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Belief in The Third Day Resurrection of Jesus in The Correct Way as The Only Salvation According to Scripture and Quotes from Church Fathers of the First Three Centuries After Christ on Earth.

To have eternal life one must:

1. REPENT: Have sorrow for their sins and have intention and commitment to restore the wrongs they have done and intention and commitment to change their wrong ways. This is required to qualify to receive forgiveness for their sins to receive salvation, and if it's real repentance it must result in works, and that this sorrow and intention and commitment to restore their wrongs and wrong ways to righteousness comes BEFORE receiving Grace and forgiveness for their sins. Here are just some verses that prove this: Mark 1:3,4; 1:15; 2:17; 6:12. Matthew 3:3,8,11; 5:32; 9:13. Luke 1:76; 3:3,4,8; 5:32; 13:1-5; 19:8,9; 24:47. Acts 3:19,24; 19:4; 26:19,20. Romans 3:23.2 Corinthians 7:10. 1st John 1:8,9.

Notice, the definition of repentance is: 1. "re" which means "back", "renew", and "over again", and 2. "penitent", which means sorrow and willing to atone, "atone" means to make amends or reparation. Notice in Luke 19:8,9 that "salvation" came to the tax collector when he "restored" the wrong he did. Also, Jesus did not say to his disciples to preach remission of sins, but to preach repentance and remission of sins. Repentance plus remission. Repentance + remission. You cannot receive forgiveness for your sins and be saved if you are not sorry for your sins and attempt restore the wrongs you did and change your wrong ways. (Sometimes you cannot go back, but the heart has to change, if your heart did change then you will try to go back and restore the wrong you did).

In Genesis 6:6 it says that God repented that he had made man because man had sinned. It's not implying God made a mistake, it would be like if someone who had a child and the child grew up to be a criminal. The parent would feel sorrow for having the child. But the point here is by definition of repentance, God restored the situation by creating a temporary way to reconcile man through the sacrificial system of the Livitical priesthood (which was a prophetic symbol of Jesus crucifixion) and by sending His only begotten Son Jesus to be that sacrifice for our sins for a permanent restoration.

Note, repentance comes first: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth" Luke 3:4,5. "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight". Matthew 3:3. "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways" Luke 1:76 with Mark 1:4 "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS."

2. BELIEVE that JESUS CHRIST WAS, and IS GOD. Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14; 8:8; Revelation 1:8 with 22:13; Isaiah 43:10,11; John 4:42; Exodus 3:13,14; John 8:24,58; John 18:5,6; John 10:33; John chapters 1 and 2.

3. Have FAITH or BELIEVE that ONLY the death, resurrection and the blood of Jesus Christ on and from the cross is the ONLY
thing that can possibly REMOVE their sins and brings God's FORGIVENESS of sins. The Bible words used to describe the
removal and forgiveness of sins are "GRACE", "REMISSION", "JUSTIFICATION" in the context of the passages talking about forgiveness and removal of sins, and "REDEMPTION" : Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Revelation 7:14; Acts 4:10-12; Isaiah 43:10,11; John 4:42; John 11:25; Acts 17:18; Romans 4:23-25; 1st Peter 3:21.

The Bible says the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23. Jesus took the death penalty for us out of love.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "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. For we are his workmanship, created unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Verses 8 and 9 are referring to God's "grace" and the salvation that the "grace" gives and that this "grace" comes through faith. The "grace" does not come by works, lest anyone should boast. It does not say that salvation does not come by works and not of yourself, but it specifically says grace does not come by works and not of yourself. According to the context of the book of Ephesians the "gift" referred to in Ephesians 2:8 is "grace", see Ephesians 3:7,8 and 4:7 specifically, as well as the whole book. Read Ephesians chapter 2 from beginning to the end and pay attention to vs. 4 "mercy", vs. 5 "grace', vs. 6 as a continuation, vs. 7 as a continuation, vs 7 "grace", vs. 8 as a continuation, vs. 8 "grace", and vs. 9 as a continuation, and the rest of the chapter. Read chapter 3, pay attention to vs. 7 "gift of the grace" & vs. 8 "grace". Read chapter 4, pay attention to vs. 7 "grace" & "gift".

