The Truth in Print Vol. 21 Issue 5, June 2015

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

Various Errors Concerning Salvation

(Selected Newspaper Articles Showing)

The So Called “Sinner’s Prayer”

The book of Acts is a history of the beginning of the church as well as presenting ongoing history during the first century. In Acts 2 you will find the day and events upon the church of Christ was established – Pentecost circa A.D. 33.

In Acts 2 Peter preached Jesus whom they had crucified as both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:29-36). Note the effect: Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Note the answer: Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Luke records, Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

The result was about 3,000 souls were added together to make up the church of Christ: Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Nowhere in the book of Acts or elsewhere in the New Testament are men told to say a prayer for initial salvation – even the familiar Sinner’s Prayer or a variant thereof. If you are interested in learning more we have a Correspondence Course via regular mail that is available from our website listed below. Or you may simply write and ask for the lessons. (Jan. 31, 2015).

A Wrongful Understanding of Confessing Sins

We stated in our last month’s article that nowhere in the New Testament are men told to say a prayer for initial salvation; even the familiar Sinner’s Prayer or a variant thereof. The truth is that men who asked what to do in Acts 2:37 were told: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

At times one will think that John’s statement in I Jo. 1:9 is about what to do to become a Christian. Your author has heard this verse asked about by one who, not yet being a Christian, needed to repent and be baptized. In the course of a study he asked, What about 1Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”? It was immediately explained to him that the verse he brought up was addressed to those “already” Christians. He was thinking this might apply to his personal situation although he had not yet been baptized with the “one baptism” (Eph. 4:4) that is for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38), and is into Christ (Gal. 3:27), and into the “one body,” His church (I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23). The truth is that the “we” in this verse includes the apostle John and others, who being Christians were to confess the sins they commit in order to be forgiven.

For more write and ask for our free Correspondence Course we send via regular mail. (Feb. 28, 2015).

One Must Confess Jesus is the Christ the Son of God

We stated in two prior articles that nowhere in the book of Acts, or elsewhere in the New Testament, are men told to say a prayer for initial salvation – even the familiar Sinner’s Prayer or a variant thereof. The truth is that men who asked what to do in Acts 2:37 were told: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

In this brief lesson we want to present another step in obeying the Gospel unto one’s initial salvation that makes one a Christian. That being belief in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And then a willingness to confess with the mouth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. The necessity of this belief along with being baptized in order to be saved is also presented in Mk. 16:15-16. When Jesus commissioned the twelve Mark records: Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” First one must hear the Gospel. Having heard one must believe that Jesus is the Savior.

You may read about the fundamental steps of obedience unto salvation at http://www.yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/churchthree.htm . If you are interested in learning more we have a Correspondence Course via regular mail that is available from our website listed below. Or you may simply write and ask for the lessons. (March 28, 2015).

There Is No Such Thing as “Infant Baptism”

Last month’s article emphasized the steps of belief in the deity of Jesus Christ, and a willingness to confess with the mouth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37). Jesus stated the necessity of this belief along with being baptized in order to be saved: Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Having heard the gospel one must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. When men asked what to do (Acts 2:37) they were told: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). Those who gladly received the Word were baptized, and about three thousand souls made up the church of Christ (Acts 2:41). Acts 2 records the beginning of the church Christ promised to build (Matt. 16:18). Consider now that infants cannot “hear” the Gospel, “believe” in the deity of Christ, “repent” of sins (they are innocent), “confess” their belief, nor “obey” the command to “be baptized” for the remission of sins. Infant baptism is nothing more than empty man-made tradition that does not save!

There Is No Such Thing as the “Altar Call”

Nowhere in the New Testament are men told to come and lay it at all upon the altar, call on the name of the Lord, pray through, leave it to God and they would be saved. Jesus stated the necessity of belief along with being baptized in order to be saved: Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” One must believe in the deity of Jesus, and confess with the mouth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37). When men asked what to do (Acts 2:37) they were told: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). Those who gladly received the Word were baptized, and about three thousand souls made up the beginning of the church Christ promised to build (Acts 2:41; Matt. 16:18).

One "calls upon the name of the Lord" when he arises and is baptized as the disciple of Christ told Paul in Acts 22:16. Saul had believed in Christ for three days, he had been praying, but he had yet to have his sins washed away (Acts 9:5-11). He did not receive forgiveness until he was baptized (not sprinkled or had water poured over his head) for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16). You may read about the fundamental steps of obedience unto salvation at http://www.yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/churchthree.htm . Feel free to contact us for questions or study. (May 30, 2015).

Valley Church of Christ

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364

(928) 782-5058 ~

http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;

Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm

Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm

By Bob Lovelace

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To learn more call, visit or visit our website at:

http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

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