Now Playing: Daily Devonational

John 3:16 and Salvation:
Faith Only or Obedient Faith?

 

Have you ever heard someone say, "John 3:16 tells us everything we need to know about salvation"? This verse says, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This verse is true in everything it says.

Folks who say that John 3:16 is all you need to be saved, however, are really saying that all you have to do to be saved is to just believe on Jesus. They conclude that obedience, especially baptism, is not necessary to salvation. This is the doctrine of "salvation by faith only." But is this doctrinal really what the Bible teaches?

Acts 3:22,23 refers to Jesus as a prophet saying: "...Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people." Now this says that we must pay attention to everything Jesus says, yet the Bible says much more about salvation than just John 3:16. How then can John 3:16 be "all we need"? If we need just one verse, why did God give the rest of the Bible? To take only part of what God teaches about a subject, while ignoring other inspired teaching, is to endanger our souls.

In Mark 16:15,16 Jesus told His disciples to teach everyone that, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved..." According to Jesus, both faith and baptism are essential in order for one to be saved.

John 3:16 truly teaches us that faith is essential. But when we learn "all things" that Jesus taught, we understand that we have a saving faith only when our faith leads us to be baptized for the purpose of having our sins forgiven (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

For more information about salvation and what it requires, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles about baptism, faith, and obedience.

 

(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 4/1996

*Permission to use as stated on the gospelway.com webpage.

Daily Devonational

WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH--Truth for the World

Excerpt: There are two main reasons why Jesus left Heaven to come to earth. It is important we know these reasons. The first reason was to give men an opportunity to have their sins forgiven. Why do men need a Savior? They need a Savior because of sin. The Bible clearly says, "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Every person who can tell right from wrong commits sin (1 John1:6-10).
Read the rest of the lesson here:http://www.tftw2.org/Articles/Jesuscametoearth.htm

Daily Devonational

Boldness by Jesus' Blood--Gospel Minutes

An excerpt: How can one who is made in God's image,
and then departed in sin from Him, have the
boldness to return? The answer is, "by the
blood of Jesus Christ." When Jesus came into
the world, it was to "seek and save the lost" (Lk.
19:10). This was the expression of God's love
for lost man: "For God so loved the world, he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth on him should not perish, but have
eternal life" (Jno. 3:16). But, as stated in Heb.

(Read the rest here: http://www.wfcoc.org/WFCoC/Minutes_2009_files/gm100209.pdf)
*PDF Format

Daily Devonational
BIBLE STORIES EVERYONE OUGHT TO KNOW BIBLE STORIES EVERYONE OUGHT TO KNOW BIBLE STORIES EVERYONE OUGHT TO KNOW BIBLE STORIES EVERYONE OUGHT TO KNOW                          
 
Adam and Eve, Genesis 1-3
 
Getting Started
“In the beginning God created...”
How do you get your mind around this? One author said, “If you can get past Genesis 1:1, the
rest is not a problem.” If you want to discuss “Creation vs. Evolution” you will be disappointed
in this study. The critics are correct. Believing that God created the heavens, earth and humans
out of nothing is primarily not a matter of science or a myth. It is a matter of faith. The story of
creation assumes rather than proves the existence of God as creator. Our emphasis is upon
God¹s story--a story of love, deceit, rebellion and salvation. Enter Adam and Eve.
 
What’s the Story?
In the desert, somewhere between Egypt and the Promised Land, God reveals the story of
creation to Moses. After six days of creating, God rested and made the seventh day holy.
Afterwards, He makes a garden where man, and later woman, can live, worship their Creator, in
a relationship with God that many desire.
God gave Adam one commandment: "…you may not eat from the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil" (2:17). This commandment carried a consequence; disobedience brings death.
Otherwise, Adam could live in the garden, care for it, eat from the tree of life, and be close with
God. Yet, God saw that Adam was alone. His creation needed something more. To help Adam,
God made Eve from Adam's side.
The crafty serpent needs just two statements to deceive Eve. She sees the fruit on the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil just as pleasing and desirable as the other fruits in the garden.
After they eat the fruit, things in the garden are not so nice any more. God finds out about the
disobedience and banishes both outside of the garden, away from the relationship with God
and their lives will be difficult. Lest we forget, death comes too. Physical death will come in
time to Adam and Eve, but spiritual separation from God is immediate. Yet, in God's closing
speech, he leaves room for hope: the offspring of Eve will crush the serpent's head (3:15).
 
