Ask nearly any professed Christian, and they will affirm that one needs to put their trust in Christ in order to be saved. But what exactly does that mean? Interestingly, the New Testament does not use that phrase (trust/trusting in Christ) in reference to salvation, but the concept is certainly there. However, we need to be very careful how we understand and explain this. Just because the New Testament teaches the concept that we must trust in Christ for salvation does not mean that every claim people make about what this means is valid. We want to understand what the Bible – particularly the New Testament – teaches about this. So let us consider it now.
Salvation Is Only in Christ
Jesus came into the world in order to bring salvation to mankind. He explained this to Nicodemus when the ruler of the Jews came to him one night:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).
Because Jesus came to save “the world,” anyone can take advantage of His offer of salvation (contrary to the Calvinistic error of limited atonement). However, Jesus did not just offer one possible path to salvation among many. Instead, He provides the only way to salvation. He told His disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Peter and John affirmed this as well after they were arrested and brought before the Jewish Council:
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
If we want to be saved, we must go through Christ for salvation. There is no other way but the one He offered.
What It Means to Trust in Christ for Salvation
When many people describe what it means to trust in Christ for salvation, they focus on their belief or faith in Him. This is certainly part of what it means to trust in Christ, but if we conclude that all we need to do is mentally acknowledge who Jesus is as the Son of God, we have misunderstood what it means to have faith. James made it clear that faith is more than just acknowledging Jesus and recognizing who He is.
“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14).
Many believe that we are saved by faith apart from works. In this passage, James addressed this type of faith – a faith with “no works.” Can such a faith “save” us? Consider what James wrote in response to that question:
- He said faith without works is dead – “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:17). “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
- He said there is no proof of faith without works – “But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works’” (James 2:18).
- He said that even the demons believe in God – “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” (James 2:19). Surely no one will affirm that the demons have saving faith.
- He said that faith without works is useless – “But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?” (James 2:20).
- He said that faith and works work together – “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected” (James 2:21-22).
- He said that we are justified by works – “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).
Therefore, trusting in Christ for salvation is about more than just believing in Him and acknowledging what He did in His death and resurrection. It also includes:
- Recognizing that He is the source of salvation – “And having been made perfect, [Jesus] became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). We already noticed the apostles’ affirmation that salvation is only in Christ (Acts 4:12). The Hebrew writer’s statement agrees with this, but adds a key provision. Jesus is the source of salvation to those who obey Him, which leads to the next point…
- Following His instructions for obtaining salvation – “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Many will heartily agree that Jesus is “Lord,” yet we need to remember what that title means. By calling Jesus “Lord,” we are affirming that He has authority over us and has the right to give us instructions and expect us to do what He says.
- Remaining faithful to Him in order to be saved – “But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). The apostle Paul recognized that it was possible for him to forfeit his salvation, even after he was once converted to Christ and spent years proclaiming the gospel. The Christians in Smyrna were told to be “faithful until death” in order to receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Those points above – particularly the ones about the need to obey Christ and remain faithful – often receive pushback from professed Christians. Among this group, most will argue that we are saved by faith alone; therefore, they reject any suggestion that obedience or continued faithfulness are necessary for salvation. However, the only verse that mentions “faith alone” is one we cited above: “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). That verse explicitly states that “faith alone” will not save anyone. Yet many continue to argue contrary to James and say that we are saved by faith alone. They say we simply need to “trust in Christ,” as if those works are not part of trusting in Christ.
What Jesus Said About Who Will Be Saved
Trusting in Christ fundamentally includes believing what He said and accepting His statements as true. What did Jesus say about who will be saved?
“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).
“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
The verses above mention three conditions for salvation – belief, repentance, and baptism. You would be hard-pressed to find a professed Christian who would claim that belief in Christ is not necessary for salvation. Many (though not all) will also be comfortable affirming that repentance is also necessary. Yet, for some reason, most professed Christians reject baptism as being necessary for salvation, even though:
- Jesus said that one must be baptized to be saved – “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
- Peter told the crowd at Pentecost that they needed to be baptized to receive the remission of sins – “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).
- Paul was told to be baptized to have his sins washed away – “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).
- Paul taught that baptism is how we get into Christ – “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3). “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
- Peter plainly stated that baptism saves us – “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
There are many other passages about baptism that we could list, but these provide an adequate sample. If we are going to trust in Christ for our salvation, we need to believe what He said about who will be saved. When He and His apostles say that baptism is necessary for us to have our sins washed away, gain entrance into the body of Christ, and be saved, we need to believe that and obey that instruction.
Answering Objections
When discussing this with other religious people, a common objection is that we are trusting in water when we are baptized to be saved, or that we are trusting in our works for our salvation. Yet Peter was not “trusting in water” when he said, “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). James was not “trusting in works” when he wrote, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). On the contrary, we are trusting in Christ by following what He taught. Remember what the Hebrew writer said:
“And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Jesus is the source of salvation to those who obey Him, which includes what He said about baptism. It includes what His inspired apostles taught about this as well. Those who reject what Jesus said are not trusting in Him, despite their claim. Instead, they are trusting in their opinion, their pastor, their church, the internet, etc. Yet salvation is only in Christ (Acts 4:12). Therefore, we need to follow what He has said about it.
Conclusion
Only those who trust in Christ will be saved. But we need to take a complete look at the New Testament to understand what that means. We must believe in Christ, acknowledge who He is as the Son of God, and recognize what He did by dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead. We also need to follow His instructions because we understand that He is the source of salvation for those who obey Him.
