Bible Study Requirements of Salvation

[BlessedCreator]

I made this because there are people preaching in these final years of the world, teaching that
just by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ you can be saved. If it was that easy we wouldn't have scriptures
warning us that few will be saved and that the path to eternal life is narrow, of which few be there that find it.

A holy and sanctified life lived in strict obedience unto the commandments and precepts taught in the word of God,
the Holy Bible, is required of all those that seek the salvation of their souls. This is what the Bible is speaking
of when it says that we must be born again. Born again means to be transformed by God into a new moral life.

John 3:3 KJB
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

If all we had to do was simply believe, demons and the wicked heathen would be saved. For there are
innumerable people in this world that war against God and His saints and know the truth.

James 2:19
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

If all we had to do was believe then this verse below would have no meaning.

Matthew 7:14
"because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

We see from the verse below that they that do the will of God, that keep His commandments and precepts
taught in the word of God, the Holy Bible, will be saved. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ that He
is the true messiah, that He really is God in the flesh, is the absolute first step anyone must take on the
path of salvation. It is the first commandment of God we must obey, to simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
For why would anyone even begin to consider keeping His commandments and obey Him if you didn't believe He
was who He said He was.

Matthew 7:21
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven."

When it says to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ it should always be accompanied with the explanation that
obedience, love and duty to and for Him is also required in this faith.

James 2:17
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

We see that faith (trust) in God is really false faith without doing the works of God. What works are these?
These works are the commandments and precepts taught in the word of God. For example, overcoming the world,
and the lusts there of, giving alms, preaching the truth of Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible, encouraging one another, loving one another,
honoring your parents, not hating anyone, not stealing, etc. These are just a few of the many holy commandments
given to us by God in the Holy Bible.

1 John 2:17
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

If the entire Bible could be summed up in one verse I would choose the following.

Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

Understanding faith and grace.
Faith means to have trust and hope in God.
Grace means the favor of God.
To have faith (trust) in God you must have a good conscious toward Him.
To have a good conscious toward God you must obey Him.
Faith and obedience go hand in hand.
If you are obedient to God's commandments and precepts He will give you true faith, real trust in Him.
He will show you that you can trust in Him by the protection of His Spirit (the Holy Spirit).
Grace and obedience also go hand in hand.
If you are obedient, the grace (favor) of God will be upon you and all that you do.

1 Peter 3:21
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

The above verse is not saying that baptism literally saves us. It is saying that by being baptized
you are keeping God's commandment which will allow you to begin to have a good conscience towards
God because of your obedience. Just as believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is a commandment, so also is baptism.
Continue seeking God's will in all that you do to continue with a good conscience toward God.

If you want to be saved from the damnation of Hell, get in the word of God,
start in the New Testament at the gospel of
Matthew, in a King James Bible (PDF above) and
read every word and do exactly as God's word teaches you.

 

[Tessa]

Amen.
Terrific post.

Satan believes but we are told he won't be saved.

 

[JohnDB]

Matthew 7:22
Look at what these people did...and their complaint.
These guys had plenty of works in changing people's lives...and obviously had faith enough to do so.
Many people would say that this is good fruit coming from a good tree.

Works cannot be enough to entice Jesus to save us.
Jesus called them "doers of iniquity".

 

[Who Me]

If you want to be saved from the damnation of Hell, get in the word of God,
start in the New Testament at the gospel of
Matthew, in a King James Bible (PDF above) and
read every word and do exactly as God's word teaches you.

It is always sad when someone start teach salvation by works.

We are saved by grace, it is the gift of God, Not by works so that noone can boast.

Where you have probably gone astray is in missing what Jesus said.
If you Love M e you will keep my commands.
We seek to obey Jesus, not to gain a reward or earn salvation, but because we love him.

 

[LovethroughDove]

Born again means you are able to see with spiritual eyes now.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

If all we had to do was simply believe, demons and the wicked heathen would be saved. For there are
innumerable people in this world that war against God and His saints and know the truth.

There is one problem I have with what you said here. We have been born of flesh and our minds tend to focus in this realm. We have a difficult time really believing that someone could actually have been born with God as his literal father. So, I would suspect that MOST people don't really believe Jesus is the son.

 

[for_his_glory]

BlessedCreator

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Romans 10:9 That 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.


Our first step in God's salvation is to believe that Jesus is the Christ, Messiah come, the only begotten Son of God. Yes, even the demons believe, but yet do not accept Him as their Lord and Savior as they made their allegiance to Satan.

