Many insist that since the Apostle Paul did not mention repentance in this section, that repentance is not part of the gospel for today; therefore, it is not necessary to preach repentance. Now, we know that Paul did indeed preach repentance.

“But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” (Acts26:20) 
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”(Acts 17:30) 

So, did something change prior to the writing of this passage that prompted Paul to leave out repentance? Certainly, not! Why did Paul not mention repentance when he speaks of the gospel here?

In reading 1Corinthians in its proper context, 2 points stand out which shed light on this question.

1.The Audience
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is obviously, a letter to a church, which means that he is speaking to believers. When preaching to those who claim to be believers, or “Brethren”, the message is often quite different than a message for unbelievers or those whom you are seeking to evangelize.

 e.g.: “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (1Corinthians 5:9-13) 

Here we see that Paul’s instructions for believers were very different than the instructions he would have for unbelievers. Quite simply, the reasons Paul’s letters to the Churches did not specifically address repentance regarding salvation could be that he was addressing those who were already saved and had already come to repentance.

We do not see specific instructions for Evangelism or sermons to the unsaved recorded within these letters because they were written to the churches (believers). However, when we look at the book of Acts, which does tell us in detail what Paul preached, we see that Paul’s message to the unsaved was clearly a message of repentance and faith.

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts20:21) 

 “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:” (Acts14:14-15) 

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30) 

While that may seem to oversimplify the issue, I believe the next point answers the question a bit more clearly.

2. The Purpose.
1 Corinthians was written by Paul to address various issues that had arisen within the Church. He spends the first 15 chapters addressing sin and error and establishing doctrine regarding questions raised.

E.g. Division, carnality, fornication, going to law against one another, marital issues, the eating of meats offered to idols, liberties, and a rather large section on correcting misunderstanding regarding spiritual gifts, ending in chapter 14. 
In chapter 15, he lays the groundwork to address yet another error that had begun to trouble the church- the question of the resurrection of the dead. He sets forth the message of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, reminding them how that he has already taught them this, pointing out the eyewitnesses which testified to these. Then he goes on to ask:

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:” (1Corinthians 15:12-13) 

He explains to them that without Christ’s resurrection, his preaching would be in vain, and our faith would be pointless, for we would be without hope. When he describes the gospel in this passage, it is not to unbelievers for evangelization, but to believers, proving Christ’s resurrection.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) 

His focus is on showing Christ’s resurrection and why it is essential to believe it. His intent is to correct and instruct believers, it was not to evangelize the lost or to teach evangelism.

He then goes on to teach of the rapture and deliverance of those who died already (which hinge upon the resurrection). He finishes the letter with chapter 16 which discusses the collection for the saints and his closing thoughts.

These are just 2 likely reasons Paul did not specifically mention repentance within this passage. His message did not change, dropping repentance as some would suggest.

The Gospel message preached by Paul and the apostles, to Jew and Gentile alike, has always been Repentance toward God and Faith Toward Jesus Christ.

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:20-21) 

Paul tells us that he did not keep anything back. He gave them the whole counsel of God- repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 In the book of Acts, we read of Paul reasoning and disputing in the synagogue for days at a time. In chapter 17 we see him preaching to the men of Athens. He did not simply give an ABC’s or 123’s gospel message; he preached to them the true identity of God, who He is, His hand in creation & His personal relationship & availability to men. He preached God’s righteous judgment and the coming resurrection as well as the good news of Jesus Christ.

Then when some said, “we will hear you again”, and clung to him, he continued preaching to them. As a matter of fact, NEVER did he lead anyone through a prayer or pronounce them saved, even if they were convicted. Instead, he simply instructed those who repented and believed to be baptized. 

When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, “they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

Why? Because Peter preached to them about their sin against God first, how that they had rejected and crucified their long-awaited Savior that died to bring salvation to them.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36) 

In the horror of their realization they asked, “what shall we do?” (to take away their sins and be made right with God). Peter’s answer certainly was not, “Repeat this prayer after me.” No, Peter told them to repent and be baptized.
“Then 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.” (Acts 2:38) 

We read in Acts 7:54 that when Stephen preached, his hearers were so angered that they gnashed upon him with their teeth and finally stoned him to death. Was this because he preached a positive message of “Hey, do you want to know how you can go to Heaven when you die? Just say this simple prayer?”

No. (I would suggest that if he had said something like that, he would have lived considerably longer than he did.)  He too, told them of their sin and condemnation before God. The true biblical Gospel always included repentance toward God.

The Gospel in a nutshell is this: Repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ.

The good news of the gospel is not only that Christ died and rose again the third day to save us from our sins. The good news is that our creator, a thrice holy God would love sinful man enough to desire a relationship with him, that He wants so much to bridge the separation caused by our sin that He was willing to sacrifice His only son to reconcile us to Himself.

What is the message of salvation that we should be proclaiming?

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

The gospel message preached by the apostles is a message of reconciliation to God through faith in Jesus Christ. What is it that separates us from God? Sin. Without repentance from sin, there can be no reconciliation and of course, no salvation.

“Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.” (Psalms 119:155)
​
 Any gospel message that does not include repentance is a false gospel.

Easy Believe-ism/Prayer-ism  is a method of Evangelism that is easily refuted by scripture, and only supported by tradition and teachings of men; yet it is widely accepted throughout modern Christianity. Why?

​“…but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6)
 
Easy Believe-ism: Promotes a means of salvation reduced to a mechanical device (work)-the act of saying a prayer.
 
Bible: 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;

 Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 
Easy Believe-ism:  Promises salvation to all who profess to believe . 
 
Bible: The bible tells us of many who profess to believe, but are not truly saved.
 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.
 
