What Does James Mean By "The Devils Also Believe"?

James 2:15-20, "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

When interpreting any particular passage of Scripture, the worst thing we can do is lift the text our of context to create a new pretext. That is, teaching something that the Bible does not teach. This is what some in the New IFB have done with Romans 10:13, basing their heresy that you cannot be saved without praying to be saved. They lifted this one verse out of context, while ignoring the entire Gospel of John. In John we find the word "believe" mentioned 85 times, without any requirement to "pray" to be saved. Faith is enough. We are saved by receiving Christ, not by praying (John 1:12-13).

My humble opinion of James 2:19 is this. First, let me quote the passage. James 2:15-20, "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

The Apostle James says that if you have food and housing, and a brother in Christ comes to you asking for food or a place to stay, but you don't help him, you have a poor testimony as a child of God. When I attended Campus Church on July 4th, 2021 at the church picnic and told Pastor Jeff Redlin that I was homeless, sleeping in Walmart's parking lot, he couldn't have cared less. Pastor Redlin could have easily helped me, with all their resources at PCC. There were several hundred church members present that day at their 4th of July picnic. He could have made a simple phone call for someone to put me up for the night.

I didn't ask nor expect his help, but in hindsight he should and could have helped me. I saw the startled look on his face when I kindly told him that I was homeless, so I know that he heard me. PCC has thousands of empty dorm rooms during the summer. Pastor Redlin cruelly walked away, because he didn't care, which is exactly what James is talking about here. When you have the ability and opportunity to help a hurting Christian brother, but you don't, you don't have God's love or compassion, and you have a horrible Christian testimony!

Anyway, the Apostle James goes on to say that your testimony is only as good as your works as a saint. The issue here is NOT salvation. In the Epistle of Romans, the Apostle Paul speaks of being justified in the eyes of God BY FAITH (Romans 4:1-7). However, the Apostle James in speaking about being justified in the eyes of men, BY WORKS.

So James says that if you see a brother in need, and you refuse to help him (like Pastor Redlin refused to help me in 2021 and still today), your testimony is tarnished because of your lack of good deeds (works). Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." When we don't do the right thing as believers, we become toxic to those around us (Hebrews 12:14-15).

So James uses the fallen angels as an example of having a poor testimony. They also believe in God, but tremble in fear knowing that the time of their judgment is coming. Again, the issue here is NOT salvation, it is how we choose to live as believers. James says, "Look, even the devils profess faith in God, but look at how evil they are, phonies. And likewise when you fail to love and help your Christian brother in need, you are no better than the demons. You are a phony too!"

To properly interpret this passage, you need to understand that everything James is saying is premised upon a Christian brother who refuses to help another Christian brother in need. Read the passage again and you will see. This passage of Scripture has Pastor Jeff Redlin's name written all over it. When I asked and needed his help, he just walked away. And now that I have been pleading just to attend Campus Church, he still cruelly refuses. The guy won't even communicate with me, because he is a rich man full of sinful pride and arrogance. What does that say about him? It plainly says that he is no better than the demons, who believe in God but do evil, trembling in fear in their rebellion.

I humbly think this passage in James chapter 2 is all about being justified in the sight of men, not God. What saith the Scripture? 1st Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." Do you see? The Lord seeth not as man seeth. The Bible says man looks on THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, but the Lord looks upon THE HEART. It is because men cannot see our heart that they judge us by our WORKS.

Clear evidence of this is James' own words in James 2:18, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Notice that James says "𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘸 𝘮𝘦" and I will "𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘦." James is speaking about being justified by works in men's sight, not God's.

Genesis 4:9, “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?  And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?” Yes, Cain, you are your brother's keeper. The 1960's singing group, The Hollies, had it right in their popular song: “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother”...

The Hollies: “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”

(2019 Remaster Video)

It is so sad that the secular world understands the importance of looking out for each other, and carrying one another's burdens when we are down and needy, while many shameful independent Baptist pastors throw hurting people under the bus. Shame on Marty Herron, Joe Hensen, Jared Baldwin, Gary Walton and the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam, for ostracizing and banning me from attending church for 7 long years (2014 to 2021). I finally moved 9,000 miles away from Guam to Pensacola, Florida in 2021.

Shame on Pensacola Christian College and Campus Church. I chose to attend Campus Church at Pensacola Christian College (PCC). Sadly, I learned when I attended PCC's Campus Church that they are in bed spiritually fornicating with the Bob Jones University (BJU) cult on Guam at Harvest. It is WICKEDNESS!!! BJU today preaches hardcore Lordship Salvation! Birds of a feather flock together. SHAME on PCC!!! At PCC their Christian brother is too heavy to carry, so they just left me for dead. They have huge egos at PCC, which means only God can humble them. PCC is as the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:15-17, whom the Lord called “lukewarm.” PCC is neither hot nor cold. They think they are prospering at PCC, but the Lord knows that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. ...

Revelation 3:15-17, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

Pastor Redlin mistreated me as a hurting divorced person, made insensitive remarks in front of his wife one Sunday morning, and made me feel like garbage. When I humbly emailed Pastor Redlin to let him know that he made me “feel like garbage,” his cruel reply was: “That is your reality.” He might as well have said: “You feel like garbage because you are garbage!” Campus Church needs a MUCH better pastor, one who actually walks with God and loves people with God's unconditional love. There is no compassion at PCC. Read what their own alumni are negatively saying about PCC....

“Don't go here if you're a Christian; they don't actually follow the Bible. They just use it as an excuse to treat people like trash.” —Danielle Tate (2016)

“This institution did more to harm my personal development than any other. As a 38 year old professional, I still bear the scars of how I was treated by this harsh, unloving, uncaring college.” —Greg S (2015), a former abused PCC student

“17 years later and I'm still shaking off the trauma. So many extra-biblical rules it'll make your head spin. Great place for Pharisaical training if your into that. The rule book has more rules than the Bible.” —Jorn Anderson (September 2022), former mistreated PCC student

“Pcc is the worst school ever. It was a complete waste of my time and money. They kicked me out for going to the wrong Sunday school class. And that was a year ago. They still will not release my transcripts which has put me behind in my college career. They schools not be called a Christian college if they cannot even live by what the Bible has to say. If I was able to take it all back and not go there I would in a heartbeat. I am warning you if you are thinking about going DONT DO IT!!!!” —Gavin Bufford (2017), abused former PCC student

