@@BibleLine I have seen many UA-camrs saying free grace is a heresy. They don’t understand that the Bible teaches salvation is a free gift 🎁 of God, and how we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone apart from works of the law. These UA-camrs don’t understand that John 1:11-17 and other verses explain how Jesus is the Free Grace/Eternal Security/Great Shepherd/Strong Tower/Narrow Gate etc. That’s sad 😞
This has really helped, Pastor....thank you. For the last two weeks, I have met calvisits , lordship salvationist & those still and believe you must follow/obey the law. At first I was (less frequest) in getting caught in theology discussions( Iam being called easy-salvationist). But I remember what you said on Bibleline-{always bring your conversation back to The Gospel when witnessing). I ask for prayer and from Calvary Community Church as I continue to share. My hope is for at least one would to Repent. Amen....Thank you again.
Yes!! The fact that they call you “easy Salvationist” should tell you that you’re sharing the gospel simply and clearly. You’re doing a good job, and God will bless you for it. Keep planting seeds, and pray that they understand! Thank you for supporting us. - Trent
@@RachelWeeping Matthew Henry? Is not scriptures. It just commentary to help study. Again, scripture with scripture, not Scripture with Commentary. Your problem is you already determined what you are going to believe before you picked up that Book, and you are bound and determined to believe that if a Christian does God’s will, he’s going to get to Heaven, and if he doesn’t do God’s will, he won’t get to Heaven. Please remember Jesus fulfilled the law,. It sounds like you are mixing up salvation with service. They are two different things.
SUPER GREAT presentation of the Gospel. This gives people ammunition to go out and spread the REAL Gospel as opposed to the convoluted, false, works based, unattainable, insecure, overwhelming, and over complicated message that runs people away because they know they could NEVER live up to the standard that the presenter of that trash is not capable of living up to either. The Gospel really is good news! Why? Because, just like you said, it takes the burden off us and puts it on Christ. We can’t handle it but He can!!
Amen brother 🙏🏼 1 John 5:13-15 KJV These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.❤
We can't make folks understand. Either they will or they won't. Mostly it is because they think they have to do something to obtain salvation or do something to keep salvation or they think they must do something to prove they are saved.
Some churches teach that we aren't sanctified the moment we believe, but sanctification is rather a process that is necessary to uphold our salvation. How would you respond to this?
Sanctification does have three parts to it, but let me explain. The moment we believe we are positionally sanctified. This simply means we are set apart (and declared righteous) in Jesus Christ. This standing never changes. The second piece is that we day to day must choose to live set apart lives (not to be saved… this is the daily walking in the Spirit). This is called practical sanctification which is the daily being set apart from sin; again, not for salvation. The third piece is when we are completely sanctified (set apart) from the very presence of our sin. This happens upon entering heaven, when we get new bodies. - Trent
I'm glad you talked about the Calvinism killer bc you mentioned your church name is Calvary Community. Sometimes people use that name to identify their church as Calvinist. Quick question what is the proof of someone's salvation is it A.) Their profession that Christ is God and that he died for their sins including the sins they will ever commit in the future or B.) That they have a more holy lifestyle than before. I just need to know so that I know if I should subscribe to your channel or not. I put A & B so you can save time in response if your busy. I appreciate your video everything sounds biblical so far.
Hey there wolf hunter! We definitely are not in the Calvinist, Lordship, or any other works based camp. We believe that the only thing a person has to do in order to be saved is believe that Jesus Christ made the full payment for their sins by his death, burial and resurrection. Faith in Jesus Christ saves plus NOTHING. No works before or after, nor does a person have to confess or call out that they have done that. A “proof” of salvation is irrelevant, but if we seek to understand where a person is at, we would have to ask them what they believe. God sees faith, so we have to go off of what people tell us. This is how we can determine false teachers; by what they teach and say. Anyway, I hope this is clear, and we pray you continue to grow in the truth from our content! Thanks for the support. - Trent
Great video! I had a side question, would you believe that calvinists such as Ray Comfort and John Macarthur are saved? They believe all of those 7 points you listed, but at the same time they believe you "Will" turn from sin and if you don't then you arent actually saved. Its very confusing to me to determine if calvinists are saved with their thinking. I guess a better way to put it would be is someone saved that "backloads" works to salvation. Thanks!
You are definitely right that they backload the gospel. Truth is, only God can see faith, so we cannot determine if a person is saved except for what they tell us. I hope that Ray and John at one point understood the gospel clearly. If they believed in Christ alone at one point in life, then they are saved. Nevertheless, according to what they teach now, they are in error. - Trent
Around the 11:00 mark, you mentioned those who say it is works, and that if they change their minds, but don't put their faith in Christ, they will go to hell. So my question about this video is, what about those who do believe in Christ, they have put their faith in Him, but think wrong and say that works proves you have put your faith in Him, but not because you have to, but because when you put your faith in Him you want to do works, they are wrong I know, but they are going to hell because they got it wrong, right?
@ericespinoza373 share your thoughts, brother!!! I'm down to hear anyone's thoughts. I feel they are going to heaven, just they have it a little twisted up. Just like some who believe you have to have baptism to be saved. I have spoken to those people, and they believe that when you put your faith in Christ that baptism is part of it. The thing is, faith is enough so as long as they have that part right, I feel grace will cover their wrong thoughts. But the only issue is when their wrong thoughts are a stumbling block.
My thing now is.... What level of belief, what degree of Belief do we need to have? Until relatively recently, I thought of God as a notion, a strong possibility, but that wasn't like my belief that I know I literally live two blocks from my high school. In the latter, I know for sure. Now, due to a number of spiritual events in my life, now I do Believe in Jesus Christ, and it practically is unto a Knowing. So, what degree of Belief is the Bible talking about?
Every Christian is at a different level of belief. We're all a work in progress. Faith comes by hearing and reading God's word. Simply ask God to reveal the truths of His word. Biblical faith(belief) is more than just believing something in your head, it's knowing in your heart and spirit. You know that you know that you know. It's similar to falling in love. There is no physical proof...you just know. Continue to read the Bible, have honest conversations with God and avoid religion(God hates it). But most of all be grounded in the truth that your Heavenly Father loves you unconditionally. He desires nothing more than an intimate relationship with you. May only God's love plans be brought forth in your life.
