"But thou hast fully known my doctrine ... continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:10, 14-15)
Statement of Faith
The Bible
We believe that the Bible as originally written is the infallible and verbally inspired Word of God; that it is preserved in the Masoretic Text (OT Hebrew) and Textus Recepticus (NT Greek) from which it is translated into the languages of the world; that it is complete in the 66 books contained therein, 39 books in the OT and 27 in the NT; that the Scriptures are the ultimate authority and only rule for Christian living, faith, practice and doctrine; that the Scriptures have given us everything pertaining to life and godliness and instruction in righteousness; that the Scriptures are interpreted to the individual believer by the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 30:5-6, Psalm 12:6-7; 19:7-11; Psalm 119:89, 2Peter 1:16-21, 2Tim. 3:16-17, Rev. 22:18-19, 2Peter 2:3.
The Trinity
We believe that there is only One, Living, and True God, an infinite Spirit; that within the unity of the Godhead there are three eternally existent Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; inexpressibly Holy, equal as to deity, substance, nature, power, authority, and glory; each having His individual identity and separate responsibilities in the plan of redemption; each having an active role in the creation of heaven and earth; who are worthy to receive all possible glory and honor. Deut. 6:4, Gal. 3:20, Isaiah 44:6; 45:22, 1John 5:1-8, Matthew 28:19, Genesis 1:1-2, 26, Isaiah 40:12-31.
The Father
We believe that God the Father is the first person set forth in the Divine Trinity; that He is almighty, merciful, and just; that He is holy, righteous, and true; that He is eternally existent, glorious in nature, possessing the attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence; and that He, in harmony with His divine office, loves, provides, and protects, thus exercising providential watchcare over the sons of men, and especially a fatherly care over the children of God. We believe that He sent His Beloved Son into the world to be the saviour of mankind, and that He saves from sin death and hell, all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:19, Gen. 17:1, Matt. 19:26, Ps. 19:9, Isa. 6:3, Ps. 100:5, Prov. 15:3, Ps. 139:1-6, 13-14, Ps. 103:13, Matt. 6:25-30, Matt. 10:29-31, Matt. 7:11.
The Son
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; that he was begotten of the Holy Ghost; the Only begotten of the Father; born of a virgin; that He is the promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world; God manifest in the flesh, whose body was prepared for him; that in Him dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily, fully God, yet fully man, who humbled himself and was made in the likeness of men; that he was tempted in like manner as we are yet without sin, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. John 1:1-14, Romans 9:5, Heb. 1:8, Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:14, Gal. 4:4, 1Tim. 3:16, Heb. 10:5, John 4:42; 10:30-36; 14:9-10, 1John 4:14, Acts 4:12, Colossians 2:9, Philip. 2:6-11, Hebrews 4:15, 2:9.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and God the Son, and is of the same nature; that He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts the world of sin righteousness and judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent of the New Birth, who seals, guides, teaches, witnesses, endues, intercedes for, and sanctifies the believer; that He indwells the believer eternally when they receive Jesus Christ as Saviour, and bestows spiritual gifts upon them; that all regenerated people are baptized by the Holy Ghost into the Body of Christ the moment they receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Acts 5:3-4, Heb. 9:14, 2Thes. 2:6-8, 13, 1Thes 1:5, John 16:7-15; 3:3; 14:16-17, 26, 2Cor. 1:20-22, Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30, 1Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20; 12:12-13.
Creation
We believe that all members of the Godhead were active in the creation; that the Genesis account is literal, and that evolution is totally false; that He created everything out of nothing for His own pleasure and purpose about 6000 years ago. Genesis 1-3, Rev. 4:11, Col. 1:16-17
The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan, otherwise known as the dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil, the accuser of the brethren, our deadly adversary, who deceiveth the whole world, is himself a creature, a created angel, and fallen; that he is the unholy god of this age, the author of evil, the father of lies, and destined for eternal judgment in the lake of fire; that he has an army of demons who work against God and his people; that he is a deceiver, and some of his devices include signs and wonders, and the mixing of truth and error, introducing the most notorious falsehoods and errors; that he is able to transform himself into an angel of light. Therefore, every experience and teaching must be examined in the light of the Word of God to determine its true source. Rev. 12:9, Ezek. 28:11-19, Isaiah 14:12-17, 2Cor. 4:4, Rev. 20:10, Eph. 6:12, 1Peter 5:8, John 8:44, 2Thes. 2:9, 2Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15.
