Saving Faith

'...What must I do to be saved?' Acts 16:30 NIV

After her first flight, someone asked an elderly lady what she thought of being on a plane. She said, 'It was ok, but I never did put my whole weight on it.' And we do the same when we refuse to place our trust on the finished work of Christ.

Most major religions answer the question, 'What must I do to be saved?' by handing you a book of rules you must keep to get to Heaven.  

A lot of us try and give up in discouragement. Satan doesn't lead you away from God's grace - he tries to make you earn it instead.

When asked, 'What must I do to be saved?'

Paul didn't say, 'Work harder, pray longer, give more, and be more moral.'

No, he said,

'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...' (Acts 16:31 NIV).  

Believing is the root of the tree we call salvation; behaving is the fruit that grows on it. We don't do good works to be saved - our good works are just an expression of love and gratitude to the One who already saved us. 

The Bible says,

'...We should be holy and without blame...' (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV). 

Without blame? 

That's an impossible standard!  

The only way that will happen is if God takes the righteousness of Christ and credits it to our account. And 

He does! 'God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God' (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV).

The moment you place your trust in Christ, God sees you as 'righteous', and on that basis He accepts you 24/7. 

Aren't you glad?

Editors Note:  for more information regarding salvation how who and what we recommend you visit the Dailybread.com.au 

Soul Food: Num 25-26, Matt 12:22-37, Ps 120, Pro 3:33-35

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Thursday, 6 February 2014

APPS available here

Jesus Christ

The Lord: Saviour of the World

The Holy Bible gives God's Son manifold titles. 

However, the one that means so much to all of us as poor, helpless sinners is "Saviour"- which immediately instills hope within one's heart concerning salvation.

The very name Jesus means "salvation." Matthew 1:21 states, Thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Multitudes today are trusting in man-made rituals to get them inside God's heaven. Yet, there isn't a ceremonial rite in all of Christendom's churches that can save a man. Jesus Christ alone is the only way to eternal life.

Christ's saving power

In that tremendous portion of Scripture often described as the "Magnificat," Mary, the mother of Jesus, cried out, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (Luke 1:46,47).

In Luke 2, the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, saying, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (verses 10,11).

Also in Luke 2, Simeon had been waiting for the consolation or hope of Israel. He jubilantly exclaimed, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation (verses 29,30). He was looking upon the Christ child as he spoke those words.

Again in John 4, a wicked woman-who had five husbands and who was living under common law with number six-turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Then she excitedly ran back to the city and told the people about her newfound joy in this Saviour who had blotted out her sordid past. The men of that city listened to the Lord's discourses for two days and exuberantly stated, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world (verse 42).

In Acts 5, Peter and some of the apostles were threatened with punishment, even unto death (verse 33). However, the great Apostle Peter so loved Jesus. He believed so strongly in the fact that Jesus was the only way of salvation and eternal life that he was willing to die in order that the message might be proclaimed. I can almost hear this impulsive preacher saying, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour (verses 29-31). Acts 13:23 calls Him a Saviour, Jesus. Ephesians 5:23 says, Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Compare this verse with: 1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. 

The body of Christ, into which one is implanted at the time of regeneration, is the Church, and Ephesians 5:23 states that Christ is the Saviour of this body. Baptism, reformation, confirmation, works, creeds, and human efforts cannot place one into the true Church because only the Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour of this body. Amen!

The Apostle Paul stated that one of the reasons he was willing to endure suffering, torture, and even death was because of his trust in the Saviour. Death could only mean that the One who saved him would welcome him home to heaven. Hear him in 1 Timothy 4:10. 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.

In 2 Timothy 1:9 and 10, Paul went on to say that it was not a system of self-attainment through works that would place him eternally in the glory land, but rather a precious Saviour whose name was Jesus Christ. Listen to the simplicity of these instructive verses. [God] 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 [or through the good news].

Again, He hath abolished death. What wonderful words! And [He] hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Immortality speaks of eternal life-and it comes through the gospel or the "good news."

Do you get the impact? Eternal life is through the gospel and gospel means "good news."

This good news is explained in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 where we find that Christ died, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Put it all together and it simply says that everlasting life does not come through one's denominational record or good works.