@@ShogunOrta The institutional church system seems to to be hellbent on corrupting the simplicity of the gospel. Adding works, rules and regulations merely distorts the good news. Religion says you are not good enough, but if you keep striving and "doing" then maybe someday you will be. Religion always looks to the future, but God is the God of the here and now. Religion portrays God as a harsh, demanding, vengeful judge, and any goodwill toward us from Him is distant and conditional. Religion turns a wholesome relationship into merely a series of transactions. Religion sets up rules of do's and don't. "Do this and God will love you; don't do that or God will punish you. Religion is not your friend. It will not help you no matter how devout you are. Religion leads to a discouraging, empty life, constantly striving yet never feeling worthy enough. Religion says " do for God" God says "let Me do through you". Religion says" fear!" God says "fear not". Religion says" toil for me" God says "rest in Me". Religion says " God will love me when I'm perfect" God says " I already love you because I am perfect". Religion says"God please accept me" God says"come dance with Me!".
@@brianpratt2461 I mostly agree, except I think it doesn't matter if you believe a little or believe a lot, as in know. Why? Because No Man May Boast. I can't say, upon getting into Heaven, that I'm here because I believed more than others. But most everything you said I agree with. Most of all, it's that none of your works help toward Salvation except Belief. (and I'm still at odds as to whether Belief is a work or not. But it is necessary, of course.)
@@ShogunOrta faith is not a work. It is believing what is already true. Faith is the gift of God (He in you and you in Him). God Himself is the gift! We are now the temple. He chose to reside in us. In fact, all mankind was "born again" at the Resurrection. Jesus took upon Himself all humanity past and future. We "all" whether we have realized it yet or not died with Him, were buried with Him, and rose with Him. Man's eyes need to be opened to this fact. He didn't just die for us, He died as us! When Jesus rose from the dead He birthed a new creation, all mankind included. This is the true gospel. His sufferings on the cross were the birth pangs. He swallowed up death and it's power. We talk about being saved as if that means being born again. Truth is we were all born again 2000 yrs ago, and when our eyes are opened to that He begins the process of saving us( making us whole). The doctrine of eternal conscious torment is a lie. The Lake of Fire spoken of in Revelation perfectly describes a process of purifying something precious, for instance gold. God will eventually save everyone. His wrath is only against the ungodliness of man, never man himself. He created us, He loves us, and He will restore all of creation. We belong to Him. He will never abandon us. His love is relentless, and will bring forth His proposed plan.
Doctrine is greatly important and so is where we believe. Romans 10v10 Intellectual faith is not enough and is root cause of apostasy from the Christian faith. 1PETER 2v20-21. Solemn.
I wouldn’t say that’s a cause of apostasy. Sin would be such. Satan wants believers to stay ineffective. The Bible does not quantify faith the way you do. Repent is literally a change of mind from unbelief to belief. To put faith in Jesus Christ is to believe in Him. It is to simply believe the stated objective fact that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again paying for all your sin. 2 Peter 2:20-21 is dealing with either unsaved false teachers OR believers who have gone astray due to false teachers. - Trent
@@BibleLine I don't believe I can ever be unborn again. I am a new creature in Christ. But down the years I've the falling away of some who looked like the real thing. Romans 8v16. This is what has kept me for 43years. I live to know him and the power of his resurrection. This is the new testament written on my HEART. PTL.
I think Zane Hodges, like most one man shows, and GES, by the way both I like, make it more complicated and go into error by adding that unless you were aware that you have eternal life and nothing could take it from you not even your continued sins then you aren’t really saved. I know Wilkin backed off of that. We complicate so much even when our theology is sound when it’s so simple - believing in Jesus, faith in Christ. It’s about Jesus not us or our commitment but his grace to all who believe, whomever! We can be saved without assurance. We can have peace with God without having the peace of God. We come as we are. OSAS is not a doctrine it is Jesus.
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:9-14 KJV And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 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. 1 John 3:22-24 KJV
So does it matter as long as you believe the death burial and resurrection and who Jesus is and believe he did it for you and have faith but can still be confused on some parts .. meaning when someone says repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus after they have shared the gospel.. I’m so confused because a lot of people are going to hell because the gospel has gotten really muddy.. it’s scary!! I’m just kinda confused on how this works will a little confusion get in the way of these people receiving the Holy Spirit… I thought that as long as we had child like faith ( and children don’t always get the details) that that was enough! Lol I believed at a young age and I didn’t exactly know ALL the details just enough to know they he died for my sins and I believed that and knew who Jesus was and prayed and had a relationship and it wasnt until recently I woke up and realized and understood it all because I was taught a false gospel but I did in fact believe Jesus died for me ( my sins) and I did have faith then no doubt.. the lord has always been with me I know this.. but this has always confused me! Hope you can clarify for me! Thanks
Yes, you just have to believe Jesus died for your sins. If he never rose, then your faith is in vain. Also if works (ie- turning from sin) is part of what you’re believing + Jesus, then your faith is in vain. Notice 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Galatians 2:20-21. It is faith as a child. How is one saved? Believe that Jesus Christ died to pay for your sins. If someone really doesn’t know WHO you’re talking about, then of course some added details would help. If they don’t know WHY they need to believe, then of course there ought to be something there (heaven, hell, sin, death - the obvious things right?) to point them to their need. Hope this helps. We don’t overcomplicate this. Jesus died for my sins. I believed in Him. I’m saved. - Trent
@@BibleLine yes this makes sense thank you so much! I think I’m just paranoid for people because what if they don’t realize they are adding works in and people are confused I was very confused but I still had faith in him he has always been with me I have always had that relationship..how ever I do appreciate this channel and what you guys do I think we should give a clear simple message of the gospel! And yes I agree details need to be shared I just didn’t know how much detail one has to understand to be saved!
To believe the gospel is to believe in Jesus Christ. You believe He is the Son of God who die, was buried and rose again to pay for all your sin. The moment you believe, you receive eternal life that cannot be lost. - Trent
All of them,and they come from being born again,How do you know you are born again? Simple,all the evil things you loved when satan was your father,you now despise,And all the things you used to hate about God and His Son Jesus,you now treasure above all things.