According to correct grammar, the word "that" would refer to "grace", not "faith" and not "saved" because "grace" is the subject of the sentence and "saved" is a verb and "that" is a pronoun. By definition grace is a gift, faith by definition is not necessarily a gift and not referred to in the Bible as a gift. Salvation by definition is not necessarily a gift, but grace by definition is always a gift. The point of this passage is you can't be saved without God's forgiveness, which is a gift, so you can't boast that you got saved by yourself without God involved because you cannot remove your own sins, only Jesus can do that. BUT, IT DOES NOT SAY THAT SALVATION DOES NOT COME BY WORKS. IT SAYS THE GRACE DOES NOT COME BY WORKS. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT SALVATION COMES BY "FAITH ALONE" OR "FAITH ONLY" OR THAT SALVATION COMES BY "GRACE ALONE" OR BY "GRACE ONLY". Notice, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that (the grace) not of yourselves it (the grace) is the gift of God". BUT again, NOTICE, IT DOESN'T SAY HERE, OR ANYWHERE IN THE BIBLE THAT"SALVATION" IS BY "GRACE ALONE" or "GRACE ONLY" or "ONLY BY GRACE" or "ONLY BY FAITH" or "FAITH ALONE"or "FAITH ONLY".

In fact, the words "GRACE ALONE", "GRACE ONLY", "ONLY BY GRACE"."FAITH ALONE","FAITH ONLY" and "ONLY BY FAITH" DO NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE IN THE BIBLE!!!! Except in James 2:24 where it says we are NOT justified by faith only!!!!

BUT, THE BIBLE DOES SAY THAT SALVATION IS NOT BY FAITH ALONE, but ALSO BY WORKS. James 2:14,20 and 24. This is explained below. SEE ALSO THE FOLLOWING VERSES IN POINTS 5 AND 6 BELOW.

God's forgiveness for our sins comes through his grace and it removes our sin. Works do not remove our sins. Only the blood of Jesus can take away sins. BUT WE ARE NOT SAVED BY THE REMOVAL OF SIN ONLY. God's grace removes the sin that you have done in the past, and if we sin again it removes sin if we confess with a repentant heart. If we confess with intent to sin again that is not repentance by definition. Grace is the removal of sin. See also all the verses under points 1. and 5. and 6.

Note, continuing, Ephesians verse 10 following 8 and 9 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ORDAINED that we should walk in them." ORDAINED means "commanded" and "required".

Also note, if the grace mentioned above is Christ's work, and the "good works" that he ordained that we should walk in are his workmanship due from that grace ("For we"), then if we don't have those "good works" then we don't have his grace and we are not his workmanship. And notice how this "workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works" is supposed to come about, "ye put on the new man , which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:24.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE SAVED BY GRACE ALONE or BY FAITH ALONE because in the very same book, Ephesians, it says in verses 5:1-5 that if Christians, who are saved,1:1; 5:1; 5:1-5, partake in the sins mentioned in that passage they will have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. This, of course, would include heaven since the passage is addressed to Christians already saved and says that if they partake in those sins will not have "ANY" inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Titus 1:16 and 3:5,7: "They profess that they know God: but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate"..... "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration , and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Chris our Saviour"

As you can see, by the lack of good works, mentioned in Titus 1:16, you can lose or prevent Christ's mercy which saves us. His mercy is not by works of righteousness we have done, but by lack of good works we can lose or prevent his mercy, and thus, by the lack of good works we can lose or prevent salvation.

Titus 2:14: "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" Therefore, if we don't have good works we are not redeemed.

Also, 3:5,7 implies complete and full salvation is by the Holy Ghost changing you into a holy person which does good works. It also implies this work of the Holy Ghost is by mercy, but once again, Since Jesus said if you obey his words and he will send the Holy Ghost, John 14:15-17 and John 14:21-24, if you don't make the effort and start the good works the Holy Ghost won't do the rest.

Misreading of 2 Timothy 1:9: Some misread 2 Timothy 1:9 to mean "saved" is not by works, but if you read the words in verse 9 exactly as they are, and note the word "purpose" in verse 9, and also note the whole context of chapter 1 starting in verse 6 through verse 14, then you will see that in 1:9 the words "not according to our works" refer to the "calling" and "purpose", and that the calling and purpose is our preaching of the Gospel correctly. This passage starts with verse 6 where Paul tells Timothy to stir up the gift Paul had given him with the laying on of hands, and why this gift was given him, that is the whole point of this passage.

Note 2 Timothy 1:9 isolated, then note 1:9 in context of the passage as follows:

2 Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

Now 2 Timothy 1:6-14: Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

WE STAND IN GRACE AND IT IS CONTINUAL Romans 5:2
But we can fall from Grace and lose it as proven in this site.

"NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN" in Philippians 3:9 DOES NOT REFER TO YOUR STANDING IN IN CHRIST BY GRACE AND DOES NOT REFER TO SALVATION AFTER REMISSION OF SINS AS THAT WOULD DIRECTLY CONTRADICT THE VERY NEXT TWO VERSUS THAT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW, VS.10,11 AND CONTRADICT VS. 17-21 AND VS. 2:12.

It is amazing how some will pull a few words out of a passage and completely ignore all the other verses around them. In Philippians chapter 3 the list of all the things Paul refers to that he "counted losse for Christ" and as "doung, that I may win Christ" were in his past, not what he was currently doing or what he intended to do in the future. Then, after mentioning his past he refers to "the knowledge of Christ", "for whom I have suffered the losse of all things", again "have suffered" refers to his past, and now mentions "that I may win Christ, and be found in him". The words "found in him" refer to the time when he obtained the "knowledge" and the "winning" of Christ. And, all this shows his state when obtaining the "knowledge" of Christ and "winning" Christ. And the "found" in Him is this point in time. All this does not refer to him at the current state. He already had Christ, so he already knew Him and won Him. So, the words "not having mine own righteousness" refers to the point when he obtained the knowledge of Christ and won Him.

SO, the words "not having a righteousness of mine own" cannot be a reference to after this point as that would contradict the very next 2 verses that immediately follow, vs. 10 and 11, and vs. 17-21, and 2:12. Verse 10 refers to his own holiness and good works and verse 11 shows the purpose was for salvation. Verses 17-21shows that if you don't have your own holiness and good works you don't go to heaven.

Philippians 2:12 says to work out you own "salvation" with fear and trembling. And precedes and sets the context for chapter 3 and the words in chapter 3 above. It's true vs 2:13 mentions God working "to will and to do", but if your own righteousness wasn't involved you wouldn't "fear" and "tremble".

This also shows that holiness and good works, "the righteousness of the Law", is of no value before knowing and winning Christ.

EVENTHOUGH WE ARE UNDER GRACE, WE ARE STILL UNDER THE LAW FOR SALVATION.
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW FOR SALVATION VS. LETTER OF THE LAW
INWARD PART OF THE LAW FOR SALVATION VS. THE OUTWARD PART OF THE LAW

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life Romans 2:6,7

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Romans 2:13

Therefore if the circumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his circumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not circumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 2:26-29

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 1Timothy 1:7-11

Polycarp (c.135, E) said, "Into his joy, many persons desire to enter. They know that "by grace you are saved, not of works," but by the will of God through Jesus Christ ...But he who raised Him up from the dead will raise us up also if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness."

Justin Martyr (c.160, E) said, "Blessed is the man whom the Lord does not impute sin" [Ps. 32:2]. That is, having repented of his sins, he can receive remissions of them of God. But this is not as you [Jews] deceive yourselves, and some others who resemble you in this. For they say, that even though they remain sinners, the Lord will not impute sin to them, because they know God.

Look at this quote by Clement of Alexandria (c.195, E) ""For by grace are we saved"- but not, indeed, without good works" and "We have discovered faith to be the first movement towards salvation. After faith, fear, hope, and repentance (accompanied by temperance and patience) lead us to love and knowledge." (Here Clement of Alexandria is not ignoring repentance, but that repentance makes you eligible for salvation, whether you consider repentance as the first step or eligible for salvation the outcome is the same, faith he says is the first step, then works.) And many others.

4. Have Good WORKS: "God who will render to EVERY MAN according to his DEEDS: To them, who by patient continuance in WELL DOING, seek for glory, and honour, and IMMORTALITIE, ETERNAL LIFE: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, INDIGNATION, and WRATH, tribulation, and anguish upon EVERY SOUL of man that DOETH EVIL," Romans 2:5b-9a

You must have Good WORKS and live a holy life with all your strength. Your strength comes first:

The very 1st command of Jesus Christ is to use your own strength. Mark 12:29-34; Luke 10:25-28.

Your OWN EFFORT in OBEDIENCE to God is REQUIRED BEFORE you get the help and power of the Holy Spirit. "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" John 14:15-17. The Holy Spirit makes you better and also perfect at times, often perfect for very long durations, but not till you exert your own effort and obedience FIRST. God can intervene according to his will in times of crises with the help of the Holy Spirit, but a heart of effort and obedience needs to come first in order for that help to come.

