How do you reconcile the apparent contradiction of these two passages (Rom. 10:9-13 and Zephaniah 2:3)?

No contradiction, simply a pre versus post Messiah viewpoint. The OT lays the foundation for the doctrine of salvation: "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honour depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge" (Psalm 62:5-8).

Salvation always has and always will be utterly dependent on God's will. Salvation depends on God, not us. Those who have God as the Rock of their Salvation will survive all storms. The Bible says that Jesus is th Rock of God's Salvation (1 Peter 2:4-12). Those who put all their faith in him will not be disappointed.

In Zephaniah, God's people were looking forward to the coming Messiah and that is why they did not have certainty or assurance of salvation. They were still under the Law, the Mosaic and Abrahamic Covenants, and because they knew it was impossible to keep th law perfectly, they were under condemnation. After Jesus died and was resurrected, God's people came under a NEW Covenant, a covenant that liberated them because, as Romans points out, there was now no distinction between Jew and Greek and EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Can we be certain of our salvation? First we have to understand that to be saved a person has, by faith, received and fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). A Christian is a new creation: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) A Christian has been redeemed: "For you know that you were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:18-19). A Christian is justified: "Therfore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). A Christian is promised eternal life; "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). A Christian is guaranteed glorification: "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (Romans 8:30). Justification is declared at the moment of faith. Glorification refers to a Christian receiving a perfect resurrection body in heaven.

If a Christian can lose salvation, the entire book of Romans is in error because that would mean God was unable to guarantee glorification for all those whom he predestines, calls and justifies. Salvation cannot be reversed otherwise God would have to go back on his word and change his mind - two things Scripture tells us God can never do.

NOTHING can separate a Christian from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing can remove a Christian from God's hand (John 10:28-39). Jude 24-25 confirms that God is both willing and able to guarantee and maintain the salvation he has given us.

A true Christian can be assured of salvation. There is no doubt. The Holy Spirit testifies that if we are in Christ, then we are a new creation and we have peace with God through Christ Jesus. From the moment our Lord cried out "It is finished!" God's eternal plan of salvation came into effect and will never be revoked.

P.S. The moral of the story in Zephaniah (which still applies today) is that we can only seek the Lord while he can still be found. There will come a moment when it will be too late. We are being asked to humble ourselves and repent NOW, while there is still time before that dreadful Day of the Lord comes upon us.

Sorry I'm answering so late; I didn't see your question until now.

Short answer: 777 & Sovereign hit the nail squarely on its head. The Zephaniah passage pertains to Jews living during the Tribulation, AFTER the true Church has been taken out of the way. As such, the Zephaniah promise pertains to PHYSICAL salvation; the Romans promise pertains to SPIRITUAL salvation.

Remember, for more than 7 years after the Rapture, those living on the earth will live under a different Dispensation than what Paul was writing about. While Moses initiated the Dispensation of the Law, and Jesus initiated the Dispensation of Grace, those living during the Tribulation will live under the Dispensation of Judgement. For believers coming to faith during that time, there is no assurance that God will protect them from the wrath of the Antichrist; this is why so many believers are martyred during that time.

However, there IS a promise from God that all who are able to make it into Edom and Moab will be safe from the Antichrist (Daniel 11:41, Isaiah 16:3-4); ultimately, they will move south and congregate in what was formerly known as Edom, at the Jordanian city of Petra -- which is where Jesus will appear so He can protect them from the armies of the Antichrist (Isaiah 34:5-6 & 63:1-6). He will then move northwest and defend the Jews trapped in Jerusalem (see Isaiah 63:1-6 again, as well as Zechariah 14:4).

The old testament is before the ultimate Sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.Then you,if you are a Gentile, or I,was not even in the running, we were considered as a dog.We were not of the chosen people, not Jewish.Then they had to make a sacrifice of a lamb without spot or blemish and the blood had to be smeared on the walls of the inner temple for their sins once a year.So back then salvation was not certain.Of course now we are grafted in Jews.He is now our Father and we have been adopted into the Family of God and are no longer Gentiles.The Word does not contradict itself.Salvation is assured if you follow the plan laid down by God.So simple that a child will not err there in.

No contradiction. The verse from Zephaniah has nothing to do with salvation. The day of the LORD’s anger refers to the last days when the antichrsit is in control of the world and Jesus is preparing for the final battle.

Zepahniah is speaking to the Jews of modern times, the ones who have followed the letter of the Law (His ordinances) but have failed to be righteous in their actions. Jesus condemned the Pharisees in His day for the very same thing. Both have hardened hearts.

And that word “perhaps” ... a very poor translation. It comes from the Hebrew word “uwlay” which means “hence” or “if so be” or “may be” not “maybe”. So what God is really saying through Zephaniah is “do all these things I tell you to do, hence you will be protected from the antichrist.”

Zephaniah is Old Testament and all that came before Christ. The quote has nothing to do with Salvation through Jesus. It is based on obeying the law for the hope of pleasing God. Romans is New Testament after Christ died for our Salvation, we now come under Grace and not the law for our Salvation. So there is no contradiction as these are not the same. Salvation is absolute, no if ands or buts. You are either saved or you are not no inbetween. Salvation is solid, without contradiction and totally to be counted on through the blood of Christ.

Bible talks of these not because it contradicts its teachings.There those who think some of the things they see now will be there forever.Perhaps is used in perception of of those who think some of these things will be there come day or night.It is even said that preachers will be scarce those last days as opposed to today.So time to seek for salvation is now,tomorrow may be too late.Iam so happy to read many answers to this question which are quite educative.I never thought this space has so many informed christians.I feel encouraged and thank you all.for Kiddi carry on good work of God.Thank you and may God bless you.

Zephaniah wrote that during the days of the Old Testament, before Jesus was born and had died on the Cross. Salvation had not been fulfilled for the people living in Zephaniah’s day. Instead, they had to live under the Law that was given to Moses by God. People were in spiritual bondage by their sins. So indeed, in order to escape the wrath of God, people had to follow God's written law.

When Christ fulfilled the Messianic prophecies, He destroyed the bonds that held people to their sins. So when Paul wrote in Romans that one can receive Salvation through trust in God, he was claiming that the Promises God gave was complete.

So, with Zephaniah, the Prophecies were not fulfilled, but with Paul, they were.

Salvation is certain for those who have believed ..

Zeph.2:3 is something different ..

Seek ye the Lord .One last plea was extended by the Lord through the Prophet.It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger .

It was still possible for the 'Repentant' to escape judgment

if they would only turn to the Lord .As God had warned the hardened among the people to humble themselves , so He now admonished the meek to seek Him that they might escape the general calamity ..

Two different passages, two different situations. In Romans Paul is discussing the certiancy of Salvation, in Zephaniah the Prophet is discussing the coming of God's Judgment on Judah, and the possibility of some escaping what the unrighteous were about to have.

MINISTER

S.F.C.U.

A text without context is just a text! You need to keep in mind the context culture of the the OT, The OT passage speaks to a different time culture etc you cant just transport it into our time! Otherwise the bible would be full of contradictions! Read the WHOLE chapter! Ask what did It mean to its original readers? What I know The chapter is a prophesy against the nation of Israel! God judges them for their unfaithfulness and how they 'insulted my people and made threats against their land' (Zeph 2:8) But I could be wrong on that one!