What Does it Take to Be Saved?

Being saved is no more or less than believing in Jesus (Isa 45:22).  

"[Believing is] to place one’s trust in God’s truth; one who takes God at His word and trusts in Him for salvation.
Mere assent to God’s truth is not saving faith, according to the Bible (John 8:31–46; Acts 8:13–24; James 2:14–26). Neither is total commitment of oneself to Jesus as Lord a form of saving faith. Such a view places too much emphasis on the act of belief, as opposed to the object of belief—Jesus Christ. This view also goes beyond the biblical evidence of faith as reception of a gift (John 4:1–42; Eph. 2:8–10).
A belief that saves is one that rests in the finished work of Christ; it trusts God alone for salvation (John 3:16). Believers are those who have trusted God with their will as well as their mind (Rom. 1:16; 3:22; 1 Thess. 1:7). Additional references dealing with belief, or faith, are Gen. 15:6; Ex. 14:31; Hab. 2:4; John 3:36; Acts 16:31; Rom. 3:21–5:1; Gal. 2:16, 20; and 1 John 5:1."
Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995

Response to comment [from a "Christian"]:  [Doctrine of Trinity wrong]

Incorrect (Mt 3:16,17; 28:19; Ro 8:9; 1Co 12:3-6; 2Co 13:14).

"No, it is correct. To say otherwise just goes to show that you've never studied early church history or theology."

Let's go back in history.  Genesis 1:1:  

"It is vitally important, if we would ever really fully understand anything in the Bible, or in the world in general, that we first understand the teaching of Genesis 1:1. Consider, therefore, each word in this all-important declaration.
1 “God”
This first occurrence of the divine name is the Hebrew Elohim, the name of God which stresses His majesty and omnipotence. This is the name used throughout the first chapter of Genesis. The im ending is the Hebrew plural ending, so that Elohim can actually mean “gods,” and is so translated in various passages referring to the gods of the heathen (e.g., Psalm 96:5).
However, it is clearly used here in the singular, as the mighty name of God the Creator, the first of over two thousand times where it is used in this way. Thus Elohim is a plural name with a singular meaning, a “uni-plural” noun, thereby suggesting the uni-plurality of the Godhead. God is one, yet more than one."
Morris, Henry M.: The Genesis Record : A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Grand Rapids, MI : Baker Books, 1976, S. 39

Response to comment [from a "Christian"]:  [Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc. Christians] "[Y]ou might disagree with their some of their theology, they are Christians according to the Bible."

You can park your Buick in the garage and call it a Ferrari if you'd like.  It does not make it so.  A Christian is a Christ follower.  To follow Jesus, one must know the real Jesus.  He is the second member of the Trinity and the Creator:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God (Jn 1:1-2).  If you are a member of a cult (e.g. Mormonism, Jehovah's Witness), you will have a problem with this verse.  All cults get the deity of Jesus wrong.  As Gino Geraci says, "If you get it wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter what you get right."   

Christians believe in certain basics.  We can disagree over the color of the carpet in the church or over what music to play, but essential doctrine is clear. 

See:  

Christian Doctrine Essentials

Response to comment [from a "Christian]:  "The question isn't whether the trinity can be supported (it can be to be sure - though whether it's the best explanation is another matter) but whether Christ and his disciples were trinitarians or if it was developed over time by the church after the fact."

The word "trinity" is not in the Bible.  To know what that means, we must study the word of God.  It was revealed in the Old testament:  At Creation (Gen. 1:1–3, 26); In the personality of the Spirit (Is. 40:13; Is. 48:16; By:  Divine angel (Judg. 13:8–23); Personification of Wisdom (Prov. 8:22–31); Threefold “Holy” (Is. 6:3); Aaronic benediction (Num. 6:24–27); It was revealed in the New Testament:      Revealed in the New Testament:  At Christ’s baptism (Matt. 3:16, 17); In:  Christ’s teaching (John 14:26; John 15:26); Baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19); Apostolic benediction (2 Cor. 13:14); Apostolic teaching (Gal. 4:4–6).

