Which Church Saves?

Oswald J. Smith

"Must I become a Protestant?"

"Not at all. I wouldn't waste my time trying to convert you to Protestantism in order to be saved."

"Well then, since I'm a Roman Catholic and my friend here is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, you must believe that one of these religions could save us."

"I'm afraid not."

"But you're a Protestant-I don't think that I understand. You don't believe that Protestantism can save either?"

"Not at all! You can't be saved by membership in any religion or denomination, whether Protestant or Catholic, but only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son."

"How can you be sure of that?"

"Let's read what the Bible teaches about Him: 'There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved' (Acts 4:12). And again: 'Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save His people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me'" (John 14:6).

"What then must I do?"

"'Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,' for 'as many as received him [Jesus], to them gave he power to become the sons of God'" (Romans 10:13; John 1:12).

"But will Jesus receive me?"

"Jesus said, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out' (John 6:37). He loves you. Yes, He even died for you. He took your sins on the Cross of Calvary. Accept Him; trust completely His atoning death. Take Him now as your Savior. He will have mercy and forgive all your sins."

"I believe that Jesus died for me, but how do I receive Him as my Savior?"

"You can pray something like this: 'Lord, I know that I have sinned and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for me and rose from the dead. I invite You into my life to be my Lord and Savior.' "Will you receive Jesus today?"

"Yes, I will. I certainly will!"

"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).You also can have assurance of salvation by putting your complete confidence in Jesus Christ:

Believe "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

Confess Your Sins to Jesus "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

Confess Christ Before Others "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).

© 2002-2005 Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
Translated by permission of Good News Publishers
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