It comes as a result of one's acceptance of the Saviour's death by the shedding of blood and of His resurrection. Titus 2:13 speaks of Christ's return by stating, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Notice that it is not Buddha, Mohammed, or Zoroaster who is the Saviour, but only the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no other Saviour-Jesus is the only way. Second Peter 1:1 again calls Him our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Christ's earthly ministry

"Saviour" is not some honorary title which was bestowed upon the Lord Jesus Christ in recognition of His wonderful teachings.

Rather, it depicts His ministry upon earth and speaks of His saving power.

Presently, we are living in a time of rebellion. Corrupted mankind is trying to destroy all of our foundational structures.

This trend can also be witnessed in the religious world as apostate, liberal clergymen mock the doctrines of the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, His blood atonement upon the cross, and His bodily resurrection.

Many laugh at the statement "Jesus Saves" as if the word "saves" were an invention of some simpleton.

Our God predicted this would happen, and it is one of the signs of the end. 

Second Peter 2:1,2: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be [one of the signs] false teachers among you, who privity shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

There are two things one can do for these poor misguided souls: 

(1) pray for them, and (2) thank God for their presence because it means that Jesus Christ is coming soon to call Christians home. Let them laugh. The term saved was placed in the Bible scores of times by a holy God. One had better investigate and accept this truth if he is interested in eternal life.

I could quote numerous verses proving that salvation is of God and that God put this word in the Bible.

However, let's limit our discussion to those which speak exclusively about Christ being the way of salvation:

Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11).  

God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him [Jesus] might be saved (John 3:17). 

Jesus said, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved (John 10:9).  

I came not to judge the world, but to save the world (John 12:47). 

Paul said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31). 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ [not rites, ceremonies, rituals, the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, or the Ten Commandments, but the gospel or the good news of Christ]: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Romans 1:16).  

We shall be saved from wrath through him (Romans 5:9).  

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 (Romans 10:9).

In 1 Corinthians 15:1,2 we find this statement, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [the good news] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved.

How? 

Verses 3 and 4: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and...he was buried, and...he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. This alone is the message of the gospel, the good news, the only way of salvation. Christ died, shed His blood, and rose again.

Christ's redeeming blood

Christ's power to save all the world was wrought through His precious blood shed on Calvary. 

Leviticus 17:11: It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 

Acts 20:28: The church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

First Peter 1:18,19: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 

Revelation 1:5: Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Yes, 

Hebrews 9:22 without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission [of sins] .

It is not enough simply to state that Christ died-as so many intellectuals do today in order to do away with the sacrifice of His blood. A bloodless death on the cross would not have saved anyone. Let me repeat that. Had Christ died of a heart attack or of suffocation upon the cross, mankind would have been lost forever, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Because of this fact, Christ came to earth to take upon himself a body with blood so that He might shed that blood for our sins (see Hebrews 10:5). When one receives this sacrifice of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, he is saved immediately.

Christ's redemptive purpose

If the Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour and has saving power, we may conclude that He came to earth because sinners need saving. 

This is exactly what Paul said. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

Not only does this statement include everyone we know, but ourselves as well. Christ would have all men to be saved, including you and me (see 1 Timothy 2:4). [Christ] gave himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6).

The only reason some people will never get saved is that they do not realize that they are lost. They think they were born into sainthood just like the Pharisee in the temple.

He said, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are (Luke 18:11). However, Jesus said in Matthew 5:20, Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Why? 

The Pharisees were so caught up in the admiration of their own goodness that they were convinced they needed nothing from God-nothing at all! 

Yet, God says in Isaiah 64:6, We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Galatians 3:22: The scripture hath concluded all under sin. Thus, God not only wants to save mankind from the misery of sin in this life, but also from the eternal penalty into which sin will drag those who reject Christ. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth [eternity] on him (John 3:36). 

Why? 

Because he won't receive the Son.

Oh, my friend, if you are lost, the Saviour longs to save you. 

You need saving because all are sinners and only through His blood can you be washed white. 

You may be whitewashed because you've had all the rituals of the Church performed upon you, but you really need to be washed white to inherit eternal life! 

Why not call on Him right now, saying, "Lord Jesus, come into my heart."

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

Only Way

The Lord Jesus Christ: 

Salvation is not found in man-made ceremonies. 

