The title for this lesson comes from a statement made by a father. A number of years ago I was watching on TV, a religious program that featured Benny Hinn, a supposed "faith healer." During the program, a father brought his son forward to the stage so that he might be "healed" of whatever was ailing him (I don't remember what that was). The father left his son on stage and returned to his seat. Suddenly, as he walked back, he was "saved!" He immediately returned to the stage and exclaimed, "I didn't mean to be saved, but I was!" Of course, the hundreds who were present, as well as Mr. Hinn, offered praises to God, thanking Him for saving this lost sinner. Is that how God saves souls today? Is that the way He works?

We need to ask some very important questions concerning how God saves souls today. And there's only one place to go for the answers--His Word; for it is written: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12) "All scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Keep in mind that God is able to do whatever He desires, but will he?

1) Can a Person Be Saved If He/She Doesn't Want to Be? To answer this question, let us note the following.

1. Can you imagine the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit forcing an individual to be saved? There is no doubt that God could, but would He? If He forces one, why not all? First, the scriptures affirm that God gave man free will, to choose life or death. Second, God is not a respecter of persons. He desires for all souls to be saved; however, He does not force salvation on anyone. Nor, does He force us to love Him! Read what is written:
   
   "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God and not that he should return from his ways, and live? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive." (Ezekiel 18:23,26-27)
   
   "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) "The Lord is ...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
   
   
2. Can a person be saved without knowledge of the truth? Can anyone be saved without hearing the Gospel? Not according to the scriptures! "For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? How shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:11-14)
   
   Of course, one must hear the TRUTH! A false Gospel will never save anyone; and yet that is what Mr. Hinn and many like him preach! "But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8) "... And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matthew 15:14)
   
   
3. Can a person be saved if his heart and mind are not right? We can reject the very words that could save us! "And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." (Acts 13:44-46) Read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23. A person cannot be saved without first having a proper heart, and then hearing the true gospel!
   
   
4. Can a person be saved without proper obedience? "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:16-18) This leads to our second question.

2) How Are People in New Testament Times Saved Biblically? Many seek salvation in the O.T., but it is no longer in force (cf. Hebrews 1:1-2; 7:11-12; 8:13; 10:1-22; etc.). And Jesus, who then had the power to forgive sins, no longer lives here as a man (cf. Luke 5:17-26; 23:39-43); He's now reigning in heaven (cf. 1 Peter 3:22). The Word proclaims that the Gospel saves: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16,17) What then does the gospel declare concerning man's salvation?

1. One Must Hear the Truth. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) Read also John 20:30-31 and 1 Peter 1:22-25.
   
   
2. One Must Believe God; Believe in Jesus Christ. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I Am, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24) Read also Acts 4:12.
   
   
3. One Must Repent, Turn Away From Sin, and Turn to God. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30) "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7:10). Read about Peter's sorrow (Luke 22:54-62), versus the sorrow Judas felt (Matthew 27:3-5).
   
   
4. One Must Confess Jesus Christ. "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33). "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
   
   
5. One Must Be Baptized. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) Peter and the apostles preached baptism because that is what Jesus commanded (Luke 24:47). "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16) Read also Romans 6:3-7, 1 Peter 3:21.
   
   
6. One Must Remain Faithful. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...Let us labor therefore to enter that rest, lest any fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 3:12.4:11)

Sadly, unless that father and his son hear the truth, and obey it, they will be lost eternally (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). What about you?