What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Grace, mercy, and truth will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 3 (NKJV)

In the precious and beautiful name of Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  1 John 4:15 (NKJV)

If a person confesses “Jesus is the Son of God,” I believe they are saved.  I’m just not going to second guess 1 John 4:15 in any way, shape or form.  I’d say my role is to trust God in every situation.  His word is enough for me.  I do trust God is in full control of the situation, so the truth will be known.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 7:21-23 is plain, simple, and easy to understand though should make us all a little uneasy.  The person confessing “Jesus is the Son of God” must never forget that the God of the [Bible] knows, hears and sees, all things.

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” John 20:17 (NKJV)

When Jesus said “My Father in heaven” in Matthew 7:21-23, He’s referring to “My Father” His Father and “My God” His God, the all-knowing God of the [Bible].

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 (NKJV)

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:29-31 (NKJV)

The all-knowing God of the [Bible] has made it crystal clear for us, concerning what one must do to be saved, in the [Bible].  It’s all about having to believe in “the Son of God,” Messiah Yeshua “Jesus.” 

Trusting God knows what’s best for us, which is to say God’s plan of salvation or bust, this will keep one from ever having to hear “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”  When Jesus took their place on the cross, those trusting God’s plan of salvation, His shed blood covered all their sins.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Thank God for what Jesus Accomplished in the First Century

Grace, mercy, and truth will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 3 (NKJV)

In the name of Him who makes us kings and priests to His God and Father, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  Revelation 1:6 (NKJV)

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station I heard, “Jesus Christ is God, that’s what’s being revealed to us in the gospel of John.”  

The speaker on the radio can’t reconcile this statement using John’s writings.  The speaker, by not teaching them as absolute truths, is causing people to believe John’s writings are subject to change on a daily basis.  The speaker is a follower of the Anthanasian Creed.  The speaker would have been better off qualifying their statements by saying according to the writings of those not mentioned in the [Bible], “Jesus Christ is God.”

After a good night’s sleep, some time to think about this particular post, and thanking God for what Jesus accomplished in the first century, I deleted two paragraphs from it.  Followers of the Anthanasian Creed have been led to believe Jesus and the Anthanasian Creeds “the Son is God” are one and the same, when nothing could be further from the truth.

I’ve come a long way from the thought off losing friends as a result of speaking out against the Anthanasian Creed.  What I deleted from this post wasn’t wrong, but just too harsh.  I continually remind myself that I am targeting the Anthanasian Creed and not those who have been taught or are teaching its falsehoods.  I thank God for what Jesus accomplished in the first century.  With that said I can say with 100% confidence, the person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, and rejects the Anthanasian Creed altogether, is saved.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

What About the One Confessing Jesus is the Son of God?

“That you may with one mind and with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:6 (NKJV)

In the only name given among men by which we must be saved, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

When biblical truths collide with man’s understanding of them, some would call them sermons.  I call them misleading.  God’s increase is guaranteed when the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached in truth.  Everyone that hears it should expect God’s increase to come their way.  There’s nothing wrong with quoting [Scripture], but if one treats them as insufficient on their own and adds to them it leads to false teachings.

Sam and Ellen work for a rather large company.  They’ve met on few occasions, but the only thing one knows about the other is work related.  An opportunity for the company to expand has made itself available. They are being sent to a meeting at a location two hours away.  With little time to waste, they gather up their things and meet in the parking lot.

Safely on the road, Ellen says to Sam, “Congratulations Sam, this is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to working together with you.”

“Congratulations to you as well.  I’ve been praying for an opportunity like this and here we are smack dab in the middle of it,” said Sam happily.

Caught off guard by Sam’s remark, “I’ve been praying for it as well, are you a Christian?” Ellen said joyfully.

“Born again.  Bought by the blood of Jesus.  I am.  This is working out better than I thought,” said Sam with great relief.

“Praise God!   What we’re bringing to the table Sam, will sell itself.  All we have to do now is let go, and let God,” Ellen said.

“Let go and let God.  I like that.  So tell me about your church, are you doing anything special for Christmas,” asked Sam.

“We’re focusing on the usual, Jesus’ birth, singing songs, things like that, and water baptism,” replied Ellen.

