Posts Tagged ‘salvation’
Why follow God’s word when we can lean on salvation and be covered for a disobedient life and be forgiven anyway?
Question: It appears from several Christian writers and ministries, that even if my wife did remarry and live in adultery, the sin of divorce or adultery is no less forgivable than any other sin in God’s eyes. So it would appear, as unfair as it may seem to other Christians, believers who have been saved…
Read MoreIs there a distinction between forgiveness and redemption?
Question: First, I must say that your web site is fantastic! There is much cool stuff here that I wish I had more time to read. At Bible class last night, the issue of forgiveness vs. redemption and taking away sin came up. The issue, and my question, is whether forgiveness and redemption are the…
Read MoreWhat If the Jews Had Accepted Jesus?
I. Among premillennialists, those who believe that we live in an age prior to a thousand-year reign of Christ, there is a belief that Jesus’ first appearance on the earth did not accomplish everything that God intended. A. The Jews believed that the Messiah would come to re-establish the throne of David in Israel. The disciples believed…
Read MoreHow can we be children of God and slaves of God at the same time?
Question: I have been struggling with the concept of “children of God.” I understand we are made children of God when we becoming Christians, yet we are bondservants to God and Christ — we are servants. I was wondering when it refers to us being children of God, is it a general reference like the…
Read MoreReligious Bargain Hunting
Text: II Peter 2:1-3 I. There are few of us who don’t like a good bargain when we can get one. A. There are some here who will look high-and-low for the best deal, whether it be groceries or a used car. B. Of course, some people don’t seem to have a clue as to what truly…
Read MoreObjections to the Essentiality of Baptism for Salvation
by Abraham Smith The Bible is very clear in its teaching on baptism’s role in our salvation. It is an act of obedience that is required of us by God “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). The Bible does not teach that baptism is “an outward sign of inward grace.” Neither does the Bible…
Read MoreCould someone who was abusing drugs and died of an overdose be in heaven?
Question: My pastor’s son recently died of a drug overdose. He was always in and out of jail and had a drug problem that ultimately ended his life. At the son’s funeral, my pastor said that he was confident that his son was in heaven because he witnessed his son praising God. He went on…
Read MoreAnswering Jeremiah Wright
by George Hutto When Jeremiah Wright, the former preacher at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, recently challenged the media in a National Press Club speech, he was asked a question concerning Jesus’ words in John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but…
Read MoreWhere does it say that only members of the church of Christ will go to heaven?
Question: Does it say anywhere in the Bible that only the church of Christ will go to heaven? That is, only people who go to the church of Christ? What about the other churches, such as the Church of God, or a none denominational church, or the baptist? The reason I ask is that I…
Read MoreThe Harmony of the Scriptures
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 30:2-9 I. The denominational world has long debated the relationship of faith, works, and grace in man’s salvation. A. Some argue that salvation is by faith alone while others argue the necessity of works. Some turn their attention to grace and argue that grace alone saves men. B. The problem has…
Read MoreIf I divorce, do I lose my salvation?
Question: I am in need of some spiritual advice. I have been married for almost 20 years, and am now in my third round of marriage counseling. I keep hearing, the very point being forcefully made, from various ministries, about how wrong divorce is and that I cannot even think it. Yet I live in…
Read MoreDoesn’t John 3:16 prove that you can be saved without baptism?
Question: Hi. I was reading your article on “Can a man be saved without baptism?” and was wondering (as a young bible student) what about John 3:16? “… Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall not perish but have everlasting life.” This does not indicate that baptism is a requirement of salvation, but…
Read MoreWho initiates grace, God or man?
Question: I do a lot of reading on theology and it seems like there are all kinds of versions on certain topics. I pray for God to shake up Christianity one day so that all these different interpretations of the His Word are eliminated and the Truth is illuminated. It gets pretty confusing sometimes because…
Read MoreAre you born again?
Question: What I would like to know is are you a born again Christian church as in John 3:3? Jesus said no one will enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are born again so are you? Answer: No one can be a Christian without being born again. For more details, see the article “Are…
Read MoreIs it true that the purpose of baptism is not for salvation?
Question: Could I be baptized in a pool if I wanted to? One more question and I promise I will leave you alone: Would you agree with me if I said: “the purpose of baptizing is not for salvation, but for a public testimony of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ”? Is the only requirement…
Read MoreDon’t you know Israel will be saved after the fullness of the Gentiles is reached?
Question: Argh! I just read your nonsense about Israel! You even mixed in man’s flawed concept of ‘forever’ with God’s – how could you be so deceptive to your flock? How can you explain what is happening in Israel today…is not Jerusalem, as God said it would be, become a cup of trembling, a burdensome…
Read MoreHow does a person become a new creation?
Question: In his letters the apostle Paul said that the person who receives the gift of faith becomes a new “creation” ( a new person). How does he understand this change or transformation? How exactly does the person become this “new creation”? Answer: The Bible doesn’t discuss people receiving a gift of faith. There is…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between being saved and delivered?
Question: What is the difference between being saved (rededicated) and delivered? Answer: In the Scriptures there is little difference between being saved and being delivered; though being saved generally focuses on the person being rescued and being delivered focuses on the person doing the rescue. The term “rededicated” is not found in the Bible. The…
Read MoreIs repentance all I need to do to be saved?
Question: I’m really confused, mainly because of all the bad things I’ve done. How do I fix it, or is it already fixed if I just repent? Answer: While repentance is critical for salvation from sins because Jesus said, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3); yet,…
Read MoreIs there no salvation outside the church?
