Posts Tagged ‘salvation’
A Salvation Issue
by Bobby Graham In more recent years some have responded in this way with increasing frequency to our insistence upon adherence to the Scriptural pattern: “Well, it’s not a salvation issue.” It might be a matter of the organization of the local church, the use of women in roles of leadership, or the use of…
Read MoreWho’s God Looking For?
by Flora Hartsell Tant “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (II Chronicles 16:9). I was just thinking: What or who is God looking for? I remember the words of our dear brother Sewell Hall: “The…
Read MoreThe Gift of the Holy Spirit (Bassford)
by Matthew W. Bassford If there is any verse in the Bible that is of particular significance to brethren, it is Acts 2:38. It says in so many words that the purpose of baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, a truth clearly taught in Scripture but rejected by much of the wider religious world.…
Read MoreThe Meaning of Life: Where Are You Going?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Where-Are-You-Going.mp3 Text: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 I. Having a goal in mind gives direction to the choices that you must make. A. The meaning of life is more than what you are doing with your life right now. It is also where you are letting life take you. B. One thing is certain, you are going to die -…
Read MoreWhat About the Thief on the Cross? (Bassford)
by Matthew W. Bassford When it comes to discussion about baptism for the forgiveness of sins, most Christians know all the steps of the dance. If we’re studying with a non-Christian and we show them passages like Acts 2:38 and I Peter 3:21, one of two things is going to happen. Either they are going…
Read MoreDid the righteous before Jesus have to wait for Jesus’ death to receive the promise?
Question: Does Hebrews 9:15 teach that those that God chose as righteous under the old covenant also had to wait for the blood of Christ for the promise to come into effect? Answer: Salvation to mankind required the offering of a perfect sacrifice for mankind’s sins. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls…
Read MoreObedience to God
by Paul Southern via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 10, August 1952. The subject of obedience is an important theme that should engage the thought of every responsible person. Rebellion against constituted authority seems to be a trait inherent with mankind. On every hand, we witness infractions of constitutional, statutory, and social laws. Hence, it…
Read MoreHow do I live by faith while providing for my family with my own job? Is there such a thing as a spiritual calling?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I’m in need of advice and I’d like to ask a question. First, I want to know how I can live by faith, while at the same time providing for myself and my loved ones with my own job. One of the things that I’ve been struggling with is the temptation to…
Read MoreBeing a Christian Will Not Save You
Being a Christian Will Not Save You – Part 1Being a Christian Will Not Save You – Part 2Being a Christian Will Not Save You – Part 3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jude 1-10 I. Why did you become a Christian? A. For most of us, we desired the promise – Ephesians 1:13-14 B. We wanted…
Read MoreDoes Ezekiel 14:12-23 teach that some are saved by their own righteousness?
Question: Is Ezekiel 14:12-23 a passage about these men being saved by their own righteousness? Were they perfect so they could save themselves, apart from God’s grace, since “all have sinned”? And is an inference of eternal salvation valid from this passage? I ask this because I’m convinced that you can crush this solid food…
Read MoreThe Fullness of Time (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Fullness-of-Time.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text Galatians 3:26-4:7 I. For a plan to succeed there must be preparation A. The plans of the diligent succeed – Proverbs 21:5 1. In part because he isn’t lazy about accomplishing what he plans – Proverbs 13:4 2. The lesson of the ant is that they prepare in advance of…
Read MoreCan you be saved by having the devil beaten out of you?
Question: Please do not dismiss my mail to you as it is very serious and I am honest as well as discreet, as I am sure you will be the same. I am looking to visit you at a local church, or to your ministerial home or suitable confessional venue. Firstly let me say I…
Read MoreThe Message of the Cross
I. I Corinthians 1:18-24 A. The core of salvation is the fact that Jesus died for our sins. B. The center of our hope is the knowledge that Jesus arose triumphant over death. C. Yet many are unable to understand this message. 1. The Jews wanted something else. They wanted further proof from God. 2. The Greeks thought it was silly.…
Read MoreWas John’s baptism able to save people?
