Will you go to Heaven?

Will you go to heaven? More importantly, are you right with God? These questions are too important to get wrong. Therefore, don't go by opinions or feelings to find the answer. Go by what God has told us in His Word. Hebrews 9:27 states, "...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." How will you do on Judgment Day? Many people think that God is happy with them and will take them to heaven when they die because they've been  a "good" person. Let‘s take a look at a few of God's commands and see if you've obeyed them. Have you ever lied (Leviticus 19:11)? Revelation 21:8 warns, "...all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Have you ever looked with lust? Jesus said "...whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28). Have you ever taken God's name in vain (Deuteronomy 5:11)? Exodus 20:7 states, “…the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Ever stolen anything (Exodus 20:15; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)? Ever gotten drunk (Ephesians 5:18, 1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)? Ever consulted a medium or person who claims to talk to the dead (Leviticus 19:31)? Ever dishonored your father or mother (Exodus 20:12)? You can also sin by omission, by not doing something that you should do (James 4:17). Have you always loved your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18)? Have you always loved God with all your heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5)? Romans 3:11 states, "...there is none who seeks after God." It only takes one sin... James 2:10 warns, "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." Without a doubt, God's standard is high. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus commanded, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your father in Heaven is perfect." Based on what God has told us, do you think you'll be innocent or guilty on Judgment Day? Will you go to Heaven or Hell? God is good (Mark 10:18) and He is also just (2 Thessalonians 1:6). Therefore, "...he does not leave the guilty unpunished..." (Numbers 14:18). There are many who make the mistake of thinking that they will be forgiven because of good deeds they have done, but the Bible warns that "...all our righteous acts are like filthy rags..." (Isaiah 64:6). Good deeds don't erase bad ones. The sad truth is that we have nothing to offer God. 'Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin' (Romans 3:20). WE HAVE ONLY ONE HOPE... 

Although we deserve to "...be punished with everlasting destruction..." (2 Thessalonians 1:9), God made a way that we could be forgiven and made right with Him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." (John 3:16). He sent Jesus to take our punishment upon the cross (Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24). The Good News is "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). If you want to be saved and made right with God, you must have "repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). Repentance is a "change of mind." It's a change in attitude toward God and sin. According to 2 Corinthians 7:10, “…godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Repent and place your trust in Jesus Christ (John 14:1). Trust in Christ more than you would in a parachute if you were to jump from a plane that was flying at 20,000 feet. You would be counting on that parachute alone to save you. It would be your only hope. Do the same and more with Jesus, trust in Him alone for the forgiveness of your sins. Attending church, being water baptized and doing good deeds are all good things and we should do them; but they cannot save you. God's Word says it's "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Christ Jesus our Savior" (Titus 3:5-6). Eternal life through Jesus Christ is a free gift of God (Romans 5:15; 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9). If you truly do repent and trust in the Lord, God will save you and He will transform you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." A Born-Again Christian lives a life of habitual obedience to the God He loves (John 14; 1 John 1-2). He does this not to be reconciled to God, but rather because God has saved him. After you get right with God, read the Bible daily (1 Peter 2:2) and obey it, see 1 John 2:3; 5:3.

Are the Sabbath laws binding on Christians today? (John MacArthur/ GTY)

Taken from http://www.gty.org/Resources/Questions/QA135

We believe the Old Testament regulations governing Sabbath observances are ceremonial, not moral, aspects of the law. As such, they are no longer in force, but have passed away along with the sacrificial system, the Levitical priesthood, and all other aspects of Moses' law that prefigured Christ. Here are the reasons we hold this view.

1. In Colossians 2:16-17, Paul explicitly refers to the Sabbath as a shadow of Christ, which is no longer binding since the substance (Christ) has come. It is quite clear in those verses that the weekly Sabbath is in view. The phrase "a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day" refers to the annual, monthly, and weekly holy days of the Jewish calendar (cf. 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 31:3; Ezekiel 45:17; Hosea 2:11). If Paul were referring to special ceremonial dates of rest in that passage, why would he have used the word "Sabbath?" He had already mentioned the ceremonial dates when he spoke of festivals and new moons.
2. The Sabbath was the sign to Israel of the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 31:16-17; Ezekiel 20:12; Nehemiah 9:14). Since we are now under the New Covenant (Hebrews 8), we are no longer required to observe the sign of the Mosaic Covenant.
3. The New Testament never commands Christians to observe the Sabbath.
4. In our only glimpse of an early church worship service in the New Testament, the church met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
5. Nowhere in the Old Testament are the Gentile nations commanded to observe the Sabbath or condemned for failing to do so. That is certainly strange if Sabbath observance were meant to be an eternal moral principle.
6. There is no evidence in the Bible of anyone keeping the Sabbath before the time of Moses, nor are there any commands in the Bible to keep the Sabbath before the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai.
7. When the Apostles met at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), they did not impose Sabbath keeping on the Gentile believers.
8. The apostle Paul warned the Gentiles about many different sins in his epistles, but breaking the Sabbath was never one of them.
9. In Galatians 4:10-11, Paul rebukes the Galatians for thinking God expected them to observe special days (including the Sabbath).
10. In Romans 14:5, Paul forbids those who observe the Sabbath (these were no doubt Jewish believers) to condemn those who do not (Gentile believers).
11. The early church fathers, from Ignatius to Augustine, taught that the Old Testament Sabbath had been abolished and that the first day of the week (Sunday) was the day when Christians should meet for worship (contrary to the claim of many seventh-day sabbatarians who claim that Sunday worship was not instituted until the fourth century).
12. Sunday has not replaced Saturday as the Sabbath. Rather the Lord's Day is a time when believers gather to commemorate His resurrection, which occurred on the first day of the week. Every day to the believer is one of Sabbath rest, since we have ceased from our spiritual labor and are resting in the salvation of the Lord (Hebrews 4:9-11).
    

