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The Most Important 2023 New Years Resolution Anyone Can Make

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The Gospel (The “Good News”) is that Jesus Christ, The Eternally Existing Son of God, God The Son, died for all the sins of the entire world (which includes every person who has or will ever live) according to the Scriptures, was buried (proving He was dead), and rose again on the 3rd Day according to the Scriptures for your justification. (1st Corinthians 15:1-4) Those who believe Jesus didn’t pay for ALL their sins past, present & future (and they were ALL future 2,000 yrs ago) and that they still have to pay for their future sins on their own by repenting/confessing don’t believe in The Jesus of The Bible. They have another Jesus. A Jesus who didn’t proclaim, “Tetelestai!” (“It is FINISHED”/”Debt Paid in FULL).

Their counterfeit Jesus only made PARTIAL payment, a “downpayment”…and expects you to perfectly fulfill all remaining installments.

The real Jesus of The Bible warned us MANY would come in His Name (i.e., those who claim to be “Christians”) and “deceive MANY.” (MATTHEW 24, MARK 13). Sadly, the vast majority of self professing Christians (I’d say around 99%) have the wrong Jesus…A counterfeit religious Jesus who expects you to ultimately save yourself by law/commandment keeping (repenting of sins, getting water baptized, regular sin confession to a pastor or priest, regular church attendance, tithing etc…)

If you asked them if they are 100% positive if Jesus paid for all their sins and that they are 100% certain they are saved and going to heaven when they die the most common answers you are most likely to hear include (but aren’t limited to):

“I hope so. If I keep doing good.”

“Yes, as long as I continue living a holy life, repenting of sins and going to church.”

“Yes, as long as I persevere to the end by following the commandments.”

“Yes, as long as I remain faithful to God by serving Him daily.”

And, what do all these answers/statements have in common? All of them conclude that salvation is ultimately based on the actions of the person. Their faith is ultimately in THEMSELVES. They’ve trusted PARTIALLY in Jesus but MOSTLY in THEMSELVES. They say they believe Jesus paid their entire sin debt but in the very next breath contradict themselves by asserting that there are still sins they must repent from, a certain way of life they must live, things they must DO, etc…in order to be completely/fully saved.

And, The Bible teaches that a person MUST trust in Christ ALONE as savior (in HIS finished redemptive work on The Cross ALONE…HIS death, burial and ressurection) to be saved.

100% faith in Christ.

25% won’t do it…

50% won’t do it…

75% won’t do it…

99.9999% won’t do it…

ONLY 100% FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE WILL SAVE A PERSON IMMEDIATELY & PERMANENTLY!!!!!

Lots of people make New Years Resolutions…

In 2023, I’d HIGHLY recommend resolving to make 100% CERTAIN you have trusted (believed/placed your faith) in The Jesus Christ of The Bible ALONE and not in any of the myriad of those whom Jesus warned us would come in His Name and deceive MANY. For narrow is the way and straight is the gate that leads to ETERNAL LIFE and FEW there be who find it. But BROAD is the road that leads to destruction and MANY there be which travel upon it… The NARROW WAY & STRAIGHT GATE that FEW find is 100% FAITH in Jesus Christ ALONE!!!! God promises eternal life to all who trust in Christ ALONE as savior.

Those who believe salvation can be “lost” or must be demonstrated by works believe salvation is conditional, temporary and probationary. They don’t believe they have eternal life and have called God a liar (1st John 5). They may consider themselves to be believers but they can’t call God a liar and be a believer simultaneously…It’s not possible to call God a liar while simultaneously claiming to believe His Word to be true…

Praying this reaches some folks who’ve never trusted in The Jesus Christ of The Bible ALONE to be saved…

God made salvation easy.

The enemy (satan) will do anything in his power to convince you otherwise…

“For it is by GRACE you have been saved through FAITH. This is not of yourselves. It is the GIFT of God. Not by works lest any man should boast.” Epeshians 2:8-9

“BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and you WILL be saved.” Acts 16:31 “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would BELIEVE in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

The Gospel of Grace is Neither “Cheap” nor “Easy Believism”

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Many often accuse me and other grace preachers & teachers of preaching “cheap grace” & “easy believism.”

Let me be clear: Grace is, by definition, God’s unmerited favor.

Grace is not worked for or earned.

It is FREELY offered by God and FREELY received by the recipient. To assert that grace is “cheap” implies that there is some element of cost associated with it. And of course, this very concept is anti-thetical to the very definition of grace.

Grace is FREE by definition!

No cost! Zero…zilch…NADA!

And salvation is solely on the basis of God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone!

Those who refer to the Gospel of Grace as “cheap” demonstrate a profound lack of understanding of exactly what grace is and therefore reveal that they have, most likely, never received God’s FREE GIFT of salvation.

As to the claim that those who preach and teach The Gospel of Grace that we are teaching “easy believism,” this very description they use (“easy believism”) implies that they believe that salvation by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone is essentially too easy and that there is more to it (i.e., commandment keeping, repenting of sins, getting water baptized, etc…).

What they are really saying is that salvation is actually VERY difficult which is, of course, again, antithetical to God’s Word which over 200 times in the New Testament is solely on the basis of God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone:-)

Once a person BELIEVES The Gospel (that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again on the 3rd Day according to the Scriptures for their justification) they are instantaneously sealed by the Holy Spirit, baptized by The Holy Spirit into The Body of Christ, sanctified, justified and SAVED forever!!!!