[Elohim]

ELOHIM "General name for God in the OT. The etymology of Elohim is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that it is based on a root that means “might” or “power.” The word is plural in form, but when applied to the true God, it is used in a singular sense and most frequently with verbal elements. The most common explanation for the plural form of Elohim as applied to God is that it is “plural of majesty,” that is, all the majesty of deity is encompassed by him."  (Elwell, Walter A. ; Comfort, Philip Wesley: Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2001 (Tyndale Reference Library), S. 428).

"The trinity is not a salvific issue. The trinity is a man made doctrine, developed over the course of several hundreds of years, to explain the relationship between the Son and the Father (HS too, but mostly those two). You'll not find one scripture which says you must believe in God the Son, but plenty about the Son of God."

"It is important for us to understand from the outset that God exists in three Persons. The concept of the Godhead is that God is one yet God is three..." (What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?  (http://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html).

See:

What does the Bible Teach about the Trinity?

What is the Godhead?

What is the Athanasian Creed?

Why does God refer to Himself in the Plural in Genesis 1:26 and 3:22?

Response to comment [from a "Christian"]: 

"The trinity was not believed by the disciples or the early Christians...."

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit inspired the prophets (Heb 1:1; 2Co 13:3; Mr 13:11).

 

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied [1 Pet. 1:2].
"The apostle Peter immediately plunges us into deep doctrinal waters. For instance, he presents the doctrine of the Trinity: the foreknowledge of God the Father, sanctification of the Spirit, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. My friend, don’t let anyone tell you that the Bible does not teach the Trinity—the Bible is full of it! We certainly cannot consider Peter to be an ignorant fisherman, by the way, because he is talking about things that most of us do not know much about."
McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 5:675

"It was developed over the course of several hundreds of years, as a possible model to explain the relationship between the Father and Son."

Yes, the word "trinity" was the word which came to be used to describe the godhead.  Just like "telephone" became the word we use to describe the device used by Alexander Graham Bell.

"It was developed through the interpretation of scripture, such as the one's you provided."

The truth abides continuously with the saints (2Jo 1:2). 

"I'm surprised you listed Prov. 8:22-31 however, seeing how that actually was used by Arius to support Arianism."

And Hitler used Wagner's music as an inspiration to kill Jews--your point? (Note:  A disclaimer to Cattyfan.  Please do not read anything sexual into my comments regarding Adolf Hitler and/or names which may have been given to or associated with him [Titus 1:15]).

[Prov 8:22-31]

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old [Prov. 8:22].
This is the Lord Jesus; this is wisdom personified.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was [Prov. 8:23].
“I was set up” is I was anointed from everlasting. This is the One who is the subject of John’s prologue: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1–2). He was begotten, not in the sense of having a beginning of life, but as being one nature and substance with the Father. Way back yonder in eternity He was God, and He was in the beginning with God. He was in the beginning that has no beginning, because “in the beginning was the Word.” He was already past tense at the time of the beginning.
He is the One and the only One who can make this clear to us. The Lord Jesus said, “… no man knoweth the Son, but the Father …” (Matt. 11:27). We could not know the Lord Jesus, had not the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit to open our hearts. A saved person can rest in and adore the person of Christ. We are living in the midst of great unbelief in our day, but let the skeptic be skeptical. My friend, our relationship is a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is the Word. “… the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). What a tremendous statement!
Wisdom is Jesus Christ.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth [Prov. 8:24–27].
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).
“When he set a compass upon the face of the depth.” It is interesting that the scientists used to speak of a square universe, but God has always said it is a circle. You and I live in a world that is round, and we are going around our planetary system. And we belong to a galactic system which is a circle. All of these circles are circling around!
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth [Prov. 8:28–29].
Have you ever stood by the seashore and wondered why the water doesn’t run over? Why does it stay where it is? It says, “he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment.” God has made a law that keeps the sea right where it is.
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men [Prov. 8:30–31].
Without the Lord Jesus was not anything made that was made. All things were made by Him. He is the firstborn of all creation. He is superior to all. Why? Because by Him the Father brought all things into being, for He is the uncreated God, and He was “rejoicing always before Him.” These wonderful delights and joys come to us through the amazing grace of God. How wonderful all of this is!
McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 3:33

"This is a case of reading your theology into scripture.  You should derive your theology from scripture, not your interpretation of scripture from predetermined theology.  I repeat, weak argument."

