Can a Professing False Convert Experience Genuine Salvation
A "false convert" is typically understood as someone who professes faith but does not genuinely possess it, and therefore has not experienced true salvation. The Westminster Confession of Faith acknowledges that "hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish)" [5]. This suggests that a profession of faith alone does not guarantee salvation.
The concept of genuine salvation, in contrast to a false profession, is rooted in the idea of a true inward transformation. John Calvin emphasizes that salvation is obtained not by merely embracing the dictates of the Church or submitting one's understanding, but by recognizing God as a propitious Father through Christ's reconciliation, and Christ as given for righteousness, sanctification, and life [3]. This knowledge, rather than mere intellectual assent, grants entrance into the kingdom of heaven [3].
The Bible warns against false witnesses and deceit. Proverbs states that "a true witness delivereth souls; But he that uttereth lies causeth deceit" [1], and "the breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit" [2]. Augustine, in his writings, also addresses the gravity of falsehood, noting that it is worse to blaspheme than to perjure oneself because blasphemy speaks false things of God Himself [6]. He also critiques those who claim Christ feigned death, questioning how such a liar can be believed [4].
The possibility of moving from a false profession to genuine salvation implies a conversion from error to truth. John Gill, commenting on James 5:20, suggests that converting a "sinner from the error of his way" refers to restoring a backsliding professor or turning a bewildered believer back to the right path, leading to the saving of a soul from death [8]. This implies that a person in error, even one who has made a profession, can still be brought to genuine faith.
The Catholic tradition, as articulated by Aquinas, emphasizes that Christ's Passion is the source of remission for sin, and its effect is received through the sacraments, either actually or in desire [7]. This perspective highlights the necessity of engaging with the means of grace for salvation.
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 14:25 (ASV) — A true witness delivereth souls; But he that uttereth lies causeth deceit.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 12:17 (BBE) — The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: do not obtain salvation either because we are prepared to embrace every dictate of the Church as true, or leave to the Church the province of inquiring and determining; but when we recognize God as a propitious Father through the reconciliation made by Christ, and Christ as given to us for 471 righteousness, sanctification, and life. By this knowledge, I say, not by the submission of our understanding, we obtain an entrance into the kingdom of heaven. For when the Apostle says, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — BOOK XXVI. (part 8): it, that the Hebrews were in a mistake regarding both the death of Jesus and the immortality of Elias. And a little after he adds, As from the outset of His taking the likeness of man He underwent in appearance all the experiences of humanity, it was quite consistent that He should seal the dispensation by appearing to die. How can this infamous liar, who declares that Christ feigned death, expect to be believed? Did Christ utter falsehood when He said, "It behoves the Son of man to be killed, and to rise the third ”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 18 (part 1): CHAPTER 18 Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation 1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope sh”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — TO CONSENTIUS: AGAINST LYING. (part 44): and believes it to be true, which he swears: like as also Saul blasphemed more excusably, because he did it ignorantly.[2] But the reason why it is worse to blaspheme than to perjure one's self, is, that in false swearing God is taken to witness a false thing, but in blaspheming false things are spoken of God Himself. Now by so much is a man more inexcusable, whether perjurer or blasphemer, by how much the more, while asserting the things wherein they perjure or blaspheme, they know or believe them to be fa”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of Confession, As Regards Its Necessity, Art. 1: Article: Whether confession is necessary for salvation? I answer that, Christ's Passion, without whose power, neither original nor actual sin is remitted, produces its effect in us through the reception of the sacraments which derive their efficacy from it. Wherefore for the remission of both actual and original sin, a sacrament of the Church is necessary, received either actually, or at least in desire, when a man fails to receive the sacrament actually, through an unavoidable obstacle, and ”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 5:20: Let him know,.... And observe it for his encouragement: that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way; who is the instrument of restoring a backsliding professor, for such an one is meant by a sinner, and not a profane person; or of turning a poor bewildered believer, who is got out of the way of truth and holiness, into the right way again; or of convincing him of the error of his way, whether it be in point of doctrine, or of duty; and so of bringing him to the fold of Christ again, from whence he has strayed: shall save a soul from death; not effic”