Promised never to perish, be plucked from God’s Hand or separated from His Love!!!!

Salvation is intended to be EASY because we have a loving Heavenly Father whose desire is that ALL would be saved. But apparently there are many who have a VERY DIFFICULT time receiving the FREE GIFT being offered who essentially believe that God’s FREE GIFT of salvation is “too good to be true.”

Let’s pray they come to a true knowledge and understanding of exactly what grace is and that they trust in Christ ALONE as savior:-)

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: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified FREELY by His GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (ROMANS 3:22-24, KJV)

WHAT MAY HAPPEN IF YOU ASK A PASTOR WHY THEY HAVE “REPENTING OF SINS” AS A REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION ON THEIR CHURCH WEBSITE’S “STATEMENT OF FAITH”

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You: “Pastor, I noticed on your church website you state a person must ‘repent from their sins’ to be saved. What does ‘repenting of your sins’ mean?”

Pastor: “It means you must turn from your sins and confess them.”

You: “Have you turned from all your sins?”

Pastor: “I have turned from the major ones in my life but no one is perfect.”

You: “Actually God is perfect and His standard for salvation & entrance into Heaven is perfection. We must be perfectly sinless to be in His presence. So if you are saying that a person must turn from all of their sins to be saved but you admittedly haven’t then aren’t you saying you aren’t saved?”

Pastor: “The Bible says to ‘repent of your sins’ to be saved.”

You: “Where does it say that?”

Pastor: “Mark 1:15.”

You: “What Bible version are you citing?”

Pastor: “The New Living Translation.”

You: “Are you aware that the words “of your sins” pertaining to salvation don’t appear appear in The King James and in virtually every other translation one single solitary time not only in Mark 1:15 but in every other verse where the word “repent” is used in the context of salvation?”

Pastor: “So are you saying a person doesn’t have to turn from their sins to be saved and they can just continue to sin with no remorse and be saved?”

You: “I’m saying that God’s Word makes salvation very clear and very simple. The only requirement for anyone to receive forgiveness for all their sins & eternal life according to the Bible is to BELIEVE The Gospel (that Christ died for all their sins, was buried and rose again on the 3rd Day according to the Scriptures for their justification) The Bible teaches that a person is saved simply by trusting in Christ alone as savior. Saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone! (1st Corinthians 15:1-4, John 3:16, John 6:47, Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-10) Neither Jesus nor any of His disciples or apostles ever tell anyone they needed to “confess their sins,” “turn from their sins,” “stop sinning” or “feel deep sorrow for their sins” to BE saved. So why are you saying that? Especially when you just admitted you haven’t turned from all your sins yourself?”

Pastor: “Now you are twisting my words.”

You: “How am I twisting your words? You just admitted that a person must repent for their sins to be saved which essentially means to turn from their sins (and stop sinning to be saved) which you also admitted you yourself haven’t done. I pointed out that neither Jesus nor any of His disciples or apostles ever made confessing sins, ceasing from sins or feeling sorrow over sins a condition or requirement to BE saved and what the Bible teaches is that a person is saved the moment they trust in Christ ALONE as savior and when you tell a person they must ‘repent of sins’ you are essentially telling them to follow the law since sin is transgression of the law and ‘repenting of sins’ is FOLLOWING THE LAW and that a person is justified by faith PLUS law keeping.”

Pastor: “So a person doesn’t need to repent to be saved?”

You: “Now you’re twisting my words Pastor:-) The word ‘repent’ when used in the context of salvation in The Bible comes from the Greek word “Metanoia” which means to “change your mind.” When a person goes from not trusting in Christ alone as savior to TRUSTING in Christ alone as savior they have repented (changed their mind). Repenence and faith are 2 sides of the same salvific coin and occur simultaneously! Repentence is a change of mind not confession of individual sins, making an oath to never sin again, feeling sorrowful about sins or even ceasing from all sins (all of which are impossibilities by the way). So when Jesus enters Galilee in Mark 1 and says “repent and believe in The Gospel” he doesn’t say “repent of your sins and believe the Gospel.” He says “repent and believe the Gospel.” Jesus is telling the Gallileans to CHANGE THEIR MIND and to go from trusting in their own works to be saved to trusting in Him ALONE as savior!”

Pastor: “So aren’t you essentially giving people a license to sin by not telling them they need to turn from their sins to be saved?”

You: 🙄

Paul & Peter Preached The Same Gospel…

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Some false teachers (mostly hyper-dispensationalists) teach that Paul and Peter taught 2 different Gospels citing Galatians 2:6 as “proof.”

“But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.”

But this verse is not saying that Paul and Peter preached different Gospels for we know that there is and always will be One Gospel (The Eternal Gospel) explicitly outlined in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 (that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the 3rd Day according to the Scriptures for our justification and that by believing in His finished redemptive work on The Cross ALONE we receive eternal life!)

The Gospel (i.e., The Good News) has always been and will always be the Person of Jesus The Messiah (Christ)! He has always been and will always be The Good News! The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world!