We know we are saved because we believed in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who died for our sin, was buried and rose again. Desires, lifestyle change and correcting bad habits is not the assurance of our salvation. - Trent
1st John 5:12 " He that hath the Son hath life, he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. " Kjv getting saved is easy. Jesus Christ did all the work on the cross once and for all! Just gotta receive the free gift of salvation and trust Christ as your personal Savior!! ✝️
Jesus made it possible for us to be saved but we still have to come to him in faith and we have to walk in the Way and do the seven steps of faith. So your do nothing but trust is a big lie. You don't even know how to do the seven steps of Faith. What did you fill your faith with? What is the knowledge of faith. You know nothing.
@jamestruett2694 Ephesians 2:89 " For by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Kjv. Not of works sir, when you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, Christ imputes His righteousness to you, if you depend on your works to save you, at the Great White Throne you will compare your righteousness to the righteousness of Christ, and it won't go well for you!!
@@jdlucky yes salvation is by grace as God the Father determines your sincerely to repent to the acknowledging of Truth. But the receiving of the goodness of the spirit also leads you to the truth that you may find the knowledge we perish for the lack of, and have a reason to believe by faith. Faith is empty and needs to be filled with the love that truth reveals in the knowledge of faith. John 6:29 shows that our works is to believe by faith and without doing the seven steps of Faith you can't believe by faith. your faith is blind and empty.
You are guilty of a sin debt that separates you from God and you can do nothing yourself to pay that debt. God sent His Son Jesus as a sacrificial lamb to die in your place to pay for your sin. Jesus died and rose again on the third day winning victory over sin and death. Coming to this realization and placing your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ saves your soul for eternity.
Bible line,I guess there's no reaching unbelievers,He don't desire life style change,He demands it.Youvnust be born again.Become a brand new person,designed after Jesus.I guess you all are going to cry when you hear these words I never knew you.
Faith without actions is dead and you are still in your sins. This is the simplest way to explain why Protestantism simply doesn't make logical sense and therefore cannot possibly be true. It is logically incoherent to think that you can be saved by faith alone. There isn't a saving moment. This idea of a moment "when you are saved" is produced from the illogical presupposition that you can be saved by faith alone. It is by your actions you can tell if you have fruit of the Spirit or not. You are transformed by the Holy Spirit your whole life- ever getting closer to God, but continually being infinity far away. This is key. You cannot save yourself by your actions, but you can rest assured that Spirit of God is within you. This allows you to have reasonable faith that God will save you from penalty of your sin, even though you could never save yourself by your own actions. The key is that you have faith in God- who is embodiment of truth and love. You can have see in your life if you are moving closer to, or away from God- by the fruit of your actions. There is no blind faith involved. There is no mere saying that you "believe". Your heart is a deceiver and you cannot trust yourself to know what you believe. But you can know by your own actions what it is that you really believe. For all the good protestants do with apologetics this key part keeps me afraid for all who think that any single human can interpret the Bible properly. To think that any single human is infallible is ludicrous and is showing deep misunderstand that depth of our love of sin and how easily seduced and corrupted our hearts are. This is why it is in our best interest to seek the Church Jesus left us through his apostles. Only the successors to the apostles can interpret the Bible properly today- together in union. No separate church and some new invention can "improve" or "restore" Christianity. They merely follow sin and corruption of this world, further and further away from the truth.
Thanks for the comment Petar. I will say, just because you do not understand something according to your own logic does not mean it is therefore untrue. There are many things that I have come to understand later in life that I at one point thought to be completely untrue. Furthermore, how do you know if the interpretation of the so called church that you attend is correct? What makes these individuals in power more authoritative than the Holy Spirit that teaches us? Ephesians 1:12-14 says after we believe we receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit guides us to all truth. Don't get me wrong, we are fallible people. Nevertheless, God is able to teach me the correct understanding of the word. It is often preachers and teachers that push their own beliefs into the scripture, and they come to a false conclusion. "Faith without works is dead" is absolutely true! But, what do you mean? I know what you mean, but the context has nothing to do with whether or not a person is saved into eternal life. James has already rolled out in chapter one that he is talking to believers in Jesus Christ (already saved people). He is telling them that their faith is not going to 1) Feed anyone hungry who comes to their door 2) Clothe anyone naked who comes to their door 3) Save them from the JUDGMENT seat of Christ 4) Profit anyone a thing! They believed in Jesus, but the works are what actually profits other people. I need to actually OPEN my mouth and SPEAK in order to share the gospel. I need to go to my pantry and grab a loaf of bread to give to my naked and destitute brother, and I need to give him a pair of clothes... My simple faith won't do those things. My works will. What my faith in Jesus Christ HAS done is 1) Saved me permanently from hell (John 5:24) 2) Made me a child of God (John 1:12) 3) Sealed me with the Spirit. "Fruit of your actions" is another way of stating that you are saved by your works... Works at the front, back, left, right, upside down from the point of belief in Jesus is STILL works for salvation. You need to believe in Jesus' payment for your sins to be saved. He died for you, so you need to trust in Him. Will you? Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, and Romans 4:5 are all good references (in context) for this subject. - Trent
@@BibleLine Thank you for your reply! I am very much looking forward to learning more. _I will say, just because you do not understand something according to your own logic does not mean it is therefore untrue._ Please, feel free to correct me and any untrue statement I have made. If my logic is flawed or incomplete, I would love to know and correct it. *_There are many things that I have come to understand later in life that I at one point thought to be completely untrue._* I understand this point well, or at least well enough to try to be more temperate in my tone. _*Furthermore, how do you know if the interpretation of the so called church that you attend is correct? _* I trust Jesus when he said that gates of hell will not stand against his Church. If I am mistaken in thinking this, I’d love to know why. *_What makes these individuals in power more authoritative than the Holy Spirit that teaches us?_* They are direct successors to the apostles Jesus left us. I can’t imagine anyone more authoritative today. No single one of them is above any of the others and they all keep each other in check as a united group. There are outliers and excesses, but the group keeps them all sane and grounded. Holy Spirit reaches every one of us, but we are to test every spirit, because not every spirit is from God, and our hearts are very deceitful and love darkness. _Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world._ 1 John 4:1 *_Nevertheless, God is able to teach me the correct understanding of the word. It is often preachers and teachers that push their own beliefs into the scripture, and they come to a false conclusion._* How to you guard against the false conclusions? If not by submitting to his Church and their teaching, how can you be assured that you have not gone astray? I am very introverted person and I find the idea of interpreting Bible for myself very appealing. Yet I find it mentioned again and again in the Bible, how corrupt we all are and how we would do anything to deceive ourselves, even when not tempted by the Satan. Thank you for reading and have a nice day :)
Hey there! Am I correct in stating that you are Catholic? Or near that? I see you dissociate from Protestantism. I don’t like labels, but maybe I can better understand you. I agree with the scriptures you presented, but there are two key issues we seem to (clearly) disagree on. 1) Justification by faith in Christ alone (without works) 2) Authority/Interpretation of Scripture I feel like point two is secondary because obviously the first is most important. We probably agree on more than either of us realize, but I’ll give you a few things. 1) 2 Peter chapter 1 makes it clear that there is no private interpretation of scripture. Meaning, we can all understand the scripture similarly and accurately. 2) The Spirit helps to understand the word of God. But if you don’t have the Spirit, your understanding is darkened. Ephesians 1:12-14 tells us the Spirit is received solely by faith in Christ. See also John 16:13-15 and 1 Corinthians 2 regarding the Spirit’s help in interpretation. Why do I mention “authority?” Because I think you agree that the ultimate authority is Scripture, not the Church (any church). Therefore we can all study it and glean from it. Justification by faith in Christ is very important. I’m sure you acknowledge that Jesus died for all of our sins, right? Roman’s 3:23-26 make that fairly clear, as well as 1 John 2:1-2. His payment for sin was enough for us. You weren’t born when he died for you; therefore all future sin is paid. James 2 regarding “faith without works is dead” is very true. But the passage is literally not concerning salvation. The people James is talking to are already saved. His purpose is simply stating that they have faith (which pleases God), but they need works to benefit people. If I never do anything for you, then you don’t have anything done for you (even if I believe it would be the right thing to do). Hope that makes sense. Thanks for having an honest conversation. I encourage you to consider the scriptures above closely. - Trent
@@BibleLine Thank you for your reply! I am grateful to be able to have this discussion. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts :) I am Eastern Orthodox. I think we look similar to Catholics as we both insists that only the apostolic Church has the authority to interpret the Bible. But we disagree what that church is, among other things. We are united, however, in proclaiming that your faith must be visible in action if it is to have any potency. Here is a good analogy for it. A man walks up to you on a street and says that he has just been hit by a truck. You look at him and there isn’t a scratch on him. Would you believe him? Encountering Jesus would make a much greater impact than merely being hit by a truck. It would be very difficult to hide. This is why I find the idea of having faith that is detached from actions meaningless. What you say has to correspond with reality, or you’re just lying to yourself and others. Our actions show what we really love and where our heart goes to hide. Our actions are far too limited, and we are too sinful that our actions could ever save us ultimately. We aren’t saved from perishing because of our action. They are a mere pointer that we can reference and see what spirit are we following- God or idols. In this sense, our works/actions are not necessary for our salvation. They are necessary only for our own benefit, to help us discern which spirit is guiding us. We are lovers of darkness and deceit. We may even think we believe something, but our actions reveal what we are truly like and what we really believe. This is why I do not understand the idea like “Justification by faith in Christ alone (without works)”. I think verbal declaration of what you believe is like a modern, delusional man saying he believes he is a woman. This is why we are to test every spirit and not believe something merely because we prefer it. *_I think you agree that the ultimate authority is Scripture, not the Church (any church). Therefore we can all study it and glean from it._* I don’t understand what you mean. A book cannot interpret itself any more than a word can. A book cannot hold the ultimate authority. Only people can interpret words and their interpretation is the true authority. There are is an infinite number of ways you could interpret a book. This is why postmodernists insist that there is no ultimate meaning. What is true for you, isn’t true for me. This is why they insist that truth is relative and individual. I reject that idea. There is real meaning and there is a correct way to interpret the Bible. However, Christianity teaches us that truth is one and truth is God. We can find truth and it is good for us. The closer we are to the truth and living in truth, the better it is for us. While I can agree with you on many things, we will disagree on many others. We can probably agree that the further we are from the proper teaching of the Gospel, the worse it is for us. I think that the same church that had the authority to decide the canon and the content of the Bible has the authority to interpret what they have written. The Apostles that started this church have spent years teaching inside. They had more to say than they have written down. Their job was to teach and preach, and not necessarily write. Most of what we have inherited from their time is the oral traditions we have now. The written part is important, but it is only a portion of the whole we have preserved. Modern preachers preach in the same churches and same manner that the apostles who thought their successors did. This unbroken line of pastors going back all the way to the apostles who started it all is really important. Their church is the one Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not preserve against. It is good that some of this teaching was documented and that many people still hold to what is written. While not whole truth, this is much better than rejecting whole Christianity. Some truth is infinitely more valuable and good then any lie. Thank you for reading and have a great day :)
Grace alone received through faith alone is what saves.
If you have faith, you will repent. Fruit.
@@BillyStyx Billy You clearly don’t know what Repent means
A-men! Keep proclaiming the truth Jesse! 😊
Thanks Terry!
- Trent
DEFINE THE TRUTH FOR ME. What do you say the is the truth?
@@BibleLine
I have seen many UA-camrs saying free grace is a heresy. They don’t understand that the Bible teaches salvation is a free gift 🎁 of God, and how we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone apart from works of the law. These UA-camrs don’t understand that John 1:11-17 and other verses explain how Jesus is the Free Grace/Eternal Security/Great Shepherd/Strong Tower/Narrow Gate etc. That’s sad 😞
This has really helped, Pastor....thank you. For the last two weeks, I have met calvisits , lordship salvationist & those still and believe you must follow/obey the law. At first I was (less frequest) in getting caught in theology discussions( Iam being called easy-salvationist). But I remember what you said on Bibleline-{always bring your conversation back to The Gospel when witnessing). I ask for prayer and from Calvary Community Church as I continue to share. My hope is for at least one would to Repent. Amen....Thank you again.
Yes!! The fact that they call you “easy Salvationist” should tell you that you’re sharing the gospel simply and clearly. You’re doing a good job, and God will bless you for it. Keep planting seeds, and pray that they understand! Thank you for supporting us.
- Trent
@@RachelWeeping who was the audience that Jesus was speaking to Christians or Jews? What is the context? What is the subject of the chapter?
@@seannickerson5730 FYI MATTHEW HENRY THERE WERE NO CHRISTIANS AT THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. DID YOU KNOW THAT? IF NOT, WHY NOT?
