The Gospel or Good news simplified is this:
‘BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved’.
So what do you need to believe about Jesus? Basically, who He is (God the Son), and what He accomplished by His death on the cross for your sins (He paid the penalty for all). Jesus is either who He said He was or a great sham who cost many people their lives. He cannot be a ‘great prophet’ (as other religions say), or a ‘good man’, if He was a liar and not who He said He was.
This article is more of a detailed account attempting to answer some questions people have asked in the past. If you are not a believer and would like to get to the simple details of the gospel, you can see what Pastor Cucuzza has to say here on this short video.
Or you can read the gospel here
But please consider reading it all, even if over a few days. Time is short, and we are not promised tomorrow.
Is there something you were previously taught wrongly that you need to stop believing in order to put your faith in Him alone instead?
THE GOSPEL OF OUR SALVATION
Everyone has sinned, everyone is going to die. You don’t want to die and find out being good was not enough (because not one person is good enough).
(THE GOOD NEWS) of how to be saved from the penalty of eternal death and separation from God and everything good is simple. All He has asked is that you place your faith on Him. Again, it is about WHO Christ is, (the only way to the Father), and WHAT Christ accomplished on your behalf at the cross (and rising again from the dead having victory over sin, death and the grave — proving He is God).
Many today have corrupted minds from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor 11:3-4). I am praying to be simple, yet thorough enough for those who have more questions. I would like to help others to be informed of things they may not have ever heard or come to know. In light of that, this may be redundant for some.
Please note: In this article I tried hard to link each and every bit of the Bible to make it easy for anyone to quickly find the truth. I encourage you to read the Word and look up each and every one of the linked Bible verses, whether new believers (as well as old), take it as a refresher.
Do not believe me, but seek God in His Word, see what He has to say. The Scripture is able to make one ‘wise unto salvation’ (2 Tim 3:15; Rom 10:17).
WHAT IS THE SIMPLE GOSPEL?
(And what it is not!)
The gospel (good news) is supposed to be simple and clear enough a child can believe it. Unfortunately, it is not always related that way by many.
“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
The Good News (Gospel) is Christ and Him Crucified
(For ALL of our trespasses)
The Gospel or the good news of how to receive eternal life freely is called the Message of the Cross. That message is Christ and Him crucified for ALL of our sins on >His cross (Col 2:13-14).
Why does that matter? Even one sin, one little lie, causes us eternal death which is separation from God (Rom 3:23; Rev 21:27) — and let’s face it, we’ve all sinned. After His death on the cross, Jesus Christ was buried and risen again from the dead in three days, fulfilling the prophecies which were foretold centuries ahead of time regarding the Messiah (the Savior to come 1 Cor 15:3-4). There were many witnesses to these things, specifically His resurrection from the dead.
Additionally, Jesus proved He is God by taking His life back up again (as He told them in advance He would – John 10:17-18). Jesus had the victory over sin, death and the grave (1 Cor 15:54-57). For those of us who believe on Him alone to save us, these things have no more power over us, we will follow Him in death unto life. No fear, God is not a man that He should lie.
Did you catch that? He asks us to believe upon Him as our Savior. Not say a certain prayer, or follow a formula. You are asked to believe on who He is and what He did for you. If you have believed and want to know what’s next, consider I’m Saved, Now What?
ALL OUR SINS PAID IN FULL
All of our sins were paid for at HIS cross (Acts 13:38-39; Col 2:13-15). Friends it is not by ‘picking up our cross’ that we are forgiven of our sins for eternity.
It is not by being a good person, attending church faithfully, or doing good to others (all good things to do). But it is by faith only in Jesus Christ — who is the Son of God, who came in the flesh as the Savior of the World. The Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (those who believe). He is the Creator of all, who was with God in the beginning (Jn 1:1-3; Col 1:16-17; 1 John 1:1-3; Phil 2:5-7; Heb 1:2-3; Rev 4:11). He is the Light of the world (Jn 1), and the only way to be saved (John 14:6).
If you just will Believe the good news of 1 Cor 15:3-4 on your behalf, and He will save you from the penalty of your sins (eternal death), and freely give you Everlasting life (John 5:24; John 6:40; John 6:47; Rom 6:23).
Again, remember the free GIFT of ETERNAL LIFE is FREE!
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18
Here is what the Gospel is NOT!
“Repent of Sin” is never in the Bible. Repent means to think differently about what you thought saved you.
The gospel is not doing good works in order to be saved.
This is very serious. The picture of a False Street ‘preacher’s’ sign is NOT the message of the cross. This is a message of self-reform. If we could do that, we wouldn’t need a Savior. I can guarantee you that this man has not stopped sinning. People just cannot seem to help themselves in adding some of their own good works, to what Christ has already done for them, (all while denying that this is what they do). There are so many ‘gospels’ (which are another gospel, not the true one – 2 Cor 11:3-4; Gal 1:6-9).
Confusing ‘Gospels’
I am afraid many people have heard plenty of false or confusing ‘gospel’ in churches or other places. Especially on social media like Facebook, YouTube etc. Seems prevalent among street so-called ‘preachers’ who carry their ‘repent from sin‘ signs, or do videos in Malibu where they teach people must ‘turn from all their sin’ (i.e. Ray Comfort).
A large number of these street ‘preachers’ are not teaching the truth, (whether they may, or may not be sincere). Sadly they are also deceived and deceiving no matter their intent.
While they teach you need to turn from all your sin, confess your sins, repent of sins, keep the commandments etc., in order to be saved, THEY THEMSELVES CANNOT DO IT! James 2:10
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Matt 23:4
No one except Jesus has ever fulfilled the law perfectly. Not one of us is good, no not one (Rom 3:10-12). Turning from sins is a good work. But we can NOT be saved or justified by any work of righteousness (Titus 3:4-7; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:20-23; Rom 3:27-28; Rom 4:2-5; Rom 11:6; Gal 2:16; 2 Tim 1:9). You cannot work for a free gift, either to receive it or maintain it. The Gift is EVERLASTING LIFE.
Again, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you SHALL be saved.
FALSE GOSPELS
False gospels can come by a deceived believer, or an unbeliever preaching another gospel. They are available in a lot of churches with a lot of nice people. A believer, even an elder, can also be susceptible to being deceived Iif they are not taking heed to the doctrine). The apostle Paul warned the elders of the churches in tears (day and night for three years in tears) and commended them to God’s Word. He continued in other epistles, he did not stop warning (Gal 2:11-16; Acts 20:25-32; 1 Tim 4:16; Gal 3:1-5, 2 Cor 11:3-4).
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:25-32
Free gifts don’t have strings attached
We can also be misled by a charismatic leader of a crusade, persuading us (again) to repent from sin, give our lives to Christ, surrender ourselves (or many other conditions we are not asked to do in order to receive the FREE GIFT of eternal life). Free gifts don’t have strings, you just receive them when you believe the person offering it.
Perhaps you may have been taken in by a kindly, well-known, well received older gentleman? A Bible in their lap, lounging in their rocking chairs, maybe capped with a full head of white wavy hair. Casual, yet compelling, dressed in their expensive knitted sweater, topped off by a charming soft-spoken Southern accent. It is just like an inviting Norman Rockwell picture — surely this must be good? But is their message of salvation Biblical? (NO!)
Many are sure that they cannot possibly be teaching falsely, but the Bible says their gospel is accursed. And the reason? They insist you must do certain works (as mentioned above in order to be saved or to stay saved, (all while saying they believe it is not by works). BUT those things are works whether they admit they are adding works or not. Works cannot save anyone, and their gospel will keep many from being saved as they add their works to the free gift of everlasting life.
Things the apostles NEVER preached one must do to be saved
There are so many things being taught today that the apostles NEVER told the lost they needed to do in order to receive the FREE GIFT of eternal life. The confusion seems to be those who either add to His Word, or mistake discipleship and following Christ for how one receives the FREE GIFT of salvation. Or those who try to lie and deceive people into believing Eternal doesn’t mean ETERNAL…
We are inundated with the below false and added conditions for being saved being yelled out of their megaphones, or held up on their street signs, or going by on our social media news feeds.
Following are some False Conditions of Salvation:
- Repent from Sin
- Give up your life/Commit your life/Surrender all
- Stop sinning
- Live Holy, pursue holiness
- Go to church regularly
- Get baptized
- Give money to the poor
Don’t get me wrong, some of these works might be good things to do once you are a believer (Titus 3:8;2 Pet 1:5-9), however, again, it is not by any works of righteousness that we have been saved (Titus 3:4-7; Rom 4:4-6; Rom 11:6), but only by His grace. WORKS cannot be a part of what you must do in order to be saved (John 6:28-29). No good works can grant us salvation
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved and your house (Acts 16:31)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
No work of >yours can be added to BELIEVING upon who He stated He is, and what He has done for you. Only His work ALONE can save. Won’t you believe Him?
No work of >yours can be added to BELIEVING upon who He stated He is – the Son of God (in the flesh), the great I AM. And believe what He has done for you. His work ALONE can save you. Won’t you believe Him?
Here are just a few (of many) to study more about Christ: (all linked to make it easier for you) Jn 1:1-3; Phil 2:6-11; Eph 1:20-23; Col 1:16-19; Titus 2:13; Matt 1:23; Heb 1:2-3,8; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 Jn 5:20; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 2 Thess 1:5-10; Jn 8:58; Ex 3:14; Matthew 26:63-66; John 19:7; John 5:25, 10:36, 11:4, 17:1; John 5:19-20; Matthew 24:36; Luke 10:22; John 6:40, 8:36, 14:13; John 12:45; 14:9-11; 8:19, 10:30-38; Ps 22; Is 53; Luke 24:13-49; Matt 16:17; 26:24,31,54,64; Matt 11:3-4; Is 61:1-2a; Luke 4:16-21; Luke 18:31; Matt 26:24, 31, 54)
ETERNAL LIFE IS A FREE GIFT
Those of us who know the gift of eternal life is free are grieved to see many of these ‘street preachers’ with their condemning and false signs waved in front of crowds, as they scream through a megaphone. Read the book of Acts. This is not how the disciples presented the gospel. Or so many supposed ‘Christian television shows’ or youtube videos (of people like Ray Comfort) telling people to STOP SINNING or TURN FROM ALL YOUR SIN – trust me he has not either, God’s Word says he is a liar – 1 John 1:8-10.