Those who lived before His incarnation were saved by believing in The “Promised Seed” (The “Coming Messiah”) first announced in Genesis chapter 3 (which many theologians refer to as the “proto-evangelium” or “First Gospel.”) (Adam, Abel, Noah, Abraham, David etc…)

Those who lived while Jesus The Messiah lived and walked this earth were saved by believing in Him as The Messiah. (The Thief on The Cross)

And those who lived after Jesus now in The Church Age dispensation are saved by trusting in Christ alone as savior (placing our faith in His death, burial and ressurection) for the remission of all our sins and eternal life.

But the one constant has always been justification (salvation) by faith alone in Messiah (Jesus) alone!!!

Galatians 2:6 is merely stating that Paul (a Jew Himself) was primarily entrusted with preaching The Gospel to the Gentiles (the “uncircumcision”) and Peter (also a Jew) primarily to the Jews (the “circumcision”).

Two Jews who were saved by believing THE SAME Gospel preaching that same Gospel to two different audiences!

Same Gospel.

Different primary audiences which required a different approach.

Whenever Paul entered any town or city, the Bible makes it clear that even though he was primarily entrusted with preaching The Gospel to the Gentiles, he always went to the synagogue first and shared THE Gospel (singular) with his Jewish bretheren.

“And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1, KJV)

This verse makes it clear that Paul preached THE SAME Gospel in the SAME SYNAGOGUE to both Jews and Gentiles (Greeks) and that a “multitude” of both groups “believed” The Gospel (singular) and were saved!

Same Gospel.

Same synagogue.

Different groups saved by believing the SAME GOSPEL!

I happen to have a Jewish heritage so I can relate. I heard The Gospel in 2001 in a mostly Gentile church in North Carolina and got saved. I was saved by believing the exact same Gospel that gentiles in the same church believed!

In Romans Paul states:

“I am not ashamed of The Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to EVERYONE who BELIEVES  —to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16, KJV)

Paul is clearly saying that The Gospel (singular) is the power for salvation for ANYONE (Jew or Gentile) who BELIEVES! He is clearly stating that Jews and Gentiles are saved if they BELIEVE The Gospel (singular).

Paul writes to the congregation at Ephesus, 

“Try hard to keep the unity of the Spirit in the peace that binds you together. There is ONE body and ONE Spirit, as you also were called in ONE hope at your calling. There is ONE Lord, ONE FAITH, ONE immersion, ONE God and Father of all…” (Ephesians 4:3-6, KJV)

Again, Paul is clearly communicating that there is only ONE FAITH!

Paul would not be able to say this if Jews had a different path to salvation (faith) than the Gentiles had. The ONE faith spoken of by Paul came from The Gospel of Christ, not two different gospels or versions of the same gospel. Just the ONE Gospel!!!! So, 

“There is neither Jew nor Greek …for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, KJV).

It’s important to also remember that Paul and Peter were both Jews. If Jews had a different Gospel (faith plus works), as some false teachers assert, then that would make both Paul and Peter false teachers since both taught justification BY FAITH ALONE to both Jews and Gentiles. If Paul and Peter were saved by a “faith plus works” “Jewish Gospel” then why would they be teaching a different gospel (grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone) to both Jews and Gentiles?

The answer is that they WOULDN’T and they DIDN’T!

“Knowing that a man is NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, but by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the FAITH OF CHRIST, and NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW: for by the works of the law shall NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED.” (Galatians 2:16, KJV)

Paul is explicitly stating that NO FLESH (Jew or Gentile) shall be justified by the works of The Law!

Therefore, we can know with 100% CERTAINTY that justification has always been and will always be by faith alone and that neither Paul or Peter preached a “faith plus works gospel” for the Jews and a “faith only gospel” to the Gentiles.

Paul makes it UNAMBIGUOUSLY clear!

NO FLESH will be justified by the works of the law!!!!

NO Flesh!

Peter taught the same Gospel Paul taught (justification by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone!)

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1st Peter 1:18-18, KJV)

Paul and Peter preached the exact SAME One True Gospel of Jesus Christ to both Jews and Gentiles!

Salvation by Faith Alone in Christ Alone & Being Sealed By The Holy Spirit Occur Simultaneously!

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A question came up on the meaning of Acts 19:2:

“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” (Acts 19:2, KJV)

At first glance, it would appear Paul’s question to the Ephesian “disciples” is implying that receiving The Holy Spirit is separate from believing on Jesus as savior. But, like many scriptures that when read in isolation without proper context can be misinterpreted, this verse is no exception.

Many false teachers who teach that baptism of the Holy Spirit is a SEPARATE event after salvation and that water baptism or a special laying on of hands is required to receive The Holy Spirit.

But, we know that this in not Biblically accurate because The Bible clearly teaches that the moment someone believes The Gospel they are simultaneously sealed by The Holy Spirit and baptized into the Body of Christ by The Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30)

So Acts 19:2 must have a different meaning than the false teachers assert. And indeed it does!

In the next verse (verse 3) Paul asks:

“Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.” (ACTS 19:3, KJV)

So we find out that the “disciples” were actually disciples of John The Baptist and were baptized by John’s baptism which was a ceremonial immersion in water that followed confession of sins which were requirements of the Jewish Law.

The “disciples” had not believed on the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ ALONE for the remission of all their sins and eternal life which explains why they hadn’t received The Holy Spirit since we know the Holy Spirit is only received after a person trusts in Christ ALONE as savior (believing The Gospel).