Matthew 7:21  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 which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
 
 
Easy Believe-ism:  Offers assurance of salvation upon merely reciting the sinner's prayer.

Bible: Offers assurance of salvation to all who are born again by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
 
1 John 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
 
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.
 
 
Easy Believe-ism: Instructs converts to never doubt their salvation. Many soul-winners will instruct the new convert to write down the day they prayed a prayer and hold fast to that in times of doubt.
 
Bible: Instructs us to examine ourselves to be sure we are in the faith, and lists many proofs of the evidence of the indwelling holy spirit, as well as evidences of deception. (see 1John)
2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
 
Philippians 2:12  … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
 
 
Easy Believe-ism: Claims that salvation is as easy as ABC or 123- just say this simple prayer.
 
Bible: The bible says to STRIVE to enter in at the strait gate of salvation and that many will desire to enter and NOT be able.
 Luke 13:23  Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
 
 
Easy Believe-ism: Instructs its hearers to make a decision (an act of the will) for Christ.  
 
Bible: The bible tells us to BELIEVE, and makes it clear that we are NOT born again by the will of the flesh or the will of man. It is a miraculous spiritual regeneration which comes at the point of true belief (faith). Faith cometh by hearing, not by deciding.
John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.​
 
Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
 
 
Easy Believism: Tells the unsaved to admit that they are  sinners, or confess their sin.

Bible: Tells us to repent. Anyone can admit to being a sinner, or even confess their sins and not be repentant. Catholics confess their sins regularly. This is in no way the same as repentance.
Matthew 3:2  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 6:12  And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 16:30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 17:3  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Luke 17:4  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Acts 2:38  Then 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.
Acts 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 8:22  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 26:20  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
 

Easy Believe-ism: “Seals the deal” with a prayer.

Bible: True believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
 
2 Corinthians 1:21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
 
 
Easy Believe-ism: Omits, or distorts repentance so that the way of salvation is plenty broad enough for any to enter in (along with their false beliefs, sin, and self-righteousness).
 
Bible: Declares that salvation is the narrow way
Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
 
Easy Believe-ism/Prayer-ism is at best, ignorance of the way of salvation and at worst, sinister and devilish.

If you are reading this post, then ignorance is no longer an excuse. Will you continue to stand on tradition or will you stand on the bible? What reasons could you possibly have for holding to something so clearly unbiblical?

​

I recently heard testimony and praise about a 4 year- old child that “got saved”.  The tearful story of the ecstatic Grandmother of the child, evoked an emotional celebration within our local congregation. Halleluiah’s and Praise the Lords were heard from some, as others smiled and nodded their approval. I honestly had to wonder though, “Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit unlikely?”

You might ask, “Don’t you believe that a 4 year- old can be saved?  Well, if you mean by that: “Can a four year- old be taught a couple of bible verses and catch phrases and told to love Jesus (the unseen person he has not met), and then led to repeat a prayer with the promise of Heaven as a reward?”  Absolutely! Without a doubt, I believe that he can perform this act. This however, IS NOT bible salvation. Do people honestly believe that it IS?

Now, on the other hand, if you were to ask whether I believe that a 4 year- old can understand his lost condition as a sinner condemned before a righteous God to an eternity in Hell, repent and trust in Jesus Christ alone as his only hope of forgiveness; I would have to say that I think it is pretty unlikely. Granted, there may possibly be children that young who do indeed have great spiritual understanding beyond their years, and as much as every parent wants to believe that their child is such a spiritual phenomenon; I would imagine that it is truly rare.

Almost every child in church today believes in Jesus. “… the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19 That does not mean that they are saved. (Most of these children also believe in Santa. That does not make them elves, or even very discerning.)

Simply believing in the existence of Jesus or even in the facts of His death, burial and resurrection is NOT salvation. Praying a prayer is also NOT salvation. And by the way, if you told them to pray to Santa, or the Easter Bunny, they'd probably do that too, and REALLY MEAN it.

As a former Catholic, from a child, I believed in God, and that Jesus Christ was the sinless son of God, who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for my sins, and rose again the third day. I even knew him as the one who saves us from our sins, but I was not saved.  It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s that through the conviction of the holy Spirit, I began to see myself as a sinner, and became repentant toward God. Even then however, there remained within me, a stumbling block which prevented me from truly believing the gospel. I was still clinging to the works-based salvation method that I had been taught, believing that I could offer something toward the price of my pardon.

When through the hearing of the word, God shined the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into my heart with the truth of salvation by grace through faith, and not of works, my life was never the same! Praise God for His great mercy toward me!

Is this not the same salvation that He offers to all?  Obviously, not all will have the same stumbling block to overcome, but all must come through that same repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ alone. THIS is biblical salvation, not merely praying a prayer, or professing to believe some facts to earn entrance into Heaven.

I have heard many give their own testimonies of “getting saved” at a tender age such as this. Often they have fond memories of kneeling before a manger scene or making a decision somewhere, but rarely is repentance toward God or even genuine faith in Christ even expressed. Most often, praying a prayer is the highlight of their memory, with no testimony of changed life.

Many of these confess that they lived apart from God for a great deal of time, or that they experienced a “recommitment” later in their lives, in which sanctification and changed life began. Those things should begin WITH salvation, not years after. Can I suggest to you that according to God’s word, SALVATION was probably the thing that came later, and not just a “recommitment”.

Some may argue that children do not have much sin to change from, especially children who grow up in church. They are generally “good” kids. Well, if they were not sinners saved by grace then they are NOT SAVED at all.

“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17  

Jesus came to call SINNERS to REPENTANCE, not the righteous, or even self-righteous. There IS NO salvation without repentance, and NO new life without change.

