It has long been affirmed by those who seek to follow Jesus that salvation can be found in Him alone (John 14:6). However, in recent years there have been debates among various religious bodies over whether or not people can be saved outside of Christ. We will examine why it is only through Jesus that men may be saved.
First, Jesus was/is the Lamb of God (John 1:29). He offered Himself as the all-sufficient sacrifice for the sins of man (Matthew 26:28). Animal sacrifice, gold and silver, and man could not do this (Hebrews 10:4; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 5:6). The Bible declares that the blood of Christ washes away sins (Revelation 1:5).
Second, one must have faith in Jesus as the all-sufficient sacrifice. The Lord said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Those who adhere to Buddhism, Hinduism, Mohammedism, Moralism, and Judaism reject the sacrifice of Christ. They deny the Son of God who died for them. Therefore, they cannot be saved.
Third, some still argue that those who are sincere in their beliefs will find grace in God’s eyes. Where does the Bible teach such? Sincerity alone is not enough. Saul of Tarsus was sincere in Judaism, but who can believe he was on his way to heaven while on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:19)? There will even be some who acknowledge Jesus as “Lord,” but rejected by Him on the last day (Matthew 7:21-23). So, how can any Bible believer think those who reject the Lord will be saved?
Finally, since salvation is in Christ alone, we must know how to get in Christ. It is not automatic; this is Universalism and would allow Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews to enter heaven. It is not through faith alone (James 2:24). It is through faith in Christ, turning from sin, confessing Christ, and baptism into Christ, for the remission of sins (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 2:38).
Steven F. Deaton