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• If Baptism is Not Essential for Salvation

  …ster WongMixxMySpaceNetvouzNewsvineoneviewOnlyWirePlugIMPropellerRedditSegnaloShoutwireSimpySlashdotSurphaceSphinnSpurlSquidooStumbleUponTechnoratiThisNextTwitterWebrideWindows LiveYahoo!Email This to a Friend  Link HTML:  Permalink:  If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed.Powered by Bookmarkify™ More »Baptism is not essential for salvation according to most denominations.  The tho…

• Is Holy Spirit Baptism The Baptism That Saves?

  In an article I wrote some time ago I had a gentleman of the Pentecostal persuasion respond seemingly upset with me over the issue of baptism as I was emphasizing the importance of water baptism which he was discounting as being nothing more than a picture of salvation (whatever that means).  Of course, his emphasis was on Holy Spirit baptism.  In any case since I said I would respond I will do so here thinking I might as well make an article ou…

• Is Denominational Baptism Scriptural?

  her and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20 NKJV)  This is the “one baptism” Paul spoke of in Eph. 4:5 that places one in Christ (Gal. 3:27) where salvation is found (2 Tim. 2:10).  It is therefore spoken of as being “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38) and is a baptism into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13) of which he is the “the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23 NKJ…

• Saved by Faith or Saved by Holy Spirit Baptism–Which Is It?

  Is a man saved by faith or saved by Holy Spirit baptism?  I personally do not believe either but there are many advocates of one or the other.  (Yes, I believe faith is essential but just not that it is the final step to salvation.) There are a number of people in what is commonly called the Christian community who are thoroughly convinced that one is saved by Holy Spirit baptism.  I do not believe they are in the majority but they are out ther…

• Jesus’ Baptism and You?

  efuse to be baptized with Jesus’ baptism, the baptism of the great commission?  If not, why not? One cannot reason his way out of this dilemma but it gets even worse for those who want to reject baptism.  Please note it was a salvation issue with Jesus concerning John’s baptism.  Are you going to say it is not a salvation issue today with Jesus’ baptism? How much difference is there in the meaning of the words, “a baptism of repentance for the re…

• Faith, Works, and Baptism

  Many are the men and women who believe that since the Bible teaches justification by faith (Rom. 5:1) and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5) that baptism is excluded as an act essential to salvation despite many passages that teach the contrary (Acts 2:38, 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Titus 3:5, Eph. 5:26, 1 Cor. 12:13 compared with Eph. 5:23, John 3:5, Gal. 3:26-27, etc.).  They are greatly mistaken. In the first place the Bible clearly teaches that …

• The Mysterious Eloquent Evangelist

  tors in the way of the Lord convey this truth to him?  We will never know for the Bible does not tell us. Was it important that Apollos know this truth?  Many today would say no, not at all, for baptism has nothing to do with salvation denying what Peter taught in Acts 2:38.  Yet, Priscilla and Aquila felt it was a matter so important that they drew Apollos aside to teach him this fundamental truth.  As travelers with Paul they knew the truth and…

• Bible Contradictions on Salvation?

  If we believe the Bible is the word of God why do we often interpret it in a way that makes it contradict itself?  Truth is harmonious or else it’s not truth and cannot be.  Jesus says of God’s word, “your word is truth.” (John 17:17)  It does not oppose itself when properly interpreted. Martin Luther was persuaded he had found contradiction in the Bible between what Paul wrote in Romans about salvation being by faith ver…

• Ways into Christ–How Many Ways Are There?

  is to say saved regardless of belief, character, and conduct.  God saves sinners true enough but not while they actively engage in the practice of sin unrepentant. The fact remains that no matter how much we desire another’s salvation it is up to them to bring their life into accord with God’s will for neither you nor I can broaden the gate.  “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it.” (Matt. …

• The Washing of Water by the Word–Baptism and Salvation

  Baptism is essential to salvation but there are many non-believers.  I want to deal with one passage today that teaches this but which is seldom used because the word baptize is not found in the passage.  The phrase used is “washing of water” as found in Eph. 5:25-27. Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,…

• Christian Circumcision

  him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made alive together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” (NKJV) Forgiveness of sins is found in Christ.  Salvation is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:10).  The phrase “in him” is used 3 times in the passage just quoted.  According to Paul elsewhere we are “baptized into Christ Jesus” placing us “in him.&…

• Baptism

  Baptism has been a hot topic down through the ages–who should be baptized, why, for what purpose, are there any prerequisites, what is accomplished in it, does it matter, is it essential for salvation or have anything at all to do with it, what is baptism (is it sprinkling, pouring, immersion, or take your choice?).  So many questions but are there no answers?  Was God such a poor communicator that he could not make the subject clear?  Wha…

• Faith and Baptism in Paul’s Preaching

  d, come into my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.” (Acts 16:14-15 NAS) We are not told exactly what Paul said in his sermon but we know he preached at least the following:  (1) Man as a sinner in need of salvation, (2) Jesus as Lord and Savior, (3) Faith in Jesus, (4) Repentance, and (5) Baptism.  We can glean a lot about Paul’s preaching from Lydia’s statement to Paul and Silas, “if you have judged me to b…

• How Does One Get Into the Church Christ Built?

  JV)  “You (Christians–DS) are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Cor. 12:27 NKJV)  One is either in that body or he is not, you are either inside or outside, and where you are makes all the difference for salvation.  Yes, the church matters.  It is not Jesus yes and the church no. The church is what Jesus gave himself for on the cross.  “Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse …

• Misunderstanding the Grace of God

  ent, he said “by every word … of God”, not just by the words of one’s choosing. In the second place it needs to be pointed out that I think every single person that makes the claim to be a Christian believes salvation is by grace through faith including myself.  Is there a person on the face of the earth who thinks he has always done the right thing and never ever sinned?  I can name many of my sins.  Some of them have been an e…

• How Does the Blood of Jesus and Baptism Tie Together

  imply a truism accepted by all.  We do not each get a microscopic drop of literal blood placed on our soul.  So the question then becomes where has God placed the blood in a spiritual sense?  It does matter; it is a matter of salvation.  In the Bible blood stands for life.  God speaking to Noah and his sons after the flood said unto them, “You shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” (Gen 9:4 NKJV)  Again, God speaking …

