IN the first article on GRACE, we learned that it is the Gift of God through faith.
the GRACE of God is a gift, and it can either be RECEIVED or REJECTED.
Grace is a gift of God that provides ACCESS to salvation.
Romans 5:2 KJV
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Eph 2:8-10 tells us it’s a gift.
But what did Paul teach the Ephesians when he first met them?
They HEARD and BELIEVED the gospel.
Ephesians 1:13 KJV
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
They continued to CONFESS and bring forth fruits worthy of REPENTANCE.
Acts 19:18-19 KJV
And many that believed came, and CONFESSED, and SHEWED their deeds. [19] Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. (cf. Acts 20:20-21)
They were BAPTIZED into Christ.
Acts 19:2-5 KJV
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. [3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
So yes, they were saved by GRACE because by grace through faith we’re given ACCESS to the gospel which is the means of salvation.
What will you do with this GRACE?
Would you like to know more about how to ACCESS His GRACE?
The phrase “God has a plan for you” is one of the most Disheartening, Destructive, and Dangerous false Doctrines taught today. It’s based on an abuse of the context of Jeremiah’s prophecy. God does have a plan for you. It’s the same plan for everyone. Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 2 Peter 3:9 KJV The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Mark 16:15-16 KJV And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
God’s PLAN for you and me. God is no respect of persons. Acts 10:34. He has the same PLAN for the whole world. SADLY, MOST WON’T FOLLOW IT. 1) PUT on Christ. Galatians 3:27 KJV For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Mark 16:15-16 KJV And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 2) LOVE the Lord, His commands, His children, and everyone. Matthew 22:37,39 KJV Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 1 John 5:3 KJV For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 3) ASPIRE to live a quiet and peaceful life. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 1 Timothy 2:2-4 KJV For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 4) NEVER quit being faithful even in the face of pain, persecution, and personal struggles. Revelation 2:10 KJV Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Matthew 10:22 KJV And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
(John 11:25)
One of the great questions of life that everyone eventually asks is, “where are we going when we die?”
We all recognize that we will die physically, and many hope that there’s something more spiritually.
“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.” (Ecc 7:2)
Jesus statement to Mary, “I am the resurrection and the life,” occurred at the mourning of her brother Lazarus. These become a source of comfort for the living.
Jesus is LIFE. We’ll examine just a few ways in which He is the LIFE and the comfort that brings to His church.
Jesus is the LIGHT & LIFE.
The Gospel of John opens with this description of Jesus. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:3-5).
This statement made by the inspired Apostle demonstrates that Jesus is the origin of LIFE and Light. The Apostle Paul will make a similar statement to the epicurean and stoic philosophers in Athens.
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28).
Since He is the LIGHT & LIFE, all other religions must be Darkness & Death. Jesus is the LIGHT & LIFE
Jesus is the life because He is the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE God.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col 1:14-17).
Jesus is God. His presence on earth represented the fulness of the Godhead. “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9)
Jesus is the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE God.
Jesus is the life because He is FAITHFUL to Forgive.
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
He is faithful to forgive, but this same audience was told at Pentecost… “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38). What we learn is that Jesus, at the point of His sacrifice, was making available the forgiveness of sins.
Part of the purpose of His miracles of healing was to show that He has the power to FORGIVE. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2:10-11).
Jesus is faithful to FORGIVE those that are in Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9).
Jesus is FAITHFUL to FORGIVE.
Finally, Jesus is the author of ETERNAL LIFE.
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
What did Jesus Himself say about salvation and eternal life?
(HEAR) Matthew 7:24
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
(BELIEVE) John 8:24
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(REPENT) Luke 13:3,5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
(CONFESS) Matthew 10:32 JV
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
(BAPTIZED) Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
(FAITHFULNESS) Matthew 28:20
Teaching them (baptized disciples) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)
Last week we began the discussion about hearing the VOICE of Jesus. The previous article included the first 3 of 5 points.
This article will touch on the next 2 points in this series.
What does it mean to hear the VOICE of Jesus? Some claim He will speak directly, personally, and miraculously to us. What is the truth?
Hearing the VOICE of Jesus.
The voice of Jesus (through the study of His Word) is a source of comfort for us in our pains, sorrows, and hurts. The letters of the New Testament are also the commands of Jesus; “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1Cor 14:37), The truths contained therein contain comfort. One example is in 1Thess 4.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1Thess 4:13-18).
We can find comfort through the words of Jesus. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2Cor 1:3-4)
Another one of the ways His word comforts us is through the assurance we have from His promises. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil” (Heb 6:18-19). “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6).
Paul wrote; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2Tim 4:7-8).
When we seek His voice through the reading & study of His inspired word, and we Obey it, we can have the assurance that He will reward us.
Finally, His voice has the words of ETERNAL Life.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).
Sadly, some will hear it & turn from it. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68).
Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
The writer of Hebrew was inspired to write, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). Cornelius was told he needed to hear words, so he sent for Peter who came to tell him words and they were ready to, “hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:6, 22, 33).
When we read, we can believe that we might have life, “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” (John 20:31). When we read, we can understand the mystery, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:4).
The VOICE of Jesus is represented as a sword in the imagery seen by John in Revelation 1:16. The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12).
The sheep will find comfort, peace, assurance, and salvation through the words of the Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#3 examples in ACTS.
Acts 8:32 the Eunuch
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Ac 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 17:11 The Bereans
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can know how to obey the Gospel when we READ.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
An objection to BAPTISM is often posed something like this…
“What if a person hears and believes the truth and desires to be baptized, but they get into a car accident and dies on the way to be baptized, will God still save them?”