Neither is it obtained through ordinances or religious sacraments. Instead, Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Still, multitudes believe that the pursuance of good works or the following of a prescribed code of ethics automatically earns them the guarantee of eternal life. Others talk about the benefits of the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, or the observance of the Decalogue-God's Ten Commandments-as the way to prepare one's soul for heaven. Although such ideals should be part of a believer's life, they are a result of salvation, not a means of achieving it.

Ephesians 2:10 states, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.... In other words, good works accompany salvation because Christ, who lives within the believer, is doing the work in him. Thus, we see that it is because one is saved that he works. He does not work in order to become saved. Too often, however, mankind puts the cart before the horse and attempts to reverse the gears of God's program. The result is humans trying to do that which only Almighty God can do. The end is frustration, false doctrine, and eternal damnation. Man plays no part in obtaining salvation. It is all of God. Titus 3:5 declares, 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.

God's Word

Let me be as dogmatic as I have ever been and state that our Holy God has provided no other way of salvation except through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Notice that last phrase again: There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Zoraster, Dr. Moon, Maharajah Ji, and multitudes of others are unable to save because the Holy Word of God explicitly states that there is no other name or god who can save. Christ is the only Saviour.

Someone may immediately and antagonistically cry out within himself, He is quoting some isolated text from Scripture. The Bible is not that narrow in its limitations concerning salvation. Were he using all of the Scriptures, his conclusion would be different. Let me tell you something shocking. I read the entire New Testament through in a four-day period, marking every verse indicating that salvation is in Christ alone, not in creeds, works, ethics, rites, or ceremonies. I found approximately 400 portions of Scripture presenting this clear-cut truth.

Now if God said it once, that would satisfy my searching mind. However, when He declares it nearly 400 times, one had better believe it. In fact, I am presenting the entire list later in this chapter. The heart of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will be blessed as he takes time to study each of these passages. For the present, let's examine just a few of the texts that prove that only Christ can bring salvation to needy hearts.

We will begin with the statements of the Saviour himself.

Jesus' Word
In order to bombard you with truth, my comments on the verses will be limited. This way I can cover approximately 75 portions of God's Word.

• Matthew 16:18: ...upon this rock I will build my church....
• Matthew 26:28: ... this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
• Mark 8:38: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
• In Luke 19:10, Christ states that the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
• To the thief on the cross, the Saviour said, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Only God could make such a promise.
• In John 4:13, 14, the Lord said to the woman at the well, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that l shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
• In John 5:40, Christ said ... ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
• John 6:37: ...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
• John 8:12: ...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
• John 8:24: ...if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
• John 10:9: ... I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved....
• John 10:28: ...I give unto them eternal life
• John 11:25: ...I am the resurrection and the life....
• Verse 26: ...whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die....
• John 12:32, 33: ...if I be lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all men unto me. This he said. signifying what death he should die.

After hearing the statements of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, one would do well to obey God the Father who said in Luke 9:35, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Jesus also said in Matthew 12:30, He that is not with me is against me....

One cannot say, "Oh. I admire Christ, but I believe there are other ways."

One is either for Christ or against Him. One either accepts what Christ stated about himself through 35 pronouns and references or rejects it.

Neutral one cannot be!

The Holy Spirit's Word

Next, let's consider the blessed Holy Spirit's statements, dictated as He moved upon the various Bible writers (see 2 Peter 1:20, 21). Thus, we will actually be hearing from Him as we investigate the verses He inspired these men to write. I am using only that portion of each verse which supports the truth that salvation is found in Christ alone. Please investigate each one thoroughly, as nothing has been taken out of context.

Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ........ Notice it is the good news concerning Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. It is not to all who are sprinkled as babies or immersed as adults. It is not through confirmation or reformation. It is not based on works or a system of ethics such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, or the Ten Commandments. No, it is the good news about Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to all who-watch that word-believe, believe.

