Chapter 11

XI. LORDSHIP SALVATION

In Acts 15 (shortly after the church was started) the Council at Jersualem took place to settle for once and for all the doctrine of salvation. Back then there arose up certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees which believe in Christ, but added more than believing for non-Jews (Gentiles) to be saved (verse 5). To have eternal life this group said you had to believe on Christ plus be "circumcised after the manner of Moses" and "keep the law of Moses." Failure to do so would mean that you are not saved (vv. 1,5).

Peter brought everything into sharp focus when he described his ministry to the uncircumcised Gentiles and concluded with with these words: "God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (vv.7-10).

The results of the meeting with the Apostles and early church leaders was clear - regardless of gender or race we are all saved the same way and by the same gospel - "... We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they" (verse 11).

Acts 16 makes it crystal clear - "What must I do to be saved"? The Biblical answer is, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

Two Thousands Years later...

The Gospel Debate Continues.

Certain groups are still adding requirements to Salvation.

The escalating area of debate among evangelicals today - is the Lordship Salvation vs. Free Grace Salvation.

One side of the debate teaches the sole condition of eternal life is trusting in Christ as one's Savior, but the other group teaches that you must do more than that.

THE LORDSHIP SALVATION AND FREE GRACE SALVATION

J. Hampton Keathley III in the article, Common Assaults on the Gospel gives the two sides of this debate.

The Lordship Salvation View:

While there are variations within the lordship camp, all the lordship salvation proponents seem to believe in three things:

1. The condition of eternal life is more than trusting in Christ.

One or more of the following are also conditions of eternal life: turning from sins, being willing to turn from sins, total surrender or committing one’s life to Christ, obedience, and persevering in the faith. Some include baptism in their list of conditions.

2. The condition of perseverance.

Another idea that is promoted is if you do not persevere, then either you were not really saved, or your faith was only intellectual, or you lost your salvation.

Undoubtedly because of the strong emphasis in Scripture on faith or believing in Christ for salvation (about 150 passages in all), proponents of the lordship persuasion find themselves in a quandary. They will often redefine saving faith as consisting of several aspects which include some form of works as evidence of real faith. This forces them into a very contradictory position. Note the contradictory elements in the Doctrinal Statement of a church that teaches lordship salvation. The statement about faith is prefaced with the following:

“Although there are several aspects that saving faith involves, the Scriptures clearly teach that it is not a work, but is itself solidly based on God’s grace.”

But then faith is defined in such a way that it includes works. According to the Doctrinal Statement saving faith includes:

	Knowledge of the Facts--Faith must be based on the content of the Word of God.
	Assent to this Knowledge--A person must agree that the facts of Scripture are true.
	Repentance--There must be a turning from sin and turning towards God.
	Submission to Christ--There must be a subjection to the person and will of Christ with a desire and willingness to obey.

While new life should result in change or good works, works in the Christian life like turning from sin are a product of fellowship with the Savior or the Spirit-filled, Word-filled life. They are the result of abiding in the vine. Initial faith joins a person into the vine, but it is abiding that produces the fruit. This is why Jesus challenged His disciples to abide. Without it, we become unfruitful.

3. The promises of the Word are not sufficient for assurance.

For assurance of salvation, one holding to this position must also look to his works. They say believers cannot have 100% assurance of salvation merely by looking to the promises of the Word. In fact, many if not most in this doctrinal camp say that 100% assurance is impossible since no one’s works are perfect and no one knows if he will persevere.

The Free Grace Salvation View:

The sole condition for eternal life is personal faith in Jesus Christ alone as one’s Savior. Christ is enough! This means faith in the person and finished work of Christ as the God-man who died for our sins is the sole basis of one’s salvation. None of the faith plus someone’s add-ons are conditions for eternal life. It is nonsense to speak of a free gift which costs us something or gives us something to do to get salvation (Rom. 4:1-6; 11:6).

The promises of the Word of God, based on the finished work of Christ, are sufficient for assurance of salvation (cf. John 6:37-40). While one’s works can have confirmatory value and demonstrate the condition of our walk with the Lord, they are not essential for assurance. Any believer can have 100% certainty of his salvation if he will look to the promises of the Word like 1 John 5:11-13.

The Gospel of John is given a great deal of weight in formulating one’s view of the gospel and how one is saved. Why is this? Three major reasons: (a) Because of John’s explicit statement about the purpose of his gospel (20:31), (b) because of his repeated use of “believe” (found some 98 times), and (c) because of the absence of any other condition. Not all of the uses of believe in John have reference to believing unto eternal life, but a large number do.

Finally, because salvation is by grace alone through the finished work of Christ (Rom. 4:1-5; 5:19; 11:6), free grace salvationists believe salvation or eternal life can never be lost (Rom. 8:32-39; John 6:37-40; 10:28-29).

The real issue remains the same - Grace vs. Works for salvation.

(What "I" can do)

(What "Christ" has done)

THE ATTACKS AGAINST FREE GRACE SALVATION:

The Lordship Salvation attack Free Grace Salvation by saying we teach "easy believism." Then they quickly add, "All you got to do is believe in Jesus and live as you please. The demons believe in Jesus and they're not saved."

When I hear these comments I feel like, John Stossel (ABC's 20/20) and want to shout - "GIVE ME A BREAK!"

The Lordship group just doesn't get it. It is all about Grace! It is not about what "I" can do. It is all about who Jesus is and what Jesus did on the cross for all of humanity.

1. Easy Believism -

The Lordship group just doesn't get it.

Free Grace believers thinks it is best to phrase it, "Faith Alone in Christ Alone." Lordship Salvationist will agree that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, but not admit that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.

In some ways we do believe in "easy believism," if by that statement you mean that we believe it is easy for someone to know and have assurance of eternal salvation.

I John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life..."

But in other ways it is the hardest thing for Human Beings to do:

To "just believe" means that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

To "just believe" means there is nothing you can do to earn your way to Heaven.

To "just believe" means that you can't clean up your life so you can make yourself presentable to God.

To "just believe" means you are not trusting in Christ plus any of the "add-ons" as a condition for eternal life.

Believe in Christ plus:

Keep the Ten Commandments

Give your money to the church

Live a good life

Do good works

Join a church

Be Baptize

To "just believe" means Christ death and resurrection is enough to pay the price of man's sin.

To "just believe" means you are trusting in Christ alone for eternal life.

To "just believe" is the hardest thing in the world to do. Satan has blinded the eyes of Humanity into believing the great lie - Believe and do something more to be saved. When you add "something more" to faith in Christ it gets you a ticket straight to Hell.

2. Believe in Jesus and live as you please.

One thing for sure, this statement can never be said about those who teach Lordship Salvation, but you will hear it if you present the gospel of grace. If you ever been accuse of this false accusation you are in the best of company. As a matter of fact, if you haven't been accuse of it - you better check your message!

In Romans Chapter Six the Apostle Paul was answering the false accusation that he was teaching that you could believe in Christ and then live as you please. Notice his answer:

Romans 6:1-2 - "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. (For the Lordship group who just doesn't get it, the answer is NO!) How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

If a person thinks a Christian can live in sin and not be punished for it, he doesn't know much of the Bible, nor does he understand the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian.

God will discipline every son or daughter who needs it. A believer will not get away with living as he or she wants too. God disciplines believers in order to bring about right thinking and right living; he wants to protect, correct, train and bless us. God begins with warning (Rev 3.19-20), then proceeds to punishment if the warning is ignored (Heb 12.5-11), and in certain cases he removes the believer from temporal life—the sin unto death (Acts 5.1-10; 1 Johnn 5.16).

Hebrews 12: 7- 8 - "...What son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement (discipline), whereof all (believers) are partakers, then are ye bastards (illegitimate), and not sons."

The comparison in scripture is that of a Father / son relationship. The Author of Hebrews brings it all in focus:

Is God the perfect Father? YES!

Are there any perfect children who always pleases their Father? NO!

Do some children try to live as they please? YES!

Does God the Father allow His children to live as they please? NO!

THE PURPOSE OF DIVINE DISCIPLINE IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER:

Hebrews 12:1-11

1. It is part of the growing process by which a believer is fitted to share God's holiness (v.10).

2. It is proof of our relationship with God (vv. 6,8).

3. It produces obedience to the Lord (v.9).

4. It produces the fruit of righteousness in our lives (v.11).

Dr. A. Ray Stanford says this about the chastening of a believer,

"There is a natural result of sin as well as God's personal chastisement in your life. Galatians 6:7 says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Notice that God does not add, "Except if he confesses it."

A Christian can do wrong things, but he cannot escape the CONSEQUENCES of doing wrong things. A person can put his hand into the fire if he wants to, but he cannot escape getting his hand burned. Some Christians want to sow wild oats all week long and then pray for CROP FAILURE at the end of the week!

One could not say how often you could commit the same sin before God would severely chasten you for it. The Lord uses His discretion in every instance. You will receive "personalized" attention. People often want to know "what God will do to them" if they do "thus and so." Hebrews 12:11 says when God chastens you it will not be pleasant: "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

A disobedient child is never happy. Continued sin often brings weakness and sickness into your life. If you refuse to respond to God's dealings with you, if you refuse to discipline your life, God can even take you home earlier than He would have otherwise (I Corinthians 11:30-32).

An example of a Christian taken home by God before his time because of sin is found in I Cor. 5:1- 5. This person was committing adultery with his mother (or stepmother). Verse five says this person's body was destroyed - he was taken home - but please notice that he did not lose his salvation. In I Corinthians 3:15 we read, "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved. . . ." Sin in the life of a Christian will result in a loss of his joy, power, testimony, fellowship, and reward."

(Dr. A. Ray Stanford - HANDBOOK OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM - page 35-36).

3. The demons believe in Jesus and they're not saved.

The Lordship group just doesn't get it. And they will say and use any scripture out of context to try to prove their false teaching.

James 2:19 - "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

Notice several things from the verse that the

Lordship Salvationist misquotes and takes out of context:

(1). Does this verse say anything at all about demons believing in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation? NO, because Demons are lost and can never be saved. Christ died for human beings, not for demons. Satan and fallen Angels (demons) are not included in the salvation of man-kind.

(2). What is it that the demons believe according to this verse? That there is only one God. Demons are right in believing that there is one God. Believing in monotheism does not save anyone, but it is a good start that can help you in believing in the one that does save - Jesus Christ.

(3). Is the faith of the demons real? YES, demons have real faith!

Another verse in the Bible alone with this verse (James 2:19) adds a lot about the "belief" system of demons.

James 2:19 - "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

Matthew 8:29 - "And, behold, they (demons) cried out, saying What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?"

(1). Demons believe in God.

(2). Demons believe in the deity of Jesus.

(3). Demons know that the day is coming when they will be cast into the lake of fire where they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Is the faith of demons real? James 2:19 says it is very real, - "... the devils (demons) also believe, AND TREMBLE".

The reason Demons "tremble" is because they do believe!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT

REPENTANCE, FAITH, AND DISCIPLESHIP?

REPENTANCE

Those who teach Lordship Salvation define repentance as," turning from one's sins" and/or "a willingness to forsake one's sins."

There is simply no question about the fact that the Bible teaches repentance. Repentance is for Christians and unsaved people (Acts 17:30, II Peter 3:9).

The Word “Repent” and some form of the word in English Translations

KJV - repent (45), repentance (26), repented (32), repentest (1), repenteth (5), repenting (1), & repentings (1))

Translations	Old Testament	New Testament	Total Useage
NASB	17	56	73
ASB	42	61	103
KJV	46	65	111
NIV	19	55	74
NKJV	14	58	72

OLD TESTAMENT

The word repent in its various forms is found forty-six times in the Old Testament (KJV). Twenty-eight times it is God, not man that does the repenting. In nine other passages the Bible tell of things about which God does not or did not repent. Thirty-seven times it is God that is repenting or things which God does not repent. Only nine times is it man repenting in the Old Testament.

Now, if "repent" means to turn from sin, there is a problem. God is perfect and has no sin to turn from. But if "repentance" means a change of mind, then it is consistent with Bible teaching.

For instance, in Exodus 32:14 the Bible says, "And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people."

You have God changing His mind about some things, and in nine passage things which God says He will not change His mind.

NEW TESTAMENT

The word "repentance" in its various forms is found sixty-five times in the New Testament.

The question is: What is the meaning of repentance? Does it mean, "to turn from sin," that is, to change your conduct and then come to Christ after you clean your life?

The answer is, "NO!"

Though we often hear the expression, "Repent of your sins," it is not found in the Bible. What the repentance is about is always determined by the context.

II TIMOTHY 2:24, 25 - "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness INSTRUCTING those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will GIVE them REPENTANCE TO THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF THE TRUTH."

Repentance is all about acknowledging to the truth as found in the Bible. It means to change one’s mind, to reconsider; to think differently.

Like other theological terms it must be defined by asking a further question: What is it that we are to change our mind, to reconsider and think differently about?

In the New Testament it is a change of one’s thinking in respect to God, Sin, Self, The Lord Jesus Christ, and How To Receive God’s Free Gift Of Eternal Life.

Roy B. Zuck writes:

"Repentance is included in believing. Faith and repentance are like two sides of a coin. Genuine faith includes repentance, and genuine repentance includes faith. The Greek word for repentance (metanoia) means to change one’s mind. But to change one’s mind about what? About sin, about one’s adequacy to save himself, about Christ as the only way of salvation, the only One who can make a person righteous."

Repentance means to change one's mind about whatever is keeping one from trusting Christ and trust Him as the only means of salvation.

II CORINTHIANS 7:10 - "For Godly SORROW worketh repentance..." Repentance is not being sorry for your sins. Sorrow and repentance are not the same thing. However, Godly sorrow can lead you to repentance. The goodness of God can do the same thing for some people as well. ROMANS 2:4 - "...the GOODNESS of God LEADETH thee to repentance."

THE FACTS TRACT IS WRITTEN TO PRESENT TRUTH IN A WAY THAT HELPS LEAD THE UNSAVED TO REPENT AND BELIEVE IN CHRIST ALONE FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

1. Repentance and How to Receive God's Gift of Eternal Life.

Acts 8:9-25

Acts 8:22

Repent from what?

Acts 8:20 - "But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because THOU HAST THOUGHT that the gift of God may be purchased with money."

Verse 21, 22 -"...FOR THY HEART IS NOT RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. REPENT therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the THOUGHTS of thy heart may be forgiven thee."

The result of repentance in this passage teaches that "no one" can buy their way into Heaven. Eternal Life is God's free gift to those who put their faith (trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Repentance about God.

Acts 17:22-31 -

Acts 17:30 -

Repent about what?

Acts 17:29 - "We ought not to THINK that the GODHEAD is like unto gold or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s devise."

The result of repentance in this passage would lead them to the one and only true God. The context shows they needed to change their mind about God and see that He is not a graven image made of gold, silver, or stone but that He is the living and true God who is going to be their Judge.

3. Repentance about Self and Sin.

Romans 3:10, 23 -

Luke 5:31, 32 -

Luke 13:1-5 -

Repent about what?

Not seeing yourself as a sinner who needs a Savior. The context shows they needed to change their mind regarding punishment and sin. The result of repentance in this passage would lead them to see that they were sinners and in need of a Savior.

4. Repentance about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:2-42 -

Acts 2:38 -

Repent about what?

Acts 2:36 -"THEREFORE let ALL the house of Israel KNOW ASSUREDLY, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both, LORD (God) and CHRIST (Messiah)."

The result of repentance in this passage would be to realize that the one they crucified was God and their long promised Messiah.

BIBLICAL REPENTANCE

REPENTANCE is a voluntary and sincere change in the mind of the sinner, causing him to TRUST in the Savior as a result of "thinking differently about God, sin, one self, the Lord Jesus Christ and how to receive God’s gift of eternal life".