The help and the power of God comes through the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, 2 Corinthians 12:9; Galatians 5:16. Also, John 5:28,29; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28; Luke 13:23,24; James 2:14,20,24; Galatians 5:16; John 8;3,4,11; John 4:10-18; John 3:3; Matthew 7:21,23; John 14:21-24. If you read the Bible in its entirety you will see for salvation God expects you to do good works and live in holiness: 1. Sometimes completely in your own strength. 2. Sometimes in your strength and through the power of the Holy Ghost at the same time. 3. Sometimes completely by yielding to and obeying the Holy Ghost.

JESUS TEACHES WORKS SALVATION IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH:

"And if thy right eye offend thee (or do cause thee to offend), pluck it out, and cast it from thee. For it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if they right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. For it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." Matt 5:29,30.

"Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire." Matt 18:8,9.

"And if thine eye offend thee, (or cause thee to offend), pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, then having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. See all of Mark 9:43-48.

NOTICE: Jesus mentions works salvation by your own strength with just these same illustrations above a total of SEVEN (7) times in the Gospels.

FAITH + WORKS = SALVATION:

James 2:24, "Ye see then, how that BY WORKS a man is JUSTIFIED and NOT BY FAITH ONLY". This is EXPLICIT.

James 2:14, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and HAVE NOT WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?" Notice: it EXPLICITLY says "can faith save him?" It does not say "can 'that type' of faith save him?" or "can a 'said' faith save him?".

James 2:17, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead BEING ALONE, or BY ITSELF." NOTICE, the "faith" is actually there, it is just alone, or by itself. It EXPLICITLY says "faith" and that it's "alone" or "by itself". It DOES NOT say, "is the 'wrong faith'", or "is the wrong 'type' of faith" or "is only a 'said faith'".

James 2:19, "Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." NOTICE, it DOES NOT say the devils have a false belief, or the wrong faith, or the wrong type of faith. By saying "thou believest that there is one God thou doest well" it means he or they do actually have the correct faith. But that the devils also believe the correct things also. They know who Jesus is, God, and that he rose from the dead, that his blood removes sin. But the devils are incapable of DOING GOOD WORKS.

And James 2:20, "But what will thou know, O vain man, that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?" It DOES NOT SAY "a 'said' faith is dead", or "the wrong 'type' of faith is dead". It EXPLICITLY says "FAITH".

James 2:22, "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" Here it EXPLICITLY says "WITH", it DOES NOT SAY "because of his faith" or "by his faith" or "as a fruit of his faith". (see the note below on the "type" of faith in James vs. 1 and 18.)

And James 2:24, ."Ye see then, how that BY WORKS a man is JUSTIFIED and NOT BY FAITH ONLY". This is EXPLICIT.

(Many American preachers try to deceive people by saying that the "justified" in the book of James means justified before man, not before God. But in context of verses 14,17,19,20,22, and 24, as well as the whole book of James, the "justified" clearly means justified before God to be saved.)

James 2:1,18 teach a type of faith. A faith that believes you need to believe in God's grace for the forgiveness of your sins and that you need good works to be saved. James 2:14,17,19,20,22 and 24 teach you need faith plus works to be saved. In vs. 14-24 the reference to faith is in believing God's grace for the forgiveness of your sins. So vs. 14-24 teach you need faith plus works to be saved. Vs. 1 and 18 mention faith meaning the belief that you need to believe in God's grace and have good works to be saved. Both, the "type" of faith in verses 1 and 18 and faith plus works mentioned in 14-24 are saying the exact same thing.

NOTE: 2 Peter 1:5-11 below EXPLICITLY says to "ADD" to your faith works to be saved.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that DOTH the will of my father which is in heaven." "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you : Depart from me, ye that WORK INIQUITY", Matthew 7:21,23. Notice it says "INIQUITY", Not unbelief.

Many American preachers try deceive people by stopping the passage before verse 23 and then skipping to John 6:29 where it says that the work of God is to believe in the one who he sent. Jesus said this in John 6:29 because he just told the people to labor not for what will perish in terms of bread and meat, but for what will not perish, to which the people inquired to what that labor or work was. In fact in this passage Jesus did say "labor" for what will not perish. Thus these preachers change the context of the passage in Matthew 7:21-23, by stopping before verse 23 and skipping to John 6:29. And in the process have to change the context of John 6:29 as well. In this passage Jesus was making a point of spending your time on this earth on eternal things not temporary things, not that you should not try to be holy and just believe.

