Open Letter To All Religious Churchians

To whomsoever it may concern, for whom Christ died,

In my house, we have been praying that we will be worthy of his coming, and that our garments are not mothed and dirty. [Luke 21:36, James 5:2, Revelation 3:4, Revelation 16:15] I have something that I want to repent of. The only way that I can see to be able to explain it to you is with a letter and verses. Many of these verses you will know, so I have tried to just put references to them instead of making this too long to read.

The Bible says confess your faults to your brethren, [James 5:16] “Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

It also says, “test the spirits.” [1 Thessalonians 5:20–21, 1 John 4:1]

While I was in Florida we went out and did some witnessing with a friend, the guy that I went with confused me so much that I had to go through and make sure that what I knew was correct. We should have a good understanding of forgiveness/atonement and how its mechanics works. I am very technical, so if something doesn’t make sense I have issues, it is just how God made me. I am not going to go into the back story, because it is too long, basically the guy would give a partial Gospel going off in all kinds of directions. However, this is what I found in the bible about how forgiveness/atonement works. I have known parts of this but not all put together, I guess that is what happens when you have to listen to your dad every Sunday preach… la, la, la, la, la.

Starting with when Adam and Eve sinned God showed them that there must be a payment for the sin they committed. God sacrificed an animal (quite possibly a sheep). God show them that it he requires blood to pay for a crime committed against him. This is seen all the way through the Old Testament when Abel offered an animal and having faith in the blood sacrifice [Heb 11:4]. When Noah, sacrificed and burned and offered on an altar [Gen 8:20]. When Abraham offered Isaac on the altar and God gave a sheep to sacrifice instead. When Moses, built altars and called upon the name of the Lord. During the Passover in Egypt they had to apply the blood. Leviticus 17:11 says, that the blood makes atonement for the soul. And [Heb 12:24] says, that what Jesus did speaketh better things than that of Abel. [Heb 9:7-28, Heb 10:4], and [Heb 10:19] explains this in extreme detail. It talks about ‘how’ the patterns apply from Old Testament into the New Testament. And so the Gospel is spelled out in [1 Corinthians 15:1-4]. I have also found that Peter got in trouble by Paul for making the gentiles behave like the Jews in [Galatians 2:10]. Peter repented and changed his mind and said in [2 Peter 3:15] that Paul was given wisdom that we should learn. In [1 Corinthians 15:3] it talks about “how” Christ Died and the latter in Hebrews explains the how.

So then, they used a blood sacrifice to call upon the name of the Lord. However, “Call” seems to have changed in meaning through the years. Webster's Dictionary says,

1. To name,

2. To request to meet or come,

3. To invite,

4. To appoint or designate,

5. To invoke or appeal to,

6. To utter a loud sound,

7. To draw into union with Christ, to bring to know, believe and obey the gospel.

Romans 10:13-14 says, Call upon the name of the Lord, and then it says, how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? [2Ti 2:22] says, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Because [Eph 2:8-9] says it is not of works, that means you cannot “DO” anything to be saved and forgiven. I do not want to be guilty of honouring Jesus with my lips: [Mar 7:6] He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. [Mar 7:7] Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. [Mar 7:8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. Also, there are examples of how words have changed through history, today we would think that the word “letteth” means “to permit or to allow” in [2 Thessalonians 2:7], however in the bible dictionary the same word means “hinder/restrain/hold back.”

John R. Rice said:

Many people believe that a sinner cannot be saved without a period of prayer, without consciously calling upon God. However, the Bible does not say that a sinner must pray in order to be saved. In fact, immediately following the verse in [Rom. 10:13] is an explanation which shows that calling on God is an evidence of faith in the heart and that it is really faith which settles the matter... No matter how long he prays, if he does not trust in Christ, he can never be saved. If he trusts in Christ without conscious prayer, then he is saved already. There is just one plan of salvation and just one step a sinner must take to secure it. That step is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Charles H. Spurgeon said:

Thou art to be saved by faith in Christ...and in Christ alone. Do not think thou must experience this, or that, before thou comest unto Jesus...Rely not on anything thou canst DO, or THINK, or SAY, or know; rest alone on Jesus only, and thou art saved. Give up all other trusts, and rely on Jesus alone, alone on Jesus, and thou shalt pass from death unto life. ~ written in The Sword and The Trowel Magazine 1895 “Christ's Atoning Sacrifice.”