Man
We believe that the first man, Adam, was created after Gods own image and in his likeness, upright, holy and innocent, capable of serving and glorifying Him; but he, voluntarily sinning, fell, and came short of the glory of God; and all his posterity sinned in him, not only by nature, but by deed; and a corrupt nature derived to all his offspring, the guilt of whose sin is imputed, and are by their first birth carnal and unclean, dead in trespasses and sins, disinclined to do any good, and prone to every sin; and are by nature children of wrath; children of disobedience; and are therefore under the just condemnation of a Holy God, which is death, not only physical and spiritual but an eternal death, as considered in the first Adam, fallen and sinners; from which there is no deliverance but by Christ the second Adam. Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12-21, Eph. 2:1-3, Romans 6:23, 1Cor. 15:21-22.
Sin
We believe that sin is universal among mankind, and that there is none that doeth good, and sinneth not, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness. On account of sin, death entered in and man became desperately depraved and alienated from God; through sin all of the creation came under the curse of God and now the whole of creation groans and travails in pain until now, waiting for the redemption. The exceeding wickedness of sin and the fruit which it yields is horrendously devastating beyond comprehension that mere words fail to tell of its evil; it resulting in the fall of man and his separation from God, as He hates sin, and is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and can not look upon iniquity, as he is the Most Holy God. Romans 3:10, 23, Ecc. 7:20, 1John 5:19, Ezek. 18:4, Jer. 17:9, Romans 8:22-23; 7:13, Heb. 1:9, Hab. 2:4
Salvation
We believe that salvation is wholly of God, wholly of grace, through the Mediatorial office of Jesus Christ the Son of God; that by his substitutionary death made full vicarious atonement, the Just dying for the unjust, the spotless Lamb dying in the place of the sinner, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree, who became cursed for us, smitten of God, and afflicted, tasting death for every man; that being buried, He rose again from the dead, declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the ressurection from the dead; that He, ascending into heaven, is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us daily as our Mediator, High Priest and Advocate. He is the fully qualified and all sufficient Saviour, who is mighty to save all who will do nothing more nor less than believe the gospel and come to him through faith alone, and put their trust only in Him. 1Tim. 2:5, 1Peter 1:18-19; 2:24; 3:18, Gal. 3:13-14, Isaiah 53, Heb. 2:9; 1:3; 8:1; 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Acts 13:33, Romans 1:4; 8:34, Acts 5:31, Eph. 1:13.
We believe that salvation is wrought via the New Birth; that a sinner must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous, not a process; that one being dead in trespasses and sin, upon faith in Christ Jesus, receives from God the free gift of everlasting life; that it is brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth; Our position becomes in Christ Jesus in whom we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. John 3:3, 2Cor. 5:17, John 5:24, 2Thes. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:23-25, Eph. 1:3.
We believe that the justification of the believer is by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone, without any consideration of any works of righteousness done by them; that the pardon of all their sins, past, present, and future is only through the blood of Christ, according to the riches of his grace; that Christ obtained eternal redemption by the shedding of his blood, which is the precise object of saving faith, and upon faith in Christ and his finished work, they are imputed with the righteousness of Christ. Eph. 2:8-9; 1:7, John 5:24, Heb. 9:12, 22, 25, Heb. 10:10-14, 18, Romans 3:19-26; 4:2-5; 5:1, 8-9, 2Cor. 5:21, Titus 3:5-7, Philip. 3:9.
We believe that the adding of works, baptism, the sacraments, keeping the commandments, or any other condition placed upon man in order to obtain God's free gift of salvation by faith alone in the person and finished works of Christ results in "another gospel" which is under God's curse. Romans 1:16, 1Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 23-24; 15:1-4, Acts 16:30-31, Gal. 1:6-10, Mt. 25:41.
Eternal Security
We believe in the eternal security of all true believers in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Once a person has been born again into the family of God, and has become a new creature, created in Christ Jesus, he can never lose that new relationship in the family of God which is based on Christ's imputed righteousness and not his own, resulting in eternal life, which if can be lost is not life eternal. He is now said to be a Christian which can not be undone, for the Holy Spirit abides within with the believer for ever and he is sealed thereby unto the day of redemption when he will be glorified.