So while we still follow the pattern of designating one day of the week a day for the Lord's people to gather in worship, we do not refer to this as "the Sabbath."

John Calvin took a similar position. He wrote,

There were three reasons for giving this [fourth] commandment: First, with the seventh day of rest the Lord wished to give to the people of Israel an image of spiritual rest, whereby believers must cease from their own works in order to let the Lord work in them. Secondly, he wished that there be an established day in which believers might assemble in order to hear his Law and worship him. Thirdly, he willed that one day of rest be granted to servants and to those who live under the power of others so that they might have a relaxation from their labor. The latter, however, is rather an inferred than a principal reason.

As to the first reason, there is no doubt that it ceased in Christ; because he is the truth by the presence of which all images vanish. He is the reality at whose advent all shadows are abandoned. Hence St. Paul (Col. 2:17) that the sabbath has been a shadow of a reality yet to be. And he declares elsewhere its truth when in the letter to the Romans, ch. 6:8, he teaches us that we are buried with Christ in order that by his death we may die to the corruption of our flesh. And this is not done in one day, but during all the course of our life, until altogether dead in our own selves, we may be filled with the life of God. Hence, superstitious observance of days must remain far from Christians.

The two last reasons, however, must not be numbered among the shadows of old. Rather, they are equally valid for all ages. Hence, though the sabbath is abrogated, it so happens among us that we still convene on certain days in order to hear the word of God, to break the [mystic] bread of the Supper, and to offer public prayers; and, moreover, in order that some relaxation from their toil be given to servants and workingmen. As our human weakness does not allow such assemblies to meet every day, the day observed by the Jews has been taken away (as a good device for eliminating superstition) and another day has been destined to this use. This was necessary for securing and maintaining order and peace in the Church.

As the truth therefore was given to the Jews under a figure, so to us on the contrary truth is shown without shadows in order, first of all, that we meditate all our life on a perpetual sabbath from our works so that the Lord may operate in us by his spirit; secondly, in order that we observe the legitimate order of the Church for listening to the word of God, for admin-istering the sacraments, and for public prayers; thirdly, in order that we do not oppress inhumanly with work those who are subject to us. [From Instruction in Faith, Calvin's own 1537 digest of the Institutes, sec. 8, "The Law of the Lord"].

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? (John MacArthur/ GTY)

Taken from www.gty.org/Resources/Questions/QA79

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

No. Let's examine what the Scriptures teach on this issue:

First, it is quite clear from such passages as Acts 15 and Romans 4 that no external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by divine grace through faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, etc.).

If water baptism were necessary for salvation, we would expect to find it stressed whenever the gospel is presented in Scripture. That is not the case, however. Peter mentioned baptism in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). However, in his sermon from Solomon's portico in the Temple (Acts 3:12-26), Peter makes no reference to baptism, but links forgiveness of sin to repentance (3:19). If baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sin, why didn't Peter say so in Acts 3?

Paul never made water baptism any part of his gospel presentations. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul gives a concise summary of the gospel message he preached. There is no mention of baptism. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul states that "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel," thus clearly differentiating the gospel from baptism.

Those passages are difficult to understand if water baptism is necessary for salvation. If baptism were part of the gospel itself, necessary for salvation, what good would it have done Paul to preach the gospel, but not baptize? No one would have been saved. Paul clearly understood water baptism to be separate from the gospel, and hence in no way efficacious for salvation.

Perhaps the most convincing refutation of the view that baptism is necessary for salvation are those who were saved apart from baptism. The penitent woman (Luke 7:37-50), the paralytic man (Matthew 9:2), the publican (Luke 18:13-14), and the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) all experienced forgiveness of sins apart from baptism. For that matter, we have no record of the apostles' being baptized, yet Jesus pronounced them clean of their sins (John 15:3--note that the Word of God, not baptism, is what cleansed them).

The Bible also gives us an example of people who were saved before being baptized. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and those with him were converted through Peter's message. That they were saved before being baptized is evident from their reception of the Holy Spirit (v. 44) and the gifts of the Spirit (v. 46) before their baptism. Indeed, it is the fact that they had received the Holy Spirit (and hence were saved) that led Peter to baptize them (cf. v. 47).

One of the basic principles of biblical interpretation is the analogia scriptura, the analogy of Scripture--we must compare Scripture with Scripture in order to understand its full and proper sense. Since the Bible doesn't contradict itself, any interpretation of a specific passage that contradicts the general teaching of the Bible is to be rejected.

Since the general teaching of the Bible is, as we have seen, that baptism and other forms of ritual are not necessary for salvation, no individual passage could teach otherwise. Thus we must look for interpretations of those passages that will be in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture.

With that in mind, let's look briefly at some passages that appear to teach that baptism is required for salvation.

