Are 2x2's "Saved"?

Ironically, members of the Truth Fellowship would probably reject entirely the notion of being "saved" in the first place, however, this article will deal with the issue of the salvation of members of this group.

The Friends & Workers place the emphasis upon how one lives his or her life for determining salvation. Many ex-members who have become members of mainline Protestant religions would argue that 2x2s have denied the power of salvation by grace; however, I don't believe that this is so. If anything, the 2x2 view of salvation has some similarities to Catholicism, to the extent that they both agree that the novel Protestant notion of "once-saved-always-saved" is fatally flawed.

Nowhere does the Bible say that we are born again by "accepting Jesus as our Personal Savior" or by answering an "altar call" or by reciting "The Sinner's Prayer". Such an oversimplication is the result of the Protestant Reformed thinking of about 500 years ago; it is not what the early Christians believed, and Scripture shows that our salvation is an ongoing process that requires a life of grace-empowered perseverence to the end (Mt 24:13).

Salvation is a Past Event:
  • "for in hope we were saved" (Rom 8:24)
  • "by grace you have been saved through faith" (Eph 2:5,8)
  • "he saved us, called us, according to his grace" (2 Tim 1:9)
    • Salvation is a Present Process:
  • "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12)
  • "as you attain the goal of your faith, salvation" (1 Peter 1:9)
    • Salvation is a Future Process:
  • "he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mt 10:22)
  • "we shall be saved through the grace of Jesus" (Acts 15:11)
  • "salvation is nearer now than first believed" (Rom 13:11)
    • However, our salvation depends on our constant cooperation with God's grace. God is faithful - He will ALWAYS be there for us to give us what we need to persevere; however, through willful disobedience it is possible to reject God's love and mercy and fall from this state of grace. Jesus said that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will inherit the kingdom (Mt 7:21). Rather, to have life we must keep His commandments (Jn 14:21). Nothing matters but faith working in love (Gal 5:4-6) because we are created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph 2:10). This is not accomplished of our own effort, but through God who works in us (Phil 2:13). We are warned that we must remain in His kindness or we will be cut off (Rom 11:22). Paul told the Galatians that is is possible to fall from grace (Gal 5:4) and told Timothy that we must hold out to the end to reign with Christ (2 Tim 2:11-13).

    So, are 2x2's saved? I don't know - it's not my problem. I tend to agree with what Paul wrote when he said, "
    "I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God." (1 Cor 4:4-5)


    I believe in a merciful and just God who will judge us according to how we lived our lives as best we understood we were supposed to (1 Peter 1:17). I find it hard to believe that a person (whether they are in the Truth Fellowship or not) who lived a life in loving obedience and service to God will automatically be condemned just because they did not live up to someone other person's idea of what is required for salvation. We will all be judged according to what we do (Rev 20:12-13), and this interaction is between us and God. My only concern about the Truth Fellowship is that 2x2s seem to place unnecessary emphasis on various legalisms, like attending meetings/conventions, not owning televisions, following severe dress codes, avoidance of interaction with other churches, etc. In other words, there is a difference between warning against certain sinful television shows or provocative dressing styles and actually mandating these behaviors. It is my impression (i.e., my experience only, not speaking for them all) that the 2x2 idea of "good works" are the aforementioned behaviors, rather than works of charity and love empowered by the Holy Spirit.

    We can have moral assurance of salvation if we heed the words of St. Peter:
    "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance;and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:4-10)
    All praise and honor and glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

    Clay Randall
    August 2002

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