• The Grace of God in Baptism

  n on plain statements of scripture and as long as that is the case little can be done. Part of the problem is when people think of grace they too often have in their mind one thing only–the saving act of God that brings salvation. The idea is that salvation is all of God’s doing and absolutely none of our doing. Where this idea came from I have no idea as my mind cannot read the Bible and conjure up any such line of reasoning. Noah found gr…

• Paul’s Conversion (Justified by Faith)

  answer.  When Paul was told to arise and be baptized to wash away his sins did Paul doubt he had sins to be washed away?  Did he believe at that point in time that baptism was just a figure, a symbol, or a representation of a salvation already received?  Now be honest with yourself before you answer that.  A man comes from God and gives you this message and you know full well he was sent from God and you are going to do what–doubt him and h…

• Gospel Obedience at Corinth

  bout those who were not baptized?  Did they cloth themselves with Christ?  Did Paul say for all of you who were not baptized into Christ have put on Christ?  Is that what he said?  How does one get into Christ, the only place salvation can be found?  Does not the text tell us clearly if we will only listen?  If Paul preached baptism once he preached it everywhere he went whether the text says he did nor not.  There is absolutely no choice but to …

• The Truth So Called Christians Will Not Accept

  one has a membership of people who are in fact Christians, not according to God’s word.  A Christian is a person who is in Christ, not one who thinks he is.  Here is what God has said about the matter from his own word. Salvation is found in Christ.  Paul said he endured “all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”  (2 Tim. 2:10 NKJV)  A teacher migh…

• The Case of Cornelius and the Holy Spirit

  The answer is evident.  This raises a question.  Is there one gospel in one location and another in a different location so that we can never really know what the gospel is?  Does the Holy Spirit preach one message concerning salvation in one location but a different one elsewhere?  Does God show partiality toward some?  Are some saved one way and others in a different way?  The Bible says, “there is no partiality with God” (Rom 2:11 …

• Are Works Essential for Christian Salvation?

  One of the great dangers we all face in Bible study is that of taking a particular passage, isolating it from all the rest of the scriptures, and make it teach a doctrine it was never meant to teach.  The question asked in the title of this article, are works essential for Christian salvation, is easily answered by taking one such passage and doing exactly that.  The passage is Eph. 2:8-9 which reads, “For by grace you have been saved thro…

• What Must a Man Believe to be Saved by the Gospel?

  That the gospel of Christ must be believed (as well as obeyed) in order to receive Christian salvation is made abundantly clear by the apostle Paul in one of the best known passages found in the Bible–Rom. 1:16:  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16 NAS)  It thus becomes essential that we learn what it is that …

• Christ and Baptism in Colossians

  en we were baptized (if we were) “our old self was crucified with him, that our body of sin might be done away with.” (Rom. 6:6 NAS)  “He who died is freed from sin.” (Rom. 6:7 NAS) The book of Colossians teaches clearly that salvation is found in Christ and that Christ is all any man or woman needs for salvation.  However, there are many today who are in error concerning how one enters into salvation in Christ Jesus.  Remember it is, “Christ in …

• Christ Did Not Send Paul to Baptize

  to preach the gospel.” (1 Cor. 1:17a NKJV)  What is Paul saying here?  Is he saying that Christ does not care whether or not disciples are baptized?  Is he saying it is unimportant and makes no difference to one’s salvation whether or not he/she is baptized?  It is the purpose of this article to show the folly of taking that kind of stance based on this scripture.  Let me begin by asking a question that must be answered if one is to t…

• The Cleansing of the Church at Ephesus

  Many believe the church at Ephesus (the church being the membership) was cleansed from sin by faith based on the teachings of their denomination and the famous Ephesian passage found in chapter 2 verses 8 and 9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (NAS)  Many, many passages of the New Testament teach that salvation is a matter of …

• Peter’s Preaching and the Apostle’s Preaching

  l being preached.  Who receives the Holy Spirit?  It is “those who obey Him”–obey God, obey Jesus–as clearly stated in the text.  The Hebrew writer says of Jesus, ‘He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Heb. 5:9 NKJV) Is obedience a part of the gospel?  Did Peter preach obedience in his first gospel sermon, the first such sermon ever preached to mankind, in Acts 2?  He commanded those …

• What Does The Phrase “Born Of Water And The Spirit” Mean? (The New Birth)

  ssential to come to a correct understanding as your and my eternal life both depend on it.  Jesus says if we are not “born of water and the Spirit” we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. I need not tell you that salvation is in God’s kingdom, not outside it.  We are either in the domain of darkness or in the kingdom of God.  Paul speaking to Christians says, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred…

• A Good and Pure Conscience

  trained than anything else. Peter associates baptism with a good conscience in this scripture and none can deny that.  A good conscience (which one can readily equate with a pure heart for the two go together) is essential to salvation, baptism is thus essential to salvation.  On a practical level it matters not whether baptism is an “answer” of a good conscience as per the NKJV or an “appeal” for a good conscience as per …

• How Was Noah Saved Through Water?

  KJV)  One cannot emphasize too much the teaching of this text.  That said it goes against almost everything that men today have to say about grace.  Grace today, as men see it, means you need do nothing at all toward your own salvation other than believe in Jesus.  If more was required of you that would be, so they reason, salvation by works. How did God show Noah grace?  Was it not by telling him what was going to happen (judgment was to befall …

• Be Faithful to the Lord (The Conversion of Lydia)

  the reader ask himself this question.  None of these accounts mention a word about repentance nor should they in view of the fact they are, as has been stated, summary statements.  Do we believe that there is such a thing as salvation by faith without any repentance of sins?  Again, when it is simply stated that people believed it is a summary of what took place and not a detailed account of everything they believed and believed to the point of …

• What Is Baptism (the Sprinkling Hoax)

  It may well be that there is no Bible subject that has caused more confusion among men than the subject of baptism.  What is baptism?  What is its purpose?  Who should be baptized?  Why?  I would like to take a look at all of these questions and deal with all of them over time but for the present, for the purposes of this article, I will confine myself to the question what is baptism.  I doubt that very many people know what I am about to say.  …

