I believe that people are saved as Paul was saved TODAY .
People are saved the same way as all are saved, by believing and obeying Jesus.
Paul had to obey and believe Jesus. He wasn't saved as soon as he believed on that road to Damascus.
My supporting verses are Acts 9:6 ,
Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Paul had to find out what he had to do; Jesus told him where to go, Paul obeyed and went, and then for the next three days he stayed BLIND and probably had the gospel message told to him.
In those THREE DAYS of being in the city where Jesus told him where to go, Paul did NOT eat or drink and he spent that time praying.
Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Can you imagine the prayers of Paul?! Paul no doubt was crying and wailing and asking God to forgive him for all his sins.
This is what Jesus told a disciple named Ananius. He tells him to go to a man named Paul FOR HE IS PRAYING.
Acts 9:11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
The disciple Ananias put his hands on Paul and he received his sight. Then Paul got up and WAS WATER BAPTIZED after that. Water baptism is what happens AFTER a person REPENTS OF THEIR SINS. This all happened to the praying Paul who no doubt repented of his sins and asked for forgiveness.
Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'
When Paul had his vision restored to him, he was told to get up, be baptized and wash his sins away, calling on the Lord.
In the Bible when people were baptized with water that was symbolic of having their sins washed away, after they repented.
Then people came out of the water after repenting and being baptized, they called upon the name of the Lord.
We are told to believe, and repent, and to call upon the name of the Lord.
That scripture isn't about anyone and everyone having the Holy Spirit if they say Jesus is Lord.
That scripture is about people in the New Testament times who speak in tongues. Paul is reassuring the people that no one speaking in tongues by the Holy Spirit will say Jesus is accursed, only Jesus is Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:
1Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
3Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
and 1 Tim 1:15 and verse 16 .
Paul did NOT keep doing the things that qualified himself as the worst of sinners!
Yet many say that Water Baptism saves .
Yet no has yet to explain 1 Cor 10:2 ?
That scripture is showing where water saved too.
Many say to keep the Commandments ?
We have to obey Jesus teachings.