In Acts 2:38, Peter appears to link forgiveness of sins to baptism. But there are several plausible interpretations of this verse that do not connect forgiveness of sin with baptism. It is possible to translate the Greek preposition eis--"because of," or "on the basis of," instead of "for." It is used in that sense in Matthew 3:11; 12:41; and Luke 11:32.

It is also possible to take the clause "and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" as parenthetical. Support for that interpretation comes from that fact that "repent" and "your" are plural, while "be baptized" is singular, thus setting it off from the rest of the sentence. If that interpretation is correct, the verse would read "Repent (and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ) for the forgiveness of your sins." Forgiveness is thus connected with repentance, not baptism, in keeping with the consistent teaching of the New Testament (cf. Luke 24:47; John 3:18; Acts 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Ephesians 5:26).

A third possibility exists, as Wallace explains in Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics:

It is possible that to a first-century Jewish audience (as well as to Peter), the idea of baptism might incorporate both the spiritual reality and the physical symbol. In other words, when one spoke of baptism, he usually meant both ideas--the reality and the ritual. Peter is shown to make the strong connection between these two in chapters 10 and 11. In 11:15-16 he recounts the conversion of Cornelius and friends, pointing out that at the point of their conversion they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. After he had seen this, he declared, "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit..." (10:47).

The point seems to be that if they have had the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit via spiritual baptism, there ought to be a public testimony/acknowledgment via water baptism as well. This may not only explain Acts 2:38 (viz., that Peter spoke of both reality and picture, though only the reality removes sins), but also why the NT speaks of only baptized believers (as far as we can tell): Water baptism is not a cause of salvation, but a picture; and as such it serves both as a public acknowledgment (by those present) and a public confession (by the convert) that one has been Spirit-baptized.

Mark 16:16, a verse often quoted to prove baptism is necessary for salvation, is actually a proof of the opposite. Notice that the basis for condemnation in that verse is not the failure to be baptized, but only the failure to believe. Baptism is mentioned in the first part of the verse because it was the outward symbol that always accompanied the inward belief.

I might also mention that many textual scholars think it unlikely that vv. 9-20 are an authentic part of Mark's gospel. We can't discuss here all the textual evidence that has caused many New Testament scholars to reject the passage. But you can find a thorough discussion in Bruce Metzger, et al., A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, pp. 122-128, and William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Mark, pp. 682-687.

Water baptism does not seem to be what Peter has in view in 1 Peter 3:21. The English word "baptism" is simply a transliteration of the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse." Baptizo does not always refer to water baptism in the New Testament (cf. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; 7:4; 10:38-39; Luke 3:16; 11:38; 12:50; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Corinthians 10:2; 12:13).

So Peter is not talking about immersion in water, as the phrase "not the removal of dirt from the flesh" indicates. He is referring to immersion in Christ's death and resurrection through "an appeal to God for a good conscience," or repentance. Again, it is not the outward act that saves, but the internal reality of the Spirit's regenerating work (cf. Titus 3:4-8).

I also do not believe water baptism is in view in Romans 6 or Galatians 3. I see in those passages a reference to the baptism in the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13). For a detailed exposition of those passages, I refer you to my commentaries on Galatians and Romans, or the transcripts my sermons on Galatians 3 and Romans 6.

In Acts 22:16, Paul recounts the words of Ananias to him following his experience on the Damascus road: "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name." It is best to connect the phrase "wash away your sins" with "calling on His name." If we connect it with "be baptized," the Greek participle epikalesamenos ("calling") would have no antecedent. Paul's sins were washed away not by baptism, but by calling on His name.

Water baptism is certainly important, and required of every believer. However, the New Testament does not teach that baptism is necessary for salvation.

Did Jesus Die for a Few or for All?

Definite Atonement? Particular Redemption? Limited Atonement? 

Christ died for all, but few will appropriate His sacrifice.

Often, verses such as John 10:15 will be used to argue that Christ died for the elect only. However, the passage doesn’t say 'only.' It’s true that Christ laid down His life for His sheep, but it doesn’t say Christ laid down His life just, only, singularly, exclusively, or solely for his sheep.

Consider this, in Isaiah 53:8, Isaiah recorded, “for the transgression of my people was he [the Messiah] stricken.”  However, as the totality of Scripture makes clear, Jesus didn’t just die for Isaiah’s people (i.e., Jews). Also, consider Romans 10:1, Paul said, “…my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Obviously, that doesn’t mean that’s Paul’s only prayer for Israel.

In the same way in John 10:15 when Jesus said “…I lay down My life for the sheep...” He didn’t address those for whom He did not lay His life down for, but only for those whom He did lay His life down for. Some might argue it’s implied. However, there are many passages that explicitly state that Christ died for all men.

‘all,’ ‘whole world’ and ‘everyone’ Passages 

It’s true, the words and phrases ‘all,’ ‘whole world’ and ‘everyone’ don’t always refer to every single individual (e.g., Romans 1:8), thus, as always, context is important when interpreting meaning. 