@@RachelWeeping Matthew Henry? Is not scriptures. It just commentary to help study. Again, scripture with scripture, not Scripture with Commentary. Your problem is you already determined what you are going to believe before you picked up that Book, and you are bound and determined to believe that if a Christian does God’s will, he’s going to get to Heaven, and if he doesn’t do God’s will, he won’t get to Heaven. Please remember Jesus fulfilled the law,. It sounds like you are mixing up salvation with service. They are two different things.
The only way to be saved is not turning away from your sins Just believe on Jesus Christ
I'd turn away from your sins also. See Matthew 19:16-17. See what you think
That doesn't even make sense. If you believe in christ, you will have a repentant heart.
@@BillyStyxHe said “to be saved” you must believe in Jesus Christ. You don’t repent of your sins to be saved.
@@gracealone89 repenting of sins to be saved is like putting the cart before the horse
Thank you for this explanation! I have never heard a more clear explanation of this subject!
Absolutely! Thank you for sharing with us.
- Trent
SUPER GREAT presentation of the Gospel. This gives people ammunition to go out and spread the REAL Gospel as opposed to the convoluted, false, works based, unattainable, insecure, overwhelming, and over complicated message that runs people away because they know they could NEVER live up to the standard that the presenter of that trash is not capable of living up to either. The Gospel really is good news! Why? Because, just like you said, it takes the burden off us and puts it on Christ. We can’t handle it but He can!!
Great video! Speaking that truth my brother 🫡
Thank you Lionel!
- Trent
Amen Brother Jesse.
Thanks brother!
- Trent
I just remember it as DBRD (death burial resurrection divinity)
Amen brother 🙏🏼
1 John 5:13-15 KJV
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.❤
2 Corinthians 5:18,19
2 Corinthians 5:21
1 Corinthians 15:1-5 king james version.
Ephesians 2:8,9
Hope this helps. Grace and peace
Agree, God bless
Thank you!
- Trent
I’ve been wondering this too lately
Awesome. Hope the video helped you!
- Trent
We can't make folks understand. Either they will or they won't. Mostly it is because they think they have to do something to obtain salvation or do something to keep salvation or they think they must do something to prove they are saved.
GES says you have to believe in everlasting life to be saved.
Some churches teach that we aren't sanctified the moment we believe, but sanctification is rather a process that is necessary to uphold our salvation. How would you respond to this?
Sanctification does have three parts to it, but let me explain.
The moment we believe we are positionally sanctified. This simply means we are set apart (and declared righteous) in Jesus Christ. This standing never changes.
The second piece is that we day to day must choose to live set apart lives (not to be saved… this is the daily walking in the Spirit). This is called practical sanctification which is the daily being set apart from sin; again, not for salvation.
The third piece is when we are completely sanctified (set apart) from the very presence of our sin. This happens upon entering heaven, when we get new bodies.
- Trent
I'm glad you talked about the Calvinism killer bc you mentioned your church name is Calvary Community. Sometimes people use that name to identify their church as Calvinist. Quick question what is the proof of someone's salvation is it A.) Their profession that Christ is God and that he died for their sins including the sins they will ever commit in the future or B.) That they have a more holy lifestyle than before. I just need to know so that I know if I should subscribe to your channel or not. I put A & B so you can save time in response if your busy. I appreciate your video everything sounds biblical so far.
Hey there wolf hunter! We definitely are not in the Calvinist, Lordship, or any other works based camp. We believe that the only thing a person has to do in order to be saved is believe that Jesus Christ made the full payment for their sins by his death, burial and resurrection. Faith in Jesus Christ saves plus NOTHING. No works before or after, nor does a person have to confess or call out that they have done that. A “proof” of salvation is irrelevant, but if we seek to understand where a person is at, we would have to ask them what they believe. God sees faith, so we have to go off of what people tell us. This is how we can determine false teachers; by what they teach and say. Anyway, I hope this is clear, and we pray you continue to grow in the truth from our content! Thanks for the support.
- Trent
Great video! I had a side question, would you believe that calvinists such as Ray Comfort and John Macarthur are saved? They believe all of those 7 points you listed, but at the same time they believe you "Will" turn from sin and if you don't then you arent actually saved. Its very confusing to me to determine if calvinists are saved with their thinking. I guess a better way to put it would be is someone saved that "backloads" works to salvation. Thanks!
You are definitely right that they backload the gospel. Truth is, only God can see faith, so we cannot determine if a person is saved except for what they tell us. I hope that Ray and John at one point understood the gospel clearly. If they believed in Christ alone at one point in life, then they are saved. Nevertheless, according to what they teach now, they are in error.
- Trent
I do believe that Jesus died for my sins. I do believe he was buried and God raced from the dead on the 3rd day.
Can someone please give me a verse on Gods standard for righteousness?
What did Wilken back off from?
Jesus is the Son of God that saves you from your Sins for eternal life. Done
Can anyone give a verse that supports faith is believing on Jesus Christ payment for my sin?
Around the 11:00 mark, you mentioned those who say it is works, and that if they change their minds, but don't put their faith in Christ, they will go to hell.
So my question about this video is, what about those who do believe in Christ, they have put their faith in Him, but think wrong and say that works proves you have put your faith in Him, but not because you have to, but because when you put your faith in Him you want to do works, they are wrong I know, but they are going to hell because they got it wrong, right?
That’s a good question. I have my personal thoughts on that but you didn’t ask me the question.
@ericespinoza373 share your thoughts, brother!!! I'm down to hear anyone's thoughts. I feel they are going to heaven, just they have it a little twisted up. Just like some who believe you have to have baptism to be saved. I have spoken to those people, and they believe that when you put your faith in Christ that baptism is part of it. The thing is, faith is enough so as long as they have that part right, I feel grace will cover their wrong thoughts. But the only issue is when their wrong thoughts are a stumbling block.
My thing now is.... What level of belief, what degree of Belief do we need to have? Until relatively recently, I thought of God as a notion, a strong possibility, but that wasn't like my belief that I know I literally live two blocks from my high school. In the latter, I know for sure. Now, due to a number of spiritual events in my life, now I do Believe in Jesus Christ, and it practically is unto a Knowing. So, what degree of Belief is the Bible talking about?
