Does a Sinner Need to DO Anything to Get Saved?

[Alpha.Omega]

There are some who are teaching a false view on salvation, that is based on their theological bias, and has nothing to do with the teachings found in the Holy Bible, which should be our final Authority on all matters.

It is argued, that the sinner has nothing that they have "to do", to be saved. It is wrongly supposed, that, for anyone to "do" anything, it is the same as "working for their salvation". This, of course is complete nonsense, and is refuted by many passages from Scripture, from which I have provided a few examples. It is also falsely argued, that the sinner does not even need to "repent" of their sins, BEFORE they can be saved, and that "regeneration" is not the same as "salvation". These teachings are in direct opposition with what the Holy Bible teaches, and no doubt the work of the enemy, who has deceived some into a "false gospel", leading to a "false salvation".

It is very clear to those who seek to know the truth as taught in the Bible, that the first sermon preached by Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, resulted in many "turning" from their sins, to the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. After Peter had finished preaching, we are told that the people were "cut to the heart" (Acts 2:37), which is being "convicted" by the preaching under the power of God the Holy Spirit. These people who were "convicted", said to Peter, "what shall we DO?", which is an "action". Peter replied, that they should "REPENT", in the first place, and then after this, to get "baptized" (2:38). In the following chapter, we read, "REPENT therefore and be converted, for the blotting out of your sins" (3:19). It is clear that REPENTANCE leads to "forgiveness of sins". This is also clearly taught by Jesus Christ, where we read in Luke:-1-5, that, "unless you REPENT, you will all likewise perish". Again, before His Ascension, the Lord commanded His Disciples, that "REPENTANCE for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”. Some again wrongly hold that "repentance" is no more than "changing one's mind" on their view of Jesus Christ, and does not involve any notion of "sorrow of personal sins". Scripture is very clear that this is not true!

In the account of the Rich Young Ruler, we read,

“And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I DO that I may obtain eternal life?”” (Matthew 19:16)

If what this person said to Jesus was "theologically wrong", as some suppose, do you not think that Jesus would have corrected him? Surely He would have said, there is nothing that you need to DO. But, this is not the case!

A very good example can be found in the Book of Jonah, which is one of the best accounts in the Bible on Evangelism, and the Greatness of God's Love and Mercy. Here is a nation that is very sinful and wicked, and great enemies of the Jews, which is the main reason why Jonah sis not want to take the Gospel Message to them. They were not even the "elect" of God, which was the Nation Israel. And, YET, God, Who is RICH in MERCY (unlike some today!) sent is Prophet to warn them of the coming punishment, IF they did not "REPENT", and turn to the Lord for His Mercy and forgiveness! When Jonah finally did give them the Gospel Message, the reaction of these people is truly wonderful.

"Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”When God saw their deeds, that they turned (repented) from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.” (Jonah 3:5-10)

It is important to note, that it says, "God saw their DEEDS", or, as some versions read, "WORK". But, this is NOT the "work to earn" that is being referred to here. Rather, as it goes on to say, "that they turned from their wicked way", that is, "REPENTED", which the Bible very clearly calls here, a WORK! This is very clearly in connection with salvation from sins. Some have sought to "get around" this account, by suggesting that it has nothing to do with "salvation", but only showing God's kindness and care for this nation! WOW, what depths some sink to to disregard the Word of God"!

I will give a couple more examples from Scripture, which is very clear that ALL sinners must DO something to get saved, which is to REPENT and BELIEVE, which is what Jesus says in Mark 1:15.

““Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart (repent), With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him” (Joel 2:12-14)

“ But if a wicked man turns from all his sins (repents) which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?(repents)... Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness (repents) which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive.” (Ezekiel 18:21-23, 27)

Can ANY honest, unbiased, believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, deny, in the face of such Bible Testimony, that REPENTANCE and FAITH, are pre-requirements for ALL sinners who want salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ? We must not forget, that without the working of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the sinner, before they are saved, where He convicts them of their sins, and points them to the Lord Jesus Christ, as their personal Saviour. As we read in John 16.https://www.baptistboard.com/bible/john/16/

“But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged." (5-11)

Ad Dei Gloriam

 

[Dave-W]

Repentance, believing, and Calling on the Name of the Lord; are all requirements for salvation, and none of them are "works."

 

[Alpha.Omega]

Repentance, believing, and Calling on the Name of the Lord; are all requirements for salvation, and none of them are "works."

correct, though some have misunderstood what the Bible teaches

 

[thecolorsblend]

There are some who are teaching a false view on salvation, that is based on their theological bias, and has nothing to do with the teachings found in the Holy Bible, which should be our final Authority on all matters.

Source?

 

[thecolorsblend]

Repentance, believing, and Calling on the Name of the Lord; are all requirements for salvation, and none of them are "works."

They’re all verbs. Actions, even.

 

[Dave-W]

They’re all verbs. Actions, even.

So??? That does not mean they are "works."

 

[BNR32FAN]

Repentance, believing, and Calling on the Name of the Lord; are all requirements for salvation, and none of them are "works."

Repentance is a change of life. A turning away from sin and turning to God. One could also argue that good works are a part of repentance.

 

[Dave-W]

One could also argue that good works are a part of repentance.

Good works are the RESULT of repentance.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Some examples of those who won’t be saved even tho they believe.

A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.


Luke 6:43-49


What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?


James 2:14


So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.


James 2:17


Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.


James 2:21-24


Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.


James 2:25-26


Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.


Matthew 12:30-37


Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.


Matthew 7:15-20


Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.


Matthew 7:24-27


I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.


John 15:1-6


When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.


Galatians 5:19-21


Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.


Matthew 3:10


Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous.


Psalms 69:28


I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.


Revelation 20:12-15


Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.


