God’s People, the Jews were told: Psalm 119:6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. Isaiah 5:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. And Joel wrote about a coming time: Joel 2:26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. Paul told Believer’s: Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Romans 9:33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Peter and John to Believing Jews: 1 Peter 4:16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 John 2:28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Paul reminds Believer’s: 2 Corinthians 6:16-18And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
As a Believer YOU are the Temple of the Living God.
written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? WHO IS THE LAMB? 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. John 1:36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! Isaiah 53:4-7 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. WHAT IS THE BOOK? Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Psalm 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. WHERE IS THE LAMB? Hebrews 10:12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Ephesians 1:20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, WHERE IS THE BOOK? Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Revelation 20:11-12And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR NAME IS NOT IN THE BOOK? Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: Revelation 20:15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR NAME IS IN THE BOOK? Daniel 12:1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul is upset with anyone who would distort it? It’s Good news because God made it happen in spirt of what we are or what we have done. Galatians 1:12-20 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Good News that can and will change your life, and this Good News is not limited; It’s for all. Most Good News is limited to where, when and who it involves. A Game Victory in the winners locker vs the locker room of the loser. Elections have Good News for the winner .. not so for the looser The Gospel, Good News of God is for all who believe. When is it Good News? When you need it most… When you first believe … When you slip into sin … When you are at your lowest … When death comes stalking… When we will hear the trumpet… When we enter into Glory … TODAY ==Good News … Christ died for me… If I believe … I’m saved for all eternity THAT’S WONDERFUL, EXTRA GOOD NEWS
A look at repentance … There is a lot taught about repentance … “I’m Sorry” SORRY, about what? What you did? Or That you got Caught? Paul says there is a difference … 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. What is true repentance … Read Matthew 21:28-32 Parable of the two sons Luke 15:11-32 Parable of the lost Son True Repentance is Deciding to change … THEN doing it! Repentance involves more than being sorry … it involves restitution. The son repented an restored his father’s faith The lost son repented and was willing to work as a slave Restoration … the act of paying back or making right. Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-8 What does the LAW say … Exodus 22:1-4 Restitution for theft Leviticus 6:2-5 Restitution for Deceit, Lying, Perjury, Robbery Leviticus 24:14-22 Restitution for death of man or beast Who is to be restored? Numbers 5:6-7 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way[a] and so is unfaithful to the LORD is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.
Repentance, Restitution without it there is no joy in salvation.
David the example … Psalm 51:12-13Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
RESTITUTION begins with Prayer and Ends with all parties restored.
WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE BOOK? Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. Psalm 69:28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Philippians 4:3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Revelation 3:5 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. WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT IN THE BOOK? Exodus 32:33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: Revelation 13:8And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 17:8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. HOW DOES A NAME GET INTO THE BOOK? Daniel 12:1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. DO YOU WANT YOUR SINS BLOTTED OUT OR YOUR NAME BLOTTED OUT? Exodus 32:33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Colossians 2:9-15 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Revelation 3:5He 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.
Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
We are saved with an Eternal Salvation Hebrews 5:9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him We are possessors of Eternal Life John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. We aresecure in an Eternal Covenant Hebrews 13:20Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus… We are liberated by an Eternal Redemption Hebrews 9:12He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[a] eternal redemption. We have an Eternal House 2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. We are called toEternal Glory 1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ… We are kept for anEternal Inheritance Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance— We are cheered by anEternal Encouragement 2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, We know there is anEternalWeight of Glory 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory …. We shall dwell in anEternal Dwellings Luke 16:9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. We are aiming to have an abundant entrance into the EternalKingdom 2 Peter 1:11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Finally, We areescaped from: Eternal SIN Mark 3:29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin. Eternal Judgement Hebrews 6:2… the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. EternalFire Jude 7… They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
The word “confess” is the Greek word ekzomologeo, a word that means {to declare, to say out loud, to exclaim, to divulge, or to blurt}. Just what is CONFESSION; when and how are we to do it? The Roman Catholic teach that it is asacrament and that sacramental reconciliation is required only for grave or mortal sins—but it is required. It is taught in Christian Churches that to be saved you must REPENT and BE BAPTISED and then you must confess your sins (daily?) or as often as you commit them(?) It is also taught the sinners prayer is required for salvation, where one must confess he is a sinner and beg God to forgive and save him! Now what exactly does the Scripture teach about confession and salvation? The Lord Jesus speaking to Jews said: Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But many Jews, even though they believed that Jesus was Lord and the Son of God, were afraid to publicly confess Him. John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: Now Paul, appearing before Felix, the Governor, confessed (not his sin but his belief): Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And Paul’s mission (after he was saved) was to go to the Gentiles: Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Paul told gentiles (and Jews) just what we are to confess to be saved: Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. That Jesus is God, and we can do it now and be saved or later (after death, when it will be too late to be saved). Romans 14:11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. James, writing to Jewish believers (1:1-2), is still living UNDER THE LAW. And following the Law he exhorts them to confess their faults (sins) to each other (James 5:12-16) James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. John, likewise writing to Jewish believers, was still living UNDER THE LAW. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Note that John exhorted that they (Jewish believers) are to confess Jesus is their Messiah: 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
And last
of all The Lord Jesus will confess the name of all
believers in heaven:
Revelation 3:5 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.
Usually, for an individual to ask this question, they are in trouble, in need or lost. And the Philippian jailer who asked Paul and Silas this question, realized he was lost. And of course they gave him a direct answer.
Acts 16:31-32And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
What exactly
did they mean to Believe and be Saved? Let’s look into some writings of Paul.
In his letter to the Church at Corinth he explained the Gospel:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4Moreover, 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:
The Gospel which can save us is to believe Christ Jesus Died (on the cross) for our sins, according to the scripture
was buried, according to the scripture
and on the third day rose alive, according to the scripture
There is (and always has been) a lot of confusion about what one must do to be saved in this age of grace. Then again there are those who don’t believe they have a need to be saved. But for the ones who want to be saved from an eternal damnation, which everyone faces after death (Hebrews 9:27), a study of God’s word, just looking at references of where SHALL BE SAVED are used will reveal just how one can (must) be saved.
All references found in the Old
Testament speak to the Jew (Israel):
Numbers 10:9 has to do with Israel under God’s protection in the time of WAR. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shallbesaved from your enemies.
In Psalm 80 it again appears this has to do with the physical protection of Israel as they serve God: 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shallbesaved. 80:7Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shallbesaved. 80:19Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shallbesaved.
Proverbs 28:18 (read surrounding verses) also appears to be speaking of physical life on earth: Whoso walketh uprightly shallbesaved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Now in Isaiah the text appears to be speaking of eternal salvation: 45:17But Israel shallbesaved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 64:5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shallbesaved.
Then in Jeremiah SHALL BE SAVED speaks prophetically about the time of TRIBULATION (which is yet to come). 17:14Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shallbesaved: for thou art my praise. 23:6 In his days Judah shallbesaved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness. 30:7Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shallbesaved out of it.
Then in the New Testament (the Gospels) we find the words of Jesus speaking to JEWS:
Matthew 10:22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shallbesaved. Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall besaved. Mark 13:13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall besaved. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shallbesaved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. John 10:9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shallbe saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
After the resurrection Peter tells the Jews (Israel) how to be saved (Spiritually): Acts 2:21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shallbesaved.
Confess is actually a very easy word to understand. The Greek word is homologue which literally means “to speak alike or the same, and referred to the idea of agreement or consent (especially in law courts).” It means to confess, profess, proclaim, acknowledge, state openly, declare with a “sense of promise,” affirmation, commitment, public intention.
Matthew 3:6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Mark 1:5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John 1:20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” Acts 19:18Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
The above verses apply to the Nation (and individual Jew) of Israel. The below verses apply the age of Grace.
Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 2 Corinthians 9:13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