• Hebrews 2:9-10 states “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Note the passage goes from referring to Christ tasting death for “everyone” to referring to only bringing “many” sons to glory. The person who says “everyone” means only “some” has the burden of proof.
• 1 John 2:2 states “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” The only other time the phrase “holos cosmos” (English ‘whole world‘) appears in 1 John is in 1 John 5:19: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” One common excuse some will use to explain this passage is that John was saying that Christ is the proposition not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. However, 1 John continually mentions the “world,” referring to it as an evil system which opposes God and believers (1 John 2:15-17; 3:1, 13; 5:4-5). The one other time in the epistle that John uses the phrase ‘whole world’ he refers to it as being “…under the sway of the wicked one.” If John wanted to say Christ is the propitiation not just for the elect Jews, but also for the elect Gentiles, he could have just said that. Besides, it was evident by the last decade of the first century (in which 1 John was likely written) that Gentiles were believers too (cf. John 11:51-52).
• 1 Timothy 2:3-7 states “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
• Romans 5:17-19 states “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” Scripture clearly teaches that all men won’t be saved from damnation, but the offer is available to all men (Romans 10:13).
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 states “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
• Isaiah 53:6 states "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

Other Compelling Passages 

• 2 Peter 2:1 states “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” The Lord bought even those who will reject Him. They will die in their sins because they rejected the Lord and thus the salvation which comes through Him. The word for ‘bought’(which is also translated ‘redeemed‘) is used in 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; Revelation 5:9.
• Hebrews 10:26-27 states, "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." This indicates there was a sacrifice for sin even for those who will reject it in the end.  

Objections and Answers

Did God fail when it comes to those who Christ died for that are going to hell?

First off, this would be a philosophical argument, if the Bible states that Christ died for everyone, then He did. Second, Christ did not fail, His death is sufficient, those going to hell didn’t appropriate the forgiveness through faith which is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). One could ask, did God fail with Adam and Eve, with Lucifer and his angels or with rebellious Israel? Concerning Jerusalem, the Lord said “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37) Stephen said to the Jews “’You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.’” (Acts 7:51) Did God fail? The answer is of course no, man did, but God will be glorified even in that.

Was Christ’s death sufficient if people for whom He died are still under the wrath of God?

Even Christians were once “children of wrath” as Ephesians 2 states. Even those who hold to a belief in limited atonement understand this. Christ’s death was completely sufficient to save, but until they appropriated it through faith, they were still under condemnation. Christ’s death is sufficient for those who reject Him and suffer the eternal wrath of God.

Think of it this way, I was born a child of wrath but today I’m a child of God. Did Christ die again to bring this change? Did His death somehow become more sufficient for me to become forgiven? Absolutely not. What happened was I appropriated His death by faith (which was from Him). His death was always and always will be sufficient. 

If Christ died for everyone, why will most people be going to hell?

Few find the way which leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) Christ died for all, but few will appropriate His sacrifice by repenting and believing. Ultimately, God is in control.

For Amillennialists: If Satan is bound now, how can he do so much? How is this any different from O.T. times?

Acts 5:3- “…why has Satan filled your heart…”
Acts 26:18- “…the power of Satan…”
1 Corinthians 5:5- “deliver such a one to Satan…”
1 Corinthians 7:5 - “…come together again so that Satan does not tempt you…”
2 Corinthians 2:11- “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
2 Corinthians 4:3-4- “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded…”
2 Corinthians 11:14- “…For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”
1 Thessalonians 2:18- “…but Satan hindered us.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9 -“…the working of Satan…”
1 Timothy 1:20- “…I delivered to Satan…”
2 Timothy 2:25-26- "...God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
James 4:7- "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
1 Peter 5:8- "...your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
1 John 5:19- "...the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one."

Christians cannot lose their salvation.

When a person truly repents and places his trust in the Savior for forgiveness and everlasting life he is changed by God; born again. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

Keeping salvation is not dependent on the Christian. As it is written: “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) and "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Philippians 1:6; cf. Ephesians 1:13-14). If He began the work, He will complete it. That’s “if” He began the work. It’s quite prideful and arrogant to think you can be good enough or do something to keep that which you couldn’t earn in the first place. You didn’t deserve/merit it when you got it and you never will be able to.

Nonetheless, those who are born again will endure to the end. If they don’t, then that’s proof that they weren’t truly born again (1 John 2:19). By the way, if you teach that a person can lose his/her salvation, you’re essentially teaching that a person can/ is able to go on sinning. Granted, they might eventually lose their salvation, but nonetheless they can go on sinning according to that false theology. However, the Bible clearly teaches that a true saint will not and can not go on living in habitual unrepentant sin (1 John 3:9; 5:18; Romans 6:1-2).

Those whom God “foreknew, He also predestined” (Romans 8:29) and those “He predestined, these He also called” (Romans 8:30) and the ones “He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:30). This is an indivisible chain of events. If God foreknew a person, that person will ultimately be glorified.

Some Questions to Consider

How many sins do you have to commit before God takes your salvation away (how many are covered by the blood of Christ)? We are told, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 5:20; read in context of Romans 6:1-2).

How many sins before God remembers your sin and lawless deeds again (Hebrews 10:17; Jeremiah 31:34)?

What trespass separates us from God? We are told He has forgiven “all trespasses” (Colossians 2:13) when He made us alive with Christ.

Didn’t Christ die for all our sins (past, present and future)?

At what point does Jesus stop acting as our Advocate (1 John 2:1)?

If God gives a person everlasting life, then it ends, was it everlasting (John 3:36)?

If a person is born again of “imperishable” seed (1 Peter 1:23), then that person perishes, was the seed really imperishable?

Does God unforgive a person’s sin (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12)?

Does God remove His wrath from a person then reapply it when that person loses their salvation; or does a saved person have the wrath of the wrath of God abiding on him?

Doesn‘t God know who‘s going to stay justified?