If your salvation amounts to pretty much the same scenario, with no repentance or changed life, I would beg you to please “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”2 Corinthians 13:5  “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12

If you’re a Teacher, it’s time to take responsibility for what you’re teaching. We want so much to see our children saved, that we may think it is a small thing if a child makes a false profession. We may even think it will help them to choose right later. but in our zeal, we may actually be doing more damage than good.
When we offer salvation without repentance, instead strengthening them in the word and preparing them to receive the Savior, we are inoculating them against the gospel by removing their fear of the Lord and assuring them that salvation is already theirs.  

Often, the aim of child evangelism is to get these children to “accept Jesus” and ask Him into their hearts at the earliest possible age. Sadly, most times, this is before they even know what sin is. Who would ever expect a toddler to understand the concepts of repentance and faith? Often grown-ups struggle with understanding these things, and yet, we begin pressuring these children for a decision right out of the nursery.

We fear to scare them with talk about Hell, and yet we think they should be accountable to God for their sin and competent to make a conscious and abiding decision about their own souls? What sort of insanity has overtaken our minds? Then, we trust that these toddlers and preschoolers, who do not know their right hands from their lefts, REALLY meant that decision we coerced them into making?

What are we thinking? How did salvation become such a small thing to us that we view it as merely coercing a prayer from anyone?  We should be ashamed of ourselves AND our Christianity to minimize such a precious gift from God to a mere parlor trick or numbers game. This is sure not MY Christianity. Is it really yours?

I remember when I was first saved, believing that we just needed to give people the answer- that Jesus paid it all! I thought that once they knew that, then of course they would be saved and changed just as I was. So, I shared the answer (the gospel) with as many as I could, and I too, led those people through prayers and assured them that they were saved. It didn’t take long, however for me to see that these were empty professions from people who most often, didn’t even know what the question was, or care, let alone WANT the answer. These people said the prayers, but were not saved, or changed. They did not become new creatures, and I had to accept that when I told them that they were saved I had told them a lie.

​I did not understand that salvation was a work of God, and that without the Holy Spirit working in that person's life, convicting, enlightening, and ultimately regenerating them, there could be no rebirth. Without the Spirit, they could pray a sinner's prayer all day, everyday and never be saved. How foolish I was to think that I could  assure someone's salvation simply because I got them to say a prayer. I know that God forgives and understands when we are new believers and not yet solidly grounded in the truth, but how many mature Christians are still doing this?

How long will we continue to lie to people, and to our children? How long will we lie to ourselves? How long will we hold onto our man made prayer as guarantee of salvation?

Preach the gospel to everyone, but assure no one. That job belongs to the Lord.
​
“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:20-21  

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

That day is surely here. I believe Calvinism is the greatest proof of this. No longer is the truth of the Bible enough. Instead Calvinism relies on Theologians, confessions and creeds, and philosophies of men; trusting more in intellectuals than God’s word. Consider this practice in the light of scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Calvinism heaps together teachers, having ears itching for more of their philosophies, rather than hungering for the word. It gladly abandons the simplicity of Christ for the complicated web of Calvinistic theory.

2 Corinthians 11:3 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.

Ask any Calvinist for the simple truth of salvation, and you will almost never get a simple answer. Instead of quoting scripture, they will most often quote one of their teachers.

Don’t be deceived.
​
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

I have noticed recently how often I hear and read Calvinist remarks on God’s sovereignty, and even more often, on their own depravity. It occurred to me that this theology has in itself become the object of worship for many Calvinists. They proudly tout their ideas of God’s sovereignty and their willing acceptance of it stands boldly in the face of any “less spiritual” who do not accept their theology. 
 
Constantly bewailing their own worthlessness, they often describe themselves as depraved wretches. This practice of self-abasement is, at least initially, attractive for many and appears to be glorifying to God until of course it is beaten to death, and then continues to be beaten. This self-righteous false humility ultimately becomes a badge of honor, proudly displayed much like the hypocrite’s public fast.
 
Matthew 6:16  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
 
Of course, all who are truly saved, recognize that they are completely undeserving of salvation, and view their past sins as wicked and depraved. Yet, it does not seem to fit with scripture to remain in such a state of depraved wretchedness, endlessly drawing attention to self. Should we not instead be drawing attention to Christ and his saving power, through the transformation of our salvation?
 
Have we not become “new creatures”? Are we not now sons of God? And children of the king? Are we not freed from the condemnation of sin and its power over our lives? Are we not “more than conquerors through him that loved us”? (Romans 8:37)    
 
1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
If we are indeed forgiven and cleansed, why should we live in such defeat, condemning ourselves when God himself says we are no longer condemned? Are we not then making him a liar?
 
What soldier would go to battle with such defeatism in his heart and on his lips?
 
The answer is far more disturbing than even this. Calvinism is not going to battle against the evil of this world at all, but against Christ himself. Now that may sound like a pretty harsh accusation, but please bear with me.
 
First, let’s look at what the bible says about Christ.
 
Philippians 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 
Notice that God is glorified through the worship of Christ, not through the worship of sovereignty.
 
John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. It is through faith in what Christ has done that we are saved. This is what draws all men.
 
Colossians 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
 
It is all about Jesus! We are followers of Christ, not followers of John Calvin. We are Christians, not Calvinists. Christ is to have preeminence. While biblical Christianity recognizes that Christ is to have preeminence, Calvinism instead gives its theology that position.

Christ is not exalted , but sovereignty is. Calvinists are not saved by faith in Christ, but by divine election. The Calvinist (who by the way, claims to have been individually chosen for salvation from the foundation of the world) is regenerated prior to faith in Christ, not through faith in Christ. Faith along with repentance are said to be given after regeneration.

