INQUIRER: I want to ask what is stated in the Bible about the true salvation of man's soul. When I was a small child, I was brought up in a religion where following the ten commandments of God is enough for the salvation of man's soul. When I was in my teens, I joined a group that believes that when you enter that group, you will be saved. I was indoctrinated, but I was not baptized. And in the year 1988, I joined a group that preaches "Once saved, always saved." Now, Brother Eli, I want to clarify what the Bible states regarding this. The true salvation of man's soul.

Bro. Eli F. Soriano (EFS): The true salvation of man's soul is what is written in James 1:21 -

Sis. Luz Cruz (LC): "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

EFS: If you noticed the verse, brother, the one mentioned that can save souls is receiving the engrafted word. It means, if we believe in the words of God, and receive them, that is the salvation of our souls. Listen to I Peter 1:9 -

LC: "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

EFS: The salvation of souls happens when we receive the faith, the purpose of faith. Faith is to believe in the words of God. So they are related - receive the words of God, believe in them - that will save your soul as stated by Saint Peter and Saint James. To receive the words of God, to believe in the words of God, that will save souls. Which word of God should we receive and believe in to save our souls? Which word of God? In Ephesians 1:13 -

LC: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

EFS: It is clear that the Gospel is the word of Christ, not the word of Moses, nor of Elijah, but the words of Christ. We will receive the Gospel, that will save our souls, we should believe in that. The proof is, Christ said that in John 8:31 -

LC: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;"

EFS: If you believe, you will receive the word, you will endure. The word is the doctrine, the Gospel, that is salvation, brother. In I Corinthians 15:1-2 -

LC: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;” “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain."

EFS: It is clear that the Gospel, the doctrines of Christ, will be received to be saved. The Church written in the Gospel is the Church of God. Let us read the Church written in the Gospel which is the word of Christ. II Corinthians 1:1 -

LC: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth,"

EFS:The Church of God is the Church in the Gospel. So, if there is a religion which you need to join - that is the Church of God. The problem is, you go somewhere else. The Church that is in the Bible. You would be in groups that believe in "Once saved, always saved," that is great foolishness. Even if you are in the Church, you received the Word, but if you are not careful and do not remain in the Word, you will also perish! Listen to Hebrews 6:4-6 -

LC: "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,” “And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,” “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;"

EFS: Is that "once saved, always saved"?

LC: It is not, Brother Eli. It is impossible to repent...

EFS: You have tasted the good Word of God, you were enlightened, you were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, but if you fall away from God, it is impossible for you to repent. Understood? So you do not have salvation. How does man fall away from God? Let us read Isaiah 59:2 -

LC: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

EFS: So, if man committed grievous sins, you are deliberately committing them, you will fall away from God even you have received the Holy Spirit. You will be separated if you intentionally commit grievous sins. Hebrews 10:26-27 -

LC: "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."

EFS: See that? "Once saved, always saved" is not written in the Bible. Even if you have received the doctrines, if grievous sins separated you, you commit them intentionally, there is no sacrifice that remains for the sins. You do not have salvation. God will reprobate you. II Corinthians 13:5 -

LC: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

EFS: Meaning, "once saved, always saved" is not true. So, the true salvation is in the Word of God. Believing, receiving and remaining in the Word of God, in the Church written in the Bible. That is the true salvation. And I hope that answers your question.