The gospel of Jesus Christ

SavedByGraceThruFaith said:

The word of God, the Holy Bible, says that you can know that you are saved.
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13a)

1. To understand this good news (the gospel) you must understand the bad news:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

Sin is breaking God’s law. If you have ever lied, stolen anything, cursed, used God’s or Jesus’ name in cursing, hated anyone, disobeyed your parents, coveted someone’s spouse, are married and lusted after someone not your spouse, committed adultery, fornication or murder, you have sinned. Every thought, word, and deed that breaks God’s law is sin.

God is holy and will punish sin by everlasting separation from God in the lake of fire.
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a)
“it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27b)
“death and hell were cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14b)
“all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire” (Revelation 21:8b)

Until all your sins are forgiven and you are saved, you are under God’s damnation.

2. The good news is that Jesus Christ loved us so much that He was crucified to pay for all our sins on the cross. He then rose from the dead.
“I declare unto you the gospel … By which also ye are saved … how that Christ died for our sins … he was buried, and that he rose again the third day …” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners , Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

It is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His complete payment for our sins by the blood He shed on the cross that we are saved.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7a)
“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:25a)
“the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:17b)

You must believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, Creator.
“Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” (John 20:28b)
“God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim 3:16b)
“by him were all things created” (Colossians 1:16b)

Jesus said, “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24b)

You must believe that you can never be good enough to earn salvation.
“There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10b)
“there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18b)
“there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:12b)

Salvation is a gift given freely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. You cannot earn or work for a gift else it is not a gift. Good works, sacraments, church membership or attendance, baptism, religious rituals will not help you. You must repent from trusting in these. You must stop trying to earn or do works for salvation. Trust only in Christ’s blood payment for your sins.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)
“the foundation of repentance from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1b)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works …” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“But if it be of works, then it is no more grace” (Romans 11:6b)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5a)

You must repent of belief in any other God, gods, idols or false religions.
“God … commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30b)

You must believe that there is no other way to salvation.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6b)
“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:11)
But Jesus Christ “offered one sacrifice for sins for ever” (Hebrews 10:12b)

The only way to be saved is to believe in Jesus Christ and His blood payment for your sins.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31b)

Jesus Christ said:
“whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15b)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18a)

The word of God says:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."(John 3:36)

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15b)
“the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16b)

Jesus, who never sinned, was beaten, mocked, spat upon, and the hairs of His beard pulled out. They put a crown of thorns on Him and beat it onto His head. His back was scourged repeatedly, tearing open His flesh. He carried a rough wooden cross to Calvary. They drove metal spikes into both of Christ’s hands and feet, crushing bone and into nerve tissue. Jesus then hung on that torturous cross for six hours. Our sins cost Christ that punishment. Yet Jesus endured all that unto death because of how much He loves you. Jesus had to endure all that to the end to save you.

“he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5)
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2a)

Any attempt to earn salvation through works is to mock and despise His great sacrifice.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (Titus 1:16a)

Salvation is a one-time event received through faith in Jesus Christ crucified for our sins.
Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7b)

3. To be saved, believe that you have sinned and are justly under God’s damnation (ungodly). Until you believe you are damned and need Christ as your Saviour, you cannot be saved. Do not trust in any merit of your own, works, or any other way. Now just believe and trust in Jesus Christ alone as your Saviour. Believe in who He is – God Almighty and the only Saviour. Believe in what Christ did for you - completely paid for all your sins by shedding His holy blood on the cross and then rose from the dead. Now believe and trust in what Jesus has promised you – everlasting life just through faith.

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

If you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and trusted in His total payment for your sins by His shed blood, you are saved forever and cannot lose your salvation. Jesus is the Almighty Saviour, never lost anyone who trusted in Him, and would never lie.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31b)
“him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37b)
“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:28b)
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14)
“having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:13b)
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1)
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5b)

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SavedByGraceThruFaith said:

Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles (see Romans 11:13).
The Gentiles are to hear the gospel of salvation from Paul as ordained by Jesus Christ. (see Romans 15:16 and 2 Timothy 4:17).

When asked what must a person do for salvation, Paul answered to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 16:30-31
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Please note that Paul said "the Lord" Jesus Christ. So you must believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord, that is, God.

Also note that only believe is mentioned, so it cannot be anything else or Paul would have said so.

Finally, notice the guarantee of salvation when a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. Shall be saved not might be saved. So this proves once saved always saved.

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SavedByGraceThruFaith said:

Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles.
Paul preaches the gospel of salvation in his letters.
The Gentiles are to hear the gospel of salvation from Paul.

Romans 11:13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I amtheapostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Romans 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 4:17
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Paul preaches, defends, and declares the gospel of salvation through his writings.

Romans 1:15
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Philippians 1:17
But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

It is the gospel of salvation that Paul preaches through his writings that are the very basis of God’s judgment.

Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

It is obvious that all who believe the gospel of Christ are saved.

Romans 1:16
For 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.

We are commanded to rightly dividing the word of truth. Everyone divides the word of truth (the Holy Bible) in some manner. The question is what method is the correct way. For example no one dwells in booths for the feast of tabernacles (see Leviticus 23:42). Most people correctly recognize that the ceremonial laws, the feast days, the Levitical priesthood, the tabernacle care, the dietary restrictions, and the sacrificial parts of the Old Testament law do not apply to us the saved Gentiles since we are under the New Testament. Thus they rightly divide out these commands as not applying to Christians today.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

But right division also eliminates parts of the New Testament. For example nobody does the following.

Mark 16:18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Not many do the following either.

Acts 4:34
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Rightly dividing the word of truth means to accept that Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles and that his writings declare, defend and preach the gospel of salvation. We are to consider what Paul writes.

2 Timothy 2:7-8
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Paul got the gospel he preaches directly from Jesus Christ (equivalent to words in red).

Galatians 1:11-12,15-16
11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

NOTE that the apostles agreed that Paul is to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:7-9
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Jesus Christ chose Paul for this task.

Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Paul is to present the church as a chaste virgin to Christ. His writings defend against anyone preaching a false gospel, another Jesus, or another spirit.

2 Corinthians 11:1-4
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

The letters that Paul wrote to the saved Gentiles all begin "Paul …"

2 Thessalonians 3:17
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

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SavedByGraceThruFaith said:

Psalm 23 is a wonderful psalm that many people have heard.

Here is the text for this psalm. What is interesting is that in the last verse, Davide wrote "I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever".
Please not that it does not say might dwell, maybe dwell, or could possibly dwell.
No. David wrote "will dwell", an absolute certainty. So this great psalm ends with yet another proof that Once Saved Always Saved is true.

Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Yet another proof that Once Saved Always Saved.

Note that the saints "are preserved forever".
Since it says saints that means those that are saved.
Since it says "the saints", it must mean all the saints.There is no qualifier.
It says the Lord does "forsaketh not his saints". So they could not possibly lose salvation.
It says "preserved". That means kept from destruction and saved, that is, kept from hell and saved.
"forever" That means there will never be a time that the saints are not preserved.

This is an undeniable Once Saved Always Saved statement.

Psalm 37:28
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

The Lord Jesus Christ promised the saved that He will never leave them.

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So the saved could never go to hell. If they did, Jesus Christ would still be with them and would be in hell forever. That emphatic and absolute promise, without condition, shows that once saved always saved is true.

Also if the saved could lose salvation and go to hell forever, then Jesus Christ would certainly have forsaken them. So it is impossible fro the saved to lose salvation. Never, ever could it happen.

Eternal Security or Once Saved Always Saved is absolutely true and guaranteed by Jesus Christ my Saviour.

The following is just another clear and empathic proof that once saved always saved is true.

Notice that it is by God’s mercy that He saved us. Also note that the past tense of the verb (saved) is used. So the saved are already saved (past tense) by His mercy.

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

But the mercy of the Lord, the mercy of God, is everlasting and endureth forever. Thus the saved are saved forever by the everlasting mercy of the Lord.

Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Pslam 106:1
Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Pslam 118:1
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 118:29
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:1-8
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:26
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Pslam 107:1-2
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

In fact, as declared in the first 2 verses of Psalm 107, the saved of Jesus Christ are commanded to declare once saved always saved is true because they are redeemed by His mercy and His mercy endureth for ever.

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LittleLambofJesus said:

That Chapter 6 in the book of Hebrews is rather scary.....

http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=48456361#post48456361
What is the Apostasy in 2 Thess 2?

2 Thess 2:3
No any ye should be deluding according to no yet one manner/way, that if-ever no may be coming the apostasy/apo-stasia <646> first.
And may be being un-covered the Man of the Sin, the Son of the destruction.

.

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SavedByGraceThruFaith said:

The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.

The following is absolutely clear and emphatic. If a person believes the gospel of Jesus Christ (at only one moment) and then does not end up saved, the statement would be false. So at the moment of belief, salvation is then guaranteed forever and accomplished by the power of God. Jesus Christ used the term "born again" and that indicates a moment in time, not a life long process.

Romans 1:16
For 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.

According to the above verse "the gospel of Christ" "is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes".

If a person believes the gospel of Christ (at a moment of time which is the moment of salvation) then the gospel of Christ is:
"the power of God" - not the power of men, not even of the person just saved, but the power of God Almighty
"unto salvation" - that makes it a guaranteed outcome. It does not say to possible salvation, probable salvation, but unto salvation. God Almighty will do it.
"to everyone who believes" the gospel of Christ. This leaves no exception at all. Therefore if a person believes the gospel of salvation, then the power of God guarantees salvation.


The following is absolutely clear and emphatic. If a person believes in Jesus Christ (at only one moment) and then perishes, the statement is false. So at the moment of belief, salvation is then guaranteed forever as promised by Jesus Christ.

John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

The following is absolutely clear and emphatic. If a person believes (at only one moment) that Jesus Christ is the Saviour sent from God the Father, and then comes into condemnation (hell), the statement is false. So at the moment of belief, salvation is then guaranteed forever as promised by Jesus Christ.

John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

"hath everlasting life" - actually has, not maybe might get it, but has it.
How? as a gift from God, which gifts are without repentance (God will not change the outcome). Since only God is in charge of the outcome, there is no one, not even the saved person themselves, that can give it back.

"shall not come into condemnation" - so if a person came into condemnation, then this statement by Jesus Christ is false. But Jesus Christ is speaking the truth, so it is true. So if a person believes in Jesus Christ (at only one moment, the moment of rebirth) and then perishes, the statement is false. So at the moment of belief, salvation is then guaranteed forever as promised by Jesus Christ.

"is passed" - this is a past completed act. That again proves salvation is a one time event, born again.

Please also see the thread:
This is what it means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

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