Question: Is there no salvation outside the church? Will those who never heard of Jesus and his gospel be damned because they have not obeyed it? Will people with brain defects like Downs Syndrome be damned because they do not obey the gospel being incapable of doing so? Answer: “Let it be known to you…
Read MoreIs the only sin to be repented of is the sin of murdering Jesus?
Question: For your information: The only Way that has been perfected to get into heaven is by the faith to repent of the one sin of Jesus’ murder for the forgiveness of ALL sins. This is the only way to obey the Acts 2:38 command. Answer: I left the grammar of this note basically as…
Read MoreDid King Asa go to Heaven?
Question: Did King Asa go to Heaven? Answer: “For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of…
Read MoreIf someone is born blind and deaf and never is able to hear the gospel or read, will they be lost?
Question: If someone is born blind and deaf and never is able to hear the gospel or read, will they be lost? Answer: All references to reading or hearing the word are not intended to be taken literally. In Luke 8:10, Jesus said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given…
Read MoreYou can’t be saved unless you become an Israelite
Question: You refer to Jeremiah 31:31 as a proof text to prove that it is no longer necessary to keep the Sabbath. Have you noticed who the New Covenant is made with? It is with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Paul cites this in Hebrew 8:8 also. If you don’t belong…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean by “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me”?
Question: When Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me. What was he really saying? Answer: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Peter states basically…
Read MoreThe Lost Who Never Heard the Gospel
Text: II Thessalonians 1:3-10 Suggested Invitation: “What Can Wash Away My Sin?” (454) I. In any game, we want an equal chance of winning, otherwise the game would not be fun. A. To that end, we want the rules of the game spelled out clearly at the beginning. Nothing is more irritating than to have someone…
Read MoreI have had sex without being married, and I’m scared that I will go to hell because of it. What can I do?
Question: I had sex with eight different girls at different times when I was between 15 and 17. I was blind to God. By that I mean I believed that He existed, but just recently I realized, “Wow, I’m doing bad.” I didn’t know what were sins. Then I had sex with a girl that…
Read MoreWhy do I feel like I don’t deserve to be cleansed?
Question: I was baptized as a baby in the church and have always been a Christian, but I have not been actively involved in fellowship as much as I’d like to be. My husband and I engaged in sexual acts (not intercourse) before marriage which I know are wrong. I have asked God for forgiveness…
Read MoreHow is it possible to fall from grace if you can’t lose your salvation?
Question: I have visited your web site and couldn’t find the answer I was looking for. There is one verse in particular which I have a hard time reconciling with the rest of Scripture. I know that you can’t lose your salvation (John 10:27-29), but how is it possible to “fall” from grace? There are…
Read MoreMust a woman bear children to be saved?
Question: Would someone give a clear answer as to the meaning of I Timothy 2:15 which agrees with other clear passages such as John 3:16-17; Hebrews 2:9; I Timothy 2:1-4; II Peter 3;9; Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:15-16, etc., all of which indicate God’s desire for every soul to be saved. Some would make this passage…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be converted and become like children?
Question: Would you please elaborate on what it means to be “converted and become like children” as stated in Matthew 18:1-4? Answer: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,…
Read MoreThe Grace of God that Brings Salvation
by Irvin Himmel via Truth Magazine, December 1973 Nothing is more clearly revealed in the Scriptures than our dependence on God’s grace for redemption. Paul said to the saints in Ephesus, “by grace are ye saved” (Ephesians 2:5). Everyone who is permitted to enter heaven will be there by grace. Today there are teachers, even in…
Read MoreCould a murderer of innocent children go to heaven?
Question: Do you feel that the man who shot and killed those little girls the other day in Pennsylvania has any possibility of spending eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ? He did say that he wanted them to pray for Him at one point in his rampage. Please be specific here if you can? Answer:…
Read MoreIf I am not a follower of God, am I an enemy of God?
Question: If I am not a follower of God, am I an enemy of God? What constitutes an enemy of God? Answer: Jesus stated, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30). The stand of God is of such a nature that…
Read MoreCan anyone be forgiven?
Question: Tell me if this is correct: No matter what sin you commit, even if someone had sold their soul to the devil, they could be forgiven for this or any other act no matter what? On the terms that they repent and ask forgiveness, could they still go to heaven? Answer: The potential forgiveness…
Read MoreCan you be saved without confessing with your mouth?
Question: Can anyone be saved without speaking (confessing) with their mouth? Answer: “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God…
Read MoreIs a saved person still saved after stumbling?
Question: If a person is saved and then stumbles, are they considered a saved person? Answer: “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a…
Read MoreRedemption in Prophecy
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 24:44-48 I. The primary purpose of a prophet was to teach God’s word to people A. Without a revelation of God’s intention, mankind would be lost, for God doesn’t see the world the way man does – Isaiah 55:8-9 B. Thus, God explained His actions, His goals, and His requirements to…
Read MoreAs Long as I Love …
by Keven A. Sulc via The Berean, Vol. 5, No. 6, August 1996 There are many concepts and beliefs that are held regarding salvation. We must never just accept something because it is commonly accepted or taught by religious teachers but see what the Scriptures say lest we be deceived. Let us examine the concept of…
Read MoreWould an atheist be saved if he did good deeds during his life?
Question: If an atheist has always done good deeds during his life (abided by God´s rules preached by all religions), where would God (if there is any) allocate him after his death — heaven or hell? I personally believe that God, being so gracious as we have been told, will place him in heaven as…
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