Paul then explains to them that John’s instructions were to BELIEVE on Christ Jesus for salvation.

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE ON HIM which should come after him, that is, ON CHRIST JESUS.” (ACTS 19:4, KJV)

Paul is explicitly clear that the “disciples” of John should “believe on Christ Jesus” to receive the Holy Spirit (i.e., to be born again of The Spirit).

This simple straightforward statement refutes the fallacious assertion of many false teachers who claim that water baptism is a requirement for salvation because Paul’s ONLY instruction was to BELIEVE on Christ Jesus!

Not to “believe and be water baptized.”

Just to BELIEVE!!!!!

Hallelujah praise Jesus!

We are then told that after they BELIEVED on Christ Jesus for salvation that they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Verse 5) which is not surprising since it was customary for believers to be immediately baptized post conversion similar to Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 AFTER the Ethiopian eunich believed that Jesus Christ was The Son of God (Acts 8:37).

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (ACTS 19:5, KJV)

So in summary: Acts 19:2 is NOT teaching that receipt of the Holy Spirit is a separate distinct event from salvation.

The NANOSECOND a person BELIEVES The Gospel (i.e., that The Eternally Existing Son of God, God The Son, Jesus Christ, died for all their sins past, present and future, was buried and rose again on the 3rd Day according to the Scriptures for their justification) they are IMMEDIATELY sealed by the Holy Spirit and baptized into the Body of Christ by The Holy Spirit FOREVER and can NEVER be “unsealed” and “removed” from The Body of Christ for any reason AND guaranteed to never perish, be plucked from God’s Hand or separated from His love FOREVER!!!!! (JOHN 10:28-31, ROMANS 8:38-39)

If you have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of all YOUR sins (past, present and future) and eternal life, I pray TODAY would be The Day of Salvation for you!!!!

When you BELIEVE, you RECEIVE!!!!!

If You’re Trusting in Your Own Works & Changed Life for Salvation, You Haven’t Trusted in Christ ALONE…

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Those who believe & teach that salvation is CONDITIONAL upon a sufficiently changed life (never specifically and explicitly defined, quantified or qualified with specific Scriptural references) AND that it is a “presumptive sin” to be certain that you will go to heaven when you die, DON’T actually believe Jesus who PROMISES that ALL born again believers have eternal life the moment they trust Him as Savior.

That’s the bottom line!

They believe in ANOTHER Jesus who DIDN’T die for ALL their sins and didn’t GUARANTEE them they could NEVER be plucked from his hand, separated from his love or perish.

The Calvinist jesus who demands a “changed life” as proof of salvation and who doesn’t guarantee INSTANT eternal life to ALL who trust him as savior, is NOT the Jesus of The Bible (i.e., The Only Name under heaven by which any man can be saved, Jesus Christ! Acts 4:12).

God’s only demand (command) is that we BELIEVE on The One Whom He has sent (i.e., His Son, The Eternally Existing Son of God, God The Son, Jesus Christ!) John 6:29, John 6:40

Ironically, many of those who talk the most about a “changed life” and “evident works” being the Chief Litmus Test of one’s “genuine faith” and salvation are actually the ones who haven’t actually done THE ONE and ONLY work God requires to be saved…

“Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might WORK the WORKS of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the WORK of God, that YE BELIEVE on Him whom He hath sent.” (JOHN 6:28-29, KJV)

Notice how Jesus doesn’t say to place their faith in Him (Jesus) AND their own “works,” “fruit,” and “changed life.” He merely instructs them to BELIEVE on Him! Jesus ALONE!

And a few verses later Jesus explains what “the will of The Father” is:

“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and BELIEVETH on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise Him up at the last day.” (JOHN 6:39-40)

So there it is in the PLAIN UNAMBIGUOUS WORDS of Scripture even a young child can understand. Salvation and eternal life is explicitly on the basis of doing the “work” and “will” of God which is to to trust (i.e., BELIEVE) in Jesus Christ ALONE as savior!

We have an INFINATELY loving God Who MADE SALVATION SIMPLE!

I pray if there is anyone reading these words who has never actually believed in The Jesus of The Bible Who GUARANTEES forgiveness of ALL sins (past, present and future) and eternal life to ALL who would, with a simple child-like mustard size seed of faith, trust in Him ALONE as savior (believing He died for all their sins, was buried and rose again on the 3rd Day according to the Scriptures for their justification) that they (YOU) would do so TODAY! For TODAY is The Day of salvation! May we rejoice and be glad in it!!!!

Untwisting The Most Commonly Twisted Scriptures Pertaining to Salvation in The Bible

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Here is a list of the most common verses of Scripture (all from the King James Version) that are most frequently mis-applied and taken out of context by false teachers. This is by no means an exhaustive list but includes the ones I see most frequently mis-applied and taken out of context. I provide the verses taken of context, their “twisted” attributed meanings followed by the true contextual Biblical meaning. I have also included more in-depth teaching videos if the reader so chooses to conduct a “deeper dive” into these verses.

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

The “Twist”: A person is justified (saved) by faith and works. Some false teachers assert that if a person doesn’t demonstrate an adequate ammount of works in their lives that they were never saved in the first place. And others will assert that those who don’t perform an adequate ammount of works can lose their salvation.

