Beware Of False Repentance

“Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.” —Matthew 27:3

The world's churches are fast-becoming infiltrated with “Doctrines of Devils” as the Bible warns in 1st Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Notice carefully that these false prophets “shall depart from the faith,” or we can just as well say that they will begin teaching a false plan of salvation that requires more or less than faith. The Bible has always taught that good ole FAITH is what pleases God, and nothing else. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

So to start this article with a solid doctrinal foundation, let us establish that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH. Salvation is solely by faith. Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Anything more or less than faith is not acceptable to God. Optimism (a positive outlook) is not faith. It falls short of being faith. Teaching that some degree of personal works is necessary to validate one's faith to be saved is a works-based plan of salvation. It is certainly not faith. Faith means to entrust the Savior, period.

Now Judas had a relationship with Jesus Christ, but still went to Hell forever. A “relationship” is not the gospel. I get tired of hearing radio preachers telling people to start a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is not God's plan of salvation. We read in Matthew 27:3 (our text verse above) that Judas “repented himself.” The Greek word for “repented” here is metamellomai and means “to care afterwards, that is, regret.” Judas was sorry that he got caught betraying the Lord. Judas felt embarrassed and lonely, having betrayed the best friend a man could ever have. Judas felt sorry for what he had done. However, feeling sorry is not repentance unto salvation. The Bible says that Judas repented, but then he went and commit suicide. But Judas had NO FAITH. In John 6:70 Jesus said that Judas had a devil in him.

There are a lot of false preachers today; such as, John MacArthur, Ray Comfort, Chip Ingram, Pat Roberson, Paul Crouch, Paul Washer, Jon Piper and William Lane Craig who pervert the Gospel, teaching that mere faith alone by itself is insufficient to save a sinner. That is a deadly teaching. They all teach their own version of the same corrupted Lordship Salvation lie that requires some amount of works to validate one's faith TO BE SAVED. That is, they mandate forsaking sinful bad habits and departing from the heathen world in order to be saved. These are heresies! You don't have to give up the act of sin to be saved; but rather, God gave up His only begotten Son for you and me, to pay for OUR SINS. Salvation is receiving, not giving. It is a free gift! It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking! LOOK TO JESUS!

Faith is receiving the Lord's death, burial and resurrection as full-payment for our sins. Judas felt sorrow and tried to return the money. Judas tried to turn over a new leaf, changing his wicked ways and making amends, but it was not possible. This is false repentance. This is the false plan of salvation that the Lordship Salvation crowd teaches. They demand that a person feel sorry and decide to turn over a new leaf or else they cannot trust Christ. It is a false way of salvation.

Likewise, neither you nor I can make amends for our past sins, nor can we undo the damage of our bad decisions and sins from the past. The very idea that we need to stop sinning as much as we used to in order to be saved is an insult to God. In effect, the Lordship Salvation crowd demands a changed life as a prerequisite to placing faith in Jesus Christ. Such blasphemy goes against everything the Bible teaches for salvation.

Biblical repentance is the admission that I am as guilty a sinner as God has declared me to be in His holy Word. Repentance is a change of mind. The purpose of God's law is to diagnose man's problem (which is sin), and then point us to the blessed Savior for the solution to our problem. Galatians 3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

There Can Be No Reformation Until There Has Been Regeneration

The evil concept behind Lordship Salvation is that faith is not valid unless there is an accompanying desire to stop living a life of sin. Thus, Lordship Salvation requires qualification by reformation before there can be any regeneration. This is a false plan of salvation which leads to Hell.

This is exactly what Pastor Aiden Tozer taught. Mr. Tozer errantly states:

“In the Bible the offer of pardon on the part of God is conditioned upon intention to reform on the part of man. There can be no spiritual regeneration till there has been a moral reformation” (The Best of A.W. Tozer, Book 2, pp. 115-117; Compiled by Warren W. Wiersbe)

Wrong! How then is salvation a free gift? Salvation is receiving, NOT giving. Mr. Tozer requires sinners to “reform” themselves before they can be saved. This goes totally contrary to the plainest teaching in the Bible. Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Mr. Tozer is teaching works salvation!!! Salvation is a free gift, freely given and freely received. Where in the Gospel message does the Bible teach that “intent to reform” is necessary for salvation? It does not!

What the Bible does teach is found in 2nd Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Hence, the change can only come AFTER a man is IN CHRIST. So, Biblically, there can be no reformation until there has first been regeneration. That is, “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN” (John 3:5-7). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Spirit of Christ, Romans 8:9) is what changes a man. Therefore, it is a false doctrine to require any reformation, or intent to reform, as a prerequisite to being born-again.

All that God requires is for a person to “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). It does not say, “repent ye, and stop living in sin.” Nor does it say to “Reform ye, and believe the gospel.” To teach that repentance means “intent to reform” is false repentance. The Greek word for “repent” in Mark 1:15 is metanoeo and means “a change of mind.” Thus, Biblical repentance is acknowledging one's SINNERSHIP! It does not mean ceasing from one's sins, forsaking the sinful world nor having intention to cease from committing sins.

The popular allegation by proponents of Lordship Salvation is that the easy-believism crowd thinks a person can get saved and continue living in gross immorality unchecked by God. I DO believe that if a person experiences genuine repentance unto salvation that there WILL BE some inner changes in that person's life. This is clearly taught by 2nd Corinthians 5:17. Albeit, those spiritual changes may not manifest themselves outwardly to your satisfaction. As Pastor Curtis Hutson often said, “You cannot tell how much fuel is in a car's tank by the sound of the horn.” Salvation is immediate, but sanctification is a lifetime process. Dr. Jack Hyles does an excellent job explaining this subject in his work, SALVATION IS MORE THAN BEING SAVED. I love what John Bunyan (1928-1988) said:

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan

A changed life is the FRUIT of the indwelling Holy Spirit, if we walk in Him, and not a part of the ROOT of saving faith. Fruit has nothing to do with salvation, neither before, during or after getting born-again. We must never associate fruit with salvation (i.e., the new birth). Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” I love this Bible verse, because it clearly shows that living in the Spirit (indwelt with the Holy Spirit at salvation) is not the same thing as walking in the Spirit (which is discipleship). As Christians we “should” live soberly, righteously and godly in Christ Jesus. Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Every believer SHOULD live for Jesus, which the Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:1-2 is our “reasonable service.”