(*Again, these are works, that are impossible, that could not save anyways. God’s standard is perfection. No one is perfect but He.)
So many false pastors can also be heard on radio stations, or maybe they’ve written hundreds of books and boast thousands of attendees (i.e. John MacArthur). Even wildly popular mainstream preachers on t.v. like Billy Graham (that I described above) share a confusing or works-laden gospel. Jesus said this about those who were well-spoken of by many people.
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. Lk 6:26
Please don’t listen to them, they are not telling you the clear and simple truth and nothing but the truth from the Word of God. Did they ever know it themselves? That I do not know and cannot judge — but when they start adding to the good news, you need to stay far away from them (Rom 16:17-19). This passage was spoken to believers, so although we won’t lose our salvation, we can have our minds corrupted regarding the gospel by putting up with these false teachers.
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! 2 Cor 11:3-4
THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL
BUT God so loved the (whole) world, that He sent His Son Jesus that whosoever (ANYONE) would believe upon Him would not die (perish) but have eternal life.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
This is a reminder for those who say you cannot know you have eternal life or you can lose it or walk away from it:
Jesus says believers will:
- NOT PERISH
- NEVER PERISH
- NEVER BE CAST OUT
- NEVER BE LOST
- NEVER DIE
John 3:15-16, John 10:28-29; John 6:37; John 11:25-27
Simply because we will be Kept by the Power of God (1 Pet 1:5; 1 Sam 2:9), and through no power of our own.
God says He desires no one should perish/die, because He died for ALL, (1 Tim 2:1-6). But we all have a decision — whether to believe, or not believe His testimony of His Son Jesus (1 Jn 5:9-13). And this is what we be judged by when we die. Whether we have believed His promise regarding His Son, God, the Messiah.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet 3:9
BELIEVE on Him as the ONLY WAY to be saved — this is what we must do to be saved (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 4:2-5; Rom 11:6; Gal 2:16; Titus 3:4-7; Acts 16:11; John 5:24)
WHAT IS THE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHER WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE?
WHAT DID JESUS DO FOR YOU?
He freely gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice in our place.
He gave his perfect life in place of our sinful life.
The Just for the unjust (see the story of Barabbas, we are all a type of Barabbas – Matt 27:15-26). His perfect blood was fully shed to take away our sins. Jesus took His life back up when He rose again from the dead (as He said He would) — proving He is God in the flesh (since only God has the power to bring someone back to life — John 10:17-18).
WHO IS JESUS?
The Lord Jesus Christ who came as a man, and yet was still God, died at Calvary on the cross for ALL of our sin. He is not created, He is the Creator (John 1:1; Phil 2:5-7; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Col 2:13-15; Col 1:16-17; John 1:1-3, 10; John 8:58; 1 Cor 8:6; Heb 1:2; Ex 3:14).
All the miracles He performed attested to who He is — God.
JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD (Luke 1:31-35; Luke 8:27-33; John 1:32-34; John 3:16-18; Matt 27:50-54; Col 1:13-17). Attested to by God the Father and by His miracles — mocked by Satan, identified by demons and those who crucified him, questioned by the High Priest and Pharisees, positively affirmed by Jesus. People like to misuse the Scripture in James 2, (regarding even the demons believe and tremble), they seem to miss that demons were not and will never be offered Salvation. But all demons and unclean spirits were compelled to cry out that Jesus Christ was the Son of God knowing Who He is.
Who else witnessed that Jesus was the Son of God? Mark through the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel, the Centurion, John the Baptist, Nathaniel, Jesus Himself, Martha, John the Apostle, the Ethiopian Eunuch, Paul the apostle etc. all testified that Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God (Mark 1:1, 15:39; Luke 1:35; 2:11; Jn 1:34,1:49, 10:36 11:27; 20:31; Acts 8:37, Acts 9:20). Throughout Scriptures, some of these below identify the names and titles identifying Christ.
There is not really enough room here to describe Emmanuel, (meaning God With us), the One that the angel announced. He is Creator of all things, our God whose throne is forever and ever. He is the great I AM (meaning He is the same that called Himself I AM in the wilderness in Exodus 3:14). He is before all things, and by Him all things exist. He is the Almighty God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the Word of God, the Messenger of the Covenant, the Son of David, the Prophet, mighty in deeds and words, and so much more.
This Wonderful loving God, the only living God, (all other gods and ways are false, and religion will not save you).
God knows you intimately — even your thoughts — and think about this, (if you are honest you know you still sin, AND He knows our very deepest, darkest secrets), yet unbelievably, He still loves us in spite of it. He counts every hair on our head, keeps every tear we have shed, numbers every place we have been, KNOWS every sin we have ever committed, whether in public or in secret. AND it was all paid for at HIS cross and by His death and resurrection.
Jesus is God and Savior — only God can save you from this terrible reality called hell.
I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no Savior. Isaiah 43:11 (see also Is. 45:15, Is 45:21; Is 49:26; Is 60:16).
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Jehovah’s witnesses, please consider reading at this link here
Jesus is the ‘righteousness of God’. And because of what He did, we can also be made the righteousness of God by believing in Him as our Savior. Is it possible, that you are still somehow seeking to establish your own righteousness? (2 Cor 5:21; Rom 3:20-22; Rom 10:3-4)
If you have believed on Him, RIGHT NOW you can KNOW you ALREADY have eternal life:
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:11-13
MORE ON HIS POWER TO RAISE SOMEONE TO LIFE (INCLUDING YOU)
Jesus demonstrated His power over life and death by raising people from the dead (as well as having the power to raise Himself to live again-as He said He would). He performed many miracles (read the book of John), all proving He was the prophesied Messiah.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Luke 11:43-44
When Jesus told Jairus’ dead daughter to rise, He said it in Aramaic, “Talitha cumi’, and the translation seems to be ‘little girl, little damsel’ (or some say gazelle), arise”. (Mark 5:35-43)
But if you look at the root word etymology to ‘talitha’, I personally get tears. It is young or little lamb. Or if gazelle is used it is a NEWBORN gazelle. I believe it is a picture of us rising from the dead and His tender love for us.
So can you imagine being dead and waking up to Jesus saying, ‘Little lamb, it’s time for ewe to wake up?” <3 ?
Jesus rose again from the dead — those of us who believe will rise to eternal life because HE has done it. Some to eternal life with Christ, and for those who rejected His Gospel, His truth, they will rise again to eternal punishment sadly.
Whatever we experience in this life, when we die, at the moment we are present with Him (2 Cor 5:8), I can only imagine what it will be. Our human brains cannot fathom that kind of goodness.
But as it is written:
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9
JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. John 11:25-27
Jesus had the power to take His own life back up again because He is God in the flesh (Jn 10:17-18). Jesus had all the victory over sin, death and the grave eternally (1 Cor 15:50-57; Col 2:13-15) along with making an open show over the principalities when He triumphed over them on HIS cross.
For those of us who believe on Jesus, we too are guaranteed with a seal of the Holy Spirit until the of redemption – Eph 1:13-14; 4:32. A promise made by God who does not lie — that we will have eternal life with God (1 Cor 15:3-4), this is His PROMISE!!
Eternal life cannot be lost, forfeited or walked away from
The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Rom 11:29). God’s testimony of His Son tells us that once we have believed we can KNOW we possess eternal life (1 John 5:13). The gift of God is everlasting life, and it cannot be lost. It started the very moment when we believed — we are passed from death unto life (John 5:24).
More on Eternal Life as God’s Promise
BELIEVERS ARE A GIFT TO JESUS FROM THE FATHER
When we believe, we are gifted to the Son (John 6:39-40; Col 1:13). He says no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28-30) and I believe that includes the fact we cannot either. He says we will NEVER perish, and I believe Him (John 3:15-18, 10:28)
There is nothing you can do to receive this free gift. Again turning from sin is a work that cannot be added. Promising to do better or obey cannot help get you saved — nor can committing or surrendering your life to Him. Jesus gave His life for you, in your place, not the other way around. This is not tit for tat or an exchange — it is God’s FREE GIFT to us. His Promise is eternal life, it would not be eternal if it could be lost.
MAYBE YOU JUST FEEL DEATH IS A LONG WAY OFF?
I am here to tell you, death comes too fast sometimes, especially when you lose someone you love.
- And they were too young to die.
- And you didn’t have enough time with them.
- You didn’t get to grow old together, and you didn’t experience being grandparents together
- And you didn’t get to tell them “I love you” enough…
- And they never got to see your kids get married…or walk his girls down the aisle.
Life on this earth ends swiftly sometimes, and painfully.
Please, I beg you, don’t wait…
The sinner’s prayer?
Saying a prayer when you believe is a good thing to do, because you are now learning to talk to your Father, but the prayer itself doesn’t save. It is only by Believing upon Jesus Christ as your Savior. Believing on Him (the truth) is what saves. Then you can tell Him thank You, and talk to Him just like a friend, the friend you now are, the child of His you now are (John 1:12)
The Lord Jesus Christ died for you, demonstrating His love for you because you were an ungodly sinner WITHOUT STRENGTH to be able to clean yourselves up first somehow. Why do people think sinners without Christ are capable of doing something good to please Him? God showed His love to us while we were ungodly sinners without strength.
