Conditional Time Salvation
Conditional Time Salvation (CTS) is taught in the bible. That point is sustained through proper, biblical answers to a few questions:
1. Is there a salvation in water baptism?
A. Yes. There is a salvation in water baptism. "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" (I Peter 3:21)
2. Is that salvation from eternal damnation?
A. No. Water baptism is an act of willing, obedience in expression of one's faith. As such it is a work of righteousness. If it is a requirement of eternal salvation, then salvation is by works, and the bible explicitly excludes our works of righteousness from having any participatory involvement in the work whereby we are eternally saved. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:5)
3. Is water baptism a requirement for eternal salvation?
A. No. None of the OT saints ever experienced the New Testament ordinance of water baptism (Hebrews 11), neither did the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43), yet we know that all of these were eternally saved. It follows that water baptism is NOT a requirement for eternal salvation.
Therefore, water baptism is an irrefutable example of CTS in the word of God. Breaking that down explicitly, water baptism is:
CONDITIONAL in that it requires one's willing, active obedience to a command.
TIMELY in that it only affects matters in this life and not one's eternal destiny.
SALVATION in that it delivers one from a state of gospel-disobedience (non-baptism) and unites one with the Lord's people who have likewise brought forth the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A denial of CTS requires that someone set forth an unbiblical answer to at least 1 of the 3 questions above. In my experience, those who zealously oppose the biblical teaching of CTS usually have an unstable or inaccurate understanding of CTS. Correct answers to those questions (and others like them) resolve the matter for the reasonable beyond any further dispute.
Perhaps a simpler way to prove CTS is to ask: "Does God bless obedient children and chastise disobedient children in this lifetime?" Clearly the answer is, "Yes." (Proverbs 3:7-8, Hebrews 12:6-7) Once this point is established, it is likewise established that there are salvations or deliverances in this life, in addition to the salvation from eternal damnation by sovereign grace, that may be experienced by a child of God to the extent that they are willingly obedient to the precepts of Christ. THAT is conditional time salvation.
I'm happy to discuss with anyone who would like to know more.
- Elder Daniel Samons