Podcast #1 Q&A 6/13/25

1. Does one have to publicly confess Jesus to be saved?

Yes, public confession is an important part of genuine faith, but it must be paired with belief from the heart.

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Salvation comes by grace through faith, and part of expressing that faith is confessing Jesus as Lord. This doesn’t mean a stage or crowd is required, but there must be a sincere, open identification with Christ—not secret faith only.

2. Whom or what am I being saved from?

You are being saved from:

Sin (Romans 6:23)

God’s righteous judgment (Romans 5:9)

Eternal separation from God (Hell) (Matthew 25:46)

Colossians 1:13

"He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."

3. Will tithing affect our salvation?

No, tithing does not affect your salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... not by works.”

Tithing is an act of obedience and worship, not a condition for salvation. However, failure to honor God financially may reflect a heart issue that needs spiritual growth.

4. Is salvation transferable (e.g., if my mother is saved, am I saved)?

No. Salvation is personal. No one can be saved through someone else’s faith.

Ezekiel 18:20

“The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent...”

John 3:3

“No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

5. How were people in the Old Testament saved?

By faith in God and His promises. They looked forward to the Messiah; we look back to Jesus.

Romans 4:3

“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Hebrews 11 shows how Old Testament saints lived by faith.

6. Is it the soul or the spirit that is saved at salvation?

The spirit is made alive (regenerated), and the soul (mind, will, emotions) enters a process of transformation (sanctification).

Titus 3:5

“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

James 1:21

“...accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

7. Why must we work on the soul if the spirit has eternal life?

The spirit is made perfect at salvation, but the soul must be renewed and transformed.

Romans 12:2

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

 Philippians 2:12-13

“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...”

Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to shape us into Christ’s image.

8. Why don’t we need to work on the spirit man?

Because the spirit is made new at salvation and already sealed for eternal life.

Ephesians 1:13-14

“...you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance...”

But we must still walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and not grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).

9. How can one know for certain that they are saved?

By:

Faith in the finished work of Jesus (John 3:16)

Inner witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16)

Evidence of a transformed life (2 Corinthians 5:17)

1 John 5:13

“I write these things to you... so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

10. Do I have to be baptized to go to Heaven?

No, water baptism is not required for salvation, but it is commanded for all believers.

Ephesians 2:8-9 — Salvation is by faith, not works.

Luke 23:42-43 — The thief on the cross was saved without baptism.

Baptism is a public declaration of faith and a step of obedience after salvation, but not a requirement for salvation.