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
JESUS IS OUR ONLY MEDIATOR
We do not need priests or Mary to offer sacrifices for us, it will not help. Sure someone can pray for us, but not those who have already passed on to be with Jesus, it doesn’t work that way, and we don’t see that example in the Scriptures.
There is only one sacrifice for sin – not a daily offering up of Jesus
Jesus was offered ONCE to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb 9:26). We (all who believe upon Him) were perfected forever by His sacrifice, once for all (Heb 10:10–14).
Jesus tore the veil that day having entered into the Holiest of Holies by His blood sacrifice — once for all. We can approach God ourselves boldly, He is all believers High Priest — we do not need another to intercede for us. Revelation 1:6 says that Jesus loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (all believers) and He perfected us forever.
Before sin entered this world, man was in fellowship with God, with no separation between us. But he was given a choice (free will). That choice was a decision between obeying God or choosing to disobey. Only one thing man was asked not to do, all the rest was under his dominion. And he chose to sin, to rebel against His Creator, and there it began. Since then, sin has separated ALL of us from God. Each and every person.
But from that very first sin, God promised that He would make a way if man would choose to believe upon Him for it (Gen 3:15). God is not a man that He should lie (Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29).
Jesus is the only way to become born again (He created a new second nature in us when we believe). It is incorruptible (1 Pet 1:23). He came to reconcile us to God, through faith in Him, our sins are no longer imputed to us (2 Cor 5:17-19). Nothing we can do in the flesh will avail us anything for eternal life (Gal 6:14-15).
THEN WHO IS JESUS IF NOT ONLY A GOOD MAN?
Jesus came as fully God and fully man. He is not the half brother of Satan. He is not the archangel. He did not become God by not sinning, He already was and is God. He is not just a prophet or a good man. Neither is Jesus Christ on equal par with Mary — He is her God and her Savior. He is the Son of God (for those who say God has no Son) – Proverbs 30:4; Matt 11:27; Rev 3:14; Rev 19:10-13; John 1:1-3; Col 1:15-16. Jesus is either who He said He was, (the Son of God who always was, the Creator of all things) or He would have been a fake, there is no in between.
Jesus told the Pharisees who He was, (Please read the Seven ‘I Am’ statements if you’d like to more know about who Jesus claimed to be).
Unless you believe what He said — Which is WHO He is and what He came and did do — you will die in your sins — unforgiven. And you will be separated from God, light, and everything good you have ever known forever.
Don’t believe on ‘another Jesus’ that religions like Mormonism, Jehovah’s witness, or even Islam or Judaism currently teaches about Jesus (that He is only a prophet, or only a good man, half brother of Satan, or not the Jewish Messiah etc.)
Do not believe another gospel of salvation, which is ‘another/accursed gospel’ (2 Cor 11:3-4; Gal 1:6-9). Salvation is free, so if you believe like the Hindu’s, Roman Catholics, Buddhists, lordship teachers etc., in good works being necessary to be saved (or again another Savior), you will be lost because of your beliefs — they are placed on the wrong Savior. (Please read the book of John. It was written for the explicit purpose that people would believe on Jesus and in so doing have eternal life – John 20:31).
He came to save us from this fate of death and punishment — this is the good news.
All good and perfect gifts come from God (James 1:17).
God is love,
He is merciful to all who will come to Him in belief.
WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?
The penalty (wages or payment) for sin is death (Rom 3:23) — again, this is eternal separation from God — forever. Never again experiencing every good thing we have ever known. No second chances.
God is perfect and Holy, and because of that, nothing imperfect can enter heaven, not even so much as one little lie (Rev 21:27). So by not believing alone on who Jesus is and what He has done in our place (died on the cross for our sins, buried and risen again in three days), If we do not believe, or we believe we must add other things to this (such as being a certain religion, or adding works, or baptism in order to be given everlasting life) — we then have rejected His free gift of eternal life.
If we die in this thinking (of unbelief), we will be forever separated from God in this state for all eternity in hell.
Repent — (which means ‘think differently’ basically), for if you don’t, you will surely perish.
*VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE:
The transliterated word REPENT does NOT = Repent > FROM SIN.
Those are ADDED words in some paraphrased translations that are not there in the original language. Stopping even 90% of our sins would never be enough.
‘REPENT OR LIKEWISE PERISH’
In the 13th chapter of Luke, Jesus was telling His disciples by the examples He used, that no one was a worse sinner than they (I once thought just like this too). Those who had done heinous things were no worse sinners than they were. He told them to ‘repent’ or they would die.
What does that mean? Repent from what? It meant they needed to stop thinking they were good and others were worse sinners. In other words, stop thinking you’re so great, and others are worse than you and BELIEVE what He is telling you.
Once again God’s testimony is that we have ALL sinned, and we ALL fall short of His glory.
WE ALL HAVE SINNED
We are all sinners, (Rom 3:23) and that sin cost us eternal separation from God – which means eternal death. He does not want that for EVEN one person (1 Tim 2:1-6; 2 Pet 3:9). Every person has sinned, everyone needs a Savior no matter how good you may feel you are, it’s just not and never could be good enough. We’ve all known some really ‘good’ people in our lives, but they still fall short of God’s glory.
Our sin grieves God. (Genesis 6:6; Eph 4:29-31). Our sin is against God (Ps 51:3-4). Our sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Our sin causes eternal death (Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23).
ONLY BY BELIEF
God says we can only receive Him (or become one of His children), through simple belief upon who Jesus is (God the Messiah/Prophesied Christ), and what He has done for us (died on the cross for OUR sins, buried and rose again from the dead having the victory over sin and death forever).
The Word of God says that all life is in the blood, but surely we already know this. We bleed, we die. So the perfect sacrifice Jesus needed to die, because the Bible says, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness for sin (Heb 9:22; Lev 17:11).
Jesus Christ (who is God), is the only Savior
The Gospel is clear. You need a Savior, we all need a Savior — not one person ever will escape that fact no matter how good they are. Only God could save us from this awful fate because He alone is perfect, and all powerful. Jesus, as God, had the victory over sin and death for us, and He promises we too will rise again from the dead if we believe upon Him as our Savior (1 Cor 15:3-4;50-57).
You can try to do it your way (like Frank Sinatra), or you can believe Him — that He is the ONLY WAY. He became our substitute, a perfect, spotless (sinless sacrifice). He died in our place with great love for us, giving Himself willingly. It is by His shedding of blood and His death in our place that we can be reconciled to God the Father. Jesus is Lord (God the Messiah). He is either your Savior by believing upon Him, or you will die eternally in torment if you reject Him. If you have believed, that moment, and until the day our bodies are redeemed, you were saved and sealed and translated into His kingdom (Eph 1:13; Eph 4:32; Col 1:13)
You do not make Jesus Lord
He is Lord of all, and one day everyone will bow and declare He is Lord whether or not they chose to believe upon Him in this lifetime — in this, you will have no choice. Your choice NOW is your destination – Heaven or Hell, and no one will have a second chance after they die — it is appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment (Heb. 9:27).
WHAT IS HELL LIKE?
Imagine a place where there is no more joy, no more peace, no more love, no more light, no more beauty — nothing good, only an absence of everything that was ever beautiful and wonderful in our life — unending weeping and sorrow. Torment and punishment for your sin against God and your rejection of His free offer. I can’t begin to describe or think on the opposite of everything that is good and pure. There will be no escape, no second chances, and for those who have thought of ending it all in this lifetime?
There is no suicide in hell, no end of the darkness and terror.
JESUS PAID THE PRICE IN FULL
The good news (gospel) is not to have to be a part of earning our salvation. As the Scriptures before have explained, good deeds, living a good life — none of that would have ever been enough to mend the break between man and God. After we have believed, it is good for us to maintain good works, good for all men in fact, including us, so we will not be barren or unfruitful (Titus 3:8; 2 Pet 1:5-8).
He forgave all our trespasses (SINS) and HE nailed every single thing that was against US to HIS CROSS (Col 2:13-15). No priest on this earth can forgive that sin, it is finished (at the cross). Not our cross, but His (for those who talk about taking up their cross in relationship to gaining eternal life).
JESUS WAS A JEWISH MESSIAH
Dear Jewish friend, please read Isaiah 53 in light of the historical and Biblical accounts as Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The Prophet Isaiah said He would come to save you. That the eyes of the blind would be opened, that the ears of the deaf would be unstopped. That the lame would leap, and the mute would sing. And Jesus fulfilled those miracles and more. He raised the dead to life, and Just as He showed you through Moses, the Waters of the wilderness broke out, steams in the desert.
The Prophet Jeremiah spoke of a New Covenant, that was not according to the Old Covenant (Jer 31:31-33). David said the Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced, and that He would be forsaken by you (see Ps 22; also the prophet Zechariah). David prophesied that He would die and yet, He would not stay in the grave (Ps 16:9-11). See what His disciples said regarding that prophecy in Acts 2:22-32). Jesus was pierced hand and feet, and nailed to the cross (cursed is the man who hangs on a tree) and He took that curse for you, so that you could live again forever with Him. When did you pierce God?
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Zech 12:10
God made Him known by His miracles, by His fulfilled prophecy, by His anointing from heaven. Jesus was His suffering Servant, yet Israel did not want Him to rule over them. Their High Priests were supposed to prophesy of the Messiah when they came up to Jerusalem at the feasts. He healed the Lame, the Blind, the Lepers. Why won’t you believe Isaiah’s report about the Messias/Messiah who has come? He is the Afikoman. He – has – come.
(Dear Jewish friend: Why is that Greek Word in your Jewish Passover?) He has come AND He is coming again. Jesus died for your sins.