Christ not only saved us, but has the power to keep us saved. Once the believer is in Christ, they shall never perish for none can pluck the redeemed sinner out of the hand of the Saviour. He intercedes for us, praying that our faith will not fail, and is promised by His Father that He should loose nothing.
Sin in the life of a believer affects his fellowship with the Father, not his sonship. While the believer may suffer the chastening hand of the Father, and the possible loss of reward, Salvation can never be lost, for we are kept by the power of God. John 10:27-30; 6:37-40; 14:16-17, 1John 1:5-7; 5:9-13, Romans 8:29-39, Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30, 1Cor. 11:32, Heb. 12:5-11, Rev. 3:19, 1Cor. 3:8-15, 1 Peter 1:15
Heaven and Hell
We believe in Heaven, the place of eternal blessedness in the presence of God for the believer; and of Hell, the place of eternal torment and suffering of the wicked whose names are not found written in the Book of Life. These remain wicked, filthy, and unjust in His sight and under the curse whose end is everlasting conscious torment in the Lake of Fire, wherein is wailing and gnashing of teeth, which burns with fire and brimstone, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of his glory. We can offer no hope to those outside of Christ Jesus, who know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 16:11, 2Thes. 1:8-9, Mt. 25:41,46; 13:42, Mark 3:29; 9:43-48, Isaiah 30:33, Rev. 14:11; 22:11, Luke 16:27.
The Bodily Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of the dead, both of the just, and the unjust; that the just shall be raised incorruptible, when this mortal shall put on immortality, and death swallowed up in victory. This is the first resurrection in which the souls of the dead in Christ are reunited with their glorified body from the grave; that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead, at his appearing and at his kingdom. At this time the saved will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive that which was done in the body whether it be good or bad, which will be the basis of reward or loss thereof. We believe that the wicked dead will also be raised up and judged at the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennial reign of Christ; that they will be judged according to their works by which no man can be saved, then cast into the Lake of Fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, which is the Second death. Acts 24:15, 1Cor. 15:51-57, Rev. 20:4-6, 2Tim. 4:1, 2Cor. 5:8-11, Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8, John 5:25-29, Daniel 12:1-2.
The Change of the Living in Christ
We believe in the rapture, or the catching away of the Bride of Christ to meet the Lord in the air; that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. We believe that this event to be imminent, that it is the Blessed Hope of all believers throughout this present dispensation; that we are to be waiting, watching, and looking with great anticipation for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, at which time the redemption of the body will be complete. Philip. 3:20-21, 1Thes. 5:14-28, Titus 2:13, 1John 3:2.
The Second Coming
We believe in the premillenial, pretribulational, imminent return of our Lord, in the air, to receive his Bride; that after seven years (Jacob's Trouble, Great Tribulation, Daniels 70th Week) He will return to the earth with his saints to save Israel from annihilation at the Battle of Armageddon, at which time all Israel shall be saved. Rev. 3:10, 1Thes. 3:13, Jude 1:14, Rev. 19:14, Zech. 14:5; 12:9-10; 13:1, Romans 11:25-27, Acts 1:6; 15:14-17.
The Millennial Reign
We believe in a literal Millennial reign of Jesus Christ upon the throne of his father David, in which he will reign in righteousness, and his saints with him. 2Sam. 7:8-19, 1Chr. 17:11-14, Luke 1:31-33, Acts 2:29-30, Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10; 35:1-6, Rev. 20:1-7.