By only reading the Old Testament, we'd never know that Lot was saved. But we learn in 2nd Peter 2:7 that Lot was a “just” (righteous) man. Judges 16:1 says that Samson went in unto a harlot (prostitute). King David murdered a woman's husband to cover up an unintended pregnancy from an adulterous affair. We know that David repented from what the Scriptures tell us, but the people in David's time didn't know that. I'm sure many of them considered David a reprobate concerning the faith. Apart from the direct testimony of a person's mouth, there is no way to determine whether they are saved or not.

Jesus Is Our Sabbath In Whom We Rest

Notice that the Bible teaches in the following Scripture passage that “DEAD WORKS” cannot save. Hebrews 6:1, “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.” That's salvation, that is, repenting from our dead works and placing our faith in Jesus Christ! Whereas working 6-days of the week pictured man's own self-righteousness under the Old Testament Mosaic law, the Sabbath Day pictured Christ IN WHOM WE REST FOR SALVATION.

Today, Jesus is our Sabbath! The Sabbath Day was an Old Testament ceremonial law which was finally nailed to the cross with Christ (Colossians 2:14-17). Thus, the Sabbath Day is no longer in effect today for Gentiles or Jews. JESUS IS OUR SABBATH!!! In Christ we rest completely for salvation. Hebrews 4:10, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” That's good stuff my friend!

Repent Ye, And “Believe The Gospel”

Judas' repentance was a “false repentance” because it led him to Hell. Turning over a new leaf is not repentance or salvation. Judas turned away from his sins, but still went to Hell. The correct Biblical word for “repent” concerning salvation is found in Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and believe the gospel.” The word “repent” here is the Greek word metanoeō and means, “a change of mind.” There is a drastic difference in meaning between the repentance which Judas experienced in Matthew 27:3, verses the repentance unto salvation in Mark 1:15. Notice that the OBJECT of repentance in Mark 1:15 is to “BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.” The Bible doesn't say “Repent ye, and forsake your sins”; but rather, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Judas felt emotional guilt and remorse for his actions, which is penitence, not repentance. That penitence led Judas to want to make a mend for his sins, which is why Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver. But this is penance, nor repentance. Judas penitence and penance led him to reform his ways, turning from his sins. This is false repentance, aka, Lordship Salvation. Judas felt guilty and decided to return the 30 pieces of silver. Judas tried to change his ways, but that is not salvation. Matthew 27:3 says that Judas “repented himself,” but this is a different Greek word (metamellomaiin, meaning, “to regret”) than metanoia (“a change of mind” unto the Gospel itself) used concerning salvation. Judas turned from his sins, which is human reformation, not Biblical repentance (which is “a change of mind” unto the Gospel itself). John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” To “believe” the Gospel simply means that you are taking God at His Word, that you are persuaded Jesus died on the cross for your sins, He was buried, and He resurrected from the dead three days later! You either believe or you don't! I do and I hope you do too my friend.

The Lordship Salvation crowd today foolishly teach that people MUST feel sorry and remorseful concerning their sins, to the point that they cease from committing sinful bad habits and surrender their life to live for Jesus Christ. That's exactly what Judas did. This is a false gospel rooted in man's own self-righteous effort. It's a self-righteous philosophy that corrupts the Gospel. In sharp contrast, the correct meaning of “repent” (as concerns salvation), simply means that a person acknowledges the truth that they are a guilty sinner (Romans 3:19), which shows them their need for redemption and points them to believe on the Savior to be saved (Galatians 3:24-25).

If you simply think about the nature of a gift, then it becomes clear what is wrong with the teaching of Lordship Salvation. If I offer you a free gift on the basis that you must first agree to stop throwing snowballs at my house, then it is in fact a reward instead of a gift. A gift is something acquired WITHOUT compensation. This is why we read in Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” The Bible says that salvation is to him that WORKETH NOT!!! A person's faith is COUNTED for a lifetime of perfect righteousness! No one can enter into Heaven unless they are 100% perfect.

Since we are all imperfect needy sinners, no one can be saved by keeping the deeds of the law (Romans 3:20). But with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26; John 1:12-13)! Jesus did live a perfect life. The Lord never broke God's law. Jesus is sinless. Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God, Who was slain on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus died as our sacrificial Lamb on the cross, and He raised up as our heavenly High Priest three days later (Hebrews 4:14-16). Believe it oh sinner and you will be saved immediately, irrevocably and eternally!

Pastor Harry Ironside Has Repentance Correct

Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) DIDN'T teach Lordship Salvation, he simply taught that Biblical repentance was necessary for salvation. Listen to what Pastor Harry Ironside correctly says about repentance in chapter 16 of his book, EXCEPT YE REPENT . . .

“In all that I have written I have failed completely to express what was surging up in my soul if I have given anyone the impression that I think of repentance as something meritorious which must be produced in man by self-effort ere he is fit to come to God for salvation.”

SOURCE: Dr. Harry Ironside, a quote from chapter 16, THE PREACHING THAT PRODUCES REPENTANCE, from his timeless classic book, EXCEPT YE REPENT

I agree 100%! The entire concept of Lordship Salvation is based in human effort. Most of our evangelical churches today have bought into the lie that it's not enough to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. The Gospel is that Jesus Christ DIED, was BURIED and RESURRECTED from the dead three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). If you receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, then you are saved. But don't I have to repent? Yes, of course! Biblical repentance is “a change of mind” that causes a person to believe the Gospel. Repentance is NOT a desire to stop sinning. Repentance is realizing that you are a SINNER and need the Savior, and so you believe the Gospel and are saved. Repentance is changing your mind about whatever was previously hindering you from completely resting in Christ for salvation.

Clearly, Ironside taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel. Consider further the following quote by Pastor Ironside...

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: 'What Is The Gospel?'

If you'd like to read further, please read ANOTHER GOSPEL?

Look back to our beginning verse in Matthew 27:3. It says that Judas repented and then went back to the chief priests and the elders to return the money. They refused and dealt harshly with him. Judas panicked and emotions overwhelmed him. Judas killed himself. There's criminals in this world who can kill someone in cold blood and not feel one bit of guilt or remorse. Evidently, Judas wasn't a cold-hearted criminal since he did feel guilt, but he failed to seek forgiveness in Christ. Apart from faith in the name of Jesus there can be no salvation (Acts 4:10-12).

Jesus, knowing that Judas was a known thief (John 12:6), chose Judas to be an Apostle in accordance with God's sovereign will. Never underestimate the will of God in your life. Sometimes things may seem all wrong, forever in shambles and hopeless, but God truly does work in mysterious ways. In hindsight we see the purpose of Judas being made an Apostle in God's plan, but at the time the other Apostles probably wondered why Jesus chose such a shady man to join their group. I mean, would you put a known thief in charge of your group's money bag? Jesus made Judas their treasurer, knowing that Judas loved money, was unsaved and according to John 6:70 had a devil in him. God works in mysterious ways!