God sent you His only Son. The Bible says, He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. Psalm 2:12 says, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish along the way, when suddenly his anger blazes. How blessed are all who take refuge in him.(His Son)”
Just being a Son of Abraham cannot save. Having faith in God’s promised Messiah, believing upon Him (who He is, and what He did for you, is the only way). He came unto HIS OWN, and His own received Him not. You have no Temple. Moses told you there was a Prophet to come (Deut 18:15-19). Jesus is that prophet, He is the only way for you to be saved and forgiven all your sins. There is no other way but Him. There are not MANY paths to God, only ONE WAY (Jn 14:6).
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Ezekiel 18:20
Jesus bore our iniquity, He was the only one who could:
Surely he hath borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6
Remind yourself what you must do to be saved. Shod your feet daily with the gospel. (Eph 6:13-19)
Once again, the gospel is to believe only upon Him for your salvation. It is that simple. If you have read this, you now should know who Jesus is, and what He did for you, but if not, please ask me to contact you by commenting. Believe upon Him and you will instantly and everlastingly be given the free gift of eternal life (which can never be lost or forfeited, and it starts at the moment you believe (1 John 5:9-13; John 3:14-18, 36; John 5:24; John 6:28-29, 39-40, 47; Rom 6:23). You’ve been pardoned, set free! Never to perish. You’ve been sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Eph 1:13; 4:30).
BELIEVE WHAT AGAIN?
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Cor. 15:3-4
What does the above Scripture affirm? That HE did it ALL. Stop making promises of good behavior or stopping a certain sin to think it might grant you or help you receive eternal life. You can’t do it without His help anyways, you need His Spirit.
Jesus was the One prophesied of and who fulfilled all the prophecies perfectly (according to the Scriptures). He was the Prophet that Moses warned the people of Israel that they must listen to, or God would require it of them (Deut 18:15-19). Have you listened to Him? People who die are buried — ashes to ashes, dust to dust — but only God can raise someone from the dead.
Jesus is God. Only God is Savior. Jesus is God, the Son of God who came in the flesh, to redeem you, to reconcile you to the Father by taking away all of your sins. He is the Lamb of God that takes away our sin (John 1:29). That all these things were witnessed by many people (1 Cor 15:6-8), proves also that these things that are written are true for all of us. You cannot earn this by anything you can do, but you can believe it and receive the gift of eternal life freely.
You do not have to read further, you are saved eternally if you have believed upon Him as your Savior — Christ the Lord crucified for your sins and risen again from the dead as you too shall be. But read on if you would like <3
Where will you go when you die?
(Things that will keep you from heaven)
- Thinking you are good enough to get to heaven. Do you know so, or just hope so? (I suggest you ask your husband or wife if they think you are) 🙂
- Thinking the church you go to will save you.
- Thinking you are better than most people.
- Thinking you have repented from your sins as part of getting saved.
- Thinking you must keep the law to be saved.
Here’s a short check list to see if you are good enough in God’s eyes.
(Hint: You must have done these all perfectly since the time you were born).
- Has a corrupt/curse word proceeded out of your mouth?
- Have you hated anyone ever?
- Have you ever told a lie?
- Chosen not to forgive someone who wronged you?
- Ever taken something that wasn’t yours?
- Have you ever gossiped about another?
- Have you ever had sex with a person you were not married to?
- Ever had an evil thought? Ever been bitter?
- Taken the name of the Lord in vain? Said “Oh my G-d”?
- Wished that you had your neighbor’s car or house, or even wife?
- Broken your word?
- Been proud (One of the things He hates — Proverbs 6:16-19)
- Thought someone else was stupid (less than you)
- Thought of yourself before your neighbor
- Wanted something someone else had?
I could go on, but you probably get the picture. We’ve ALL done some or even many of these things (if we are honest). And actually His Word says, if you do JUST ONE of these things, it is the same as committing them all. Just one lie to a Holy God is something He cannot abide. Our ways and thoughts are not like His (Is 55;8-9) — we don’t quite understand that. We like to compare ourselves to others, and think we are better, but God is a righteous judge, it doesn’t work that way.
God will not declare us righteous by these things
- Going to church
- Serving others
- Giving money to the poor or to church
- Doing good deeds and nice things for others
- Being baptized in the church
- Being confirmed
- Turning from sins
- Giving up bad habits
- Proving you are saved by your works
- Going to Mass regularly
- Confessing your sins to a priest
- Going door to door to tell people about God (in fact if you are preaching works, or a different Jesus, you will be judged more harshly for telling people the wrong way)
Here is God’s Word on our “good” deeds, and all our efforts…
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6
There is not one person on earth that has committed sins, if not many sins in our life. No matter how “little” you think you may have sinned, it grieves a Holy and Just God and keeps us from Him, for all eternity — UNLESS YOU BELIEVE UPON JESUS CHRIST.
If you’d like to know more, or need some questions answered, please leave a comment, or fill out this form.
Good word. God bless.
Thank you for stopping by, God bless you too!
Powerful life giving words that will convict, and change hearts and bring those who are in darkness to His light if they are willing to repent and turn to Him. Continue preaching the Word in season and out Holly! Thank you!
His Words are definitely life giving… Praying they will turn to Him… (Proverbs 1:23)
Jesus has declared to us the love of God!
John14:1-6 Jesus speaking, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 17:3,4 Jesus prays to His Father “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. I John 3:1-2
Good words!
If a man fully recognizes that he has sinned, but still wants to sin, and trusts in Christ to save him, so that he can have the “best of both worlds”, salvation and sin. Will Christ save such a man?
Sean, I don’t think there is a person alive who has believed on Jesus who doesn’t have some desire in him/her to still want to sin. We may not recognize it as such, but the condition for being given eternal life, is believing upon Him as our Savior. I can’t answer for whether that person has believed or not, but if we still want to sin, we will be chastened as legitimate children. What we need to do is point them to His Word, and abiding in it, so that they might be made into disciples. Otherwise, they will remain carnal Christians, and no one is selling that here as a lifestyle we should maintain. One can truly pray for these to not neglect so great a salvation, and for them to come to know the truth through His Word, so they might be sanctified and also so the truth may set them free from this kind of thinking.
Holly, i recently edited my blog and made it much easier to read. I’d like you to read my 3 part blog series on Lordship Salvation and let me know what you think, if you could be so kind. I think you’ll like it. I believe, as you do, that we receive salvation freely (without price on our part)…but at the same time, the hearer knows going in, that he or she will be expected and inspired to follow Christ as disciples immediately after conversion. Not to be saved, but because he or she is saved by grace. I believe this is where the confusion has arisen, because coming UNTO Christ and coming AFTER Christ are both close in relation to sequence, and yet are not same thing. One happens just before a man is born again, and the other happens just after a man is born again. In a post, i posted one excerpt from the Pulpit and Gill commentaries, that i noticed were agreeing with what i was saying in my blog. I didn’t know what they had said, beforehand. I don’t believe the Pulpit commentary is Calvinistic, but John Gill’s commentary is, although his commentary can still be useful at times. I quoted Gill, to show the error of LS as taught by top Calvinists (such as Washer and MacArthur). I like the Pulpit and Clarke commentaries the best, as Adam Clarke was not a Calvinist. Anyway, sorry to put you on the spot, but this is something i’ve been thinking about lately. When a man becomes born again, he becomes a new creation. Yes, we can sin a lot after we become converted (no doubt about that), but even in a state of backsliding, we will be aware of sin, confessing that we did wrong, and feeling like it’s wrong, because of our “inward man” (or inward woman? Not sure if that’s about Christ in us or us having been changed by the Spirit). The Holy Spirit will be making us feel unhappy about our sin. There will be a feeling of not wanting to live that way, in the live of the believer, even though he may be sinning that way daily. He will not be happy about living that way (won’t be reveling in it) and would rather be living right.
(Links removed by admins until proving of all things)
Thanks for reading and replying…here are links to my posts on Lordship Salvation:
Best wishes…may God bless you and yours,
Sean
Sean, you mentioned, “but at the same time, the hearer knows going in, that he or she will be expected and inspired to follow Christ as disciples immediately after conversion.”
I am not so sure that most hearers today know much of anything in the way of true discipleship. The Word is what brings inspiration. They are fed discipleship ideas, by people like David Platt, or Francis Chan, etc. Trouble is that they do not teach the Biblical way of discipleship, misuse Scripture, and/or are lacking Scripture. We have a famine in the land for the hearing of God’s Word, but a gluttonous church which feeds on men’s words, and drink from other cisterns.
Whether or not someone is ‘inspired’ because they are a new creature, is unfortunately not always the case. Hence, all the epistles. If someone automatically did these things, no need for the epistles 🙂
I believe the biggest problem in my humble estimation is lack of the Word, and too much of men’s commentaries (almost all Calvinist). Adam Clarke was an Arminian and like MacArthur denied the eternal Sonship of Jesus along with other errors. So I probably wouldn’t steer any towards them. I ‘think’ even Pulpit Commentary is Puritan.
I hope you’ll understand until I read anyone’s links, I take the posts off until I have time to read first. And I do not like to recommend Calvinist commentators ever because they might have one thing right, but we don’t want to accidentally make a young one stumble by sending them in the direction of a Calvinist author/pastor/commentator. We’ve kind of made that a policy here until we ‘prove all things’ (1 Thess 5:21).
To understand 2 Cor 5:17 a little more, I highly suggest Tom Cucuzza’s two part series on the two natures. We should do a number of things as believers that we do not do. But if we would feed His sheep, when they come to a knowledge of Him, and know more of His Word and get washed by it, they grow, they get cleaned up. The Holy Spirit brings His Word to their remembrance. So they need the Word to grow.
May the Lord bless you too as we draw ever nearer to the time when we will see Him face to face…
Here is the link to Pastor Cucuzza’s “Understanding the Two Natures”, Part 1 and Part 2.
http://northlandchurch.com/content.cfm?id=213
OK, i’ll check it out…thanks.
Sean, you also said,
I believe this is where the confusion has arisen, because coming UNTO Christ and coming AFTER Christ are both close in relation to sequence, and yet are not same thing.
