Hi ,
This is one of the ultimate questions a human can ask? The question itself was made famous by a jailer in Philippi, who begged the Apostle Paul for an answer when he thought he was in serious trouble - which he was! You can read the story by looking at Acts 16:25-34.
There has often been confusion or argument over the answer to this question. However, the answer MUST be very clear, because it has eternal consequences.
First of all, the wording implies that a person is in danger, and needs to be rescued, or redeemed, or "saved". But, from what? Biblically speaking, and putting it simply, from eternal death - from hell! This is the fate of all humans because it is the result of our sin (Rev. 20:15). We can't do anything to save ourselves, either (Eph. 2:8-9). Hence, this famous question.
Many people over the ages have tried to answer this. Most of the world's religions have a "works-based" solution to the problem. That is, they propose a series of actions to accomplish salvation (getting saved - securing the afterlife). "Do this, don't do that, and go here once a week (or month, or once in your lifetime)....". The list goes on, depending on the religion. If the person follows the rules, or "checks the
boxes" required by the religion, they're "saved" in the afterlife from whatever the religion says will happen to you if you don't check the boxes.
I was asked this question once, by a Jehovah's Witness. I had gotten to know her well, and also various members of their Kingdom Hall. After many months of discussion back and forth, I finally told her that, according to their belief system, I can't possibly lose once I die -- no matter what I believe or how I live my life. Since they do not believe in any kind of eternal hell, there is really nothing to be saved
from. According to them, three different things could happen to a person when they die...
1) If they're one of the very top Jehovah's Witnesses, they go to heaven.
2) If they are not one of the very top, then they inherit a perfect Earth for ever.
3) At death, an unbeliever simply becomes as though they were never conceived.
So, I told her that I can't possibly lose if they're right! If there's no eternal, conscious punishment, then there's absolutely nothing to be afraid of! I can simply get all I can possibly get out of this life, good or bad, right or wrong. It won't matter. I can live any way I want, because there's no conscious judgement - according to their beliefs.
I then asked her, "But, what if you're wrong? What if all the Bible verses that speak of hell, directly or indirectly, mean exactly what they say? Since you are not trusting in Christ alone for your salvation, what if all of the "works" you're doing to try to get to heaven are essentially "filthy rags" in God's sight? (Isaiah 64:6)
She then asked, "What do I need to do to be saved?".... (continued)
