Are you saved, or are you being saved?

This is no mere semantic!

There is a good reason for this command from the Apostle Paul to all NT pastors and teachers"

2Ti 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

".. are saved" speaks of the completed divine action PRIOR TO and INDEPENDENT of the activities of preachers, the activity which explains the response of them that are saved, that is, they hear and perceive the gospel as declaring the power of God in salvation.

"...are being saved" speaks of the INCLUSION of man's activity of preaching in the salvation spoken of; which is seen as a PROCESS which involves the activities of men!

Men bent on synergism are acting so subtly to undermine and destroy the plain, pure, pristine grace alone. Many rave and rant about monergism, but they are really synergistic in their doctrine of salvation!

"are saved..."  - σῳζομένοις

Root: σῴζω sōzō
Tense: Present
Voice: Passive
Mood: Participle

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Co&c=1&t=KJV...

I'm no Greek scholar. I can't even handle English well enough.

"σῳζομένοις" - in my understanding, being a present passive participle (I trust some cheapskate greek students' assessment) - is simply "saved ones", God being the active agent.

A participle is a word formed from a verb and used as an adjective or a noun.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/participle

The "are saved" refers to the group of people that have been saved by God.

To those that are saved (by the free and sovereign acts of God) the gospel (the good news) is perceived as the message which declares the power of God in saving poor helpless sinners.

The gospel is the message; it has no power to save; it is the message about God's power in salvation. The two are distinct, and separate. So many just equate the two, and confound them! The gospel is the good news which declares the power of God in saving sinners in their native state of sin and condemnation.

See comments here:
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Authority in Christ's Kingdom

Authority in Christ's Kingdom

In Christ's Kingdom, there is no authority ordained OUTSIDE of each local church. The old school baptists were CRYSTAL CLEAR on this matter; they summarized it in clear and plain words.

1689.26.7-8
7. To each of these churches thus gathered, according to His mind declared in His Word, He hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which He hath instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power. (14) 14. Mt 18:17-18; 1Co 5:4-5; 5:13; 2Co 2:6-8.

8. A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church(so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which He entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.(15) 15. Ac 20:17,28; Php 1:1.

He alone is the LORD and KING of each church. Any semblance of authority outside of it - managing, meddling, or mangling her affairs - is USURPATION of the authority of Christ, the sole Head of the church.

Within a church, even the administrators of Christ's authority are equally subjected to Christ's authority. Blessedness is when Christ alone rules and lords over His people; and His people gladly submit to His rule.

He said, "it is finished."

"Knowing all things were accomplished... 

He said, it is finished."

John 19:28-30
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 17:4
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

What a faithful and glorious Saviour! He wouldn't give up His ghost until ALL THINGS were accomplished; until the whole work of redemption was finished!

That's the heart of the gospel, the good news of the FINISHED work of redemption by Christ Jesus for His people.

The Father purposed that redemption for His chosen people.
The Son executed, and accomplished that redemption for the same.
The Holy Spirit applies that redemption to each of the same at God's own appointed and approved time.

The recipients of such redemption are called to believe, and live in light of, the truth of that salvation.
That's the function of the gospel ministry.