Sean, this is true, coming TO Christ, and coming AFTER Christ, are two different things. I haven’t uploaded my Thursday Women’s Bible study, but we talked about that yesterday. The one thing I would disagree with you completely is the the timing. It ‘should’ be so, however, we have to let the Word speak, and it is the Word of Grace that people need commended to in order to be built up. And then we need to have shepherds who warn, who take heed to their flock, and do not shun to declare he whole counsel of God. I don’t think we have too much of that in this age of apostasy.
So I do not think we put the burden on the young believer for not growing, but send them to His Word. (Luke 10:38:42) and here’s another passage below that speaks to the problem. What believers should do, and what may happen, there are plenty of patterns in Scripture that we see didn’t happen. Did David feel sorry for his adultery and murder of his friend until Nathan came to him with a story of another? What about the incestuous adulterer in 1 Cor 5? What about the legalists in Galatia? Or all the carnal believers at Corinth? We have to be really careful that we do not judge a believer’s salvation by his/her walk, nor state too much of what we think should happen, but instead, using His Word, we should continue to reprove, convince or correct and help instruct them in righteousness.
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:26-32
If you’d prefer to delete any comment i’ve made, it’s OK. A far as i know, you don’t have an e-mail option on your blog or profile, so i commented on your blog.
I didn’t delete any comments, only the links 🙂 And mostly because you said you used some Calvinist commentators, and I just don’t want to mislead anyone by those things. I know some or even many might think I go overboard, but I have been brokenhearted over the years by pastors, teachers etc. compromise. If we had time, I’d tell you some stories, but it started with them basically chewing the meat and supposedly spitting out the bones. Or admonishing me not to throw out the baby with the bathwater. But I truly think lordship (loadship), Calvinist, and Arminian teachings are destructive to the church at large, to render believers ineffective, to render their gospel useless.
And worse? The lost… a lost person who is preached these doctrines, and believes by them, will not be born again. So I just can’t compromise if I happen to know they are teaching lordship or Calvinism or loss of salvation. I hope you understand, I appreciate your input here, and your fellowship. I don’t mind people having different thoughts, come let’s reason together… <3
I just don't want to ever put anything out there, that I know comes from Calvinism in any way shape or form. It's near and dear to me, very personal, and I believe it so strongly time is short, we just don't want to allow any foothold from the enemy. And I believe Calvinism, lordship and Arminianism is where satan has crept in and corrupted minds from the simplicity in Christ.
I also sometimes don't get in here to approve comments, depends on what's going on in life. But I do appreciate your coming. In Christ forever, Holly
By the way, I did email you through regular email. I don’t know how to do an email option on this blog, but I’ll look and see if I can figure it out.
By the way, I also went to your site and searched for ‘lordship’ and nothing came up.
Sean, you asked: “If a man fully recognizes that he has sinned, but still wants to sin, and trusts in Christ to save him, so that he can have the “best of both worlds”, salvation and sin. Will Christ save such a man?
My comment: Yes.
If you want to live one foot in the world and think that sin is the best of both worlds, you are not surrendering to God. So you can be saved, but His spirit if invited in will change you and show you that sin is death and harmful to you and others. It is not good in any way. So surrender and let Him teach, comfort, convict and grow you.
Thanks for responding Susana, His Spirit is already in us from the beginning. What people need to know about surrender is that we are exhorted to submit to God, to grow up into the head which is Christ, to not be blown about by every wind of passion, to crucify the flesh with it’s passions, to not make provision for the flesh, to abide in His Word, and to abide in Him is the key.
We have all these epistles written to the church for a reason for sure. His Word will wash and cleanse us and if we hide it in our hearts, will help keep us from sinning. Hopefully we are becoming more like Him daily. And if we love Him we will be feeding His sheep with His Word.
Susana, thanks for your response. I agree that to live a sinful lifestyle is not best for us. To do so is to diminish the abundant life that God has in store for us, as well as result in loss of rewards at the judgment.
But, one does not have to surrender to God in order to receive the free gift of eternal life. That was the question. Any answer other than “yes” would be a direct attack on the gospel. If someone thinks the answer may be “no”, he probably hasn’t understood the gospel message.
Christians often want to sin. To demand from an unbeliever that he stop wanting to sin before believing in Jesus as his Savior is to add human merit to receiving the free gift of eternal life.
I agree John, to demand an unbeliever has power to do anything is foolish. The Bible tells us that we are ungodly. Unrighteous. Children of disobedience. Sinners without strength. We come to Jesus as we are…
I’m talking about before salvation. If a man likes his sin, has he changed his mind about sin? Does he abhor his sin, or does he come to Christ to have a free ticket to sin? Something is wrong with this picture?
Sean, I am afraid you are getting some of your material from lordship teachers. Probably all people like their sin, and some don’t even recognize what is sin. Tell me where it says we change our mind about sin in order to be saved.
It is by the power of the Holy Spirit (once we are saved) and through the Word of God, that we are able to renew our minds. An unbeliever needs to know that it is sin that has caused Him death and that all have sinned.
Do you abhor all your sin? I doubt all of it. If you are honest, likely you are unaware of some sins of your own that you persist in. Why are believers admonished in the epistles to hate what is evil and love what is good? Because even believers have the propensity to love what is wrong, because if it was automatic, there would be no need whatsoever for the admonishment.
Ask loved ones, they’ll be the first to tell you, whether you are humble, or stubborn, or think you are always right, or if you put others before yourself always, etc. If you do and continue, then by lordship teachers stances, you would not be saved.
These scenarios you come up with are the exact ploy of lordship teachers. I.E., “does he abhor his sin”? Or “did he come to Christ with a ‘free ticket to sin'” Only the Lord knows, but I am tired of hearing the ‘motive list’ that load-shippers continue to make in order to shut up others from entering heaven. Only believers through hearing the truth are able to ‘abhor sin’. We are given that new nature that does not sin, but we still have the old nature in the flesh which wars with our soul. How on earth is a non-believer to ‘abhor sin’? I’m sorry to be so strong, but that is the ploy of the enemy, to corrupt minds from the simplicity that is in Christ.
I am telling you this in the love of Christ. Unless you can back up your scenarios with the Word, stop!
And that is not just for your sake, but for the sake of others. Did Simon the Sorcerer abhor his sorceries when he believed and was baptized? Did he think he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit? Why do you think he was thinking this way? Because he was a carnal babe and still was thinking with a carnal mind. He believed, and he was saved. He was rebuked strongly for his thoughts and was told his heart was not right, that he was in the ‘gall of bitterness’ and the ‘bond of iniquity’.
So who knows why Simon believed? I won’t speculate, we should all try hard not to go beyond what is written with coming up with all these different possible scenarios, ‘What if this, or what if that’ has nothing to do with the one condition. Did one believe upon Christ for His salvation?
Leave it at that, because if you do not, you may be guilty of 1) making a young one stumble by judging their salvation by their works vs. belief, or 2) you may keep the lost lost if you continue to speak about what a sinner must DO before he can receive the FREE GIFT of eternal life.
Sean, what do you tell someone when you share the gospel?
I have to say Sean too, that those two questions are a favorite of John MacArthur, Ray Comfort, Paul Washer and the like. They are all false teachers who judge people’s salvation by their behavior. They will give a list of motives, i.e, if you believed on Christ because you are in a bad marriage and you just want help, etc. Excuse me? We are burdened, and heavy laden, and we come to Him, knowing He is the life giver. Knowing His death on the cross took away our sin… In FACT, His death on the cross took away the sin of the world. They have cannot unburden themselves first, He must do the work. We must not change the condition because their are carnal believers, or ones with bad motives like Simon. If we let our minds become unsettled with the ‘what if’s’, our mind is not fixed on the truth and on the author and finisher of our faith. Let’s let Him determine their motives, and let’s keep preaching the one condition. If they have believed, they have repented of their unbelief.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
of sin, because they believe not on me… John 16:8-9
That is the one sin that will keep a person out of heaven. We do our part to help the believer become practically sanctified by feeding His sheep (Ps 119:9-11, John 17:17, John 21).
I said it wrong (sorry). We abhor ourselves. We begin to see how sinful we are when God draws us to believe on Christ for salvation. We see our bankrupt state and our need for Christ’s blood and righteousness. Here’s a snippet of what the Middletown Bible Church says on the subject:
“There is much controversy with regard to the subject of repentance. The main problem is that of definition. The believer must make sure that He agrees with God’s definition of the term. One verse that helps in our understanding of repentance is Job 42:4. Job said, “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” According to this verse, to repent is to abhor oneself, to discover how vile we are (see Job 40:4), to discover our utter wretchedness and sinfulness.”
I agree with this an see no problem with it. Do you agree with this verse in the Bible?
No, I do not agree with George Zeller in that area. Funny, I truly was going to ask you if you were going to his site.
Job was already a believer. There is more than one word in Hebrew for repent. Nacham means things like, to be sorry about, or to console oneself, or comfort another. But most often translated as comfort.
He recognized his words had been wrong, and the word abhor is ma’ac, and means to reject or refuse, and it would have been comfort, consoling, sorrow for his words spoken in anger. He was showing man (as God already knew his heart), how hasty he had been to blame God. Job had already been declared righteous in God’s sight, how does he feel that this is a good way to define the meaning? Perplexing as a pastor he takes this track, however, many have done this. Look to the word nacham itself in that passage. Do it for the truth Sean, proving all things. Look up every example, here is what you will see. We can console, comfort, or be sorry for something we did, for something others have done, over grief, even God repented using the same word. The same word was used for when Isaac was grieved over his mom’s death and took Rebekah as his wife.
Look at all the meanings, and how does he come up with this? Might it have to do with Job complaining and God answering, and after the POWERFUL words of the Lord regarding all the things He has done, Job’s was sorry?