Notice that a change in conduct is not repentance. The changing (improving) of one’s life is the results and benefits of salvation. You don’t get better to get saved; you get saved to get better. Repentance is not a satisfaction rendered to God, but a condition of the heart necessary to BELIEVE unto salvation.

Titus 3:5 - "Not by works of righteousness WHICH WE HAVE DONE, but according to His mercy He SAVED us . . ."

Jeremiah 13:2 - "Can the Ethiopia change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are ACCUSTOMED to do evil."

Isaiah 53:6 - "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

In reality, one can begin living better only after he is saved.

II 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."

Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

This was obvious to John the Baptist. He told people to repent and "bring forth fruits, meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8).

In other words John the Baptist said that one was to repent (that is, change his mind) and then bring forth fruit (some outward visible manifestation) of that inward change of mind. Those are two different things, thus, repentance is the root and the change of one’s life is the fruit.

Those who preach Lordship Salvation make the fruit part of the root. Reformation is good in its place, but when you make it repentance and a prerequisite for salvation, then it is wicked and evil.

FAITH

Those who teach Lordship Salvation define faith as a commitment of one's life to the Lordship of Christ. One popular radio teacher actually defines faith in such a way that it includes obedience!

Obviously, the New Testament teaches that faith is the means of salvation (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8).

The question is what is the meaning of faith?

Many Bible scholars teach that “faith” has three elements: knowledge, acceptance, and trust.

A MORE ACCURATE VIEW OF FAITH IS:

1. Faith Assumes Knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Know the facts)

Dr. Bob Wilkins says,

"Knowledge is not the same thing as faith. Knowledge (understanding) is a precondition of faith. Before we can believe in Christ, we must know something about who He is and what He came to do.

Knowledge is necessary for faith to occur. However, that is not the same as saying that it is an element of faith. For example, design plans are necessary to build a car. Yet that does not mean that the plans are an element of a car. Elements of a car include tires, axles, engine, drive train, and the like, but not the plans. The plans are a necessary precondition to a car. "

(From an Article by Dr. Bob Wilkins - Grace Evangelical Society)

Knowledge is not faith, but the more knowledge a persons has about Jesus Christ the easier it will be for them to trust in Christ alone for eternal life.

Some Basic Facts to Share with People about Jesus Christ:

1). His Deity.

Jesus Christ is God.

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."

2). His Humanity.

Jesus Christ became a man. A perfect man without sin.

I John 4:2 - ". . . every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God . . ."

3). His Death.

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

I Corinthians 15:3 - ". . . that Christ died for our sins . . ."

4). His Resurrection.

Jesus Christ arose from the dead. The resurrection proves God accepted Jesus' sacrifice for our sins and that He was who He claimed to be, The God - Man.

I Corinthians 15:4 - ". . . and that He rose again . . ."

The Problem:

Knowledge (understanding) does not ensure that faith will occur. A person can understand something and yet not accept it as true.

A person may know that Jesus Christ lived on earth. That He died on a cross. They may even know the facts of what the Bible says about the resurrection, and yet not believe the facts as true.

2. Faith Assumes Acceptance or Mental Assent (Belief) In The Lord Jesus Christ.

(Recognition Of Truth - Believe those facts to be true)

II Timothy 2:25 - "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance (a change of mind - one's thinking) to the acknowledging of the truth."

The most basic English meaning of "Believe" and "Faith" is "to accept something as being true," "to be convinced of something," "belief.”

Somewhere between Knowledge and acceptance, repentance (a change of mind - one's thinking) takes place. When there is both knowledge and acceptance in the truth of what God says about eternal life, there is belief/faith.

When a person accepts that the testimony of Jesus Christ is true, they believe or trust it. That is exactly what the Apostle John said in I John 5:9-11.

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

To accept the testimony of God about His Son is to believe it, to trust it, and to have faith in it.

The Problem:

A person may believe something and yet not have eternal life.

Two Examples:

1). A person may believe in the wrong information about how to receive eternal life.

2). A person may believe in some of the right information about Christ and yet not have eternal life.

"I believe that Jesus Christ lived and died about 2000 years ago".

