believers who never truly knew him, such as those who relied on religious deeds instead of grace (Matthew 7:21-23). Nominal Christians may profess certain beliefs but lack spiritual rebirth through repentance and faith (Titus 1:16). Over time, some fall away, indicating they never had saving faith to begin with (1 John 2:19).
We cannot infallibly judge another’s heart. But Scripture gives sobering warnings about those who only superficially embrace the gospel. Persevering faith, obedience and fruit are meant to mark true conversion (James 2:14-26; Matthew 7:15-20). Christians are called to self-examination to confirm they are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
At the same time, Scripture offers assurance to doubting believers. Our salvation rests on Christ’s perfect work, not our flawed faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
Can one lose salvation?
Related to the issue of false faith is the question of whether someone who truly believes can later lose their salvation. There are two main perspectives:
Eternal security view: Salvation cannot be lost, since it rests on God’s faithfulness, not ours. Jesus promised his sheep would never perish but have eternal life (John 10:27-28).
Conditional security view: Salvation can be forfeited if one rejects Christ through persistent unbelief, falls away from the faith. Passages warn believers to persevere and not reject Christ (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31).
We must interpret Scripture as a unified whole. There is mystery here. But both views agree that the evidence of genuine faith is perseverance by God’s power. The debate concerns whether God would ever allow true believers to fully and finally forsake him.
Regardless of differences on this issue, the biblical response is to strive to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10) and walk faithfully with God all our days, never presuming ongoing acceptance without repentance.
Barriers to salvation
In summary, the Bible indicates that though the offer of salvation is open to all, there are barriers that can prevent people from receiving it:
- Rejection of the gospel out of unbelief or love of sin (John 3:18; Romans 10:14)
- Pursuing good deeds instead of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Superficial or inauthentic faith (Matthew 13:1-9)
- Failure to persevere in faith (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Our response must be humility. Scripture warns against self-righteousness and presumption. We cannot infallibly discern who is saved. We must examine our own faith while longing for God’s mercy to extend to all people.
God desires all to be saved
The Bible reveals a tension between human responsibility to respond to the gospel and God’s sovereignty in salvation. We finite creatures cannot fully reconcile these. But this should not weaken our confidence in God’s justice and mercy. Scripture affirms that God loves the entire world and desires none to perish (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4).
At the same time, God mysteriously limits salvation to those who come through faith in Christ. Jesus said “no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Peter proclaimed “there is salvation in no one else” besides Jesus (Acts 4:12).
Fully comprehending God’s ways is impossible (Romans 11:33-36). But we can trust the heart of the One who sacrificed His Son to provide salvation. He will judge rightly. Our task is to faithfully preach the gospel, warning of sin’s judgment and sharing the mercy found in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10-6:2; Ezekiel 3:16-21). We leave ultimate knowledge of salvation’s scope to the One who said, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”