Can Salvation Be Certain?

Salvation is one of the most important subjects a person can consider, and Scripture speaks about it with remarkable clarity. Across the Bible — including in the New World Translation — salvation is described not as something we gradually qualify for, but as something God accomplishes through Christ.

In John 5:24 (NWT), Jesus says: “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has everlasting life… and has passed over from death to life.”

The wording is present and complete. Jesus does not describe eternal life as a future possibility based on continued organizational obedience. He describes it as something already received.

In John 10:28 (NWT), Jesus adds: “I give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed.”

The emphasis is on what He gives — not on what we must continually earn.

This theme appears throughout Scripture:

• Romans 5:1 — “We have been declared righteous through faith.”

• Ephesians 2:8–9 — salvation is “by grace… not as a result of works.”

• Hebrews 7:25 — Jesus “is able to save completely.”

• Hebrews 10:14 — “By one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

• 1 John 5:13 — believers can “know” they have eternal life.

These passages present salvation as secure because it rests on Christ’s finished work, not on our ongoing performance.

This connects naturally to the question of translation. When comparing the NWT with other translations, it becomes clear that many of these same verses still communicate assurance — even though the organization teaches that salvation depends on continued obedience and loyalty.

This raises a gentle but important question:

If Jesus Himself says believers “have” everlasting life, and if Scripture says He saves completely, how does continual qualification fit into that picture?

This is not about criticizing any group. It is about letting Scripture — including the NWT — speak for itself.

If salvation depends on ongoing obedience to an organization, assurance is never possible.

But if salvation depends on Christ, then assurance becomes not only possible — it becomes the natural result of trusting in Him.

The invitation is simple:

Let Scripture be the standard.

Let Christ’s finished work be the foundation.

And let assurance come from the One who promises eternal life to all who believe.