The Holy Spirit and the Body of Christ
We believe that the one true church is the body of Christ which consists of all those who have recieved Christ as Lord and Saviour; that it is not a particular denomination or building; that the church has one head which is Jesus Christ the Lord. We believe that all born again believers, that is, those who are regenerated, are baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit at their conversion, the moment they receive Christ as Saviour; that at the moment they believe the Holy Spirit indwells them and abides with them forever. We do not believe that the Baptism of the Spirit is repeatable, nor that it is a subsequent act of faith evidenced by speaking in tongues, nor that it is some so-called second blessing apart from salvation. We believe that the Filling of the Spirit is for those who are Baptized of the Spirit, and Indwelt by Him. We believe that the Filling of the Spirit has to do with the believers walk, in yielding to the Lord, recognizing the reality of his position in Christ Jesus, and is a repeatable daily experience. Contrary to this one may grieve the Spirit or quench the Holy Spirit through disobedience and yielding to the flesh. Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23, Col. 1:18, 24, John 1:12-13, 1Cor. 12:12-13, John 14:16-20, 1Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20, Eph. 5:18
The Church and its Mission
We believe the local church to be an independent assembly of believers, void of hierarchy which God hates; that within the church all are to be born again believers in Christ, who consist of the universal priesthood with the one High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ; that the leadership should be godly leaders, Elders, Pastors or Bishops, (which are one in the same), seasoned in the faith. We believe the Lord instituted two ordinances, believers baptism by immersion after conversion, symbolizing the believers identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, 1Peter 3:21, Romans 6:3-5; and the Lord's Supper, which memorial is to be continued till he comes, 1Cor. 11:23-29. We believe the church mission is to be evangelistic in the spread of the Gospel into all of the world, Mt. 28:18-20; that they are to strive together in one spirit, with one mind, for the faith of the Gospel, whose duty is to embrace, defend, proclaim and maintain the purity of doctrine and practice, and worship and serve the Lord in spirit and truth.
As to our conversation in the world and the church, it ought to be as becometh
the Gospel of Christ, void of offense towards God and men, by living soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present evil world; that in our church
communion, we ought to walk with each other in all humility and brotherly love;
to watch each others conversation; to stir up one another to love and good
works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together; and when the case
requires, to warn, rebuke, and admonish one another, according to the Word of
God; that we ought to bear one anothers weaknesses, failings, and infirmities,
and particularly to pray for one another, to the edification and comfort of one
anothers souls; which duties we desire to be found in the performance of,
through the gracious assistance of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4: 4-6 is pretty plain on instructions given by the Holy Spirit to Paul in the letter to the Ephesian christians: one baptism: Mat_28:19 Rom_6:3-4 1Co_12:13 Gal_3:26-28 Heb_6:6 1Pe_3:2 (Hebrews - Acts of Faith of our forefathers - Jews - shows each and every one of those who were obedient to God, had to DO something). Besides, the Great Commission was Jesus' Command to the disciples before he left into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father - it cannot and should not be left out of any conversion to Christ Jesus through His word. Amen
The "one baptism" is the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" that brings us into the union with the Body of Christ which is the Church. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13) Water baptism is simply an outward show of an inward reality. Water baptism is not necessary for salvation, else the thief on the cross and all the patriarchs of the Old Testament would be lost. There is only one condition for salvation and that is faith in the good work of Jesus Christ on the cross for sinners.
It is not our obedience to keeping any ordinance or commandment that saves us, for we have already sinned and failed so many times, falling short of the glory of God and thereby guilty of death. The payment for sin is not good works but death, and this is why Jesus went to the cross to pay the price of our sins.
"For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:17-21)
It is not our performance that saves us, not in part or in whole, It is what Jesus did on our behalf, the spotless Lamb who lived a sinless life, and therefore could offer up His life as a sacrifice for sinners, and all He calls lost sinners to do for salvation is to believe on Him.
"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:30-31) And even after salvation, we still sin occasionally, but now we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. When we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, God does not put us on probation, and if we slip up we are cast into hell, NO! For we are given as a free gift Everlasting Life. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) You can't work for it, you can not pay for it, as it was paid in full by Jesus Christ. "It is finished" (John 19:30).
Noel, Thank you for bringing clarity to this. I will be following up with more questions soon.
Hello, I need an indepth explanation in the difference between faith and belief. Are the two the same. Struggling with the biblical definitions. Thank you
Hello Isaac,
The words "Faith" and "belief" come from the same Greek word, pistis. While pistis is almost always translated "faith", it is also translated one time as "belief" as follows, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and BELIEF of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
Saving faith always has as its object "the truth" of the "gospel". The precise object of saving faith is in the shed blood of Christ for sinners (Romans 3:24-26). The "gospel" reads as follows, "how 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 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Faith is a confident trust, it is what we believe, and is our belief. Now faith is only mentioned twice in the OT (Deuteronomy 32:20; Habakkuk 2:4). Habakkuk tells us, "the just shall live by his faith". Paul quotes this verse in the book of Romans, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by FAITH." (Romans 1:16-17) It is interesting to note that the Greek word for faith (pistis) has the same root word as believe (pisteuo), so we can see the close relationship between believing and faith. Again, when it comes to salvation, both are connected to the gospel of Christ.
