Life is full of challenges. This writer would like to challenge you to get your Bible and read the passages that are supplied to support the claims therein. Your soul is so precious (John 3:16) and these matters are worthy of your investigation (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Jesus said, “He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). God has determined the point of entrance, the door/gate, (10:2-3) and the terms of entrance (Luke 6:46; Hebrews 5:9). So, realizing that God has been so specific about His terms and point of entrance, doesn’t it follow that God would be specific about the sphere one is entering? Wouldn’t it be logical to deduce that God would have a plan, particular of His regarding where the door would lead (John 10:9)?

Many do not follow God yet claim a relationship with Him. This will not bode well for them (Matthew 7:21-23). How foolish it is to have the word of God in hand every Sunday and Wednesday and refuse to hear and do the very things Jesus says (Matthew 7:26-27).

  Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Yet, we see in the world today every kind of church, started by every kind of man, at different times, in varying locations, and none of them match the New Testament church. The church the Bible reveals was promised to begin at a specific time (Daniel 2:44), in a specific place (Isaiah 2:1-5), with specific events (Joel 2:28-32).

There are many who are deceived in “dens of thieves and robbers”, namely any denomination. Many have “wised up” to the sin of denominationalism, so they claim to be “non-denominational,” while still practicing and teaching error. Just because a man claims to be a woman doesn’t make it so, and neither does a denomination claiming to be non-denominational make it so. Any group that wasn’t started by Jesus (Matthew 16:18), in Jerusalem (Isaiah 28:16), wearing His name (Acts 11:26), and practicing His doctrine (2 John 9) is not the church of the Bible. It is not the church which Jesus purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28), nor is it the institution that was in the mind of God from eternity past (Ephesians 3:10-11). The church to which one belongs does matter.

Jesus said, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13). If the church to which the reader attends wears a name that is not found in the Bible, then why not investigate? Why not “make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10-11)? This author desires to challenge what you believe with the word of God.

This is a hard saying, who can hear it?

One of the “tell-tell” signs, whether or not one has believed and obeyed the truth is to seek out what it was that one actually obeyed. Obedience is absolutely necessary (Romans 1:5; Hebrews 5:9; Luke 6:46, 1 Thessalonians 1:7-9). So many denominations teach “faith only” for salvation.

Will you test that?

• Believe

The Bible commands and commends faith (Hebrews 11; John 3:16; 8:24). No honest religious person would even begin to argue that faith is not essential. But many argue that mere belief is the only saving expectation of God. While belief/faith is essential, it is not belief alone (James 2:17;19-20).

The first century audience that heard Peter preach on the day of Pentecost were “cut to the heart.” You could say they were “believers.” Yet, they asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do” (Acts 2:37)? They understood that there was something God expected them to do (Acts 2:21; 37).

• Repent

The fact that Jesus said, “Except you repent, you will all perish” (Luke 13:3,5) enjoins upon mankind the necessity of repentance. If this author was to ask 99 percent of the religious world if they had to repent, they would affirm. But then, they turn right around affirming “faith only,” which is a total denial of their teaching! It is either “faith only” and without any other action, or it is not. Since Jesus commands repentance, and the Apostles commanded repentance (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31; 2 Peter 3:9), then one must accept that faith and repentance are mutually necessary.

• Confession

It is doubtful that any would deny the necessity of confessing Jesus Christ as a part of the salvific process. After all, it was Jesus who said, “Everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in Heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). This verse demands that one open their mouth and make that good confession (example Acts 8:37). Paul enjoined confession as a part of the process toward salvation when he wrote, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and by mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). Here, we have the apostle demanding belief and confession, but no mention of repentance. That does not do away with the need to repent! We need to be like Noah and, “do all that God commands” (Genesis 6:22).

• Baptism

Here is where the “wheels fall off” in the discussion regarding the salvation process. Even though it has been (of necessity) conceded prior to this point that salvation involves more than mere “faith,” men want to argue with God about this injunction given by Jesus (Mark 16:16). Jesus was immersed to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). This was because Jesus was born of woman and under law (Galatians 4:4). The ordinance (law) of God when Jesus was on the earth was that men were to be baptized (Luke 7:30). After He suffered, died, and rose again, He then commanded baptism for all those who would be saved by Him. He said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16a). This is exactly what the Apostles practiced and commanded (Acts 2:38; 8:12, 38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16). It was Jesus who made baptism a part of the salvation process. It is actually the culminating act of faith on the part of a believer! Peter said, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38) in response to the auditors’ question, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). What a great opportunity for Peter to retort, “Oh nothing, just believe.” Paul was told to “Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16). Salvation is not one of these things to the exclusion of the others. It is not one particular thing elevated above another. It is about doing everything that God has asked for us to do. There is no personal merit involved with submitting to Jesus. It is His plan, His commands, and thus it is still His mercy and grace that saves us (Titus 2:11-12; 3:5).

Why argue about that which God has commanded? Why not do everything, and do it for the reason that God commanded it? God said baptism is for salvation (Mark 16:16). Noone has the authority to say it is for anything else (Matthew 28:18). Romans 6:3-6 says that in baptism, we are joined with Christ in His death (see also Galatians 2:20). It also says we are raised with Him to a new life (see also 2 Corinthians 5:17). Then fit to share with Him in His resurrection (see also John 5:28-29). If you, dear reader, haven’t obeyed the Gospel for the reason the New Testament gives, then please, don’t wait another day (2 Corinthians 6:2).

The Eastside Church of Christ is interested in your eternal wellbeing. We only want to be pleasing to God and beneficial to others. If we can help you in any way, please allow us the honor and pleasure to help you.

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https://www.youtube.com/@eastsidechurchofchristmorg6930