What purpose then did Christ serve? Is he dead in vain as the Catholic Christ? According to this teaching Christ is almost unnecessary. He is relegated to a mere technicality.

Though Calvinism may claim to glorify God, its teachings do not agree with what God has said in his word.  Can you see the sinister nature of this teaching?

I would have to also ask: Who would usurp the place of Christ? You see, the Devil is so very clever. Never will he come right out and suggest that Christ’s death was in vain or an unnecessary technicality, but if he can construct a very elaborate and seemingly God-honoring theology to distract you away from Christ, he has done that very thing.
 
I stumbled upon this site recently that is an excellent example of Calvinist deception and double-talk. https://www.monergism.com/blog/why-faith-not-mentioned-five-points-calvinism The subtleties alone are astounding.
 
The question is asked: Why is Faith Not Mentioned in the Five Points of Calvinism?
 
Visitor: It is interesting that faith is not mentioned in the five points of Calvinism. Faith is actually downplayed and not considered necessary to salvation in Calvinism, because it is instead based on unconditional election and irresistible grace! If regeneration precedes faith then the formula would be regeneration, then faith, then justification! Illogical!
 
Response: this statement of yours is simply disinformation. Reformed theology is much broader than simply the five points of Calvinism. Among other things, of equal importance, the Five Solas also find their source in Reformed theology (Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Sola Scriptura and Soli Deo Gloria). Those of us who are Reformed in theology affirm that when we declare the gospel that we must call all men to faith and repentance in the message. It is a summons to repent and believe:
 
"Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." -Acts 17:30
 
"And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ..." - 1 John 3:23
 
I would encourage you to factually represent your theological opponents. Without the Spirit opening our heart and uniting us to Christ through faith no man is justified.
 
Furthermore... your critique against regeneration appears to be saying that a person can believe the gospel apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that unless the Spirit opens your eyes, ears and heart to the gospel no one will believe (see Deut 29:4, 30:6, John 6:63, 65)
 
You said, "illogical" Our gospel is not based on human logic, but logic which aligns with God's. Is it really illogical for a farmer who plants a seed in the ground to also need water/germination for the seed to grow. Likewise, simply casting the seed of the gospel into a man's heart is not enough on its own. The blessing of the Spirit from heaven is also needed to germinate the seed. "he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you NOT ONLY in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." (1 Thess 1:4, 5) We plant and water but God causes the growth. What is impossible with man (faith and repentance) is possible with God.
 
Wed, 04/01/2015 - 19:50 -- john_hendryx
 
The answer is actually brilliant, and I believe the Author should be commended.

Luke 16:8  And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

He was extremely successful at  dodging the question entirely, by attempting to make the gospel complicated and confusing, only to be understood in light of Theologians, creeds, and confessions.

2 Corinthians 11:3  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.

He then accuses the visitor of unfairly misrepresenting the Calvinist position, suggesting they become more educated, with the guise of genuine concern. Then, as most good Calvinists, he erects his own straw man argument, suggesting that the visitor meant what he nowhere stated. “your critique against regeneration appears to be saying that a person can believe the gospel apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.” This is somewhat worse than even the pot calling the kettle black, as there was no foundation whatsoever for such a statement. The visitor implied no such thing and never mentioned the Holy Spirit or even his own views. And… Critique against regeneration?  Really? That’s quite a stretch.

He then states that Calvinism is not based on logic. (Probably the truest thing he said.) It is not based on logic, because logic would be forced to reject such contradiction of scriptures. Calvinism is instead based on philosophies of men, which are used very often to explain away the natural meaning of scripture. Any normal interpretation of scripture and understanding of salvation is rejected in favor of Calvinist principles. Any attempt to recognize truth is buried under layer after layer of yet another philosophy, making even their own beliefs difficult to explain without of course, the aide of theological works, and confessions. Again, considering the simplicity of Christ must be at the very least, a red flag. This veiling of the truth is how so many are deceived.

Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

 When you peel away layer after layer of deceit, you are left with exactly what the visitor asked:

“It is interesting that faith is not mentioned in the five points of Calvinism. Faith is actually downplayed and not considered necessary to salvation in Calvinism, because it is instead based on unconditional election and irresistible grace! If regeneration precedes faith then the formula would be regeneration, then faith, then justification! Illogical!”
​
That truly is the essence of the Calvinist message minus the candy coating. I would have to agree emphatically with the visitor!

Most Christians have heard the phrase Easy Believism and are aware of its negative connotation. When questioned about their stand they will almost always deny any participation in it, even when they rely solely on this for their Evangelism. They may even agree that “there is NO magic prayer” (while they consistently use it as such). I would like to believe though, that it is not a desire to deceive which prompts their denial, but simply an ignorance of what is truly meant by Easy Believism.

This “lack of understanding” often prompts people to defensively reject what they perceive to be the “wrong” in “Anti-Easy Believism” arguments. Some try to suggest that any who reject Easy Believism are condemning soul-winning and the responsibility to lead others to the Lord. (This is completely false. It is actually the desire to see souls TRULY saved that prompts the demand for BIBLICAL methods of salvation.)

Others suggest that by questioning the validity of their methods, we are condemning their converts to Hell. Obviously, it is NOT pointing out the error of Easy Believism that sends them to Hell. These type of “straw man” arguments are then systematically dismantled, while the heart of Easy Believism remains unaddressed. Clearly, there must be some confusion.