In a book, God's Plan With Men, T.T. Martin (1862-1939) wrote, in which he shows that it's IMPOSSIBLE for man to obtain salvation from God by “asking for it in prayer.” Several excerpts:

When one faces the question of his sins and realizes that he deserves just punishment, one of the first impulses is to pray and beg God to be let off, to be forgiven. Alas! Much of the religious instruction to the sinner is to the same effect. Many feel that God forgives the sinner because he begs to be forgiven instead of because he accepts and relies upon the atoning death of Christ as his Substitute. But God does not forgive a lost sinner just because he begs for forgiveness.

Jesus to Nicodemus gave no such instruction [John 3:14-16]. Philip to the eunuch gave no such instruction [Acts 8:29-39]. Paul and Silas to the jailer gave no such instruction [Acts 16:30, 31]. Peter to the household of Cornelius gave no such instruction [Acts 10:42,43].

The Gospel of John, the one book specially given to lead a sinner to be saved, gives no such instruction [John 20:30,31].

T.T. Martin shows that man's first desire when found guilty is to BEG or ASK to be forgiven. But this is not the Gospel. God never tells anyone to ask Him for forgiveness. If salvation were obtained by simply uttering a prayer or begging God to be let off, then Jesus would not have had to die on the cross! He could have stayed in heaven and used a prophet to tell us, “Okay, now I'm starting a new dispensation. Anyone who just prays, begging me for salvation, I'll accept and give them the new birth!” I have been guilty of this and I didn’t even know it!

T.T. Martin continues by giving us the illustration of judicial law. He says:

Every transgression must have “a just recompense of reward,” however sorry the sinner may be, however much he may pray and beg to be forgiven, let off; however much the priest or preacher or friends may pray for him to be forgiven, to be let off. A man who has violated the state law falls on his knees before the judge, confesses his sin and begs the judge to forgive him, to let him off; and he calls men from the audience to come and help him beg. The judge replies, “If I should yield to these petitions I would be a perjurer; I would trample on law. Every transgression must receive a just recompense of reward.” Would that all could realize that every prayer from sinner, priest, or preacher, for a sinner to be forgiven, let off, is a prayer to God to become a perjurer. If sinners could realize that, after all their kneeling every night and confessing their sins, and praying to be forgiven, to be let off, every sin ever committed is still there, and that “Apart from shedding of blood there is no remission,” they would then realize their real need of a Saviour, a Redeemer.

No righteous judge in any court of law would let a condemned man go free simply because he “asked to be let go” or “prayed that he give him leave.”

Next, to define repentance is to feel pain, sorrow, or regret for something done or spoken, also to change one’s mind on the subject. [Luke 13:3-5].

Examples of sacrifices and unrepentant hearts that were rejected by God (Esau, Nadab, Abihu, Judas):

Esau in [Hebrews 12:16-17], Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Esau prayed and cried and God rejected him. He didn’t feel sorry for what he did.
Nadab and Abihu tried to innovate the sacrificial system, the violations that got them in trouble was unauthorized entry, lack of reverence, and offered strange fire, they used fire from another source and should have used the fire from the brazen altar, I found that it is suggested that they were intoxicated also and then God consumed them with fire. Leviticus 10.
Judas Iscariot called upon Jesus with “Hail, Master” [Matthew 26:49]. [Matthew 27:3-4] says, Judas REPENTED HIMSELF and saying I HAVE SINNED to the elders. He did not repent to God and he sure did not trust the Blood of Jesus to forgive him (verbal confession). Judas made confession to a priest, just as every Roman Catholic does. But they do not receive forgiveness of sins because of it, and neither did Judas. Forgiveness only comes through trusting the blood of Jesus [Eph. 1:7]. Clearly, the moment a person BELIEVES, he is saved [Eph. 1:13]. Paul plainly tells us in [2 Corinthians 4:13] “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I BELIEVED, and THEREFORE have I SPOKEN; we also believe, and therefore speak.” After a sinner's saved, he will SPEAK, or CONFESS that he is saved! SPEAKING THE CONFESSION itself isn't what saves a man, FAITH is necessary for God to give a man the new birth. But, if a man is saved, he will then CONFESS that he has trusted Christ as his Saviour!