• For By Grace You Have Been Saved Through Faith Alone

  No, Eph. 2:8-9 does not read that way but that is the way most seem to want to read it.  Let me quote the verses for you from the New King James version. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” There is no believer in his right mind who would discount the grace of God in man’s salvation.  You do not believe you deserve to be sav…

• Obedience of Faith and Justification by Faith–Opposing Doctrines?

  elieved what?  The gospel message (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Mark 16:15-16), the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Acts 8:37, Philippians 2:11, 1 John 3:23), that he is Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). So, faith is essential to salvation.  Where there is no faith salvation is impossible.  We must always remember, however, that “faith without works is useless.” (James 2:20 NAS)  “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26 NAS)  Thus in John 12 we fin…

• The New Birth and Water

  eing something other than baptism are modern day explanations.  While it may seem about everyone supports those views today it was not that way in the past, in fact, just the opposite. In the book entitled, The Gospel Plan of Salvation, first published in 1874, by T. W. Brents, I quote as follows:  “The religious world, with one voice, from the days of Christ until quite recently, has ascribed this language to water baptism.” (Page 490)  He goes …

• The Great Commission and Cornelius

  A great many people believe that Cornelius was saved the moment the Holy Spirit fell on him to which I disagree.  It seems to be a topic of interest so I have decided to write on the subject from a different vantage point than is usual. This is really, at its core, a discussion of whether or not water baptism is for the remission of sins as stated in Acts 2:38.  Since that is the basis of opposition every related subject such as conversion, the …

• A New Creation in Christ

  surrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him.” (Rom. 6:5-6 NKJV) These things are so simple to understand that all could see them if not blinded by prejudice.  Men say baptism has nothing to do with salvation, is not needed, man is saved without it.  Not a chance.  Look at the word “if” in this Roman passage from chapter 6 (verses two through eight) and in the 2 Tim. 2:11 passage.  President Clinton use to s…

• Was Cornelius Saved Before Baptism? (Cornelius’ Conversion)

  y bother to preach it, why did Jesus die on the cross, why the great commission?  You can read 2 Thess. 1:8-9 to see what will happen to those who do not obey the gospel.  Cornelius needed the gospel.  He was a man in need of salvation from his sins for no man is so perfect as to have never sinned.  Peter in reporting what had happened at Cornelius’ house once he gets back to Jerusalem throws more light on why Cornelius, by the angel’…

• Cornelius’ Conversion–Final Thoughts

  4:17) equals Holy Spirit baptism and vice versa is to say in reality that there is nothing to obey since only Jesus could baptize one with the Holy Spirit.  Had Cornelius obeyed the gospel? Paul said, concerning the matter of salvation in Rom. 6:17-18, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves o…

• Why Men Today Cannot Be Saved Like The Thief On The Cross?

  I recently had an individual ask the question that if baptism is essential for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) then why did not Jesus tell the rich young ruler?  (This individual does not believe what Peter taught on the subject in Acts 2 where Peter makes baptism essential to salvation.)  It is the wrong question to ask.  Why?  Because when Jesus was talking to the rich young ruler he was not talking to you and me.  The only lessons in the …

• Is Church Attendance Essential for Christian Salvation?

  Whether or not a Christian must attend church to be saved is a question of utmost importance.  There is nothing more important than one’s eternal salvation.  Where will one spend eternity?  Will it be in a place of happiness and joy where “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain” (Rev. 21:4 NKJV) or will it be in the place of torment “where ‘their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’” (Mar…

• Preaching Jesus Means Preaching Baptism–The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch

  been taught it by Philip?  Furthermore, why would he request it unless he felt some urgency about it, unless he felt there was a need? Philip taught the eunuch baptism because as Peter said on the Day of Pentecost baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) without which one cannot be saved. When Philip preached in the city of Samaria the Bible says he preached “the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ”…

• The Conversion of the Philippian Jailer

  converted Lydia (Acts 16:14-15) and also had cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, a spirit that was telling all that “these men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” (Acts 16:17 NAS)  All of this had occurred in the city before the jailing of Paul and Silas.   Secondly, it is clear the jailer felt confident that there were things that he would have to do to be saved.  I…

• Does God Really Care?

  Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV)  He has given us a time to repent, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2 NKJV)  He pleads with us.  Hear the apostle Paul, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us:  we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5…

• Christian Wars–A Misnomer

  if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (NKJV) Those in John 12:42-43 were condemned for this very failure, “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be…

• Baptized For the Dead

  hing but that is not the point I want to drive home in this article.  The point I want to make is that 1 Cor. 15:29 shows beyond any doubt that the Corinthians had been taught and firmly believed that baptism was essential to salvation or else why be baptized for the dead?  We are always looking at this verse wondering who the dead are or what the meaning is but in doing so overlook this obvious lesson.  If baptism is a meaningless thing, only a …

• Salvation (Becoming a Christian)

  Peter’s Second Gospel Sermon Peter’s Preaching and the Apostle’s Preaching Jesus as the Bread of Life Must a Man Seek God? Jesus and the Furnace of Fire Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You? Indifference – The Great Destroyer God’s Plea–On Christ’s Behalf be Reconciled to God Why You Cannot be Saved like the Thief on the Cross Bible Contradictions on Salvation How Was Noah Saved Through Water? How Doe…

• Repentance–How Can I Be Sure?

  y of Pentecost in Acts 2, the conclusion of Peter’s inspired sermon was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV)  Repentance was made essential to salvation (as was baptism unless you have a good set of scissors which many do). Who must repent?  Sinners.  “For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.  As it is written:  ‘There is non…

• The Church as the Body of Christ–Which Means What?

  an be saved without repentance, meaning he can go on and still live a life of sin and be saved, then why did Jesus shed his blood for the remission of man’s sins if sin does not matter?  Repentance is thus required of man for salvation (Acts 2:38). A third condition is a confession of Jesus with the mouth.  “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with …

• Work Out Your Own Salvation

  ing.  I did find a couple of authors whose work I took a look at.  It seemed to me like both had worked themselves almost into a state of frenzy trying to deny what the passage clearly states, that a man must work out his own salvation.  One denied the Greek was correctly translated and made his argument on that basis. Let me quote the Philippians passage to you so we will have it before us and know what it says. “Therefore, my beloved, as you ha…

