Essential Doctrine pt7; Salvation is a gift of God.

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.

There is one mediator between God and man, and that is Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 2:5). Jesus Christ was the only one in all of history to make atonement and reconciliation between God and man. He did this, by suffering and dying upon a cross, in such a way that no one on earth could understand. There is nothing that can match the value of Christ's offering.

Someone who believes that they must be a good person or perform some right, or observe rituals in order to receive or maintain their salvation in Jesus Christ effectively renders the gift of God as not free, as they attempting to buy it by some form of work.

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Rom 4:3-8)

For by works of the law (observing the 10 commandments, or 'being good') no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (because we've all broken the law, and no one has perfectly kept the law, therefore, Rom 3:10,12).

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom 3:20-26)

Now I know that this may cause some to think that one may go on sinning as they please since salvation is given for free, and especially when I say that being a good person does not maintain salvation. This is a misunderstanding. My 7th point of essential Christian doctrine is this; True faith must always be preceded and followed by repentance.

Repentance defined, means to apologize and turn from doing evil works. Evil as it is in the eyes of God. Such lying, stealing, idolatry, blasphemy, and the other 10 Commandments. So if one is repentant, they won't want to continue sinning. Especially against the very One who died to save them from their sins.

So is repentance a work for salvation? No, but rather it the right response to the One who offers the free gift. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. One without the other results in a false conversion.

Essential Doctrine pt6; The Resurrection from the Dead

Three days after Jesus was crucified, He rose to life from the dead in a physical body. This is and must be true. Why? Because as Paul put it, " If He did not rise our faith is in vain and we are still in our sins. (1 Cor 15:10)

If you reject the resurrection, than what is the point of calling yourself a Christian. Jesus said on several different occasions that He would be in the grave 3 days, and on that third day He would rise again (Mk 8:31, Mk 9:31, Mk 10:34)

Jesus was clear that this was a literal bodily resurrection. He spoke with the Sadducees (A certain party of the religious leaders. They did not believe in the resurrection; Mk 12:18) that the resurrection was a true fact.

Jesus said, "But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob'? "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken." Mark 12:26-27


Paul explains the importance of the resurrection of Christ concerning our salvation. "Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:12-19


Some people like to alogorize or moralize the truth of the resurrection. They might say something like the resurrection symbolizes a new life for the believer. This is not exactly what meant in the Scriptures.

The resurrection of Christ does provide a new life for us, meaning that we now receive eternal life in Christ. Whenever, the Bible talks about the resurrection or our eternal life in Christ or the life that we ultimately hope for, it is always future tense, after we pass from this plane. "If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied... If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE. (1Co 15:19,32)

The truth of the resurrection can not be seperated from the cross, nor from the forgiveness of our sins. It is the very fact that Jesus was raised from the dead that it proves that His sacrifice was pleasing and acceptable to appease the wrath of God and thereby purchase the forgiveness for our sins. All of what Christ did hinged on the resurrection.
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)

If you deny the resurrection, then again I ask, who is the Jesus Christ that you are following? Because he is not the Christ if you do not believe that He was physically raised from the dead.

Now does that mean that you can't have 'doubts' or questions, because someone raising from the dead! That's not something that happens every day. It is a stumbling block for many. It was in Peter and Paul's day, it is now. It was also for all of the disciples of Jesus.
But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (Luke 24:37-39)

Jesus does not send you away for having troubles believing something, but rather He will gently tell you to be not unbelieving but believing.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."

Then He *said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus *said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (John 20:24-29)

Jesus will give you the gift of belief if you repent and put your faith in Him. There is a part for us to participate in growing in the Lord, but it is really the Holy Spirit who leads us in our faith.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.
(John 16:13-14)



"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Essential Doctrines pt5 The Propitiation of Jesus Christ

So far we have examined 3 of 8 essential doctrines pertaining to the Christian faith. I hope that I have been clear in my explanations as to why these doctrines are so essential. If anyone claims to be of the faith they will not deny the truth as shown in the holy Scriptures. If they do then they are not of the faith as they have received "another Jesus" or "another gospel" (2Cor 11:3-4). The Scriptures speak of this with such severity that Paul says "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"(Gal 1:7-10)

The essential doctrine that I want to present now is even more essential as it pertains to how one is saved in the first place. The doctrines I've spoke of so far, I've mentioned that they are not exactly necessary to believe in order to be born again. This doctrine now though, is. This is what our salvation hinges upon.