So, there is a group of people that God speaks of, and that “Says Lord, Lord”; I do not want to be part of this group! In [Matthew 7:21-23], we see people who called upon the Lord, but were never saved: Not everyone 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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. They are trusting in what they did, prophesy, casting out devils, many wonderful works… Matthew 7 tells us that they did not have faith from the heart in the finished work of Christ.

There are things in the Old Testament that are used as a way to show how salvation works, [Luke 18:13-14] as an example of forgiveness is Old Testament. The New Testament starts where Jesus Died, was buried, and rose again, and his blood hit the ground, and after he rose he ascended to heaven to offer himself up to God as our Atonement for sin. Luke 18, is not an example after Jesus died. Also when Peter said “Lord, Save Me” [Matthew 14:30] he didn’t want to drown, he was not asking Jesus to save his soul, he called for physical salvation of his life, not spiritual salvation of his soul. Then as we know Peter denied Jesus, so we know he had a heart problem. Those are a few examples of calling upon the Lord in the wrong way, and I do not want to be guilty of this.

How does God Forgive us? [Mat 6:12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [Mat 6:14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: As? If? For the As and If we find in Luke 17:3 the process that is given for us to forgive each other. [Luk 17:3] Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. So in the process, it goes step 1. Rebuke(express disapproval), step 2. If he feels sorry and changes his mind(repents) then go to 3 if not go back to step 1, step 3. (Forgive) him. Luke 17:4 says if the entire process fails repeat the process steps 1-3. So in this order we learn that the Holy Ghost Convicts(rebuke), I feel sorry and change my mind about my direction(repent), it is God’s job to (Forgive)! In the above process we do not find anything that tells us that we must “Ask” for forgiveness so that we might receive it. Also remember that the Lords prayer is putting the Law on a pedestal, you would think that forgiveness is conditional if you only teach the Lords Prayer, remember, this was given pre-Cross. Are we not in trouble if we are only forgiven by how much we forgive? Is it a me centered gospel or Jesus Centered Gospel? Is forgiveness once for all or is it progressive little by little?

[Hebrews 10:10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].

I cannot find anything in the bible that says “Ask for your sins to be forgiven.”, “Ask and you will be saved.” I cannot find anything of the sort. So as we know: [Luk 6:45] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Thus, I have repented from “Asking for Forgiveness.”

The old me every night and all the time:

“Dear Lord, please forgive me of (x sin) that I have done that displeases you. Help me to do better. (over and over every time I fail)”

The Short version during the day when something happens; “Please forgive me.”

The new me every night and all the time:

“Dear Lord, I am sorry for (x sin) that I have done that has displeased you, do not want to do it again, please help me to do better, Thank You O Lord for your Forgiveness/Atonement in this matter because you said ‘IT IS FINISHED’.”

The Short version during the day when something happens; “Sorry Lord, Thank You for your Forgiveness.”

The old me was constantly asking for forgiveness, the new me is constantly giving thanks after I repent and even when I forget to repent. When Jesus forgives us of all sins, it is for the Past-Present-Future, so all I can do is say I am sorry and give thanks.

[Eph 2:8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

If forgiveness/salvation/atonement is a gift, how can I “Ask” for it? All that is left is to “Receive” it, and show God my gratitude. What do you say when you receive a Christmas Present? “Thank You!” [Psalm 30:12] and [1 Thessalonians 2:13] says we should give thanks forever that believe!!! This verse says that ‘by faith Christ is in us’ it does not tell you to “ask” for it. [Eph 3:17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith… see companion verses [Galatians 2:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:10, Colossians 1:27, Galatians 4:19, Galatians 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, Romans 8:10].

I have noticed with my children that it drives me nuts when they ask every 30 seconds for something. God has to be annoyed when I was constantly ‘asking for forgiveness’ all the time when He said ‘IT IS FINISHED’!

Do you believe man or do you believe what God says about the New Covenant?

Did you know that there is a transition from the Old to the New?

[Hebrews 8:7] For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second [covenant].

In Christ and in Love (Eph 3:17),

Matthew, for whom Christ died!

Video's pertaining to the subject:

Topics Amos 8:11, Faith, famine, Featured, Matthew, Open Letter, Repent, repentance, Salvation, soteriology, The Gospel

119 comments:

ozark7/15/2021 4:38 PM
beautiful,...transforming
Brandon7/15/2021 5:16 PM
I love this post. Thank you Matt.

Along the same line of thinking, the below pasted forum post REALLY helped me have a firm foundation for what is repentance. Robert Breakers videos about the blood where important for me too.

board.unsealed.org/thread/213/repentance

I grew up in a Baptist Church and had fallen into a confessional "loop," so to speak. I had an understanding that salvation is by faith in Jesus' shed blood on the cross and I had "asked Jesus into my heart" when I was young and had repeatedly over the course of my life been asking for forgiveness for my sins. Nevertheless, I don't think that understanding or even asking necessarily correlated with actually possessing a faith that Jesus's shed blood HAD BEEN APPLIED to my own soul.

Why would I repeatedly ask God to save me or have doubts in my heart, if the inner man within me truly believed that I was?

The hard truth is that if I had at that time truly believed, I wouldn't have asked! Therefore, such doubt revealed that the faith I had was not FULLY in Jesus. I guess that I still had doubts that Jesus would do for me, what I at that time I already knew he could do for me. I needed an anchor and that anchor is "THROUGH faith in his blood." I needed to understand the "through."

Faith + Doubts =/= "not equal to" Faith

Basically, I had to properly understand repentance, to be able to get off my "confessional" knees and instead make my stand in God's faithfulness being my victory. His shed blood on the cross is the atonement for my sins. Mechanically, for years I already known that part, but I still needed to separate out confession from salvation, so that 100% of my confidence could rest on Jesus's death, burial and resurrection on the cross.

I guess my point is that having faith is more than just an understanding and even a request to God to be saved. No, REAL FAITH is so firmly rooted in the truth that Jesus is faithful to save those who believe in his propitiation, that there is no doubts. I stopped asking myself when I got saved because I no longer cared about "being sure" of a date and instead I (or probably the Holy Spirit) cast out all doubt by believing the Holy Spirit HAD ALREADY baptized me into the body of Christ. Hillary's follow up article to your "The Lawless Lawkeeper's" helped me too.

Anyways, the same very moment that my heart possessed this unwavering faith, is I believe the same moment that I was truly baptized into the body of Christ. Who cares when? I sure don't care when. I'm more than content just resting in the faithfulness of Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. He gave me this faith and there's nothing that can shake it.

Basically, I never had peace until I stopped confessing and started believing.
Berna Jae7/15/2021 6:40 PM
Excellent
Servant of God7/15/2021 9:49 PM
Just for context, asking of God in scripture. I limited to New Testament, for there are way too many!
A couple points I will make. Even though you know your parents will and do forgive you, is it not a sign of respect to ask for it and not to continue in the manner you asked forgiveness for? Why would all the apostles and Jesus tell us anything we ask for in his name, and or in accordance with his will, will be given us, if asking for forgiveness was frowned upon or not accepted? The knowledge that He will always forgive us if we repent of our sin, is not saying that showing the respect of asking Him, thereby acknowledging our deed and humbling ourselves, is to be abandoned. Jesus himself asked the father to forgive those who crucified him, so asking forgiveness is good for other peoples sin but not our own?