Isn’t God able to put His “fear in their hearts so that they will not depart” as Jeremiah 32:40 speaks of?

In John 10:27-29 Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.” Who shall never perish? Jesus didn’t say “follow Me to become one of My Sheep.” He said His Sheep listen to and follow Him. He didn’t say they might follow Him, He said they do follow Him. Also, consider Isaiah 43:13 with John 10:27-29.

One more question to consider, are you trying to live your life in a way so that you will go to heaven or are you simply depending/relying on God for eternal life?

“Are you saying a person can get saved, then go rob banks, fornicate, murder and sin all they want and still be saved?”

Paul put it like this, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2). The true Christian won’t go on sinning because he has been born again. As it is written, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9) and “We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18). We know from the Greek that these refer to continuing in sin; making a practice of sin. Thus, if you continue in unrepentant sin, all evidence indicates that you didn’t get saved in the first place.

“Don’t Christians have free will; can’t they turn away from God (choose not to be saved)?”

Christian have a degree of free will, but they also have the fear of God so that they will not turn away. As it is written in Jeremiah 32:40, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.” Thus, if you turn away from God and the faith, then you weren’t saved to begin with. As it is written, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” (1 John 2:19).

Jesus is God the Son

• Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23 also see Isaiah 7:14)

• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)

NIV:”... and the Word was God.”

NASB: “...and the Word was God.”

NKJV:”...and the Word was God.”

AMP: “...and the Word was God Himself.”

ESV:”...and the Word was God.”

CEV: “...The Word was with God and was truly God.”

KJ21: "...and the Word was God.”

ASV”...and the Word was God.”

YLT: “...and the Word was God;”

DARBY:”...and the Word was God.”

NLV:”...The Word was God.”

HCSB”...and the Word was God.”

NIRV “...and the Word was God.”

WYC “...and God was the word.”

Worldwide English: “...The Word was God.”

NIVUK: “...and the Word was God.”

WEB:”...and the Word was God.”

WEY: “...and the Word was God.”

• Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:18)

• Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:58)

NIV: “…I am!"”

NASB: “...I am."

NKJV: “...I AM.””

ESV: “…I am."”

ASV: “...I am.”

DARBY: “...I am.”

WEY: “...I am."

WBS: “...I am.”

WEB: “...I AM.”

YLT: “...I am;'”

Note: And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14) The Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament that dates prior to the birth of Christ) renders the Hebrew phrase for “I AM” in Exodus 3:14 as ego eimi. In John 8:58 this is the same phrase Jesus uses the same words translated as “I am”.

• For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty [gibbo^r gibbo^r] God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Note: The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty [gibbo^r gibbo^r] God. (Isaiah 10:21, also see Jeremiah 32:18)

• For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (Colossians 1:19)

• For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9)

• I and my Father are one. (John 10:30) Note: Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. (Galatians 3:20)

• The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (John 10:33)

• And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:28-29)

• "... feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)

• And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.(1 John 5:20)

• And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

• Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

• But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (Hebrews 1:8-10)

• ...lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them... the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6) Note: I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8)

• Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 9:5)

• No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. (John 1:18 NIV)

• Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: (2 Peter 1:1) According to John MacArthur "The Gr. construction has only one article before this phrase, making the entire phrase refer to the same person. Thus, Peter is identifying Jesus Christ as both Savior and God." (1)

• looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13 NKJV)

• The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD [YHWH], who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:1, 10 NKJV)

• God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: (Hebrews 1:1-3)

• 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. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:14-18)

The First and the Last

God-

• I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 1:8; 22:13, see also Isaiah 41:4; 44:6)

Jesus-

• And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (Revelation 2:8)

Prepare ye the way of the LORD [YHWH]

God expected-

• The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD [YHWH], make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)
• Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD [adonai], whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD [YHWH] of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Jesus arrived-

• For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Matthew 3:3)
• The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Mark 1:1-3)
• For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (Matthew 11:10)
• He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (John 1:23)

Creator

God alone-

• Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (Isaiah 44:24)
• Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11, see also Genesis 1:1; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 95:5-6; 102:25 Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 40:12-14, 28; Malachi 2:10; Hebrews 3:4)

Jesus-

• The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:2-3)
• 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. (Colossians 1:15-17, see also John 1:10; Hebrews 1:1-3, 10 )

Savior

God (besides Him there is none)-

• I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)
• Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. (Isaiah 45:21, see also Hosea 13:4; Isaiah 45:22; 1 Timothy 2:3; 4:10; Titus 2:10 )

Jesus-

• “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (Luke.2:11)
• “That the Father sent the Son as the Savior of the world.” (1 John.4:14, see also Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:47; John 4:42; Acts 4:12; Titus 1:4; 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:18)

Worshiped

God alone-

• Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10)
• And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. (Revelation 22:8-9, see also Deuteronomy 5:7-9; Acts 10:25-26; Romans 1:25)

Jesus-

• Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28:9)
• And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6, see also Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 28:17; Mark 5:6; Luke 24:52; John 9:35-38; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 5:8-14)

The Shepherd

God-

• The LORD [YHWH] is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1, see also Psalm 80:1; Genesis 49:24)

Jesus-

• I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:11, 16)
• Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (Hebrews 13:20, see also 1 Peter 5:4)

1: MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1997.

