Posts Tagged ‘salvation’
Can we bribe God?
Question: Can we bribe God? For example, you have sinned, like you got something that is not yours and without permission, then you want something that only God can give. If you read the Bible after this, is it bribery? Answer: God cannot be bribed for two reasons: First, everything belongs to God. “For every…
Read MoreIsn’t eternal life guaranteed? So how can we talk of hope?
Question: We speak of “hope” a lot. Hope in eternal life is great, but the idea of hoping doesn’t mean a guarantee. If I hope for something, then I am thinking it may happen. With the critical issue of eternal life, one does not want to rest in the idea that belief in Jesus’s sacrifice…
Read MoreIf Jesus was crucified to pay for our sins, who was the payment made to?
Question: I am a Christian visiting my Muslim family in Pakistan. My sister, who is a Muslim has asked me a question that I’m not sure of the best way to answer and I was wondering what you would say. The question is: If Jesus was crucified to pay for our sins, who was the…
Read MoreAre You a Christian?
by Allen Dvorak via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 40, Oct. 5, 2008. The word “Christian” is sometimes used rather freely and without regard to its New Testament usage. Some folks apply the term to practically anyone who has any connection to some religious group or embraces certain moral principles. Others use the word to…
Read MoreI’m beginning to doubt my baptism, whether I really understood that I was to die to sin. Should I be rebaptized?
Question: I have heard of many people who have questioned their salvation because they didn’t know a particular scripture at the time. I have learned through the years that there will always be something you don’t know at the time of your baptism. A person does not need to know every single scripture in order…
Read MoreBy One Spirit (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ByOneSpirit.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 12:1-13 I. How does one become a Christian? A. You’ll find a wide variety of answers in the world. You could even be left with the impression that there isn’t really a single way at all. B. John 14:6 – There is only one way to God the Father…
Read MoreThere’s More to It Than That
by Dee Bowman via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 13, Mar. 30, 2008. It’s interesting to me how an illustration can sometimes become so powerful that it supplants the thing it is illustrating. For instance, the illustration for salvation is many times cited by the use of a man’s five fingers. Here, believe, repent, confess,…
Read MoreI’ve sinned a lot and I’m tired of repeating the same mistakes. How can you make a new start?
Question: Hi! I’m 14 years of age and my question is how do you get back to your old self when you have fled away from God? How can you make a new start? I have sinned a lot and repented an awful lot as well. But I’m sick of repenting for the same old…
Read MoreWould the Gentiles have been saved if the Jews had not rejected Jesus?
Question: I have a question from one of my students. I know half the answer, but he did bring up an interesting question: if the Jews weren’t provoked to jealousy and didn’t reject God, would the Gentiles have received salvation? Even though from the prophets writing it was decided a long time ago the Gentiles…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “nations” in Revelation?
Question: What does Revelation 21:26 and Revelation 22:2 mean? What do the references to the nations mean? “And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.” “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits,…
Read MoreWorking Out Our Salvation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/WorkingOutOurSalvation.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreGarage Sale
by Carrey Scott Every so often, I take the time to go to some garage sales. I am hoping to find something that someone else does not want, and buy it cheaper than I thought I wanted to pay for it originally. Many items you can get for pennies on the dollar. What was it…
Read MoreThe First “Ancient Mariner”
by Dillard Thurman in Gospel Minutes, May 8, 1964 The original story of “The Ancient Mariner” was written several centuries before “The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” was added to our literature. The story of Noah and the Ark is loved and appreciated by multitudes who have never gone to sea, or taken an ocean…
Read MoreAre we judged based on justification or based on sanctification?
Question: Are we judged based on justification or based on sanctification? The reason I ask is because of Hebrews 10:26-31. It appears these people have already been justified, but are merely trampling on grace. I wanted an expert’s opinion. Answer: It appears you are making a distinction not found in the Scriptures. Your question makes…
Read MoreWho Is Lost?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/WhoIsLost.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 1:3-10 I. Whenever I’ve published material which is read by people who claim to be Christians but are not living by God’s word, I’ve received complaints. A. “Why are you bothering with this issue? You should be seeking the lost instead. All you are doing is causing division…
Read MoreBaptism and the Blood
by T. Doy Moyer The blood of Jesus saves us from our sins: the blood was “shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). What does baptism have to do with the blood? Peter preached, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of…
Read MoreI stopped many of my bad habits, but I’m still plagued by doubts. What do I do?
Question: I had a friend die recently last weekend, and this caused me to really think about what am I doing with my life. Out of curiosity and interest I researched near-death experiences, which I believed some of them to be true. I read about people seeing hell and realizing how horrible it is for…
Read MoreWhat Saves Us from Sin?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 28, July 11, 2008 We are not saved by one thing to the exclusion of all others, for there are many factors that work out our salvation. Rather than focus on just one passage that speaks of our being saved, we must learn the truth of…
Read MoreOnce you are saved, can you live a sin-free life?
Question: Do you believe that once you’re truly saved that you can live a “sin-free” life? Answer: John stated, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse…
Read MoreWill fasting show God that I want to change?
Question: I am a twenty-year-old girl who recently back-slid heavily from our Father’s ways. I thought that I was really sorry that last time I committed the sin of fortification and drunkenness and would stay away from it; however, it is proven not to be that way, and recently I committed those sins, several times,…
Read MoreWould I be saved if I died before I was baptized?