How simple it is if one reads Job in context (entire book).
How about if I based repent on this verse?
And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth (comfort H5162) himself, purposing to kill thee. H5162
Shall we say then it means to take glee in doing something wrong???
It is wrong for George to add to God’s Word this way. The main problem with people understanding the meaning repentance, is that there are multiple words that are used, yet translated many times as ‘repent’ which people have made out to be that one is repenting from sin.
No, I do not agree one iota with George Zeller’s summation or interpretation of this verse. The Scripture I always agree with.
Sean, you may consider this article on Middletown, and please prove all things (1 Thess 5:21), search the Scriptures to see if what someone says is so.
http://expreacherman.com/2012/01/22/the-truth-lies-somewhere-in-between/
Sean, I think that people aren’t able to disconnect repent from one action they see in the Bible, and they get stuck on that definition. Ninevah repented, and it is called a work. But did they stay right?
Job abhorred himself first. He could have then continued to abhor himself. But he changed his mind, and showed his change of mind in a typical way for the Jewish people. An outward sign, sort of like water baptism is an outward sign for those in the church. One could be covered in dust and ashes and their heart not be right. Just like one can be baptized and not at all believe. Just like one can be a disciple and they’ve never believed, or even become a betrayer.
I love Job, especially the last 4 chapters, and Job was already a man who was righteous in God’s sight. But many times in our walk with God, as we see His goodness to the children of men, His greatness, His tender mercies (which are all over His works), His patience with us, His lovingkindness commanded each day, His song over us at night–all these things and more change and renew our minds as we abide in the Lord and His Word.
Again, Job was already righteous by his faith in God’s sight. One thing we fail to do is see different stories in the Bible and we hone in on one and say, Aha, that is the definition. Did the eunuch repent in Acts 8? (All who believe have changed their mind about unbelief), but shall we all respond his way? Pretty uneventful, but was it? Or those who responded with joy? If we are not leaping and excited, did we not repent or ‘truly’ believe (as some like to insinuate)? How many times do we see believers weeping when they believed in the Bible? (I am not talking about after, but before?) Yet we expect that too.
I believe we see that it is in knowing the Lord, that we are able to see our own frailties in our flesh, and know that we are not worthy of His love, His sacrifice, yet He loved the whole world, while sinners without strength…. the ungodly, the unrighteous, He loved all, and gave Himself a propitiation for the whole world. Who are we to answer Him? Like Job, when we begin to ‘see’ in our walk/discipleship with Him, things change in our hearts/minds. IF, we abide in Him, otherwise we know, if we are not in fellowship, apart from Him we can do nothing. If we do not stay in His Word, we will never be students.
We need to point unsaved people to a clear gospel.
We need to point believers to His Word, and feed His sheep.
In Christ’s love to you.
p.s. And just to clarify, i think a born again believer can become desensitized to the awareness of sin, just as a born again believer can see sin more and more, as he or she grows in grace, but we will still know the big sins are sin, rather than justify the sins we see, as something not sinful. That’s what i meant. Love you in Christ. -Sean
Sean, I know it was true for me, I became somewhat desensitized, and actually like stagnant water after awhile. I didn’t probably do the ‘big sins’, what I did do, is I thought I was holier than thou in thinking I was good. I didn’t do this, and I didn’t do that (I’m not going to name them), but I was self-righteous even though I thought I didn’t judge, and I thought I was kind to all. The thing is, that kind of thinking, had me judging the world in some ways, and Satan effectively had me in bondage by my works. His Word instructs us in righteousness, and we need to understand how the works are wrought by Him, we need to cooperate, love others, remember to try to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength (impossible through us, but He helps us with everything). We are shown sin by the light of His Word, and so we need to keep pointing others to the remedy, vs. all those people out there pointing out their unworthiness. We are all unworthy, all sinners, all equally lost in God’s sight. Of course we know once one is a believer, there are things we SHOULD abstain from. But again, the answer to one who is struggling is to point them to the feet of Jesus (Lk 10:38-42), spending time abiding in Him, and in hearing His Word. Thanks again, in Him, Holly
Holly, you said: “Of course we know once one is a believer, there are things we abstain from.”
My comment: There are things that believers may abstain from, but this is not automatic in the life of all believers. I know you know this, but I wanted to clarify. If this statement were universally true, then fruit inspectors would have a field day.
Thank you for correcting this, it should have read ‘should’ abstain from I believe, but now I have to go back to read. Thank you for catching it.
This whole discussion of whether God will save a man who still wants to sin is really sad.
it is just another way of asking whether one must resolve to turn from his sins in order to be saved. This is Lorship “salvation” 101 disguised in convoluted logic.
Any Christian who doesn’t know the answer to this question needs to think about the following questions:
1. Do you sin?
2. Are you responsible for your sin?
3. Why do you sin?
The answers should be 1) yes 2) yes and 3) because I choose to (want to).
So, how could a person who wants to keep sinning not be saved? How is that any different than you or me? What is the quantification standard?
In other words, this is simply another way of saying that one must be willing to turn from his sins in order to be saved.
It is a heretical assault on the gospel.
I guess John, because we all hate that idea, yet, if we’re honest, we’ve all been there in varying degrees, if not, I guess they have already attained. It took a long while for me to figure out I didn’t come to Christ for anything, I was too young, I just simply believed. Later, much later, I started to follow after Him. I thank the good Lord for His Word, and for my training in righteousness in it. I am so glad I have His Word to go back to, and check these men’s writings against what the Word itself says. Thanks for your comment, I do agree, whether knowingly or not, it is an assault on the gospel. These questions that these men, put into the heads of others, it spreads, reminds me of James 3 and the tongue…
A very encouraging site as I search for study materials! I would like to share something concerning the reference to Mark Copeland. I do not know him, but I, too, am a Christian who worships with a congregation of the Church of Christ. I can only speak for myself, but I would like to share my understanding of what is referred to in the blog posts as 5 requirements of salvation, not as a rebuttal or argument, but simply as my understanding of scripture. I do not in any way believe in 5 requirements for salvation. Salvation is through Christ alone. However, in the New Testament, in addition to belief– repentance, confession, and baptism, are all taught in connection with accepting that free gift of salvation, not earning it, accepting it. Opening a beautifully wrapped gift is not earning the gift nor paying for it. I don’t consider those aspects of my walk of faith to be works–they are part of my grateful responding to accept the Lord’s offer of salvation, and that response is simply based on what the scripture says. Romans 6 describes a beautiful analogy of our baptism experience, with this chapter concluding with the reminder that our salvation is a gift. I Peter 3 also references the place of baptism. We have numerous examples of New Testament believers who were baptized upon hearing the Good News of Christ. There are several other references to baptism, aligned to the concepts of both salvation and being a new creation. So, I was baptized. For the same reason I believe. For the same reason I repent of my sins. For the same reason I confess my faith in Christ. Because of the amazing truth that Christ loves me enough to die for me. And through that sacrifice, I can be saved. I want to obey what God’s Word says, particularly when it involves my salvation. And my understanding of scripture is that I am called to be baptized. Anything I believe or do or say does not earn the gift–I’m simply accepting thankfully in faith what is offered in the way the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius, Paul, Lydia, and others did, in the way that Peter proclaimed to the crowd at Pentecost. My understanding, my faith, my walk–they are all far from perfect, but the One who saves me is perfect, and my trust is in Him, not in my own actions. My actions are my obedient response to what He offers.
Again, this is not to start an old argument afresh on this page, but are just my attempt to share what I believe about this issue in response to the comment quoted in the blog post referenced. I’m praying about these words!
ShadRobyn, thanks for commenting, I covered the ‘how to be saved’ page and searched for either Copeland or Church of Christ or five requirements to being saved, so I’m a little confused to what you are referencing.
There is one thing we must do to be saved. Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does that mean?
It is who He is, and what He has accomplished for us.
Lord – Kyrios – kurios in Greek. It means GOD, THE MESSIAH when used as a title. This shows that Jesus is God because only God is Savior. It establishes His Deity.
Jesus – Jehovah is Salvation or Jehovah saves. This again establishes Scripture, it is Jehovah who is Savior, and Jesus is that Savior.
Christ – the anointed one. He has come into the world so that the world through Him might be saved. He freely offered His life and had the power to take it up again, because He is Lord (God, the Messiah).
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17-18
It was finished at the cross where He suffered, bled for us and died. He was buried and rose again, the firstfruits of many. When we believe we are buried with Him in baptism (not of water, for the cleansing of the flesh does not save) and we are risen with Him in faith by the Spirit. Water baptism does not save, but I agree we should do it for obedience to Him as an outward sign of our faith to others.
Church of Christ teaches baptismal regeneration and the Word is clear, it is not by baptism that we are regenerated, but by the operation of God because of our belief in Him.
buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Col 2:12
I am glad to hear you do not believe in the five points the Church of Christ doctrine teaches. Let me point out one, Repentance. They do not give it the correct definition, they define repent as turn from sin. So with a completely incorrect definition they have changed the gospel and are preaching another that will not save.
Here are some Scriptures just to revisit if you would like.
john 8:24
John 1:12
John 4:10
John 3:36
John 3:15-18
John 5:24
John 6:29
John 6:35, 40, or 47
John 6:68-69
John 7:38-39
John 11;25-27
John 20:31
Thanks for visiting, and if somehow that doesn’t respond to your question, let me know. In Christ, Holly
Hello Holly,
Just dropping a line in reference to your comment at ExPM about the hyperdisp who teaches LS.
Not starting an argument with this, just stating a fact: I’ve been a mid-Acts disp for 10 years and have never met one who is not as anti-LS as you. There are still a few elderly Calvinist holdovers but they’re passing from the scene. LS, though, is thoroughly opposed as the false gospel of works probation that it is.