• Confirmation Sunday–No Bibles Required

  a search on the word “confirmation.”   I did find it in 2 locations.  Paul spoke about “confirmation of the gospel” in Philippians 1:7 and the writer of the book of Hebrews spoke of how an “oath for confirmation” (Heb. 6:16) is for men an end of all dispute but was just making an observation about secular matters among men in order to make a greater point about the confirmation God has made to man.  Another se…

• The Kingdom of God and the New Birth–A Matter of Timing

  is kingdom.  Every Christian is a subject of the king of kings–Jesus, the Lord and Savior. Why has all of this been important beyond just being a history lesson?  Why bother writing such?  What does this have to do with salvation and the new birth? Here is the application.  When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus in John 3:3-5 he spoke of a kingdom that was yet to come.  Hear the things he said in that passage.  “Jesus answered and said to hi…

• Weak, Defiled, and Seared Consciences

  he first time one reads about a weak conscience in the New Testament is in 1 Cor. 8:7-12.  This entire chapter is devoted to the subject of eating meats offered to idols and whether or not it is acceptable in God’s eyes for a Christian to eat such meats.  One should also read 1 Corinthians 10 beginning around verse 14 through the end of the chapter on the same subject and Romans 14 also has some application even though the subject there is …

• Denominationalism’s Sin Against Peter

  bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NKJV)  He used those keys on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 for the first time, did so by preaching God’s plan of salvation for man.  I have never heard anyone argue against that point.  It is considered an established fact by all as far as I know. However, few to no denominationalists believe that what he said that day is bound in heav…

• Peter’s Second Gospel Sermon

  e of all wrongdoing this was sin and sin of the worst sort since Jesus was the Son of God.  What they had done was evil and repentance was needed. Now what is repentance?  Paul says, “Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation.” (2 Cor. 7:10 NKJV)  Thus godly sorrow precedes repentance and is not itself repentance.  Judas was sorry but did not repent in the biblical sense of the word and was not saved thus the sorrow he had was not…

• One Church—A Thing Hard to Accept

  YES THEY HAVE CLOSED, LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, LEST THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, SO THAT I SHOULD HEAL THEM.”‘  Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” (Acts 28:25-28 NKJV) Who had closed the eyes of these Jews who would not see?  Had God done it?  The text says “their eyes they have closed….

• The Kind of Faith in God That Destroys

  (1) The word “faith” and its synonyms can be and are used from time to time as a figure of speech called a synecdoche.  What is a synecdoche?  It is where one puts the part to represent the whole.  In speaking of salvation when it is said one is saved by faith and nothing else is mentioned then it is understood that faith is used in an all inclusive sense to include everything that naturally follows from the belief. In his book entit…

• Can one be Just a Christian in Christ’s Church without being in a Denomination?

  s would say it is not essential to be a member of their denomination to be saved.  Then please tell me of what earthly or heavenly good the denomination serves other than to be a divider of men?  If it is not essential to the salvation of men get rid of the thing that causes all the strife and division. The truth is the church Jesus built does still exist on this earth today without the help of any denomination.  The Bible has not lost its power….

• Christian Living

  Pray For Others Lest You Sin Is Church Attendance Essential for Christian Salvation? Are Works Essential for Christian Salvation? Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? More on Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? Ignorance Does Not Excuse Sin Never Give Up Does God Really Care? Three Benefits of Being a Christian in This Life – Hope, Love, Peace The Struggle to be a Spiritually Minded Man or Woman Fear God Regrets If Miracles Have Cease…

• Canaan and Heaven–How God Gives

  How God gives to men is not only an interesting study but also one of upmost importance as it relates to our salvation, a salvation which is clearly set forth in the scriptures as being a free gift of God to man.  “Being justified freely by is grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 3:24 NKJV)  It is by grace through faith that we are saved and not by works. (Eph. 2:8-9)  Salvation is specifically said to be “the gift of God…

• Unhappy With the Church of Christ?

  o one body.” (1 Cor. 12:13 NKJV)  We are baptized into Christ (“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.“—Gal. 3:27, NKJV) which is the same thing as being baptized into his body.  Salvation is in Christ, not outside of him, and we are baptized into him.  “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus…” (Rom. 6:3 NKJV)  Sins are only forgiven when one enters into Chr…

• Faith is Not Just What You Believe

  does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.” (1 Cor. 16:22 NKJV) Jesus again says, “why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV)  He is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Heb. 5:9 NKJV) Thus a salvation by faith without works of obedience would also be a salvation without love for God.  Faith only advocates will not have baptism as an element of salvation for …

• Receiving the Gospel (Acts 2:41)

  “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41 NAS)  In my younger days I use to hear about those preachers on tv or radio who would tell their listening audience words to the effect that if they wanted to receive Jesus and salvation just to lay their hands on top the set, say certain words in the form of a prayer, and presto–salvation.  For all I k…

• Moses, the Waters of Marah, and a Lesson for Today

  of God, that he would not lie to them, then surely they should have seen he was not about to let them die of thirst.  But, the Psalmist had this to say about them, “They did not believe in God, and did not trust in his salvation.” (Psalms 78:22 NKJV)  That was said of them at a later date in their history but was true of them basically from the beginning as their first rebellion, based on a lack of faith, was at the Red Sea (Psalms 1…

• Resource Sites

  best definition of faith I have ever read making a clear distinction between faith and opinion and then makes the application to the use of instrumental music.  If there was not a word in this pamphlet [I have it in pamphlet form] on the subject of instrumental music it would be worth its weight in gold just in the discussion on faith and opinion.) The Sonship of Christ  (Be sure and scroll down the page once you get to it.  This is an extremely…

• What is it a Man Must Believe in Order to be Saved?