“I love this time of year… did you say water baptism,” asked Sam.

Quickly Ellen replied, “I did!”

“In all my years I’ve yet to witness anyone getting baptized on Christmas Day,” said Sam.

“Have you been baptized in water Sam?” asked Ellen.

“No.  I’ve thought about it but we don’t have a water tank at our church.  It’s a small church and on a good day we’ll have fifteen to twenty people,” said Sam.

“What then do you believe?” asked Ellen with great concern.

“I believe in Jesus, that He is the way, the truth, and the life,” said Sam. 

“No one can come to the Father except through Him,” Ellen interrupted.

“At our church, in addition to Jesus, we teach the significance of creeds, doctrines, and having to believe the doctrine of the trinity to be saved.  There is no emphasis put on water baptism but I have a feeling you’re concerned about me not being baptized in water,” said Sam. 

“I am concerned.  You’re not saved without having been baptized in water,” replied Ellen.

“What about the person in the middle of the desert, just prior to them taking their last breathe here on earth, now confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, and there’s no water to be found, is that person not saved,” asked Sam.

“I could say the same to you.  I confess Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of my life, and I reject the Anthanasian Creed altogether and thus the doctrine of the trinity, am I not saved,” asked Ellen.

Obviously having to believe [or else] the doctrine of the “Trinity” or to be baptized in water to be saved has absolutely nothing to do with the salvation of one’s soul.  There is no [Biblical] mandate stating one has to believe the doctrine of the “Trinity” or to be baptized in water, to be saved. 

Knowing God’s increase is guaranteed when the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached in truth, I can safely say, the person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, is saved.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

I Don't Know

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  1 John 5:5 (NKJV)

In the precious and beautiful name of Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” John 8:7 (NKJV)

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station I heard, referring to Jesus saying “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first,” “Did He yell it, or did He say it softly?  I don’t know how He said it, but He said it.”  The speaker on the radio is a follower of the Anthanasian Creed.

After hearing “I don’t know how He said it, but He said it,” I thanked God.  If I kept count of the number of times I’ve heard someone talking about the [Bible], as if they were eyewitnesses to the events that took place during [Biblical] times, it would be in the thousands.  I’m talking about those saying things are true, when there’s no record of it in the [Bible].

The issue here isn’t how Jesus said “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first,” it’s “He said it.”  We need to take Jesus seriously, 100% of the time.  This means keeping our eyes on the [Scriptures], and leaning not on our own understanding of them.

If asked how I know something not found in the [Bible] is true, I’d have to reveal my source as something other than the [Bible].  I can’t give anyone reason to believe it is [Biblical].  If I do the error is mine, but the damage is done.

The speaker’s “I don’t know how He said it, but He said it,” is a prime example of how one should treat any situation where it is not spelled out for us in the [Bible].  We should always say “I don’t know” when we don’t know, especially when it concerns the [Bible].

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Before All Things?

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14 (NKJV)

In the only name given among men by which we must be saved, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station I heard, “Shouldn’t all Christians pray for the destruction of false doctrines.”  The speaker on the radio is a follower of the Anthanasian Creed.

“Whosoever will be saved, before all things, it is necessary that he hold the catholic (i. e. , universal, Christian) faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.”  - First two sentences of the Anthanasian Creed.

“This is the catholic (Christian) faith; which except you believe faithfully and firmly, you cannot be saved.”  - Last sentence of the Anthanasian Creed.

It is safe to say the Anthanasian Creed is a false doctrine and nothing more than hearsay at best.  The Anthanasian Creed itself provides all the evidence one needs to prove that it’s so.  Those that have chosen to believe the Anthanasian Creed have taken the same liberty of ignoring the facts as those responsible for it in the first place.  “Before all things it is necessary” is plain, simple, and easy to understand.  “Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary” to believe the Anthanasian Creed to be saved.

Until followers of the Anthanasian Creed realize it doesn’t matter what comes before the last sentence of that creed the words “before all things it is necessary” forces them to believe the only way to salvation belongs to the Anthanasian Creed.

“Before all things” includes the events leading up to and including Jesus’ death burial and resurrection.  Any attempt to link the Anthanasian Creeds false method of salvation to these events, will fail.  