The Truth: Both views contradict Scripture since we know with 100% certainty that the The Bible teaches in the New Testament that justification (salvation) is solely by God’s grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (over 200 times in tne New Testament). And since Scripture cannot contradict Scripture we know that justification (salvation) cannot be by faith and works so this verse must have a different meaning which, indeed it does.

James (Jesus’ half brother) is not talking about salvation. He is writing to saved believers. When read in proper context, James is talking about faith in service to others, not a works-based salvation. The word “dead” doesn’t mean non-existent faith but faith that is not being excercised in service to others.

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgfxh4horVk&t=242s

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5)

The “Twist”: Believers can lost their salvation and have their names blotted out of the Book of Life.

The Truth: When read in proper context, this verse is not saying that born again believers can become “un-born again” and “lose their salvation.” Jesus is explicitly stating that all “overcomers” will be “clothed in white raiment” and will NOT have their names blotted out of the Book of Life. And we know that 1st John 5:5 explicitly defines who the overcomers are: “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” Thus, we can conclude that all who have trusted in Christ alone as savior have overcome and will NEVER be blotted out of The Book of Life!

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sq9yn-tZ5E

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

The “Twist”: False teachers will claim that works are required to enter into the straight gate and narrow way and that those who believe that faith alone in Christ alone is the only requirement for salvation are on the “broad road that leads to destruction.”

The Truth: We know The Bible teaches that justification (salvation) is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone and that Jesus ALONE is the “straight gate” and “narrow way.” Those who have trusted in Christ alone as savior therefore enter into the “straight gate” and “narrow way” not by works but by faith alone. Those who have not trusted in Christ ALONE as savior but who are trusting PARTIALLY in Christ but MOSTLY in their works are actually the ones who are on the “broad road that leads to destruction”who have not entered into the “straight gate” and “narrow way.”

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCch9ehOpWQ&t=92s

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, quarreling, rivalry, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies envying, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like. About these things I tell you again, as I have also told you in times past, that those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

The “Twist” False teachers will take this verse out of context to assert that believers who practice any of these behaviors were either never saved in the first place or can lose their salvation.

The Truth: When read in proper context, Paul is not talking about a “litmus test” for salvation or salvific loss. Paul is merely exhorting born again “saved believers” not to walk in the flesh and to reckon the “old man” dead. He is exhorting those who he recgonizes as “bretheren” to walk in the spirit (their “new man”). This chapter is not about salvation or salvific loss. This chapter is about spiritual growth and how to live the victorious Christian life.

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viwinZptKLs

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2)

The “Twist”: False teachers will assert that what Paul is saying is that if a believer is still sinning after they are saved they were either never genuinely born again in the first place or can lose their salvation if they continue sinning.

The Truth: Romans 6 is not about salvific loss. It is about spiritual maturity and grwoth. Paul is merely instructing and exhorting those who he recognizes as born again believers to walk in “newness of life” in the recognition of the fact that all belivers are baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into His death and raised into life with Him and should, therefore, recognize who they are as “new creations” in Christ and walk in “newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUrljCFDNlc&t=11s

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (1st Corinthians 15:1-2)

The “Twist”: Some false teachers will claim that “believing in vain” means that a person never “truly believed” The Gospel in the first place and were never “truly saved” or that they can “stop believing” and lose their salvation.

The Truth: When read in proper context, we know that those to whom Paul is referring who have believed “in vain” are those who didn’t believe in the ressurection and therefore did not believe The Gospel since the Gospel includes that death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He explains this explicitily in verses 12 through 14:

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

We also know with 100% certainty that if a born again believer has a “crisis of faith” and “stops believing” or their “faith grows weak” that they can never “lose their salvation” since 2nd Timothy 2:13 explicitly states, “If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself.” We also know with 100% certainty that no born again believer can ever perish or be plucked from the Hand of Jesus or The Hand of The Father. (John 10:28-31) and can never be separated from The love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39).

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lABPQLFFdaw&t=81s & here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UXQm2xzjEg&t=379s & here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqkq85DOJ8Q&t=20s

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. (Acts 2:38)

The “Twist”: False teachers will claim that a person must be water baptized to be saved and receive the Holy Spirit.

The Truth: We know that over 200 times in the New Testament that the only requirement for eternal salvation is belief in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone (Believing in His death, burial and ressurection). Jesus lays these out clearly: “He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)

If water baptism were a requirement to be saved then Jesus would have said so but in every single verse that Jesus talks about salvation the only requirement He ever mentions is faith in Him alone.

Like the Lord’s Supper (Communion), Water Baptism is an ORDINANCE of The Church. It is not a requirement for salvation but is something that born again believers SHOULD do AFTER they are saved. Born again believers are immediately sealed by The Holy Spirit and babtized by the Holy Spirit into The Body of Christ the instant they believe The Gospel (Ephesians 1:13-14) and are sealed “until the Day of Redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30) i.e., when they receive their sinlessly perfect glorified bodies at The Rapture of The Church.

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHR5JUKFKdI&t=14s

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. 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. (Matthew 7:21-23)

The “Twist”: False teachers cite this verse to assert that if a born again believer isn’t doing enough works or being obedient enough or sin too much that they can lose their salvation or were never genuinely saved in the first place and will be told by Jesus to “depart from me.”