In fairness, the name Easy Believism itself can be misleading. I have even heard some say, “Well… isn’t salvation easy? It isn’t work, so it must be easy.” True, salvation is NOT by works, but only by repentance toward God and Faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. The problem is that repentance is generally, either omitted entirely or its importance is greatly minimized in the Easy Believism gospel message.

It has been suggested that Easy Believism would be better described as Easy Prayersim, because of its over-emphasis on prayer where getting people to pray a sinner’s prayer is the primary aim. While praying is not wrong, and even using a sinner’s prayer is not in itself wrong either; the tendency to view this prayer as a guarantee of salvation certainly is wrong. David Cloud has written an excellent article detailing this issue titled: EASY PRAYERISM OR BIBLE EVANGELISM.

          “Don’t get me wrong. I believe that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). I believe that those that pray to God in repentance and faith and ask to be saved WILL be saved. I am not against prayers for salvation, but the prayer must come from a repentant, believing heart, or it is vain.
          What I am against is making the praying of a prayer the focus of our evangelistic activity. Repeating a prayer is not necessarily salvation and we must not confuse it with such. Just because 50 people pray a prayer or raise their hands in a gospel meeting is no evidence whatsoever that those people have been saved. It is one thing to show some interest in salvation; it is quite another thing to be saved.
           Some might argue, “Well, I know that just praying a prayer is not salvation.” Why then, I might ask, do so many say that a certain number of people “got saved today” or “got saved last year” when all they did was pray a prayer? Especially is this true in a context in which the majority of these people don’t even want to come to church. Is that not an unhealthy focus on a prayer? I call this “easy prayerism.”- David Cloud     For the entire article go to:
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/easy_prayerism_or_bible_evangelism.html
 
I have heard some even try to explain away their responsibility in false conversions by suggesting that if someone tells them they are saved, then all they can do is believe it since they cannot see their heart.  That is true except that with Easy Believism/Prayerism, it is generally NOT the new convert proclaiming salvation, but the overly zealous soul-winner. You cannot lead someone to believe that making a decision or praying a prayer saves them, put the words in their mouths, write their names in the back of your bibles, congratulate them on getting saved, and then deny any responsibility for their false conversion.  

What’s even worse is that most soul-winners do not stop at simply “implying” that salvation has been secured by a profession or a prayer. Most will go as far as giving the new convert an “assurance” that they are indeed saved and saved eternally, instructing them to hold fast to their profession in times of doubt.

This is the heart of the easy Believism/Prayerism error!

Why would we ever tell anyone that they are saved- especially based only on a profession? And then also tell them never to question it?  It amazes me that we are so reluctant to tell anyone that they MAY NOT be saved because “We can’t see their Hearts-Only God can”, and yet we would dare tell them (again, not being able to see their hearts) that they ARE saved simply because we coerced them into praying a prayer. Did it ever occur to us that telling people who are NOT saved that they ARE may be sending them to HELL? (While telling someone who IS saved that they may not be, can do them no spiritual harm at all?)

Why would we assure someone that they can trust their souls to a mere profession when the bible does not say that? The bible actually warns over and over of those who are deceived and admonishes believers to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Matthew 7:21  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 which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
 
Many will “profess” to believe in Christ, but in the end Christ will “profess” that He does NOT know them. For those people, their professions are worthless.

Trusting in these false promises of salvation so carelessly given, these false converts are left farther from salvation than they were before.  They stumble on, still blind and in the dark, but now with a false assurance of forgiveness, they continue confidently in their sin. Having had their conviction and fear of condemnation soothed by a well-meaning Christian, they give no further thought to repentance or faith.

What a horrible thought that we as Christians could unintentionally be the reason someone is turned away from the Lord.

Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  
  
 It is never our job to tell someone else that they are saved. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (1John 4:13)”. (See also: 1 John 3:24, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:9, John 3:5,  Only by the presence of the regenerating Holy Spirit of God within us can anyone be sure. 

It is not even our job to “seal the deal”. That too is the job of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.   (See also Romans 15:28, 2 Corinthians 1:22,  Ephesians 1:13)

​Our job is to preach the gospel, and trust the Lord for the results. 

Revelation 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Revelation 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Amazing to imagine this! A great multitude which no man could number suddenly appearing before the throne of God! What’s even more amazing is that the church has already been raptured, taken to heaven, along with all those who died in Christ over the past 2000 plus years.

This great multitude beyond number (as the stars of the sky or sand upon the sea shore?) are comprised of every nation of the world. Though many are Gentiles, who were once outside the promises of God, they have been blessed to receive salvation and are now part of God’s family.

These are, by the way those who were not saved in time for the Pre-tribulation rapture, who “loved not the truth” before the 70th week, and were primed for a great delusion but who are now somehow miraculously saved and ready to die for Christ.  Truly, truly amazing!

What is most amazing is the time frame in which they are saved. This event occurs at the 6th seal of Revelation, which is AT LEAST 1 ½ years prior to the end of the 70th week (Rev. 9:5, Rev. 9:15), but still somewhere after midpoint. This leaves a mere 5 1/2 yrs. at most. The Church, along with the Holy Spirit has already been removed before the start of the 70th week, so this leaves an amazingly short period of time as well as no Christian witness to evangelize so many. So, in a period of 5 ½ years (at most), without the aid of the Holy Spirit and no Christians to preach the gospel, an innumerable host of people are saved!  Wow! 

Even if, as assumed by many, the 144,000 are “Evangelist/Missionaries”, it's staggering to think that they could do in 5 ½ years what the church could not do in over 2000 yrs.! (It is unlikely however that they are responsible for such evangelistic success since these 144,000 are only sealed for service during the sixth seal as well, just prior to the Great Multitude’s appearance in Heaven.) Obviously, these go into the 70th week unsaved, because if they were saved prior to the 70th week, they would have been raptured with the Church. 

