Biblical Salvation means being saved. Saved from what? Saved from the eternal consequences of our our sins. It means to be rescued from Divine punishment. From Christian and Messianic Jewish perspectives it means that you believe Messiah Jesus took your punishment that you had coming for your sins (when He died on the cross and then rose from the dead) so you wouldn't have to. There are still consequences when a Christian sins, however, being separated from God after death is not one of them.
Salvation originates in the sovereign will of God ( Ephesians 1:3-7) and is implemented by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).(1)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8-9).
Simply put, because a gift from God originates with His sovereign will, no one can boast about "earning" this gift.
1. Admit your own inability (10:4-7)
2. Believe the Gospel Message (10:8-10)
Messiah died in your place (you should ask forgiveness from God because this was necessary)
Messiah was raised to give you life (offer God thanksgiving for accepting Christ on your behalf)
3). Call on God to save you (10:11-12)
The Bible teaches us that Salvation is timeless. In other words, it has a past, present and future tense to it.
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28).
Is it possible for somebody on their death bed to have a genuine acceptance of faith in messiah?
Yes it is possible but unlikely. God teaches us that it is never to late to come to Him , repent and accept Jesus death on the cross as your saving atonement. For this reason a death bed genuine confession of faith in Jesus is not impossible.
This is however certainly not the norm and this is why. Most people have an opportunity to put their faith in Jesus at an earlier time in life. Obviously they rejected that opportunity or else there would be no need for a death bed conversion. The problem is that often when Christ is rejected the heart can grow harder because faith is put into something else (i.e. a different religion, money or their own good works during their lifetime). This makes it all the more difficult to genuinely believe on your death bed. Since God knows your heart He knows when you come before Him with total sincerity. Those who think they can wait until later, perhaps until the end of their life, are risking their eternal life. Why not put your faith in Jesus today so that you know you have Assurance of Salvation. It may be that if you wait, perhaps even until your death bed, that you find there is no more time due to your condition weather its the hardening of your spiritual heart of the physical decline of your body including mental capabilities. Why wait until the end and take that chance.
Everyone who makes a confession (before death) has a share in the world to come (Sanhedrin 6:2) ? unable to find in Soncino Talmud.
The spiritual concept of confessing ones sins includes repentance. First there is repentance (turning away) from the sins you are sorry for and to complete the repentance there is confession.
Ultimately, God can save whoever He wants. It is never to late to pray for God's Saving Grace if your heart is sincere.
Those who have confessed with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead will be saved. (Romans 10:9).
Some of the people from the Old Testament such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the other prophets. (Luke 13:28).
The Elect will be saved.
Whatever is left of the Nation of Israel at the end of the Tribulation Period when they Look Upon The One That They Have Pierced As Told In Zechariah 12:10.
Jesus makes it clear that the only way to really get to be with the Father is through Him. When and how that takes place is not the same for all people.
God has made salvation available to all, without exception, "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9).(3)
It is important to understand how secure your salvation is once you put your faith in the Messiah. Believers in Messiah Jesus as their Lord have Assurance Of Salvation. The New Testament says it this way concerning the Love that God has for those who believe in His Son.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39).
The Salvation God grants is secure. He graciously calls individuals. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out (John 6:37). He also supplies them the faith to repent and believe. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). God also provides the grace to persevere to the end. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, (Jude 24).
Romans 8:28-30 also tells of this promise.(4)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified (Romans 8:28-30).
The destiny of believers is secure. “They shall never perish,” Jesus said; “and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29).(5)
This joy is there because the promise of being with Christ as part of an Eternal Inheritance is protected by Christ Himself and cannot be taken away. While pleasure is temporary and can come and go depending on life's circumstances, this joy should be constant and include the joy of anticipation of things to come.
When believers in Jesus sin, they are in conflict with their new nature in Christ. This can cause a believer to loose their joy without loosing their salvation. King David after sinning did not pray, "Restore my salvation to me," but, "Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation" (Ps. 51:12).(3)
True peace is a feature of salvation. This true peace has the ability to go stronger, even through trials in ones life. This peace is continually available and can exist in every circumstance. This is because it is based on the promise of Eternal Salvation (Hebrews 5:9), and not based on things in the worldly realm.(6)
If being right with God and possessing salvation is by works, then it is not of grace (Romans 4:4-5) and can bring no peace, since one never knows if he has enough good works to be eternally secure.(7)
Read why Jesus is known as The Prince Of Peace.
1). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, The Book of Acts p.252-267.
2). Messianic Perspectives (Christian Jew Foundation) Aug/Sept 2008 p.3
3). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Galatians p.189.
4). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1&2 Thessalonians p.200.
5). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Galatians p.141.
6). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1&2 Thessalonians p.316.
7). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Galatians p.5.