Examine Yourself

“If you didn’t come to Jesus Christ broken over your sin, if you haven’t come to Jesus Christ literally shattered to the very depths of your being over your sinfulness, if you haven’t mourned over your sinfulness, if you don’t hunger and thirst after righteousness more than anything else, there is a good probability that your not even a Christian. That’s the criteria our Lord gives.”
-Dr. John MacArthur

Saved by Grace through Faith/ Salvation is a Gift of God

• Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (Luke 8:12)
• 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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
• And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:14-16)
• He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
• Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
• And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)
• Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)
• He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:38-39)
• Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26)
• To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)
• Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:17)
• And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)
• God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (Acts 15:8-11)
• And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31)
• To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)
• For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17)
• Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22)
• Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)
• To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26)
• Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (Romans 3:28-30)
• For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (Romans 4:2-6)
• Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (Romans 4:16)
• Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)
• 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. (Romans 5:15)
• For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
• For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (Romans 8:24)
• What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 9:30-33)
• For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4)
• That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9-13)
• And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. (Romans 11:6)
• For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.(1 Corinthians 1:21)
• Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
• Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)
• He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (Galatians 3:5-8)
• But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Galatians 3:22)
• That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:14)
• For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)
• Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)
• 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, (Ephesians 1:13)
• Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5)
• For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:9)
• not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5)
• Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:16)
• For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Timothy 4:10)
• who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (2 Timothy 1:9)
• But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39)
• And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.(Revelation 21:6)
• And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)

Quiz: Islam or Mormonism?

• Their first prophet practiced and approved of polygamy
  
• Their first prophet was married to at least one girl under the age of 18
  
• Their first prophet was supposed to have been uneducated and not knowledgeable enough to have written their “holy” book
  
• Their first prophet supposedly had an angel appear to him who told him of their “holy” book
  
• Their first prophet is highly praised and exalted
  
• After the death of their first prophet the religion had a division on who to follow
  
• Their “holy” book praises Jesus as well as others in the Bible
  
• Their religion claims their prophet was prophesied about in the Bible
  
• Their religion claims that the Bible is the Word of God but that it has been corrupted
  
• Their religion claims to have brought a restoration of the truth
  
• Their religion claims works of righteousness are required to be right with their god
  
• Their religion denies the eternality of the divinity of Jesus

Answer: Both

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” -Ecclesiastes 1:9

Praying about the Book of Mormon

“Test all things; hold fast what is good“. -1 Thessalonians 5:21

Oftentimes, when Mormons talk to non-Mormons, after they tell them the appealing aspects of Mormonism (being with your family forever, exaltation, etc.), they will encourage them to pray about the Book of Mormon, citing a passage from the end of the Book of Mormon (Moroni 10), telling them that if it’s true, they will get a feeling from God. Is this a legitimate test to see if the Book of Mormon is the Word of God? Should you pray about it?

• We are told not to test God (Deuteronomy 6:16; Luke 4:12).

• Alma 32:17-21 and Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-11 discourage asking God for a sign, essentially stating that if you have a sign, you don’t need faith.

• The Bible warns that our feelings can deceive and mislead us. Jeremiah 17:9 states “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Proverbs 28:26 states “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” (see also Ecclesiastes 9:3) How much easier would it be for our heart to deceive us if we want something to be true?

• “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” -Proverbs 14:12 see also Proverbs 16:25

• It’s recorded in the Bible that demons possess and control unsaved people, it doesn’t seem that it would be hard for Satan or one of his demons to give you a feeling if you ask. “…For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

• Are you more discerning than Joseph Smith? “Joseph …received a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and that they would sell the copy-right of the Book of Mormon… they failed entirely to sell the copy-right, returning without any money… we asked Joseph how it was that he had received a revelation…and the brethren had utterly failed in their undertaking. Joseph did not know how it was, so he enquired of the Lord about it, and behold the following revelation came through the stone: ‘Some revelations are of God: some revelations are of man: and some revelations are of the devil.’ So we see that the revelation to go to Toronto and sell the copy-right was not of God, but was of the devil or of the heart of man.” (An Address to All Believers in Christ by David Whitmer, 1887, p. 31) By the way, how do you know that Joseph’s revelation of the Book of Mormon or anything else he said wasn’t from the devil or from man? He didn’t even know.

• In Acts 17:11, the Bereans are said to be more nobler than the Thessalonians because “…they examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” It doesn’t say they prayed about it.

• Have you prayed about the Koran, the satanic bible, the Hindu Vedas or other supposed sacred writings?

• Which Book of Mormon do you pray about? There have been many changes and many editions; the 1830, the 1920, the 1964, the 1981 etc.

• Which church do you follow? Many claim to follow the Book of Mormon, such as the LDS, the RLDS aka the Community of Christ, the Hedrickites (Church of Christ), the FLDS, the Strangites (the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), etc. If you choose based on majority, logically you would become a Catholic or Muslim. Still, how do you even know there is still a true church on the earth to follow? How do you know there hasn’t been a new apostasy and after Joseph died the church fell away from the truth? According to the LDS church, it happened once before even though Jesus said “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Are you discouraging prayer?

A true Christian can and will pray to God regularly. However, some things don’t need to be prayed about. Open God’s Word to see what’s right and wrong, what’s true and false. You don’t need to pray about if Mohammad was a prophet of God, whether you should look at pornography, whether you should love your spouse, whether a woman should be a pastor, or whether you should steal from the rich and give to the poor. The Bible is clear in all these matters. 

Often homosexuals, adulterers, and many others who are engaged in sin will claim that what they feel leads them to believe that what they are doing is right. Some will even say, God gave them the feelings, and peace about it. The Bible never exhorts us to pray about a book or person to see if they are true. 

