1Jn 12:38–40; Rom 9:6; Mt 22:14; 7:21; Rom 11:7

In the previous Q&A we saw that all who never heard the gospel or known the Lord Jesus Christ could be saved. But what about those who have been sitting under a Gospel ministry? Will all be saved? This is the concern of the current question;—and the answer is that not all will be saved. Not everyone who is part of the visible church will be saved, though every member of the church invisible will be.

We shall be examining in greater details what are the visible and invisible church. But for now, think of the church invisible as comprising the elect of God; whereas the church visible as comprising all who have made profession of faith in Christ and their children. Membership in the church invisible is by election, and ratified by Spirit baptism; whereas membership in the church visible is by providence and profession, and ratified by water baptism. The church invisible has no visible manifestation whereas the church visible is manifested in denominations and local assemblies of Christians around the world.

While it may appear ideal that the visible church should comprise only members of the invisible church, we know from Scripture and experience that this is not possible.

The Lord Jesus himself often spoke of the church in this present world as having wheat and tare, good and bad fishes, sheep and goats, good soil and bad soil, etc. And He declares:

Likewise the apostle Paul exclaims: "They are not all Israel, which are of Israel" (Rom 9:6).

The fact is that as Judas was among the apostles and Simon Magus was among those who were baptised in the Samaritan Pentecost, so there will always be those who do not have genuine faith in Christ in the visible church in this world.

These false professors have a form of godliness (2 Tim 3:5), and may appear outwardly to be Christians in their conduct and profession; but they do not possess the spiritual power that comes with a regenerate heart and a real union with Christ.

These are of all men most miserable, for they are either pretending to be disciples of Christ when they are not (Jude 12-13), or they are misled into thinking that they are saved when they are not (see Mt 7:21). But either way, if they come under a faithful Gospel ministry and remain unconverted, they would, in some ways, be worse off than those who have never heard the Gospel (cf. 2 Pet 2:21). Jonathan Edwards is surely right when he says: "Sinners in Zion will have by far the lowest place in hell" (Works 2.201b).

Now, if this is the case, what ought we to do?

First of all, every member of the visible church ought really to examine himself to see if he is in the faith (2 Cor 13:5); and seek earnestly and honestly to attain unto full assurance that he has a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.…

We should realise that although it is impossible for us to see the hearts of one another to determine with absolute certainty as to whether we are truly saved, it is possible for us individually to attain unto an infallible assurance of grace in our own hearts (WCF 18.2).

Secondly, it is important that there be constant reminder from the pulpit that membership in the visible church does not save. This is especially so as it is extremely easy for members of the visible church to grow complacent and presumptuous in regard to their spiritual states, seeing that they are received into baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are addressed as brethren by the church and given opportunities to ‘serve the Lord.’

But thirdly, in view of this second point, it is important for a local congregation to admit into membership only those who have a credible profession of faith in so far as adults are concerned. A credible profession of faith would involve a verbal demonstration of knowledge and faith in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity (commensurate with the mental capacity of the applicant), as well as a demeanour and life (as far as known) that does not contradict the profession of faith. Thus, for example, the church should not admit into membership a man who is living with a woman who is not his wife, no matter how brilliant and loving he may appear to be.

But, it may be asked: If only members of the invisible church will be saved, why do we not restrict membership in the church only to those who can prove themselves to be born again? To this it must be answered that first of all, that the Scriptures does not make the test of regeneration a condition for baptism. In the book of Acts, those who professed faith and repentance were baptised. In the second place, it is impossible to know another person’s heart absolutely. Only God knows our hearts absolutely. For this reason, Johannes G. Vos is surely right when he says: