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"The Ancient Landmark"

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

Question:

Greeting Jarrod,

Read your online article on the sinner's prayer....and in some ways it's leaving me scratching my head, probably because of my baptist upbringing. Are you say that all those who took ahold of salvation by going forward in a church and praying with a pastor or deacon are not saved....or just the people who did that and then did'nt follow it up with true repentance? Remember, words are very powerful. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.....and by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned! People become US citizens by the words that that say (when sworn in)....and so too are people enlisted into military by words spoken.

Perhaps we should take this even a bit further. Are Billy Graham, his son Franklin, Charles Stanley, Adrian Rogers, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and others such as they spreading false doctrine? And are they themselves even saved?

Respond if you get the time.....

My Response:

Hello ,

I am thankful that you wrote, and appreciate this opportunity to help you in understanding God's word. You asked about an article I wrote on the "Sinner's Prayer." While there are several places where such is referenced on our website, perhaps you meant the webpage entitled: Praying A Sinners Prayer.

First, you asked whether I meant to say that those who prayed the prayer are not saved, or if it is those who prayed but didn't repent who are not saved. To answer your question, please remember that it does not matter what "I" say or do not say, but what does the Bible say. (I Pet. 4:11) This is why I started the article showing that the Bible no where tells men to pray some kind of prayer in order to be saved.

It is true that words are powerful; even Christ said this, but what has that to do with how one is saved? Yes, men and women are "sworn in" as citizens of the United States, or our military, and they verbally state their convictions and allegiance to this country. Why must one do this? It is because this is what the laws of our land state one must do in order to be a citizen of this country, or a part of our military. If one does not make such a statement, or vow, he/she is not a citizen in the country, nor a part of the armed forces.

No one would dispute the power of the spoken word, but this is not the question. The question is: "What must I do to be saved?" Do I pray a prayer? Do I say, "I believe in Jesus"? What must be done? In order to be saved from sins, one must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 2:36, 8:12, 16:31, Mk.16:16), repent of his sins (Lk. 13:3; Acts 2:38, 17:31), confess his faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16; Acts 8:12-13, 16:15, 33, 22:16). For a more in-depth study of the Lord's plan for salvation, click on: What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Now, I ask you, ...., if the Lord has stated the way by which men can be saved, and one refuses to do it, is that person saved? Furthermore, if God has given a plan by which men can be saved, but I preach about "another" plan, or "another" way, am I spreading the truth, or am I spreading false doctrine (See: Gal. 1:6-9)?

I know you mentioned several "well-known" people in your letter, but let's remove their names from the equation for a moment, and ask a couple of questions which will be applicable to anyone: Regardless of how much I like someone, or respect someone, if that person refuses to do what the Bible says, and refuses to teach what the Bible teaches, then can I in all good conscience say that this person is saved, or that he is teaching the truth?

I appreciate you writing to me, ...., and hope you have the opportunity to visit our website on future occasions. We endeavor to update our website weekly.

Have a good day.

Sincerely,

Jarrod Jacobs

www.southside-churchofchrist.com

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