What does this Story say about God?
Rather than focus on details such as streams watering the earth without rain, God making
a woman from Adam's rib, or where Adam got the name platypus, let us stick to the story. To
people living in the desert, trying to follow God in cloud and fire, the Israelites want to know
what is going on and why. They need better stories than the myths of Egypt and Canaan. This
story tells them that the God that parted the Red Sea also created the Red Sea and everything around them. As they struggle to follow God's law, they hear that although the first couple had
a relationship with God closer than Moses, these two people still disobeyed God's commands.
Yet, despite disobedience, God's love means hope of a restored relationship. They hear that
their journey through the desert is a continuation of God's plan to restore relationship with His
creation, and listening to and learning God's story gives them comfort and hope.
 
Now, what about our faith?
This story tells many things about God, but it is only the beginning. He made a place that was
perfect just so that he could have a relationship with Adam. In the garden, Adam and Eve had
purpose, companionship, and an intimate relationship with God. Yet, God set limits on Adam
and Eve for their own good. Could you resist the arguments of the serpent? Considering all the
sin over the ages, probably not. The serpent would not have had to work nearly as hard to
persuade us into disobedience.
In this story, God is neither distant nor uninvolved. He is an active part, creating, leading,
relating, loving, and providing hope. The story tells us of the consequences of disobeying God
and hope in a future. Hope that the relationship would be regained. Hope that shows how
much God loves His creation.
I think that when we get up on Monday morning, we need to remember this story. We need to
remember that God is real and that He cares for all of us. Not just a little, but so much that He
spoke the world into existence, to give us purpose and meaning in Him, and to provide hope
that we can have a relationship just like Adam and Eve's was at the beginning. Yes, sin spoils
that relationship, but all it takes to overcome it is Jesus' blood. Just keep reading the story.
 
Monday ~ Review Genesis and read Getting Started.
1. Is this a story that you can believe? Why or why not?
2. How do you think 21st Century Christians should view stories from the Bible like these?
Tuesday ~ Read Genesis 2-3 and What’s the Story?
1. List the parts of the story that make it a story (actors, plot, conflict, etc.)
2. List the details of the story that you believe are important and discuss these with your class.
3. Which details can the story not do without? Which are not as important to the story?
Wednesday ~ Read Job 1-2.
1. Compare the actions of God and Satan in this story. How are they similar or different than in
Genesis 2 and 3?
2. How is Job’s relationship with God different or similar to Adam’s relationship with God?
Thursday ~ Read Exodus 19:1-20:21 and What does this story say about God?
1. How is this story related to Genesis 2 and 3?
2. What are the similarities of God’s actions here and in Genesis 2 and 3? How are His actions
different?
Friday ~ Read Romans 5 and Now, what about our faith?
1. What can you tell of Gods’ feelings or intentions toward His creation from this passage?
2. List some ways or times that the story of Adam and Eve will affect your life?
 
Permission to use as stated on the bobyyoungresources.com page.
Ref. http://www.bobyoungresources.com/adult-educ/1-adam-eve.pdf, http://www.bobyoungresources.com/adult-education.php

daily devonational
A Monumental Issue
by Joe Slater--thebible.net
    At this writing the fate of the Ten Commandments monument in Alabama is uncertain. How ironic, that displaying this monument in a public building is "unconstitutional" (and therefore illegal), yet only a few weeks ago we learned, courtesy of the Supreme Court, that sodomy is perfectly legal. God is out, Gay is in!
see full story here: http://www.thebible.net/study/articles/AMonumentalIssue-js.html

Daily Devonational

Why is Doctrine So Important?
Kevin Cauley---Thepreacherfiles.com

The word “doctrine” in the Bible simply means “teaching.” Today we generally use the word “doctrine” to refer to a precise teaching or set of teachings while the word “teaching” itself refers more loosely to overall general concepts. Too, doctrine seems to have a religious connotation while teaching may connote the religious or secular. So while in our modern day language “teaching” and “doctrine” have distinct nuances, there is only one word in the language in which the apostles wrote and both English words “doctrine” and “teaching” are translated from it. So when we speak about the doctrine of the Bible we are speaking about the teaching of the Bible. Why is teaching so important?

