Saved by Grace Through Faith vs Works

This page was written to explain the Christian understanding of salvation. A very good summary on this subject is in the Scofield Study Bible as a footnote to the first chapter of the book of Galations:

"The test of the Gospel is grace. If the message excludes grace, or mingles law with grace as the means either of justification or sanctification (Gal 2:21; 3:1-3), or denies the fact or guilt of sin, which alone gives grace its occasion and opportunity, it is 'a different' gospel, and the preacher of it is under the anathema of God"

Scriptures that relay the true Gospel of Jesus Christ:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."(John 3: 16-18)

Please notice that believers are NOT condemned and have eternal life. This will be very important to remember when you listen today's False Prophets who all preach salvation plus works.

We are saved by our faith, not works (emotional experiences, saying a prayer, signing a covenant, etc.):

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from youselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2:8,9)

It is the only gospel that is:

"the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes . . . " (Romans 1:16)

God does not purify us through works but:

"he [God] purified their hearts by faith. . . .We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved . . . " (Acts 15:9, 11)

The steps to confession:

"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9, 10)

The True Gospel Message for Christians was given by Paul:

"By this gospel you are saved, IF you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. OTHERWISE you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance, (1) that Christ died for our SINS according to the Scriptures, (2) that he was buried, (3) that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and (4) that he appeard to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more . . . . " (1 Cor. 15:2-6)

How Christians are to act after they are saved

Paul said We were dead in our sins as unbelievers:

" As for you [believers], you were DEAD in your transgressions and sins [before you became believers], in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air [Satan], the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. . . .We were by nature objects of [God's] wrath. But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in Mercy, MADE US ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:1-5)

Paul said a Christ led life will produce righteousness (which occurs AFTER one is saved):

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age . . ." (Titus 2:11-12)

We are warned about those who will lead us astray from the true Gospel:

"For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord " (Jude 1-4)

A poem I wrote after being exposed to Lordship Salvation:

It's That Simple

We're being
strangled
by apostasy.
Faith
plus works
equals nothing.
God's
grace
rejected;
A precious gift
forsaken
by man's
foolish pride.
Submit,
repent,
accept,
obey,
commit,
receive,
confess,
and baptise
your way
into
deception.
Work
your way
to heaven
if you can.
Waste your time.
Waste your life.
Waste other's lives.
Follow
Satan's
twisted plan
or just believe:
He came,
He died
for me
and you,
He was buried,
He rose again.

(1 Cor. 15:1-5)

Lori Eldridge
© 7-18-00

Videos on the True Gospel

Here is a great speaker with several videos on YouTube - Ken Ham - from Answers in Genesis . This video is on How do we know that God is real? Who Created God? Where did God come from? Does God Exist?

Carl Kerby is another great Bible teacher and has several videos on YouTube - This one is on Demolishing Strongholds. He has several other videos on this topic.

Articles or websites that defend the true Gospel:

Les Feldick is one of the best teachers that clearly defines those scriptures meant for the Jews (who were under the Law) vs those meant for the Church (under Grace).

The ultimate love story - God's love for us can be found at Gospel Message

For a good web site explaining Lordship Salvation ("making" Christ Lord of your life BEFORE you become a believer), any why it's wrong, check out GraceNet.com. Do a search for Lordship Salvation and it will provide you with a long list of documents.

Word of Truth ministries has numerous tapes by Chet McCalley that clearly outline Saved by Faith through Grace, not by Works. They also explain very clearly why Lordship Salvation is not Scriptural.

The Terms of Salvation by Lewis Sperry Chafer. This document contains some of the best explanations I have seen yet regarding the specific terms of salvation: What does repentance really mean? Do we need to believe and get baptised to be saved? Do we need to confess our belief before men to be saved? etc.

Here is a very good article that explains why Baptism is not necessary for Salvation. It also explains the verses that some use to claim that it is necessary for Baptism to be saved.