You may say, James chapter one says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally…” (James 1:5). As stated before, a true Christian should pray to God. James was written to believers, the “brethren” (James 1:2; 2:1), those who had faith in Christ (James 2:1), not to unbelievers who were searching. Also, James doesn’t tell them to pray for a feeling to know whether a book is true. 

Whom do you pray to? God. Who is the only one through whom we can pray through to get to God? Jesus said,“…no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5). We must go through Jesus Christ, the Son. Which Jesus? Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22 warn about false Christs. In 2 Corinthians 11:4, the apostle Paul warned of “another Jesus,” a false Jesus. Consider the Jesus of Islam, who is only a prophet of god, not the Son of God, not God the Son, and not the true Jesus. You have to go through the true Jesus, to pray to the true God. The Jesus of Mormonism is not the true Jesus. He is a created being, like you and I. Just another man, who worked His way to godhood.

Pray to a false god-Through a false Jesus-About a false book

Expect a false answer

Here is what it comes down to, you do not need to pray about something that is contrary to the Word of God, and time and time again, the Book of Mormon is. Not to mention, being contrary to archeological, historical, anthropological, and biological evidence.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” -Galatians 1:8-9

The Impossible Mormon Gospel

To see just how good a Mormon must be to be right with God, let’s go directly to the LDS scriptures and prophets. 

“For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts.” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:31-33) 

• According to D&C 1:31-33, what degree of sin can God look upon? 

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins--behold, he will confess them and forsake them." (Doctrine and Covenants 58:42-43) 

• Have you forsaken all of your sins? 

“There is one crucial test of repentance. This is abandonment of the sin… In other words, it is not real repentance until one has abandoned the error of his ways and started on a new path.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p.163) 

• Have you really repented and thus abandoned your sin? 

"…unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God." (Doctrine and Covenants 82:7) 

• According to D&C 82:7, what happens to you if you do sin again? 

“The Lord cannot save men in their sins but only from their sins, and that only when they have shown true repentance.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p.166) 

“The Lord will indeed forgive, but he will not tolerate repetitions of the sin:” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p.357; refers to Ether 2:15) 

“An incomplete repentance never brought about complete forgiveness” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p.212) 

“And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.” (Alma 11:37)

Can God save you? Yes, according to the Book of Mormon you can be saved, but you cannot be saved in your sins. You can only be saved if you genuinely repent, which is to completely and permanently stop sinning. 

“Discontinuance of sin must be permanent” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p.176) 

It’s been said, “I’ll try my best and God will make up for the rest.” However, Spencer Kimball said, “Trying is not sufficient Nor is repentance complete when one merely tries to abandon sin…To ‘try’ is weak. To ‘do the best I can’ is not strong. We must always do better than we can.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, pp.164-165) 

“And if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then his grace sufficient for you…” (Moroni 10:32) 

• According to Moroni 10:32, when does God make up for the rest (the times we‘ve fallen short)? When is God’s grace sufficient? Is it not after you’ve denied yourself “all” ungodliness? Have you denied yourself all ungodliness? Do you ever lie, lust, get angry without cause, commit any sin or do anything that is ungodly? 

“Those who feel that they can sin and be forgiven and then return to sin and be forgiven again and again must straighten out their thinking. Each previously forgiven sin is added to the new one. Thus, when a man has made up his mind to change his life there must be no turning back.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p.170) 

“daily transgression and daily repentance is that which is not pleasing in the sight of God.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 148) 

“We can hardly be too forceful in reminding people that they cannot sin and be forgiven and then sin again and again and expect repeated forgiveness” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p.360) 

"In the context of the spirit of forgiveness, one good brother asked me, "Yes, that is what ought to be done, but how do you do it? Doesn't that take a superman?' 'Yes,' I said, 'but we are commanded to be supermen. Said the Lord, 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.' (Matt. 5:48.) We are gods in embryo, and the Lord demands perfection of us.'" (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p. 286) 

God commands you to stop sinning and be perfect. Note, it says “be” perfect not “become” perfect. 

“…for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7) 

• Does God give a command you can’t keep? Wouldn’t your best be sinless perfection? 

“Being perfect means to triumph over sin. This is a mandate from the Lord. He is just and wise and kind. He would never require anything from his children which was not for their benefit and which was not attainable. Perfection therefore is an achievable goal." (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, p. 209) 

“…for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23) 

• Are you doing “all” that you can do? Are you perfect? According to the prophet and the Book of Mormon you can be perfect. God commands perfection of you and you’ll only be saved by grace after you do all you can do (2 Nephi 25:23). You must stop sinning before death.

“Men and women who live in mortality and who have heard the gospel here have had their day, their seventy years to put their lives in harmony, to perform the ordinances, to repent and to perfect their lives…spirit world repentance cannot recompense for that which could and should have been done on earth.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer Kimball, pp.314-315) 

“…this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God… For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked” (Alma 34:30-35, see also Mosiah 2:36-39; Alma 12:24; 2 Nephi 9:38)

Clearly, there is no hope in the Mormon gospel. However there is hope in the true Gospel: Click here for hope

Letter to my LDS friend by Rob-roy

Dear Friend,

I love you. Please take time to read this very important letter. Since you are so devoted to your faith it is important for you to know that according to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), true repentance means sinless perfectionism. Since no one can completely stop sinning in this life the teaching of the LDS Church is indeed the Impossible Gospel. This is the reason you and other LDS I talk with consistently respond that you do not know for sure that you have eternal life because you must rely on your own ability to keep the commandments and stop sinning in order to earn the grace of God.