Doctrine is important because Jesus thought it was important. Jesus said in John 7:17, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” In this context Jesus is saying that the one who truly seeks after God will come to an understanding that Jesus’ teaching is from God and that it is important to understand this because that is the way to life. Notice also John 8:31, 32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The words that Jesus taught are often used to represent within the scriptures the whole of Jesus teaching. The words in which Jesus was instructing others to abide is His teaching–His doctrine.

Doctrine is important because faith is based upon hearing doctrine. Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our very faith, the things that we believe, are the result of hearing the word of God which is the source of all of our teaching. The teaching, the doctrine, is that in which we place our direct faith and our trust because it is through the words that are taught that we come to know about our relationship with God. No man can come to know God under the New Covenant without having been taught and without having learned. John 6:45 states, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” We come to the Father through the teaching, through the doctrine.

Doctrine is important because we must believe the right doctrine. The Bible teaches that to believe the wrong doctrine will lead one astray. In 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 we read, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” When we believe a doctrinal lie, it will lead to the condemnation of our soul if we don’t recognize that lie and correct it. Someone once said, “Jesus did not come to this earth to make people religious; He came to make people religiously right!” We must believe the right doctrine if we are going to have hope for salvation.

Doctrine is important because ultimately the decisions that we make and the actions that we perform will be based upon what we believe. When it all boils down to it, we act based upon how we believe. Jesus said, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man?.” Jesus said it is based upon what is in our heart that we act, whether for good or evil. There is not a single action that we do that was not first conceived within the mind. And it is within the mind–the heart–where faith resides. Based upon the things that we believe we make decisions in our life every day. And so it is with confidence that when others act inappropriately, we can confidently say that their beliefs are inappropriate as well. So we preach the doctrine of Christ in an effort to get all who are in sin to repent and to fashion their minds anew around the blessed freedom that results in believing the truth.

What do you believe, dear friend? Do you believe the words of the Bible or do you believe the opinions and traditions of men. Believing a lie will lead you astray. But believing the truth and acting thereon will bring one to eternity. “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 3:16).

Permission to use as stated on the preacherfiles.com  webpage

Daily Devonational

Today's Daily devonational comes from the gospelway.com webpage:

 

Are You Sure Your Sins Are Forgiven?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is it possible to be deceived, thinking God is pleased with us when he is not? Matt. 7:21-23 says there are many people who think they are doing wonderful works in Jesus' name, but they will be surprised in the judgment when He rejects them! What about you and me? Will we be among that number? What must we do to be sure this does not happen to us? Jesus answers this question in verse 21. We must do the will of the Father.

What does the Father require us to do to be forgiven of sins? Jesus said all people must be taught the gospel, and "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:15,16). To be sure we are saved, then, we must hear the gospel, believe it, and be baptized. Notice that baptism, according to God's word, does not come after salvation, but is an essential step in order to receive salvation.

Later, in Acts 2:38, Peter preached about Jesus, then he commanded: "Repent, and be baptized ... for the remission of sins..." This shows that hearing, repentance, and baptism are essential to forgiveness. Again we note that remission is a result that follows from baptism. It does not come before baptism.

Finally, Romans 6:3,4 says we are buried by baptism into Jesus' death. Now Jesus' death is what provides forgiveness, and this passage says we contact that death in baptism, not before. Furthermore, the passage teaches that baptism is a burial or immersion, not a sprinkling or pouring. And since people must hear the gospel, believe, and repent before they are baptized, it follows that baptism is not for babies.