The Truth: These verses, when read in proper context, are not talking about born again believers “losing their salvation.” These verses are actually talkining about those who thought they were saved but who never were because their faith was in their works and not in Christ alone. They recogzined Jesus as Lord but He was never their savior. Jesus procliams to them, “I never knew you.” If these were born again believers who lost their salvation then Christ would have known them at some point. But Jesus declares to them they He NEVER knew them. Jesus never knew them because they never trusted in Him alone as savior.

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxNEXGd6xmE&t=19s

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

The “Twist”: False teachers will use these verses to “prove” that born again believers can fall away by sinning too much or not being obedient enough and lost their salvation.

The Truth: Hebrews 6, when read in proper context, is not talking about salvific loss but forfeiture of spiritual blessings. The author of Hebrews (who I believe to be Paul) is speaking primarily to Jewish believers and exhorting them not to return to Old Testament religious ceremonial practices for the perfection of their flesh. He is exhorting them not to go back to the law and therefore “fall from grace.” He obviously recognizes his audience throughout Hebrews as born again believers (“bretheren”) and has already established in all his letters that salavtion is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Chirst alone and can never be lost. So, again, Paul is not talking about salvific loss but forfeture of spiritual blessings by going back to the Mosaic Law (mixing law and grace).

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIOq-BbZGXs&t=222s

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:4-6)

The “Twist”: False teachers will claim these verses prove a born again believer who fails to abide in Christ can “lose their salvation” (and be “cast into the fire of hell”).

The Truth: Jesus is not talking about salvific loss. He is instructing believers in Him to bear fruit by abiding in Him and explaining to believers that apart from Him that they can’t bear fruit since He is the One (The Vine) who bears the fruit in and through the believer (the branch). And since we know that Scripture cannot contradict Scripture and since we know that Jesus guarantees that no born again believer can ever perish or be plucked from His Hand (John 10:28-31), we can be 100% certain that these verses are not talking about salvific loss.

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx-bUuu2w24&t=14s

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)

The “Twist”: False teachers will assert that if believers are not “on fire for The Lord” then they will be “spewed from His mouth” and they will “lose their salvation.”

The Truth: Jesus is not speaking to individual born again believers. Context is EVERYTHING! Jesus is speaking corporately to the entire Church at Laodidea. He is not telling individual believers that if they are not “on fire for Him” that he will spew them out of His mouth and send them to hell. He is merely saying that although they are saved that because they are relying on their material blessings and status in life that they have essentially excluded Him from their fellowship.

Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3KZrs_AX3s

Some Additional Video Teachings Refuting Other False Teachings/Twisted Scriptures:

The Gospel is The Plumbline! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y8XfM7fa5k&t=233s

Does 1 Corinthians 6:9 prove a born again believer can lose their sal?salvation? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AGN3K_E34o&t=16s

The Danger of Adding The Words “of your sins” to the word “repent” in The Bible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm8vprq16dg

This Single Verse Proves That Salvation is a One Time Event and Not a Process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I57wp02pro&t=1s

God’s Word explicitly tells us how we can KNOW with 100% certainty we are saved forever!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5OXaosvFF4&t=2s

Once Saved Always Saved IS The Gospel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITqAxsM7UQM

Christians Aren’t Supposed to Judge? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITqAxsM7UQM

The Tribulation is a 7yr period of time & The Church won’t B here 4 any portion of it! B encouraged! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTslSemxQP8&t=11s

Words and phrases not found in The Bible but frequently used by false teachers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjaW4VLh_XM

Why hyper dispensationism (how OT were saved/Tribulation saints will B saved) damages The Gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKkCe7Rw5RA

The vital distinction between “Repentance” & “Repentance of sins” as it pertains to salvation…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkeHK4A0Qgc&t=20s

Repentance, Faith & Baptism all happen at ONCE!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcaZrXL4Epc

The “Head-Heart” Gospel is a false Gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9kcBigor70&t=53s

What Obedience Means in Terms of Salvation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybSrAuVjsis&t=128s

The Good News (how to be forgiven for all your sins past, present & future and spend eternity in Heaven!!!)

  1. We have all sinned. (“For all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23)
  2. The wages of sin is death. (“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23)
  3. You must be perfect to go to heaven. (“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:27)
  4. Man cannot earn his own salvation. (“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your selves. It is the gift of God. Not by works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9)
  5. Christ died for our sins. (“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2nd Corinthians 5:21)
  6. Only BELIEVE!!! (“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would BELIEVE in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16). “Verily, Verily I say unto you, he who BELIEVES in Me has eternal life.” John 6:47) BELIEVE that the Eternally Existing Son of God, God The Son, Jesus Christ Died for ALL Your Sins past, present & future, was buried and rose again on the 3rd for your justification (1st Corinthians 15:1-4) and that by BELIEVING He did it for you, you receive forgiveness for all your sins and eternal life the NANOSECOND you BELIEVE which you can never lose for any reason! (John 10:28-30)!
  7. You can know you have eternal life. (“These things I have written to you who BELIEVE on the name of The Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God.” 1st John 5:13)

If you have trusted in Christ alone as savior, congratulations! He promises you that you will never be plucked from His hand, perish or be separated from His love! Saved by God’s Grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone… FOREVER!!!!

