Regarding salvation, the three tenses (past, present, and future) are used when speaking of salvation. For example, we find them in the following verses: “have been saved” (Rom 8:24; Eph 2:5, 8), “are being saved” (Luke 13:23; 1 Cor 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15), “will be saved,” (Matt. 10:22; Acts 16:31; Rom 10:9-10). But, the Bible does not teach that salvation is a process accomplished at the end of a faithful life. This is important because adherents of both Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy deny justification by faith alone in Christ alone. They say that salvation is a process where they must participate in the sacraments, do good works, and remain faithful to end up being able to go to heaven. They teach that the past action of baptism began salvation and that the present action of taking the sacraments and doing good works will result in their future salvation. Generally speaking, they will not say they presently possess salvation – though some do because they claim to be doing enough good works in the present to be right with God. 
But is this what the Scriptures teach? No, they do not. Let’s take a look.
Been, Being, will be
- Past – have been
- Rom. 8:24, “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?”
- Eph. 2:5, “even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”
- Present – are being
- Luke 13:23, “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them,”
- 1 Cor. 1:18, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
- Future – will be
- Matt. 10:22, “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”
- Acts 16:31, “They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'”
The Bible teaches us that at different times, different people have been, are being, and will be saved. It does not teach that salvation is a process over a person’s lifetime that culminates in obtaining heaven as the final destiny due to their participation in a church’s requirements and good works. This is a false gospel.
