Church Membership Does not Ensure Final Salvation
H. W. Beecher. Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Many men seem to think that religion consists of buying a ticket at the little ticket-office of conversion. They conclude that they will make the voyage to heaven. They understand that a man must be convicted and converted, and join the Church; and, when they have done that, they think they have a ticket, which, under ordinary circumstances, will carry them through. Their salvation is not altogether sure. A man may be cast away upon a voyage. But still they say, "I have got my ticket, and, if no accident occur, it will carry me to my destination safely; and all I have to do is to have patience and faith." And they are like a man that is riding in the cars, who, every time the conductor comes around, shows his ticket. They say, "I was awakened, I saw that I was a sinner, and trusted my soul in the hands of Christ." Yes: you have trusted it there, and there you have left it ever since you were converted. Are there not hundreds and thousands who are living in just the same way? (H. W. Beecher.) Parallel Verses KJV: Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. WEB: praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.