In the days we live in, we can hear any kind of doctrine or tradition of men we want to hear. People will take certain scriptures out of context, or use them by themselves to make them say what they want them to.
But let's get away from all that for a moment, and see what the Bible has to say about the matter. The apostle Paul said we are saved by the Gospel if we keep in memory what he preached unto us, unless we have believed in vain. The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 He also said the Lord was coming back in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
Jesus told his apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15. The ministry was given to mankind here, beginning with the apostles. 2 Corinthians 5:18. Jesus also said that repentance and remission of sins should be preachedin his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 But he told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from in high. Luke 24:49 the power he's refering to is the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 Then on the day of Pentecost, the 120 disciples that were gathered together were filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts1:15, 2:1-4
After they received the Holy Ghost, let's see where the Gospel was preached first. On that day , the Gospel was preached to thousands of Jews first in Jerusalem. Acts 2:38 There were about three thousand Jews that obeyed the Gospel that day. Acts 2:4 Peter preached the message with all the apostles and disciples present. In the days when Jesus was yet with them, he put Peter in charge of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Mathew 16:18-19 After the Gospel was preached and obeyed in Jerusalem, it was also preached to the Samaritans. The Gospel was obeyed here also. Acts 8:12-17 After this, God sent Peter to the centurion who was a Gentile. The Gospel was preached and obeyed here in Acts 10:43-48 The apostle Paul was a chosen vessel to take the Gospel to the Gentile people. Acts 9:15 Peter was chosen to preach the Gospel to the Jew and Paul to preach it to the Gentile. Galatians 2:7 But before Paul was an apostle, Peter was first sent by God to open the door to the Gentile people. Acts15:7 In Acts 9, Paul also had to obey that same Gospel. In verse 10 and 11, Jesus told Ananias to go to Paul, who was called Saul at this time, “for he prayeth”. He received his sight also and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18. He later said he was baptized in the name of the Lord to wash away his sins, Acts 22:16, in the same way and for the same reason as Peter had preached in Acts 2:38.
Later in Acts 18, Aquila and Priscilla found Apollos in Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures, but knew only the baptism of John the Baptist. They expounded the way of God unto him more perfectly. In Acts 19:1-6, twelve disciples of John the Baptist obeyed the Gospel and were filled with the Holy Ghost. John the Baptist in his lifetime had told his disciples that he must decrease, but Jesus must increase. He also said they must believe on Jesus Christ. Acts 19:4 After John the Baptist's ministry was finished, Jesus told the people to repent and believe the Gospel. Mark 1:15 John the Baptist was a forerunner for Jesus. Mathew 3:3
Even though the word Gospel is use many times in the Bible, there is only one Gospel. The apostle Paul wrote, “if we or an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel let him be accursed,” Galatians 1:8-9
Please learn of the Gospel and obey it. Paul wrote if the Gospel was hid to us we were in very serious trouble! 2 Corinthians 4:3 The apostle Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith... not of works, lest any man should boast”. We don't earn it; it is a free gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 We do not do anything for works' sake, but we do the works because we have faith. That is just doing what the Bible says to do. If we don't have works that is to deny him. Titus 1:16 The Bible says if we deny him he will deny us. 2 Timothy 2:12 It also states that every one is judged according to his works, 1 Peter 1:17, but everything we do must be by faith even down to what we eat. Paul wrote, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin!” Romans 14:23
We are saved by faith through obedience. Noah is the perfect example for us today. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and by faith he built the ark by God's instructions. Hebrews 11:7 and Genesis 6:5-22 God made a way for mankind to be saved today also. John 3:16. All we have to do is believe in the Son as the scriptures have said and get the blood of Jesus applied to us by obeying the Gospel. John 7:38 His blood cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
The apostle Peter said, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation” Acts 2:40 Of course, we do this by believing first then obeying the gospel through faith. Acts 2:38 This gets his blood applied to us. “And we have all sinned and come short of glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Thank God for His mercy! We must still obey though, because that same faith is dead without works. James 2:17 After we have become a Christian, if we accidently sin, then confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. 1 John 1:9
Many people try to teach salvation from Romans 10:9-13 in this day we are living. Even though we must confess him and call upon his name to become a Christian (Matthew 10:32-33) Jesus said we cannot stop here. Matthew 7:21 If we just take this portion of scripture by itself, it sounds like that is all that is required for salvation. If that were so, the Bible would contradict itself and it can not do that. Remember the Bible has to line up from cover to cover. The prophet Isaiah said the Bible had to be line upon line, precept on precept. Isaiah 28:10 We must believe all the scriptures. Jesus said, “Man shall not love by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Mathew 4:4 The Bible is God's word. So let's take a look at this chapter in Romans a little closer and see what it is saying. Paul begins by talking about the Jewish people, but states there is no difference between the Jew and everyone else when it comes to salvation. He said whosoever will. Romans 10:12-13. Paul wrote that the Gentiles receive the same promise in Christ by the Gospel. Ephesians 3:6 Remember the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. To the Jew first then to everyone else. Romans 1:16 The Gospel was preached to the Jews first. Acts 2:38 Paul said they all didn't obey the Gospel. Romans 10:16 But many did. All the apostles were Jews including Paul. Romans 11:1 Jesus was also a Jew of the seed of David according to the flesh. Acts 2:30
Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Jesus is the door; he is the only way. John 10:1-18 If you are not a Christian, no matter what your past, Jesus is knocking on your door. Revelation 3:20 We must by faith obey the Gospel...