Judas didn't believe on Christ and had never learned the sweetness of God's love and forgiveness. Peter knew of these things. Sadly, Judas is in Hell today, but Peter is in Heaven. When asked by the Lord Whom He was, Peter exclaimed, “THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD”!!! Amen and amen!!! Matthew 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Judas never expressed such faith in the Lord, because he had none.

May I again quote the helpful words of Pastor Harry A. Ironside...

“Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside; Except Ye Repent, p. 36)

Clearly, Ironside taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel. Dr. Ironside correctly recognized repentance as the confession that “one is utterly without merit” and that if one is “ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. Romans 4:5 plainly teaches that a man's faith is COUNTED for righteousness, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to one's heavenly record by faith.

“Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership — the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word.”

SOURCE: 'Except Ye Repent,' by Dr. Harry Ironside, chapter 3

Here is one of the best quotes that I've found on repentance, by Dr. Harry A. Ironside:

“Which comes first, repentance or faith? In Scripture we read, 'Repent ye, and believe the gospel.' Yet we find true believers exhorted to 'repent, and do the first works.' So intimately are the two related that you cannot have one without the other. The man who believes God repents; the repentant soul puts his trust in the Lord when the Gospel is revealed to him. Theologians may wrangle over this, but the fact is, no man repents until the Holy Spirit produces repentance in his soul through the truth. No man believes the Gospel and rests in it for his own salvation until he has judged himself as a needy sinner before God. And this is repentance.” ('Except Ye Repent,' p. 16)

Also, Dr. Hal Lindsey has repentance Biblically correct, who states:

“Repentance, as it relates to Christ, means to change our minds about Him, who He is and what He's done to provide forgiveness, and deliverance from our sins. When we place faith in Jesus as having taken our place personally on the cross and borne the penalty due our sins, then we're automatically repenting, because we couldn't accept Him in this way without having to change or minds in some way concerning Him.” (From the Liberation of the Planet Earth, by Hal Lindsey. (p. 133)

Good Works Cannot Undo A Person's Bad Works

Judas had experienced false repentance. He felt guilt and tried to undo the evil he had done. Judas thought this would make the guilt go away. It made it worse. The cold-hearted Pharisees didn't care. They even tried to shift all the blame on Judas, but they were equally as guilty. The Pharisees were cold-hearted criminals. Judas was actually doing what most people are still doing today, that is, trying to do good works to undo the bad. Many religions teach this nonsense. Listen friend, you can't do good works to make up for the bad. If you steal something from someone and then bring it back, you still sinned. Jesus died on the cross for that sin. Judas sinned and should have went to God for forgiveness, but instead he tried to do perform some good works. Good works will NEVER make things right between your soul and God!

The unbiblical idea that faith must be validated before a person can have the assurance of their salvation is satanic. Faith is faith, you either have it or you don't. There is no dividing line between intellectual assent to the philosophy of Christianity verses actually trusting upon the Savior. You either believe or you don't.

Dr. Chip Ingram errantly teaches that a person is not saved until they believe “TO THE POINT” (those are his own words) that they turn away from a past life in sin...

“But now the ball's in your court. If you would like Jesus as your Savior. Saving faith is getting in the wheelbarrow. Trusting in His work on the cross, His payment for your sin, His resurrection TO THE POINT that you say, I turn away and repent from my past life in sin, I change my mind and I trust, I get in the wheel-barrow." [emphasis added]

SOURCE: Dr. Chip Ingram, sermon quote, “Fatal Assumption: Exposing The Myths Of Being Born Again - Part Two”

My friend, there are no conditions of salvation. Although he did preach Lordship Salvation elsewhere unfortunately, Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon say it correctly here...

“'Repentance' is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense!” —Pastor Charles Spurgeon

SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (Charles Spurgeon, from a sermon titled: ;REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE,; preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on September 23, 1855)

As I mentioned, Pastor Spurgeon did make some heretical statements at times in his thousands of sermons, which the proponents of Lordship Salvation cherry-pick to support their damnable heresy. But Spurgeon got it 100% correct in the preceding statement! He is not saying that repentance is not necessary for salvation. What Spurgeon is saying is that repentance is NOT A WORK. It is a grace, that is, “For BY GRACE are ye saved through faith...” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is God's mercy, kindness and gentleness toward sinful mankind, offering redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. Eternal life is a free gift! Those who teach repentance as a condition (work) for salvation have woefully corrupted the Gospel. In simplest words, you DON'T have to turn from your sinful bad habits to be saved. That is reformation, not repentance! Repentance is simply a change of mind from unbelief to belief.

Repentance is simply acknowledging THE TRUTH that you are a guilty sinner, and that Jesus is the Savior. 2nd Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” As you can see, repentance is not turning from sins, it is acknowledging THE TRUTH that you are a needy sinner. And then we are saved by placing our confidence (trust) in THE TRUTH of the Gospel, being persuaded that Jesus is the Christ Who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily resurrected the third day. Colossians 1:5, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;” We don't repent AND believe, we repent TO believe! We are not saved by repenting, we are saved by believing, but no man has ever believed who didn't also repent.

Repentance is not a separate act from believing, it simply facilitates believing, because we need to know what we are being saved from, our sins. Jesus didn't come so that we would turn from our sins to be saved, but to save us from our sins! Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” You don't have to stop living in sin to be saved; but rather, Jesus died for your sins so that hopefully you wouldn't live that way anymore. 2nd Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

A redeemed child of God SHOULD live for Jesus, because we were created unto good works, not by them. Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Please notice again the words “we should” walk in them. God bless you dear reader and thank you.

Repentance From Sins Is Keeping The Law And A False Gospel

2nd Timothy 2:25-26,  “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Carefully notice if you will, that our text passage of Scripture DOES NOT teach to “repent of your sin” to get to Heaven;' but rather, it says to repent to simply acknowledge THE TRUTH. Dear reader, I will quote Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) who said it perfectly:

“Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.”

SOURCE: Pastor Harry A. Ironside; 'Except Ye Repent,' p. 36

Clearly, Pastor Ironside taught a free grace view of the Gospel. Consider further the following edifying quote by Pastor Harry Ironside (who is one of my favorite preachers by the way)...

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: 'What Is The Gospel?'

I love it! I couldn't have explained the truth any better.

Repentance is absolutely necessary to be saved, but to repent (Greek verb: metanoeo) simply means “to think differently,” nothing else. So we need supplemental information to know what to change our mind about. From rightly dividing the Word of Truth, one can only conclude that salvation comes only by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and thus repentance simply facilitates (makes possible) BELIEVING, and it is believing that saves a man, not repentance; but both are necessary to be saved. Repentance can only be a change of mind to admit that you are a needy SINNER in the eyes of a holy God, and Jesus is the only SAVIOR in whom you must trust to receive God's free gift of eternal life. Anything else would constitute the WORKS OF THE LAW for salvation, which the Bible condemns (Romans 3:20).

Repentance from sins and faith in Christ are two separate gospels! Only faith saves!

Repentance from sins cannot save, it’s putting people under the Law. If you break one point of the Law, you have broken it all. No one can be saved by attempting to keep the Law. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10).

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Galatians 3:10)

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Galatians 3:13)

“For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” (Galatians 3:18)

“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:2-3)

“For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” (Romans 4:14-15)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28)

If you’re not a believer in Christ with childlike faith—also known as easy-believism—you’re not saved!

The inspired King James Bible teaches to repent of unbelief and dead works (Hebrews 6:1), NOT from your sin to be saved (which is the Devil's Lordship Salvation LIE). Bible believing saints must refute the damnable “repent of your sins” garbage. We must expose the Lordship Salvation fallacy, which prevents the required new birth to enter into God's Kingdom.

“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)

Corrupt pastors who tell people to “Repent of your sins” to be saved are preaching another gospel, which is accursed by God (Galatians 1:6-9).

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

In all of the preceding Scripture passages, not one word is said of repenting from your sins to be saved. Woe unto the wicked Baptist pastors and other religious cults today who embellish, change and pervert God's simple plan of salvation. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

Most Pastors Are Wrong On The Gospel

Acts 15:1 and 24, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. ...Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment...”

I love this passage of inspired Scripture from the King James Bible. A group of unsaved false prophets came to Jerusalem preaching another gospel, saying that you must keep the law (i.e., turn from your sins) to be saved. As a result of this false teaching, quite a controversy was stirred in Jerusalem. The matter was brought to the attention of Jesus' disciples. The Apostle James clears up the matter in Acts 15:24 by confirming that the apostles DID NOT preach such damnable heresy!

I recently found this meme below, which is excellent. Truly a picture is worth a thousand words. The meme emphasis the many alterations and perversions which exist today concerning God's simple of salvation. ...

Thankfully, we do not have to wonder or speculate what the true Gospel (which means “Good News”) is because the inspired Word of God plainly tells us...

1st Corinthians 15:1-6, “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. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

The Gospel is comprised of THREE things:

1. Jesus DIED on a cross to pay for our sins
2. Jesus was BURIED
3. Jesus bodily RESURRECTED from the dead three days later

These are the FACTS which you must place your trust (faith, reliance) in to be saved. Simply take God at His Word as recorded in the inspired Holy Bible, believing the record which God has given to humanity concerning His only begotten Son, Jesus, the Christ. John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The purpose for which God authored the Book of John is to convince you and me, the readers, that Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh, the only biological (begotten) Son of almighty God; and to convince us that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah who would take away the sins of the world. John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

I praise and thank God for the small handful of faithful Bible preachers who teach Bible repentance correctly. One such godly man is Mark Cambron (1911-2000), who penned these helpful words...

Dr. Mark G. Cambron Has Repentance 100% Correct

Here is an excellent and needful writing by Dr. Mark G. Cambron (1911-2000) on the subject of REPENTANCE. Please read the following quote carefully, because Dr. Cambron is one of few theologian who gets it, that is, he understands the simplicity of the Gospel and that repentance does not mean turning from sin as proponents of Lordship Salvation foolishly teach...

Repentance is necessary for salvation.

The Greek word for repent is metanoeo, which, translated into English is: to change ones mind. It does not mean to turn from sin. That would add works to salvation.

Repentance for salvation means a change of mind from men's ideas of salvation and religion, to an acceptance of Gods only way of salvation.

This results in a completely new creation, not a reformation of the old. The old nature remains as evil as ever after salvation and has not been reformed . . . The old nature can now be controlled by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

God guarantees salvation. This is His gift to us.
God guarantees reward and fruit to the obedient son.
God guarantees chastening and loss of rewards to the disobedient son.

God does not cast out disobedient children, but in some cases, does take them home. He does not permit His children to live as they please without His discipline and guidance.

Many teach repentance for salvation incorrectly, by including some form of human effort or righteousness, such as willingness to turn from sin, or turning from sin. This is heresy and has confused many people. It adds works to salvation and causes many to not understand Gods great gift. It is probation, not salvation. It is completely unscriptural. It is Galatianism and a counterfeit of the gospel.

It is a tragedy that many Christians live shallow Christian lives. The Cambron Institute is dedicated to the task of training Christian men and women in the importance of total dedication and making Jesus the Lord of their lives not to be saved but because they are saved.

Shallow Christianity cannot be cured by adding works to salvation.

Salvation is not the result of what we do, but is by receiving what God has done for us. Acts 13:38, 39; Acts 20:20: Gal. 1:8,9; Gal. 2:4; Gal. 2:21; Gal. 3:1.3; Gal. 5:1-4; Eph. 2:8-10; II Cor. 5:21;John 3:16-18; Phil. 3:9; Titus 3:5-8:11 Cor. 11:13-1 5.

SOURCE: The Cambron Institute

I’m really sick and tired of people corrupting the Gospel of Christ and God’s plan of salvation. Lordship Salvation is a LIE STRAIGHT FROM SATAN. I’m all for turning from sin in Christ's strength as a Christian, but turning from sin is NOT what it means to repent to be saved. Matthew 27:3 tells us that Judas Iscariot repented of his sins, but sadly Judas died in his sins and went to Hell forever. Judas never changed his mind (which is what true repentance means) to admit that he was a guilty sinner, and that Jesus is the only Savior.

Jonah 3:10 says, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. Turning from their evil way was WORKS.” Turning from sin is WORKS! That is a good work, but it is still a self-righteous work. And Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” According to Jonah 3:10, turning from sin is a work.

If you tell a lost person that they must “turn from sin” (or be willing to turn from sin) to be saved, you are preaching a WORKS-BASED PLAN OF SALVATION. A lost person can turn from sin and still go to Hell as a reformed, religious person. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. That is tragically what Roman Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Churches of Christ, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists and other religious cults are all doing—living the Christian life without having ever been BORN AGAIN. Jesus said in no uncertain terms in John 3:3b, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

I’m sick and I’m tired of Lordship Salvation, Wrong Repentance, Baptismal Regeneration, Sacramental Salvation and ALL FORMS of FALSE GOSPELS. People are horrifyingly headed to Hell to burn in fire and brimstone forever. WAKE UP dear reader! False prophets must stop corrupting the Gospel. The old adage is very true: If the shoe fits, wear it!