“I'm a 2018 graduate of PCC and I went here for all 4 years. It's really sad that this place calls itself Christian, its legalistic places like pcc that give Christians a bad name. They do have a lot of rules regulating most areas of life. I was treated very poorly and rude by several "Christians" on staff and faculty and I saw many of my friends treated the same way. I've personally seen people who were once people I would hang out with, when given positions of leadership become legalistic monsters taking joy in getting as many students in trouble as possible, and this is done in the name of Christ! As a student you are guilty until proven innocent and can be kicked out just because someone accuses you of something.” —Nick Harrison (2019), a mistreated PCC alumni

“It is NOT a friendly environment. All they care about is rules instead of encouraging and building you up in your Christian walk.” —Hannah Elizabeth Kirchhoff (December 2022), mistreated former PCC student

“They call themselves Christians, but Christians are supposed to show compassion and patience.” —Angela (January 2023), mistreated former PCC student

“In retrospect, I thank God for not having the opportunity to attend here (Pensacola Christian College) and myself for not making the decision to enroll.” —Richard Deuto (January 2023)

“Crackpot unaccredited school.” —Meryl Montgomery (November 2022)

SOURCE: Google reviews 

This is what the inspired Word of God is condemning in James 2:15-21, throwing your brother under the bus when he needs your compassion and help. Where dwelleth the love of God? It is tragic that the cult system always comes first at PCC, but individual people do not matter. Dear friend, people just want to be loved. When Judas betrayed the dear Savior to be crucified, the first thing Jesus said to him was: “Friend” (Matthew 26:50b). The test of our Christian character is not whether we love Jesus, but do we love Judas Iscariot? Either you love everyone, or else you love no one!

“There are a lot of people tat just need somebody to care. That's all! A warm hand—listen—You'll never know. You'll never know in your life, how hard it is for somebody that's gone into deep sin, to come back to church and get right! You'll never know!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, a precious quote from the great MP3 sermon, "A Smoking Flax Shall He Not Quench" (preached in 1986)

I truly wish that the unloving, cold and uncompassionate pastors and leaders at Pensacola Christian College (PCC) would learn this important truth. They are blinded by their worldly success, having more money and people they they need, which has hardened their hearts at PCC. One of the hardest things for a newcomer to any church is just taking the first step to go there. I was nervous and felt like a fish out of water the first week that I attended Campus Church at PCC in July of 2021.

Sadly, Pastor Redlin scolded me 2 days after I first met him, for kindly mentioning that as a divorced man for 15 years, I finally hoped to move on with my life and find a wife at Campus Church. That is a bad pastor! Mr. Redlin never once told me that he cared about me. He never offered to pray with me, nor did he tell me that he was praying for me. Jeff never told me once over several months that God loves me, or that I am welcomed at Campus Church. He never said he was glad that I came to their church. Redlin never showed any compassion or regard for the stenosis and radiculitis in my spinal cord, which afflicts me with neck and body pain, radiating pain in my arms and legs, causes both arms to feel inflated with air all the time, and incessant burning nerves 24/7. I kindly told Pastor Redlin of my health afflictions, but he didn't care one bit. Jeff Redlin was brash, insensitive and unkind, just like the Devil.

Pastor Redlin didn't care about me as a hurting human being, and shamefully he still doesn't care, even though I have pleaded with him and PCC, for their love and help. All I want is to come to Campus Church! Is that so much to ask? Yes, their brother is too heavy to bear at PCC and Campus Church. What ungodly religious hypocrites!!! The problem goes much deeper than just a coldhearted, carnal and uncompassionate pastor at PCC, it indicts the entire PCC camp because they all sanction this type of unchristian hatred, mistreatment and arrogant pride. I know God will be their Judge, but someone needs to expose the abusive culture at PCC, so others will steer clear of going to their cult. Any so-called "church" that bans people from coming to church is a CULT!

I want to repeat the precious earlier quote again, because it is so true and needful in churches today...

“There are a lot of people that just need somebody to care. That's all! A warm hand—listen—You'll never know. You'll never know in your life, how hard it is for somebody that's gone into deep sin, to come back to church and get right! You'll never know!” —Pastor Jack Hyles

And so, I have elaborated on James chapter 2, relating it to my own life. PCC sees my need, but I am too heavy for them to bear enough to allow me just to attend church services. Yet those stiff-necked hypocrites will sit there and sing religious songs, play church, and never give a second thought about me (their needy brother) that they just flushed down the toilet. Real great testimonies at PCC, huh? This is what the Apostle condemned in James 2:15-21, not loving and having compassion on one another. Did not our blessed Savior make a big deal of loving one another? Yes, Jesus sure did! ...

John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” 

John 15:12, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

John 15:17, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

There is no love or compassion for hurting people at Campus Church or PCC, there is only strict rules, rules and more rules. The system always comes first at PCC, individual people do not matter. People just want to be loved. The problem is not that Campus Church is TOO BIG, but that Pastor Jeff Redlin's heart is TOO SMALL.

Most Bible students read James 2:18-21 without ever paying attention to verses 15 and 16 to get the context of this passage. James is making all these statements to elaborate on helping our Christian brother in need. Please don't miss the great heart of God in this passage. If we fail to have compassion on one another, and don't love each other with the same love wherewith Christ loves us, then we are just like the phony devils, who believe in God but do evil. John 15:12b, “That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

I'm thinking that you've probably never heard James chapter 2 interpreted this way before, but you can read it for yourself. In verses 15 and 16, James says that if you see your Christian brother in need and you fail to help him, your don't have good works to validate your faith in the sight of your fellow human neighbours. Your faith is dead. It is faith (meaning you are saved), but your faith is lifeless, your Christian testimony is dead and ineffective for God. You are just like the fallen angels, who believe in God but have no works.

James is not relating carnal saints to the damnation of the fallen angels; but rather, to their hypocrisy. This is what I humbly believe James is teaching. How is your testimony dear reader? What do people say about you? Your reputation is what men know about you; your character is what God knows about you. Thank you for reading my blogs. Jesus is precious!!!

Genesis 4:9, “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?  And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?”

No One Is Saved Who Is Confused On The Free Grace Gospel

Acts 15:1-5, “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. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

I keep hearing ignorant wannabe theologians on YouTube, and unlearned preachers, say that many people are saved even though they are confused and partly wrong on the Gospel.

Dear reader, how can that be? Let me ask you a question: How wrong can a person be concerning the Gospel and still be saved? I have heard preachers claim that some people who are caught between grace and works are saved. What saith the Scripture? 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.” There is no middle ground dear reader. You are either saved entirely 100% by grace, or else it is partially by grace plus 10% your own works, but it cannot be both.