From that first step of believing we go forth developing a personal relationship with Christ through the Spiritual transformation, through the renewal of our spirit as we are sanctified and made righteous by that of God's righteousness. The narrow path we walk is by faith as we keep our focus on Christ learning to be obedient to God's commands and statures that we always remain pleasing to Him.

There are five requirements to Salvation
1. Confession - Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9, 10
2. Repentance - Mark 1:14, 15
3. Faith - John 3:14-18
4. Regeneration - John 3:3-8
5. Holy Scripture - 2 Timothy 3:15

 

[BlessedCreator]

If I could I would update the original post and remove the part about 1 Peter 3:21 concerning baptism and having a good conscience toward God. My interpretation of that verse was off. But we do still need to continue in obedience to God and His will to have a good conscience toward Him. Also here is the page which can take you to the complete KJB in PDF format: http://gffg.info/Jesus/KJBPDF.html

 

[GodsGrace]

It is always sad when someone start teach salvation by works.

We are saved by grace, it is the gift of God, Not by works so that noone can boast.

Where you have probably gone astray is in missing what Jesus said.
If you Love M e you will keep my commands.
We seek to obey Jesus, not to gain a reward or earn salvation, but because we love him.

The O.P. is not talking about salvation by works.
He DID state that we need to be born from above.

If we know God and work in faith, then these works will count for doing good.
The N.T. teaches us that we are not to tire of doing good.
Galatians 6:9
9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

If we do not know God,,,then all our works will be in vain because we do not have faith in Him, and our spirit is not one with His spirit.

You've said it yourself....
We are saved by grace...
but
Jesus said we are to obey His commandments.

This is the same as what the O.P. has stated.

 

[JLB]

It is always sad when someone start teach salvation by works.

We are saved by grace, it is the gift of God, Not by works so that noone can boast.

Where you have probably gone astray is in missing what Jesus said.
If you Love M e you will keep my commands.
We seek to obey Jesus, not to gain a reward or earn salvation, but because we love him.

Why must obeying the Lord Jesus Christ, be labeled as —

“Salvation by works”


And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:9

• the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

This discussion keeps coming up, and the same scriptures are being used to promote being saved.


We are certainly saved by grace through faith.


For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10


There 3 main things to understand about this scripture.

1. What is grace, and how does it work.
2. What is faith, and how does it function.
3. Understanding the difference between initial salvation, which is regeneration; ie being born again, and receiving the salvation of your soul, at the end of your faith; as an end result of your faith.

So my question to you is —

Which salvation are you referring to?

Initial salvation; being born again, regenerated, saved.
or
Receiving the salvation of your soul at the end of your faith.



JLB

 

[JLB]

Born again means to be transformed by God into a new moral life.

I think you mean, being born again means we have the ability to be transformed into a new moral life.


Transformation is a process; the process of becoming something that you were designed to become.

That something is sons of God, likened unto the Son of God as our pattern.


But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:12

• to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

Why must obeying the Lord Jesus Christ, be labeled as —

“Salvation by works”


And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:9

• the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

This discussion keeps coming up, and the same scriptures are being used to promote being saved.


We are certainly saved by grace through faith.


For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10


There 3 main things to understand about this scripture.

1. What is grace, and how does it work.
2. What is faith, and how does it function.
3. Understanding the difference between initial salvation, which is regeneration; ie being born again, and receiving the salvation of your soul, at the end of your faith; as an end result of your faith.

So my question to you is —

Which salvation are you referring to?

Initial salvation; being born again, regenerated, saved.
or
Receiving the salvation of your soul at the end of your faith.



JLB

Your first sentence is right on.
We hear this so many times....
As if obeying God is a work.

Maybe Who Me could explain this a little better.

 

[for_his_glory]

Salvation means to be whole, mind, body and soul as it is by God's grace through faith that is Christ Jesus and our obedience to God's commands as we must be Spiritually born-again from above and endure all trials and temptations set before us in the trying of our patience until Christ returns and finds our names written in the Lamb's book of life.

Here are some scriptures to study. Some are just one verse so please read the full context.

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

[Who Me]

The O.P. is not talking about salvation by works.
He DID state that we need to be born from above.

If we know God and work in faith, then these works will count for doing good.
The N.T. teaches us that we are not to tire of doing good.
Galatians 6:9
9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

If we do not know God,,,then all our works will be in vain because we do not have faith in Him, and our spirit is not one with His spirit.