God loves you and I do too dear friend. I have never received a penny for all my 50,000 hours plus of hard work day and night on my website and blog ministry since 2002 when I began by God's grace. It has been my joy and privilege to live for OTHERS as I serve my blessed God, King, Lord and precious Savior, Jesus. Jesus is precious!!! Ephesians 5:16, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The Gospel According To The Word Of God

One of my ministry friends named Arthur wrote his own Gospel tract, which I wanted to share with others. I encourage believers who are learned in the Scriptures to write their own Gospel tracts, because to be brutally honest 99% of the existing religious literature is total garbage:

Are you 100% certain that you would go to Heaven if you died today? That is the most important question anyone could ever ask themselves. There are many many religions in the world, each claiming that they are the path to God. But how do we know which of these paths to God is correct? The answer to this most important question can be found in the Bible, which is the Word of God. According to most religions, in order to go to Heaven one must do something in order to be accepted by God who will then allow that person entrance into Heaven. These works vary depending on the religion, and may include doing one’s best to stop sinning, doing a certain amount of good deeds, water baptism, observing certain sacraments, prayer, observing certain holy days etc... None of these works of religion provide the individual with any degree of certainty as to where they will spend eternity. The most that can be hoped for is that one’s good works will outweigh the bad and God will allow them entrance into Heaven.

But according to the Word of God, there is something that prevents man from having access to God on his own. That problem is sin. A holy God cannot allow sin into Heaven. The Word of God declares that all men and women are sinners. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10, "As it is written, there are none righteous, no not one." And the bad news does not end there. According to the Word of God there is a penalty for sin. Ezekiel 18:20, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death. The penalty for sin is death." This includes not only physical death, but eternal punishment in a place called Hell. Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men to die once, and after this the judgment." Revelation 20:1, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast in the lake of fire. Committing just one sin would be enough to send a soul to Hell forever."

The Word of God makes it clear that we can never hope to justify ourselves through our good works. Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Galatians 2:16, "For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." If all men are sinners and God cannot allow sin into his presence, then how can one ever hope to make it into Heaven when they die? So far we seem to have an insurmountable problem. The only way for sin to be pardoned is through the shedding of blood. Hebrews 9:22b, "and without the shedding of blood there is no remission." Thankfully, God himself provided man a way to escape eternal punishment in Hell and a way to Heaven. Romans 5:8,9, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

According to the Word of God, God the Son came to the earth in the form of a man, the Lord Jesus Christ, and offered himself as a blood sacrifice for the sins of every man, woman, and child that will ever live. After the Lord Jesus Christ died and shed his blood on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, he was buried in a tomb, and three days later he rose bodily from the dead as proof that God the Father accepted his Son’s payment for our sins. The shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is known as the gospel, which means the good news. The good news is that our sin penalty has been paid in full through the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and shed blood, burial, and resurrection from the dead. 

The Lord Jesus Christ now offers everyone eternal life as a free gift through faith in the gospel. I Corinthians 15:1-4, "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. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." 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." Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Surely you realize that you are a sinner. Right now, in the quietness of your mind, place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and shed blood, burial, and resurrection from the dead as the full payment for your sins. Trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ as your only hope of heaven. The moment that you do, you have at that second and forever, everlasting life which can never be taken away no matter what. I John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

You Don't Have To Be Religious To Get To Heaven

Matthew 15:7-8, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

The world is full of religious people, but they have never been born again. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Please don't take this matter lightly dear reader. You absolutely cannot go to Heaven without being born again by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

The great news is that you don't have to attend a church one day in your life to go to Heaven. You don't need to be water baptized. You don't need to speak in Charismatic tongues (a pagan practice that has it's origin in witchcraft). You don't have to partake of church sacraments (which aren't even taught in the inspired Holy Scriptures). To get to Heaven you don't have to join a church or live a good life, you just need to cease from trying to save yourself and REST completely in the dear Savior, Jesus, who died on the cross for you.

From the earliest age, many people have been indoctrinated to think that you need to become religious if you want to go to Heaven, but the wonderful truth is that you don't have to be religious at all to go to Heaven, Eternal life is the free gift of God, paid for in full by the precious blood of Jesus Christ that He shed on Calvary's cross for all humanity 2,000 years ago. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt of sin we could not pay. 2nd Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Salvation is not found in any religion, but in a person—the Lord Jesus Christ. Religion tries to fit us with glasses, but the Lord wants to open our eyes with the truth. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Billions of humans pursue religious paths throughout their life, but they never come to the knowledge of the Gospel which saves them who believe it.

What exactly is “the Gospel”?

1st Corinthians 15:1-6, “1Moreover, 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. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

There you have it, the Gospel is three things:

1. Jesus DIED on a cross to pay for our sins.
2. He was BURIED.
3. Three days later Jesus bodily RESURRECTED from the dead.

That is why we read the beautiful words in 1st Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” The only prerequisite to believing the Gospel is you must realize that you are a needy sinner in the sight of a holy God. That is, you must see your need for salvation. You must know why you need to be saved, and that is because you are a woeful guilty sinner, the penalty of which is to spend eternity burning in Hell (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). This is why God gave mankind the Old Testament law. Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

The wicked Pharisees, and most Jews today, and all of the world thousands of false religions, foolishly think that the way you get to Heaven is by keeping the law. However, as we just read in Romans 3:20, God never intended for the law to save anyone; but rather, to show humanity our SINNERSHIP and bring us to CHRIST to be saved through faith alone in Him. Galatians 3:24-26, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

God has already made TWO great divisions to His inspired Word of OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS; or respectively, LAW and CHRIST. The Law shows us that we are needy sinners, and then brings us to Christ to be saved by faith in Him. Simply believe that Jesus did it all for you. Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do. Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty. Salvation is not achieved, it is received. Eternal life is the free gift of God. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The Gospel of John is God's Gospel tract according to John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The purpose for which John penned the Book of John is to convince you (the reader) that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, so that by trusting upon Jesus' name you will be saved. That is so beautiful!

In the Gospel of John we find the word “believe” mentioned 85 times, but you won't find any requirement to repent, confess, turn, surrender, forsake, pray or get water baptized to get to Heaven. Jesus said in John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” The inspired Holy Bible is very clear about God's simple plan of salvation, as I have just shared with you. Yet, a counterfeit plan of salvation is being preached from nearly every church pulpit, every religious film, every so-called “Christian” book, every television station, every radio program and every Bible seminary today.