  What is it a man must believe in order to be saved according to the Bible?  If salvation is dependent on faith which the Bible clearly teaches then it is essential to know what it is that the Bible teaches we must believe.  This is not a subject that is studied a whole lot for the answer seems so evident–we must believe in Jesus.  Yes, that is true, but what does that mean?  I will talk about that later in the article but there are other t…

• The Church Christ Built–Marks of Identification

  ructed to do–Acts 2:38), and were baptized for the forgiveness of sins (as instructed to do–Acts 2:38) they were then translated into the kingdom of God by God himself.  It is in that kingdom, not out of it, where salvation is found.  If saved that day, does anyone doubt that they were (?), they were that day translated into the “kingdom of the Son of his love.” (Col. 1:13 NKJV) Men do not join the church (the kingdom of God) but rath…

• Three Attitudes That Destroy the Hope of Salvation

  to contemplate. (2) Indifference.  Some synonyms for indifference would be disinterested, uninterested, unconcerned, apathetic, etc.  Many people will be lost because they do not care enough to be saved.  With this character salvation would have to fall into his lap for him to have it for he will not make a move on his own.  He is very well pleased with the “just believe in God” doctrine (having no idea what it means to believe in Go…

• God’s Hardening of the Human Heart

  n this passage it sounds like the Lord made it impossible for people to believe by blinding their eyes and hardening their hearts apart from their free will, that is he did it before and without giving them an opportunity for salvation.  If that would be the case then it would not be true that God “desires all men to be saved.” (1 Tim. 2:4 NKJV)  It would not be true that God is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Pete…

• Indifference – The Great Destroyer

  fferent toward that? Even more so what if you have a son or daughter, a husband or wife, a mother or father, a brother or sister, or a close friend who is indifferent toward God and his word and thus toward their soul’s salvation, what then? What then indeed and that is what makes the word “indifferent” such a fearful word? If God and his word are matters of no serious concern to me, if God is only going to make my top 100 list …

• Ashamed of Jesus and His Words

  rrassed or shamed by the world that ridicules faith in Jesus thus are more concerned about receiving honor from men rather than the honor that comes from God alone.  We do not speak because we do not want to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3).  We do not speak because we do not want to wield “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17 NAS)  We want to just get along.  As the saying goes there are two things y…

• Fear God

  the church at Corinth Paul speaks of their repenting.  He says, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance.” (2 Cor. 7:9 NKJV)  He goes on to say, “Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation”. (2 Cor. 7:10 NKJV)  It sounds much like repentance was a requirement for their salvation meaning, of course, that there was a period of time in which these Christians were not in a saved state.  A time when they …

• Disobedience to Jesus

  not love God does not keep his commandments?  We know it is for we have already read it in John 14:24 quoted earlier in this article.  Finally, Jesus, we are told, “became to all those who obey him the source of eternal salvation.” (Heb. 5:9 NAS)  That, of course, excludes all those who do not obey him.  To many obedience is equated with salvation by works.  They get hung up on a misunderstanding (emphasis here on misunderstanding) of…

• DennySmith.Net

  .  Most of the articles if printed out would average 3 pages or more.  Waymon has over 110 audio sermons here.  You may find things here you do not agree with especially if you are one who feels baptism is a non-essential for salvation.  I learned this the hard way by posting my articles on various article directories around the web beginning back in 2008.  Believe me when I say I heard about it.  Nevertheless, I think Peter gave awfully good adv…

• Never Give Up

  ?  Would he have been called a faithful man in the book of Hebrews as is the case?  What did Moses do? He did not quit.  He accepted his sin for what it was and went on with life.  He continued to trust in God as his hope and salvation.  This is exactly what we need to do today.  Remember Moses when things get tough in your life and follow his example. Another man I would like to deal with is David.  You know the story of David, a man the Bible s…

• Jesus the Foundation of and the Builder of the Church

  , as well as the high priest and as many as were of his family, Peter testified of Jesus saying, “This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’  Nor is there salvation in any other.” (Acts 4:11-12 NKJV)  In verse 10 Peter names Jesus as being the one of whom he speaks. Paul said of Jesus, “No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Chri…

• I Can Do All Things Through Christ

  The passage written by the apostle Paul and found in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (NKJV) is a verse I became very familiar with when our young son entered kindergarten many years ago.  Tears and fear is what we had on a regular basis that first year.  It tears a Dad and Mom’s heart out to send them off into what is for them the dark terrifying unknown when as they leave the house it is all they can d…

• Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:48)

  guage is figurative and the words spoken are spirit.  “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63 NKJV)  Jesus said, “The bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51 NKJV)  For you and I to eat of this bread, keeping in mind the language is figurative and spiritual, means simply that a man must be willing to take advantage of Christ’s de…

• Saul’s Conversion

  led immediately to baptism.  The reader and Bible student must ask himself why?   With Saul’s conversion we have the fourth such account thus far in the book of Acts with the same result each time (see earlier articles for details related to those conversions).  Verse 18 says of Saul that “he arose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18 NAS)  The reader needs to take note of some things said in earlier verses.  Jesus, in speaking to Sau…

• Philip Preaching the Gospel in Samaria

  They were baptized.  Thus we see that in the beginning of the church, of Christianity, of faith in Christ, that when the gospel was preached and believed or received it led to people being baptized.  There has to be a reason for that. Is baptism a part of the gospel?  Is it a part of the good news?  It is if it is “for the forgiveness of your sins” as per Acts 2:38.  It is if Peter preached it.  It is if Philip preached it.  It is if…

• Everlasting Life–The Believer of John 3:16

  ssage believe in him for everlasting life while later in the latter passage he says hear my words and believe in him who sent me (God the Father). Many cling to John 3:16 with the idea being that all Jesus requires of man for salvation is a belief in Jesus without ever giving any real serious thought as to how Jesus would define a believer in himself, one whose faith is sufficient to save.  They merely assume they know so every man becomes a law …

• Behold the Judge is Standing at the Door

  t against God and hope to win?  If not should we not all give consideration to the life we ought to be living?  We have today.  We ought to make use of it for “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2 NKJV)  Today is the day God will accept us if we will accept him by faith and obedience to the gospel.  But as life has well taught us today is here and gone tomorrow.  Yes, of course, today is …

• Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You?

  d the Bible says they say to Peter and the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37 NKJV) What shall we do about what?  The answer is, obviously, what do we do about sin, about forgiveness, about salvation.  Peter did not tell them there is nothing you can do; there is no preparation a man can make to meet God in judgment.  We know he did not tell them that but rather gave them an answer.  The sermon had already made…

• The Parable of the Talents–the Sin of Fear

  a profitable servant.  We are a Christian being a Christian in deed and not just in word. What is the teaching of the parable of the talents if it is not that we must go to work?  Can we by work alone go to heaven?  No way!  Salvation is always a matter of God’s grace, not man’s works, but if the parable of the talents does not teach the necessity of works along with faith for salvation I do not know what it teaches.  James says fait…

• Christ the Savior of the Body but Which One–the Matter of Timing?

