Paul reduces it to basics: 'If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.' Not complicated. Not requiring perfect theology. Confession and faith.
I've been in churches where salvation is locked behind right doctrine. You have to understand exactly how the atonement works. You have to have correct ecclesiology. It was exhausting. This verse by Paul is merciful. Jesus is Lord. God raised him. Believe. Declare. That's it.
I work with people in communities where theological education is limited. I don't need to teach them fancy theology. I need to ask: do you believe Jesus is Lord? Do you believe he rose? If yes, then welcome home. Everything else can be learned. But the core is simple. Jesus is Lord. And that belief transforms everything.
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