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The Need To Hear The Gospel
John R. Gentry
God commands that we hear his Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17.5). Without hearing it is impossible to come to Christ, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me” (John 6.44-45). A person cannot call on the name of the Lord so as to be saved unless he has first heard the gospel (Romans 10.13-17).
Unfortunately, many denominations are teaching something other than or in addition to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, some teach the Calvinistic doctrine of eternal security; others teach that goodness or morality will save; others teach that all people will be saved; others teach that faith alone will save; and yet others teach that reciting some sinners prayer will bring about salvation. None of these “gospels” are supported by any scripture, they are “doctrines of demons” and can only result in many people spending an eternity in Hell (1 Timothy 4.1; Galatians 1.6-9). It is only the gospel of Jesus Christ as presented on pages of God’s Book that can “wash, sanctify and justify” us (1 Corinthians 6.9-11; 15.1-2; Acts 18.18); establish us in the faith (Romans 16.25; Colossians 2.6-7; Ephesians 4.14); cause us to be born again (1 Peter 1.3, 23; 1 Corinthians 4.15; John 3.3); and only this gospel that can save us (Romans 1.16; 1 Corinthians 1.17-25; 15.1-2; James 1.21). We must also note that we will be judged by this gospel and not by the creeds and catechisms of men (John 12.48; Romans 2.16).
The very reason Jesus gave the Great Commission of teaching the gospel to every creature in every nation is because we must hear the gospel before we can be saved (Matthew 28.18-20; Mark 16.15-16).
What must I do to be saved? There is no question more important. As any journey begins with a single step; the journey to salvation begins with hearing the gospel. Have you considered and come to truly appreciate what the New Testament says about the need to hear the gospel?
The Need To Believe In Jesus
John R. Gentry
That faith is necessary to our salvation is rarely debated in the so-called “Christian” religious world today. Even the Presbyterians teach that it is necessary, but that God zaps us with it. Unfortunately, however, much of the “Christian” religious world does not understand everything the New Testament says about saving faith.
What is faith? “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11.1). Thus faith can be clearly defined in the following ways. With reference to things unseen, faith is being completely convinced that they exist and are real! (Note: sometimes the things we hope for are things unseen, e.g. Heaven.) In reference to things hoped for, faith is the complete confidence that our hopes will be realized! Saving faith is conviction regarding the unseen being of Christ, the wondrous sacrifice He made for us and the fact that He is ruling at the right hand of God as Head and Savior of the Church: all unseen! At the same time, on Him rest all our hopes, for only in Him are all spiritual blessings found (Matthew 16.16; Ephesians 1.3).
Consider what the following passages teach concerning our need to believe in Jesus Christ—Mark 16.16: our salvation depends on believing in Christ; John 3.16: eternal life in Heaven depends on whether or not we believe; John 8.24: without believing in Him, we will die in our sins; John 20.30-31: faith brings life in Jesus; Acts 10.43: remission of sins comes as a result of believing; Acts 13.39: justified (or freed) by faith; Acts 16.31: again, our salvation depends on believing; Romans 1.16: salvation is offered to those who believe; Romans 5.1: we are justified by faith; Galatians 2.16: justified by faith; Ephesians 2.8-10: we are saved through faith; Hebrews 11.6: it is impossible to please God without faith.
Saving faith, contrary to most denominational teaching, is a faith that leads to obedience (John 12.42-43; Hebrews 11; James 2.14-26). Future articles will show how saving faith is put into action.
Galena Guardian
Vol. IX, No. 6, June 2007