Question: Good morning sir, I have been reading about the baptism of John and how he came to make a way for Jesus to come to be accepted, but I am confused about whether his baptism was able to save people before Jesus’ baptism in Acts 2:38. If someone baptized by John died before Jesus’…
Read MoreYou’re Judging Another Person’s Salvation
By Joe R. Price May we examine a person’s personal belief about their salvation without “judging” them? More specifically, is it possible to identify an unbiblical view a person has about their salvation? Can we use the Scriptures to explain to a lost person he or she is lost? Or, are we judging that person…
Read MoreWasn’t the conversion of the Samaritans proof that God wanted Gentiles saved?
Question: Good day, The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and his family was proof that the Gentiles were also accepted by God without the law or becoming a Jew, but Samaritans (Acts 8) were already being baptized into Christ before Acts 10. Was that not proof or were the Samaritans not looked at…
Read MoreWhy do you need to receive the gift of the Spirit again?
Question: Hi, In Ephesians 1, Paul says we are marked with a seal, the Holy Spirit, on believing the gospel. “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a…
Read MoreIs John 3:16 the only passage that we need to get to heaven?
Question: Hello, I have just found your website and have learned a great deal as well as carry great respect for your ability to answer questions biblically. That being said, I bear an immense disagreement but extremely open to reconsideration if thoroughly convinced. I’m only 23 and have been born again since I was 14.…
Read MoreAre we only judged by the things we know?
Question: Good afternoon, Brother Hamilton: I hope this message finds you well. I am looking at your site for information about accountability for the Christian, and I am having trouble wording what I’m looking for to find resources. Maybe you can help. I was at a small study with one of the wives of our…
Read MoreThe Point of the Prodigal Son
by Matthew W. Bassford I know that one should not have high expectations of religious memes, but the one below grinds my gears. Every time I saw it, I rolled my eyes a little bit harder, until I knew that either I’d have to write about it, or my eyes would get stuck that way…
Read MoreChildren of Light in the Armor of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019Fall6Children-of-Light-in-the-Armor-of-God.mp3 by Andy Cantrell Finding Our Purpose from the Past
Read MoreDoes everyone who was baptized have eternal life?
Question: Hi, From the topic of “The Thousand-Year Reign”, you stated that baptism is the first resurrection. John also states that second death will not have an effect on those who take part in the first resurrection. Then does that mean all who were baptized will have eternal life? But what about those who are…
Read MoreIs baptism necessary for salvation?
Question: Hello! I am from Brazil, and I am seeking salvation. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for my sins on the cross and rose on the third day for my justification. I am sorry for all my sins. I would like to ask you: Is baptism by immersion necessary…
Read MoreBaptism: Necessary for Salvation
by Allen Dvorak It is virtually undisputed truth that man is saved by divine grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). However, some have concluded from this fact that there is nothing that man can or must do for his salvation. It is frequently argued that “water baptism can’t possibly be necessary for salvation because it is…
Read MoreNotes on Calling
God’s Calling of Men John 6:44-45 Romans 1:6 Romans 8:30 Romans 9:24 I Corinthians 1:26 Ephesians 1:18 Ephesians 4:1-4 Philippians 3:14 I Thessalonians 2:12 II Thessalonians 2:14 Hebrews 9:15 I Peter 2:9 I Peter 5:10 II Peter 1:10 Calling on the Name of the Lord “In the name of …” means “acting with the authority…
Read MoreCalling on the Name of the Lord (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Calling-on-the-Name-of-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 2:14-21 I. Most linguist will tell you that one difficulty in translating between two languages is dealing with idioms A. An idiom is a phrase that doesn’t mean what is literally said, but native speakers understand them without much thought B. Examples from English are” 1. “It’s raining cats and…
Read MoreThe Thrill of Salvation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/TheThrillOfSalvation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 15:1-10 I. Luke 15:10 – When someone responds to God’s message, there is excitement that reaches all the way to heaven! A. Each and every person, no matter how high or low stationed in life is important to God. B. Ezekiel 33:11 – God doesn’t look forward to punishing the…