"FOLLOW peace with all men, and HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD" Hebrews 12:14. Notice, it's you who is commanded to do the "following" to see the Lord. And you have to actually do the following, the "holiness" is not just granted.

"WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling" Philippians 2:12.

Galatians 5:19-21 addressed to Christians gives a list of sins and says "that they WHICH DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT inherit the kingdom of God." Heaven is in the kingdom of God. Inherit means to receive, thus you won't receive heaven, or eternal life.

Ephesians 5:1-6 is addressed to Christians and continues in that same address v.5, "FOR this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, not covetous man, who is an idolater, hath ANY inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."

JESUS SAYS THAT IF YOUR HAND CAUSES YOU TO SIN, IT WOULD BE BETTER TO CUT IT OFF THAN TO GO TO HELL, Matthew 5:30. DEFINITLY NOT FAITH ALONE.

Also, John 14:21-24 and John 15:1-11 says if you obey Jesus's commandments, words and sayings you will be and remain in his love. His love for you is conditional on obeying his commandments, words and sayings. Note "commandments", "words" and "sayings" are plural, unlike verse 12 in this passage that follows-"commandment" to love, which is singular and is simplifying and showing the purpose to His commandments and words and sayings. Thus you cannot just "love" others and continue to sin. Jesus wants you to obey ALL his commandments. Note in John 15:7 it says. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you," not if my commandment (singular) abide in you, but words, not just some but all his words abide in you, thus to abide means to be doing all his words.

DOING AND ADDING TO BE SAVED:

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous unto life eternal." Matthew 25:34-46.

THE BIBLE TEACHES YOU MUST ADD TO YOUR FAITH TO BE, OR STAY, SAVED: 2 Peter 1:5-11

says, "And beside all this, giving diligence, ADD to your FAITH virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that HE WAS PURGED FROM HIS OLD SINS. Wherefore the rather, BRETHREN, give diligence to make your CALLING and ELECTION SURE: FOR if ye DO these things, YE SHALL NEVER FALL: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Notice, the Brethren do these things to make their calling and election sure, or stay. And the ones who did have their sins purged and who were saved, and don't do these things don't have their calling and election sure. Election in the Bible means saved. There is no indication in the Bible that it means anything else.

Romans 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

NOT ALL GIFTS ARE FREE ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE AND THE DICTIONARY:

See Daniel 2:6,48 and Daniel 5:17. Also see the dictionary.

EVEN THOUGH ETERNAL LIFE IS A GIFT, THERE IS A COST:

Luke 14: 27-35 is a passage about the "COST" of and "WHETHER HE BE ABLE" to be a disciple of Jesus, v.33 says, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that FORSAKETH NOT ALL that he hath, he CANNOT be my disciple" NOTICE, there is no indication in the Bible that you can be saved without being a disciple.

EVEN THE THIEF ON THE CROSS HAD GOOD WORKS: Luke 23:39-43.

THE 3 REASONS WHY SOME CHRISTIANS HAVE FALSE DOCTRINES REGARDING SALVATION:

1. Not being able to differentiate between verses specifically talking only about forgiveness or remission of sins and verses talking about salvation.

2. Not being able to differentiate between verses talking about good works and verses about perfection, that good works are required for salvation even though perfection is not.

3. Not being able to differentiate between verses about the works of the Levitical Mosaic Old Covenant Law and verses about good works.

For point 1. above, "Not being able to differentiate between verses specifically talking only about forgiveness or remission of sins and verses talking about salvation", one example is in Romans. The context of the book of Romans is man will be judged whether or not he gets eternal life based on his works Romans 2:6,7; Romans 2:13 and the Righteousness of the Law, which is required for salvation, verses the Letter of the Law, which is the Old Testament Jewish Law, which cannot remove sins or give salvation Romans 2:25-29.

Note this is in chapter 2 setting the context for chapter 3, chapter 3 is about the justification FROM SINS, or the removal, or forgiveness, or the remission of sins, and this done by grace freely. Here it says this removal or justification from sins cannot be done by the law, whether the Righteousness of the Law, which is needed for salvation after your sins are removed, nor can be done by the Letter of the Law. CHAPTER 3 IS NOT TALKING ABOUT SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE, THE PROOF of this is Romans 3:24,25 where it says that Jesus's blood is for "SINS PAST ".

We know from other verses the blood of Christ can remove sins in the future and for right now, BUT NOT in Romans chapter 3. Here it is making a point specifically of something that is done for something "IN THE PAST". What about the future? You are supposed to live righteous.

