What Does it mean "To Be Saved" in terms of the Bible?
Let the Bible speak for itself, because the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4: 12)
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 1-8)
We are born dead in our trespasses, and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are taken from this death in sin to alive and seated in full glory with Christ Jesus at the right hand of the Father.
John writes it thus:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in
the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
We receive a new identity in Christ, for we receive His life and all things with Jesus:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)
Yet the argument goes on that men and women must be baptized in water to be saved:
"16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16: 16)
Let's look at the harmony of Scripture, allowing obscure passages to become clear in the light of clearer ones:
"7And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." (Mark 1: 7-8)
Baptism means a complete identification with a new stance, a new life, a new person. The water is an outer manifestation of an inner transformation.
Nothing could be clearer!
Jesus Himself said:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
That's it, people! I could not be clearer!
Jesus also states:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that
ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
What could be simpler?
Yet many people get confused by passages like:
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2: 38)
Again, look at all scriptures.
In the same book, Peter says:
"11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15: 11)
It's all about Jesus, people! It's all about Himself!
Water is a sign of the certainty of what God has done in your heart when you believed in your heart and confessed out your mouth (Romans 10: 9).
Remember. Do not allow obscure passages to rob you of the joyful simplicity of clear passages. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you the truth that sets you free — Jesus — and every misunderstanding or uncertainty will be made clear.