What is a deathbed conversion? Can someone actually be saved on their deathbed?
An Appointment with Death
Every one of us has an appointment that we will keep, and whether they want or not doesn’t matter, and it’s an appointment with death that none can avoid. The author of Hebrews wrote that “just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb 9:27). The statistics on death are very grim; they show that 10 out of every 10 people die, so there is no reason for a person to delay in trusting in Christ, because there is no guarantee that anyone will live beyond today. You cannot guarantee you’ll be here tomorrow with 100% certainty and neither can I. The reason people delay this decision is superseded by the fact that they do. Some are setting on the fence and have thought about it, but delay could prove fatal, because those sitting on the fence will be cast into hell along with everyone else who rejects belief in Christ. To make no decision, is to make a decision to reject Christ, at least until they make that decision, but time may run out when they die, before they’re able to choose. The clock on your and my life is ticking ever so closer to eternity.
No Excuse
Those who don’t believe in God actually have no excuse. That’s what the Bible teaches. The Apostle Paul wrote that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” because “what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (Rom 1:18-19). The psalmist wrote that “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1), just as a painting demands the necessity of a painter. You don’t have to actually see the artist to know that he or she created the painting. I can see a building, and even though I’ve never seen the architect or builders, I know there must be one. Paul’s point is “his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Rom 1:20), so “although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:21-22). This is why the psalmist said, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). Summing this up; atheists have no excuse, God’s existence is obvious. They simply suppress (or hold down) this knowledge so that they can continue a lifestyle of sin.
Deathbed Conversion
Are deathbed conversions real? Do they really happen? Who can ever say conclusively that they aren’t real? Christian chaplains across the country who work in hospitals regularly report their encounters with people who are on their deathbeds and leading them to Christ. Certainly, we can’t say that every deathbed conversion is legitimate, however when the gospel is properly presented and people are afraid of what is coming regarding to death, and many will reach out to Christ and place their trust in Him. They are placing their eternity in His sovereign hands. Ultimately, only God knows whether a person has trusted in the Son of God and received eternal life, but there is no reason to think that someone who professes faith in Christ, even just before death, will not be saved because Jesus promised, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this” (John 11:25-26)? I was privileged to be involved with our church elder’s wife’s father, who all his life rejected faith in Christ, but when I asked him about Jesus Christ and whether he believed that He lived a sinless life, died to atone for our sins, and then was raised on the third day, he believed. Our elder’s wife said of her father, “I have never seen him cry until that very moment.” Just days later, he passed into glory. None of us had any idea that he was going to die just a couple of days later and I didn’t go to visit him to have him go through a deathbed conversion. It was all God’s timing, and today, the family he left behind is eternally grateful; not to me, but to God’s divine and precise timing. Do I believe in deathbed conversion? Of course I do. Why not? It says whoever believes in Him will be saved, and that’s good enough for me.
The Thief on the Cross
Are deathbed conversions mentioned in the Bible? In a way, yes, and even though the thief on the cross wasn’t in bed, his “last minute” trust in Christ was similar to a deathbed conversion. He cried out to Jesus as he neared death, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). What did Jesus say? Are you really, really sure? Have you been baptized? No, Jesus simply said with complete confidence, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Since Jesus is giving the thief on the cross a definitive statement that “today, you will be with Me in Paradise,” we know for sure that the thief entered Paradise on that very day of his death. Jesus’ promise has two sides to it; “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).
Conclusion
Solomon wrote there is “a time to be born, and a time to die” (Eccl 3:2), and even though we might have a good idea when a baby might be born, we can’t know for certainty (in most cases). In the same way, we can’t know the moment of our death when our time here on earth will be up (barring suicide). Some who lay on their bed awaiting a certain death at least have time to think about what happens to them after they die, but even there, they don’t know exactly what time death will come. You don’t know and neither do I, so I remind you that today is your day of salvation (2nd Cor 6:2), so if you’re not already saved why not? Tomorrow may never come.
Article by Jack Wellman
Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.
