Lordship Salvation

Q. Can you please explain lordship salvation and whether you feel it is a valid doctrine? If I understand it correctly and it is valid, it pretty much eliminates any “deathbed conversions.”

A. In effect, Lordship Salvation holds that just believing that Jesus died for your sins isn’t enough. In addition to making Him your Savior, you also have to make Him Lord of your life. This is demonstrated by the degree to which your actions in this world demonstrate an obedience to Biblical instructions on Christian living.

This view contradicts the clear teachings of Jesus on the sole requirement for salvation, belief, and in essence turns Paul’s encouragement to live a victorious Christian life into another list of commandments to be obeyed. And you’re right, under this view deathbed conversions would be impossible.