5 Simple Questions Every Genuine Grace Preacher or Teacher Should Be Able To Easily Answer

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Here are a few simple questions you can ask your pastor to see exactly what he believes about salvation. If he doesn’t have salvation correct, I reccomend finding another fellowship that does:-)

  1. “Pastor (fill in your pastor’s name), do you agree that a person is saved the very instant he/she believes The Gospel (that Christ died for all their sins past, present & future, was buried and rose again according to The Scriptures for their justification) & and that they immediately possess eternal life which can never be lost for any reason?”
  2. “Pastor, do you believe that a changed life is ‘proof’ of genuine salvation or is a person’s confession of faith (that they have trusted in Christ alone as savior) all that is required to determine if a person is a brother or sister in Christ?”
  3. “Pastor, do you believe that someone who has trusted Christ alone as savior (who is born again) could ever walk away and stop believing & lose their salvation?”
  4. “Pastor, do you believe that the Bible teaches that a born again believer can be blotted out of the Book of Life?”
  5. “Pastor, do you believe the Bible teaches that a person must repent of all their sins/turn from sins as a precondition to be saved or that a person must continually repent of their sins to stay saved?”

Answers: 1. yes 2.confession of faith is only requirement 3.no 4.no 5.no

Typical exchange w/an unsaved works salvationist

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Typical exchange w/an unsaved works salvationist…

Me: “The Bible states over 200 times a person is eternally saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.”

Works Salvationist: “I agree but you have to be obedient too.”

Me: “The only obedience required to be saved is to OBEY the Gospel by BELIEVING it (2nd Thessalonians1:8, Romans 10:16). What additional obedience are you referring to that you believe is required to be saved?”

Works Salvationist: “You must live out the Christian walk and obey everything Jesus commanded.”

Me: “Can you give me an example? Jesus commanded 1000s of different things in the Gospels.”

Works Salvationist: “A person must obey all that Jesus taught.”

Me: “Have you?”

Works Salvationist: “No. But when I fail to obey all that He commanded, I repent.”

Me: “So, are you saying that you have to follow the law to be saved? I thought you just agreed with me that there are over 200 verses in the New Testament that state a person is saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone? But now you are telling me that you are saved by grace through faith PLUS your perfect obedience to all Jesus commanded AND perfect repentance when you miss the mark (i.e., sin)?”

Works Salvationist: “Yes. Salvation is a gift but you have to do your part too.”

Me: “So Christ’s Perfect Blood Atoning Sacrifice wasn’t enough to pay for all your sins and you believe that after He saves you that you are responsible for keeping yourself saved by obeying the law?”

Works Salvationist: “Yes. Grace doesn’t give a person a license to sin.”

Me: “Yes. But you just admitted you sin and when you do you repent. So why have you used God’s grace as a license to sin?”

Works Salvationist: “Well, my sins aren’t willfull. They are unintentional.”

Me: “You have never sinned intentionally with the full understanding that what you were going to do was against God’s laws, commands and ordinances?”

Works Salvationist: “If I have, I repented of it. But I can’t remember ever comitting any willfull sins.”

Me: “Did you know studies have shown you have about 70,000 thoughts per day and if even 1% of them missed God’s perfect, holy & righteous standard, you commit about 700 sinful thoughts per day? Do you repent 700 times per day?”

Works Salvationist: “I think that number may be high but I repent frequently.”

Me: “God’s standard is perfection. What if you miss even one sin and fail to repent? Does God give you a pass or do you immediately lose your salvation because of your failure to repent of every sin you’ve comitted?”

Works Salvationist: “If a person has a repentant heart I believe God still forgives those sins.”

Me: “Didn’t Jesus ALREADY forgive them ALL?”

Works Salvationist: “Jesus forgives your past sins but we are still responsible to repent for any/all sins committed after we are saved.”

Me: “Weren’t all your sins future when Christ died on The Cross 2,000 years ago?”

Works Salvationist: “Yeah, but it still only covered my future past sins.”

Me: “Isn’t that an oxymoron?”

Works Salvationist: “Nope. Makes total sense to me.”

Me: “Well alrighty then.”

Do you believe Jesus died for ALL your sins? (many don’t)

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Those who claim that the Blood of Jesus only covers a person’s past sins is a CHRIST DENIER!!!

When Christ died on The Cross, He proclaimed, “IT IS FINISHED!”

If His Blood Sacrifice didn’t cover ALL the sins of the world ever committed (past, present & future) then He lied when He said, “It is finished” and He only made “partial payment” for our sins and didn’t defeat sin and death as God’s Word explicitly says He did!

“It is finished” in the Greek means, “payment made in full.”

The Greeks used to stamp those words on receipts to document full payment. When a full payment is rendered, how much is left to pay? NOTHING!!!!!!

Jesus PAID IT ALL! OUR ENTIRE SIN DEBT!

And a sinner receives that FULL PAYMENT to his/her account the NANOSECOND he/she trusts Christ as savior!!!! This is EXACTLY what it means to be a believer. A person who is a BELIEVER BELIEVES that The Eternally Existing Son of God, God The Son, Jesus Christ, paid for ALL the sins of the world including ALL of theirs. They BELIEVE He made FULL PAYMENT! They BELIEVE Jesus was telling the TRUTH when He proclaimed, “IT IS FINISHED” (Tetelestai!!!) PAYMENT MADE IN FULL!!!