Also, please take a look at:

Romans 4:2-5, “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. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

God doesn't owe you or me anything except eternal damnation in the fires of Hell. This passage of Scripture puts to rest the nonsense that people in the Old Testament were saved by works, or faith plus works. No they were not! As we just read in Romans 4:4, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” If anyone at any time in human history has, is or ever will be saved by faith plus works, then salvation was by DEBT, and not GRACE! The Bible very plainly teaches that salvation is solely by God's grace. Ephesians 2:8-9, “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.”

It astonishes me, it really does! The Bible speaks so plainly that salvation is by God's grace alone, without works. Yet, millions of incompetent clergy today in the world preach something drastically different than what the inspired King James Bible teaches. Nowhere in the Word of God are we taught to “repent of your sins” or “turn from your sins” to be saved, yet dishonest preachers add those requirements to God's simple plan of salvation, perverting it!

I contend dear reader, based upon the authority of God's inspired Word, that no one is saved who adds the slightest bit of works to the Gospel. I mean not before, during or after being saved. There are all sorts of heresies being taught today in churches and Bible colleges regarding how to get to Heaven.

Partial Faith In Christ Plus Something Else Equals Damnation

As an example: When I attended the corrupt neo-evangelical Harvest Baptist Church on Guam in 2013-2014. The church had monthly 'Watchcare Meetings' in staff member's homes. At these quaint meetings we would sing, fellowship, eat food and hear devotions from the staff member. I really enjoyed those meetings and I miss them. At one meeting I witnessed to a staff member of Harvest's Christian Academy. His name is Jason, one of the school's teachers. I asked him if he believes that you can simply admit to God that you're a sinner and believe the Gospel to be saved. I was horrified by his answer. He said: “Uh, I think a little more is required than that.” I knew immediately that he was still unsaved, a child of the Devil hellbound in his sins without Christ. Jason has been woefully deceived by Marty Herron and the cult at Bob Jones University (BJU), who are the devil's servants!

I asked Jason what he believed a lost sinner must do to be saved. He said that a person must repent to turn away from their sinful behavior. He said that a person must make Jesus their “Lord,” following Christ in obedience no matter what the cost. I was sad for him, knowing that the Devil has conned him into living the Christian life instead of being born again.

Dear reader, Jesus said in John 3:3b, “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” No one will ever enter through Heaven's pearly gates, nor walk upon the heavenly streets of gold who adds lordship to grace, and turning away from sins to faith (behavior modification). Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do. Good works are not the payment for sin, the payment for sin is death. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty. Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. Turning away from sinful ways would be a work. Faith puts all of the merit where it belongs, on the object of our faith, Jesus and His work. The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU.

May I remind you friend of Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” This is a very disturbing passage of Scripture, because it exposes hundreds of millions of false converts today throughout the world.

Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again, which is exactly what happened to these unfortunate false prophets in Matthew 7:21-23. They boasted to Christ that they had prophesied (preached) in His very name, but Jesus denied even knowing them. They were not The Great Shepherd's sheep. John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” I love that! Jesus KNOWS His sheep. That is, He knows the children of God, those who have had their sins washed away by the precious blood of the Lamb (1st Peter 1:18-19).

Jesus does not know Marty Herron, Steve Pettit, Sam Horn, John MacArthur, Chuck Phelps and other infidels in the Bob Jones University (BJU) cult. BJU is a cult because they use, sell and promote the Devil's corrupt Bible manuscripts translated by Brooke Westcott and Fenton Hort. Pastor Peter S. Ruckman (1921-2016) does an excellent job exposing the BJU cult in this work titled: 'The Alexandrian Cult Series.' BJU is also a cult because they preach another gospel called 'Lordship Salvation.' They do not preach a free grace Gospel, which is by faith alone without works. Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) rightly exposes Lordship Salvation as a perversion of God's grace. Pastor Jack Hyles exposes the Devil's damnable lie of Lordship Salvation.

Acts 15:5, “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” In this passage we read about some Pharisees who were believers. They are saved. But the Bible says the Pharisees confused the Gentiles by requiring them to keep the law of Moses, not to be saved (because they couldn't have been saved by works); but rather, because they are saved.

Even today in 2023, we hear corrupt preachers errantly teaching people that you must keep the law if you are saved. No, you do not! You SHOULD keep the law (Romans 3:31), obeying God's commandments, but if you don't, then grace will much more abound (Romans 5:20, 6:1). The more that we sin as saints, the more God's grace abounds, so that no child of God can ever lose salvation. We may lose our happiness and sweet fellowship with the Lord because of sin, but we can never lose what wasn't ours to give in the first place. If we couldn't be saved by good works, then we certainly cannot be lost by bad works. Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9).

Beware Of The Bob Jones University Cult

Bob Jones University falsely teaches that faith is not enough to be saved. Their Statement of Faith errantly requires you to “repent and turn away from your sins” to be saved. That is NOT the Gospel, it is a manmade plan of damnation. Listen friend, the most dangerous thing that you will ever do is to trust a preacher! Some people asked Jesus what 'WORKS' they must do to be saved. Jesus simply told them to 'BELIEVE ON HIM.' 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.” There is the simplicity of salvation, which is the Gospel.

If confused churchgoers who think that you must forsake a lifestyle of sinning, or be willing to forsake a lifestyle of sinning, to get to heaven are really saved, then what about water baptism? Are Churches of Christ cult members saved, who believe that you cannot go to Heaven without being dunked in a baptistery? No, they are not saved. No one is saved who has the ungodly mindset that faith in the 'Good News' (Gospel) of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen is insufficient to get to Heaven. JESUS PAID IT ALL!!!

Having said all that, you CAN be doctrinally confused and still be saved, but not concerning the Gospel itself. For example: Evangelist Kent Hovind falsely teaches that those who believe in an Old Earth Creation are not saved, because he claims they are corrupting the Gospel by teaching that sin existed before Adam. First, Kent Hovind is grasping for straws. Whatever you believe about the age of the earth doesn't affect the Gospel or getting saved. Second, sin DID exist before Adam. Eve dinned before Adam. The serpent (Satan) sinned before Adam. The fallen angels sinned before Adam. So Kent Hovind doesn't know what he is talking about.

Another example is Pastor Steven Anderson's blatant heresy that Jesus burned in Hell for three days. He couldn't be more wrong! Jesus plainly told the repentant thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Unless you think burning in Hell is Paradise, you must conclude that Pastor Anderson is doctrinally wrong in this matter. Yet, having said that, I love and support Pastor Anderson's soulwinning ministry. God is using this young man to reach millions of lost sinners with the Gospel, and to convict a wicked nation of our depth of sins. I respectfully disagree with Pastor Anderson on at least 10 different doctrines, but he is correct on the two main issues of the inspiration of the King James Bible and a free grace Gospel.