NOTE ABOVE: The context of chapter 2, the righteousness of the law needed for salvation and whether a person gets judged to have eternal life will be based on his works, precedes and is the context of chapter 3, that justification and the removal of sins is done by grace and not by works. Thus, you need to be righteous and you need grace, BOTH, to be saved. One doesn't produce the other.

For point 2 above: "Not being able to differentiate between verses talking about good works and verses about perfection, that good works are required for salvation even though perfection is not", see Philippians 3:12-17 as proof that good works are required for salvation even though perfection is not as one example.

For point 3 above: "Not being able to differentiate between verses about the works of the Levitical Mosaic Old Covenant Law and verses about good works" see Colossians 2:14-22 as one example.

Note on Romans 11:5,6, this refers to the "election by grace", which is the point in time where you are accepted by God. It is when after you have repented of your sins and have faith that Jesus removes your sins. Remember, chapter 11 of Romans is in context of chapter 2 mentioned above.

WORKS IS A FORMAL DOCTRINE REQUIRED FOR SALVATION ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

Romans 6:5 shows works is required for salvation "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." And so does Romans 6:22, "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." And Romans 6:16,17 refers to all of this as and "obedience" and "righteousness' as a "doctrine". These passages show that this "doctrine" is required for salvation.

THE LAW WAS NOT GIVEN TO SHOW WE CANNOT LIVE A HOLY LIFE:

No where in the Bible does it say this. It says what the law was for: Galatians 3:19, " Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator." Many misinterpret Galations 3:24 to mean the law was given to show that we couldnt do it. We couldnt keep up with the outward rituals which were to be done away with, but the Bible in the Old Testament calls many "righteous" and "blameless", we are to follow the "righteousness" of the law and the "inward" part of the law as the Bible states. Here is Galations 3:24, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The meaning of this verse is not your imagination, but what it is exactly in the immediate context of this verse. "Schoolmaster" is to mean works or deeds we are to actually do. Note Galatians 4:2 in this context the words "tutors" and "governers", as ones we are to be following, the purpose of them in this context is not to prove our failure. And, the words "to bring us unto" before the word "Christ", does not mean here that we needed Christ because we couldnt live holy, the words "to bring us" first of all is in italics, and in the exact immediate context of this passage the word "unto" means "until the time of Christ". Note Galatians 3:18 the word "till", and in 4:2 the words "until the time", and in 4:4 the words "fulness of the time".

SO, the words "not having a righteousness of mine own" cannot be a reference to after this point as that would contradict the very next 2 verses that immediately follow, vs. 10 and 11, and vs. 17-21, and 2:12. Verse 10 refers to his own holiness and good works and verse 11 shows the purpose was for salvation. Verses 17-21 shows that if you don't have your own holiness and good works you don't go to heaven.

Philippians 2:12 says to work out you own " salvation" with fear and trembling. And precedes and sets the context for chapter 3 and the words in chapter 3 above. It's true vs 2:13 mentions God working "to will and to do", but if your own righteousness wasn't involved you wouldn't "fear" and "tremble".

This also shows that holiness and good works,"the righteousness of the Law', is of no value before knowing and winning Christ.

5. CONTINUANCE, REMAIN and ABIDE: These are the precise words the BIBLE ITSELF uses as requirements for salvation and eternal life. Many '"Statements of Faith" had these exact words as requirements for salvation. The Salvation Army still uses "continuance" in their statement of faith as a requirement to be saved. For example for "continuance" see Romans 2:6,7. For "continue" see Romans 11:22.

John 8:51; 1st John 2:28; John 15:4-6. Notice one can lose their salvation as taught in these verses and many other verses and taught through the history of the church including the first, second, third etc. centuries, though many professing Christians through the centuries and today claim you can't.

Luke 8:12,13 says in explaining a parable, "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." Whether this group was saved or not, this verse points out that believing is being saved. Continuing in verse 13, "They on the rock are they, which , when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." The people "believe", that is as we said above in verse 12, are actually "saved" for a while. But in time of "temptation" "fall away", that is, fall away from "believing", and fall away from being "saved". It's impossible to fall away from something you never had. Notice the falling away was due to temptation. Also, in the context here believing and avoiding temptation are closely related if not the same.

Your name can be blotted out of the book of life. Exodus 32:32,33 and Revelation 3:5.