I am not disputing your story but I guarantee you this: if that person holds to some form of LS and is a professing mid- or late-Acts dispensationalist, he/she is confused and does not see the absolutely distinction in God’s dealings between the Body of Christ and national Israel — and THAT will be why they’ve been ensnared by LS.
Posted in the interest of truth and clarity. I will not follow up unless asked to do so.
Eph 389, I will answer this one time, but there is no need to follow up. I have been following this teaching for a bit longer than you have even been a mid-Acts dispensationalist. When I was first introduced to Les Feldick years ago when my children were younger, someone suggested watching him on TV. Although I had some understanding of the teaching because of Bullinger (who would be considered more hyper/ultra), I did not know Feldick was a Mid-Acts teacher. It only took one time for me to hear some of the falsehoods he was teaching (he said Gentiles were never told to repent – false, he must have forgotten Mars Hill). I also noticed the way he and many others of have run across since then word things.
Here are just a few of the things I have heard over the years, and not just from Feldick:
>If one REALLY desires to know the truth, they will ‘see this’ in the Scriptures.
>A SINCERE student of the Bible will eventually come to understand these things.
>A MATURE believer who is studying to show Himself approved onto God will rightly divide the Scriptures (their way).
>God never told us we have to BEG for forgiveness (true, but this is with their suggestion that somehow we are preaching this if we are not seeing their division the same).
Because of verse divisions, it seems most Mid or latter Acts dispensationalists emphasize certain verses without using context. It was never God’s purpose that Israel be saved by the gospel plus law (as least in terms of eternal life). The law has never justified anyone, and Peter did not preach a different gospel to the Jews.
My experiences with mid-Acts did not end with Feldick as administrating several groups over the last 10 years on FB, I have run into many. The last ones that I warned about the site they were using (as I mentioned), to prove their doctrine. The site revealed itself to be Universalist as well as ‘god in all of this’. I left the group with the warning of the site, not wanting them to be misled by it, for that they used 1 John 2:19 to suggest I was an antichrist because I did not see things their way.
The pastor that was here for a visit and started to teach that we are not in the New Covenant because we are not Israel, had his own form of loadship, yet again, suggesting that people who did not see it his way didn’t have a complete understanding of the Scriptures. Whether or not he believes so, he also compels the women to only wear dresses, not swim in mixed company, not celebrate ‘pagan’ holidays etc.
I am not saying that all mid or hyper dispensationalists are loadship but I do think that it a reverse form of loadship in that it puts a burden on the Jews that God did not put on them when the promises were made to them and the good news was preached to Abraham. The law was added 430 years after the promises, and that because of sin. (I am quoting Scripture throughout and glad to reference all if one needs me to). Here is an article on the law if one wishes to read it (https://redeemingmoments.com/2013/06/24/tell-me-you-who-desire-to-be-under-the-law-do-you-not-hear-the-law/)
The verses you use in your name, I have had used by many mid-Acts people, to prove that somehow this mystery was only revealed to Paul and only for the Gentiles, should be looked at in context, here are a couple verses before in the same chapter:
5 which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
>> 6 that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and >>of the same body<<, and partakers of his promise in Christ by >>the gospel:
The just have ALWAYS lived by faith, only one way for anyone to be saved.
The New Covenant/Testament was dedicated at the cross and the body, the church, began in Acts 2. The gospel in Acts 2:38 is no different than the gospel we preach, because Peter preached before sharing these truths of the gospel.
That Jesus was approved by God and witnessed among men by His miracles, wonders and many signs, and they knew this. They delivered Him to His crucifixion, but God raised Him up, because it wasn’t possible that Jesus could be held by death (proving He was God and had the victory over sin and death), and that Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of God. This is the gospel. This is what Peter preached. This is the foundation of Jesus church which would be built upon the confession of faith Peter expressed to Jesus. I know mid-Acts generally make a distinction and try to say this is not the church, but I do not agree.
In Acts 2 Peter explained how David prophesied of the resurrection of Christ, and they were all witnesses of this, that the one they crucified, was both Lord and Christ. This is the same gospel seen in 1 Cor 15:3-4 and the same one they ALL preached (vs. 11) and they all believed. They did not believe different gospels somehow or have different ways to be saved. Even though their conscience may have caused them to continue in some aspects of the law, to become circumcised (so they could enter the temple to preach the gospel), to fulfill a vow that was made beforehand (to not cause offense to the Jews), this was not by the will of God as the local pastor taught in His one class. God did not tell these people to continue in the law, He freed them from it. Paul still chastised Peter and Barnabas for being hypocrites and not being straightforward about the truth of THE gospel. And as I said in Gal 3:8, he identified this gospel as the one that Abraham was preached.
I understand there will be a millennial kingdom, and I believe in a literal 1000 years as I am sure you do. And I believe there is a distinction between the body of Christ (comprised of Jews and Gentiles) and the remnant who will believe (the ones He has not cast off). But I cannot go as far as mid-Acts dispensationalists and separate Jewish believers from the Gentile ones, making them two different men. Eph 2 states what has happened to Gentiles and Jews both and it happened at the cross. Both to Jew and Gentile, the household of God, the church, the body of Christ.
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Preached the same gospel to Jew and Gentile)
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (both is Jew and Gentile)
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (the church)
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (the church)
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (the body of Christ)
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
He says in 2 Cor 3:6, Who also hath made us able ministers (who is Paul speaking of?) of the new testament; not of the letter (the law), but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Why on earth would God include law for the Jews at the beginning of His new Covenant which was not made according to the old?
THE gospel is seen throughout Acts and was preached in the order Jesus gave to the disciples to preach. I know this is likely falling on deaf ears, as I have been dealing with this teaching (as I mentioned before)longer than you have been a mid-Acts dispensationalist. Although they claim not to be loadship, by insisting that the Jews were preached a different gospel somehow, they are loadship for the Jews. The same gospel was preached to Abraham as Paul was elucidation in Galatians. One gospel for Jew and Gentile.
Paul was chosen not only to be a missionary to the Gentiles, but also to Jews and Kings. And as the Scriptures record, Peter had the mystery revealed to him when the sheet was let down from heaven and he went to Cornelius’ house and preached the gospel. He may have been a slow learner as we see in Gal 2, it takes some of us many times to ‘get it’ especially when it comes to hanging on to the law.
We are saved in the same manner as the Jews (Acts 15). Peter lived ‘after the manner of the Gentiles’ (Gal2) yet somehow many mid or latter Acts dispensationalists say differently. I don’t know how far you go, and I do believe in a distinction between Israel (true Israel, the remnant who will believe) and the church. I understand the difference between the time of the Gentiles and the fullness of the Gentiles. Some try to make a distinction between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, yet Jesus did not, speaking in the same breath of both as the same (although divided by non-inspired verse numbers).
Jesus told His disciples and all mankind ahead of time what would come to pass, although they may not have fully understood yet. He told them He would die, and that He would rise again from the dead in three days. He spoke of His own death. He revealed to the two on the Road to Emmaus that He had fulfilled all that the law, the Psalms and the Prophets had spoke regarding Him, again showing it had been spoken of centuries before, yet they didn’t understand or believe.
He said to them:
O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
I will have to say that I pray for those who are getting caught up in this New teaching, and it is new, contrary to the protests of most. I do not believe the Bible when looked at literally and in cross referencing (two or three witnesses), supports the theory of mid or latter Acts teaching.
But I’ll leave it there as this page is about how to be saved, and it is no different for either the Jew or Gentile.
Thank you for listening.
Thank Holly for clearing this up for me. I was unaware about this mid acts dispensation(MAD) view until just recently. I’m not sure how you believe, but I consider the majority of them bothers and sisters in Christ, just confused and I do not consider myself MAD ;-). I have become friends with several of them on FB thinking that we are in unison on bible doctrine and I admired their stand against LS. However, I have started to see some strange stuff that are posted by some of them. For instance, one friend posted that the salvation for the Jews is by faith plus the law and salvation was gained by faith alone was gentiles only and it did not begin until Apostle Paul came on the scene.
But I was also bothered by one person on FB who claimed to be MAD that blocked you in a conversation. I was shocked with the allegations claiming that you preach a false gospel. I was confused/saddened as to why she said those things. I believe me, you and most, if not all MAD claim the correct gospel (1 Cor. 15 1-5) Just different on how salvation was achieved by the Jews and the OT saints.
At least that is how I see it. I’m sure there is a lot learn concerning this.
God bless.
Bryan R.
Bryan, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, I know many do not understand it, and there are varying levels within the MAD thinking. Some I am sure are most definitely brothers and sisters in Christ, who see it only from a perspective of the Gentile church starting (most generally see Acts 9) at that point, and do not believe that law is added in, however they do feel salvation is different between the Jews and Gentiles.
The friend that posted that salvation for the Jews is by faith plus law, and faith alone for Gentiles is more consistent with their believes, this is why I say they are loadship, but in the reverse. In addition some will tell you to take your pens and mark out certain epistles in the Bible (all not written by Paul). So their are varying degrees within the system, which basically has been around less than 100 years although I’m sure some might disagree).
Yes, I have been blocked in a conversation (just happened), but that is not all, she was the one that said I was not a Bible believer and was blinded. Another, who was a long time MAD friend started a group (he had always seemed very reasonable), I believe you are still friends with him. Three of them (two men and a woman) were using sites to prove their point. The woman (Kathy) used three sites, each time I let her know about their gospel or unreliability, she deleted each post each time and got angry with me. I apologized explaining it was not to embarrass her, we can all make this mistake, only to keep others from error. She told me I had an ‘air of superiority’ and blocked me. This was after they had used 1 John 2:19 to suggest I was an antichrist, and to warn another (Rachel) that I was controlling her mind. Seeming them as brethren, I wrote the three of them regarding these things and asked them to consider their words. The woman blocked me, Tim (who said I was controlling Rachel — I hadn’t even emailed her, although she did when they told her these things), Tim said goodbye and unfriended me. The third man (who I didn’t know well) blocked me. But it was based on Tim saying he didn’t know I could ‘be this way’ (when I warned of the Univeralistic site where the guy thought god was in all, and closed with Namaste). This angered them, they were not happy to be warned, just furious.
