I. Romans 3:10 As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.
II. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
III. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
IV. Romans 5:12 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.
V. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
VI. Romans 10:9-11 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
VII. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
Won't you receive Christ as your saviour?
Being "saved by the blood" of Jesus is a phrase used to recognize that Jesus died on the cross, shedding His own blood, to pay the death penalty for us, that we deserve for our sins.
Plan of Salvation
Jesus is the Saviour, the one who saves.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." ~ Matthew 1:21
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." ~ Luke 2:11
Jesus came to save lost sinners.
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." ~ Luke 19:10
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." ~ 1 Timothy 1:15
Jesus is the only one who can save.
"Be it known unto you all...there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." ~ Acts 4:10-12
Jesus gives us the faith we need to be saved.
"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
Jesus saves anyone who believes in Him.
"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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." ~ John 3:16-18
"...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." ~ Acts 16:31
"...whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." ~ Acts 2:21
Jesus wants to save you today.
"...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." ~ 2 Corinthians 6:2
"...There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else." ~ Isaiah 45:21-22
Personal Eternal Salvation
We are born with an unsaved sin nature, already appointed to die a physical and spiritual death. Salvation is one's spiritual birth to eternal life, overcoming the second death, that of one's spirit. The Bible has the information within its pages to inform and convict a sinner of one's sins, to bring about repentance, and to lead one to Jesus Christ for one's eternal Salvation. Your accurate knowledge from the Holy Bible of the straight and narrow path, the very Word of God, leading to your cherished eternal salvation that comes with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is of paramount importance. Without that you will suffer! Salvation may be more than you think. Are you sure you are saved? With either view, that you can lose your salvation or "once saved always saved," the result is the same: A changed life wherein one shuns evil and acts out, truly living, a genuine Disciple's life style. Blessed is the Disciple whose sin the Lord will not credit – will not reckon, will not lay to his account, will not impute to him. Many people who think they are saved are not really saved. The one's that aren't will be very surprised when the Lord says He never knew them. Scripture warns that the path to salvation in Christ is through a narrow gate, not down the broad path that most of the world and the worlds churches follow. These things, this information, needs to be studied out by each individual, by getting thoroughly into the Word of God, the Holy Bible. YOU are responsible for your own salvation!
Bible Study should also challenge the modern perceptions of the secular sciences. What does the Bible really say about them? What must we really believe, God's accurate Word, or Man's false sciences? Picture in your mind the earth spinning. Picture that spinning earth circling the sun. Picture the sun flying through space as the earth follows along, cork-screwing along its path as the suns satellite. Then explain to yourself why time-lapse photo's of star trails above us always circle along in regular paths. The star trails show that the stars are circling above us, not that the earth is flying through space, revolving, and always producing a never repeating view of the stars. Propaganda, brainwashing, and the lies of modern science (i.e. Scientism based on the Theory of Uniformitarianism) are not a pretty thing. And, those lies are not intended to support the truths revealed in the Holy Bible! Ancient Cosmologies were "flat earth" in nature. The Bible testimony is also "flat earth" in nature.
Do you believe the Bible, or don't you? If you change the witness of the Bible in one way, you can change other things, too, and then you can believe anything you want to. But that won't get you eternal life. Be very careful how you handle the precious Word of God! Your actions do have very serious, and very personal, consequences. How great are the deceptions of Satan? I will tell you, they are very, very great. Beware.
Preoccupation with sexual matters is possibly the number one way that evil enters into one's life. A little temptation seems to go a very long way! A cutie of the opposite sex in a commercial, a little too much skin showing on someone walking by, out-and-out prurient sexual filth on television or even in a Romance movie. It all tends to draw one deeper and deeper into sexual sin, and then deeper and deeper into sexual perversion, of which their are many, many kinds, loosening one's morality. If anything along this line is a problem in your life, check out David Servant's The Great Gospel Deception.
And then there is the money thing. The love of money is the root of all evil, says the Bible (1 Timothy 6:10). Government was established by God, but mankind invariably uses it to get filthy rich. Secret societies and demonic fraternities are organized for people to network in, to leverage money and power into their direction. A popular saying used to be "Satan is alive and well on the planet earth." Well, he's still around, but I don't think he is too "well" in the spiritual sense. He's the jerk at the head of all the secret societies and evil fraternities! Beware an inordinate preoccupation with the pursuit of money and power, and if you get some, beware of using your money and power unwisely. We all will stand before God to give an account of our lives! If you haven't yet, repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior! And then start studying your Bible!
The Bible warns against belief in the false reality-twisting Pseudo-Sciences:
1st Timothy 6:20-21 - "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen."