  And he is the head of the body, the church.” (NKJV)  The church is thus the spiritual body of Christ which Christ will save at the last day as he is the Savior of the body.  Being a church member then is clearly essential for salvation.  However, we still have the problem of figuring out just which church it is that Christ is going to save as we have hundreds and hundreds of churches today.  Is there any help in figuring it out?  Yes, all kinds o…

• Bible Conversions

  In the book of Acts one finds the inspired apostles and evangelists going out into the world and preaching the gospel.  That statement in itself while true is misleading to a degree for if those who preached the gospel were inspired the preaching was in reality that of the Holy Spirit.  What was demanded of those being converted for salvation was being demanded not by Peter, Philip, or Paul but rather by the Holy Spirit himself. The conversion e…

• Case of Cornelius

  Was Cornelius Saved Before Baptism? The Case of Cornelius and the Holy Spirit The Great Commission and Cornelius Saved by Faith or Saved by Holy Spirit Baptism? Cornelius’ Conversion–Final Thoughts …

• Christianity and Multiculturalism

  How does Christianity relate to the concept of multiculturalism?  The answer to that depends in large part on one’s definition of multiculturalism and there are many definitions of it given as you see when you begin researching the topic.  For the purpose of this article I will define it as the idea that all cultures are of equal value, none to be judged as superior to another, that society should be oriented around groups versus a common …

• Faith in the New Testament–Different Meanings

  le Christian system, the entirety of New Testament teaching.  The best example, and one all can readily see for such a usage, is found in Jude 3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (NKJV)  The phrase “the faith” is reference for the entire g…

• Which Denomination Did Jesus Build?

  … believe in Jesus. What does it mean to believe in Jesus?  Does it mean it makes little to no difference what he taught on a subject through the inspired writers of the New Testament?  Is the idea we will believe in Jesus for salvation but we will not believe him in doctrinal teaching and it won’t matter in the least?  Is that the idea? Denominationalism by its very nature has at its core the concept that doctrine does not matter. It teache…

• Lessons for the Church from Isaiah (Chapter 1)

  rifices made as an offering for sin if made in sincerity of heart from a penitent heart, a heart that had been genuinely changed, so the pardon was conditional.  God always has given accountable man responsibility for his own salvation.  There was never a time when salvation was unconditional.  (Of course all forgiveness under the Law of Moses looked forward to the atonement for sin made by Jesus on the cross–see Heb. 9:15, 10:1-4, Rom. 3:2…

• Jesus Defines Repentance

  s it mean to repent?  Jesus tells us and we can find no higher authority on the subject than Christ himself.  Let us hear what he has said. “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.” (Luke 11:32 NKJV) The book of Jonah where we are told about this is a very short book of only 4 chapters so it is not hard to find out wh…

• The Struggle to be a Spiritually Minded Man or Woman

  is a matter of life and death.  Hear Paul, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.  Those w…

• Things People Do Not Know About the Church

  through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known.  “To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church.” (Eph. 3:9 NKJV)  Do not ever expect to learn about God or the gospel or salvation by those outside the church. (9)  The church is the household of God (Eph. 2:19), a spiritual building built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus as the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20), a holy te…

• Deeper Spiritual Understanding–How do I Acquire It?

  saved?” (Acts 16:30 NKJV)  Was he selfish in asking that question?  Am I selfish in being concerned about self?  Are you? This does not mean we would not change group A, if it is in error, if we could but we lack that power.  Salvation, in its end, is an individual matter.  That is why I am not too awfully concerned about all the religious bodies out in the world.  I am concerned about self and about individuals within my realm of influence. We a…

• Why Do Men Run From God?

  t actually is. Do we think God is unjust in condemning those who will not believe the truth and obey it?  Do we think we love more than God who gave his only begotten son on the cross to die in order to give to man a means of salvation?  Do we think we love more than Jesus who died for us all?  Do we think God is just too strict (I guarantee you many, many, many do)?  However big your heart is I can assure you it is not as big as God’s but …

• The Need to Sing in Worship

  ble has to say about singing and would like to begin with the very first time singing is mentioned in the Bible, Exodus 15:1.  The occasion was that of the time when the Red Sea had closed over Pharaoh and his troops bringing salvation to the children of Israel.  It was a time of great relief, of joy and happiness, and thanksgiving.  The Bible says Moses and the children of Israel sang and then gives the words of the song as found in Ex. 15:1-18….

• Jesus and the Furnace of Fire

  living a faithful obedient life, for determining what is and is not sin, ceases to be what the book, chapter, and verse of the Bible teaches and becomes instead the feeling in the heart.  That feeling becomes the standard for salvation and the word of God is cast aside.  Commandments no longer matter and especially if they prove inconvenient or troublesome. I love God.  I will be saved.  How do you know?  My heart tells me so.  Just as long as yo…

• Without Natural Affection and Covenant Breakers

  t all comes down to a matter of our wills.  Do we want to be known as the man or woman who lacked natural affection or the man or woman who truly loved his/her family deeply?  It is a matter of personal choice just as much as salvation is.  Natural affection goes with salvation as much as the lack of it goes with condemnation. Love is a choice.  I cannot emphasize that too much.  Love is a choice and remember we are talking here about natural aff…

• Hypocrites in the Church

  entance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation.” (2 Co 7:8-10 NASU) When we say we will have nothing to do with hypocrites we are really saying we have no concern about them; we do not love them as people; let them go to hell; I don’t care.  Love do…

• He Feared

  th.  We some how convince ourselves that we can disobey God and yet be saved which is another way of saying we do not believe what God has said.  To quote the Hebrew writer, speaking of Jesus, “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9 NKJV)  We either believe that or we do not. But who was the man whose fear led him to sin and unfaithfulness?  The apostle Peter’s faith failed him 3 times out of fear.  He walked…

• Are the New Testament Scriptures Alone a Sufficient Guide to Heaven?

  spired men.  The Bible says the word was confirmed as the apostles went out everywhere, “the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” (Mark 16:16 NKJV) The Hebrew writer says salvation (speaking of the word of salvation) “began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of t…

• Saved by Jesus Outside the Church?

