The SAME as They

by Terry Wane Benton

"But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are" (Acts 15:11).

The Jews and Gentiles are saved the same way by the same gospel (Romans 1:16-17). There is no difference between the gospel to the Jews and the gospel to the Gentiles. However, some are teaching that these are two separate and different messages. No! It's the same gospel at times preached to two different groups to bring them into unity or oneness. In this context, Peter said that God used his mouth to share the gospel with the Gentiles. They were saved without circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses. Peter then adds, "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we (Jews) shall be saved in the same manner as they (Gentiles)." We are saved, not through keeping the Law of Moses, but through faith in the same Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are all saved in the same manner. Faith includes repentance and baptism "in the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:38 -to the Jews) and (Acts 10:47; Galatians 3:26-27 to the Gentiles). Both had to be baptized in the name of the Lord for the remission of sins. Saul was saved "in the same manner" (Acts 22:16). The Ethiopian eunuch was saved "in the same manner" (Acts 8:33ff). There was no "just say the sinner's prayer" or "just repeat this prayer with me," as many say today. All who were saved in the first century were saved in the same manner as the 3,000 on Pentecost (Acts 2:36-41). If you thought you were saved in a different way than that, you need to get your heart corrected on this. All are saved in the same manner (Galatians 3:26-27). Be sure you have obeyed the same gospel in the same manner.