If you don’t believe me then see for yourself. Here are the requirements of true repentance for salvation as defined by the LDS Church:

Must forsake all sin and deny all ungodliness
"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins--behold, he will confess them and forsake them." (Doctrine and Covenants 58:42-43)

“And if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you…” (Moroni 10:32)

“Repentance is for every soul who has not yet reached perfection” (Miracle of Forgiveness [MoF] by Spencer Kimball, p.33)

Must keep all the commandments.
“For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts.” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:31-33)

Must stop all sinning.
“Being perfect means to triumph over sin. This is a mandate from the Lord. He is just and wise and kind. He would never require anything from his children which was not for their benefit and which was not attainable. Perfection therefore is an achievable goal” (MoF by Spencer Kimball p. 209)

“the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” 1 Nephi 3:7

“Discontinuance of sin must be permanent” (MoF, p.176)


Must never repeat any sin again or commit new sins for the first time.
"Unto the soul that sins the former sins return" (Doctrine and Covenants 82:7).

“daily transgression and daily repentance is that which is not pleasing in the sight of God.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 148)

“no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot saved in your sins” (Alma 11:37)

“Those who feel that they can sin and be forgiven and then return to sin and be forgiven again and again must straighten out their thinking. Each previously forgiven sin is added to the new one. When a man has made up his mind to change his life there must be no turning back.” (MoF by Spencer Kimball, p.170)

Trying not to sin is not enough

“Desire and Trying to abandon sins is not sufficient, only abandoning sin is sufficient” (MoF by Spencer Kimball, p.163-164)

“We can hardly be too forceful in reminding people that they cannot sin and be forgiven and then sin again and again and expect repeated forgiveness” (MoF by Spencer Kimball, p.360)

“There is one crucial test of repentance. This is abandonment of the sin.” (MoF by Spencer Kimball, p.163)

“An incomplete repentance never brought about complete forgiveness” (MoF by Spencer Kimball, p.212)

Must stop sinning before death (No second chances)

“spirit world repentance cannot recompense for that which could and should have been done on earth” (MoF by Spencer Kimball, p.315)

“…this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God… For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked” (Alma 34:30-35)


Friend, the Impossible Gospel of Mormonism is not only impossible but also false. It is based on fear and works righteousness. Grace only applies after all you can do (2 Nephi 25:23). Unless you never commit any sin ever again you are still in sin and not truly repentant. Trying to stop sinning is not enough. The time to deny all ungodliness is now because at death there is no second chance from being sealed to the devil who is in Outer Darkness. That is the final state of your soul for all eternity without end. Have you stopped sinning completely? If not then Grace does not apply to you. You will die in sin and will not be saved to be in the presence of the Father according to the LDS Teaching you just read. The LDS gospel is not good news.


For the Christian the requirement to be perfect still exists but it exists not in ourselves but in Jesus Christ completely. It is by the Cross we who are not perfect are made perfect forever (Hebrews 10:14). There is no other way for the Bible tells us that there is no one who is good (Romans 3:10). A person who thinks they can get to Heaven by being good and keeping the commandments does not understand how God sees sin, punishment, or Hell (John 3:18, 36). On Judgment Day every thought, word and deed will be exposed.

When we look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s standard we see that God views lust as adultery (Matthew 5:28), hatred as murder (1 John 3:15), and that no secret sin is hidden from Him of whom we will give an account (Hebrews 4:13). We see our sin in all its ugliness and realize that there is nothing we can do to remedy it. The more we see the depth of our sin the more we realize the extent of God's love to save us, making grace truly amazing (Romans 2:4, 5:8).

That’s the bad news. The law cannot save us. It simply teaches us (Romans 3:20, 7:13; Galatians 3:24) to not trust in our own goodness and leads us to trust by grace through faith in the goodness of Jesus alone for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:4). Because of sin we deserve Hell, but God showed His love by pouring His wrath toward our sin on His only Son. Jesus alone does the “perfecting” (Heb. 10:14). He suffered and died on the cross in our place and rose again so that we who deserve such punishment could be pardoned and God glorified. That is the good news. God’s love is amazing. Will you reject His amazing gift of undeserved kindness?


God commands you to repent and put all trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you (Acts 17:30-31). Stop attempting to gain your own salvation through works that cannot save (Rom. 10:3-4). It cheapens Christ’s sacrifice to be only a partial payment and insults God. You can do nothing to save yourself (Eph. 2:8-9). You must put all your faith in Jesus alone and place zero trust in yourself. Cry out to God and beg him to save you from your sin, and trust ONLY in His death and resurrection as full payment.


However, to die in sin apart from God's complete and undeserved mercy will bring a fearful day of wrath, judgment and a destination of Hell (Revelation 21:8). Don't wait another moment. Surrender all to the Savior for He is worthy and this day may be your last. There is no other way. Please repent and trust in the true Jesus. He is merciful to save.

I love you Friend. That is why I wanted to share this most important message of God’s kindness. Let’s talk more as soon as possible.


Love,

Rob-roy

If you claim to be a Christian, PLEASE watch/listen to this

Or if you're short on time, check this one out: