The church of Christ of your community accepts the Bible as the complete, sufficient, and final will of God to man—His last revelation to man until Jesus returns to wind everything up in the final judgment (Matt. 16:27). We freely concede that the Bible records instances of men, in both Old and New Testament periods, receiving special revelations, visions, dreams, etc., of a miraculous nature—in which revelations God communicated certain of His desires to particular men. But we also urge that the same sacred volume teaches that no such revelations would be received by any man after “that which is perfect” should come. The full scriptures—both Old and New Testaments—being the perfect will of God (2 Tim. 3:16, 17), “that which was in part” — partial and special revelations at irregular intervals to different individuals necessarily was “done away” (1 Cor. 13:9, 10).
God Requires More Than Sincerity
Is it true that Jehovah will save you if you are sincere, regardless of what you believe? Do you say that “it doesn’t matter what my religion is, if I am honest?” Many people think that they are prepared for heaven if their consciences are clear, if they have done the best they know. Too, many people take this position who accept the Bible as God’s word and as their guide. Hence, such people should be willing to be governed in their attitude on this question by what the Bible says. It is herein affirmed that God requires more than sincerity in religion— that man must not only be sincere, but must also worship and serve God exactly according to the specifications which He has given in His word. Let us see if the Bible so teaches.
As the first Biblical evidence, let us get the picture drawn in 1 Kings 12 and 13, particularly chapter 13. In 1 Kings 12 we have the tragic spectacle of King Jeroboam’s substitutions. Jeroboam had divided the kingdom of Israel, taking about 10 tribes and leaving only two for Rehoboam, the impractical and weakling son of Solomon. Jeroboam’s group formed the Northern kingdom, generally called Israel. Rehoboam’s tribes formed the Southern kingdom, usually known as Judah.
Repentance and Faith
Sinners are often erroneously told they must “repent and believe in order to be saved.” With a presupposition that salvation comes at the point of faith, before and without further acts of obedience, repentance is placed before belief. Please study.
Jesus said, “I tell you nay, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The sinner repent or perish. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). One who repents will not perish, but without faith cannot please God. If the order of repentance preceding faith is right, one who will not perish after true repentance, cannot please God until he has faith. This presents a predicament. How is it a penitent sinner will not perish, but cannot please God?
Water Baptism is Essential to Salvation
The proposition suggested in the title should not be controversial at all, but unfortunately it is. Even though the Bible is very clear on the subject, many will almost automatically deny that baptism has anything to do with one’s personal salvation. If the subject is well defined, agreement can be reached.
Water baptism means immersion in water. Our Lord set the example by requesting baptism from his cousin, John the Baptist (Matt. 3:13). That Jesus was immersed is seen from Matthew’s gospel. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” (vs. 13). When he was baptized, Jesus “went up straightway out of the water.” It is obvious that to come up out of something, one must have been down in something. The word baptism mean immersion.
Faith in the Book of James
Martin Luther, the famous German reformer, read the New Testament in light of his love of justification by faith alone. When he came to the book of James he could not accept it as equal with Paul’s writings. In the preface of his translation of the New Testament, which he translated in 1522, he called James “a right strawy epistle,” or “an epistle of staw.” He once offered to give his scholar’s beret to anyone who could sensibly reconcile Paul and James on the subject of justification. He is responsible, more than any other figure in history, for the common misconception that James and Paul are at odds over the subject of justification by faith.
The book of James is usually considered as a treatise that emphasizes works above faith. However, works appears only 13 times in the book of James whereas faith is found 16 times and believe 3 times. If counting occurrences of words mean anything, James is more of an epistle of faith than it is of works.
Faith and Works Equal Salvation
A gospel preacher named John S. Sweeney moved to Illinois in the fall of 1854. Shortly after his arrival he debated a Methodist preacher called, “the Reverend Mr. Pallet.” The proposition for debate was simple. Mr. Pallet affirmed what was plainly written in the Methodist Discipline, viz., “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.” (Article IX, “Of the Man.”). Brother Sweeney, with the full force of divine truth, denied and devastated such a false doctrine. He ended the short lived debating activity of the “Reverend Mr. Pallet,” and evidently, other Methodist preachers have learned the same lesson. The entire Methodist Episcopal denomination has stopped defending their doctrine of justification “by faith only.”
The Old and New Law
You have read in the Bible of animal sacrifices, a priesthood, temples and tabernacles. As you read the Old Testament these things play a very prominent role. But today, Christians do not offer animal sacrifices, nor have a special holy priesthood, temples and tabernacles. Very few are the things of Old Testament times that professed followers of Jesus Christ practice today. Why is that so? Is the Old Testament simply out of date? Do we look to the Old, or the New Testament for our guidance today?
It is difficult for many to accept the fact that the Mosaic Law is no longer applicable or binding. Many have grown used to the idea that if one lives by the Ten Commandments God will bless and approve his or her life. While it is true that such a life would be based upon a high standard of morality, it is not true that the Ten Commandments, any part of the Mosaic Law, or the Prophets are the basis for serving and pleasing God in this age.
What is a Christian?
A Christian Is . . .
“Christian” is a word that appears only three times in the entire Bible. The three references to it are:
Acts 11:26: “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called [Christians] first in Antioch.”
Acts 26:28: “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
1 Pet. 4:16: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
How to Become A Christian
After his death, burial, and resurrection, and before his ascension, Jesus gave the apostles the great commission as follows:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:19-20).
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).
What Must I Do to be Saved?
This question implies that man has something to do to be saved. It was raised by the people on the day of Pentecost, by Saul of Tarsus, and by the Philippian jailer. They doubtless understood that they should do something to be saved. The Bible clearly teaches that man must be a doer of the word, and not a hearer only.
Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Paul reminded the Romans that they had obeyed from the heart that form of teaching delivered unto them, and in so doing had become servants of righteousness and were no longer servants of sin (Rom. 6:17). God “will render to every man according to his works” (Rom. 2:6).