Teleios Research surveyed Christian adolescents and millennials to determine their beliefs about salvation, defined as belief by faith alone in the forgiveness of sins by Christ’s death and resurrection. Of the 228 participants, the majority were: female (55%), <35 year old (64%), from the United States (75%), and evangelical (73%).
In total, 85% of respondents believed that they were saved alone by God’s forgiveness of their sins by faith in Christ. In contrast, 8% were unsure. Further,76% believed that they were forgiven completely of past, present and future sins by Christ’s work at the cross. In addition, about 50% each indicated they were regenerated into a new person and adopted into the family of God at salvation.
The responses were tied at 38% each for those who believed they were eternally secure once saved, or they could forfeit their salvation by not making Jesus Lord of their life. Further, 33% were concerned they could lose their salvation by blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Approximately 50% indicated that God would never limit a true believer’s access to Him in prayer. In contrast, 26% believed personal sin would cause the Almighty to restrain their petitions to Him; 19% were unsure.
Further, 38% noted that since receiving the Holy Spirit at salvation nothing could cause Him to leave them. In contrast, 34% said blaspheming the Spirit, and 22% not doing what the Bible says, would cause Him to leave.
Regarding the regeneration by the Holy Spirit at salvation, 35% believed it could not be undone. In contrast, 29% said this was possible by blaspheming the Holy Spirit. About 20% each thought sinning too many times or not being obedient to what the Bible says could undo regeneration while 27% were not sure.
This study suggests younger aged evangelicals readily identify that they are saved by faith alone in Christ as the Bible teaches. However, they are often unfamiliar with many of the scriptural benefits occurring at salvation such as regeneration, receiving the Holy Spirit permanently and security. Therefore, they often believe these benefits can be reversed most often through sinful behaviors. These findings offer an opportunity for pastors and teachers to further instruct young believers to the full ramifications of their biblically based salvation.
Complete results of this survey can be found here.
WC Stewart, JA Stewart, LA Nelson