How to Be Saved

What Is Transactional Salvation? (Part 2)

Transactional Salvation is a term I am using to point us to the heart of the Gospel because the heart of the Gospel is transformational in the heart of any human, who is saved by Grace.

Taking verses out of context is the strongest of concerns, since one verse shown by itself can paint a picture of God that is not true to the totality of the Scriptures.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13, KJV)

This is a great Scriptural Truth, based on a heart attitude, not simply a mental assent.

What do the twenty-one verses of Romans 10 tell us about the character of God? What do these verses tell us about the heart of a human who desires to be a Christian?

"1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (Romans 10:1-21, KJV)

Verse #1 underscores the heart of the one who penned these words. He wants people to be saved, and since he is Jewish, he cares very much about the salvation of Israel, his Jewish brethren.

Verses #2-#8 underscore the fact that self-will and self-effort cannot save anyone, even those who are as close to the Law of God as the Jewish people have always been.

Verse #4 declares that Christ fulfills the Law to every believer.

Verse #8 declares the nearness of the Word preached. "even in thy mouth, and in thy heart:"

Verses #9-#13 underscore the truth that heart belief and verbal confession go hand-in-hand.

Verses #14-#18 show the importance of preaching, that people may be saved.

Verses #19-#21 return the chapter to the subject of Israel and Paul's desire that they be saved. Sadly, not everyone who hears the message of Salvation is willing to be saved.

Bottom Line: Verse #13 could lead someone to think that mental assent in prayer saves. However, this entire chapter shows that the attitude of one's heart, changed by the work of The Holy Spirit, is that which saves. We call (verse 13) because we are called. (verse 17)

The Gospel includes the Truth of God's Command in the Garden of Eden, broken by Adam and Eve, resulting in eternal separation from God in Hell, forever experiencing His Wrath. However, Jesus' sinless life, and His Death, Burial, and Resurrection provide Substitutionary Atonement and Substitutionary Perfection to those who are called unto Salvation. Those who hear this inner call are saved.

We must consider more about the heart. This goes beyond Transactional Salvation.

By Jay O'Toole
On June 17th, 2025