The Trinity:
 
1.     Doctrine of proved from Scripture. Mt 3:16,17; 28:19; Ro 8:9; 1Co 12:3-6; 2Co 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; 1Pe 1:2; Jude 1:20,21; Re 1:4,5.
2.     Divine titles applied to the three persons in. Ex 20:2; Joh 20:28; Ac 5:3,4.
3.     Each person in, described as
a.     Eternal. Ro 16:26; Re 22:13; Heb 9:14.
b.     Holy. Re 4:8; 15:4; Ac 3:14; 1Jo 2:20.
c.     True. Joh 7:28; Re 3:7.
d.     Omnipresent. Jer 23:24; Eph 1:23; Ps 139:7.
e.     Omnipotent. Ge 17:1; Re 1:8; Ro 15:19; Jer 32:17; Heb 1:3; Lu 1:35.
f.     Omniscient. Ac 15:18; Joh 21:17; 1Co 2:10,11.
g.     Creator. Ge 1:1; Col 1:16; Job 33:4; Ps 148:5; Joh 1:3; Job 26:13.
h.     Sanctifier. Jude 1:1; Heb 2:11; 1Pe 1:2.
i.     Author of all spiritual operations. Heb 13:21; Col 1:29; 1Co 12:11.
j.     Source of eternal life. Ro 6:23; Joh 10:28; Ga 6:8.
k.     Teacher. Isa 54:13; Lu 21:15; Joh 14:26; Isa 48:17; Ga 1:12; 1Jo 2:20.
l.     Raising Christ from the dead. 1Co 6:14; Joh 2:19; 1Pe 3:18.
m.     Inspiring the prophets, &c. Heb 1:1; 2Co 13:3; Mr 13:11.
n.     Supplying ministers to the Church. Jer 3:15; Eph 4:11; Ac 20:28; Jer 26:5; Mt 10:5; Ac 13:2.
4.     Salvation the work of. 2Th 2:13,14; Tit 3:4-6; 1Pe 1:2.
5.     Baptism administered in name of. Mt 28:19.
6.     Benediction given in name of. 2Co 13:14.

Response to comment [from a Christian]:  "If Christ truly dies for the sake of every single human being. Which I believe he did. We are already saved, all of us, those who believe and  those who do not believe. We're all already saved."

Men are already condemned not saved (Jn 3:18).  Those who receive Christ will be saved (Col 2:6).

Response to comment [from a Catholic]:  "This should work.  First declare Jesus to be your personal Savior with this statement:  Confessing to God that I am a sinner, and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised from the dead for my justification, I do now receive Him as my personal Savior and grant him Lordship over my life. Thank you Lord Jesus.  You are now saved no matter what you do and that includes joining the Catholic Church where you will also be saved based on their rules.

Does that work?  Declare all that and that is it?   

"[W]hy wouldn't it?"

Is there anything else that a person must do?

[Ro 11:22], [Jn 15:9-11]

I do not think I will be getting an answer to the question:  "Is there anything more that a person must do?" 

According to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, a person must be a member of their church to be saved.  Roman Catholics teach that they are the one and only church that leads to heaven.  People must receive the sacraments:  Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick.  This is not a biblical teaching.   According to the Bible, a person need only to believe on the Lord Jesus to be saved--no more--no less.  When you add to God's work on the cross, you blaspheme his name.  The Roman Catholic Church does not teach the biblical way of salvation.  Do you know what God means when he says "Woe!"?  Does that sound like something to pay attention to?  (Jude 1:11).  Roman Catholics teach the way of Cain.  It is a false teaching which appeals to the flesh but not to God (Pr 14:12).