Matthew 6:8, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:11, Matthew 18:19, Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24, Luke 11:9, Luke 11:13, John 11:22, John 14:13, John 14:14, John 15:7 , John 15:16, John 16:23, John 16:24, Colossians 1:9 , James 1:5, James 1:6, James 4:2, James 4:3, 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:14, 1 John 5:15, 1 John 5:16
The Lamb is Victorious 4 Ever7/15/2021 11:28 PM
HeDied4U.com

Gregg7/16/2021 1:20 AM
Christianity is a way of life not a Religion! How can there be a doubt of that? Paul created a Church, whose members make up the body of Christ. One body! Paul only knew one story. He got it from God, and he devoted his life to teaching all who would become his brother in Christ, the meaning of the brotherhood of Christ and the promise of redemption fulfilled.
For centuries, religious organizations have adopted the Christian way of life as the basis for their belief system, each claiming it their own, with each dividing the word differently, but all practicing the rituals of religion that have been handed down by tradition for two millennia.
What happened to the body Paul began? Funny, God asked the same question of each of the Churches in Revelation. Two are singled out for praise; Smyrna, for enduring the bitterness of persecution, and Philadelphia, the body of brotherly love for keeping the truth of His word. The others are reminded of their short fallings and finally warned in the end time age of Laodicea to repent or suffer the Great Tribulation.
If we are in the time of the end signaled by the events of Daniels prophecy coming to life on the stage of history, then we are in the time when the Christian Church on earth is depicted in Revelation as the Laodicean Church. Laodiceans are going to be spit out unless they repent.
Philadelphian’s on the other hand have a door being held open for them by Jesus, and His promise that He won’t let the warning to the Laodiceans last very long.
John is writing to the Churches that Paul started. In just a few years the body of Christ that Paul started was already beginning to be diluted into what became the exchange of a way of life for a structured set of religious beliefs known generically as Christianity.. Each sharing the common intention of getting followers to heaven through them.
Paul was a blunt talking preacher. He got right to the point and didn’t mince many words. His end time prophecy is pervasive through out his teachings, yet seldom do I find or hear of a guru teaching on it.
Typical of the time I guess, because a major characteristics of the Laodicean’s is their blindness and their need for eye salve.
Scripture shows that God punished the Jews in line with the Covenant He made with them, but the covenant that He made with the Church doesn't involve punishment; it involves forgiveness and reward for being a member of the body.
Jesus died for all man kind, and His covenant requires a willful act to become a member and participate in the forgiveness and the reward. You either join in or you don't! It's just that simple. It makes no difference to God what kind of sins you commit. He’s not looking to punish you for them, He’s looking for you to recognize that they are sins, and to know that because you do, you are being looked at through the work of Jesus, and they are covered by Him. The word sin comes from the Greek; Homorita, which means to fall short. Everything we do as humans falls short of the glory of God, therefore no sin is "worse" than any other, and all of them, past, present and future were nailed to the cross that Jesus bore.
Gregg7/16/2021 1:21 AM
God is looking for trust from man, not perfection. Remember folks, we are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we’re sinners.
I can think of two reasons why God made us sinners. First, it fits His plan perfectly to use our sinfulness to keep the connection with us alive and vital. Our personal relationship is dependent on sinning! We stay connected to God by knowing that our sins were forgiven by His actions, and working directly with Him in our daily struggle to avoid the Devil and his temptations. Without owning up to sins, we would have no need for God. Secondly, for His own good, He uses our sins to build the trust in Him that is requires to accept His word as fact, so you can freely accept the graciousness of the gift of His mercy. Sin gives grace meaning. That’s why He doesn’t make and end to it until the end.
Christians are Raptured! Paul said that you are changed from corruptible to incorruptible when you put on your immortality. You are no longer a sinner, but sin goes on, and the Great Tribulation is how He deals with it after the Rapture, with those who mistrusted Him and didn’t accept His gift.
The law is included in the covenant with the Jews, not Christians! Christians are covered by Grace, which is "unmerited favor" from God because of what Jesus did. Faith is what saves, and faith is an action based upon belief and sustained by confidence. People are either in Christ or not in Christ, and scripture is clear about how you get in Christ; you must ask Him in, and when you do, by God’s GRACE you receive eternal life for your FAITH, instead of the death that sinners deserve, because the LAW says, for sin comes DEATH!
PoseMotion7/16/2021 7:27 AM
The Lord's prayer has a line of repentance in it (forgive us for our debts). Both Jesus and Peter said to repent. Revelation 9:21 said they would not repent of their sins. Revelation 14:12 talks about those who keep the commandments of GOD. Jesus said he did not come to destroy the Law but fulfill it. The Law still stands and even Jesus told you to repent in His own prayer and other places in the Bible.
Matthew7/16/2021 8:50 AM
Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Sally Sullivan7/16/2021 9:48 AM
Worship, Praise, Adoration, Joy, Peace, Prayer, Hymns/Songs, Celebration, Honor and Homage, Thanks
Giving, True Justice, Absence of Evil/Promise of Eternity ... COME SOON, LIVING AND ETERNAL KING AND PRIEST JESUS CHRIST - OUR TRUE SALVATION ! We seek to be in YOUR PRESENCE !!!
Brandon7/16/2021 10:08 AM
Gregg,