The first time believe is mentioned in the Bible, it is concerning Abraham, the father of the faithful (Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:6-8). "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:16) The apostle Paul spent much time in Romans chapters 3 and 4 dealing with faith and justification. It would do you well to familiarize yourself with these two chapters. Herein He speaks of the faith and belief of Abraham. "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." (Romans 4:19-21)
Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith". Abraham and Sarah's bodies were both dead as far as reproduction was concerned. Yet God promised that many nations would proceed from him, and in his Seed (Galatians 3:16), all nations would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). Sarah's womb was but a tomb, but Abraham was strong in faith, he believed God, that He would bring life from the dead, That out of that tomb would rise the Seed that would bless all nations.
And this is the same "word of FAITH, which we preach; 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. For with the heart man BELIEVETH unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)
Yes, faith is trusting that what God has said is true. Believe is putting that faith into action. God knows your heart.
Would you make a clear statement as to the difference between baptism and salvation . There are a large number of people who teach that baptism is a part of salvation. Thanks
Hello Everett,
Baptism is mentioned in the last paragraph under the heading Salvation:
We believe that the adding of works, baptism, the sacraments, keeping the commandments, or any other condition placed upon man in order to obtain God's free gift of salvation by faith alone in the finished works of Christ results in "another gospel" which is under God's curse. Romans 1:16, 1Cor. 1:17, 18, 21, 23, 24; 15:1-4, Acts 16:30-31, Gal. 1:6-10, Mt. 25:41.
How can you say baptism isn't a necessary act of believers when it was a direct command by Jesus, before he left the disciples TO DO? There are about 54 different translations that state that baptism is "for the remission of sins". If not necessary, why is it in there? James talks about "works and faith", "faith and works", and yet it is a work of God - to be pleasing to Him. A command. Paul was baptized, the Ethiopian Eunuch, and the list goes on, "added to the church" by God. So, if Jesus stated that in Mark 16:15-16 that (as a command) we would be condemned for not believing (which you must do first) and (conjunction) be baptized to be saved, why would anyone take it out of context to say it's an unnecessary "work"? I suppose all the Christians in the Book of Acts were wrong to submit to the Command of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, (Col.2:12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.). Jesus' commands should not be overlooked for salvation or we will be overlooked because his blood doesn't cover us. Rom. 6:3-4.
Hello Mike. There are many commandments that believers should obey. But salvation does not come by keeping commandments. There is only one requirement for salvation and that is faith. As for baptism, yes, it is good that believers follow every commandment that we see in the Bible. But salvation is not dependent on us keeping any commandment, it is based solely on Christ's obedience to the death of the cross, burial and His resurrection. If baptism is a requirement for salvation then the thief on the cross is in hell, and so are all the Old Testament believers.
But God does not change, neither does His mode of salvation which is faith. Lost sinners are saved when they believe the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). "In whom ye also TRUSTED, after that ye heard the word of truth, THE GOSPEL of your SALVATION: in whom also after that YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Believers should do good works, and some are better at it than others, especially those who are more mature in their faith. And some of Satan's ministers put believers to shame (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). But good works are not the basis for salvation, it is faith, believing the gospel. "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
"Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but by the FAITH of Jesus Christ, even we have BELIEVED in Jesus Christ, that we might be JUSTIFIED BY THE FAITH of Christ, and NOT by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall NO flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
You also need to understand that Paul is not contradicting James when he says, "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:1-5)
You need to understand that Abraham was justified by faith in Genesis 15:6, and the incident of offering up Isaac did not take place till some 20-30 years later, where he proved his faith by his works. You need to understand that James is writing to believers who were already saved, and that faith can only be seen by our fellow man through the life an individual lives as he grows in maturity in Christ as Abraham. In this sense he thereby may be justified before his follow man. The trial that Abraham had in this one act concerning his son Isaac proved his faith, and was justified by God in the sense of vindication. When Abraham had his many failures in life, he did not become unjustified before God. He did not loose his salvation, but rather reaped the consequences of his faltering faith that we all have in our walk with God as His children. Abraham's justification by faith back in Genesis 15:6 became abundantly clear in his trial with Isaac, for Abraham believed the promises concerning Isaac, and that God would raise him from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19).