Every Christian is at a different level of belief. We're all a work in progress. Faith comes by hearing and reading God's word. Simply ask God to reveal the truths of His word. Biblical faith(belief) is more than just believing something in your head, it's knowing in your heart and spirit. You know that you know that you know. It's similar to falling in love. There is no physical proof...you just know. Continue to read the Bible, have honest conversations with God and avoid religion(God hates it). But most of all be grounded in the truth that your Heavenly Father loves you unconditionally. He desires nothing more than an intimate relationship with you. May only God's love plans be brought forth in your life.
@@brianpratt2461 I...think I get what you mean by avoid religion, but....just in case, what do you mean by that?
@@ShogunOrta The institutional church system seems to to be hellbent on corrupting the simplicity of the gospel. Adding works, rules and regulations merely distorts the good news. Religion says you are not good enough, but if you keep striving and "doing" then maybe someday you will be. Religion always looks to the future, but God is the God of the here and now. Religion portrays God as a harsh, demanding, vengeful judge, and any goodwill toward us from Him is distant and conditional. Religion turns a
wholesome relationship into merely a series of transactions. Religion sets up rules of do's and don't. "Do this and God will love you; don't do that or God will punish you. Religion is not your friend. It will not help you no matter how devout you are. Religion leads to a discouraging, empty life, constantly striving yet never feeling worthy enough. Religion says " do for God" God says "let Me do through you". Religion says" fear!" God says "fear not". Religion says" toil for me" God says "rest in Me". Religion says " God will love me when I'm perfect" God says " I already love you because I am perfect". Religion says"God please accept me" God says"come dance with Me!".
@@brianpratt2461 I mostly agree, except I think it doesn't matter if you believe a little or believe a lot, as in know. Why? Because No Man May Boast. I can't say, upon getting into Heaven, that I'm here because I believed more than others. But most everything you said I agree with. Most of all, it's that none of your works help toward Salvation except Belief. (and I'm still at odds as to whether Belief is a work or not. But it is necessary, of course.)
@@ShogunOrta faith is not a work. It is believing what is already true. Faith is the gift of God (He in you and you in Him). God Himself is the gift! We are now the temple. He chose to reside in us. In fact, all mankind was "born again" at the Resurrection. Jesus took upon Himself all humanity past and future. We "all" whether we have realized it yet or not died with Him, were buried with Him, and rose with Him. Man's eyes need to be opened to this fact. He didn't just die for us, He died as us! When Jesus rose from the dead He birthed a new creation, all mankind included. This is the true gospel. His sufferings on the cross were the birth pangs. He swallowed up death and it's power. We talk about being saved as if that means being born again. Truth is we were all born again 2000 yrs ago, and when our eyes are opened to that He begins the process of saving us( making us whole). The doctrine of eternal conscious torment is a lie. The Lake of Fire spoken of in Revelation perfectly describes a process of purifying something precious, for instance gold. God will eventually save everyone. His wrath is only against the ungodliness of man, never man himself. He created us, He loves us, and He will restore all of creation. We belong to Him. He will never abandon us. His love is relentless, and will bring forth His proposed plan.
Doctrine is greatly important and so is where we believe. Romans 10v10 Intellectual faith is not enough and is root cause of apostasy from the Christian faith. 1PETER 2v20-21. Solemn.
I wouldn’t say that’s a cause of apostasy. Sin would be such. Satan wants believers to stay ineffective.
The Bible does not quantify faith the way you do. Repent is literally a change of mind from unbelief to belief. To put faith in Jesus Christ is to believe in Him. It is to simply believe the stated objective fact that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again paying for all your sin.
2 Peter 2:20-21 is dealing with either unsaved false teachers OR believers who have gone astray due to false teachers.
- Trent
@@BibleLine I don't believe I can ever be unborn again. I am a new creature in Christ. But down the years I've the falling away of some who looked like the real thing. Romans 8v16. This is what has kept me for 43years. I live to know him and the power of his resurrection. This is the new testament written on my HEART. PTL.
And if you believe you will confess that you're a sinner and ask the Lord to forgive you of all of your sins and repent from them.
It would be good for you to repent of all of your sins, but that is not to obtain salvation. It is also not a proof of salvation.
- Trent
I think Zane Hodges, like most one man shows, and GES, by the way both I like, make it more complicated and go into error by adding that unless you were aware that you have eternal life and nothing could take it from you not even your continued sins then you aren’t really saved. I know Wilkin backed off of that.
We complicate so much even when our theology is sound when it’s so simple - believing in Jesus, faith in Christ. It’s about Jesus not us or our commitment but his grace to all who believe, whomever!
We can be saved without assurance. We can have peace with God without having the peace of God. We come as we are. OSAS is not a doctrine it is Jesus.
There are a lot of versions of Jesus being portrayed out there. Same name, not the same Jesus. How does that reconcile?
Do I have to keep the commandments or not?
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:9-14 KJV
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 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.
1 John 3:22-24 KJV
No
John 1 12 says even to him that believes in his name if that isn't enough to make you question what your doing😅
So does it matter as long as you believe the death burial and resurrection and who Jesus is and believe he did it for you and have faith but can still be confused on some parts .. meaning when someone says repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus after they have shared the gospel.. I’m so confused because a lot of people are going to hell because the gospel has gotten really muddy.. it’s scary!! I’m just kinda confused on how this works will a little confusion get in the way of these people receiving the Holy Spirit… I thought that as long as we had child like faith ( and children don’t always get the details) that that was enough! Lol I believed at a young age and I didn’t exactly know ALL the details just enough to know they he died for my sins and I believed that and knew who Jesus was and prayed and had a relationship and it wasnt until recently I woke up and realized and understood it all because I was taught a false gospel but I did in fact believe Jesus died for me ( my sins) and I did have faith then no doubt.. the lord has always been with me I know this.. but this has always confused me! Hope you can clarify for me! Thanks
Yes, you just have to believe Jesus died for your sins. If he never rose, then your faith is in vain. Also if works (ie- turning from sin) is part of what you’re believing + Jesus, then your faith is in vain. Notice 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Galatians 2:20-21.
It is faith as a child. How is one saved? Believe that Jesus Christ died to pay for your sins. If someone really doesn’t know WHO you’re talking about, then of course some added details would help. If they don’t know WHY they need to believe, then of course there ought to be something there (heaven, hell, sin, death - the obvious things right?) to point them to their need.