Read MoreYou Must Be Born Again
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/08/You-Must-Be-Born-Again2.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 3:1-22 I. I had a fellow ask me if I had been born again. A. In particular, he wanted to know how I came to believe such a thing. B. When I replied with I John 2:3-6; 4:6; 5:2-3, he became quite upset C. He wanted to know how I was…
Read MoreThe Conversion of Saul (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ConversionOfSaul.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 1:12-17 I. The path that Saul took from Judaism to Christianity can teach us a lot about what it takes to become a Christian A. It is a lesson that many need to learn by people caught up in denominational teachings. B. We will look at the events that…
Read MoreRedeemed by a Loving God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Redeemed-by-a-Loving-God.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreGrowing in Respect to Salvation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GrowingInRespectToSalvation.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow to Become a Christian
by W. Frank Walton “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (II Corinthians 5:17). The Bible says salvation from sin is only in Christ (Acts 4:12). The most important commitment you’ll ever make is deciding to become a true Christian. What “steps”…
Read MoreNotes on Things that Accompany Salvation
Hear Believe Repent Confess Be Baptized Obey Commanded Acts 16:31; Hebrews 11:6 Commanded Acts 2:38; 17:30; 26:20 Commanded Acts 10:48 Commanded Philippians 2:12 To come to God John 6:45 To please God Hebrews 11:6 To gain times of refreshing Acts 3:19 Brings joy in heaven Luke 15:7 To be confessed before God Matthew 10:32-33 To…
Read MoreShouldn’t we be skipping some verses in Ten Thousand Angels and Amazing Grace?
Question: In the song “Ten Thousand Angels,” the last words in the fourth verse states: “Salvation’s wondrous plan was done.” In the preceding words, He gave himself to die, followed by Salvation’s wondrous plan was done gives the idea that there was nothing left for Christ to do in order for salvation to be accomplished.…
Read MoreDo You Expect to Go to Heaven?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DoYouExpectToGoToHeaven.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Should God save you? A. Paul was able to say, “Yes, I did the Lord’s will.” – II Tim. 4:6-8 B. Can you say that about your own life? C. How did you become a Christian? 1. Converted from a denomination or from out of the world? 2. Raised in the church? D. All are the…
Read MoreWhen I have days where I don’t read or pray as much as I usually do, does that mean I won’t reach heaven?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, I have resolved to walk in all of God’s ways, and I’ve been faithfully doing as best as I can. I’ve been behaving, but when I see places where Jesus says to strive to enter into narrow gate because many seek to enter, but will not be able to. Also, He…
Read MoreWill my Hindu grandparents go to heaven if they don’t follow Christianity?
Question: My grandparents are Hindu and very religious. They pray every day for 30 minutes and on the weekends they go to their church and stay there for hours. They are good-hearted, kind people. But can they still go to heaven if they don’t follow Christianity? It’s not like they don’t believe in Jesus, they…
Read MoreYou Can Be Loved But Not Yet Accepted
by Terry Wane Benton God loves the lost and seeks to save them. They are not saved and accepted just because God loves them. Love longs for reconciliation, but just because God loves us it does not mean we are reconciled to God. God demonstrated His love by giving His only Son for us (John…
Read MoreCan you explain whether people are saved in these four scenarios?
Question: The gospel was preached to four people who accepted the Word and wanted to be baptized. The first person confessed his drinking habit and asked to be baptized but will gradually stop the drinking later. Can he be baptized to become a Christian? Why or why not? The second person hides his sin with…
Read MoreFaithfulness, Not Perfection
by Matthew W. Bassford Over the past few weeks, Shawn and I have spent Sunday mornings explaining how it is that we can know that we are heaven-bound for certain. We’ve seen that we can put our confidence in the powerful sacrifice of Jesus and in the perfect forgiveness of God. However, that doesn’t quiet the…
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