Is Jesus the Only Way to Be Saved?

Before going through this study, I encourage you to read the one-minute introduction Be Prepared: Is Jesus the Only Way?

Before I was a Christian, I believed that every major religion was a different way to heaven. I talk about that HERE.

There is a formal doctrine that embraces this lie. It's called Universalism, and it has been "Christianized" into a doctrine called "universal salvation."  See The Heresy of Universal Salvation.

But most people who embrace this belief are ignorant of the beliefs of various religions. They've simply decided that all people are worthy of eternal life. 

That's why Christians are often asked, "What right do you have to claim that Jesus is the only way of salvation?"

The truth is, we wouldn't be in a position to decide this important question if God had not decided it for us. The Bible is perfectly clear that there is only one way to salvation.

Jesus said this:

• John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 

Throughout the Bible, this truth is confirmed:

• Acts 4:11-12: “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 
  

• Philippians 2:9-11: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

• 1 Timothy 2:5-6: For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 

• 1 John 2:23:  No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 

• 1 John 5:10-12: Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 

• 1 John 5:20: We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

• 2 John 1:9: Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Q. Have you encountered universalism in any "Christian" teachings?

It's found in the popular novel, The Shack. To read more about that, see Scripture versus The Shack. 

It's also found in the teachings of Progressive Christians. To read more about that, see Beware of Ex-vangelical Teachings.

copyright 2023, Gail Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2023.