Revelation 21:27


For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.


1 Corinthians 4:20


I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.


Matthew 21:43


But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.


Luke 9:62


Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.


Ephesians 5:3-6


But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.


Matthew 25:31-46


Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


Matthew 13:47-50


Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!


Matthew 13:37-43


Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ “An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. “No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.


Matthew 13:24-30


A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


Matthew 24:45-51


All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.


Revelation 21:7-8


Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.


Matthew 18:3-10

 

[BNR32FAN]

Good works are the RESULT of repentance.

Yes so what if that person doesn’t do good works? That is evidence that he has not repented (experienced metanoia)

 

[RDKirk]

They’re all verbs. Actions, even.

A "work," as Paul describes it in Romans, is an action taken with intent to obligate God to salvation, as under the scriptures:

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. --Leviticus 19:13

At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee -- Deuteronomy 24:15

The worker's labor creates an obligation upon the employer for just payment.

Jesus and Paul both referred to those scriptures at one point or another, but Paul is contrasting the concept of wages for work against a gift given in grace, pointing out that the due wage for whatever "work" we think we've done is still death.

This is the essential definition of "legalism"--that by performing certain practices, by acting a certain way, we make God obligated to save us.

 

[BNR32FAN]

A "work" as Paul describes it in Romans, is an action taken with intent to obligate God to salvation, as under the scriptures:

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. --Leviticus 19:13

At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee -- Deuteronomy 24:15

The worker's labor creations an obligation upon the employer for just payment.

Jesus and Paul both referred to those scriptures at one point or another, but Paul is contrasting the concept of wages for work against a gift given in grace, pointing out that the due wage for whatever "work" we think we've done is still death.

This is the essential definition of "legalism"--that by performing certain practices, by acting a certain way, we make God obligated to save us.

I would agree our motivation to do good works should not be to attain salvation but to show God’s glory and His work in us.

 

[Neostarwcc]

I have a question. If repentance is required for salvation than why does all of Paul's letters and the gospel of John say that Faith is required for salvation? How come in John 6:29 Jesus said that the work of God is to "Believe in the one he has sent?" and how come when Paul and Silas were asked this very same question in the answer was "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

and not believe and repent? Or believe and X other condition? No, they said that the requirement for salvation was to believe. I don't even by that it is a faith that works because Paul says in Romans 4:5 "However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."

An example of someone getting saved without works in the Bible is the thief on the cross who not only didn't have the chance to repent from his sins or to do works at all. All he basically said was "Don't you fear the wrath of God? This man has done nothing wrong!" and "remember me when you come into your kingdom" and Jesus saved him right where he was.

I mean, I might believe that repentance from sins is required for salvation since it's taught in the majority of the church today, I just don't understand WHY. I also don't remember if I repented of my sins when I first came to Jesus 5 years ago. But, I see the evidence that the Holy Spirit lives within me and guides me every single day of my life. I know that I am saved, I just don't understand HOW.

 

[thecolorsblend]

So??? That does not mean they are "works."

Um, yeah. It kind of does.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I have a question. If repentance is required for salvation than why does all of Paul's letters and the gospel of John say that Faith is required for salvation? How come in John 6:29 Jesus said that the work of God is to "Believe in the one he has sent?" and how come when Paul and Silas were asked this very same question in the answer was "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

and not believe and repent? Or believe and X other condition? No, they said that the requirement for salvation was to believe. I don't even by that it is a faith that works because Paul says in Romans 4:5 "However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."

An example of someone getting saved without works in the Bible is the thief on the cross who not only didn't have the chance to repent from his sins or to do works at all. All he basically said was "Don't you fear the wrath of God? This man has done nothing wrong!" and "remember me when you come into your kingdom" and Jesus saved him right where he was.

I mean, I might believe that repentance from sins is required for salvation since it's taught in the majority of the church today, I just don't understand WHY. I also don't remember if I repented of my sins when I first came to Jesus 5 years ago. But, I see the evidence that the Holy Spirit lives within me and guides me every single day of my life. I know that I am saved, I just don't understand HOW.

Actually the thief was able to do works. First he confessed his sin then he proclaimed Jesus’ righteousness and asked for forgiveness. Also the Greek word for faith is pistis which also means faithfulness and fidelity which would imply dedication and obedience.

 

[thecolorsblend]

A "work" as Paul describes it in Romans, is an action taken with intent to obligate God to salvation

Where does Paul say that? I must be blanking on the passage.

Either way, “obligating” God to salvation is obviously impossible, as you say. But we participate in the process.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Yes they must be Born Again.

Jesus told Nicodemus, it's like the wind and there's not much you can do.

M-Bob

 

[Neostarwcc]

Actually the thief was able to do works. First he confessed his sin then he proclaimed Jesus’ righteousness and asked for forgiveness. Also the Greek word for faith is pistis which also means faithfulness and fidelity which would imply dedication and obedience.

So the thief on the cross repented of his sins when he said he feared the wrath of God? Interesting. Is this something that naturally comes too a saved person? Like when I got saved I automatically knew what to say. I remember accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I don't remember if I repented or not but, I probably did. Interesting.

 

[Dave-W]

An example of someone getting saved without works in the Bible is the thief on the cross who not only didn't have the chance to repent from his sins or to do works at all.

So the thief on the cross repented of his sins when he said he feared the wrath of God?

He died under the Mosaic Covenant, not the New Covenant. His example bears no impact on the New Covenant believer.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

I don't remember if I repented or not but, I probably did. Interesting.

Repentance may start slowly for some in the beginning but with time it should be like our second cousin.

Sometimes I think my middle name should have been Repent.

Remember, as we grow in our faith we sin less but, our sin bothers us more, thus there comes in Repentance.

Is it not a daily thing for you?

M-Bob