Several years ago I came across some bible teachers who say there are people spreading a false gospel, and they call it a "second gospel". There are those who state there is no need to go through a prayer of salvation, or repentance to receive redemption-but only believe on the Lord Jesus and you'll be saved. You could go back and forth for a long time-and argue the point, but I'm going to take a few verses that dispute these claims and let the reader come to their own convictions.
I have no personal dispute with these folks, but, what does scripture teach about this, without compromise. The most important scripture Jesus ever spoke concerning himself, is in the gospel of John ch. 14:6: Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. This one verse describes who Jesus is, and the fact that He is the only way to salvation-there is no other; and He is the only way to access to the Father. On the day of Pentecost, after Christ had risen from the dead Peter preached to the crowd of about 3,000 assembled there and proclaimed this: Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've heard some teach that Peter was only preaching to Jews-that no Gentiles were present-how do they know that? According to Acts ch. 2:4-11, when the Holy Ghost fell on those in prayer-those standing around heard their own tongues and languages being spoken, including Arabians, Crete's, Egyptians etc.-they were not all Jews. Peter was calling both Jews and Gentiles to repent-and be baptized for the remission of sins. I do not hold to anyone saying we can "just believe" and be saved. James tells us that the demons believe, and tremble. Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. According to 1John 1:7-10: 1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. There are those who teach that when Jesus was preaching before his death-he was only referring to the Jews needing to repent, and that voicing repentance isn't necessary in Paul's gospel. The verses spoken above in 1John disputes this teaching. Paul states the gospel clearly in ICor. ch. 15:3-6 1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. When Paul was standing before Agrippa giving his testimony, he spoke of his mission to preach to both Jew and Gentile, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Act 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. When I was alone in my house over 45 years ago I simply said "Lord, I know I've done so much, have sinned so greatly-there's no reason for you to love me, but if you would forgive me, please come into my heart and life and help me live for you." It included repentance, and simply acknowledging Jesus as Lord-and I knew He had answered that prayer, and I was saved. A last point: there are also some who teach predestination-that some are predestined to be saved, and other's predestined to be damned. My stand on this is; God knows everything, at all times. He knows those who will repent and be saved, and who won't-but He does not intrude on anyone's free will. The door is always open for anyone to change, to turn around, and come to Jesus for salvation. Paul, a persecutor and murderer of Christians, before his conversion on the road to Damascus is a good example of the power of God to change any life. I'm in the same category-only the power of Jesus Christ, could save me, and change me; and He did. Jesus taught that "whosoever will-may come": Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Paul also emphasizes the open door of salvation to whosoever: Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If predestination is to be adhered to-why does scripture through Paul proclaim the importance of preaching the gospel? Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! This tells me, whoever you are, if you know Christ as Savior-you are called to be a witness, and tell other's of the power of Jesus Christ to save, and heal. Then, leave the results to God. The preacher/evangelist who truly cares for your soul, will preach the Gospel as it's written in the bible, regardless of the reactions. Ministers are just people, who God has chosen to work for Him-they aren't perfect. When they are preaching-the question to ask is- is it in the bible, is it scriptural, is it consistent throughout the bible. Is the preaching pointing you to Jesus Christ-or themselves. It's the word of God preached, that convicts of sin. If the word of God is preached without compromise-it will either bring the sinner to repentance, or cause a riot- and persecution; the book of Acts gives accounts of this fact. The bible teaches us all have sinned: Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; One sin, one lie, one stolen item, is all it takes, to put us on the road to hell. That is why Jesus came-to pay the sin debt, we could not pay. Jesus showed by example-that though he was a King-he became a servant, even unto death, the death of the cross. He was all love-but the world rejected Him. Most in the world reject him today. But, for those who humble themselves, admit their sinners, in need of a Savior and come to him in honest repentance-He will in no wise cast out. He will come into your heart and life, and begin to do the work of transformation, and renewing your mind and soul, into His image-it's a lifelong journey. He loves you, and has prepared a place for you to be with Him in heaven, if you will open your heart, and let Him in. Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. The graphics of the Gospel that are posted here, include the most important truths, according to scripture, of who Christ is, why He came, and a simple prayer to help anyone who desires to open their heart to Jesus, and be born again. It's my prayer you will make that decision today. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Lorna Couillard Some added teaching from commentaries: 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin. To say that we have reached a sinless state in which we no longer need the blood of Christ to cleanse us is a deception. This language is in square opposition to the claims of the "Perfectionists" of all ages. If we confess our sins. Instead of affirming that we are sinless we should confess our sins. Faithful and just. If we confess our sins the Lord will be faithful to his promise of mercy, and just in requiring us to have the atonement of Christ, to forgive us our sins. If we say that we have not sinned. God says we have sinned. He declares "There is none righteous; no, not one." Hence, if we affirm that we are sinless we make God a liar. B.W. Johnson comm. If we confess our sins,.... Not to one other; for though it is our duty to confess our faults to our fellow creatures and fellow Christians which are committed against them, yet are under no obligation to confess such as are more immediately against God, and which lie between him and ourselves; or at least it is sufficient to confess and acknowledge in general what sinful creatures we are, without entering into particulars; for confession of sin is to be made to God, against whom it is committed, and who only can pardon: and a man that truly confesses his sin is one that the Spirit of God has convinced of it, and has shown him its exceeding sinfulness, and filled him with a godly sorrow for it, and given him repentance unto salvation, that needeth not to be repented of; and who, under such a sight and sense of sin, and concern for it, comes and acknowledges it before the Lord, humbly imploring, for Christ's sake, his pardoning grace and mercy; and such obtain it: John Gill comm. Righteous Forgiveness 1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.—1Jn_1:8-9. 1. These words sum up the great characteristic aim which distinguishes Christianity from every other system and institution on earth. The object of education is to get rid of ignorance. The object of medicine is to get rid of disease. The object of Socialism (at least, according to many of its advocates) is to get rid of poverty. But the object of Christianity is to get rid of sin. The Gospel lays its finger on moral evil as the real mischief and misery of the world. Compared with the supreme curse of human selfishness, nothing else seriously matters. And accordingly the Gospel proposes to cure this inward malady of the soul. Herein, it stands apart from other religions. As Amiel said, “The prayer of the Buddhist is, ‘Deliver us from existence’; the prayer of the Christian is, ‘Deliver us from evil.’ ” Source: Great Texts Resources and teachings on salvation: Paid in Full- https://www.twosparrowsministry.org/home/snapshots-of-faith-paid-in-full Are You Prepared To Die?- https://www.twosparrowsministry.org/home/are-you-prepared-to-die Pulling Them Out Of The Fire- https://www.twosparrowsministry.org/home/pulling-them-out-of-the-fire A Convenient Season- https://www.twosparrowsministry.org/home/a-convenient-season Concerning the doctrine of election: Mat_24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mar_13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Luk_18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? TEACHINGS ON THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION Election is no Discouragement to Seeking Souls-Charles Spurgeon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQx0jgOAYBk Election: Its Defenses and Evidences - Charles Spurgeon Sermon- https://youtu.be/IvCaiwVHtsE Election - Charles Spurgeon / Christian Audio Sermons https://youtu.be/1qmPisb39bA Comments are closed.
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No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me,
saith the LORD. Isa 54:17 Rev 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. The Victory of Our Faith
For whatsoever
is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1Jn 5:4-5 But they that wait
upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isa 40:31 Our Warfare
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2Cor 10:3-5 The Whole Armor
of God Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:10-18 The Prayer Room
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