Scripture says that salvation is through Jesus Christ: it is given by grace through faith. In connection with salvation, the New Testament also speaks of repentance, confessing Christ, and baptism. These texts must not be turned into a mechanical formula.
What the Bible Says About This
- Salvation is connected with Jesus Christ: no other name has been given among people by which we may be saved (Acts 4:12).
- God gave His Son so that everyone who believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life; whoever does not believe is already condemned (John 3:16–18).
- Salvation is by grace through faith; it is the gift of God. Believers are created in Christ for good works (Eph. 2:8–10).
- When the jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” the apostles answered: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30–31).
- Peter calls people to repentance and baptism (Acts 2:37–38); repentance and conversion are also mentioned in Acts 3:19.
- If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:9–13).
- Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21 speak of baptism in connection with salvation; James 2:17–18 speak of living faith expressed through works. The ending of Mark 16:9–20 is absent from some manuscripts; in FBE, it appears in double brackets.
- Conclusion: Scripture does not provide a mechanical formula such as “repeat a certain prayer—and you are saved,” nor does it teach that an outward ritual works independently of faith. For baptism, see the separate question.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
10 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Acts 16:30–31
30 And bringing them out, he said: My lords, what must I do to be saved? 31 They said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved—you and your household.
Ephesians 2:8–10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God: 9 not by works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared for us to do.
Romans 10:9–13
9 For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For Scripture says: Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame. 12 There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for there is one Lord over all, rich toward all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
John 3:16–18
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Acts 4:12
For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Acts 2:37–38
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 3:19
Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out,
Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
1 Peter 3:21
And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
James 2:17–18
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
Related Questions
- How can I know that I am saved?
- What does it mean to be born again?
- Do good works save?
- Is baptism necessary for salvation?
- What is repentance?
- Can salvation be lost?