• Romans 5:1: ... we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Romans 5:8: ...Christ died for us.
• Romans 5:9: ...we shall be saved from wrath through him.
• Romans 6:23: ... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.... Think of it-no judgment or hell if one is in Christ Jesus!
• Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
• Romans 13:14: ...put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ....
• First Corinthians 1:2: [We are] sanctified in Christ Jesus....
• First Corinthians 2:2: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Why Paul? He is the only way.
• First Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is the foundation on which the superstructure, the Church, has been built. Praise God, He is the rock or foundation, not Peter or any other man.
• First Corinthians 6:11: ... ye are washed... in the name of the Lord Jesus....
• Second Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature....
• Second Corinthians 12:2: I knew a man in Christ.... Amen, that's the only way to be-in Christ.
• Galatians 1:4: [Christ] gave himself for our sins....
• Galatians 2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ ....
• Galatians 3:13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
• Galatians 3:26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
• Galatians 5:1: ...Christ hath made us free....
• Ephesians 1:3: ...our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
• Ephesians 3:17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith....
• Philippians 3:10: That l may know him, and the power of his resurrection....
• Philippians 4:21: Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.... Saints are produced in Christ.
• Colossians 1:20: [He] made peace through the blood of his cross....
• Colossians 1:27: Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• Colossians 2:10: ... ye are complete in him....
• First Thessalonians 1:10: ...Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come.
• First Timothy 2:6: [Christ] gave himself a ransom for all....
• Second Timothy 2:10: ...they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
• Hebrews 2:9: ... that [Christ] by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
• Hebrews 5:9: ...he became the author of eternal salvation ....
• Hebrews 10:12: But this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.
• First Peter 2:24: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree....
• Second Peter 2:20: . they have escaped the pollution's of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ....
• First John 4:9: ...God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
• First John 4:10: [He] sent his Son to be the propitiation of our sins.
• First John 5:11,12: And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
• Jude 21: ...looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Revelation 5:9,10 pictures the eternal future when believers shall be with Christ in heaven. It also records the words of the song the redeemed shall sing in that day. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and halt redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. If one never sings about the blood of Christ in his high-class services, he will never find himself in heaven with the throngs singing redemption's story.

Revelation 7:14 pictures the Tribulation Hour. Here we find that the same plan of salvation exists after the Church is removed from this earth. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Christ is the Lamb of God (see John 1:29).

Revelation 14:13 states that the only ones called blessed or happy are the dead which die in the Lord. If one doesn't die in the Lord, he will be lost. Dear reader, I sum it all up by saying that you will never see God unless you come by the way of Christ's shed blood upon the cross.

Revelation 21:27: And there shall in no wise enter into it [heaven] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: But [hear it, don't miss it] they which are written in the Lamb's book of life [Christ's book of life].

These references but skim the surface. Four hundred passages reiterate this same glorious truth.

The following compilation of references from Matthew through Revelation is printed chronologically. This allows one to follow the entire program of verses by simply turning the pages of the New Testament. In fact, I suggest that you highlight or underline each portion in your own Bible as a permanent record. The list is by no means exhaustive. Try to find others in your own study of the Word.

• Matthew 7:21, 22, 23; 11:28, 29, 30; 16:18; 18:6; 19:14; 26:28; 27, 28 Gospel Story
• Mark 5:6; 8:35; 8:38; 9:41, 42; 10:28, 29, 30, 31; 15, 16 Gospel Story
• Luke 1:46, 47; 2:11, 29, 30; 5:24, 32; 9:23, 24, 25, 26; 13:25; 19:10; 23:43; 23, 24 Gospel Story
• John 1:4,12, 29; 3:16, 17, 18, 36; 4:14, 42; 5:40; 6:28, 29, 37, 47, 48, 51; 7:5; 8:12, 24; 9:38; 10:9, 28; 11:25, 26; 12:32, 33; 14:6; 17:3,19, 20; Gospel Story 20:30, 31
• Acts 1:8 4:12 5:30, 31, 42 8:5, 12, 35, 37 9:20, 27 10:36, 43; 13:38, 39; 15:11, 17; 16:30, 31; 17:2, 3, 4; 20:21,28; 28:31
• Romans 1:16; 5:1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18, 19, 21; 6:23; 8:1, 3, 10, 32, 34, 35, 39; 9:33; 10:4 ,9, 10, 11, 13; 12:5; 13:14; 14:10, 11; 15:16, 29; 16:18
• 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 18; 2:2; 3:11; 4:1,10, 15; 5:5; 6:11, 15; 10:4, 16; 11:1, 25; 15:1, 2, 3, 4, 23; 16:22
• 2 Corinthians 2:12; 4:4, 5, 6, 14; 5:15, 17, 18, 19, 21; 8:9; 10:7; 11:2, 10, 23; 12:2, 19; 13:5
• Galatians 1:4, 6, 7, 8, 9; 2:16, 17, 20; 3:13, 14, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 24; 6:12, 14, 18
• Ephesians 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 22, 23; 2:5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 20, 21; 3:6, 8, 11, 12, 17; 4:12, 13, 15, 21, 32; 5:2, 5, 23, 25, 27, 30
• Philippians 1:1, 6, 27; 2:10, 11, 16; 3:8, 9, 10, 14, 18, 20; 4:13, 19, 21, 23
• Colossians 1:2, 4, 7, 13, 14, 18, 20, 27, 28; 2:6, 7, 8, 10; 3:1, 4, 13, 17, 24
• 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:14; 3:2; 4:14, 16; 5:9, 10, 28
• 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 16; 3:16, 18
• 1 Timothy 1:1, 14, 15, 16; 2:6; 4:6
• 2 Timothy 1:1, 9, 10, 13; 2:1, 10; 3:15
• Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:4, 5, 6
• Philemon 1:6, 25
• Hebrews 1:3; 2:9, 14, 15, 17; 5:9; 7:25, 27; 9:12, 14, 15, 25, 26, 28; 10:10, 12, 14, 19, 20, 29; 12:2; 13:12
• 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2:5, 7, 21, 24; 3:18; 4:1
• 2 Peter 1:1, 11; 2:1, 20; 3:18
• 1 John 1:7, 9; 2:2, 24, 25, 28; 3:23; 4:9, 10, 14, 15; 5:1, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20
• 2 John 1:9
• Jude 1:1, 4, 21, 25
• Revelation 1:5, 18; 3:20, 21; 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12; 7:14; 12:11; 13:8; 14:4, 13; 15:3; 19:1, 9, 10; 20:4; 21:7

