Isn’t repentance and faith the same thing?

Question: Isn’t repentance just another word for faith? If someone were fighting and defending themselves in a brawl, aren’t the words ‘fighting’ and ‘defending themselves’ describing different aspects of the same action? Likewise, I think Acts 20:21 shows repentance and belief to be intrinsically related to the same attitudinal/belief event/process. Answer: While defensive and offensive moves may…

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Plan of Salvation

by Foy E. Wallace, Jr Number One Gospel Sermons, pages 46-47. When the time came to reveal that great Plan of Salvation, God assigned that function of revelation to the Holy Spirit. God is the primitive cause of man’s salvation, he willed it. Jesus Christ is the sacrificial cause of man’s salvation, he purchased it…

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Is water baptism a work?

Question: Is water baptism a work? Answer: I have always been amazed at the dread shown by people toward the word “work.” You would think that it was a dreaded disease or something equivalent to sin. The word “work” by itself is neither good nor bad. It simply refers to something that takes effort. Faith…

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Does belief include anything more than trust?

Question: Does belief include anything more than trust? Answer: Belief or faith is of primary importance to a follower of God. The writer of Hebrews state, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who…

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How is Abraham famous? What did Abraham care about most?

Question: How is Abraham, or Abram, famous? What did Abraham care about most? Answer: Many, many years ago God promised a man named Abram, “I will bless you and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). The blessing was conditional on Abram’s willingness to leave his home country and…

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Does Mark 16:16 say that someone not baptized is lost?

Question: I think I have a parallel that explains Mark 16:16. Suppose I state, “All people who are enrolled and live in the dorm are students in the college. If John is enrolled but doesn’t live in the dorm, does that mean he is not a student?” Similarly, Mark 16:16 says “He who believes and…

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Salvation by Grace Through Faith

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 2:1-10   I.          When we read Ephesians 2:8-10, there are four important words which stand out: grace, saved, faith, and works.              A.         The gift mentioned in verse 8 is the gift of salvation given to us by God’s grace.                           1.          Grace is an unmerited favor.                                        a.          It is an action distinguished by justice.…

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What must I do to go to heaven?

Question: What must I do to go to Heaven when I die? Please, no opinions. Please use the Bible, it is all we have that is the truth. Answer: I really appreciate your desire for a biblical answer to your question. Far too many only want confirmation that they are right and so they search…

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