Unfortunately this has been my experience many times, not just once, and it is always sad, I really do sorrow for them, not as much for me, although it does hurt. I understand we can disagree on an interpretation on Scripture, but we should want to reason it out together with God’s Word, and if we can’t come to a conclusion, pray, and continue searching the Scriptures). We can rest in the fact He will show us, give us discernment if we will be in the strong meat of His Word.
As to proclaiming the correct gospel, yes, many do, except some see 1 John 1:9 as a necessity to becoming saved (confessing sin). Others seeing it as just agreeing we are sinners (I do not agree, but I don’t consider it something to break fellowship over). But more often than not, if I do not see it their way, they will break fellowship with me (one did on Bible Bereans a couple years ago).
Here is where I am confused honestly, if they preach the Jews are saved by grace plus law, and take away from part of the Bible, I just can’t be fellowshipping with them because eventually I’m going to learn error, or cause someone else to stumble. If they say they ‘were’ saved this way but not now, I disagree again, no one was ever justified by the law, but as long as they see the ‘now’ gospel as grace alone for all (as long as they don’t take away from God’s Word), again I can fellowship with them (for now, because I’m just not quite sure what the answer is).
Anyways, I appreciate you coming to support and encourage me, the just have always lived by faith, the Word tells us so. I believe Grace is the theme of the entire Word of God. From the beginning when God gave Adam and Eve animal skins, it had to be a covering that came by death, His first offering, not theirs. What grace, what compassion, what love…
God bless you too and your darling family, although I don’t get on FB much, it’s nice to see some of your pictures go by, love the little children 🙂 So does Jesus.
Thanks Holly,
As far as FB goes, I have deactivated my account, I’m taking a “Facebook Vacation” for a little while. I’m sorry that you went through that, I just don’t understand the hostile responds and division. But yes, I agree I think if they are in error, we should not associate with them. I may have to make some “friend decisions” when I get back on. I think I know the Tim you are talking about. Disappointing, I wouldn’t think he would be that way to you, but then again I just know him on FB.
BTW, I love this post(How to be saved) I may copy this and go over this with my wife and girls. I am a firm believer in reaffirming the doctrines of our salvation as a reminder so that we will not be ensnared by false teaching. God bless.
I didn’t know that Bryan, (that you deactivated) but I did see you were taking a break. I do that also from time to time, we need that time of refreshing and reviving. I mourn for them, I still pray for Tim, and Kathy, and the other gentleman when the Lord brings them to mind. Some the Lord has taken them out of my memory for a time it seems, and then they’ll come up out of the blue. If I had saved all these conversations, I think it would be shocking to many. But in that you know it’s flesh or the accuser of the brethren. Sometimes they are too embarrassed by their response in their flesh to make it right, who knows. I just know we need to keep speaking the truth in love. We really need to defend His gospel, to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered, to continue to warn of those who will preach another Jesus or another gospel.
I re-read it myself, we need to shod our feet daily and we don’t always remember to do that. If you do go over it with your family please do let me know if you find anything that needs corrected, or even if you have some helpful cross references. God bless you and your family too Bryan, and may He continue to help us grow in His grace.
Powerful!! I came across your website and I really enjoyed this article and your other articles as well. We’re in the last days and the reformed Lordship Salvation false teachers are growing in number spreading their cancer and murdering the souls who are uninformed!!! May we all, the body of Christ, mark and warn of these false teachers and preach the the true Gospel (relying on and trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of ones sins. Thank God for His beautiful grace and the true gospel that is without works ( 1Cor 15:3-4, Ephesians 2:8-9). Its truly is amazing Grace !! Jesus is Lord!
Thank you Scott for stopping by. Amen, those who teach loadship doctrine keep people from being saved, shutting up the kingdom of Heaven not only to others, but themselves too. It’s bondage to the soul who once believed but becomes bewitched also, and their gospel is rendered ineffective.
I do thank God with you for His grace, and for His tender mercies. Jesus is Lord of all! God bless your week, thanks for commenting.
Hi Holly. I apologise for not responding through Expreacherman,(edited by Holly) I really do struggle and feel lonely and all I wanted to do was to find fellowship. I hope that I can find that here.
IHellsbells39, I edited out the middle portion as I don’t want to speculate about anything. We’re here for you, how we can be. I know the Psalms are particularly helpful. If you are on FB, reach out to me there too. In Christ, Holly Garcia Held
I have scrupulosity, I’m sure of it. I go through these highs where I am sure I am saved. Christ has given me supernatural answers to prayer when I ask if I am saved and yet I go through these periods of depression and anxiety (also currently on meds not helping my emotions) and I find myself scared that I’m not believing the right thing or doing it right. In the past I’d go into a spiral but now I try to stop my thoughts and simply pray “God have mercy on me” and I know that it is only God that can keep me to the end and that my emotions mean nothing. It is scary how the works based mindset still slips in. I know work is important to further the kingdom and not for salvation. I’ve learned to step away from christian internet when I’m low too as I’m easily swayed into the “what if” thoughts. I just want to stand with Jesus at the end. Whatever that means. Whatever Christ wants of me in this life. I am not as zealous about reading and studying as I was a few months back and that scares me too. I see more temptations coming at me. And actually i realize now as I type this that I dont think I’d be struggling so much if I were not saved. I dont know. All i know is I believe Jesus’s sacrifice has covered my sins and that by Him and Him alone will I be saved.
Please pray for my strength to return and these meds to not affect me so badly.
The answer is always in time in His Word. The ‘what if’ thoughts are from the enemy, but we need armed with our sword to answer him. Jesus answered Satan with ‘it is written’. When we’re prepared to do the same, the fear won’t remain, because He is not the one that gives a spirit of fear.
We are saved because we believed God, because He is not a man that He should lie. His promise is eternal life. Who else is better to trust? God, or our feelings, fears, emotions that may come from the accuser of the brethren. Your strength is going to come from His Word, your faith will be built by hearing His Word. Choosing to spend time with Him will never be taken from you (Ps 119:25,28; Rom 10:17; Lk 10:38-42). So just obediently continue in His Word, the truth will set you free from doubt, fears and worries, as you become a student/disciple. (Jn 8:31-32 pp). That’s how we continue in faith. Or we don’t, and we begin to doubt and worry again. Praying for your strength to return, notice how the Word helps there: (Love in Christ)
My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
28 My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:25-28
Thank you so much <3
The meds I’m on for inflamation really mess with my emotions and I know the enemy is using this time of weakness to attack me. Your encouragement is a great help to turn my thoughts constantly back to Him. I know no matter what I do in this life I’m His, even if my emotions tell me otherwise some days. I just have to trust even if I dont feel like it in the moment. Thank you, I’m so grateful to the Lord for leading me to your blog. I come here to re read anytime the enemy gives me what ifs about certain teachers or teachings.
Of course, we need each other. The way we know something is truth, or from the enemy, is the way we get the Word. Even the enemy uses the Word and twists it. So we can trust God’s Word, and we pray before we get into it. We are Bereans and prayerfully check what someone is teaching by looking at His Word (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 5:21). One day re-reading this very familiar passage from Isaiah it really hit me. That His Word does do this. Isaiah contrasts His Word to like how the snow and rain comes down. It either gives us seed to sow or food to eat, but not gall to drink. That’s what I think of with the enemy. Praying we always are obedient to continue in His Word, because it is for our sake. He wrote it ahead of time for our comfort and hope (Rom 15:4).
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
Love in Him. Look to the recommendations page if you’re looking for sound ones, and before you listen to someone, look up their statement of faith or Gospel. I always search first for ‘repent’ and they almost always have it listed ‘repent from sin’ or ‘turn from your sins’, so then I know they are a mark and avoid.
Yeah thanks to you and a few others I’ve been checking statements of faith when I find new teachers. Thank you again and God bless!
God bless you too Jenny and guide you into all truth. We know these things, but need others to continually exhort us and encourage us. All of us need it no matter how long we’ve been a believer, there is much false out there.
I need great prayer today. I am suffering from meds and lack of sleep and I feel attacked. I feel doubt on free grace again and it hurts me because for a little while I felt peace. In my heart I beg to God to forgive me for my doubt and weakness. I’m just so scared that if the lordship people or those who talk about evidence and works are right or those that say you can lose your salvation are right. By their standards if I look at my life right now I dont know what they would say. I do try to read but not as frequently as before. I pray daily. But more than that I really dont have a desire for service. Not typical service at least. I like helping people when the opportunity arrises. Making someone happy, hugging someone when they are sad, serving food at church after a funeral etc. I worry that my desire to live a normal quite life and one not in devout service means im not saved. I know I’ve commented here several times, I’m sure its some ocd creeping up. Its just that I never imagined that Christianity was like this before I started diving head long into it. How so many brothers and sisters are at odds with eachother calling people heretics or unsaved. Im just tired. Please pray for me…
Praying Jenny. The only way to not doubt is to have your assurance from His Word, what HE said, not what they say.
Start collecting those verses that tell you when you believe you possess eternal life. John 3:16-18, 5:25, 6:40, 6:47; Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 4:1-6, etc.
No one should call anyone unsaved. I usually make a point of saying I am not judging that. Heretics, that’s a different story, but one ought to be very careful it is about the gospel, or maybe they’re going too far calling someone a heretic.
Faith only comes by hearing His Word.
Thank you and God bless
God bless you too. Whenever we look at our performance or behavior for some sort of proof, if we’re honest, we’d have to have doubts. But what people forget continually, is God’s standard is perfection, and only Jesus had that perfection, and is the only payment. Nothing we can do.