So you CAN be messed up doctrinally and still be saved, but the moment that you add or subtract from the finished redemptive work of Christ, you are evidencing that you've never been born again. No one is saved, who having been shown the truth in the Word of God, still chooses to deny Jesus' deity, the Godhead (Trinity), Jesus' sinless life, et cetera. Now, this doesn't mean that you have to know these things to be saved. I was saved at age 13, but didn't learn that Jesus is God until I was 18. But when I learned that Bible truth, I immediately accepted it as true, because the indwelling Holy Spirit bared witness with my spirit that it is the truth concerning Christ my Savior.

Hebrews 4:10-11, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” I cherish this passage of Scripture. The Old Testament Sabbath Day was symbolic of the coming Messiah, in whom all who rest are saved. Just as God rested from His labors on the seventh day, so also are we saved by ceasing from our works and wholly resting in Jesus' name. It is that simple to go to Heaven. To be saved, you simply need to BELIEVE that Jesus did it all for you.

If you would like to go to Heaven...

Here is the gospel: God says that we are sinners and that no amount of good works or behavioral changes on our part could ever make us holy enough to enter heaven. God sent His Son to pay for all of our sins. Jesus paid for our crimes by dying on the cross for us all. His dead body was buried in a grave. On the third day, Jesus arose from the dead. The instant you believe this, He knows it and He saves you. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life”(John 6:47). The free gift is based solely upon your trust in what Jesus did for you and has nothing at all to do with what you do for Him. “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). —Michael P. Bowen, 'I Never Knew You,' p. xii

Please don't let some sincere but misled lying preacher take you with him to the Lake of Fire. You are either wholly trusting in Jesus Christ and are saved, or you're adding something to it and have not yet been saved. I thank God for doctrinally sound preachers like Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001)...

'The Gospel Or Another Gospel'
(by Pastor Jack Hyles)

The Big Problem With 'CHICK TRACTS'

Acts 15:1-5, “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. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

I love this helpful passage of Scripture. In verse one we read about an unsaved group of false prophets. They plainly added works to grace, teaching that Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1b). We know of a surety that they could not have been saved, because they clearly taught partial faith in Christ plus works to get to Heaven.

In verse five we have a different group of false prophets, but they the Bible says “believed,” that is, they are saved. Acts 15:5, “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” These false prophets were teaching the Gentiles (non Jewish) that because they were saved they had keep Jewish customs. In verse 24 the Apostle James refutes this heresy and clarifies the matter, saying “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:” (Acts 15:24).

Having said that as introduction, let me now refute Jack Chick's counterfeit Gospel. The following is the same back page that appears on all ONE BILLION Chick Tracts that have been sold over the past 63 years since Jack Chick published his first cartoon tract in 1960. ...

A WARNING About Chick Tracts!

Jack Chick's Counterfeit Plan Of Salvation

Carefully notice in the above back page portion of every Chick Tract, that Jack Chick requires MORE to be saved than simply admitting you are a sinner. In addition to step 1, he also requires in step 2 that you: “Be willing to turn from sin,” which he errantly misunderstands to be the biblical meaning of the word “repent.” Folks, this is damnable heresy! RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

Someone recently felt compelled to let me know that they disagree with me, that Chick Tracts are bad. The man said that when he got saved years ago, he never felt the impression from Chick Tracts that he had to turn away from his sinful behavior to get to Heaven. I am glad for his sake; however, I have also received comments from others, who said that except it were for the grace of God, they might have split Hell wide open because of being misled by Jack Chick's religious tracts.

One man in particular, confided in me that he had been living in fornication with his girlfriend at the time, and after reading a Chick Tract was deceived to think that God wouldn't save him unless he first abandoned his sinful lifestyle, which he wasn't willing to do. He told me that if he had died during that time, he would have went to Hell forever because of Jack Chick.

Dear reader, the way that we present the Gospel is a critically important matter. There are not different variations of the Gospel. I keep hearing foolish neo-evangelical preachers, like Kevin Bauder, who claims that a free grace Gospel and Lordship Salvationists all fall within the realm of orthodox Christian theology. No, they do not!!! Lordship Salvation is a perversion of the Gospel. The inspired King James Bible teaches a free grace Gospel, by faith alone in Christ.

You cannot show me anywhere in the inspired King James Bible where it says to be willing to forsake a lifestyle of sinning to get to Heaven. What saith the Scripture? ...

Romans 3:19-21, “ 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. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”

The only thing that God requires to be saved is to admit you are a guilty sinner. You've got to know what you're being saved from. We are all guilty sinners in God's sight, who all deserve to burn in the fires of Hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). That is the Bad News! The Good News (or Gospel) is that God sent His only begotten Son into the world to die on a cross in our place, to pay for our debt of sins with His precious blood. Jesus died on the cross, was buried and resurrected three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-6). This is THE GOSPEL, not turning away from your sinful ways, following Jesus as the 'Lord' of your life, inviting Christ into your life, letting God take control of the steering wheel, giving up the old ways, nor any other theological junk that is being preached everywhere in apostate churches and Bible colleges today.

Chick Tracts Preach Another Gospel

Chick Tracts seem to have a different answer than the Bible to the question:

"What must I do to be saved?"

Surrender your life to Christ? That's Lordship Salvation!

"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

On their website's statement of faith at Chick.com, they state concerning salvation:

"Salvation is the gift of God and includes the forgiveness of sins, the imputation of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ, and the gift of eternal life. Union with the triune God provides all blessings in this life and the life hereafter. Salvation is received by faith alone, apart from all good works and merit."

SOURCE: http://www.chick.com/information/general/statementoffaith.asp

Bravo! That's correct. Now if only they stuck to it! You'd think that Chick Tracts were published by complete strangers in a different religion. How can their website by so right, but their tracts be so bad? It is my humbly belief that Jack Chick knew he was wrong in his theology, but after printing and selling 800,000,000 of his cartoon tracts, he was reluctant to change his plan of salvation 60 years later. Why else would Jack Chick have a double standard? His Statement of Faith is correct, but his religious Chick Tracts are corrupt. That speaks volumes!

Evangelist Jack Chick

One thing is 100% certain, and that is that Chick Tracts preach 'another gospel' that cannot produce the new spiritual birth. ...

