When is he saved?

     I love the story of the two elders who were arguing over exactly ‘when a person is saved.  One said “ he is saved when he prays and asks Jesus into his heart.”  The other said , “ No, he is saved at baptism !”  They argued for a while and neither seemed to be making headway on the other.  Finally one argued “But what if the man had prayed but on his way to the baptistry but had a heart attack and died, is he saved?”  “Nope” the other replied,” he hasn’t been baptized.”

     “Well, what if he has changed into the bapistry clothes but dies before he gets into the water?”  “Nope,” again the reply, “He hasn’t been baptized.”     

      Trying from another angle the elder says, “What if he’s just ready to take a step into the water, but he dies mid step, is he saved then?”  Now the other elder is hesitating, “Let me get this straight, he has already prayed and asked Jesus into his heart, he has changed his clothes and is ready for baptism, he is right by the water and he’s taking a step into the water, but he dies mid step, right?”  The first elder is sensing a victory, “Yes, yes yes, now is he saved?”  The second elder begins to stroke his chin and is obviously in deep thought.  “He dies mid step right?, which way did he fall?”  He continues his thought, “If he fell into the water he might be saved, but if he fell away from the water he is not saved!”

     Steve’s comment, I’m not trying to make light of God’s Word and His doctrines.  But I will say sometimes mans input is humorous and ridiculous.  Can’t we learn to take God at His word and quit trying find wrinkles and wiggle room in His clear communication to us?