This opens the door for us today also. God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34-35 Peter said, “the promise of the Holy Ghost is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39 Thank God He will call all this time until he comes after his church.
Peter said to obey the Gospel is very important. 1 Peter 4:17 Jesus said it is a must. John 3:5 Peter said God gave the Holy Ghost to them that obeyed him. Acts 5:32 I am so thankful God is still calling people to him today just like he did in the days of the apostles. Jesus said he prayed for us today who believed on him through their word. John 17:20
We today must be like the early Christians who stood steadfast in the apostle's doctrine which is God's doctrine. Many people today are teaching that Jesus, in Matthew 28:19, and what those apostles taught through the book of Acts were saying two different things. This cannot be. The Bible is God's word. Remember that Isaiah said the Bible had to be line upon line, precept on precept. The apostle Paul said, that all scripture is inspired by God. 2 Timothy 3:16 He also said we must study and rightly divide the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15. Paul said, “let God be true and every man a liar; as it is written.” Romans 3:4.. Even when Jesus was tempted by the devil, He said “It is written”. Matthew 4:4-10. The Bible is truth from cover to cover. Just to scan over Matthew 28:19, it may look like it is saying something different than in Acts 2:38 and other places, but it cannot be. This is why we must go deeper and see what the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is.
Jesus said, “I am come in my Father's name.” John 5:43 Children today are born with their father's last name. The angel told Mary to call the Son's name Jesus. Luke 1:28-31 Jesus said, “the Holy Ghost,whom the Father shall send in my name...” John 14:26 So you see Jesus is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Paul said Jesus is the family name in Heaven and Earth. Ephesians 3:14-15 Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Paul wrote, “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:17 The Bible said we receive remission of sins by believing in him through his name. Acts10:43. Paul said you are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord and by the Sporit of God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 The Bible says that name is far above every name that is named in this world and that world which s to come. Ephesians 1:21
The apostle John said if we acknowledge the Son we have the Father also. 1 John 2:23 He also said, “he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.“ 2 John 9 The apostle Paul said we are complete in him (Christ)which is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:10 The Scriptures say that Jesus was the stone which was become the head of the corner. Acts 4:11 Jesus also said that all power in heaven and earth was given to him. Matthew 28:18
We must believe and obey the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:2 and Romans 6:1-6 Many people try to preach that salvation comes by “believing only” using Acts 16:31 Certainly this is the first step because Jesus said he that believeth not is condemned already. John 3:18. But we cannot stop here, because that same Bible said except you repent you shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3-5 He also said except you are born of water and Spirit you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. John 3:5 Acts 2:38 covers these three things, but we cannot stop here; we must go on.
If we will just do what the Scriptures tell us to do, then, just as those people in the Bible were told by Paul, you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:17. We would also be like the people at Ephesus, “Ye trusted in Christ after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” There is only one gospel and it is for everyone. Ephesians 3:6 Paul told the Colossian people that our hope is in the gospel which was preached to every creature under heaven. Colossians 1:23 Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” and also “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 17:17 and 8:32
We must present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Romans 12:1-2 Our body is the temple of God if we have the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 The Bible says to be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves,. James 1:22 Of course if we do what the word says then we have the blood of Jesus applied to us and are walking according to God's will. Therefore when we are judged we are acceptable to God. Yes, judgment begins at the house of God. 1Peter 4:17 Paul said we all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Thank God the Christian is not condemned if he walks after the Spirit and not after the flesh. Romans 8:1 We walk after the Spirit by doing what the Bible says to do. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we have the power to become the sons of God who believe on his name. John 1:12 When we are led by the Spirit, we are the Sons of God. Romans 8:14 We must have that Spirit for the scripture says, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his,: Romans 8:9 We are not saved by just one thing, but by all things working together. Jesus said all the scriptures must be fulfilled.
Jesus lived on earth, chose the apostles, showed the mighty power of God. He healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed the sea, and many,many more things, but he also gave the word of God to mankind. John 14:24 He taught the apostles what God's will was and gave his blood for it. He said, “this is my blood of the new teatament.” Matthew 26:28 He gave that blood on the cross. Hebrews 9:17-18 He arose after three days. Then, on the day he ascended to heaven, he told those apostles to preach the Gospel and, of course, the book of Acts records that they did this, The first church was born on the day Pentecost. Acts 2:38. Paul finished his course at Rome. Acts 28. They reached the whole world. Romans 10:18 The book of Romans through the third chapter of Revelation tells us how to live in his will after we become Christians. If we will do these things by faith, then Psalms 23 belongs to us. Truly it is worth it all. With each passing day, as the apostle Paul said, “Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11