What about you? Have you done the will of the Father, or will you be one of the many people who will find out too late that God is not pleased with them? Have you heard the gospel, believed it, repented of your sins, and been Scripturally baptized? Was your baptism an immersion in water, and did you do it for the purpose of receiving forgiveness of sins?

For more information about salvation and what it requires, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles about baptism, faith, and obedience.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
Permission to use as stated on the gospelway.com website.

Daily Devonational

In today's Daily devonational is taken from the Truth for the World webpage entitled:
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH
(Galatians 5:19-21)

An excerpt: "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Paul tells us Jesus did not give us freedom from sin just to go out and commit more sin (Galatians 5:13,16,17,24,25; Romans 6:1,2). In our text, Paul says, "The works of the flesh are evident." This means "open to sight, visible." It is the opposite of hidden. Paul's conclusion in this passage: those who continue in the works of the flesh will not go to Heaven!

Read the rest here: http://www.tftw2.org/Articles/worksofflesh.htm

Daily Devonational

Today's devonational is from the Gospelminutes:

Christ Arose and He Ever Lives

An excerpt: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the
basic, vital facts upon which the gospel of Christ is founded. The apostles
of the Lord, told by Him to go preach to all men everywhere, made the
resurrection a central theme of almost every recorded sermon.

Read the full lesson here: http://www.wfcoc.org/WFCoC/Minutes_2009_files/gm091609.pdf

Daily Devonational

Todays devontional comes from the bobyyoungresources.com page..Permission to use as stated on the webpage.

What Matters? What Doesn’t Matter? (8)
God desires to be recognized for “who he is”—God of gods, Lord of lords, King of kings. God wants to be known and recognized–acknowledged in his perfection. We have affirmed that understanding God requires understanding God’s grandeur and glory through (1) the human dilemma and the ultimate result of separation from God, (2) the plan of God developed through Jesus Christ with the potential to restore lost relationship, and (3) the New Testament as the communication of the covenant agreements. With these foundations in place, we are ready to move ahead.

God desires that the recognition of his nature result in respect and response. Both respect and response are shaped by the nature of God and by recognition of the New Covenant sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Recognizing and acknowledging the nature of God leads to the conclusion that how our worship reflects and honors God’s nature is important to God. How one responds to God through the access he freely and graciously grants in Jesus Christ must also be important. These two topics are the subjects of this article and the next.

Simply stated, how human beings worship God matters to God. It cannot be the case that any and all kinds of worship are acceptable. Both the Bible and human reasoning suggest that there is such a thing as unacceptable worship. How does God desire that his human creation demonstrate respect and honor for his nature and his actions on their behalf?

While aspects of OT worship appealed to the physical senses and occurred primarily in the physical realm, the NT teaches that God desires a spiritual worship or service (Romans 12:1-2). The context of this passage suggests that under the new covenant our lives are presented to God as priestly sacrifice. Because the sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient payment for sins once for all, worship is centered in remembering that sacrifice. The early church participated in the Lord’s Supper weekly as a reminder and renewal of the covenant sacrifice. The Supper is not limited to a vertical dimension. It reaches both vertically and horizontally. Corporate worship is shared with a horizontal dimension, teaching, encouraging, and admonishing “one another.” God desires worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23, 24).

Participation in corporate worship never takes the place of individual worship, and vice versa. Worship is a mind—an understanding and attitude—which ascribes “worth” to God. Acceptable worship is rooted in God’s nature. God’s nature is the foundation and cause of our respect and honor for him. While one can live life “with an attitude” (a phrase often used negatively, but here used positively) of worship, biblical examples of worship are intentional. Worship does not occur accidentally as we go about the normal activities of life.

A longer article (or series of articles) would be required to set forth what the Bible teaches about worship, or even how the New Testament describes the worship of the first century churches. Suffice it to say here, by way of summary, that it matters to God that human creation recognize him and know him fully as he is (consistent with his nature), and that such recognition of God result in respect and honor worthy of God.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 6:15 am and is filed under Faith, God. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.