You've said that scripture is clear that people are saved by "asking Christ in", but where can such scripture be found? Here's all of the "ask" New Testament verses."

https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=ask&t=KJV&csr=9#s=s_primary_0_1

Sure there are many verses stating that the believer can ask for God's provision and he will provide, but those are directed to those who already believe. Might it be a mistake to assume such verses are about asking for salvation?

Alternatively, what I do find is lots of verses about having faith/believing in Jesus who died, was buried, and resurrected, by which our propitiation is made available through faith in his blood.

Acts 14:27 "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles."

Why not call this the door of acceptance, the door of asking for Jesus forgiveness, the door of remorse? No, it's the door of faith.

Acts 15:9 "And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."

Are hearts purified by asking for forgiveness or by faith?

Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

We're sanctified by faith. Why no mention of "asking Jesus in?"

Romans 3:22 "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"

There's still no asking in sight, but again we see that believing in Jesus is the means of being made righteous. None of these verses are about needing breed, clothing, water, protection, ect. These are about salvation through faith alone. There is no mention that you must "ask him in." Why not mention it anywhere? It is perhaps because the asking isn't the same as having faith in Jesus?

Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"

What is connected to faith is the blood, which is clearly spelled out as the means by which Jesus is able to provide the remission of sins.
Annette7/16/2021 10:44 AM
Thank you for contenting for truth; what a Salvation!
Brandon7/16/2021 10:53 AM
With "asking" hopefully now out of sight from a connection to salvation, one should then look to a similar term in the Bible that does have verses linked to salvation and that word is to "call" upon the Lord. I found only a few verses linking "calling" with being saved in context of salvation of the soul.

Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

That seems rather straight forward, right? All that call on Jesus are saved! Well not exactly. Those people who call shall be saved, but Romans provides some additional information that specifies calling is impossible without belief!

Romans 10:14 "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

Just two verses later, obeying the gospel is specifically stated not as "calling," but rather as believing.

Romans 10:16 "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?"

Without spending an absorbent amount of time, my point is to show that faith is always the means. Although "calling" is referenced a few times, with the guarantee that those who call are sure to be saved; such calling is impossible without faith, so we know people who do biblically "call" are people possessing faith. It's as if such calling is the by-product of a heart that has been filled with faith in Jesus.

These people who have faith, will be the same people who call upon the Lord and of course they are saved, sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, baptized into the body of Christ and eventually will be raised up at the redemption of the purchased possession. I think the Bible connects salvation with being "saved" from all of these things. Since the rapture hasn't yet occurred, even we who have already found salvation and are alive and those who have already found salvation and are dead, will still be future tense "saved" by the glorification of our bodies at some time yet to come. Therefore, "shall be" ... saved is not necessarily indicative that such people with the promise of being saved in the future tense are not already currently "saved" in the sense of possessing eternal life because of faith in the gospel.
Brandon7/16/2021 10:53 AM
I don't think it's wise to jump to the conclusion that "asking Jesus in" is what is going on in the case of people "calling" on the Lord or that "asking Jesus in" is the moment of sealing of the Holy Spirit. We've seen that those who call on the Lord are people who have already believed. They're people who by the practice of their faith in the blood of Jesus will pray/call to God, in the name of Jesus. They will share the good news to others, that Jesus is the one who saves. Their tongues will ask Jesus for his provision in their time of need. They'll call to Jesus for wisdom. His name will be on their lips, and so calling unto the Lord will be common occurrence for these crazy to the world Christians, who testify of the blood of the Messiah. Why wouldn't people of such faith in the gospel speak his name? Why wouldn't scripture testify they'll being saved?