If you reject this then as the author of the letter of Hebrews says; "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "the Lord will judge His people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God". (Hebrews 10:26-31)


The Propitiation of Jesus Christ. What does propitiation mean?

PROPITIATION, n. propisia'shon.

1. The act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious.

2. In theology, the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath and render him propitious to sinners. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men. Rom.3. 1 John 2. (From Noah Webster Dictionary 1828)

This is what we must believe;
In the beginning when God created He gave man one command. Man disobeyed God and has done so ever since, in the form of lies, thefts, blasphemy, impure thoughts, and idolatry. It is appointed unto man once to die and then judgment (Heb 9:27).

"But now apart from the Law (meaning the 10 commandments, and trying to keep it's commands and to be a good person) the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:21-26)

This is the gospel. That great and glorious news that says that we have sinned and Jesus has paid our sin debt. There is no amount of good works that we can do to earn God's favour, because none of us are good, only God is good. We must understand this. In order to be saved we must come to the point where we admit that we are not good, but rather that we are evil before a holy God, and thus we deserve His wrath.

But thanks be to God for sending His Son to take our place, who became sin for us, and God in turn credits the righteous life that Jesus lived to us, so that we might be seen as holy in the eyes of God.

If you do not believe that Jesus Christ lived a holy pure life, or that He was crucified on our behalf, taking upon Himself the full wrath of God, for our sins, and if you do not repent of your sins and surrender your entire life, putting all your trust and faith in Jesus Christ, you will not be saved.

You must believe that Jesus paid our debt in full. Jesus said that you must deny yourself (Mat 16:24) if you want to follow Him. If you believe that you must do something to be saved, i.e. be baptized, confess your sins to a man in a box, attend church, take communion, perform some sort of ritual, or say a certain prayer, or be a good person (that isn't to say that we can go on sinning, but we've seen already that we cannot be good enough) you are sorely mistaken, because Jesus will get all the credit for your salvation.

Also, if you think that you must do something to add to Jesus' sacrifice then when God says that we are forgiven on the bases of what Jesus did for us, then that is a lie. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him (Jesus) to reconcile all things to Himself (the Father) , having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (Co 1:19-20)

This verse should say something like "and through Him and certain obligations on our part, to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross and our good deeds, through Him and us... But it doesn't because Jesus is going to get all the credit.

Please don't ever suppose that there may be anything that we can do that would compare to what Jesus did. Take the free gift of salvation and do not offend God by trying to offer Him something for it.

Repent and turn to the Lord for He is kind and merciful. Look at what a kind thing He did for you. No one has ever done a more kind and loving thing for you. Turn to Him and receive the salvation that is offered to you, for today is the day of salvation.

"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." (Romans 4:7-8)

Responding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

If you have read the previous post, which is the first part of understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it convicts your heart, perhaps makes you feel guilt, or shame, or like you've got to get right with God, then to that I say AMEN.

Do not let another day go by without making things right between you and the Lord. You don't know when will be your last breath, nor do you know if in that moment you will have the chance to repent of your sins.

You don't need me to tell you how to pray to God, and you don't need to repeat anything after me. Consider your sins, all of them if you can. Think of how you have sinned against the One who made you, the One who everyday despite your rebellion still provides for you. Think of not only His provision for you but also how He died to save you.

Fall on your knees and apologize to Him. Trust no longer in your own goodness, but surrender you life to Jesus Christ, putting all your faith and trust into Him and Him alone.

Here is a wonderful prayer of contrition; a Psalm of repentance by King David; (Psalm 51)

For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

This means that you deny yourself and daily pick up your cross and follow Him, for "he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of Me." (Matt 10:38) Jesus also said that "if you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love..." and "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit (doing good works and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ), and so prove to be my disciples."

When you give your life to Jesus Christ, you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as a promise of your salvation. You will be born again and made new. You will be given a new attitude and instead of wanting to sin, you will instead strive to obey the commands of Jesus Christ and live a life of repentance and faith.

You are a disciple of Jesus Christ a "Christian", a Greek term meaning, "Christ follower".

Find a good Bible teaching assembly of saints (a church), and be baptized. Read your Bible and pray every day and grow in the Lord. **

I rejoice for you and so do all the angels of heaven. May the peace of God be upon you and may God bless you and keep you.