 

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off [Rom. 11:22].
"These are stern words. Paul calls upon the Gentiles to behold two examples. Rejected Israel reveals the severity of God, but to the Gentiles who have turned to God, the benevolent goodness of God is revealed. These two sides of God need to be revealed today: the judgment of God against the rejection of Christ and against sin, and the grace of God to those that will trust Christ.
Paul did not have the complete picture of the severity of God toward Israel. The history of Israel in the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70 and all that succeeded it is a terrifying story. My friend, let’s not trifle with the grace of God. It is grace which has brought us into the family of God and granted us so many privileges. After over nineteen hundred years the gentile church is as much a failure, if not more so, than Israel."
McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 4:725
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full [John 15:9–11].
"The Lord wants us to have a good time. One of the fruits of the Spirit is to have joy in your life. I am mortally afraid of super-pious Christians who have no humor in their lives, yet walk around with a Bible under their arms. A fruit-bearing Christian will have a lot of fun in this life. There will be fun in going to a Bible study; there will be fun in serving the Lord. A life in fellowship with Christ is a joyous life."
McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 4:468-469

"[I]s declaring this all we have to do?"

Believing (not works) saves a person (Ac 16:31).  Adding to the gospel changes the gospel making no gospel at all.   

"Reality:

819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth"[273] are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."[274] Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him,[275] and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."[276]."

"These Churches"  The original word means universal church.  Roman Catholics maintain that they are the universal church.  In fact, they teach replacement theology--that they replaced Israel.  It is a lie.  The Roman Catholic Church has not replaced Israel.  God keeps his promises.

Response to comment [from a Catholic]:  [If you believe, then you will want to obey.]  "You had better obey..."

Why wouldn't a child of God want to obey the Father he loves?  If you are finding obeying the Lord a chore, see if you are in the faith.  A labor of love is not labor.

I thought you were referring to your church.  According to Roman Catholics, one must attend mass in their church masses to be saved (CCC 1405)--that is your church's teaching not my own.  My church hold the Word of God as an authority.  Yours does not (CCC par. 82).  Furthermore, the Catholic gospel (a false gospel) teaches that it is necessary to do good works to be saved (CCC, 2016), one must receive sacraments (1129), keep the law (2068), buy indulgences (1498) and purgatory (1030).  These teachings are not biblical. 

"His burden is light, but we must carry it..."

He carried it (Jn 19:30).  Did we drink the cup of wrath that he drank?  Taking up our cross (Mk 10:21) and following him does not mean blindly accepting everything that the Roman Catholic Church teaches.  In fact, that would be turning directly from him and his word.  Taste and see (not the Eucharist) Christ (Ps 34:8).  As one said, if religion has not changed your life, you'd better change your religion.  

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1324, it is rather the Eucharist that is the "source and summit of the Christian life."  It teaches:  "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained" in the Eucharist (CCC, 1374).  The council of Trent placed a curse or anathema on anyone who does not believe it (Canon 1).  Catholics are taught that they must consume the Eucharist because it is a necessary requirement for their salvation (CCC, 1359).     

"The Eucharist, in effect, is the central motor of the entire evangelizing action of the church, somewhat like the role of the heart in the human body."  Pope Benedict XVI, (CNS, 10/3/05).

"The Eucharist has a cosmic significance, indeed, the transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ constitutes the beginning of the divinization of creation itself.  In carrying the Eucharist through the streets and squares...Christians proclaim that the Eucharist represents everything for them, it is their very life, the source of love that conquers death."  Pope Benedict XVI, (CNA, 6/19/06).

"We cannot separate our lives from the Eucharist; the moment we do, something breaks."  Mother Teresa. 

"So you now agree that persistent disobedience leads a soul to Hell?"

Disobedience can be forgiven.  A person goes to heaven or hell based on their relationship with Jesus.  Christianity is not work-based.  It is faith-based.  When you have faith, you want to work.  Works before faith are of the flesh and therefore meaningless.      

Response to comment [from a Catholic]:  [According to Roman Catholics, one must attend mass in their church masses to be saved (CCC 1405)]  "That is not true.  In order to be saved we must die in the good grace of Jesus."

I know that is not true.  We need only to die in a right relationship with Jesus to be saved.

"...[C]hoosing something over worshipping Jesus can be a sin and we should attend mass to give praise and thanks to God."

Choosing something over worshipping Jesus is the sin of idolatry.  We should not attend mass because it celebrates his Jesus death.  The priest may read the word of God, but how often is the text taken out of context?  Does the priest provide a thorough understanding of God's word verse by verse? 

What Does it Take to Be Saved?