Nevertheless, it's the not "calling" that is the means of salvation. It's their faith in the gospel that brings forgiveness through the blood of the lamb. Does man accept God by "asking him in" or does God accept man by faith in Jesus?
Gary Ramey7/16/2021 1:18 PM
As usual an excellent article on a timely topic...
I've had similar thoughts, but never rationalized them in quite that way. I always assumed that during the period of His suffering, while He was separated from His Father, He was paying not just for every sin that had been committed but, for every sin that would ever be committed. So, rather than asking for forgiveness for the sins I had committed that day, I would express my sorrow for adding to His suffering that day.
unknown7/16/2021 2:16 PM
This has the potential to become one of those discussions that really only holds real-world consequences for a very select few. And therefore, it's not worth being argumentative about.

Have you asked for salvation? Do you wish to stop sinning? I think the great majority of us are in that category. So pray anyway you wish. Have your regrets before or after, whatever your pleasure. Coming to grips with the very idea of "faith" can take awhile.

Neither does it behoove anyone to make abstract rules, statements, or dogmatic posts for the 1%. Never rule for the exception, because that's what we call a "rabbit hole," and it borders on missing the forest for the trees. Conversely, if you really want to push it to the nth degree, I suggest both sides start yet another Protestant branch over it . . . cause that's what we need right now.

Jeremy
Mick7/16/2021 8:06 PM
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
I certainly found out this for my salvation in Christ, His Word totally spoke volumes to me, and I use the word spoke, yep and I heard alright, back in 1999. and admittedly I agree with the subject Gary has written here, taken a number of years to realise that I didn't need to continiously ask for forgiveness as I am forgiven, and yes I give thanks, but I do say this that through a 3 week lockdown, I fasted 21 days and much came out of me into a new understanding of relationship with Jesus and faith, I'm so greatful for what Christ has done for me, and now I stand fully convinced in Christ Jesus my Lord.
Mick7/16/2021 8:07 PM
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
I certainly found out this for my salvation in Christ, His Word totally spoke volumes to me, and I use the word spoke, yep and I heard alright, back in 1999. and admittedly I agree with the subject Gary has written here, taken a number of years to realise that I didn't need to continiously ask for forgiveness as I am forgiven, and yes I give thanks, but I do say this that through a 3 week lockdown, I fasted 21 days and much came out of me into a new understanding of relationship with Jesus and faith, I'm so greatful for what Christ has done for me, and now I stand fully convinced in Christ Jesus my Lord.
Jeff Cain7/17/2021 10:42 AM
Spot on Matthew. Recognize that all these other things are good! To be encouraged for sure. But they have zero to do with our adoption. Believe on the (work of) the Lord Jesus Christ=Salvation.
Matthew7/17/2021 11:21 PM
Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

^^^ Peace be with you all.
JackN 🦊 Foxman On The Wall7/18/2021 2:46 PM
Beautiful article.

So many in on this topic right now elsewhere too. :)

I think it shows the awakening of those who have been asleep, as well as the resolve of those who are already awake. :)

🚫 🍇

·····|\︵/|··
··╱ɷ ɷ╲··
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Foxman on the Wall
Jenny7/18/2021 5:45 PM
There's a difference between Fellowship and Union.
* * * * *
Being saved means we are in UNION (Unified = at one with) with God;
whether we confess our sins or not we cannot loose our salvation.
But, God is Holy and cannot abide sin.
Being saved does not mean we are free to sin just because we still have a sin nature
and expect to get away with it.
While Christ's death on the cross was a once and for all remuneration for all of our sins, past and present, sin can still take us out of FELLOWSHIP with God.
I agree that God already knows we are all sinners and knows before we do the sins we will commit.
But, I don't agree that we should not acknowledge our sins and thank God for his forgiveness.
David did.
He even asked God to forgive his "hidden sins."
It shows acknowledgement of the wrong doing on our part
and reminds us of the sacrifice made on our behalf,
as well as the grace and mercy bestowed upon us.
Like The Prodigal Son, we're still our Father's child,
but until we TAKE ACTION and repent, come back to our Father's home,
we've allowed sin to separate us from God's blessing and favor in our lives.
I know when I pray and ask God's forgiveness that I am already forgiven.
But, I also know, as the old saying goes, that "confession is good for the soul."
It puts me back on the right track with God.
* * * * *
It's sort of like knowing your mother's birthday is February 22nd, but if you never acknowledge it and tell her Happy Birthday, what difference does the knowing make. And, it makes mom happy.