God’s plan of salvation has Jesus dying on a cross, for the sin of the world, well before the Anthanasian Creeds “before all things it is necessary”.  Why anyone would want to second guess God’s plan of salvation, saying its insufficient evidence as written, is incomprehensible.  This is exactly what the Anthanasian Creed forces its followers to do.

I ask you now, would you say God’s plan of salvation has been clearly laid out for us in the [Bible]?  Simply put believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  I would say this is especially clear, and I wouldn’t give it second thought if I were you.

Let’s cut to the chase.  The person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, and rejects the Anthanasian Creed altogether, is saved.  It is [Biblically] impossible to prove otherwise. The Anthanasian Creeds false method of salvation stands alone, and proving it’s so won’t be a problem.

Here’s some sound advice for the follower of the Anthanasian Creed.  When you say the Anthanasian Creed is biblically sound, don’t forget “Whosoever will be saved, before all things” in the first sentence of that creed.  We know what Jesus accomplished on the cross in the first century has been clearly laid out for us in the [Bible], and is more than sufficient enough as is.  The Anthanasian Creed doesn’t hold the key to God’s plan of salvation.  Having to believe the Anthanasian Creed to become a member of the local church, has absolutely nothing to do with the salvation of one’s soul.

“Shouldn’t all Christians pray for the destruction of false doctrines”?  I certainly do.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

P.S.

Yesterday I started a new blog: IsTheAnthanasianCreedTrustworthy.blogspot.com.  As some of you know I’ve been looking for the answer to one simple question:

Would you say the person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, and rejecting the Anthanasian Creed altogether, is saved?

I’ve sent this question to many that I’ve heard on the local “Christian” radio station and, television.  To date I’ve only received one [direct] answer to it “Yes and, no,” which is actually not an answer.  What is your answer?

My goal is to keep the new blog separate from this blog.  I will use material found on this blog to answer any questions that may come my way on the new blog.

Looking forward to what’s next, Jim

It Was Just the Beginning

Grace, mercy, and truth will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 3 (NKJV)

In the only name given among men by which we must be saved, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station I heard, “I believe Mordecai wrote the book of Esther.”

I don’t see any problem with anyone saying, “I believe Mordecai wrote the book of Esther.”  If someone was to say unless one believes “Mordecai wrote the book of Esther” one cannot be saved, I pray you’d see the problem with it.

Don’t make the same mistake followers of the Anthanasian Creed have made.  They believe the events that took place in 325-AD settled the argument of the validity of the Anthanasian Creed, but in reality it was just the beginning.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Jesus Christ of Nazareth

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NKJV)

In the only name given among men by which we must be saved, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:1-6 (NKJV)

“Peter and John” are [true] followers of Messiah Yeshua, “Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”  “Peter” wouldn’t have said “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” that day, if not for him knowing who “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” is.  “Peter and John” would have missed out on a great opportunity to tell others about what they’ve come to know and believe, if not for “Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”  It’s all about “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” and not, them.

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.  But when I saw that they weren’t straight forward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of the gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel gentiles to live as Jews?  Galatians 2:11-14 (NKJV)

“Peter,” and others, weren’t always “straight forward about the truth of the gospel.” We’re all going to make mistakes and wrong decisions.  When it comes to the salvation of one’s soul however, there’s no room for error.  It’s believing in “Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” or bust.  It is safe to say Peter John and Paul knew, it’s all about “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” and not them.

“The Son is God” is of the Anthanasian Creed, and that’s as far as it goes.  To ignore this fact opens the door to mistaking false teachings for [Biblical] truths, and that’s a problem.

Outside the writings of those not mentioned in the [Bible], followers of the Anthanasian Creed have no explanation as to how “the Son is God” was birthed and made its way into the twenty first century.

Don’t make the mistake of believing the Anthanasian Creeds “the Son is God” and the doctrine of the “Trinity” existed prior to the first entry of the Anthanasian Creed, they didn’t.  The Anthanasian Creed was birthed and became doctrine of the Catholic Church in 325-AD.  It’s having to believe [or else] “the Son is God” to be saved method of salvation hasn’t saved a single soul, nor could it.  What we need to know about “Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” should come straight from the [Bible].

God bless.

In His Care… Jim