5 SIMPLE STEPS TO SALVATION - First Free Will Baptist Church of Waynesville, MO -
The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)
Good works cannot save you. "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)
1. Admit you are a sinner.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)
2. Because you are a sinner you are condemned to death (eternal separation from God).
“ . . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.
"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)
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
4. Be willing to repent. Repentance is more than being sorry for your sin; it is turning away from your sin and turning to Christ.
Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)
"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)
5. Ask Jesus to take away your sin and invite Him into your life to become your personal Lord and Savior.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
Prayer is talking to the Lord. He isn't impressed with fancy words. Just tell Him what is in your heart.
Below is only a sample.
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and the punishment for my sin is eternal separation from God. I believe God is a Holy God and will not let sin into heaven. I thank you for dying in my place and taking my punishment for me. I know that you died for me, rose again, and now you are preparing a home in heaven for me if I will trust and follow you. This is a free gift and I could never do enough to earn it. I believe you are the Son of God and have the power to forgive sin. Please forgive me now and take away my sin. I believe your word, the Bible, and will trust it and the Holy Spirit for guidance in my life. My first act of faith is to believe that your word is true and that you have now made me a new creature and taken away my sins as you promised. Thank you, Jesus. Please help me each day to trust you and follow you. Please help me to use the new life you have given me to show others that you forgive sin so that we can live a good life here on earth and be eternally with you in Heaven. I know that now that I am a Christian that the devil will still cause me problems and life may not be easy but you promise to be with me and help me through every problem and never allow more than I can bear. I trust you to guide my life. Thank you for your love. In Jesus name I pray,
....Amen
Statement of Belief
A Statement of Belief or Statement of Faith reflects Biblical Doctrines essential to understanding, teaching, and practicing God’s Word. This excellently presented Statement of Faith from Immanuel Bible Church is based on an interpretation of the Scripture that is:
Normal - understanding the words of Scripture in their common usage unless otherwise indicated by the context. Literal - understanding the meaning of Scripture in its ordinary sense unless the context requires a figurative interpretation. Grammatical - using the recognized rules of grammar to interpret the text. Historical - understanding the words of Scripture in the context of the times in which they were written. Systematic - categorizing and comparing the teaching of the Scriptures with the whole of Scripture in view.
Scriptures
We believe the Scriptures - the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament - provide God’s authoritative written revelation to mankind (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians 1:12). God interacted with the human writers of those books so that every word of the original texts was exactly as He wanted (2 Peter 1:20-21) and without error (John 17:17). The Scriptures are the supreme and final authority (Psalms 19:7-11; Ps 119; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12).
God
We believe there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5) in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 6:27; John 10:30; 1 Corinthians 3:16); one in nature, attributes, and glory. These three are one God (2 Corinthians 13:14), infinite (Malachi 3:6; Acts 17:24), eternal (Hebrews 1:8), unchangeable (James 1:17), all wise (Romans 11:33), all powerful (Isaiah 40), all knowing (Psalms 147:5), holy (Isaiah 6:3), just (Psalms 9:16), loving (1 John 4:7-21), gracious (Romans 3:23-24; Galatians 3:18), good (Psalms 100:5), and true (Isaiah 45:19). He is everywhere present, yet not part of His creation (Psalms 139:7-12).
God the Father
We believe that the Father is God (Isaiah 64:8). He begins and ends all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalms 90:2). He is the Creator (Revelation 4:11) and Sustainer (Psalms 104) of all things, and the spiritual Father of believers (1 John 5:11). He expresses Himself in relationships with those whom He chooses, binding Himself to them by His eternal promises (Genesis 9:9; Gen 17:7-9; 2 Samuel 7:8-16; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 8:29-30; Hebrews 10:16). He is loving (Ephesians 2:3-5), long-suffering, and not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (John 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is God (John 10:30; Colossians 1:17; Titus 3:4-5). He is fully God (John 1:1-2, John 1:14; John 17:1-5) and fully man (Philippians 2:5-8). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25), lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15), performed miracles (Matthew 11:4-5; John 2:11), died as the only sufficient sacrifice for our sins, and was buried (Matthew 20:28; John 1:29; Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Hebrews 10:5-14; 1 Peter 3:18). He was resurrected bodily (Matthew 28:5-10), appeared to the apostles and other witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5-8), ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9), was glorified (1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:9), and now intercedes for believers (Romans 8:34).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). He convicts people of sin (John 16:8-11) and restrains the extent of sin in the world (Genesis 6:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7). He opens the hearts and minds of people (Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14) to turn from sin (2 Corinthians 3:2-3; Romans 8:1-14), believe in the Son (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5), and be born again (John 3:3-7).
