What Does the Bible Say?

Everything that God made was “very good” (Ge 1:31). Because sin entered the world by one man, Adam (Ge 3:6,7; Ro 5:12) now all things are not “very good”. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers (Ro 8:22).

The Bible says that all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Ro 3:23). But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Ro 5:8). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro 6:23). If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Ro 10:8-9). For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Ro 10:13.

Baptism is the believer’s first act of obedience.

The Bible says that we can know if we are saved. These things I write to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God (1 Jn 5:13).

When people become saved, others notice. Jesus said: “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law (Lk 12:50-53).”

Some reject the good news. J. Vernon McGee said: “[2000] years ago, they slayed Him today they put His blood under foot.” Some would shout “crucify him, crucify him” still today. Lk 23:21.

Believers may ruffle feathers but that’s ok. Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men (2 Cor 5:11, NIV). Faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven. No church affiliation can save a person. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (Jn 14:6).” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn 1:1). Get to know the Jesus of scripture.

We have no righteousness of our own. We must be clothed in His righteousness and we obtain this by faith (Ro 3:22).

Salvation is not on again off again. We do not do evil then repent and then do evil and then repent again. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Co 1:22; Eph 1:13).

The Bible says: We are saved by grace through faith not of works (Eph 2:8-9). We are saved unto good works (Eph 2:10): For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph 2:8-10).

There are not two gospels. There is one gospel. The apostle Paul said: I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (Ga 1:6-9).

The gospel is one of grace not works: But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Ac 20:24).

We are saved by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9) through faith alone (Eph 1:13; 2 Ti 1:10) in Christ alone (Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12). Roman Catholics deny this (Jude 1:11).

The scriptures are full and sufficient (Lk 16:29,31), an unerring guide (Pr 6:23; 2 Pe 1:19), able to make men wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Ti 3:15). We should proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Ro 1:16).”

The First Commandment says: “You shall have no other gods before Me.’ God does not want: dead ritualism, ceremonialism, or formalism. It’s not about religion. It’s about a relationship with him.

Cults and ‘isms do not save. Church affiliation does not save. Easy believeism does not save. Plans and programs do not save. Jesus saves (Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23). Jesus alone saves (Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12).

Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Mt 7:13-14).”

God could never be contained in a box [ark of the testimony] (Nu 14:43,44; Jos 1:6; 1Sa 14:18,19; Ps 132:8) nor could he be contained in the temple (1 Ki 8:27). He is living and active in the life of the believer (Jn 1:1, Heb 4:12).

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Pr 16:26).

The Second Commandment says: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them (Ex 20:3-5).”

We are not to pray to departed saints. We should pray to the Father in the name of the Son.

The temple veil tearing in two at Jesus’ death was symbolic of the dividing wall between God and humanity being destroyed (Mt 27:51). We may now come boldly before the throne of grace (Heb 4:16). We have access to God’s presence (Heb. 10:19–22). There is no mediator between us and God (1 Ti 2:5).

God will not drag men to heaven (Re 22:11). Each must make his choice. Joshua said choose this day whom you will serve (Josh 24:15). Now is the appointed time. Today is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). We must make our choice on this side of the grave because we will not get a second chance.

When we die, the Bible says when we are “absent from the body and present with the Lord”. 2 Cor 5:8. We go either to the place of the righteous dead or to the place of the unrighteous dead (Lk 23:43).

Some people wonder if we will have bodies. Yes, we do. The Bible says we receive a robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10). Our bodies will one day be fit for heaven or fit for hell. “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (1 Th 4:13-14).”

Some people wonder if we will have consciousness after earthly death. Yes (1 Thess 5:10-11).

We will all be raised again one day. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt (Dan 12:2). Jesus said: “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Mt 25:46).”

The Bible says God will one day wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Re 21:4). We will say goodbye forever to those we loved if they do not die in a right relationship with the Lord. The “gentile Jesus” said: “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me (Lk 19:27).”