You may even believe in His resurrection! Yet, not trust in Him alone for eternal life.

How could this happen? By believing in Christ, plus adding "good works" to earn your way to Heaven.

"What "I" have done" = Salvation by works. Salvation by works does not save anyone.

BELIEVING IN CHRIST, PLUS DOING GOOD WORKS

(To earn your way to God)

= DEATH AND HELL

Matthew 7:22-23 - "MANY will say to Me in that day, ("What ' I ' have done" = Salvation by Works) Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."

Verse 21, is another key to understanding what the Lord is saying, "Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, ( These are the ones who fall for the false doctrine of "Lordship Salvation) but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven."

What is the "will of the Father"? (Read John 6:26-40)

John 6:40 - "And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at last day."

Larry Moyer raises a concern about the common uses of the English word "believe." He points out that in the course of a week, you may hear these comments:

"I believe it's going to rain."

"I believe I'll be able to come."

"I don't believe it makes any difference."

"I believe I gave him the wrong address."

Then he says, "For that reason, to mention "believing" in connection with Christ may convey little more than "speculation." However, the Biblical use of the word "believe" deals with certainty."

(Dr. R. Larry Moyer - FREE AND CLEAR - page 34).

Dr. Richard A. Seymour says,

"Since believing in Christ is the only condition for salvation, according to God's Word, it is important to know what the Bible means by "believe." If I say to you, "Do you believe in George Washington?" You would naturally say, "Yes."

What would I mean by the question? I would mean, do you believe that he lived, and that he was the first President of the United States of America... in other words, the historical facts about him. But then, if I asked you the question, "Do you believe in your parents?" Your answer may be yes or no, because by asking this question I would mean do you trust your parents . . . do you have faith in them. The same word "believe" is used in both questions, but in different ways.

The Biblical word believe is a word that means to trust in, rely upon, to depend upon or to believe, like believing someone's word. So, when God says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," He does not mean to just believe that Christ existed. Neither does He mean for us to only believe certain doctrines about Christ, e.g. that He was born of a virgin, that He was God in the flesh, that He died for the sins of the world, or that He's coming again.

Believing about Christ is one thing . . . believing in Him is another. To believe in Him is to trust Him alone for our salvation . . . it is to depend upon Him to get us to Heaven . . . it is to believe Him, that He will do what He promised to do - give us eternal life." -

(Dr. Richard A. Seymour - THE GIFT OF GOD - pages 4-5).

3. Faith Is Trusting In The Lord Jesus Christ To Save You.

The Word, "Trust" is the Best English Word that Conveys the Greek Meaning of the Words Translated "Believe" and "Faith" in our English Translations of the Bible.

(Reliance On Truth - Rely upon those facts.)

The New Testament words "believe" and "faith" means trust. The word trust, means "reliance on" or "dependence on." It is completely "resting in," and "relying on," "depending on," Christ to save you.

FAITH is a voluntary and sincere change in the mind of the sinner, causing him to completely trust in Christ alone for eternal life.

Imagine a ship filled with people crossing the Atlantic. In the middle of the ocean there is an explosion. The ship is severely damaged and slowly sinking. Most are dead, and the rest are rushing for the lifeboats. Now suppose one man doesn't know about the lifeboats, so he does not get aboard. He doesn't have knowledge, so he is not saved.

Suppose another man knows about the lifeboat and believes it will save his life, but he is grief-stricken over seeing his wife killed, so he chooses not to get aboard and dies with his wife. He has knowledge and mental assent, but he is not saved.

Others believe the lifeboats will save them, and they get into the boat. They are saved by faith, that is, they have knowledge, mental assent, and trust. However, it is not their faith that saves them - no matter how much they have. It is the boat. Saving faith trust Christ, and Christ saves .-

(G. Michael Cocoris - EVANGELISM: A BIBLICAL APPROACH - page 77).

To have eternal life, one must trust the Lord Jesus Christ completely for salvation. The responsibility is for us to Believe on Christ. Faith alone in Christ alone.