It is simply beyond our greatest imaginations that such a multitude will be reached in that amount of time!-or that a multitude that cannot be numbered could even exist during that short period of time, since it seems we are able at this point to number the world’s population at any given year (even the entire world's population is not innumerable) and out of those, to at least estimate those who claim to be saved.  It might be difficult to number believers over a period of thousands of years, but it doesn’t seem that it would be that hard to do over a period of no more than 5 1/2 years.  And yet, a great multitude that cannot be numbered is produced out of the world’s population over just 5 ½ yrs. Amazing stuff!

Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Can a dead man repent and believe? This is a question posed often by Calvinists. They reason that if a man is (spiritually) dead in sins and trespasses then he is completely unable to do that which God commands. He is unable to turn to God in repentance, to believe, or even to desire anything which God commands. According to the Calvinist, God must 1st quicken man (who is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins), bringing him to new life before he can believe or desire to be right with God.

If we are going to apply this interpretation to this verse, we must also apply it to others (in the proper context). The same Apostle who penned Ephesians 2:1 also penned the following verses. Speaking of born again believers, Paul writes:

Romans 8:10 “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Applying this same interpretation, it would have to be suggested that if our bodies are now dead, that we could no longer walk or talk or breathe. Can a born again believer yet walk, talk and breathe?

Romans 6:11 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Can and do we yet sin? The obvious and logical answer to all these questions is a resounding Yes.

We should never base our theology only on our human reasoning or philosophies, but on the word of God itself. So, what does the word of God tell us? Can a spiritually dead man do as God commands -turn to him in repentance and believe? Can an unsaved man desire to worship God?

Acts 16:14 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

The example of Lydia is often used to prove that man cannot. But notice here that Lydia is a described as a worshipper of God prior to God’s opening her heart. Of course, we cannot hang our beliefs on this one verse.

Acts 10:1 “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.”
Cornelius also worshipped God prior to regeneration. We are told that he feared God, gave alms and prayed to God. It sure sounds like he desired to be right to God and turned to him.

We are also told of many Old Testament saints who repented and believed God. It would be difficult, I believe, to find anyone who would suggest that they were regenerated.

John 7:39 “ (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Old Testament saints had faith that was counted for righteousness and were saved, but they were not regenerated as we are. They were looking forward to the coming of the Savior who would in the future complete the way of Salvation. But we are told that these died, IN FAITH not having yet received the promise. The Holy Spirit was not an indwelling presence, tabernacling with men while the Old covenant was still in effect. We are told that these things were a shadow of things to come, but not the very things themselves.

The Holy Spirit was known to come upon individuals for a time, empowering them for service as God’s purposes demanded, but also departed from them at times. We know that a regenerated person with the indwelling Holy Spirit can quench that a Spirit, but never lose it. The Old Testament saints were forgiven, but not born again. They were justified by faith (saved) but they were not regenerated; and yet we are told that :

Romans 4:3 “…Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

Romans 4:6-9 “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.”

As a solution to this obvious problem posed by scripture itself, some would suggest that regeneration and faith happen at the exact same time. (To me, this seems like faulty reasoning at best. Logic itself would demand that one must come before the other. Just as if we were entering a house, we might describe it as one singular act, but that act is made up of more than one element. Clearly we must open the door before we can go through it, and not the other way around.)

Again we have to look to word for the answer. Do we repent and believe to be saved? Or are we saved so that we CAN repent and believe? Are we saved through faith? or through regeneration? Does faith come by hearing or by regeneration?

John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

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

John 3:16 “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 3:18 “He 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.”

John 3:36 “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.”

Notice the idea here: The believing are saved to everlasting life, while the unbelieving are condemned. Can a man be regenerated prior to belief? Not according to the scriptures, for then would a regenerate man yet be condemned, and still have the wrath of God abiding on him. He would still be damned.

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” 
According to the bible, we are either in the flesh or in the spirit. We cannot be both.

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.

Can we actually say that someone is regenerated who has not yet repented or believed? Are they washed, and renewed prior to repentance and belief? The bible tells us that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. And that He “saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” Psalms 34:18. Will God go against His own word and regenerate an unrepentant, proud sinner?

Psalms 119:155 “Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.”
If that is not clear enough, there is more:

Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise,”

The bible is exceedingly clear here when it tells us that after they heard the word, they trusted (believed). After they believed, they were sealed with the Holy Spirit.

So then, if man is capable of repenting and believing before he is regenerated, who gets the glory? Of course God does. Man cannot anymore regenerate himself than he can sprout wings. It is only by the great and merciful grace of God, that salvation is possible. If God had not planned from the foundation of the world, to provide his son as a sacrifice for sin, no one could ever be saved.

John 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” How does God draw sinners to Christ? Christ said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32 God draws us through the preaching of the word. Romans 10:17 “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Faith cometh by hearing, not by regeneration.How many does God desire to draw? All.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Repent & Believe!

We all work long and hard to earn our wages. Sometimes when payday rolls around, we find that we did not get paid for all the effort we put forth; but there is one payday that is guaranteed:

Romans 6:23  “For the wages of sin is death;”  The wages we have earned for our sin is death. That is one thing that is absolutely certain for every one of us. No one will be short-changed. 

When we die, we can be assured that all the years of working hard to break God’s laws have indeed stored up wrath for ourselves to be paid upon our death, in a place of fiery torment away from his presence.   -Unless we can find a way to pay for those sins, and be reconciled to him.

There is nothing we can do of ourselves to take away our sins. Even our good works and efforts are stained with our sin and unacceptable to God.

