Is Salvation a one-time event, or is it a process?

Question

I ask this because Paul (formerly Saul) in Philippians 2:12-13 in the New International Version of the Bible says:

'Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.'

This makes salvation sound like a process rather than a one-time event, which I have been taught.

Answer 1

Salvation..the act of becoming saved is a one time deal (well we can recommit our lives to the Lord if we fall away, etc)...

But the act of growing as a Christian is a process, we do not change our bad habits overnight..although I am sure many of us wish we could...We continue to grow hopefully everyday, we will never "spiritually arrive" to some maximum level..there is no Christian version of enlightenment..just constant spiritual growth and change..

Answer 2

First off, perhaps its best that I tell you what part of Christianity I belong to first, maybe that might help too. I'm a Methodist, and we're one of the many branches of the Protestant Church.

Now, to your question, is it "...a one time event" or "...is it a process?"? Well, with a slight hesitation at confusing you, its both. I'll break it into seperate paragraphs so its clearer to read, and maybe understand.

Salvation is, partially, a one-time event. It can take place, however, at up to two times. The first time is the moment a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior and as the One Messiah of the world. The second time, is if either you belong to any other religion besides Christianity, belong to none, or if you were a wolf in sheep's wool, is when Jesus Christ returns to Earth. Those left will be asked, from what I've learnedfrom the NIV Bible and my many years at Church, after being judged, is if they accept Jesus Christ. We all know what happens from that point depending on their choice.

The other half of Salvation is the process. By that I mean performing acts that demonstrate your honest, sincere Christian faith. Now, being Methodist our public state on good works follows slightly both of the Protestant and Catholic viewpoints: First off, that by good works alone one cannot get into Heaven. Secondly, even though good works cannot get you into Heaven, the acts will be seen by God and they will make the Father very happy and proud of you, and that they will be recorded in the Book of Life. The purpose of the process is to help a Christian live a Christian life whilst constantly reaffirming and expanding their devotion to the One True.

Hmm, if it helps you, try to follow me on these two points. Without the process, one could just be giving lip service to God while being a deceiver, or a wolf in sheep's wool, but this won't keep you out of Heaven. What keeps someone out of Heaven is the event of denying Jesus Christ as the One True Messiah.

*chuckles* I think I have an even better answer. Think of Salvation's event and process as a cake. The event is the cake, while the process is the frosting. If you do not follow through the process, you still can eat the cake, but it doesn't taste as good. However, if you follow through on the process as well, you get both the cake and the frosting, which is very yummy =D

Answer 3

Life is a process, and so is one's salvation.
God gave man (all people) free will. What people think or feel at twelve years old are not the same things they feel and think at 20, 30, 40, 50, etc. There is plenty of room for backsliding, and so one must constantly work on one's salvation. The only way we can be sure that we have achieved Salvation is when God has forgiven us all of our sins and welcomes us to stay in Heaven with Him eternally.
I am pleased to see that you study His word.
We must always strive to do righteous acts, to love and forgive each other, to tell God and Jesus that we love them, and keep His commandments and pray for forgiveness when we sin. If we sin, we need to repent and not commit the same sin again. It helps a lot to stay in His word. It also helps to spread His word. God doesn't give us more than we can handle, and He loves us.
May God bless you.

Answer 4

Yes, as Paul indicates, acceptance of salvation is a lifelong process, which is why no-one can say they are already saved as long as they are alive on this earth. Paul tells us that the Christian life is like running a race, and tells us to run well, that we may receive the prize. The prize obviously is salvation. And everyone knows that the prize is awarded at the end of a race, not in the middle of it, which is why Paul used this analogy. Matthew and Mark both tell us that salvation takes place at the end of earthly life (Matt 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13).

Protestants like to go around saying "I'm saved". Then when one of their brethren, who has been a faithful member of their church for many years, walks away from it all and turns his back on Christ they say, "well he wasn't really saved". Correct!! And neither is anyone else!. Earthly life is the road to salvation, not salvation itself. With the grace of God we will remain on the road until we reach our destination, and receive salvation. Anyone who thinks he already has salvation before that time is in grave danger. Why would anyone keep striving for that which he already has? And as soon as we stop striving, we start backsliding.

Answer 5

Good question. Scripture needs to be taken as a whole, verses in context only then can they be properly understood.
I've found Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology very helpful. I believe that the bible teaches us that being saved is a one-time event but sanctification is the process of a lifetime. 'Being conformed to the image of God's son'. I think that is what the verse is referring to. Remember even the best translations are not perfect, the best understanding can be gained from finding out the meaning of the original Greek word in this passage.

Answer 6

"As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13)."

Answer 7

The popular belief is that it is a one time event. If you go deeper into it you will find that it is a process of sorts. The decision is a one time event to follow God, but to stay on that path is a continual battle "work". The striving is a way of proving that you meant what you decided. Paul said this because there will be many who say they belive and yet fall away at the slightest hardship. These people prove that they never realy belived.

Answer 8

It is a process, but it does begin somwhere...

All these works of salvation originate in God's grace, are purchased by Christ's blood, and come to us through faith in Christ. Furthermore, all four occur when we repent, are baptized in the name of Jesus, and are filled with the Holy Spirit. Thus our study has reaffirmed two basic truths: (1) salvation is by grace through faith and (2) both water baptism and Spirit baptism are part of the salvation experience.

Justification, regeneration, adoption, and the initial act of sanctification all occur simultaneously at the new birth experience.

If people have faith and are taught to expect the Spirit baptism at the time of water baptism, it will happen just as it did in the days of the apostles. Either they will be baptized in Jesus' name and receive the Spirit when they come up out of the waters of baptism (Acts 19:1-6), or they will receive the Spirit and immediately obey the command to be baptized in Jesus' name (Acts 10:44-48).

Our sanctification comes by grace through faith on the basis of Christ's sacrifice (Acts 26:18; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 10:10). The initial act of sanctification conies at the time of repentance, water baptism, and Spirit baptism (I Corinthians 6:11). The continuing work of sanctification comes by the operation of the indwelling Spirit (II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2) as we live daily by faith (Romans 1:17).

In sum, sanctification is first of all an instantaneous work that takes place at the new birth, when we are first set apart from sin to God. Sanctification continues progressively throughout the Christian's life and will be completed at Christ's coming for the church.


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Answer 9

In response to this Q and all the answers who believe salvation is a process-how do you explain the thief on the cross who repented and Jesus told him "this day thou shalt be with me in paradise"-no works here, just pure grace.
The works come if we live after being saved and we do them because we love the Lord and obedience to the path He sets b before us assures us of growth in the "faith without which it is impossible to please God"-the thief had that faith,the other did not and was separated from the Lord for eternity.

Answer 10

Here is what Paul says in his letter to the Philippians...

Philippians 2:12
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Salvation is not something you get instantaneously within a particular moment, but rather it is a progression...something we have to work out over the course of our lifetimes.

Answer 11

I've discussed this with some friends..and we agree...it's one time and life time.

When I truly confess...my name is entered in the books. Am I then made perfect? No...herefore, I am still being sanctified (made holy). I've been redeemed (paid for, bought, exchanged)... but I'm "a work in progress".

Another thing...I've seen "work out" translated as "struggle towards"...meaning I still have a sinful nature that I am to learn is no longer my master.

So, what Jesus does for us is both "one time" and "life time". My "salvation" will not be fully realized until I cross over and leave this behind. Then the rescue of my "salvation" will be complete.