Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Conversation about Salvation

I just recently gave this bible study on-line to someone who believes the Roman road for Salvation. This is my reply: @ ?????? I want to clear somethings up for you since your seriously misguided in the scriptures. What you gave was good but I believe and know there is more to what you gave. It wasn't the Whole truth concerning the scriptures you gave for salvation. But rather they didn't harmonize with the rest of the bible. The Bible will never contradict itself. I also believe the scriptures should answer for themselves. So I will copy and paste what you said and show you a more PERFECT WAY from the scriptures. Please allow me to give answers to your posts. ?????? stated: "u guys crack me up the united pentecostal doctrine. Jesus gave us the plan of salvation mark 1:15.repent and believe the gospel." My reply: It's not a particular organization that sets their standards of truth. It's the Word of God. 2nd of All Yes Jesus did say REPENT and Believe the Gospel. So what is the Gospel according to scripture? 1Corinthians15:1-4 states it's the DEATH BURIAL,AND RESURRECTION Of JESUS CHRIST. Ok your Next comment~" the way to be saved is acts 16:30_31." My reply to these verses since they are obviously taken out of it's proper context in scripture,and here's Why. You said baptism isn't necessary but THE BIBLE TELLS US Different! In those same passages of scripture you gave us Read the very next few verses 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and WAS BAPTIZED, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. So we CAN SEE Scripture in fact tells us that all his family and the Jailor were BAPTIZED because they truly BELIEVED the apostles Word about the GOSPEL. Ok Next Passage about salvation you gave~romans 10:9-10 My reply is 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Who's Report? Who was sent to preach?The Apostle's! Not all that may have said they believed on Jesus Obeyed the gospel! Just Having faith is not enough to be saved. See James 2:17-24 I will give verse 17 to save space but if you have time please look up all the scriptures I gave. One must have both Faith and Works. James 2:17 (King James Version)

17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Moving on to the next scripture which also is taken out of context. eph 2:8 Also the scriptures you gave in Romans was not written to sinners and the same it is for Ephesians. See Romans 1:7 (King James Version)

7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1 (King James Version)

Ephesians 1

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: But Rather these epistles were written to the Saints (ALREADY BORN -AGAIN believers ) Where and How did the first christian churches get established? Go back to the Book Of Acts chapter 2. The first message of salvation Preached to guilty Sinners is found in Acts 2:37-42 (King James Version)

37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41Then they that GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The Last scripture you gave for salvation was not complete as well . You gave john 3:16-17. For it's proper context it should be read John 3:16-21 (King James Version)

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.You see people that rejected the Apostle's doctrine didn't want to face the LIGHT. They Loved The Darkness(sin) MORE than the Light. 


So in acts we can read countless of times when the people believed they obeyed the Gospel. That's how they could tell that they believed -they obeyed the Gospel. FAITH AND WORKS.They Believed and 
Obeyed Acts 2:38!!! Now do you think Paul believed the same Gospel as Peter? You BET!! Acts 19:1-6 (King James Version)

Acts 19

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Saved by Faith or Faith and Works?

Someone said to me you believe in works to be saved,But Jesus paid it all and all I do is just believe by faith and I am ready to go to heaven! So Obedience isn't important I replied? He said Jesus paid it all for me I don't have to do anything but accept him.

This is an example of FALSE GRACE folks! Easy Believism will send many people to Hell being decieved by these False Preachers.

Yes! The First step is to Believe on Jesus Christ but why does it stop there for so many? What about Works? Yes it has nothing to do with our own works as in Eph.2:8,9 don't get me wrong. But to twist this scripture and say that works are not necessary at all is a lie. Here's Why: Let's begin in:
James 2
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

...18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Ephesians 2:10
For *we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Repentance is a GIFT and not a work.
Baptism is NOT a WORK! The work was all done by Jesus, all we need to do is follow Him through the door unto salvation.

*we – those which are baptized into Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost as ONLY we are a product of His work done on the cross. –I say we — we could easily be YOU as well, just follow the Doctrine of Salvation.
Romans 6 --Apostle Paul is explaining the Baptism Process and How it remits sin and How we received Christ Spirit. Also note, just as in Ephesians Paul is talking to the Church, people already Baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost from the book of Acts.  Therefore, if you are not baptized in Jesus name then Paul is not talking to or about You!

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? We must die out to sin in repentance!

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him (HOW) by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Just saying that you ‘believe’ does not accomplish this process and you are NOT saved. YET!

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(when we are buried in Baptism we are dead with Jesus BUT when we are raised out of the water and filled with His spirit we are made alive in Christ)
He draws us to the water--when we are baptized He is with us in death--when we are raised out of the water He is in us in newness of life.

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 8
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

You MUST have Christ in YOU to be in His body—the Church.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
The baptism of the holy Ghost is necessary!

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
 
 
Always remember when reading the epistles that these are letters written to people who Paul regarded as Christian because they had obeyed Acts 2:38. Read Acts 19:1-6 to confirm for yourself that Paul adhered to the Acts 2:38 salvation plan. He didn't teach a different gospel as some would contend!


Romans 1:16 (King James Version)

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Gospel is what saves you not any religion ,pe...rson and belief per say. Some believe if I believe in Jesus I am saved. Just by believing plus nothing equals salvation.This is an example of MORE FAKE Grace.