Repetition is the key to learning, which is why I often write blogs about salvation. There is nothing more important in this universe and beyond than the GOOD NEWS (i.e., the Gospel) of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen the third day, because the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

If you trust in the Sacramental Salvation of the Roman Catholic church, you will NOT go to Heaven. If you trust in the Sacramental Salvation of Martin Luther (1483-1546), who in his written catechisms (1529 AD) required water baptism and communion to be saved, then you WON'T go to Heaven. You either exclusively trust (rely) upon Christ's sacrifice on Calvary's cross as full-payment for your sins or you cannot be saved. There is no other name given among men whereby we can be saved (Acts 4:10-12).

Dear friend, you don't have to be religious to know that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Luke 10:20). Religion is manmade, but salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9).

Martin Luther: Master Of Deceit

Titus 1:10-14, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”

There is not a more damnable false prophet than Martin Luther (1883-1546). Mr. Luther allegedly got saved by faith alone in 1517, but in his catechism written 12 years later in 1529 Luther plainly taught that no one can go to Heaven unless they are water baptized and partake of communion.

Pastor Max D. Younce (1935-2023) has authored a helpful book titled, “MARTIN LUTHER: MASTER OF DECEIT” (backup). Dr. Younce has graciously made his books freely available in .pdf format, or you can purchase hard copies from Heritage Baptist Bible Church.

Martin Luther was so perverted in his theology, that he even taught that you can be saved WITHOUT FAITH, just so long as you get water baptized. Here is a direct quote...

"𝗙𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗢𝗧; 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱..."

𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺 (𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺) - 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

Unless he secretly repented of his false plan of salvation, Martin Luther split Hell wide open when he died in 1546.

Tragically, the biggest false religion in the world, Catholicism, actually quotes Martin Luther in an attempt to justify their heresy of Baptismal Regeneration. The following is quoted from Catholic.com...

"The Christian belief that baptism is necessary for salvation is so unshakable that even the Protestant Martin Luther affirmed the necessity of baptism. He wrote: 'Baptism is no human plaything but is instituted by God himself. Moreover, it is solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we shall not be saved. We are not to regard it as an indifferent matter, then, like putting on a new red coat. It is of the greatest importance that we regard baptism as excellent, glorious, and exalted' "(Large Catechism 4:6). [emphasis added]

SOURCE: http://www.catholic.com/library/necessity_of_baptism.asp

What sad irony? Here's a heathen Catholic ministry quoting Martin Luther's own words to support their damnable heresy. I ask you: Why do most Christians today continue to honor Mr. Luther as a great man of faith, who clearly wasn't even saved? Luther taught that Water Baptism could save a person, even if no faith was present. This goes against even the plainest of Scripture...

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43)

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5)

Did Martin Luther never read Mark 16:16? ...

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED.”

To be water baptized but not have faith in Jesus Christ is a sure road to Hell, fire and damnation! Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

Martin Luther Preaches Baptismal Regeneration Heresy

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a religious fraud, a heretic. Tragically, this man who has been dead for 477 years is still brainwashing people with his damnable heresies, leading them into Hellfire.

Here are the words of one such deceived soul...

"...the central truths of Christianity, the most important of which, for Luther, was the doctrine of justification — God's act of declaring a sinner righteous — by faith alone through God's grace. He began to teach that salvation or redemption is a gift of God's grace, attainable only through faith in Jesus as the messiah."

SOURCE: Wriedt, Markus. "Luther's Theology," in The Cambridge Companion to Luther. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003, 88–94

But did Luther really believe that salvation was "only through faith in Jesus?" No, he did not, as I will prove to you. In Luther's Large Catechism he foolishly states:

"Moreover, that it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we cannot be saved..." [emphasis added]

SOURCE: The Large Catechism (XIII) - Martin Luther

Mr. Luther penned these words in 1529, twelve years after his alleged conversion to Jesus Christ in 1517. How much more evidence do you need to know that Martin Luther was an imposter, a Modernist, and an unsaved man?

Beware Of Wolves In Sheep's Clothing

Martin Luther is a liar of liars, who is still deceiving people nearly 500 years later with his false teachings. This is because of the power of propaganda. This is why Adolf Hitler (1938), Joseph Stalin (1942), and President George W. Bush (2000/2004) have all been shamefully honored by TIME magazine (a known Communist organization).

Likewise, Martin Luther is responsible for leading untold millions of people into the eternal Lake of Fire. Woefully ignorant and foolish people continue to praise Luther today. There is much information available exposing Martin Luther. People by nature go by what they hear, not having sense enough to think objectively for themselves. It is the Bible preacher's duty to exhort people to “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES” for the truth (John 5:39). What saith the Scripture? God's opinion is the only opinion that truly matters. Romans 4:3, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

Mr. Luther was unquestionably a great religious leader of his time. Luther did much work to translate the Word of God. There is no question that Luther was a pioneer of the Reformation. Yet, tragically, Martin Luther taught ANOTHER GOSPEL (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4), which is a false plan of salvation that cannot produce the new birth by the Holy Spirit of God. There is a curse upon anyone, even an angel (demon), who preaches another gospel (Galatians 1:6-8). 

Mr. Luther sadly had churchianity, but he did not have Christianity. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. Religion cannot get a person into Heaven. I am not asking you to take my word for it dear reader; but rather, consider what the Scriptures teach, and then look at what Mr. Luther taught. They are diametrically opposed to each other. Those who promote Martin Luther are pulling on the same rope as the Devil.

Turning Away from Sins is Effectively Keeping the Law

Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

The Old Testament law was given by God for the purpose of showing all mankind their sinnership. Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” And again we read in Galatians 3:24-26, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

Since NO ONE can perfectly keep God's law, there is a “CURSE” upon everyone under the law. Galatians 3:10, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” So we learn that eternal life cannot be obtained by keeping the law! And those who do try to be saved by keeping the law are under the curse of the law!

Here's the good news! Romans 3:21-24, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” I love this passage of Scripture! As you read in Romans 3:21, there is a righteousness that is “WITHOUT THE LAW”! This is the imputed righteousness of God. Literally, this means that by faith you can be saved, even though you do no works (i.e., you don't keep the law). What is the law? It is the Ten Commandments as specified in Exodus 20. The law teaches mankind not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to take the name of the Lord in vain, not to covet thy neighbour's wife and property, not to bear false witness, not to bow down nor worship images, et cetera. The Jews failed to keep God's law. In fact, they had broken every command before Moses had even returned from receiving them from God. Moses and Aaron found the people dancing naked around a golden calf, to the sound of rock and roll music in the camp, committing sexual immorality. These were God's people!

