For thou hast magnified thy word above
all thy name. - Psalms 138:2 KJV
God's Answers
Does church, religion, works, being good or baptism save you?
By YBible
Answer: The Bible is very clear about this subject. Over and over again we are told what is required for salvation. The answer is a genuine belief that Jesus died for your sins and that He rose again. Repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ.
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21 KJV
Church
Question: Does going to church save us?
Answer: Going to church is for people who are already saved. It is not how someone gets saved.
Old Testament Verses
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. … Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. - Jeremiah 7:4, 8-11
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. - Ezekiel 33:31-32
New Testament Verses
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. - Matthew 15:8-9
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? - Acts 7:48-50
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. - Hebrews 4:2
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. - James 1:22
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. - Revelation 3:1
Religion
Question: Can religious systems save us?
Answer: No amount of religious rituals can save you, God looks on your heart. You can say the right things an appear godly outwardly but inside be evil.
People want to earn salvation by being good in their own eyes. God says you must repent. No one wants to confess to God they have sinned against Him and deserve His judgment.
Old Testament
…for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. - 1 Samuel 16:7
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: - Isaiah 29:13
New Testament
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. - Matthew 7:22-23
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. - Matthew 23:28
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. - Luke 18:10-14
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. - John 3:7
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 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: - Philippians 3:4-9
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. - 2 Timothy 3:5
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. - Titus 1:16
Works
Question: Can doing good works save us?
Answer: Good works are the result, not the cause of saving faith.
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
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. - Romans 3:20
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. - Romans 4:3
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. - Romans 4:5
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
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, - 2 Timothy 1:9
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
The Bible teaches we are to always be ready to do good works, and that we should sacrifice our lives for the benefit of others. But the Bible also assures us that even our best works are as filthy rags before God. We do good for a reward of some kind and without a reward we wouldn’t serve God. Trusting in your own good will lead you to Hell. You cannot save yourself, you require your sins to be forgiven by God. Only Jesus Christ’s shed blood on the cross can wash away your sins.
Being good
Question: Can we be good enough to go to heaven?
Answer: No one is truly good before God. We have all sinned and there is only one payment for our sins, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We cannot be with God while in our sins, we must be forgiven first.
Old Testament
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. - Isaiah 53:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. - Isaiah 64:6
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. - Ecclesiastes 7:20
New Testament
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: - Matthew 15:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. - John 3:19
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. - Romans 3:10-12
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; - Romans 3:23
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: - Romans 5:12
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. - 1 John 1:8
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. - 1 John 1:10
We are commanded to turn from our own righteousness and accept Jesus Christ’s righteousness as the payment for our sins.
Baptism
Question: Does Baptism save you?
Answer: No, baptism is a picture of being buried and resurrected with Christ, it’s a public declaration of your faith (Romans 6:3-5).
There are only a few verses used to falsely teach baptism saves, while the majority of salvation verses don’t mention baptism. Saying baptism saves would make these majority of verses to be deceitful. The pattern is clear: believing the gospel is what saves and always comes first, then baptism.
Paul defines the gospel that saves and separates the gospel from baptism.
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. - 1 Corinthians 1:17
In the same book he then defines the gospel we believe to be saved, and he does not mention baptism.
…I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you … By which also ye are saved … unless ye have believed in vain … 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: - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
A few examples of salvation stated without baptism.
The key salvation verses throughout the New Testament proclaim salvation without baptism. Salvation by faith always comes first.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. - John 3:36
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. - John 5:24
Believe first
...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. - Acts 16:30-31
Salvation, no baptism mentioned.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:9-10, 13
Examples of those saved before or without baptism.
Luke 23:42-43 - the thief on the cross is saved without baptism.
Acts 8:36-38 - The eunuch asks to be baptized, Philip makes sure he believed first.
Cornelius’s household received the Spirit before water baptism.
Peter’s message: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Then: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word - Acts 10:43-48
Believed first then baptized.
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. - Acts 18:8
Key verses used to falsely teach baptism saves.
Acts 2:38
If someone uses this verse to teach baptism is what saves, they must ignore the far greater number of verses that clearly preach salvation without baptism.
This verse doesn’t teach baptism saves, you would have to manipulate, in spite of the context.
They are first told to repent of rejecting Jesus Christ, repenting of rejecting Jesus Christ results in accepting Him. They accepted Jesus Christ and then were baptized. Accepting Jesus saved them. Acts 2:41 - “they that gladly received his word were baptized”. Received the word first, then baptized.
1 Peter 3:21
Read the whole verse. Peter immediately clarifies it’s the answer towards God that saves. The baptism mentioned is spiritual but if it where physical it would be the same as practiced elsewhere in the New Testament, which is believers baptism only.
Mark 16:16
The second half of the verse names the damning factor: unbelief, not lack of baptism.
John 3:5
Just as with Mark 16:16 it’s immediately made clear in the next verse that water (baptism) in not the key, it’s the Spirit. Then again three verses later “so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (Jn. 3:8) no water mentioned this time. The rest of the chapter in no uncertain terms makes salvation conditioned on believing in Jesus Christ only (John 3:15,16,18,36) none mention water. Those verses would be made into lies if baptism was necessary for salvation.
Water here is in the context of Johns baptism (John 1:31-33). John’s baptism didn’t save it was believing on who came after him (Jesus) that saved (Acts 19:4). As the New Testament progresses believing on Jesus Christ is preached first then baptism unto Jesus. John’s baptism becomes obsolete (Acts 19:3-5).
If born of water and the Spirit means being baptized for salvation this verse contradicts at least 18 other verses in the same book of John that only state believing for salvation and don’t mention water or baptism.
Traditions
Question: Can our traditions save us?
Answer: Tradition is mentioned 13 times in the Bible. 11 times it’s bad, 2 times it’s neutral. The 2 neutral mentions are about passing on true doctrine and God’s word at a time when Christian’s didn’t have completed Bibles to guide them.
Do you think traditions that contradict the Bible are approved by God?
Jesus teaches about tradition:
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? - Matthew 15:3 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. - Matthew 15:9 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, - Mark 7:8 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. - Mark 7:9 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. - Mark 7:13
Beware of the traditions of men:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. - Colossians 2:8
Experiencing miracles
Question: Does Experiencing miracles mean we are saved?
Answer: These are people who claimed Jesus Christ. They did works in His name, yet the Lord says He never knew them.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. - Matthew 7:22-23
God performed miracles for the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt. The parting of the Red Sea, manna, water from the rock, the pillars of fire. The miracles did not mean they were saved. Many ended up in Hell. God works in the lives of the saved and the lost, but salvation now is to believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again not relying on our experiences.
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. - 1 Corinthians 10:5
The Bible makes it very clear, salvation is to repent to God and believe on Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Rom. 10:9, 13; Acts 16:31)
What does save us?
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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. - John 1:12-13
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. - Acts 16:30-31
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. - Romans 10:9
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. - Romans 10:13
- KJV