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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9–10 NIV).
The doctrine of salvation by faith is so important to Seventh-day Adventists that it is summarized in Belief 10 of the Church’s statement of Fundamental Beliefs. The Global Church Member Surveys (GCMS) in 2018 and 2023 asked members about their beliefs on salvation by faith.
Percentage of Members Believing That Salvation Is Through Jesus Christ Alone
In 2018, when asked whether they believed that salvation was through Jesus Christ alone, only 1.3% of members strongly disagreed, 0.9% disagreed, 2.4% were not sure, 14.4% agreed, and 81% strongly agreed. In 2023, just 1.7% strongly disagreed, 1.2% disagreed, 2.2% were not sure, 16.2% agreed, and 78.7% strongly agreed.
Although the differences were minimal, there was a slight shift away from believing that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone.
Percentage of Members Agreeing with Being Saved the Moment They Accept Jesus
In 2018, when asked whether they agreed that they were saved from the moment they believed and accepted what Jesus had done for them, 2.1% strongly disagreed, 2.5% disagreed, 5.4% were not sure, 23.6% agreed, and 66.4% strongly agreed. In 2023, 2.3% strongly disagreed, 2.7% disagreed, 4.2% were not sure, 24.8% agreed, and 66% strongly agreed.
Again, there are only very small differences in percentages between 2018 and 2023: slightly more people (0.9%) agreed with the statement; slightly more disagreed (0.4%) in 2023; and fewer were unsure.
Percentage of Members Believing That They Are Loved by God as Sinners
In 2023, members were asked whether they agreed with the statement, “I am loved by God even when I sin”: 3.6% of members strongly disagreed, 3.2% disagreed, 4.4% were not sure, 30.8% agreed, and 58.1% strongly agreed. In total, 6.8% disagreed and 88.9% agreed with the statement, while 4.4% were unsure.
Percentage of Members Doing Good Works Because They Believe They Have Been Saved by Grace
In 2023, members were asked whether they agreed with the statement, “The reason that I do good works is because I have been saved by grace”: 3.9% of members strongly disagreed, 5.3% disagreed, 7.5% were not sure, 32.8% agreed, and 50.6% strongly agreed. In total, 9.2% disagreed and 83.4% agreed with the statement, while 7.5% were unsure.
The Global Church Member Surveys have shown that the message of salvation by faith has been taken to heart by a majority of church members around the world, although the percentage of people who may misunderstand the message should prompt churches to focus more on this important doctrine.
The gospel of Christ is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are as well able as the richest to purchase salvation; for no amount of worldly wealth can secure it. It is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves to Christ as His own purchased possession … We cannot earn salvation, but we are to seek for it with as much interest and perseverance as though we would abandon everything in the world for it (Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, 117).
You can access the full report at these links for 2018 and 2023.
Created in collaboration with the Institute of Church Ministry.
Published by ASTR on 10/21/2025.