Those who claim that a person who trusts in Christ as savior only receives PARTIAL forgiveness for PAST SINS is essentially saying that Jesus lied when He said, “IT IS FINISHED.” Payment Made in FULL!

They are saying that The Bible is not true when The Bible says that Jesus defeated sin and death on The Cross! They really believe in a different Jesus of their own imagination whose shed blood only covered some sins and who really didn’t defeat sin and death. Make no mistake about it! This is NOT The Jesus of The Bible! And if a person doesn’t BELIEVE in The Jesus of The Bible, they are not saved (from hell) which would explain why SO MANY emphatically insist that it’s not enough to “just believe” in Jesus and His Finished Redemtive Work on The Cross ALONE to be saved and that “you gotta DO your part too sonny boy!” 🙂

Some have trusted in Christ alone as savior and were saved at one point in their lives and are just deceived. Saved from hell and going to heaven but deceived.

But MOST, I firmly believe, have NEVER come to the end of themselves and truly repented (i.e., they have never acknowledged that there is nothing good in their own flesh and that they can do nothing to save themselves and that ONLY JESUS can save them from the penalty and punishment for their sins and give them eternal life).

They talk about the importance of “repentence” almost non-stop. But they are not referring to true SALVIFIC REPENTENCE I just described. They are talking about “repenting of sins” which as I have explained countless times in myriad videos & writings is law keeping since sin is transgression of the law and “repenting of sins” is FOLLOWING THE LAW! In God’s eyes, they are DEAD WORKS!

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from DEAD WORKS, and of faith toward God.” (HEBREWS 6:1, KJV)

The BOTTOM LINE here is that either Jesus made FULL PAYMENT for ALL the sins of the world ever committed or that will ever be comitted or He didn’t! Either Jesus DEFEATED sin & death on Calvary’s Cross or He didn’t and there is still work left to be done. Either it’s finished or it’s not finished!

If He didn’t finish the job and if he didn’t defeat sin and death and if His Blood only paid for our past sins, then NO ONE after His death on The Cross 2,000 yrs ago has ever been saved or can ever be saved since the standard for entrance into Heaven is sinless PERFECTION!

God cannot be in the presence of any sin! We must be PERFECT to be in His presence. And we know that the Bible explicitly teaches that Jesus took ALL of our sins and that when we BELIEVE in Him we receive HIS (imputed) righteousness!

“For He made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we would become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2nd CORINTHIANS 5:21,KJV)

And we know we must be 100% RIGHTEOUS (sinlessly PERFECT!!!!!) to enter heaven! Therefore, we can know with 100% certainty that Jesus washes away ALL our sins the INSTANT we trust Him as savior. God’s Word says so! He took ALL our sins and we RECEIVE His righteousness the moment we BELIEVE on Him!!!! The greatest transaction in human history for all eternity!!!! If you have trusted in Christ alone as savior, you can know with 100% certainty that His Shed Blood covered ALL your sins (past, present and future) and ALL your sins were FUTURE 2,000 years ago!

Don’t allow the false teachers try and convince you otherwise!

The enemy is always prowling about seeking whom he may DEVOUR! If he can’t take away your salvation (which he can’t since salvation can never be “lost”) he will attempt to make you doubt your salvation and eternal inheritance to DEVOUR your peace and joy to make you an ineffective witness. Don’t let him!

We can trust the words of Jesus! Jesus said, IT IS FINISHED! Tetelestai! Payment made IN FULL! Nothing left to pay! Nothing more owed! Total payment made for your sin debt!

Do you see how AMAZING this is??????

It is THE GREATEST GIFT ever offered or that will ever be offered for all eternity! God loved you so much that He sent His only begotten Son (the Jewish Messiah, Jesus) to die for YOU as FULL PAYMENT for ALL your sins so that you could be reconciled back to God (perfectly sinlessly RIGHTEOUS in His Eyes).

This is exactly what occurs when you trust Christ as your savior. He immediately seals you with His Holy Spirit and comes to live inside you forever! When God, The Father sees you, He sees you IN His Son Jesus!!!! You are sinlessly perfect in HIS EYES!

Oh, how I wish people would get this!!!!!

Jesus dealt with the sin problem 2,000 years ago!

All sins for all time were nailed to His Cross and buried in the ground FOREVER! He overcame (defeated) sin & death FOREVER! All sin…FOREVER! TETELESTAI!!!!!

The only question is: Have YOU (fill in your needs here):-) received His FULL payment for all your sins?

The only way to receive that FULL payment and be 100% CERTAIN that you will be made 💯 righteous in God’s eyes is by receiving the FULL payment by faith!

Do you believe that He died for ALL your sins past, present and future and that by BELIEVING in Him ALONE that you have eternal life? Jesus says, “Verily, verily I say unto you he who believeth in Me HAS everlasting life.” (JOHN 6:47) You can have that 100% forgiveness of all your sins and eternal life RIGHT NOW by JUST BELIEVING Jesus did it all for you!

Oh, how I pray you would just come to the end of yourself and acknowledge that there is NOTHING you can do to save yourself and that Jesus did it ALL and that all that is required for you to receive this FREE GIFT of salvation & eternal life is just to simply BELIEVE He did it all for you!!!!!!!

Do you Believe?

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you WILL be saved.” (ACTS 16:31) “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would BELIEVE in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” (JOHN 3:16)

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (ACTS16:31)