This is a very emotional appeal to a not very likely scenario. But, since you asked, let us go to scripture and ask some more questions. Can one be saved without Confession, Repentance, or even belief?
Can we be saved without…
BURIAL in Him? Col 2:11-12
Can we be saved without…
ADDED to the church? Acts 2:38-47
APPEAL to God. 1Pet 3:21; Acts 23:16
Can we be saved without…
PUTTING on Christ? Gal 3:27
Can we be saved by…
TRANSGRESSING the command of Christ, (& Apostles)? Luke 6:46; Mark 16:16; 1Cor 14:37; 2Thess 1:7-9
Can we be saved without…
IMMERSION INTO the likeness of His death? Rom 6:3-4
Can we be saved without…
SINS washed away? Acts 22:16; Is not SAVED. 1Pet 3:21
Can we be saved without the urgency to obey at…
MIDNIGHT, MIDDAY, or in the MIDDLE of an INCONVENIENT time? Acts 16:33; 26:28
LET’S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE BIBLE.
What if Cornelius had Died before Peter came to him to “tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” (Acts 10:1-6). Would he have been saved? If not, why not? Some will have him be saved based solely on the intent of the heart.
What if the Eunuch died before he heard Jesus Preached to him by Philip (Acts 8:35)? Would he have been saved because of the intent of his heart? He was reading about Jesus in Isaiah.
We must be careful to teach the whole counsel of God. Baptism is essential to salvation, but not the ONLY thing that saves. This is why we read of the urgency of those who hear Jesus being preached. “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36; cf 16:33)
WHEN IS IT TOO LATE TO OBEY THE GOSPEL?
When life EXPIRES. Luke 12:19
When TIME is no more. Jas 4:14
Take TOO long. Acts 26:28
When you suffer brain damage through ACCIDENT, or Disease. Belief is essential to scriptural baptism. Mark 16:16.
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
2Tim 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1John 5:13
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.
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.
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That’s why I read the Bible. To be Wise unto ETERNAL Life.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
(Eph 2:8)
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11)
There is no doubt that salvation is by GRACE. What’s at question is this; Is there something man must do to receive salvation through GRACE?
The answer is Yes!! Some would argue that Belief, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism are not required, but they wrest the scriptures. These are works God gave man to do to receive GRACE.
“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1Thess 1:3).
What they should be teaching is that the APPEARING of GRACE is not by any work or goodness man has done. This is what the scriptures teach. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1John 4:9-10).
What does it mean to us that GRACE has APPEARED?
When Christ came into the world to save us through His sacrifice, GRACE APPEARED making salvation AVAILABLE. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared” (Titus 3:4).
Without the Sacrifice of Christ, it is impossible for man to be saved, but the shed blood of Christ made it POSSIBLE for man to be saved. “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:25-26; cf. Luke 18:27). It is impossible for man to invent his own means of salvation, and it’s impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to save, but with the blood of Christ it is POSSIBLE (Heb 10:4-10).
False teachers will tell you to “ask Jesus into your heart” to receive His Grace (which is not found anywhere in Scripture). The Bible tells a different story. We are to PUT ON CHRIST in water baptism through faith in His Grace. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3:26-27).
Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism is how we ESCAPE CORRUPTION that is in the world. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:4). Then we are to continue in His Grace (Acts 13:43). “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2Peter 2:20). It’s possible to fall from Grace (Gal 5:4)
Some also teach that the GRACE of God only APPEARED to a select few individuals predetermined by God. This is the basis of Calvinism. Once again, the Scriptures teach something different. Grace APPEARS to ALL MEN (Titus 2:11). “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Rom 5:15). “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:4; cf. 2Pet 3:9). What God has predetermined is to save all those who receive the grace that has appeared through their obedience to the gospel by faith (2Thess 1:8-9).
The APPEARING of Grace provides the means of salvation, but it will not save those that reject it. Christ gave His life for our sins; this is the GRACE of God. When we obey the Gospel, we have the RIGHT to eternal life. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked” (Acts 17:32).
For anyone to claim that our obedience to God, to the Gospel, to Jesus the Christ, or to the Holy Spirit inspired word of God is earning salvation then they have clearly not read the Bible. To obey God is never earning salvation, it has always been trusting in His Grace through God’s working. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Col 2:12).
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:7-8).
Grace has APPEARED. It was made available, making it possible for man to be saved when they faithfully put on Christ in baptism. By obeying the gospel, we escape the corruption that is in the world and anyone can do the same. When we obey the gospel, He gives us the right to the tree of life.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11)
Spencer is a preacher for the church of Christ in Borger Texas, on the corner of Franklin & Juniper
People often ask questions about what happens if a person is not water baptized. “What if you’re on the way to the baptistry and you’re killed on the way?”
For the answer we appeal solely to the word of God. We can know nothing about it except that it was revealed by God.
Without water BAPTISM.
Was not BURIED with Him, Col 2:11-12
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Not ADDED to the church. Acts 2:38-47
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Did not PUT on Christ. Gal 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
TRANSGRESSED the command of Christ, (& Apostles) Luke 6:46; Mark 16:16; 1Cor 14:37; 2Thess 1:7-9
Mr 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Did not follow Christ INTO the likeness of His death. Rom 6:3-6
Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Did not wash away SINS. Acts 22:16; Is not SAVED. 1Pet 3:21
Ac 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
We MUST be baptized into Christ to be saved by Grace. Acts 19:1-5; Eph 2:8-10
Ac 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger Texas
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 