DISCIPLESHIP

It is claimed that the biblical concept of discipleship supports the Lordship Salvation position. According to this view "Disciple" is a synonym for "Christian." That is absurd. Salvation and discipleship are two different things. We are justified freely (Romans 3:24). The requirement for discipleship, is costly (Luke 14:25-35 ).

If discipleship is required for salvation, one must be baptized in order to be saved. Matthew 28:19 and 20 tells us how to make a disciple and part of the process is baptism.

Salvation concerns the sinner’s acceptance of the free gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins through faith alone.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the GIFT of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

Discipleship concerns the believer’s response to the grace received by offering himself to God as a living sacrifice.

“I beseech you therefore brethren (speaking to Christians), by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

In salvation, Christ paid the price; in discipleship, the believer pays the price. Therefore, salvation is free, but discipleship is costly.”

The difference is the same as in the doctrine of justification and sanctification. Justification is through faith alone in Christ alone, while sanctification (progressive) is through a life of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Justification is God's act of grace by which He pardons a sinner and accepts him as righteous on account of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Remission of sin, absolution from guilt, and freedom from punishment are part of justification.

Progressive sanctification takes place in the daily walk of the believer. The word sanctification means “to be set apart.” The Holy Spirit is attempting to make the believer holy (set apart) and spiritual. Our goal is to be Christ-like. The believer is constantly being set apart when he utilizes the means of grace (Bible Study and prayer) in his life.

Discipleship is taking our new life to the next level

of spiritual growth and maturity.

A believer praises the Lord in good times, the disciple at all times.

The Holy Spirit resides in the believer, but shines through the disciple.

A believer loves God with heart and mind, while a disciple also commits the will.

A believer loves God, but the disciple also loves others.

A believer lives in hope, but for the disciple, God's hope is certain.

A believer seeks forgiveness for sin, but the disciple also determines not to walk that path again.

A believer has faith in God but the disciple's faith is also tempered in the fire of testing.

A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is also unconditional.

The believer serves the Lord in strength, but the disciple is made perfect through weakness.

God is part of the believer's life, but the central focus of the disciple.

A believer forgives, but the disciple also forgets.

A believer communicates with God at their own conveniences, but the disciple is open to the Lord at all times (Author unknown).

THE RICH YOUNG RULER

The conversation between Jesus Christ and the rich young ruler is often used as an argument for Lordship Salvation. Those using this passage contend that the rich young ruler wanted to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life and Jesus in essence told him to give up everything.

A more careful analysis of the conversation reveals that Christ first asked him, "Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but one and that is God." In other words, Jesus asked him, "Are you recognizing that I am God?" The young man did not answer.

Having try the godward approach, Christ turned to the manward approach saying, "Thou knowest the commandments." He did not say "do the commandments" He simply said "you know them."

Christ was using the law lawfully (compare 1 Timothy 1:8 and 9), to teach the young man that he was a sinner. When the young man claimed that he had kept the commandments from his youth then Jesus told him to sell what he had. Christ was not telling him he had to sell what he had in order to be saved. He told him that to get him to see that he was a sinner and he needed to trust something other than his money.

After the young man walked away, Jesus told the disciples "how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God" (compare Mark 10:24). In other words, Christ told the rich young ruler to give away all his goods because he was trusting them. The young man needed to stop trusting his money so he could transfer his trust to Christ.

If anything hinders you from trusting Christ, get rid of it so you can trust Him (compare Matthew 5:29-30).

What must I do to be saved?

Is Lordship Salvation the answer? NO.

The biblical answer is "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

"Faith Alone In Christ Alone"

That is the good news we are to preach, that others may come to know the gift of eternal life. Don't confuse the issue and thus mislead unbelievers. Make the message clear and plain that people may be saved by grace through faith.

RELATED STUDIES FROM THE WORLD WIDE WEB

Internet Articles & On-Line Books:

Repentance - What Does The Bible Say About Repentance?

www.gotell.gracenet.org/repentance.htm

Lordship Salvation - What Does The Bible Say About Lordship Salvation?

www.gotell.gracenet.org/lordship_salvation.htm

updated: 08-29-03

CHAPTER 12

TABLE OF CONTENTS