Salvation...saving people from the judgment of God…what does it mean? Ask people from different churches and you are likely to get a variety of answers. Some believers will tell you must be “born again.” Yet others will say you must make a public profession of your faith and be baptized. Then again, some people believe you must “affirm” or “confirm” the faith of your parent(s). Who is right? Or do they all focus on the same issue, but from different approaches?
The Apostle Paul reaffirmed the words of the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:32a) in his letter to the Romans, “…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NIV) He further clarified this message with the words, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22 NIV) In other words, the common theme for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ. This same theme is prevalent in most churches, whether you affirm/confirm the faith of your parent(s) and/or publicly profess your faith as a “born again” believer.
In many churches, parents may decide to have a minister perform an infant dedication (or baptism) for their newborn children. In doing so, the parents are publically recognizing that they want to raise their children in the faith of the church and/or desire to have the support of the church in guiding their children along their spiritual path to salvation. Some churches believe that the grace of God starts in the child’s life through infant dedication, since the Word of God indicates that a child is sanctified through a believing parent. (I Corinthians 7:14) On the other hand, some churches may have infant dedications, as a symbolic act for parents, even though they do not believe it as a means of salvation…since they believe children are automatically saved until they reach the “age of accountability.” Ultimately, the overall goal of the infant dedication is to have children be raised in the teachings of the church with the hope that they will one day publicly affirm/confirm the faith of their parents. Several denominations follow many of these teachings for infant dedication and/or affirming or confirming one’s faith, to include Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Nazarenes and Wesleyans. As for people who were never baptized as infants, many of these churches offer religious classes and/or services for the purpose of guiding them through the salvation process, allowing them the opportunity to publicly profess their faith and/or to familiarizing them with the tenets of their respective churches.
On the other hand, many churches believe that you must be “born again.” In the Book of John, Jesus Christ replied to Nicodemus (a member of the Jewish ruling council) by saying, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3 NIV) Obviously, this verse also relates to baptism which will be explained at a later time. Regardless, Jesus Christ further explained salvation with the words found in this popular verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV) Simply said, being “born again” involves a person – over the age of accountability – making a conscious decision to have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Several denominations and religious affiliations also follow these “born again” teachings, to include the Baptists, Calvary Chapels and Assemblies of God. Likewise, many of these churches also offer religious classes to help guide people in their spiritual paths and familiarize them with their respective church teachings.
In summary, faith in Jesus Christ is the underlying theme for salvation in most churches, whether you publically profess your faith as a new believer or affirm/confirm the faith of your parent(s). Nevertheless, the words of the Apostle Paul explain how we are no longer under the law of the Old Testament, but rather under the grace of the New Testament. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
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