Hope this helps. We don’t overcomplicate this. Jesus died for my sins. I believed in Him. I’m saved.
- Trent
@@BibleLine yes this makes sense thank you so much! I think I’m just paranoid for people because what if they don’t realize they are adding works in and people are confused I was very confused but I still had faith in him he has always been with me I have always had that relationship..how ever I do appreciate this channel and what you guys do I think we should give a clear simple message of the gospel! And yes I agree details need to be shared I just didn’t know how much detail one has to understand to be saved!
Is salvation believing in jesus,or believing in the gospel about jesus?
To believe the gospel is to believe in Jesus Christ. You believe He is the Son of God who die, was buried and rose again to pay for all your sin. The moment you believe, you receive eternal life that cannot be lost.
- Trent
All of them,and they come from being born again,How do you know you are born again? Simple,all the evil things you loved when satan was your father,you now despise,And all the things you used to hate about God and His Son Jesus,you now treasure above all things.
We know we are saved because we believed in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who died for our sin, was buried and rose again.
Desires, lifestyle change and correcting bad habits is not the assurance of our salvation.
- Trent
Must one believe that Jesus is God?
Many things..that's why OSAS is wrong...
Did you watch the video, or did you read the title?
- Trent
1st John 5:12 " He that hath the Son hath life, he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. " Kjv getting saved is easy. Jesus Christ did all the work on the cross once and for all! Just gotta receive the free gift of salvation and trust Christ as your personal Savior!! ✝️
This comment and video is full of misinformation he knows nothing. You will perish for lack of knowledge
Jesus made it possible for us to be saved but we still have to come to him in faith and we have to walk in the Way and do the seven steps of faith. So your do nothing but trust is a big lie. You don't even know how to do the seven steps of Faith. What did you fill your faith with? What is the knowledge of faith. You know nothing.
@jamestruett2694 Ephesians 2:89 " For by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Kjv. Not of works sir, when you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, Christ imputes His righteousness to you, if you depend on your works to save you, at the Great White Throne you will compare your righteousness to the righteousness of Christ, and it won't go well for you!!
@@jdlucky yes salvation is by grace as God the Father determines your sincerely to repent to the acknowledging of Truth. But the receiving of the goodness of the spirit also leads you to the truth that you may find the knowledge we perish for the lack of, and have a reason to believe by faith. Faith is empty and needs to be filled with the love that truth reveals in the knowledge of faith. John 6:29 shows that our works is to believe by faith and without doing the seven steps of Faith you can't believe by faith. your faith is blind and empty.
@jamestruett2694 I was talking about salvation only. You are talking about sanctification after your saved, which is done by the Holy Spirit
You are guilty of a sin debt that separates you from God and you can do nothing yourself to pay that debt. God sent His Son Jesus as a sacrificial lamb to die in your place to pay for your sin. Jesus died and rose again on the third day winning victory over sin and death. Coming to this realization and placing your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ saves your soul for eternity.
Jesus is the Savior, we are not co-saviors.
Bible line,I guess there's no reaching unbelievers,He don't desire life style change,He demands it.Youvnust be born again.Become a brand new person,designed after Jesus.I guess you all are going to cry when you hear these words I never knew you.
Faith without actions is dead and you are still in your sins. This is the simplest way to explain why Protestantism simply doesn't make logical sense and therefore cannot possibly be true. It is logically incoherent to think that you can be saved by faith alone. There isn't a saving moment. This idea of a moment "when you are saved" is produced from the illogical presupposition that you can be saved by faith alone. It is by your actions you can tell if you have fruit of the Spirit or not. You are transformed by the Holy Spirit your whole life- ever getting closer to God, but continually being infinity far away. This is key.
You cannot save yourself by your actions, but you can rest assured that Spirit of God is within you. This allows you to have reasonable faith that God will save you from penalty of your sin, even though you could never save yourself by your own actions. The key is that you have faith in God- who is embodiment of truth and love. You can have see in your life if you are moving closer to, or away from God- by the fruit of your actions. There is no blind faith involved. There is no mere saying that you "believe". Your heart is a deceiver and you cannot trust yourself to know what you believe. But you can know by your own actions what it is that you really believe.
For all the good protestants do with apologetics this key part keeps me afraid for all who think that any single human can interpret the Bible properly. To think that any single human is infallible is ludicrous and is showing deep misunderstand that depth of our love of sin and how easily seduced and corrupted our hearts are. This is why it is in our best interest to seek the Church Jesus left us through his apostles. Only the successors to the apostles can interpret the Bible properly today- together in union. No separate church and some new invention can "improve" or "restore" Christianity. They merely follow sin and corruption of this world, further and further away from the truth.
Thanks for the comment Petar.
I will say, just because you do not understand something according to your own logic does not mean it is therefore untrue. There are many things that I have come to understand later in life that I at one point thought to be completely untrue.
Furthermore, how do you know if the interpretation of the so called church that you attend is correct? What makes these individuals in power more authoritative than the Holy Spirit that teaches us? Ephesians 1:12-14 says after we believe we receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit guides us to all truth. Don't get me wrong, we are fallible people. Nevertheless, God is able to teach me the correct understanding of the word. It is often preachers and teachers that push their own beliefs into the scripture, and they come to a false conclusion.
"Faith without works is dead" is absolutely true! But, what do you mean? I know what you mean, but the context has nothing to do with whether or not a person is saved into eternal life. James has already rolled out in chapter one that he is talking to believers in Jesus Christ (already saved people). He is telling them that their faith is not going to 1) Feed anyone hungry who comes to their door 2) Clothe anyone naked who comes to their door 3) Save them from the JUDGMENT seat of Christ 4) Profit anyone a thing!
They believed in Jesus, but the works are what actually profits other people. I need to actually OPEN my mouth and SPEAK in order to share the gospel. I need to go to my pantry and grab a loaf of bread to give to my naked and destitute brother, and I need to give him a pair of clothes... My simple faith won't do those things. My works will.
What my faith in Jesus Christ HAS done is 1) Saved me permanently from hell (John 5:24) 2) Made me a child of God (John 1:12) 3) Sealed me with the Spirit.
"Fruit of your actions" is another way of stating that you are saved by your works... Works at the front, back, left, right, upside down from the point of belief in Jesus is STILL works for salvation. You need to believe in Jesus' payment for your sins to be saved. He died for you, so you need to trust in Him. Will you?
Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, and Romans 4:5 are all good references (in context) for this subject.
- Trent
@@BibleLine Thank you for your reply! I am very much looking forward to learning more.
_I will say, just because you do not understand something according to your own logic does not mean it is therefore untrue._
Please, feel free to correct me and any untrue statement I have made. If my logic is flawed or incomplete, I would love to know and correct it.
*_There are many things that I have come to understand later in life that I at one point thought to be completely untrue._*
I understand this point well, or at least well enough to try to be more temperate in my tone.
_*Furthermore, how do you know if the interpretation of the so called church that you attend is correct? _*
I trust Jesus when he said that gates of hell will not stand against his Church. If I am mistaken in thinking this, I’d love to know why.
*_What makes these individuals in power more authoritative than the Holy Spirit that teaches us?_*
They are direct successors to the apostles Jesus left us. I can’t imagine anyone more authoritative today. No single one of them is above any of the others and they all keep each other in check as a united group. There are outliers and excesses, but the group keeps them all sane and grounded.
Holy Spirit reaches every one of us, but we are to test every spirit, because not every spirit is from God, and our hearts are very deceitful and love darkness.
_Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world._ 1 John 4:1
*_Nevertheless, God is able to teach me the correct understanding of the word. It is often preachers and teachers that push their own beliefs into the scripture, and they come to a false conclusion._*
How to you guard against the false conclusions? If not by submitting to his Church and their teaching, how can you be assured that you have not gone astray? I am very introverted person and I find the idea of interpreting Bible for myself very appealing. Yet I find it mentioned again and again in the Bible, how corrupt we all are and how we would do anything to deceive ourselves, even when not tempted by the Satan.
Thank you for reading and have a nice day :)
Hey there!
Am I correct in stating that you are Catholic? Or near that? I see you dissociate from Protestantism. I don’t like labels, but maybe I can better understand you.
I agree with the scriptures you presented, but there are two key issues we seem to (clearly) disagree on.
1) Justification by faith in Christ alone (without works)
2) Authority/Interpretation of Scripture
I feel like point two is secondary because obviously the first is most important. We probably agree on more than either of us realize, but I’ll give you a few things.
1) 2 Peter chapter 1 makes it clear that there is no private interpretation of scripture. Meaning, we can all understand the scripture similarly and accurately.
2) The Spirit helps to understand the word of God. But if you don’t have the Spirit, your understanding is darkened. Ephesians 1:12-14 tells us the Spirit is received solely by faith in Christ. See also John 16:13-15 and 1 Corinthians 2 regarding the Spirit’s help in interpretation.
Why do I mention “authority?” Because I think you agree that the ultimate authority is Scripture, not the Church (any church). Therefore we can all study it and glean from it.
Justification by faith in Christ is very important. I’m sure you acknowledge that Jesus died for all of our sins, right? Roman’s 3:23-26 make that fairly clear, as well as 1 John 2:1-2. His payment for sin was enough for us. You weren’t born when he died for you; therefore all future sin is paid.
James 2 regarding “faith without works is dead” is very true. But the passage is literally not concerning salvation. The people James is talking to are already saved. His purpose is simply stating that they have faith (which pleases God), but they need works to benefit people. If I never do anything for you, then you don’t have anything done for you (even if I believe it would be the right thing to do). Hope that makes sense.
Thanks for having an honest conversation. I encourage you to consider the scriptures above closely.
- Trent
@@BibleLine Thank you for your reply! I am grateful to be able to have this discussion. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts :)
I am Eastern Orthodox. I think we look similar to Catholics as we both insists that only the apostolic Church has the authority to interpret the Bible. But we disagree what that church is, among other things.
We are united, however, in proclaiming that your faith must be visible in action if it is to have any potency. Here is a good analogy for it. A man walks up to you on a street and says that he has just been hit by a truck. You look at him and there isn’t a scratch on him. Would you believe him?
Encountering Jesus would make a much greater impact than merely being hit by a truck. It would be very difficult to hide. This is why I find the idea of having faith that is detached from actions meaningless. What you say has to correspond with reality, or you’re just lying to yourself and others. Our actions show what we really love and where our heart goes to hide.
Our actions are far too limited, and we are too sinful that our actions could ever save us ultimately. We aren’t saved from perishing because of our action. They are a mere pointer that we can reference and see what spirit are we following- God or idols. In this sense, our works/actions are not necessary for our salvation. They are necessary only for our own benefit, to help us discern which spirit is guiding us.
We are lovers of darkness and deceit. We may even think we believe something, but our actions reveal what we are truly like and what we really believe. This is why I do not understand the idea like “Justification by faith in Christ alone (without works)”. I think verbal declaration of what you believe is like a modern, delusional man saying he believes he is a woman. This is why we are to test every spirit and not believe something merely because we prefer it.
*_I think you agree that the ultimate authority is Scripture, not the Church (any church). Therefore we can all study it and glean from it._*
I don’t understand what you mean. A book cannot interpret itself any more than a word can. A book cannot hold the ultimate authority. Only people can interpret words and their interpretation is the true authority. There are is an infinite number of ways you could interpret a book. This is why postmodernists insist that there is no ultimate meaning. What is true for you, isn’t true for me. This is why they insist that truth is relative and individual.
I reject that idea. There is real meaning and there is a correct way to interpret the Bible. However, Christianity teaches us that truth is one and truth is God. We can find truth and it is good for us. The closer we are to the truth and living in truth, the better it is for us. While I can agree with you on many things, we will disagree on many others. We can probably agree that the further we are from the proper teaching of the Gospel, the worse it is for us.
I think that the same church that had the authority to decide the canon and the content of the Bible has the authority to interpret what they have written. The Apostles that started this church have spent years teaching inside. They had more to say than they have written down. Their job was to teach and preach, and not necessarily write. Most of what we have inherited from their time is the oral traditions we have now. The written part is important, but it is only a portion of the whole we have preserved.
Modern preachers preach in the same churches and same manner that the apostles who thought their successors did. This unbroken line of pastors going back all the way to the apostles who started it all is really important. Their church is the one Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not preserve against.
It is good that some of this teaching was documented and that many people still hold to what is written. While not whole truth, this is much better than rejecting whole Christianity. Some truth is infinitely more valuable and good then any lie. Thank you for reading and have a great day :)