Isaiah 64:6  “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;”

Hebrews 9:22  “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God made a way for us to be reconciled to God. He shed his own blood on the cross to make atonement for our sins, and to secure for us a place in Heaven.

Who you are trusting in come payday will determine your destination.

Acts 16:31  “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...”

John 3:16 “ 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.”

So often I hear people state that we are no longer under the law, but under grace and therefore there is no need to preach or teach the law any longer. They claim that all we need to do is show people the goodness of God, and not the fearful wrath; and that we simply need to preach the gospel message so that others can put their faith in Christ.

This idea is regularly displayed in many of our children’s ministries. Often children right out of the nursery that have no understanding of who God is, or his righteous judgment of their sin, or even their need for a Savior are given the gospel and instructed to simply “accept Jesus”. These children are being offered a remedy for an ailment they are not even aware that they have.

Mark 2:17a “ When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick”

Many people even claim that repentance is not necessary at all; but Jesus tells us in Mark 2:17b “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

The apostle Paul, like Jesus, obviously differed with that opinion:  Acts 20:21 “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Without an understanding of our condemnation before God, we cannot even see our need for a Savior. Having a fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom that leads us to repentance.

Psalms 111:10  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments…”

Psalms 36:1  “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.”

How can we know that we have sinned against God? Only by knowing his law can we see our offenses, and our need for a Savior.  Romans 3:20” for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

 Galatians 3:24  “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

The law shows us our condition as lost sinners separated from God, in need of repentance and reconciliation.

But what about those who say we are no longer under the law?  Romans 6:14  “… for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

This verse is speaking to those who have already been saved, who have been freed from the law through faith in Christ and are no longer under its condemnation.

Romans 7:6  “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

Those who have not yet believed are yet under the law and condemned by it.   John 3:18  “He 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.”

Romans 3:19  “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

Therefore, we must preach and teach the law as well as the gospel, so that sinners can repent and put their faith in Christ.  

Matthew 7:22 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The Lord tells us that there will be many who will stand before him and say…

“Lord, Lord…” These are people who honestly believed they were saved from the punishment of their sins; but in fact, that condemnation remained. Why would they be so deceived? Why would they be so sure of something that is not true? What would convince them of such a lie?

Could it be because we as Christians are so anxious to give them that assurance? Although the bible warns us to “work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling”, to “make YOUR calling and election sure”, and to “examine YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves”; for some reason, we want to do it for them, and offer them our own assurances instead.

Why does God tell us to examine ourselves? Because when HE assures us that we are truly saved, WE will know it, and no one will be able to convince us otherwise.

Any time someone questions their salvation, instead of allowing the Holy Spirit of God to convict them or show them their true state we rush to offer them something to push that doubt aside. We offer them a reminder of the prayer they said, or the commitment they felt, or even belief in the facts of salvation; but did we ever stop to think that these doubts were from God, to warn them of deception? Maybe he WANTS them to question and turn to Him for the answer. After all, only HE knows their hearts.

If they are not saved, then every time we assure them, we may be leading them further from salvation. The more often a lie is repeated, the more it is believed. Practice makes permanent.

Think about it… How many times do we ask a child or adult to signify by the raised hand, or other means, that they are saved? Every time we do this, we are re-enforcing the lie to those who are not truly saved. This doesn't even take into account the obvious element of peer pressure which inevitably effects their decision as well.

Why are we so concerned with offering assurances of salvation, to others? Is it really for them, or for us? What if we are the reason that someone stands before the Lord and hears, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Luke 17:1 "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"

If you are still a slave to sin, you are not a servant of Christ.

Romans 6:16  “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

You cannot free yourself, or even purchase your freedom. You must be made free by Christ, purchased by his blood.

 Romans 6:18  “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

 Romans 6:13  “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

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.”

Are you a new creature? Is your life dramatically different than it was before you were saved? Have your heart and desires been changed?  Can you honestly say that you have been made free? Have you come from darkness to light? Has your old self been crucified with Christ?

Some might say, “Well, I grew up in Church, so my life isn’t much different.” Or, “I was always pretty good, so I didn’t really need to repent.”

The bible tells us that if ANY man be in Christ he will be a new creature, NOT just the really bad ones! We are ALL unrighteous sinners, dead in sins and trespasses. When the Holy Spirit brings us to new life and comes to live within our hearts, there WILL be a change! 

If you have always been good and there is no change, then you are NOT saved. Why would you even need a Savior if you were not a sinner? What would you need to be saved from? Jesus came to call SINNERS to repentance, NOT the righteous (self-righteous).

Matthew 9:12  “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.13  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Only when you see your sin the way God sees it and are broken and contrite before him, recognizing your well-deserved condemnation can you possibly see your need for a Savior.

There is NO salvation without repentance & No new life without change.

Many people believe that simply being sorry for our sin, and struggling against it is enough to merit God’s favor. Feeling bad about their sin and turning over a new leaf, they often struggle for years against their sins, trying desperately to win the victory against its power, to no avail. Repentance is not the same as being saved.

That is why the apostle Paul preached: “ … REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, and FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Acts 20:21

              Through the fall, man is spiritually dead, and his soul (the seat of his emotions and his will; the place of his decision making) now dwells within his decaying mortal body as a defenseless prisoner, controlled by its sinful desires. Though he would repent, his conscience recognizing and bearing record of his sin as an offense to God; he cannot perform that which he would choose. Though he might desire good, within himself he cannot overcome the sin that keeps him in bondage. Repentance simply cannot save him from his sins, nor pay the penalty they bring, for it cannot even free him from its power.