We Are Saved By God's Righteousness Through Faith in Jesus Christ

Please notice again Romans 3:22a, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.” There we see the simplicity that is in Jesus Christ. There is no mention of “turning away from sins,” nor of “inviting Jesus into our life,” nor of “saying 'Jesus is Lord,'” nor of “asking Christ to take control of our life to be saved.” I am perplexed that multitudes of Baptist preachers today have embraced Satan's lie of Lordship Salvation.

Many sincere preachers, like Evangelist David W. Cloud, deny teaching Lordship Salvation, but they are nonetheless teaching a variation of the heresy. The Holy Bible is very clear in Romans 3:22 that we are saved by “the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all THEM THAT BELIEVE” [emphasis mine]. There is no mention of sacrament keeping. There is no mention of turning away from sins. There is no mention of confessing Christ before men. There is no mention of following Christ. We are taught simply to BELIEVE!

The Apostle Paul teaches that through faith the curse of the law is made void (i.e., lacking legal force). Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” The very moment that a person trusts Christ, he or she is no longer under the legal indictment of the law of God. They are now under grace, because Christ vicariously (our substitute) died in our place on the cross, suffering the punishment for our sins. Romans 6:15, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” What a beautiful and comforting truth! My friend, if you are a born-again believer, you are no longer under the legal curse of the law, YOU ARE UNDER GOD'S GRACE!!!

Jesus Paid A Debt He Did Not Owe, Because We Owed A Debt We Could Not Pay

There is something in the legal world called “Vicarious Liability.” The general rule in criminal law is that there is no vicarious liability. Thus, the practice of holding one person liable for the actions of another is the exception and not the rule in criminal law. Albeit, Jesus Christ volunteered to suffer, bleed and die on the cross for the sins of mankind. Romans 5:7-8, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Hardly anyone would sacrifice their life for a man of God. Perhaps even someone would die for a good man. But who would sacrifice their life for a criminal? That's right, no one! Yet, God has shown His love for all mankind by dying for you and me, who are guilty sinners, all criminals in God's holy eyes!!!

To help you understand the beauty and power of what being under grace means, let me give you a brief illustration. Let's say (if it were possible) a man has committed hundreds of felony crimes. He has a rap sheet a mile long! If convicted (and he will be) he'll be sentenced to dozens of lifetimes behind bars in prison. But during the court hearing, a mysterious stranger enters the court room to speak with the judge, who offers to take the place of the indicted man, paying for his offenses with his own life! And so the guilty man is set free, because the innocent man has offered to take his place. Of course, this scenario would never happen in man's court system, to protect the public interest.

However, God's court system is very different. Jesus Christ has already paid the full-price for the sins of mankind. That's right, everyone's sins and crimes have already been paid for, as far as eternal life is concerned. But there's a catch, you must receive that pardon for your crimes (sins), by placing your faith in Christ's death on the cross, and His burial, and bodily resurrection three days later. This is “the Gospel” (1st Corinthians 15:1-4).

Hence, Jesus does NOT forgive sins! That is correct! Jesus has already paid for our sins with His precious blood! Our sins are paid for, which means that forgiveness is a free “gift” to whosoever wants it. We receive this gift of eternal life and forgiveness through faith in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 6:28-29, “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.” Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

I love the following verses. 1st John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” The word “advocate” is the Greek word Parakletos, which means, “an intercessor, a consoler.” Isn't that beautiful? When we sin as a believer, Jesus Himself is our attorney, Who intercessors on our behalf in the courtroom of the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:15-16). That helps me sleep at night!!! But wait, there's more! Jesus is also our consoler, who gives us moral and emotional strength. In other words, when a believer sins, we have a friend who is our lawyer, and He assures us that everything is going to be alright. That's peace of soul that all the money in the world cannot purchase! Thank you Lord Jesus! Praise the Lord!

The word “propitiation” is the Greek word hilasmos, which means, “to appease one's wrath, an expiator (to make amends).” Nearly every preacher quotes Romans 5:8, but not verse 9. Romans 5:8-9, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” God's wrath is reserved for all unrepentant humans who perish in their sins without Christ! It is Jesus' precious blood that appeases the great wrath of God the Father. Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Only Christian believers will escape the wrath of God, which is reserved for the lost in the Lake of Fire. 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

Everyone is Either Under Law or Under Grace

My friend, you are either under the law of God or under God's grace, and there is nothing between. Romans 11 is speaking about the Jews. Most Jews were unsaved, still under the curse of the law; but a remnant of Jews were saved, under grace. The Bible makes clear that there is nothing in between. Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Here's a great MP3 sermon by Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold titled, “Caught Between Grace And Works.”

The Scriptures are abundantly clear that salvation comes without works, without keeping the law, without self improvement, without following Christ as “Lord,” without turning away from sins. Eternal life is a free gift, paid for by Jesus' precious blood (1st Peter 1:18-19). There is no requirement in the Scriptures to “turn away from sins” to be saved. That is not what “repentance” means. To “repent” means “to think differently.” Repentance is unto the Gospel itself! There is not even one Bible verse that teaches “to turn away from sins” as a prerequisite to receiving the gift of eternal life.

Bible Repentance Versus Reformation (Turning From Sins)

You DO NOT need to reform nor promise God to reform to be saved. You don't need to change yourself as a condition of receiving God's FREE GIFT of eternal life. That would be works, not grace. That's not how Christianity works! You first come to God as a needy sinner, RESTING wholly in His only begotten Son, Jesus; and then after you are in Christ (saved), the gift of God's indwelling Holy Spirit begins to work to change you (2nd Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22-25; Romans 8:9; 1st John 3:24; John 16:13).

You do need to know what you are being saved from (Hell - Revelation 20:15), and why (because the wages of your sin is death - Romans 6:23). To get to Heaven, you must change your mind (repent) about TWO things:

1. WHO YOU ARE (you are a guilty hell-deserving sinner)
2. WHO JESUS IS (He is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God)

If you agree with these two facts—and you receive Christ's sacrificial death on the cross as full-payment for your sins, believing that He was buried but raised up from the dead three days later—and that is your only hope for eternal life—then you are now and forever saved dear reader. You have God's promise of it! 1st Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

Again, Bible repentance has absolutely nothing to do with forsaking a sinful lifestyle or promising God to do better in the future. These virtues are reformation, not repentance. Scriptural support for what I am teaching is found in Matthew 27:3, where it tells us that Judas Iscariot repented, but he did not get saved. Matthew 27:3-4, “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Judas did not acknowledge that he was a guilty sinner in God's sight, nor did he change his mind to believe on Jesus as the Christ. Judas merely felt sorry that he had betrayed an innocent man, Jesus. That is NOT true repentance.