"EXCEPT these ABIDE in the ship, ye CANNOT BE SAVED". Acts 27:31. Abide means remain. It's impossible to remain in something you are not in. So this passage can only apply to someone who is already in the thing that he is supposed to remain in. The ship in this passage is of course Christ, and therefore salvation. Whether it's backsliding into sin or losing faith, either way, if you don't remain you won't be saved.

ROMANS 11:18-24: Romans 11:5-7 is about "election of grace" (understood after repentence), however, one of the most clearest passages in the bible that proves man can lose that salvation is in that very same chapter, Romans 11:18-24 says, "Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, serverity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou also shall be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in : for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"

Notice, in this passage reference to boasting, which is sin, and standing by faith. You can lose your salvation if you lose your faith, you can lose your salvation if you continue to sin, otherwise it would not say in this passage not to continue to boast lest God "also spare not thee" and otherwise thou also shall be cut off.

"By which also ye are SAVED, IF ye KEEP in memory what I preached unto you, UNLESS ye have believed IN VAIN." 1stCorinthians 15:2.

Jesus says in Revelation 3:15,16, " I know thy works, that thou art neither cold not hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art LUKEWARM, and neither cold not hot, I WILL SPEW THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH."

Jesus says in John 15:2 "Every branch IN ME that beareth NOT fruit he TAKETH AWAY". Notice, you're IN CHRIST, you have NO FRUIT, then you're TAKEN AWAY FROM CHRIST. Thus you're NO LONGER IN CHRIST. Thus you are no longer saved.

Again Jesus says in John 15:6 "If a man ABIDE NOT IN ME, he is CAST FORTH as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and CAST THEM INTO FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED." Notice, abide means to remain, so in this passage a SAVED person who DOESN'T REMAIN is CAST FORTH, that is CAST FORTH FROM JESUS and thus CAST FORTH FROM SALVATION.

Galatians 5:19-21 mentioned above, is a list of sins which Paul says that they which do those things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But notice in the whole book of Galatians, including and especially chapter 5, he is giving directions to people who are ALREADY Christians and are ALREADY saved. So if these Christians he is talking to in Galatia decide to do those sins, they will not inherit the kingdom of God, and heaven is in the kingdom of God. Inherit means to receive. Thus they will LOSE THEIR SALVATION and not receive a place in heaven.

Again, as mentioned above Ephesians 5:1-6 Paul is talking to the CHRISTIANS and SAVED people in Ephesus, and is giving them directions on how to live, giving a list of sins of which if they commit WILL NOT HAVE ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Telling those believers in Ephesus regarding the list of sins "let it not once be named among YOU" (v.3) "FOR ("for" means "why" or "because") this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolator, hath ANY inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (v.5). (ANY would, of course, include salvation and heaven).

Hebrews 10:25-27: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching. 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." NOTICE, it says "FOR if WE", not someone who just heard the Gospel and didn't accept it.

As mentioned above, John 14:21-24 and John 15:1-11 says if you obey Jesus's commandments, words and sayings you will be and remain in his love. His love for you is conditional on obeying his commandments, words and sayings. Note "commandments", "words" and "sayings" are plural, unlike verse 12 in this passage that follows, which is singular- "commandment" to love, and is simplifying and showing the purpose to His commandments and words and sayings. Thus you cannot just "love" others and continue to sin. Jesus wants you to obey ALL his commandments. Note in John 15:7 it says. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you," not if my commandment (singular) abide in you, but words, not just some but all his words abide in you, thus to abide means to be doing all his words.

The "Doctrine of Balaam":

In Revelation 2:14 Jesus says he hates the doctrine of Balaam. that the church in Ephesus is teaching. In 2Peter 2:15-19 and in Jude 4 and 11-16 Balaam's "way" and "error" is promising "liberty". That is, liberty to sin, Jude 4 "turning the grace of God into lasciviousness", that is lustful desires. The only way you could say someone has the "liberty", or the "liberty" to sin is to say that they are saved by grace alone, or "once saved, always saved". In Numbers chapters 22,23 and 24 it was Balaam that caused the Israelites to sin.

