What do we mean, "Can a Baptist church save you?" It is easy to picture being "saved" from a burning building by a heroic fireman. It is a daily routine for a surgeon to "save" disease and accident victims from death. In these cases it is easy to understand what the word "save" means.

Obviously a Baptist church is not a fire department or a hospital. So we are not thinking in terms of a Baptist church’s "saving" you from a burning building or a serious disease or injury. However, the Bible emphatically tells us that there is a danger to be "saved" from. The danger is that of losing your soul. What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul [Mark 8:36]?

God made mankind to live and have fellowship with Himself, but when man sinned he broke that fellowship. This sin plunged the whole human race immediately into spiritual death–separation from God. There is none righteous, no, not one. For all sinned and come short of the glory of God [Romans 3:10, 23]. If you have not already been "saved" you are headed for eternal punishment in everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels [Matthew 25:41]. You need to be "saved."

"Can a Baptist church save you?" No. Becoming a member of a Baptist church (OR ANY OTHER CHURCH) cannot "save" you from the just reward for your sins. The Lord’s Supper, baptism, sacraments, morality, or good deeds cannot take the place of your paying the penalty for your sins. The Lord’s Supper is simply A REMEMBRANCE and not a "saving" rite. Nor can a solemn, sacred ceremony whereby believers REMEMBER the death of Jesus Christ until He returns, save you [see 1st Corinthians 11:23-26]. Baptism, likewise, is simply a picture of the believer’s identification with Christ by faith alone [see Romans 6:1-11]. The Bible expressly states that baptism is a figure and that it is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God [1st Peter 3:21]. Of works we read: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He SAVED us [Titus 3:5]. Only God can "save" you. Of Jesus Christ, Who is God come in flesh, the Bible says: Neither is there SALVATION in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be SAVED [Acts 4:12]. Eternal life, or being "saved," is the gift of God through the merits of Jesus Christ alone [Romans 6:23].

What then is the purpose of a Baptist church and the "saving" of men? Its purpose is to show the way of salvation by preaching the Gospel in order that sinners might be "saved." A true church of Jesus Christ, through its faithful witness will point weary, burdened sinners to the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29]. It will point lost sinners to Jesus Christ, Who said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me [John 14:6].

How can you be "saved?" You must realize that you are a Hell deserving sinner and unable to "save" yourself, repent of your sins and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Christ said, Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish [Luke 13:3]. John 6:37 assures us that God will accept a repentant sinner who is willing to believe on Jesus Christ. The Bible emphasizes the fact that salvation is only by His mercy and power. In Ephesians 2:8, 9 we read that by grace you are SAVED through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest anyone should boast. Again we are told that as many as received Him [Jesus Christ], to those gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name [John 1:12]. We urge you right now to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Jesus alone "saves" lost sinners and not some church.

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This Page Last Updated: 02/07/00 A. Allison Lewis aalewis@christianbeliefs.org