At this point, one final question remains, "What will you do with Jesus?"

You are a sinner. Christ shed His blood for your sin, and now you must receive Him.

Remember the words to that old hymn, "What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be.

Someday your heart will be asking, What will He do with me?"

If you reject Him, I can give you the answer today. John 5:40: ...ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Again, John 14:6: No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Revelation 20:15: And whosoever was not found written in the [Lamb's] book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

The Only Way

The Lord Jesus Christ: The Only Way of Salvation
By Jack Van Impe

Salvation is not found in man-made ceremonies. Neither is it obtained through ordinances or religious sacraments. Instead, Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Still, multitudes believe that the pursuance of good works or the following of a prescribed code of ethics automatically earns them the guarantee of eternal life. Others talk about the benefits of the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, or the observance of the Decalogue-God's Ten Commandments-as the way to prepare one's soul for heaven. Although such ideals should be part of a believer's life, they are a result of salvation, not a means of achieving it.

Ephesians 2:10 states, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.... In other words, good works accompany salvation because Christ, who lives within the believer, is doing the work in him. Thus, we see that it is because one is saved that he works. He does not work in order to become saved. Too often, however, mankind puts the cart before the horse and attempts to reverse the gears of God's program. The result is humans trying to do that which only Almighty God can do. The end is frustration, false doctrine, and eternal damnation. Man plays no part in obtaining salvation. It is all of God. Titus 3:5 declares, 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.

God's Word

Let me be as dogmatic as I have ever been and state that our Holy God has provided no other way of salvation except through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Notice that last phrase again: There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Zoraster, Dr. Moon, Maharajah Ji, and multitudes of others are unable to save because the Holy Word of God explicitly states that there is no other name or god who can save. Christ is the only Saviour.

Someone may immediately and antagonistically cry out within himself, He is quoting some isolated text from Scripture. The Bible is not that narrow in its limitations concerning salvation. Were he using all of the Scriptures, his conclusion would be different. Let me tell you something shocking. I read the entire New Testament through in a four-day period, marking every verse indicating that salvation is in Christ alone, not in creeds, works, ethics, rites, or ceremonies. I found approximately 400 portions of Scripture presenting this clear-cut truth.

Now if God said it once, that would satisfy my searching mind. However, when He declares it nearly 400 times, one had better believe it. In fact, I am presenting the entire list later in this chapter. The heart of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will be blessed as he takes time to study each of these passages. For the present, let's examine just a few of the texts that prove that only Christ can bring salvation to needy hearts. We will begin with the statements of the Saviour himself.

Jesus' Word
In order to bombard you with truth, my comments on the verses will be limited. This way I can cover approximately 75 portions of God's Word.