A totally different Greek word (metamellomaiin, meaning, “to regret”) is used in Matthew 27:3, than is used in other passages metanoia (“a change of mind”) regarding getting saved. To clarify, repentance is automatically included in believing. As long as you realize that you are a guilty sinner in the sight of a holy God, and you place your trust (faith, reliance) in Jesus alone as the Christ, the only begotten (biological) Son of God (which makes Him God), you are saved friend. What saith the Scripture? John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Again, there is no mention of forsaking sinful bad habits, nor of inviting Christ into one's life, nor of making Jesus one's “Lord” to be saved. Romans 3:20b makes very clear that “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” I hear many corrupt, but sincere, pastors preaching a distorted plan of salvation. They tell the Gospel while simultaneously telling people to “ask Jesus to take control of their life” to be saved, which is not the Gospel. Effectively, they are building a bridge between the Gospel and works salvation.

Pacific Garden Mission's “UNSHACKLED” is a major offender in this area, telling people to turn away from sinful ways and surrender control of their life to Christ to be saved. Sadly, UNSHACKLED could be renamed to SHACKLED. Granted, it does sound really good to tell sinners they must depart from sinful behavior, and believe the Gospel to be saved. It appeals to our carnal human nature that a man ought to have to forsake his sinful ways if he expects God to save Him! However, this is what religion teaches, not the Holy Bible. To include forsaking one's sins as part of salvation, is no different than trying to keep the works of the law to be saved. To say that God will not save a man who is unwilling to forsake his sinful ways, is to say that “works” are required to receive the “gift” of eternal life. How absurd! A gift is a gift is a gift!

The very doctrine of God's imputed righteousness to the believer obliviates all such teachings of declaring Jesus as one's Lord to be saved. The truth is that JESUS IS LORD, you don't make Him Lord. To be saved, you simply receive Jesus as your Savior. John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” 1st Timothy 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” Jesus is the Savior of all men, but you must receive Him personally to be saved. The way to be saved is to BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!!! The apostle Paul declared in 1st Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” Notice that the Gospel is rendered ineffective by men's “words of wisdom.” Intellectualism is an enemy of soul-winning!

I know you've heard them. I have heard them—preachers who ramble on for hours, lacking any real substance. By the end of their sermon you're utterly frustrated, because there was nothing to grab onto in their message, nothing to sink your teeth into! I love porcupine preachers—because YOU GET THE POINT!!! The apostle Paul warned of balloon-preachers, who are filled with hot air, diluting the truth in never-ending displays of worldly wisdom. One such preacher is Dr. Ravi Zacharias. Religious radio is filled with dry preachers, deadbeats, balloon preachers who avoid offending their listeners for the sake of donations. They are a sure cure for insomnia (unable to sleep)! The great need of the hour is PREACHING PREACHERS! Today's religious ministers are teachers who appeal to the MIND, not Bible-preachers who appeal to the HEART!

Oh, how we need men of God today, who walk with God, and who preach the truths that God's Word burns into their heart. God's Word burned in Jeremiah's heart!!! Jeremiah 20:9, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Preaching is truth set on fire!!! The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah (known as “The weeping preacher”) had quit preaching in frustration. Jeremiah's message was one of doom for Israel. It was too late for them (Jeremiah 25:11)—no matter what they did, the Jews were going to be humiliated by the Chaldeans (Babylon). Yet, even in his frustration, Jeremiah couldn't withstand the burning conviction of God's Words in his heart, and he returned to preaching the inspired Words of God to the people. Amen!

Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ And Thou Shalt Be Saved

I've laid the preceding Biblical groundwork to teach the main truth of this article, which is, turning away from sins is effectively keeping the law. This is a false plan of salvation. TO BE SAVED, the satanic heresy of Lordship Salvation requires sinners not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to take the name of the Lord in vain, not to covet thy neighbour's wife and property, not to bear false witness, not to bow down nor worship images, et cetera. These are the works of the law! This is “another Gospel” (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4).

From viewing the truths that I've shared with you, it should be abundantly clear that every believer is UNDER GRACE. Hallelujah! The believer is no longer UNDER LAW. We have a Savior, and an attorney, and an intercessor, and a consoler, and a friend! Please notice our text verse from Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Just because a believer is no longer under the law, that is, the law no longer has any legal power against us, doesn't give us God's permission to disregard the law. We are commanded to establish (or uphold) the law.

I'd guesstimate that at least half of all Baptist preachers today teach some variation of the Lordship Salvation heresy. Beware Of “Operation Somebody Cares” And Chick Tracts. Beware of Evangelist Billy Graham. Beware of Pastor Chip Ingram. False prophetess Ellen G. White of the Seventh-day Adventists also taught Lordship Salvation. Mormons and Dr. John MacArthur share the same errant view of repentance. I'm not trying to be unkind, just honest. The religious cults all view “repentance” as a change of life, or turning away from sins; whereas, in sharp contrast the Word of God teaches that repentance (metanoeo) means “to think differently.” Thus, we think differently toward God (“repentance toward God” - Acts 20:21b), believing the Gospel to be saved (Mark 1:15). Repentance is unto the Gospel itself! We don't repent AND believe; but rather, we repent TO believe!!!

We are saved simply by BELIEVING THE GOSPEL! 1st Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” The plan of salvation is simple, summed up in one word—Gospel! Getting saved is so easy and simple that the Bible calls the Gospel, “THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST” (2nd Corinthians 11:3). Beware of false prophets, nearly all of whom I believe are sincere, who wrestle (twist) the Scriptures “unto their own destruction” (2nd Peter 3:16), and are “being led away with the error of the wicked” (2nd Peter 3:17).

“The religions of the world say, 'do and live.' The religion of the Bible says, 'live and do'.” —Dr. Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968)

“Like the thief on the cross who never had an opportunity to 'turn from his sin,' we, like him, can only 'acknowledge our sinfulness' in order to be saved (Lk 23:40-41). ...True repentance has nothing to do with 'turning from sin' and everything to do with 'acknowledging one's sinfulness' (Jonah 3:5). Like the thief on the cross who simply acknowledged his sinfulness (Lk 23:39-43), the only part a person has in salvation is the beggar's part.” —Pastor Brad Strand, "The Strand Study Bible"; 2nd Corinthians 7:8-9, p. 1939