Many Are Deceived About Salvation

May 16, 2026

⚔️ THE BOLD CHRISTIAN

MANY ARE DECEIVED ABOUT SALVATION

A bold biblical teaching on deception, the true Gospel, baptism for the forgiveness of sins, the one church Christ built, Satan blinding the world, and why many people claim Jesus while refusing to obey Him biblically.

Written By Chad Breaux

4 min read Updated May 2026

Many people claim Jesus while refusing to obey Him biblically.

WATCH THE ORIGINAL SHORT

This teaching was inspired by this YouTube Short from The Bold Christian.

▶ WATCH THE SHORT

Scripture teaches that Satan has blinded many people.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-4 NKJV

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded...”

Many people are sincere — but sincerely deceived.

The Gospel Requires Obedience

The Gospel is not merely hearing about Jesus.

Scripture teaches obedience to Christ.

2 THESSALONIANS 1:8 NKJV

“…in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel…”

• hear the Gospel
• believe
• repent
• confess Christ
• be baptized for the forgiveness of sins

ACTS 2:38 NKJV

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...”

The Bible never presents baptism as optional.

MARK 16:16 NKJV

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

If Jesus connected baptism to salvation, rejecting baptism is rejecting what Jesus said.

People cannot claim to believe Christ while rejecting the very command Christ gave.

Biblical belief obeys Jesus instead of arguing against Him.

The Romans 10:9-10 Argument

ROMANS 10:9-10 NKJV

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

People quote this passage while ignoring that repentance is not mentioned there either.

Yet nearly everyone agrees repentance is necessary.

Truth comes from combining all scripture together instead of cherry-picking isolated verses.

The Thief On The Cross Argument

The thief lived before the Gospel covenant was fully established after the resurrection of Christ.

MARK 2:10 NKJV

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…”

You are not the thief on the cross.

After the resurrection, baptism was repeatedly commanded throughout scripture.

“What If Someone Is On Their Deathbed?” Argument

People often create emotional hypotheticals to avoid plain scripture.

People want salvation their way instead of God’s way.

The issue is obedience to Christ.

“It’s Not Water Baptism” Argument

ACTS 8:36 NKJV

“See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

1 PETER 3:21 NKJV

“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism…”

The Bible literally says baptism now saves us.

“Baptism Is A Work” Argument

EPHESIANS 2:8-9 NKJV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith... not of works...”

People claim baptism cannot matter because baptism is “a work.”

JOHN 6:28-29 NKJV

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Scripture itself calls belief a work.

COLOSSIANS 2:12 NKJV

“…buried with Him in baptism... through faith in the working of God…”

Scripture calls baptism the working of God.

“The Water Doesn’t Save — Jesus Does” Argument

Of course Jesus saves.

Nobody claims water itself has magical power.

The issue is obedience.

Jesus saves through the conditions He established.

Naaman had to wash in the Jordan.

Noah had to enter the ark.

Israel had to walk around Jericho.

Obedience has always mattered.

ACTS 22:16 NKJV

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins…”

There Is One Church

EPHESIANS 4:4 NKJV

“There is one body…”

That one body is the church.

EPHESIANS 1:22-23 NKJV

“…the church, which is His body…”

Jesus built one church.

MATTHEW 16:18 NKJV

“I will build My church…”

ROMANS 16:16 NKJV

“Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.”

The one church belongs to Christ. Scripture identifies the church of Christ — not man-made religious systems.

Truth should come from scripture — not man-made traditions.

Final Charge

Stop following comfort over truth.

Search scripture honestly.

Obey the Gospel fully.

Many are deceived. Do not be one of them.

JOIN THE BOLD RESET

The Bold Reset is built for Christians who are tired of drifting and ready to rebuild discipline, standards, spiritual focus, consistency, and faith under pressure.

START YOUR RESET →

Back to blog