• Matthew 16:18: ...upon this rock I will build my church....
• Matthew 26:28: ... this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
• Mark 8:38: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
• In Luke 5:24, Christ states that the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
• To the thief on the cross, the Saviour said, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Only God could make such a promise.
• In John 4:13, 14, the Lord said to the woman at the well, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that l shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
• In John 5:40, Christ said ... ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
• John 6:37: ...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
• John 8:12: ...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
• John 8:24: ...if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
• John 10:9: ... I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved....
• John 10:28: ...I give unto them eternal life
• John 11:25: ...I am the resurrection and the life....
• John 11:26: ...whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die....
• John 12:32, 33: ...if I be lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all men unto me. This he said. signifying what death he should die.

After hearing the statements of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, one would do well to obey God the Father who said in Luke 9:35, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Jesus also said in Matthew 12:30, He that is not with me is against me.... One cannot say, "Oh. I admire Christ, but I believe there are other ways." One is either for Christ or against Him. One either accepts what Christ stated about himself through 35 pronouns and references or rejects it. Neutral one cannot be!

The Holy Spirit's Word

Next, let's consider the blessed Holy Spirit's statements, dictated as He moved upon the various Bible writers (see 2 Peter 1:20, 21). Thus, we will actually be hearing from Him as we investigate the verses He inspired these men to write. I am using only that portion of each verse which supports the truth that salvation is found in Christ alone. Please investigate each one thoroughly, as nothing has been taken out of context.

• Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ........ Notice it is the good news concerning Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. It is not to all who are sprinkled as babies or immersed as adults. It is not through confirmation or reformation. It is not based on works or a system of ethics such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, or the Ten Commandments. No, it is the good news about Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to all who-watch that word-believe, believe.
• Romans 5:1: ... we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Romans 5:8: ...Christ died for us.
• Romans 5:9: ...we shall be saved from wrath through him.
• Romans 6:23: ... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.... Think of it-no judgment or hell if one is in Christ Jesus!
• Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
• Romans 13:14: ...put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ....
• First Corinthians 1:2: [We are] sanctified in Christ Jesus....
• First Corinthians 2:2: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Why Paul? He is the only way.
• First Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is the foundation on which the superstructure, the Church, has been built. Praise God, He is the rock or foundation, not Peter or any other man.
• First Corinthians 6:11: ... ye are washed... in the name of the Lord Jesus....
• Second Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature....
• Second Corinthians 12:2: I knew a man in Christ.... Amen, that's the only way to be-in Christ.
• Galatians 1:4: [Christ] gave himself for our sins....
• Galatians 2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ ....
• Galatians 3:13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
• Galatians 3:26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
• Galatians 5:1: ...Christ hath made us free....
• Ephesians 1:3: ...our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
• Ephesians 3:17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith....
• Philippians 3:10: That l may know him, and the power of his resurrection....
• Philippians 4:21: Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.... Saints are produced in Christ.
• Colossians 1:20: [He] made peace through the blood of his cross....
• Colossians 1:27: Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• Colossians 2:10: ... ye are complete in him....
• First Thessalonians 1:10: ...Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come.
• First Timothy 2:6: [Christ] gave himself a ransom for all....
• Second Timothy 2:10: ...they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
• Hebrews 2:9: ... that [Christ] by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
• Hebrews 5:9: ...he became the author of eternal salvation ....
• Hebrews 10:12: But this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.
• First Peter 2:24: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree....
• Second Peter 2:20: . they have escaped the pollution's of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ....
• First John 4:9: ...God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
• First John 4:10: [He] sent his Son to be the propitiation of our sins.
• First John 5:11,12: And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
• Jude 21: ...looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
• Revelation 5:9,10 pictures the eternal future when believers shall be with Christ in heaven. It also records the words of the song the redeemed shall sing in that day. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and halt redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. If one never sings about the blood of Christ in his high-class services, he will never find himself in heaven with the throngs singing redemption's story.
• Revelation 7:14 pictures the Tribulation Hour. Here we find that the same plan of salvation exists after the Church is removed from this earth. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Christ is the Lamb of God (see John 1:29).
• Revelation 14:13 states that the only ones called blessed or happy are the dead which die in the Lord. If one doesn't die in the Lord, he will be lost. Dear reader, I sum it all up by saying that you will never see God unless you come by the way of Christ's shed blood upon the cross.
• Revelation 21:27: And there shall in no wise enter into it [heaven] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: But [hear it, don't miss it] they which are written in the Lamb's book of life [Christ's book of life].