Question: What if I already accepted Christ in my heart as my personal savior today, and my baptism is tomorrow, due to conflict schedule, and suddenly the night before my baptism I would die. Do you think I will be saved? Answer: I cannot answer for each individual. That is the realm of God’s judgment.…
Read MoreThe gospel doesn’t judge us, Jesus judges us
Question: I really appreciate your articles; they are very informing and biblically-based. I recently read an article that you wrote on why those who never heard the gospel would be/could be/ may be lost (the title was something like that). In it, you mentioned Romans 2:12-16: “For as many as have sinned without law will…
Read MoreHow could you possibly say baptism does not save?
Question: I enjoy going to your site and looking at your pictures, but today I was reading some of the off-the-wall comments made by Jeffrey Hamilton. He is out in left-field when it comes to salvation. In one comment he said e-mail me I could use a good laugh. Well, he better laugh now because if…
Read MoreWhat if a person dies after accepting God but before he can be baptized?
Question: I have a question about baptism. People always ask what if a person is about to die and accepts God into his heart, does he go to heaven or hell? My response is two things: I tell them the guy had chances before, so God would be just in condemning him to hell. Even…
Read MoreHow do you start over?
Question: I have sent you an email before and I was so happy that you replied. But now I have a much larger problem. I don’t go to the church I want to go to and I’m only 12 so I can’t switch without my parents’ approval, which they won’t give. But every day I…
Read MoreDo you believe that the only way to heaven is by accepting Jesus as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace?
Question: Does the church of Christ believe that the only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ, by accepting Him as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace? Thanks. Answer: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). You cannot claim to accept the Lord as your Savior if you…
Read MoreIs baptism required to go to heaven?
Question: If you don’t get baptized, do you not go to heaven? Answer: Assuming you are talking about responsible adults, consider the following: Can the disobedient enter heaven? “But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness–indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does…
Read MoreI keep questioning my beliefs. Does that mean I’m no longer saved?
Question: I need help in reconciling what I have always been taught and what I am being taught now. I was baptized a few years ago in the church and at the time I did truly believe that it was necessary, since then I begin to question whether it was necessary and I question many…
Read MoreHow do I get back to God?
Question: I was a spiritual person until certain events took place in my life. Having God in my heart is what got me through my very unstable childhood, and most of my military career. While deployed I did and saw things no one should ever have to do or see. I saw true evil in…
Read MoreI’m not certain if we are ready to raise children
Question: I have just spent some time reviewing your site and it is incredible. I am having some issues right now and was hoping you could help me, not sure where to turn because I don’t want anyone in my church to think horribly of me. Anyway, here goes. My husband and I met six…
Read MoreDoes Romans 4:9-12 indicate that we are saved prior to baptism?
Question: Can you explain why Romans 4:9-12 does not indicate that we are saved prior to baptism? I am not sure how to put the answer into words for an acquaintance that insists that he was saved prior to baptism regardless of clear passages of Scripture. Thank you! Answer: When a person argues against what…
Read MoreCan you explain all these similar phrases about dying with Christ and dying to sin?
Question: What do these phrases mean? I have been crucified with Christ I am dead in Christ I have died to Christ I am dead to sin I am dead in sin I am resurrected with Christ Answer: Let’s examine each phrase in the statement in which it was given: I have been crucified with…
Read MoreIs there a second chance of salvation after death?
Question: Is there a second chance of salvation after death? Answer: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The writer is clear that this life is our chance to do God’s will. After this life is over, what comes next is our Judgment. “For we…
Read MoreCan a person live a completely sinless life and enter Heaven without Jesus?
Question: Can a person live a completely sinless life and enter Heaven without Jesus? Answer: The question is pure speculation since God has said, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). One point of Jesus’ coming to earth was to prove that a sinless life was not completely impossible.…
Read MoreDoes losing your faith means losing your salvation?
Question: Hello, I was reading I Timothy and came across mention of Hymenaeus and Alexander. Not knowing anything about them, I did a google search and found your site with your explanation of them. In it, you say that it is possible to lose one’s faith as seen in Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus. Does that also…
Read MoreThe Plan of Salvation in One Passage
by Dan Gatlin “Wouldn’t it be nice if the New Testament were laid out like a book of theology? In just a chapter or two God could have explained the work, worship, and organization of the church. He could have stated in clear, unambiguous language all of the doctrines we are to believe and teach. …
Read MoreThe Pearl of Great Price
by Richard Thetford In Matthew 13:45-46 Jesus is trying to emphasize to us how precious the kingdom of heaven is. He says “the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to “inherit the kingdom of God?”
Question: What is your position on Galatians 5:2? Is “inherit the Kingdom of God” compared to salvation or is it dealing with rewards? Answer: The Christian’s relationship to God is described by several metaphors in the Bible. One is seeing a Christian as a child of God. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit…
Read MorePaul was filled with the Spirit before he was baptized, so wasn’t he saved before baptism?
Question: I figured I would just point out two significant points in the Bible. Acts 10:43-48 clearly illustrates that one can have the Holy Spirit before baptism. The passage also says “whoever believes in shall have remission of sins.” Once you have the Holy Spirit in your life you are saved. Also, you mentioned when Paul was saved.…
Read MoreNo Christian Was Ever Saved by Faith Alone
by Kent Heaton The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is a popular means by which many in the religious world have been deceived into believing they have obeyed the will of God and live under the presumption they are disciples of Christ. While the doctrine has been around for many years, Billy Graham did…
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