Am I really saved if I didn’t understand Jesus’ resurrection?
Question:
Lately, I've been struggling with wondering how long I've been saved. For a while, I think that I might've been under the impression that Jesus' resurrection was just spiritual rather than both physical and spiritual. I don't really know why I assumed that for a period of time, but I did. I was later corrected about that misunderstanding and understood my error instantly. I didn't think much of it at the time (years ago) other than it being just a misconception that was cleared up. But I've been thinking, and I know that believing in the resurrection is one essential component of salvation, as said in Romans 9:10. I always thought that I believed in the resurrection, but I didn't always properly understand it for what it truly was, so did I ever really "technically" believe it? Or did I believe it, but just not understand it accurately? Now I've just been kind of dwelling on the whole "Was I even really saved back then?" thing. I always believed that Jesus was God, born of a virgin, and died for our sins, and I believed in His resurrection but I guess I never even understood it.
I guess ultimately my wonder is, if a person believes in the resurrection but doesn't properly understand it, are they still saved?
Answer:
"Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord" (I Peter 2:1-3).
You ruled out that all Christians must grow. That means our understanding will change and improve over time. No Christian has perfect knowledge when they become a child of God. In fact, we all continue to grow.
When you look at the conversions in Acts, the belief is in Jesus. "And after he brought them out, he said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household'" (Acts 16:30-31).
Yes, the resurrection of Jesus is critical to the gospel message, as Paul discussed in I Corinthians 15. And it is true that the physical resurrection of Jesus was proven in the gospel accounts. However, I don't find a passage stating that understanding this is essential before you become a Christian. The passage you cited (Romans 9:10) has nothing to do with the resurrection.
Question:
Thank you for the response. I very much appreciate you clearing things up for me. Take care.
Also, I meant Romans 10:9, not 9:10. My apologies for that.
Answer:
"But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" -- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:8-9).
From what you've told me, you believed that Jesus was raised from the dead. You just didn't realize that it included a physical resurrection at first and came to realize more about what was meant as you learned your Scriptures. There is nothing wrong with that.
Response:
Ah, I see what you're saying. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond. It means a lot to me. Take care!