  It is not uncommon to hear people express their opinion that organized religion (the church) has nothing to do with salvation.  All that matters it is said is whether or not one has a personal relationship with Jesus. I do not know where this “personal relationship with Jesus” language came from for if you type in the phrase in any online Bible concordance you will not get a single return for the phrase is manmade and not found in sc…

• God’s Willingness to Forgive–King Manasseh

  e want to see him punished.  He deserves it. However, if we are honest we all know the Bible teaches us that we all deserve it.  We deserve a beating (using the word figuratively), we deserve to be punished, we do not deserve salvation, and we ought to be punished for our sins.  “There is none righteous, no, not one.”  (Rom. 3:10 NKJV) As bad as Manasseh’s sin was I ask you can it beat this that is found in Hebrews ten?  Beginning in verse 26 the…

• Non-Offensive Christianity

  make a decision.  What will it be?  Will we go with God and his word or will we go with the majority of men?  Will we offend God or will we offend man for that is what it comes down to? No matter how much you and I desire the salvation of all men we do not desire it any more than God does.  God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV)  He “desires all men to be saved and …

• The Army of the Lord–the Church

  for the faith. One of the great failings of Christian understanding is to fail to understand that until the heart is pricked with the sword of the Spirit (and someone has to wield it) there can be no repentance, no seeking of salvation, and no turning from error to truth.  You may hurt a man’s feelings for a day yet save his soul for eternity.  Until a man is convicted of the truth in his heart, the truth of his own sin, of his own error, the tru…

• The Wicked Shall be Turned into Hell

  is his sad state. It does not matter that the crowd applauded him while he lived for his love and tolerance of what others who know the Bible call sin.  No matter he was willing to accept all religions as being equal roads to salvation.  No matter he would never speak an evil word against any sin and was thus entirely nonjudgmental.  None of that matters for he who justifies the wicked is himself an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 17:15 NKJV).  A …

• When did Obedience Become Legalism?

  We seem to be living in a time in the present Christian era where people seem to feel that all that matters in Christianity is love and God’s grace, that obedience is simply legalism, and that people do not have to obey Bible commands for salvation (except, of course, for the command to believe in Jesus as the Savior). Grace is made cheap.  Live as you like, call yourself a Christian, and God’s grace will cover you.  It is said it is what is in …

• The Lord’s Supper as a Part of a Larger Meal–Right or Wrong?

  is partaken of in remembrance of Jesus, “do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:24 NKJV) The Lord’s Supper is the antitype of the Passover. The Passover meal was a remembrance of an event that brought physical salvation. The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of an event that brought spiritual salvation. The Passover meal was a major meal. There was to be a lamb for a household (Exodus 12:3 ESV). It was to be eaten with unleavened bre…

• Instrumental Music in Christian Worship–Is it God’s Will?

  I am sure there are millions of people who call themselves Christians who have never given the subject of instrumental music in Christian worship a thought.  It is just taken for granted that it is a part of acceptable worship to God.  I suspect even most of us who were raised in a religious setting where instruments were never used in worship wondered about it at one point in time or another.  Was it really wrong to use them in worship and if s…

• Faith

  o God the Father I Can Do All Things Through Christ If Miracles Have Ceased–the Implications Faith, Works, and Baptism Abel’s Sacrifice by Faith versus Cain’s Sacrifice Abraham’s Faith (Faith Accounted for Righteousness) The Faith of Enoch Moses, the Waters of Marah, and a Lesson for Today Everlasting Life–The Believer of John 3:16 (This is a different article than the John 3:16 article above.) What Must a Man Believ…

• Faith Based On Deception–Gen. 37:31-33

  Gen. 37:31-33, “So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, ‘We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?’ And he recognized it and said, ‘It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.’” (…

• They Loved the Praise of Men

  Most of us given a choice would like to be well thought of and spoken well of for our life and beliefs rather than to be reviled, criticized, and despised.  This is natural and easily understood but there is danger that this natural desire lead us into sin.  When one gets to the point where he cares more about what people think than what God thinks and what God commands he is in trouble, in trouble with the Lord and Savior. In studying the subje…

• The Sin of Being Unthankful and the Need for Thanksgiving

  and understanding of what all he has done for us, including the sacrifices that have been made for us, the longsuffering with us, the patience, the loving kindness.  We have learned how much he yearns for us and longs for our salvation and desires us to be with him in eternity.  We have learned of heaven and mansions prepared there for you and me.  God’s expressions of love for us through these things begin to change us if we will allow it….

• Spiritual Mirages

  , and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (NKJV) The Jews of Jeremiah’s day were attributing God’s goodness and longsuffering to them, meant for their repentance and salvation, to blessings from the idol they were worshipping–the queen of heaven.  Whether that particular idol had or took the form of an image makes little difference.  While we do not worship idols today, save in a v…

• Must the Christian Keep the Sabbath?

  tinue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” (Gal. 3:10 NKJV)  Thus one cannot have part of the Sabbath law, part of the Law of Moses, and ignore the rest if that is where he is seeking his salvation.  The Law of Moses, of which the Sabbath was a part, is over; it is gone; it is done. “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘The just shall live by faith.’  …

• More on Willful Sin—Can Anyone be Saved?