              He finds that he must look outside himself for help to overcome his sin. In desperation he looks in faith to the sinless Savior, who alone can do for him what he could not do for himself. That is to save him from the power AND the penalty of sin; to free his soul from the bondage of sin within his flesh, and empower his soul’s decisions with the life giving, indwelling Spirit of God, enabling him to overcome the sins which once held him bound.

Romans 8:5  “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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.”

In our flesh, we cannot please God. Our repentance, although commanded cannot save us but is simply a willingness to turn to God and receive through faith the precious gift of salvation he offers through his son, Jesus Christ.

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;

John 16:8  “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

The Holy Ghost convicts the world of sin and righteousness & judgment. You can preach the gospel all day long to someone without conviction and it will only be foolishness to them.

1 Corinthians 1:18  “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;”

-Why? Because just as only they that are sick need a Physician, only they that are convicted of their sin and God’s judgment upon them see their need for a Savior.

-How does the Holy Spirit bring conviction of these things? Through teaching of God’s righteous rule and reign and by the preaching of the law.

Romans 7:7   “ Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

Galatians 3:24  “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Proponents of Easy believism/Prayerism usually preach merely the gospel facts (the death, burial & resurrection of Christ). They generally assume that a clear presentation of this basic message is sufficient effort to warrant leading someone through a prayer.

In the book of Acts however, we read of Paul reasoning and disputing in the synagogue for days at a time. In chapter 17 we see him preaching to the men of Athens. He did not simply give an ABC’s or 123’s gospel message; he preached to them the true identity of God, who he is, his hand in creation & his personal relationship & availability to men. He preached God’s righteous judgment and the coming resurrection as well as the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Then when some said, “we will hear you again”, and clung to him, he continued preaching to them. As a matter of fact, NEVER did he lead anyone through a prayer or pronounce them saved, even if they WERE convicted. Instead he simply instructed those who believed to be baptized. Shouldn’t we do the same?

Most Fundamental bible believing Christians would immediately refute the Pope’s, or anyone else’s claims to pronounce salvation (or damnation) upon anyone. They would quickly cite: 1 Timothy 2:5  “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

They would also insist that biblical salvation is not obtained by works done by men. Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

They would be absolutely right on both accounts, and yet when it comes to evangelism, they themselves claim that same power, pronouncing salvation upon any who follow after their own prescribed works (praying a prayer). Subverting the Holy Spirit, they instead call upon the power of man’s will for salvation. Assuring the unsaved that a decision is the same as faith, they immediately lead them through the ritual prayer and pronounce salvation based upon such.

Christians, have we now become the mediators of salvation, to be initiated upon our own direction? Salvation is not of the WILL (a decision) but of faith.

John 1:13  “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Can we ever know who has true faith? How can we make that determination for someone else, and then suggest that a simple prayer is their initiation into Christianity?

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;”

No true salvation has ever been sealed by a prayer, but ONLY by the Holy Spirit of God.

2 Corinthians 1:22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Romans 8:9  “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

The Bible warns over and over about false teachers and false prophets and those who will claim to be Christ. They will deceive many with powers and signs and wonders.

Mark 13:22  “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew SIGNS AND WONDERS, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”

It warns that the Antichrist that will come in the end times will deceive with signs and wonders.

2 Thessalonians 2:9  “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan WITH ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS,”

It may seem hard to imagine that people will be so deceived. No one wants to be deceived, or to think of themselves as easily fooled. But just look for a moment at some of the signs and lies already being accepted by many that claim to be bible-believing Christians (inspite of clear teaching within the bible.)

DECEPTION:   Slain in the Spirit-a Christian falls down and shakes or thrashes around uncontrollably, or even  “drunken in the spirit” and these SIGNS are attributed to the Holy Spirit.

TRUTH:  The bible nowhere records any believers behaving this way and actually attributes this sort of behavior to Demon-possession. A believer is told to be sober, and of good behavior, and things within the church are to  be done decently and in order, not disorder and losing all self control. (Matthew 17:14-18, Mark 5:2-5 )

DECEPTION: Word/faith heresy- This is the claim that believers have the POWER to speak things into existence, either good or bad, as though they are little gods, thus glorifying man.

TRUTH: God ALONE has the power to speak things into existence. We are to look to him ALONE for all our needs, and to him ALONE is the glory. (John 1:1-3, Psalms 136:4, Isaiah 2:17)

DECEPTION: Female Pastors- the teaching that God ordains women to teach and have authority over men within the Church.

TRUTH: God commands women to be silent within the church, NOT to teach nor to usurp authority over a man, and even to learn from her own husband at home. (1 Timothy 2:11, 1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

DECEPTION: Physical healing of disease promised to all believers in the atonement.

TRUTH: Through the atonement, the condemnation of sin is removed, and the Holy Spirit brings new life to the  believer, but within the flesh, sin still remains, along with its effects: the corruption and vulnerability to   sickness, disease and eventually physical death. True physical healing is not promised until this corruptible  puts on incorruptions at the resurrection. Only then will we be free from sickness and disease.( 1 Corinthians 15:53 , 1 Corinthians 15:50)

DECPETION: Believers are to SEEK after an experience from God. Believers exalt the manifestations of the Holy  Spirit, elevating him above the word and above the Lord Jesus Christ.

TRUTH: The Holy Spirit will never exalt himself or speak of himself but will glorify Jesus through the word of  God.( John 16:13, Psalms 138:2  “…thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”)

The bible makes it painfully clear why people are deceived. It tells us that it is because “ RECEIVED NOT A LOVE OF THE TRUTH.” They didn’t love the truth of the word as much as they loved the signs and wonders of their “RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE.”

2 Thessalonians 2:10  “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

 1 John 4:1  “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21  “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”