In the book, "The Works of Josephus", a first century historian, in the section "The Antiquities of the Jews" book 4 chapter 6 starting in verse 127, Balaam is quoted as talking to Balak the Midianite, "It is true no entire destruction can seize upon the nation of the Hebrews, neither by war, nor by plague, nor by scarcity of the fruits of the earth, nor can any other unexpected accident be their entire ruin. (128) for the providence (or predestination, or "forethought" as the word "providence" is defined in the 1600-1700's, the time of the translation of this book, [see glossary in the Cambridge King James Bible and other dictionary or word lists that have "archaic" definitions] ) of God is concerned to preserve them from such a misfortune; nor will it permit any such calamity to come upon them whereby they may all perish; but some small misfortunes, and those for a short time, whereby they may appear to be brought low, may still befall them; but after they will flourish again, to the terror of those that brought the those mischiefs upon them. (129) So if you have mind to gain victory over them for a short space of time you will obtain it by following my directions:-Do you therefore set out the handsomest of such of your daughters as are most eminent for beauty, and proper to force and conquer the modesty of those that behold them, and these decked and trimmed to the highest degree you are able. Then do you send them to be near the Israelites' camp and give them in charge, that when the young men of the Hebrews desire their company, they allow it them; (130) and when they see that they are enamored of them, let them take their leaves; and if they entreat them to stay, let them not give their consent till they have persuaded them to leave off their obedience to their own laws and the worship of that God who established them, and to worship the gods of the Midianites and Moabites; for by this means God will be angry with them."

In other words, Balaam was saying that since the Israelites can't die (or can't lose their salvation) because it is the predestination of God that they have "eternal security", or that since they are "once saved always saved", if they sin God will punish them but they won't lose their salvation.

But as you read in the Book of Numbers chapters 22,23 and 24 in the Old Testament, the Israelites DID DIE, and of a plague that God brought upon them for sinning. In fact the name "Balaam" means - destroyer of the people. And that's what Balaam and his doctrine did and does, destroys God's people.

Letters of the early church fathers reveal that the Christian church did not believe "eternal security": "The whole past time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger... Take heed, lest resting at our ease, as those who are called, we fall asleep in our sins. For then, the wicked prince, acquiring power over us, will thrust us away from the kingdom of the Lord...And you should pay attention to this all the more, my brothers, when you reflect on and see that even after such great signs and wonders had been performed in Israel, they were still abandoned. Let us beware lest we be found to be, as it is written, the "many who are called," but not the "few who are chosen" Barnabas (c. 70-130, E.)

[written to Christians:] "Since all things are seen and heard [by God] , let us fear Him and forsake those wicked works that proceed from evil desires. By doing that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the judgments to come. For where can any of us flee from His mighty hand? Clement of Rome (c.96,W)

"Let us then practice righteousness so that we may be saved to the end." Second Clement (c.150)

"For the Lord has sworn by His glory, in regard to His elect, that if any one of them sin after a certain day which has been fixed, he will not be saved. For the repentance of the righteous has limits. Filled up are the days of repentance to all the saints. But to the unbeliever, repentance will be possible even to the last day...for the Lord has sworn by His Son, that those who denied their Lord have abandoned their life in despair." Hermas (c.150, W)

"It was not to those who are on the outside that he said these things, but to us-lest we should be cast forth from the kingdom of God, by doing such thing."Iranaeus (c.180, E/W)

"Knowing that what preserves his life, namely, obedience to God, is good, he may diligently keep it with all earnestness" Iranaeus (c.180,E)

"Those who do not obey Him, being disinherited by Him, have ceased to be His sons." Iranaeus (c.180, E/W)

"He who hopes for everlasting rest knows also that the entrance to it is toilsome and narrow. So let him who has once received the Gospel not turn back, like Lot's wife, as is said-even in the very hour in which he has come to the knowledge of salvation. And let him not go back either to his former life (which adheres to the things of sense) or to heresies." Clement of Alexandria (c.195, E)

"No one is a Christian but he who perseveres even to the end." Tertullian (c. 195, W)

"The world returned to sin...and so it is destined to fire, So is the man who after baptism renews his sins." (Tertullian (c.198, W)

And many others. See the two David W. Bercot books, "A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs" and "Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up" for more early Christian writings.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1565633571

http://www.amazon.com/Will-Real-Heretics-Please/dp/0924722002

6. Believe in the physical literal RETURN of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40:10; Psalms 97:6; Luke 9:26; 21:27; Matthew chapter 24; 25:19; 25:31. And many other verses in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

7. Spend ETERNITY with God which will happen if you do the above. John 3:16,19,20,21.

And many other verses for the above 7 points.

The four steps or laws to be saved: 1. REPENT, an attitude, intention and a commitment to live right and correct wrongs. 2. FAITH for FORGIVENESS, a gift, not obtained by works, but by grace. 3. WORKS, a changed person. 4. REMAIN.

1. REPENT
2. FAITH
3. WORKS
4. REMAIN

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