But however this may be, one thing is plain; that, according to the Creed, those who have been taught the truth about God, (i.e., the Catholic Faith), must both lead a good life, (fighting against sin, etc.), and also hold fast, or keep this faith, if they wish to be saved. And St. Paul evidently regarded these as the two essentials; for at the close of his life, he rejoiced because he had fought the good fight, and kept the faith.[484]
[484] 2 Tim. 4. 7.
(2.) Their truthfulness.
Having thus shown what the warning clauses actually mean, we have next to consider whether they are true. Now, it is plain from the nature of the case that we can know nothing on such a subject, except what is revealed by God. Is then, this doctrine stated or implied in the New Testament? Certainly it is, since belief in Christ is everywhere laid down as necessary to salvation. He is not one Saviour among many, nor is Christianity one means among many of getting to heaven. But Christianity is always represented as the only means, and Christ as the only Saviour.
We have already alluded to one text on this subject, that about the perishing; and we will now quote five others, each from a different writer, thus showing that the doctrine was not peculiar to any one Apostle or Evangelist. We are told then, that while he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, he that disbelieveth shall be condemned; that unless men believe in Christ they shall die in their sins; that His is the only Name under heaven wherein men can be saved; that public confession of Him as Lord, together with belief in His Resurrection, leads to salvation; and that His Blood alone can redeem us from our sins.[485]
[485] Mark 16. 16; John 8. 24; Acts 4. 12; Rom. 10. 9; 1 Pet. 1. 19.
And the early Christians acted in entire accordance with this. When, for instance, the gaoler at Philippi asked St. Paul, What must I do to be saved? the answer was, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.[486] Repentance, baptism, and amendment of life, would of course follow in due time; but first of all, before all other things, it was necessary that he should believe in Christ. This was the great essential.
[486] Acts 16. 31.
Now it is obvious that the belief in Christ, which is thus everywhere insisted on, must mean believing the truth about Christ, and not a false belief. If, then, the statements in the Creed represent the truth about Christ, as we have shown they do, then belief in these is necessary to salvation. And the Bible, like the Creed, expressly says that the great and fundamental truth about Christ, which we must both believe and confess, is His Incarnation, that He is come in the flesh.[487] And this involves His relationship to God the Father, and the doctrine of the Trinity. Thus the warning clauses as to the importance of a true belief, especially in regard to these two great doctrines, seem fully justified.