  0;Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.   For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation…

• Sin

  Honestly Deceived The Pleasures of Sin Better to Have Never Been Born Jesus and the Furnace of Fire Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? More on Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? Three Attitudes That Destroy the Hope of Salvation Disobedience to Jesus Must a Man Seek God Indifference – The Great Destroyer Looking Down Your Nose Ghost Hunting and Consulting the Dead Christianity, Homosexuality, and Gay Marriage The Wicked Shall be Tu…

• The Faith of Enoch

  oing so we would be walking with God and pleasing God as Enoch did.  Much of Christendom is today guilty of disbelief while calling it faith.  Faith is more than just what is in your mind.  The faith that leads to one’s salvation is coupled with obedience and cannot be uncoupled.  You obey because you believe, you disobey because you disbelieve or just do not believe strongly enough to obey. Now what is it that must be believed if one is to…

• The Need to Preach on Sin

  going to have to pay for my sin in doing so. No man will repent unless and until he knows he needs to repent.  Men must be made to feel the guilt of sin if they are to be converted.  “Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted.” (2 Cor. 7:10 NKJV)  It is the job of the church and every member to help bring godly sorrow into the lives of men and women who are involved in sin.  They need to know what the Bible sa…

• Must a Man Seek God?

  nal standards and society’s standard).  They do not concern themselves with reading or studying the Bible, with worship, or obedience to God’s specific commandments. Whether they realize it or not this approach to salvation is an attempt to be saved by the works of man–it is an attempt to work your way to heaven based on personal goodness.  It reminds me of Rom. 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, …

• A Heart Right With God (Test Your Heart)

  u will find the heart of God, the heart that is right in God’s sight.  Jesus had the same attitude toward the word of God while on earth.  What commandment did he ever call a little thing or say it makes no difference to your salvation?  You will hunt 10,000 years and come up empty in searching the pages of the Bible if you are looking for a man after God’s own heart who did not deeply treasure the word of God (every word) and obey it as fanatica…

• Regrets

  ot fully accept one another with all of our faults of the past and count them as but nothing (the assumption being we have repented and turned to God)?  We have all sunk our own boat and all of us are reaching up to Jesus for salvation.  We are all hoping with Christian expectation that Jesus will reach out his hand to us as he did to Peter when Peter was sinking in the water he had been walking on.  Only Jesus can save us. The past is the past b…

• The Parable of the 10 Virgins–7 Lessons

    “You do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 NKJV)  “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2 NKJV)  When Noah built the ark and entered therein God shut the door. (Gen. 7:16 NKJV)  That door when shut remained shut.  We need to act today before our doors are shut never to open again. The 5 fo…

• Israel’s Rebellion at the Red Sea

  Does God lie?  They did not trust him. It seems they were on the verge of waving a white flag and trying to make peace with the Egyptians and return to slavery.  They feared for their lives so that would have seemed a form of salvation to them.  They were ready to give up on God. Here is another lesson we can get out of this.  God does things in his own time.  He could have shown them the way of escape before he did so they would not have panicke…

• Forgiveness

  God’s Willingness to Forgive–King Manasseh Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? More on Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? The Need to Preach on Sin The Peace Found in the Forgiveness of Others Audio Sermons (by Waymon Swain) Forgiveness Contacting the Blood of Salvation No Condemnation Is Your Name Written There? The Goodness and Severity of God Are You Ready? …

• Who is the Believer in John 3:16?

  n admits as much for in its side margin notes it has “Or, believe” even though it translates in the text itself “does not obey.” So, what do we learn from John 3:36?  Simple!  To believe in the Son for salvation (as per John 3:16) means one believes the Son enough to be persuaded by him to obey what he says.  So we see again, looking at it from the perspective of another verse in the same chapter, that it is he who is R…

• Repent–How Hard It Is To Do

  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 NKJV)  True, but the gospel is not good news unless it can be obeyed and salvation obtained.  That means that part of what was veiled to these people who did not believe was their need for repentance.  Who was hiding it from them?  The god of this world. Finally, in closing, I add this.  Human pr…

• Abraham’s Faith (Faith Accounted for Righteousness)

  required more must be believed and obeyed. Abraham was a saved man before he was required to sacrifice Isaac but what if he had failed to believe God and obey God when the command to offer Isaac was given?  A man can lose his salvation.  Our faith must always be strong enough to lead us to obedience to what we know God has commanded if it is to be accounted to us for righteousness.  Faith that will not obey is not saving faith.     &nbs…

• Faith, Manna, and Grumbling Against God

  ing their Savior nor did they throughout the course of their earthly lives.  They did not trust him for deliverance.  They were grumbling and complaining.  The lack of faith will do that to a man who does not trust in God for salvation. After the end of the crisis at the Red Sea they came to be in want of drinking water at Marah and the Bible says, “the people grumbled at Moses.” (Ex. 15:24 NASB)  Since Moses was merely God’s ma…

• Mt. Sinai and the Day of Judgment

  race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7 NKJV)  We never know when we are about to finish the race but we can know before death that we have fought the good fight and have kept the faith and thus have the assurance of salvation.  We need not fear God as long as we are walking in the light but the fear of God ought to keep us walking in that light. (2) Another lesson we can learn from this account is that fear itself will not keep man in t…

• Honestly Deceived

  note–I do not say that either the young prophet or Eve were doomed for they both may well have repented and sought forgiveness prior to their deaths that is not recorded.  God only knows that.  I do know, however, their salvation [if such there was] was not and is not the message God wants you and me to get out of the stories of what happened to them.  That much is obvious to all.) Was God fair to the prophet from Judah and to Eve seeing as…

• The Peace Found in Forgiveness of Others

  is the question in the old gospel hymn we have sung since the days of my childhood which is now many decades past.  It is the question, “Why do you wait o sinner?”  “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2 NKJV)  There is peace in forgiving and in being forgiven.                 …

• Demas Has Forsaken Me

  nd occasional reader of the word of God and be strong in the faith.  It does not work that way. Paul, in writing to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:15 NAS), speaks of “the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” We must believe what Jesus told us.  We must believe there is a reward awaiting us.  “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who dil…

• The Prodigal Son–When He Came to Himself

  they can brag about for its worldly success, are seldom going to repent and answer the gospel call.  It often takes some real adversity in life to see a need for God. A man must feel a need for God before he will seek God and salvation.  The prodigal was forced into a situation where his need became overwhelming.  David was confronted with a prophet sent from God and that he was sent from God directly David did not doubt for a minute. What is wro…

• Who Gets to Decide–God or the Church?

  the Bible and the New Testament is it any wonder we have come to the point where church legislative bodies get to make law and then call it the law of God?  These people pass themselves off as great men of faith and emphasize salvation by faith all the while having no faith in the word of God.  Yeah, I know what Paul said about women preachers.  So what?  We know better today.  Get out of the way for WE are now making the law for God.  That is th…

• Did Christ Rise From the Dead or is Faith Folly?

  but it will be too late to make a difference with most.  If you are reading this it is not too late to turn to God today but the time will come when it will be for, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2 NKJV)     …