These references but skim the surface. Four hundred passages reiterate this same glorious truth. The following compilation of references from Matthew through Revelation is printed chronologically. This allows one to follow the entire program of verses by simply turning the pages of the New Testament. In fact, I suggest that you highlight or underline each portion in your own Bible as a permanent record. The list is by no means exhaustive. Try to find others in your own study of the Word.

• Matthew 7:21, 22, 23; 11:28, 29, 30; 16:18; 18:6; 19:14; 26:28; 27, 28 Gospel Story
• Mark 5:6; 8:35; 8:38; 9:41, 42; 10:28, 29, 30, 31; 15, 16 Gospel Story
• Luke 1:46, 47; 2:11, 29, 30; 5:24, 32; 9:23, 24, 25, 26; 13:25; 19:10; 23:43; 23, 24 Gospel Story
• John 1:4,12, 29; 3:16, 17, 18, 36; 4:14, 42; 5:40; 6:28, 29, 37, 47, 48, 51; 7:5; 8:12, 24; 9:38; 10:9, 28; 11:25, 26; 12:32, 33; 14:6; 17:3, 19, 20; Gospel Story 20:30, 31
• Acts 1:8 ; 4:12 ; 5:30, 31, 42 ; 8:5, 12, 35, 37 ; 9:20, 27 ; 10:36, 43; 13:38, 39; 15:11, 17; 16:30, 31; 17:2, 3, 4; 20:21,28; 28:31
• Romans 1:16; 5:1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18, 19, 21; 6:23; 8:1, 3, 10, 32, 34, 35, 39; 9:33; 10:4 ,9, 10, 11, 13; 12:5; 13:14; 14:10, 11; 15:16, 29; 16:18
• 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 18; 2:2; 3:11; 4:1,10,15; 5:5; 6:11,15; 10:4,16; 11:1,25; 15:1,2,3,4,23; 16:22
• 2 Corinthians 2:12; 4:4,5,6,14; 5:15,17,18,19,21; 8:9; 10:7; 11:2,10,23; 12:2,19; 13:5
• Galatians 1:4,6,7,8,9; 2:16,17,20; 3:13,14,22,26,27,28,29; 4:7; 5:1,4,24; 6:12,14,18
• Ephesians 1:1,2,3,4,5,7,10,11,12,13,15,22,23; 2:5,6,7,10,13,14,20,21; 3:6,8,11,12,17; 4:12,13,15, 21,32; 5:2,5,23,25,27,30
• Philippians 1:1,6,27; 2:10,11,16; 3:8,9,10,14,18,20; 4:13,19,21,23
• Colossians 1:2,4,7,13,14,18,20,27,28; 2:6,7,8,10; 3:1,4,13,17, 24
• 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:14; 3:2; 4:14,16; 5:9,10,28
• 2 Thessalonians 2:14,16; 3:16,18
• 1 Timothy 1:1,14,15,16; 2:6; 4:6
• 2 Timothy 1:1,9,10,13; 2:1,10; 3:15
• Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:4,5,6
• Philemon 1:6,25
• Hebrews 1:3; 2:9,14,15,17; 5:9; 7:25,27; 9:12,14,15,25,26,28; 10:10,12,14,19,20,29; 12:2; 13:12
• 1 Peter 1:18,19; 2:5,7,21,24; 3:18; 4:1
• 2 Peter 1:1,11; 2:1,20; 3:18
• 1 John 1:7,9; 2:2,24,25,28; 3:23; 4:9,10,14,15; 5:1,5,10,11,12,13,20
• 2 John 1:9
• Jude 1:1,4,21,25
• Revelation 1:5,18; 3:20,21; 4:11; 5:9,10,12; 7:14; 12:11; 13:8; 14:4,13; 15:3; 19:1,9,10; 20:4; 21:7

At this point, one final question remains,

 "What will you do with Jesus?" You are a sinner. 
Christ shed His blood for your sin, and now you must receive Him. Remember the words to that old hymn, "What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be. Someday your heart will be asking, What will He do with me?" If you reject Him, I can give you the answer today. John 5:40: ...ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Again, John 14:6: No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Revelation 20:15: And whosoever was not found written in the [Lamb's] book of life was cast into the lake of fire.