2nd Corinthians 11:3-4, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

Here is a helpful Gospel tract by Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) titled, what else: 'ANOTHER GOSPEL.' You cannot be saved by placing your trust in ANOTHER GOSPEL. This is how I KNOW that Dr. Kevin Bauder and other heretics like him, are wrong to claim that there can be more than one Gospel. Lordship Salvation is another gospel. Either you must turn away from your sinful bad habits, or you do not to get to Heaven, but it absolutely cannot be BOTH! 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.” If you attempt to clean up your life to be saved, you don't get grace!

The sole purpose of the Old Testament LAW of Moses is to show humanity our sinnership and bring us to Christ to be saved by grace through faith alone. 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 never intended for man to try to keep the law as a prerequisite to saving faith. This is the damnable heresy that John MacArthur, John Piper, Paul Washer, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, Steve Pettit, Marty Herron, John Lewis, Sam Horn, Billy and Franklin Graham, Rick Warren, Pat Robertson, Joel Osteen, Beth Moore, Joyce Meyer and all the rest of today's hellbound neo-evangelicals are all preaching—ANOHER GOSPEL of partial faith in Christ plus works (i.e., turning away from your sinful ways, which is equivalent to keeping the Mosaic law).

Whether giving up your BAD WORKS, or starting to do GOOD WORKS, either way you are adding WORKS to God's saving grace, which is a perversion of the Gospel. Hebrews 6:1-2, “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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” As we just read, the Bible speaks of repentance from “DEAD WORKS,” which includes repentance from BAD WORKS and GOOD WORKS alike. One of my favorite sermons by Pastor Jack Hyles is titled: 'HE DIED FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS TOO.'

The Devil's Modern Bibles Contain Another Gospel

The Devil's new modern Bible revisions woefully misinterpret the Word of God, changing the truth of God into a lie (Romans 1:25). Look for yourself how some of the Devil's new Bible perversions corrupt God's Word...

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) - 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,”

EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) - Hebrews 6:1, “So we should be finished with the beginning lessons about Christ. We should not have to keep going back to where we started. We began our new life by turning away from the evil we did in the past and by believing in God.”

Do you see the night and day difference between the accurate King James Bible and the Satanic corrupted Easy-To-Read Version? To be saved we repent (change our mind) from what we think we must do to get to Heaven, to what God's Word says we must do to get to Heaven. We must change our mind about trusting in DEAD WORKS (which includes all works, both good and bad), and REST only in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:10-11). The ERV is wrong! 

The ERV errantly reads that you must forsake your BAD WORKS, which is in itself a form of GOOD WORKS. The King James Bible tells us to abandon DEAD WORKS. That is, we must change our mind about trying to get to Heaven by doing (or not doing) any type of WORKS.

The Big Problem With 'CHICK TRACTS'

Sadly, the big issue with Jack Chick's tracts is that he requires MORE to get to Heaven than God does. Christ came into the world to take away our sins, not demand that we attempt to forsake them as a prerequisite to saving faith.

“It is 'Good News' if no one must have good works before salvation, or after salvation. For salvation to truly be by grace, it must not have any stipulations of any kind at any time. Works before, during or after; works cannot be evidence of my salvation.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, “Does Calvinism Change The Gospel?”

Good works are not the payment for sin, the payment for sin is death. That is why Christ died for our sins. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty! Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. Turning away from sinful ways would be a work. Faith puts all of the merit where it belongs, on the object of our faith, Jesus and His work.

If to “repent” means to forsake our sinful ways TO BE SAVED, but Jesus already paid for our sins by dying on the cross, then what are we repenting from? The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU. We must stay true to the simplicity of the Gospel. Repentance regarding salvation is a change of mind from unbelief to belief. We must earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3).

If you pay close attention to the theology of Jack Chick, as taught on the back page of every Chick Tract, you cannot get saved. No one has ever been born-again who thinks they must continually make an effort to turn away from their sinful ways to get to Heaven, because that is works. Jack Chick plainly teaches that it is NOT enough to merely admit being a sinner, to be saved. In addition, he perversely teaches that you must have a desire to forsake your sinful lifestyle, or else you are not ready to be saved. That is damnable heresy! Nowhere in the Holy Bible can you show me where it says we must be willing to stop committing sin to get to Heaven. That is 100% self-righteousness, not the free grace of God by faith alone.

And let me make clear that Jack Chick is clearly trying to force lost sinners to reform in order to be saved. To merely say that a person must “be willing” to turn from their sins is effectively the same as demanding it of them. If I agree to let you drive my car with the stipulation that you first “be willing” to return it with a full tank of gas, I have made it very clear that I expect you to fuel the tank with gas before you bring the car back to me. Likewise, to require of a lost sinner that they first “be willing” to turn away from sin to be saved, is the same as demanding it of them. The implication is abundantly plain to see. Therefore, we can only logically conclude that Jack Chick is demanding that lost sinners first commit to reform as a prerequisite to putting their faith in Jesus Christ, which is another gospel accursed by God (Galatians 1:6-9).

Kindly, Jack Chick has it all backwards. Jesus Christ went to the cross to pay our massive debt of sin, not demand that we ourselves commit to reform as a requirement to receive that free gift of God. Jesus saved us unto good works (Ephesians 2:10), but it is not required of saints to be saved, nor to maintain or prove that we are saved. The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU. Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. Any admitted guilty sinner who receives Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for his or her sins, believing that Jesus was buried but then physically resurrected three days later, is saved. This is 'the Gospel,' the GOOD NEWS of Jesus crucified, buried and risen. All who BELIEVE IT are saved!

Chick Tracts are confusing. They embellish and obscure God's simple plan of salvation, tossing a monkey wrench into the Gospel. This may seem like an insignificant thing to you dear friend, but I assure you on the authority of God's inspired Word that it is not a trifle matter. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS! Nowhere in the inspired Word of God are we taught to give up sinning to be saved. Salvation is a TAKE proposition, not a GIVE proposition.

It ought to bother any and every redeemed Christian, who understands the Gospel by which we were saved, to see anyone change and corrupt that simplicity which is in Christ. The simplicity that is in Christ is none other than, 'THE GOSPEL.' Even a small impressionable child, with limited understanding can be saved by simple childlike faith in the 'GOOD NEWS' (Gospel) that Jesus is the Christ—the only begotten Son of God—who died on a cross to pay for their sins, was buried and bodily resurrected from the dead the third day. There is no requirement anywhere taught in the inspired Scriptures, that you must be willing to try to stop sinning to get to Heaven. In his sincere but woeful ignorance, Jack Chick wickedly added that extra requirement to God's simple plan of salvation.

It is more than a big deal friend. Read for yourself the entire Gospel of John, which 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.” We find example after example in the Holy Bible about how to be saved...

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.”