The word of God says:James 1:22 (King James Version)

22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
 
If works were not important than why does the bible mention it so many times?
Titus 1:16
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  
Revelation 20:11-13 (King James Version)

11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
 
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

True saving faith will lead to obedience, repentance and a changed life. Your faith is seen and evidenced by your good works. Good works without faith are meaningless as they are dead works, same as faith without works is dead. Faith and works are both vital and inseperable unto salvation.


Obviously the people believed on the Lord and what Peter preached Because they ASKED MEN and Brethren WHAT SHALL WE DO(to be saved)? and Peter tells us:Acts 2:38-39 (King James Version)

38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized ...every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.


So What's next? Obedience!  
Then they obeyed because they received His word:Acts 2:41 (King James Version)

41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 
Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
 
Abraham Heb.11:8 - By faith he obeyed God and went to the place God eventually showed him. Did God reward him before he obeyed, or only after he obeyed?

Mark 16:16 (King James Version)

16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Now Does it say:" He that believes and is not baptized will be Saved?"No it doesn't. True faith will always have Works with it !
 
 

Acts 19:1-6 (King James Version)

Acts 19

 1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The Holy Ghost brings about a righteous work in us! Amen. Notice Paul was saying this for a reason. Without the Holyghost we are not Christ's!
Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

So to be Christ's we must have the Holy Ghost. These disciples obeyed Paul's teaching just as Acts 2:38! 


So there you have it one must have Faith and Works to be saved. Jesus Bless you!
Have you obeyed Acts 2:38 since you believed?

Monday, January 3, 2011

Without LOVE and With TRUTH

Without LOVE and With TRUTH by Della Morton

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (King James Version)


1 Corinthians 13

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Verse 1 says we might speak in tongues of Angels or Men but If we don't have LOVE we will be fruitless in our walk with the Lord Jesus.

Think of it. When has anybody just told plain truth to a soul and they reject it? Some say It was because they told the TRUTH! But in the above verse it says if you have not LOVE you will not win any souls(become fruitless.) The plain harsh truth of Hell is real don't get me wrong. But WITHOUT the Love of the Holy ghost and a sincere burden for souls it becomes fruitless. What about how we treat our brother or sister? Did the Lord deliver you and set you free from Sin? Well are you allowing others to grow in the grace of God? It did happen overnight for you? Really did it?

Galatians 5:12-14 (King James Version)

12I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

John 15:12 (King James Version)

12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Romans 13:10
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

So what if when you came to the Lord and have been going to church awhile.Someone came up to you and said the truth about your walk with God and it felt cold and harsh because it was a two edged sword! Did that bring you closer to God? Or was the Truth taught in LOVE (God's Grace)and you grew spiritually thus way? It may have taken awhile for you come into the fullness of the truth but it wasn't because someone beat you over the head with the bible! It was because you felt Jesus pulling at your heart strings to walk in Spirit and in Truth. Amen! There is a balance.

Some may say well I love people cause I tell THEM THE TRUTH. If I didn't love them I wouldn't tell them. Unless you are a GOD Ordained pastor and are REQUIRED to be held ACCOUNTABLE for souls,It is not our job to cut the ax to the root so to speak but to share the truth in Love- Plant the seed. Look at Priscella and Aquila -To show a more excellent way! If people don't want to change then it's between them and God. But it's our job to LOVE them and help them grow in Grace and truth.Grace is available to lead people unto salvation. One must walk in Love and Truth. Amen. It's a period of time to GROW closer to Jesus. If you turn them off whether or not you told them the truth they just may not be ready to receive it and by you cutting them off how will they ever be lead to more truth? They leave church and can't understand why they were treated wrongly and never come back! Leave it up to your pastor to turn people away from the truth! He is held accountable for people's lives. If you don't like how he's doing things; than your on dangerous ground. That's why it's important to pray for our leaders in church. Amen.

1 Corinthians 4:20-21 (King James Version)

20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Let us not FORGET where The Lord has brought us from.
If you think you've already arrived and place yourself ABOVE the Pastor and your brother and sister than you haven't learned to humble yourself and walk in true Love and the spirit of Meekness.

If you find yourself pointing the finger at so-and so rather THAN Praying for your brother or sister. You my friend have lost your first Love.

Revelation 2:1-5 (King James Version)

Revelation 2

1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

You see falling in Love with Jesus makes finding fault with people disappear. Why? Because we realize we too are but human and NEED the Lord's GRACE and MERCY TOO Every day!



We must not be complacent!!! Satisfied in our own eyes!
If we ever get to the place where we have arrived than we are not where we should be. Amen!

Matthew 24:13 (King James Version)

13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The Lord Bless you as you endeavor to serve him!

Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, I ask that you have Mercy on me and forgive me for not showing love toward my brethren or you!Give me a clean heart and right spirit within.
Lord, I need you to help me remember what I felt when I first got the Holy Ghost? I completely surrender my life, my will to you Lord,In Jesus Name! Help me be renewed in the Holy Ghost that I may see through your eyes of Love and Know your thoughts,because without you I am nothing,and can do nothing without you. I am determined to make heaven my home and set my affections on heavenly things above. Help me to have the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
I love you Lord Jesus and THANK you for making the difference in my life that when others see me that they may see the LOVE and Kindness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ !
IN JESUS Name! Amen. Amen! Hallelujah!Blessed be the Name of the Lord!