Our salvation is not based on our work, but the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross on behalf of sinners, "But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6)
I pray this helps.
If you know that His church started on the Day of Pentecost, you are correct. If you know that Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom on this Day, you are correct (Matthew 16:19). If you know that ALL conversions were made through baptism or not, consider each conversion example:
a. Pentecost (Acts 2:36-47)
b. Samaritans (Acts 8:12)
c. Simon (Acts 8:13)
d. Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39)
e. Cornelius (Acts 10:47-48)
f. Lydia (Acts 16:14-15)
g. Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:30-33)
h. Corinthians (Acts 18:8)
i. Saul (Acts 22:10-16)
The Great Commission was just that - a Command of Jesus - if baptism is not essential (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16: John 3:1-7; it's Jesus' authority) then, anything else is man's tradition and denominational creeds.
@Mike and all those who think baptism is necessary for salvation: There are at least SEVEN baptisms found in the Bible. Not every verse that mentions baptism automatically means "fully immersed in water."
1) The baptism of Moses (1 Corinthians 10:1-3)-the Hebrews identifying with Moses and his deliverance.
2) The baptism of John (Mark 1:4)-for those who heeded his message of the coming Messiah
3) The baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17)-His identifying with humanity
4) The baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11-12)-Jesus' judgment of the world and of it's sin and disobedience to the gospel
5) The baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:13)-the baptism that saves and seals us
6) The baptism of the cross, also called the baptism of suffering (Mark 10:35-39)-Jesus's suffering on the cross and our suffering for His name's sake
7) The baptism of believers (Matthew 28:19)-identifying with Christ and His church
Dear ones in Christ,
This is difficult, God-glorifying work. Thank you for holding forth the Word of God in a manner that magnifies the attributes of our God who is purest Light and Love (1 John 1:5; 4:8). He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Calvinism so distorts the image of our holy, loving God who was compelled by His love taste death for EVERY man (Hebrews 2:9) in order to bring the remedy for our sin by the sacrifice of Himself for us ALL (Isaiah 53:5,6). Only those who CHOOSE to refuse Him (Proverbs 1:23-32) will forfeit the salvation that He purchased by our Savior's death, suffering, and resurrection. I thank the Lord for your ministry.
In the service of our God and Savior, David
I'm curious how people can have such a staunch view rejecting Calvinism yet hold so tightly to one of it's main doctrines, the eternal security of the believer. How can folks claim Calvinism isn't true (which i agree it is a false doctrine) but yet assert that a doctrine derived directly from Calvinism/Augustinian theology. Eternal security erodes the free will of mankind just as much as any other doctrine of Calvinism, how do people hold to one and reject the other without seeing their contradiction?
Justin, the pope does not believe in the eternal security of the believer either. He believes that a faithful Catholic can have security right after confession to the priest, but as soon as he commits a mortal sin, is destined for hell unless he can make it to the confessional again.
If one understands his deep depravity, the holiness of God, His love that He shed upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Lord, His death for our sins and resurrection for our justification, and by his own free volitional will, will repent and believe the gospel and receive Jesus Christ as His Savior from sin, thereby being born again, and become a new Creation in Christ Jesus, washed clean of all his sins by the blood of Christ.... If he truly believes and is born again, and then says, oh wait, I changed my mind, He would most certainly have been afflicted with a severe mental condition to which God would not hold him guilty or any other stricken with such a mental impairment as that.
Once one is born again into the family of God, that can not be changed any more than your own naturally born child can be unborn as if he was never your child. Christ confesses to those who are to depart to hell, "I never knew you". Not, I knew you, then you lost your salvation so now I do not know you. He "never" knew them.
We should however note, that the P in Tulip does not stand for Eternal Security, it stands for Perseverance of the Saints. But understand, in Calvin's world, your are either the elect, or the non-elect. But how would you ever know if you are one of the elect? Well if you persevere in the faith till death, I guess you are one of the Elect.
However, for the believer in Christ Jesus, his assurance does not rest on his own performance, but on the gospel, that Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead according to the Scriptures, and upon His promise that whosoever believes in Him receives the free and unconditional gift of eternal life.
He promised to never cast me out, and that I shall "never perish". Because I have believed, all my sins have been forgiven and so I can never be lost.