John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Acts 16:30-31, “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.”  

1st 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:”

In the preceding four Scripture passages on how to be saved, nothing is even remotely mentioned about turning away from one's sins, nor even being willing to do so. So where in the world does Jack Chick get the heretical idea that to be saved a lost sinner must first be willing to clean up their life and reform to get to Heaven? It is damnable heresy! Like I said, I do believe that Jack Chick went to Heaven, but I also think he felt convicted by the Holy Spirit about the poor choice of words (which is blatant false doctrine) in all of his tracts. You cannot merely sweep this matter under the table and assume that lost sinners will get the picture. I think some do, but others don't. It all depends on their previous knowledge of the Bible.

When I was a child and teenager, I read every Chick Tract that I could get my hands on. I never noticed his false doctrine at the time, because I didn't know enough to see the harm in it. I just looked at the cartoon pictures and was mesmerized by them, as are millions of people. There's not a man alive in this world who has made such an impact upon the churches as has Jack Chick. They've sold over ONE BILLION Chick Tracts since 1960. But dear reader, that is what makes Chick Tracts all that much more dangerous, because they mislead people concerning what they must DO to get to Heaven.

Nowhere in the inspired Word of God are we taught that we must forsake a lifestyle of sinning, or be willing to do so, to be saved. Jack Chick no doubt heard some other preacher teach this misunderstood repentance heresy, and so he adopted it also. The only sin which can keep a person out of Heaven is unbelief. Therefore, the only sin that one must repent (change their mind) about is unbelief. Repentance is when a person has a change of mind to agree with God that they are a guilty sinner, and they have no hope of going to Heaven of their own power. Therefore, they are saved when they turn to God by believing the GOSPEL that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, the Christ, who died on a cross in our place, was buried and physically resurrected from the dead three days later. That is the 'GOOD NEWS,' by which all who BELIEVE IT are saved immediately, irrevocably and permanently.

I keep meeting stubborn ignorant pastors and churchgoers, who are insistent that there is nothing wrong with Chick Tracts. They are either willfully blind or woefully ignorant. Let me say it again, Jack Chick's first step to be saved is to admit you are a sinner, which is correct; but then he adds a second step, to be willing to turn away from your sinning, which is incorrect. It is not a small matter to change God's plan of salvation. Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” The plain truth is that Jack Chick's plan of salvation does not match up to Christ's plan of salvation in the Bible.

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The $64,000 question is: How much can a man embellish the Gospel and still be saved?

Can a man add water baptism to the Gospel and still be saved? No, he cannot.

Can a man add keeping sacraments to the Gospel and still be saved? No, he cannot.

Can a man add doing good deeds to the Gospel and still be saved? No, he cannot.

Can a man add following Jesus as the  'Lord' of his life and still be saved? No, he cannot, as evidenced in Matthew 7:21-23. They called Him “Lord, Lord,” but Jesus denied knowing them. Partial faith in Christ plus something else cannot produce the new spiritual birth. The truth is that you cannot add anything for the Gospel to still be valid. Even if you just add clipping your toe nails once every million years, you have perverted the grace of God.

So, can Jack Chick add being willing to give up your sinning and still be saved? No, he does not have that right. Jack Chick has perverted the Words of the living God. If you want to take your chances by altering God's simple plan of salvation, then do so at your own risk, but you have kindly been warned. I humbly reject Jack Chick's counterfeit plan of salvation. If ungodly people want to defend Mr. Chick's lies in his poorly written tracts, then that is on you. The plain truth is that Jack Chick's plan of salvation does not match up to Christ's plan of salvation in the Bible. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

I applaud Christian author Michael Patrick Bowen for getting it right...

Here is the gospel: God says that we are sinners and that no amount of good works or behavioral changes on our part could ever make us holy enough to enter Heaven. God sent His Son to pay for all of our sins. Jesus paid for our crimes by dying on the cross for us all. His dead body was buried in a grave. On the third day, Jesus arose from the dead.

The instant you believe this, He knows it and He saves you. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). The free gift is based solely upon your trust in what Jesus did for you and has nothing at all to do with what you do for Him. “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). ~Michael P. Bowen, "I NEVER KNEW YOU"

Whatever Happened To Being Born Again?

John 3:1-3, “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 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.”

One thing that I have noticed that is common among Lordship Salvationist false prophets today is that they never talk about being “born again.” The reason why is obvious, because they have a flawed idea in their minds about how you get to Heaven. In the darkened mind of the proponent of the heresy of Lordship Salvation, they think that you cannot just right your name in the back of your Bible, and the date that you were saved. They are essentially Calvinists in their beliefs, thinking that you must live a lifestyle of repentance to be saved. But please don't take my word for it, here to follow are heretical quotes from some of today's biggest names in the religious worlds, which proves what I am saying...

First, read what Paul Washer said:

Paul Washer - False Prophet

“We talk about the Germans of the 20th centuries that brought on their higher criticism. It is not near as dangerous as conservative Baptists with their gospel reductionism. How dare we, all these stupid evangelists walking around telling men after they've made some little prayer that they need to write their name in the back of their Bible, and put the date and if the Devil ever comes to them, they need to show him that. That is Roman superstition, it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. You see we've turned the gospel into a flu-shot.” [emphasis added] ~'Paul Washer - Listen To This!' (YouTube)

I agree from the standpoint that you cannot be saved by praying a prayer if faith is not involved; but you certainly CAN be saved by simple childlike faith in Jesus Christ, whether you pray or not. Sadly, Paul Washer does not believe that you can KNOW for certain that you are saved in an instant. Washer teaches that you won't know if you've really made it to Heaven until you actually get there, after persevering in faith and holiness unto the end. That is the Devil's lie of Calvinism! This is not the simple free grace Gospel taught in the Holy Scriptures.

Dear reader, the Gospel is as a flu-shot. That is, you get born-again in an instant and from that moment forward (for the rest of your life) you KNOW that you have been saved certain, regardless of how you perform.