Jenny7/18/2021 5:59 PM
BTW, I noted the painting depicting Martin Luther pinning up his 95 Thesis.
Luther was all about forgiveness and not having to go through a priest or paying for indulgences in order to do so!
Luther actually, gasp, suggested congregants could pray directly to God!
About anything, but especially concerning the forgiveness of their sins.

Number 36: Every Christian who is truly contrite has complete remission both of penance and of guilt as his due, even without a letter of pardon (from the pope).
WVBORN567/19/2021 7:24 AM
Romans 10:9 "If you confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"

John 3:16 "for God so loved the world that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life"

Ephesians 2:8-9 "for you are saved by grace through faith, and it is not from yourselves; it is a gift of God, not from works so that no man can boast."
peacewithin7/20/2021 8:49 AM
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Proverbs 28:13
Jim7/20/2021 9:41 AM
Gary, Gregg, I'm trying to get something in front of your eyes. If you believe it is valid you will want to tell people about it. Looking at the scripture I don't see how it isn't valid but this isn't taught by anyone that I've ever listened to. I went through it with my Bible looking at each scripture and it changed the way I see intercession. All I want to do now is think of someone else I can pray for. Start at 8:47, the beginning is rapture speculation for 2020. https://youtu.be/W5rdQuvvG-E
Jim7/20/2021 12:18 PM
Gregg,

First of all I will say this isn't traditionally taught. I have watched several times and looked up the scripture in the original languages and I don't see anything wrong with what he is saying.
The scriptural references are;
Romans 9:15
Romans 9:21
1 Timothy 4:10
1 Timothy 2:20-21
Deuteronomy 16:11

He is making the case that when we intercede for someone WE are counting them worthy to escape these things which are coming upon the earth. That particular verse has always bothered me because those covered by the blood of Christ are worthy based on what He has done (why would we pray to be counted worthy?). The unbelieving Jews are going through the Tribulation (why would they pray to be counted worthy). Obviously unbelieving gentiles are not praying to be counted worthy either. I believe something was hidden here and I think the video explains it and it is absolutely astounding if he is correct. You will need to watch the video to fully understand. I can't do justice to his reasoning in a paragraph. Maranatha.
Jim7/20/2021 12:55 PM
It is 2 Timothy 2:20-21
Zachary7/21/2021 8:29 AM
221163 = jfk death
22173 = lbj death
lbj is 12210
Moin7/24/2021 2:03 PM
At https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/02/1970s-stagflation-2008-debt-crisis-global-economy "Conditions are ripe for repeat of 1970s stagflation and 2008 debt crisis Nouriel Roubini":

"Warning signs are there for global economy, and central banks will be left in impossible position

In April, I warned that today’s extremely loose monetary and fiscal policies, when combined with a number of negative supply shocks, could result in 1970s-style stagflation (high inflation alongside a recession). In fact, the risk today is even bigger than it was then."

See also https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/stagflation-threat-after-covid19-pandemic-by-nouriel-roubini-2021-04 "Is Stagflation Coming?".

High inflation combined with an economic depression, are that the conditions prior to the Rapture which will further worsen until the hyperinflation of Revelation 6 (Third Seal with Rider on a black horse)?
Van helsing7/30/2021 6:39 PM
I cant believe that the law vs.grace thing is still being debated. Jesus himself encapsulated the law to this. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart as well as your neighbor and yourself". That is paraphrased but thats what he said. Since the day of Pentecost we live under a different administration. Before that day salvation was conditional and could be taken away. After that day, unconditional. I am a born again believer. If I went out and committed mass murder tomorrow I will still go up when the Rapture happens. I dont want to try to imagine the butt chewing I would get from the Lord if I did that but I would never forget it and would lose whatever rewards I had coming to me.

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