** It is important for you to understand though, and really unfortunate, but many church's nowadays are straying from sound Biblical truth. It is important for all new believers and old believers to be grounded in sound Biblical truth. If you would like to find a good solid church to attend please let me know and I will do all that I can to point you in the right direction**

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the most important information that has ever been given to mankind and requires... no, demands that you respond. Much more then, the importance of your response will determine where you will spend eternity.

It's a common response to hear that life is too short to be thinking about what happens when you die, but if you think about it, your going to be dead a lot longer than your alive, so maybe you should think about what happens on the other side of the veil. If you are reading this and you have not received the Gospel of Christ, please don't just read through this and go on with your life, receive for yourself the word of truth and be saved.

The Good News of Christ is most clearly spoken in Paul's letter to the Romans in chapter 5:8-10;
"But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Now before anyone can fully understand this we must recognize the bad news first. That is that we have all sinned and committed crimes against an infinitely holy God. Again, I ask that you please read this honestly and sincerely.

Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Most people do, and they usually cite the fact that they haven't killed anyone. Which is good, but the Bible says something a little different. The Bible says that "there is none who does good, there is not even one" (Rom 3:12) You see, murder is not the standard by which we judge a person good or not, the Law of God is, the 10 Commandments.

We don't decide what is right and wrong, the One who created us does, and it is He that establishes the Law, and He has written it upon each of our hearts. We know this because it does not matter where you go on Earth or what culture or society, we all have the same inherent moral standards. Also because God is our creator, He demands and deserves all glory and worship. Therefore, His Law also demands His worship.

The 10 Commandments
1 You shall have no other gods before me
2 You shall not make for yourself any graven image to worship
3 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
4 You shall remember the Sabbath to keep it holy
5 Honour your father and mother
6 you shall not murder
7 You shall not commit adultury
8 You shall not steal
9 You shall not lie
10 You shall not covet

Examine the Law truthfully. Have you ever lied, or stolen anything? Do you keep one day a week to worship God? Have you ever used God's name as a swear, or in a way other than reverent honour? Jesus said, "You have heard it said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a women with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt 5:27-28, this applies for women too, not just men). So now when you stand before God on the day of judgment He will find you guilty, "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin... For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:20,23).

*Please keep reading, I know this isn't pleasant talk, but remember that their is good news after this.*

The foundations of God's throne are justice and righteousness (Psalm 97:2) He will not overlook any sin and He will hold all accountable. Not only that, but our sin, which is primarily against Him first and foremost, angers Him. "For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience." (Col 3:6)

Now do you remember that I said that there is good news after all this? There is very good news. I hope you have seriously considered what was previously said and I even hope that I have caused a little bit of fear and remorse in your hearts. Fear can be a good thing, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And remorse, a godly sorrow is which leads to repentance.

The good news in all this is this. Jesus Christ has come from heaven to earth and has Himself paid the penalty for your sins with His own blood being nailed to a Roman cross. It works like this. You have offended a holy eternal God and justice demanded an eternal righteous judgment and eternity in hell is not enough to satisfy our debt against God's Law.

However, Jesus Christ, God Himself,was made in the likeness of a man, being born of a virgin. He lived a sinless perfect life, keeping God's Law in it's entirety. And while we were yet sinners, without hope in this world, Jesus Himself came to give His life as a ransom for all who believe. He was beaten, whipped, punched in the face, His beard ripped out of His face, spat upon, mocked, and nailed naked to a cross for all to see, all by those He created. Thereby satisfying the wrath of God, and three days later Jesus Christ rose from the dead, defeating death.

You see, He did this for you, so that you might be set free, completely forgiven of every sin, past, present and future. Our sins were placed on Jesus and His perfect life is accredited to our account. It is a free gift if you shall receive it. You must respond to this by repenting of your sin, which means to turn from all your sins; all lying, stealing, immoralities and idolatry. You must deny yourself, and apologize to God and call upon the name of the Lord. That is if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Rom 10:9-10).

Consider how kind God is. How great a love He has for us. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and yet loses his soul?" You can have everything in the world, yet it is appointed unto man once to die and then judgment. Or you may have nothing at all, and you will still stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account. All you can do is cry for mercy, and because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ you shall receive forgiveness and everlasting life only if you have repented and trusted in Jesus Christ before that day.

Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, for today is the day of salvation.

Repent and believe.