Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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Today, at school, my friend asked me if I was saved. She further explained that if I weren’t, then she would be the one responsible, before God, to save me. What is she talking about?

I would like first to clarify that there is a difference between being saved and being a believer. Not every believer will be saved. Salvation is a free gift from our Lord to everyone who believes in Him AND follows His commandments. You can be a believer but if you live the life of sin you will not be saved, for "Even the demons believe; and tremble!" (James 2:19).

God commanded His disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mt 28:19-20).

St. Paul said, "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift" (Eph 4:7).

"He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:11-13).

"And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues"(1 Cor 12:28).

Each one of the believers in the church has a role, not everyone can be a priest or a prophet etc�except those appointed by God. However, as Christians it is our duty to proclaim the salvation granted to us, to spread the Good News "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pt 2:9) and to be the light of the world "You are the light of the world�Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Mt 5:14,16).
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