2. INTRODUCTION
During the Lord’s earthly ministry men were interested in the number that could be saved.
Often men would ask such questions, “How many shall be saved?” (Lk. 13:24-25; Matt. 19:23-26)
There’s no need to worry about the number that shall be saved (2 Pet. 1:10).
It is individual (Phil. 2:12; cf. Acts 16:30; 22:10)
People still ask the same question.
Let’s interview some folks and see what kind of answers we get and then look in the Bible for the correct answer.
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

3.
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?
Matthew 7:13-14

4. THE ATHEIST Let’s ask the atheist: “How many shall be saved?”
Do you know what his answer is? Nobody!
Well, what about the Big Bang Theory?
Did the universe begin with just a big explosion of “nothing”? Are we just a giant cosmic accident? Is that reasonable?
But what about man? What about the creation?
Isn’t it much more reasonable to believe what the Bible says? (Gen. 1:1, 26; Acts 17:28; Psa. 19:1; Rom. 1:20; Psa. 14:1)
The atheist is wrong when he tells us no one will be saved.
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

5. THE AGNOSTIC Cannot make up his mind whether God exists or not.
Thus, he couldn’t possibly know whether or not any are saved. Maybe?
Pursuing the agnostic’s philosophy always leads to a dead end.
Groucho Marx: “Q: What do you get when you cross an insomniac, an agnostic, and a dyslexic? A: Someone who stays up all night wondering if there is a Dog?”
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

6. THE MORALIST
The Moralist takes the position all good, moral people will be saved regardless of what they are religiously.
Although the Bible teaches the importance of morality, it also says one must hear and obey the gospel (e.g., Cornelius (Acts 10 & 11).
The same is true today. Morality is essential but so also is hearing, believing, and obeying the gospel of Christ (Rom. 6:17-18; 1:5; 16:26).
One cannot be saved unless he does both! 2 Thess. 1:7-9
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

7. THE UNIVERSALIST
The Universalist believes everybody will be saved. God is too good to allow anyone to be lost (1 Jn. 4:8).
What about Romans 11:22?
If you don’t believe in the severity of God just ask a few folks (Gen. 3; Lev. 10; Acts 5).
Why did those things happen? Because of the severity of God when man commits sin!
God is not a capricious, temperamental and vengeful God (Psa. 103:8; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; Jn. 6:68; 12:48; Matt. 5:7; Rom. 2:3b-11; Matt. 6:14-15; Acts 10:34-35).
You see, the person who says nobody will be saved is just as wrong as the person that says everybody will be saved!
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

8. THE CALVINIST
Calvinism is a system of theology devised by John Calvin, one of the reformers who lived in the 16th century. “God from the foundation of the world, predestined some men to everlasting life and all others to everlasting death – the number of which is certain and definite.”
Calvinism consists of 5 major tenants: T-U-L-I-P
Total Hereditary Depravity (Eccl. 7:29; Ezek. 18)
Unconditional Election (Rev. 22:17)
Limited Atonement (Heb. 2:9)
Irresistible Grace (Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21)
Perseverance of the Saints (Col. 1:21-23)
Surely the Calvinist is wrong when he advocates this position!
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

9. THE JEHOVAH’S WITNESS
The JW takes the position that exactly 144,000 will be saved; those and those alone!
Read Revelation 14:1-4:
This is not literal! These are figures of speech – the waters, the thunder, the harpers, and the 144,000. By the way, these are all virgin Jewish men! Will women be excluded?!
Revelation 22:17; Matthew 11:28: “Whosoever will” & “all ye that labour and are heaven laden.”
All people are invited to share the blessings of the gospel. All people have the opportunity to be saved! Titus 2:11
God doesn’t limit Himself like the JW’s falsely argue! 2 Pet. 3:9
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

10. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC
The RCC takes the position that only those who have embraced Roman Catholicism will be saved.
What does the Bible teach about the RCC? Matt. 16:18; Psa. 127:1
You do not read about the RCC in the Bible! 2 Thess. 2:3-4?
It wasn’t until ~600 A.D. that the first Roman Pope was crowned; 600 years too late!
They are “blind leaders of the blind” (Matt. 15:13-14).
Catholicism cannot provide the correct answer.
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

11. THE PROTESTANT HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?
The term protestant came from the idea that people protested against Roman Catholicism.
But when I ask the question “How many shall be saved” they will say all sincerely religious people will be saved regardless of what they believe.
What about worshipping idols?
What about human sacrifice?
What about worshipping the Devil?
No, I don’t believe this fellow has the right answer to the question when he says “Just be sincerely religious”. Lots of people are sincerely religious! Most conversions in the Bible were of sincerely religious people.
The Jews – Acts 2
The Eunuch – Acts 8
Saul of Tarsus – Acts 9
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

12. THE BIBLE
Did any of the eight people interviewed give the right answer in light of the Scriptures? No!
It would be a great injustice if we did not give a positive, clear, decisive answer as to how many will be saved. What saith the Scripture? 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Hear (Acts 11:14). What words? (Rom. 10:17; 1:16-17; Matt. 17:5)
Believe (Acts 16:30-31)
Repent (Acts 17:30-31)
Confess (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37)
Baptized (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21)
Endure (Matt. 24:13; Acts 8:22; 1 Jn. 1:7, 9).
That’s how many shall be saved!
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?

13. CONCLUSION First eight people gave us answers from human reasoning.
The answers I gave were from God’s book (Matt. 1:21; Lk. 19:10; Acts 4:12).
How many shall be saved? As many as want to be saved!
“Whosoever will” may be saved! No more, no less.
Do you want to be saved? 2 Cor. 6:2
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
HOW MANY SHALL BE SAVED?