You've said it yourself....
We are saved by grace...
but
Jesus said we are to obey His commandments.

This is the same as what the O.P. has stated.

holy and sanctified life lived in strict obedience unto the commandments and precepts taught in the word of God,

When people start talking like this I get suspicious, as in my experience it devolves into follow these rules.

The gospel is a message of grace that leads us through our love for Jesus to obey him.

 

[Who Me]

Why must obeying the Lord Jesus Christ, be labeled as —

“Salvation by works”


And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:9

• the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

This discussion keeps coming up, and the same scriptures are being used to promote being saved.


We are certainly saved by grace through faith.


For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10


There 3 main things to understand about this scripture.

1. What is grace, and how does it work.
2. What is faith, and how does it function.
3. Understanding the difference between initial salvation, which is regeneration; ie being born again, and receiving the salvation of your soul, at the end of your faith; as an end result of your faith.

So my question to you is —

Which salvation are you referring to?

Initial salvation; being born again, regenerated, saved.
or
Receiving the salvation of your soul at the end of your faith.



JLB

As I replied to wondering, when messages to Christians starts with strict obedience to laws and precepts I get suspicious, as to often I have seen a message that is one of grace and love be changed into one of do this, this and this.

Our obedience to Jesus is promoted by our love for him.

This is all to do with being saved in this life and in working out our salvation, by our demonstration of our love for him.

 

[JLB]

When people start talking like this I get suspicious, as in my experience it devolves into follow these rules.

The gospel is a message of grace that leads us through our love for Jesus to obey him.

Yes, the Gospel is the message by which if believed and therefore obeyed, leads us to eternal life.


When we repent, turn to God in submission to His Lordship, we are making an eternal commitment to obey Him as Lord.


His doctrine and commandments are the way of love; loving God and loving our neighbor.


The new nature we are given, empowered by the Spirit of grace, enables us to walk according to the Spirit of righteousness and holiness, rather than walking according to the sinful desires of our flesh.


JLB

 

[JLB]

This is all to do with being saved in this life and in working out our salvation, by our demonstration of our love for him.

Yes, only a born again, regenerate, saved person can live a life of love and obedience to God.


His Commandments are not burdensome.


By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:2-3

when messages to Christians starts with strict obedience to laws and precepts I get suspicious,

When I see Christians using language such as “strict obedience to laws and rules and commandments and precepts”, I get suspicious.


It makes me wonder where they learned their doctrine.


“If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15


If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10



JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

Born again means you are able to see with spiritual eyes now.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

There is one problem I have with what you said here. We have been born of flesh and our minds tend to focus in this realm. We have a difficult time really believing that someone could actually have been born with God as his literal father. So, I would suspect that MOST people don't really believe Jesus is the son.

Jesus agrees with you.
Matthew 7:13

13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

 

[GodsGrace]

When people start talking like this I get suspicious, as in my experience it devolves into follow these rules.

The gospel is a message of grace that leads us through our love for Jesus to obey him.

Do you believe there are no rules to follow?

Jesus said we must be born from above.
Our spirit must be one with God's spirit.

But He also said that we are truly His friends if we follow His commandments,
we truly love Him if we follow His commandments.
John 14:23
John 15:14

All Jesus did for over 3 years was to teach how we should live.
If all it took was to believe in Him,,,then His ministry would have been very short.

We are disciples of Jesus and follow Him the best we can since we are taught by Him.
If we need teaching...it means there are rules.

We keep the commandments because we love God...
But, nonetheless, there are commandments to keep.

One does not exclude the other....
which many do.

 

[JLB]

We keep the commandments because we love God...

Although I agree, I would like to add, that keeping His commandments is how we love God.


For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3


Regardless of our words, that we say we love God, our actions are the ultimate proof that we love God, because we love our neighbor.


If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:20-21



JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

Although I agree, I would like to add, that keeping His commandments is how we love God.


For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3


Regardless of our words, that we say we love God, our actions are the ultimate proof that we love God, because we love our neighbor.


If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:20-21



JLB

Very good point.
Our obedience SHOWS our love for God.

As James said,,,,faith without works is a dead faith .
James said, as did Jesus, that we will be judged by our good works.
James 2:12 James calls it doing what God wants us to do.

And he also says, as you have, that helping others PROVES our faith.
James 2:14

So we must not only say that we have faith....
but show and prove that we have it by our good deeds.
James 2:17