I love what Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold said:

“'You can't tell me you can trust Christ as Savior, and then go out here and live like the Devil, and still go to Heaven!' Yes, I can tell you that! That's what the Bible says. If you don't come to the conclusion, that—Yes, you can trust Christ as your Savior and live like the Devil, and still go to Heaven when you die—you don't get grace, because that is the exact truth! That is the truth! I do not have to change my life! I don't have to stop one sin! You say, 'I've never heard a preacher say that.' You just heard one! And you listen to me—I want to live as holy and as godly as I possibly can. I am now 70 years old. I've been saved for 52 years. ... the only reason I'm going to Heaven is because, 52 years ago in a little living room, I accepted Christ as my Savior.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, “Calvinism And Grace Are NOT Compatible”

I never hear Paul Washer talking about being born again. You see, Calvinists view salvation as an ongoing process that requires your human effort to secure and maintain it. This type of false thinking goes totally contrary to the new spiritual birth, which is by the Holy Spirit of God in response to one's faith in the truth of the Gospel (Good News) of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, look at what Ray Comfort errantly teaches:

Ray Comfort - False Prophet

“So if the plane goes down, you'd end up in Hell! There are two things you have to do to be saved. Do you remember what they are? I told you what they are—You've got to repent and trust the Savior! ... God's offering you everlasting life upon your repentance and faith in Christ. Who in his right mind wouldn't say, 'Whoa! That's a good offer!' (The curious woman asks what it means to “repent”?)... Have you ever said you're sorry to someone you did something wrong to? That's all repentance is—You've sinned against God; it's a matter of saying, 'God, I'm sorry,' and then LIVING A LIFESTYLE that proves the reality of your repentance. That's what repentance is, it's a continual thing! God, 'I'm sorry, but I'm not going going to lie or steal or blaspheme Your name ever again. It has that attitude! And the second thing—trust in Jesus!” [emphasis added] ~Ray Comfort, “I've never killed anyone” (MP3 excerpt from video)

Dear reader, I triple-dog dare you to show me even one verse from the Holy Bible that teaches that “LIVING A LIFESTYLE” is required as part of being saved. You cannot! Now my friend, “a double-dog dare” is serious business, but a triple-dog dare is something you don't want to mess around with! I triple-dog dare you to show me even one Bible verse that agrees with these false statements by Ray Comfort. What ever happened to being born again?

The Gospel of John is God's Gospel track. 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.” PLEASE DON'T MISS THAT! God authored the Gospel of John specifically so “that believing ye might have life through his name.” That means we don't need any other Scripture than what is found in the Gospel of John to be saved. Where in the Gospel of John are we taught that, “LIVING A LIFESTYLE,” is necessary to receive eternal life? You cannot! Mr. Comfort is a bold-faced theological liar! Ray is ADDING to the Gospel, perverting it! This means Mr. Comfort is accursed by God. Galatians 1:9, “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.” I didn't say that, almighty God did!

Furthermore, where in the Gospel of John are we taught that to be saved, we must have a drastic change of attitude that is committed to reform? Ray errantly says to be saved we must have the new attitude: “GOD, I'M SORRY, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO LIE OR STEAL OR BLASPHEME YOUR NAME EVER AGAIN!” And then he horribly says: “IT'S A CONTINUAL THING!” None of this is Biblical! There is absolutely nothing in the Gospel of John about having a sincere desire to reform our ways, clean up our life of sin, turn over a new leaf, do better, forsake the world, turn away from sins, nor any other garbage that false prophets are teaching nowadays in churches, poisoning people with their lies! What ever happened to being born again?

As I have shown you in this important blog, Paul Washer and Ray Comfort teach something very different, another gospel, as compared to what the inspired Holy Bible teaches. Lordship Salvation is a perversion of God's grace, making the simplicity that is in Christ complicated. If you must forsake your sinful bad habits to be saved, that is very complicated. The true Gospel teaches that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins, which is the very opposite of requiring that you to forsake your sins to be saved (which is works, not faith). Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

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.” Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. Please read the helpful Gospel tract: 'What Is The Gospel?' (by Pastor Harry Ironside, 1876-1951). If you've never been born again, now is the time. Simply admit to God that you are a guilty sinner, and receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, believing that He was buried but resurrected physically from the dead three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-6). Thank you for reading and God bless you friend.

What Is The Gospel Of The New Testament? | MP3

(Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold; Bibleline Radio Broadcast | MP3's)

Do We Have To "Call" On Jesus To Get To Heaven?

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.”

Someone messaged me today, asking about Pastor Steven Anderson's church. They specifically wanted to know what I think about the ongoing doctrinal debate over whether a lost sinner needs to pray a prayer to get to Heaven, or can they just believe the Gospel?

First, I love and support Pastor Anderson, he is my brother in the ministry and I love the guy tremendously in Christ.

Second, I have listened to Pastor Anderson's sermons over the years. I heard him say years ago that he DOES believe a person can be saved without praying a prayer, but he just believes prayer in the Bible METHOD taught in the Bible. I am okay with his use of the Sinner's Prayer, as was used and taught by my hero of the faith, Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001). I only take issue when someone requires prayer to be saved, heretically teaching that you CANNOT be saved unless you pray. To my humble understanding, Pastor Anderson still believes that it is possible to be saved by simply believing, even though he wants his church members to use the Sinner's Prayer. I am fine with that. I don't think it is wrong to use the Sinner's Prayer.

However, I personally think it is not wise, because I struggled with the assurance of God's gift of salvation for several years after I got saved in 1980 at age 13. I was confused, wondering years later if I had left something out of my prayer. I knew that praying didn't save me, but I thought prayer was the vehicle by which you put your faith in God. I know I got saved at age 13, because the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit has been with me since. And in hindsight I now know and understand that I was saved by simply BELIEVING on Christ as my personal Savior, and nothing more.

Having said that, there is an inherent risk when leading lost sinners in prayer that they will misunderstand God's simple plan of salvation, which is to BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, that must include the admission that one is a guilty sinner (Romans 3:19-23), and the three facts of the Gospel itself (the GOOD NEWS) that Jesus died on a cross in our place to pay for our sins, and was buried, and then three days later He physically resurrected from the dead.

I humbly believe that Pastor Anderson is correct in his Gospel message. I am not aware of any place where he teaches that you cannot be saved without calling, asking or praying for God to save someone. I think there is much confusion among the followers of Pastor Anderson, who misunderstand his doctrinal position. As I mentioned, I heard Pastor Anderson myself teach that if anyone says you cannot be saved without praying, they are misrepresenting him; but he doesn't want any members of Faithful Word Baptist Church counting anyone as saved who doesn't pray a sinner's prayer. That is his prerogative as a pastor.

Albeit, I humbly do not agree with that, but that doesn't mean pastor Anderson is wrong. As he teaches concerning John chapter 4, and the Samaritan woman, Jesus told her that if she knew who He was, she would have "asked" Him to save her. So here is a biblical example of Jesus inviting someone to "ask" Him to save them. John 4:10, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

Yet, in the case of Cornelius in Acts 10:42-43, the Apostle Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius and his friends, and they simply BELIEVED what they heard. No one called, asked or prayed to be saved, they simply believed on Christ. So in the Bible we find BOTH examples of some people who asked and others who didn't. And to clarify, if you read John chapter 4, neither the Samaritan woman nor her townspeople ever asked or called upon the Savior, they simply BELIEVED on Him and were saved.

I think it is natural for a lost sinner to desire to call upon the Lord in prayer to be saved, but it is not required or necessary. Either way is fine I humbly think. The main thing is that a lost person is placing their whole childlike trust in the blessed crucified, buried and risen Savior. But to clarify, I firmly believe that anyone who DEMANDS that a lost sinner pray, call or ask to be saved is preaching another gospel. It is optional. I did call out in my soul at age 13 and ask Jesus to save me, but I could have just as easily believed on Him without calling and had been saved.

In Acts 16:30-31, when the Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved, "Paul and Silas answered: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." They didn't tell the Roman jailer to call, ask, turn, pray, confess or surrender control of his life over to Christ, they simply told him to BELIEVE on Christ. When Jesus was asked what "works of God" they must do to be saved, Jesus told the people who followed Him in John 6:28-29 to "BELIEVE ON HIM." Again, we find no requirement to call, ask or pray.

I love what Pastor Curtis Hutson said: "A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one." Romans chapter 10 is an obscure passage of Scripture, which is hotly debated. We have the entire Gospel of John teaching us to BELIEVE. It is bad Bible interpretation to focus on just John chapter 4. where Jesus invited the Samaritan woman to "ask" Him for the living water, when the entire Gospel of John simply invites the reader to BELIEVE ON JESUS.

Peter Is NOT The Rock Upon Which The Church Was Built

Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

A common false belief, especially among Roman Catholics, is that Peter is the rock upon which the church was built.

Here is the Greek meaning of the name, Peter:

pet'-ros

Apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle: - Peter, rock. Compare G2786.

Here is the Greek meaning of the word in Matthew 16:18, rock:

pet'-ra

Feminine of the same as G4074; a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively): - rock.

SOURCE: Strong's Concordance 

As we just learned, the name “Peter” means petros, “a piece of rock.” But Jesus is Petra, “the Rock.” Hence, Jesus told Peter: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (a piece of rock), and upon this rock (The Rock) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Most people are unfamiliar with the Greek language, so they commonly misinterpret this Scripture. This is a good example of why it helps to look up the Greek meaning of words. However, you DON'T need to be a Greek scholar to understand the Holy Bible. A simple cross reference with 1st Corinthians 3:11 would show you that Jesus alone is THE FOUNDATION of the Church...

1st Corinthians 3:9-11, “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Jesus alone is THE FOUNDATION of the Church. Christ is also THE HEAD of the Church. 

Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Colossians 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Jesus is the HEAD and we as saints are the BODY of Christ. That is beautiful!

The Foundation Of The Apostles And The Prophets

What saith the Scripture? ...

Ephesians 2:19-22, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Jesus is the undisputable foundation upon which the New Testament Church is built. The apostles and all the prophets were built upon Jesus Christ. We as believers are also built upon those foundations, Jesus being the Chief Cornerstone.

The apostles followed Jesus and after His crucifixion went their own separate ways, helping to found the early Christian church. The apostles were 12 of the disciples of Jesus who went on to spread his message and found the early Christian church. After the crucifixion of Jesus in the 1st century, they split up and began to proselytize both the message of Jesus and the concept that he was the son of God. In so doing they expanded the following of this offshoot of Judaism and set out the early tenets of what Christianity would become. Jesus said...

Acts 1:6-9, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.”

The “apostles” (plural) typically refers to those who were among the original followers of Jesus. The term “apostle” (singular) means "one sent on a mission." The apostles' preaching of the Gospel of free grace, and their church building efforts, laid the groundwork that shaped history and is today followed by hundreds of millions of religious people. 

Having said that, let me be very clear that Roman Catholicism is of the Devil. Satan is the foundation of the Catholic Church, not the Apostle Peter. Nor was Peter the first Pope. The Bible says that Jesus healed Peter's sick mother-in-law. That refutes the Catholic false teaching that Peter was a Pope, since he did have a wife. Matthew 8:14, “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.”

I tell you dear friend with all biblical authority that Catholicism is a prisonhouse of religion! The only extent to which the apostle and prophets influence us today is in relation to the written Word of God. Hebrews 1:1-2, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” God doesn't speak to humanity today through dreams, visions, Ellen G. White, the Pope nor any other means. God only speaks through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. That is, the Word of God. Revelation 19:13 says, “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”

Miss Ellen G. White (1827-1915) is considered to be the most legendary of Seventh-Day Adventist leaders. Miss White claims to have received approximately 2,100 visions from God, appointing herself as God's end time prophet to confirm Bible prophecies. We know according to Hebrews 1:1-2 that she is a LIAR! God speaks through the inspired Word of God, not through men. Think about it. If God spoke through men and women, how would we know who is lying, or who is telling the truth?

By speaking through the Holy Bible, no one can deceive anyone else if we 'SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES' as Jesus commanded in John 5:39. 2nd Peter 1:20, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” No one can claim to have received exclusive messages from God, as sinfully did Ellen White during her lifetime. No one has a right to claim to speak for God. We all have THE SAME inspired King James Bible. No one has any special private communication from God. Cults are formed when false prophets speak in the place of God, adding to His words. Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

Romans 3:4, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”

Jesus Is The Firstborn From The Dead

Also, carefully notice in Colossians 1:18 that Jesus is the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD. We read in the Bible that some bodies of the saints resurrected from the dead when He died on the cross. Matthew 27:52-53, And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” Did not these saints rise up from the dead before Christ? Yes, the dead. So how can Jesus be “the firstborn from the dead”?

The simple answer is that Jesus is the first person to ever be resurrected in His glorified immortal body. Those saints who raised up when Christ died on the cross, had to die again. The same is true of Lazarus, whom Jesus resurrected from the dead. Lazarus was raised up in his mortal earthly body, as were the saints at Calvary when Jesus died on the cross. They all needed to die again. But Jesus was the first person to ever be resurrected in a glorified immortal body. Jesus didn't need to die when He raised up from the dead, because He now had His perfect resurrected body. Philippians 3:20-21, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

So, Jesus is the mountain (The Rock) upon which Christ has built His Church. Please don't miss that! Jesus said that He, and not Peter, would build His Church! Jesus Christ alone builds His New Testament Church. John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Unless the Holy Spirit come down in power, nothing can happen. Psalms 127:1, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

Peter is NOT the Rock upon which the Church was built, Jesus Christ alone is THE ROCK!!!