At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit comes to live within every believer forever (John 14:16; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Eph 4:30). He fills believers with His power (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16), enables them to live in obedience to the will of God (Galatians 5:16-26), teaches them (1 Corinthians 2:13-15; 1 John 2:27), and gives them His gifts “to each one individually just as He wills,” to serve the church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11).
The Holy Spirit provides gifts to believers to serve the body of Christ and to reach the world with the gospel (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10). Spiritual gifts should be used in a proper and orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:40), in love (1 Corinthians 14:1), and without causing division (1 Corinthians 12:25). Spiritual gifts are not an indication of spiritual maturity and they should not be used for self-promotion (1 Corinthians 12:11-12).
We believe that sign gifts (apostle, prophet, healing, miracles, and tongues) authenticated the ministry and message of the apostles (Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12) and served in the establishment of the church (Acts 2:41-47; Acts 9:31-42). We believe that God continues to demonstrate His miraculous power and ability to heal; but the sign gifts, as given to the early church, are not in effect today.
Angels
We believe that God created angels as spiritual beings to glorify and serve Him. Angels also act as God’s messengers and minister to believers. Although powerful, they are never to be worshipped (Colossians 1:16; Col 2:18; Psalms 103:20; Hebrews 1:13-14; Revelation 22:8-9). Satan, an angel of high rank, led many angels in a rebellion against God, bringing judgment against himself and his followers (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; John 16:11; 2 Peter 2:4). Satan tempted Adam and Eve into rebellion against God (Genesis 3:1-19; 2 Corinthians 11:3) and continues, with other fallen angels (demons), to deceive and tempt all of mankind and actively oppose the purposes of God (2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 12:9). By His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus Christ defeated Satan and his demons; they will be thrown into the lake of fire forever at the last judgment (Matthew 25:41; John 12:31-32; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10).
Origins
We believe that God spoke the heavens, the earth and all living things into existence in six days. God directly created the original kinds of plants and animals and ordered them to reproduce after their kind. In its original form, the creation was very good and untouched by sin. Man is unique, created in the image of God, and did not originate from any other living thing (Genesis 1-2; Gen 5:1-2; Gen 9:6; Exodus 20:11; Psalms 33:6-9; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17).
Sin
We believe that God created Adam and Eve, the first humans, without sin and in perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-31; Gen 2:18-24; James 3:9). They chose to sin by disobeying God and incurred His judgment. Their sin separated them from Him and brought suffering and death upon themselves, their descendants, and the whole creation (Genesis 3; Psalms 14:1-3; Ps 51:5; Romans 8:20-22). Mankind’s continued unbridled wickedness brought further judgment, which destroyed the earth in a world-wide flood (Genesis 6-8; 2 Peter 2:4-5). After the flood, mankind’s continued rebellion at Babel brought God’s judgment in confusing their language and scattering them over the face of the earth (Genesis 11:1-9; Luke 1:51). We inherit Adam’s sin nature (Psalms 51:5; Romans 5:12), are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), and are sinners ourselves (Romans 3:10-23; Rom 5:12). Consequently, none of us are able by our efforts to reconcile ourselves to God (Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:8).
Salvation
We believe that we are given salvation from sin and its penalty as a free gift from God (Romans 6:23) through faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone, unaided by human effort (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). The death of Christ is full payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 9:11-15; 1 Peter 1:18-21) and satisfies the just requirement of God (Romans 3:23-26; Hebrews 10:1-10). Made alive by God (1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:4-7; 1 Peter 3:18), we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6), but are children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26), disciples set apart to a life of spiritual growth, ministry, love, and good works (Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10-14; Col 3:12-17; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:2). We have forgiveness for every sin (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9) and rest secure in the reality of eternal life (John 5:24; John 6:39-40; John 10:27-30; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 5:9-13).
Family
We believe that God created and blessed the family as the foundation of society. Marriage unites one man and one woman in a lifetime commitment to each other (Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Marriage provides for intimate companionship, pure sexual expression (Genesis 2:25; Ephesians 5:31-33), procreation, and reflects the relationship of Christ and the church (Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5). A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the church. A wife is commanded to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33).
Children are a gift from God and are fully human from conception (Psalms 127:3; Ps 139:13-16). Parents are to train their children by modeling a godly life, teaching them the Scriptures, disciplining them in love, and providing them a resource of wisdom and counsel (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Proverbs 1:8-9; Prv 13:24; Prv 22:6). Parents are to care for the needs of their children (2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:4). Children are to obey their parents with respect and honor, caring for them in the time of their dependency and old age (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 23:22; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 5:8).
Church
We believe that Christ established the church and is the Head of the church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The church comprises believers from its beginning at Pentecost until the return of Christ (Acts 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church carries out Christ’s work in the world (John 15:26; Acts 1:8). The purpose of the church is to worship, praise, and glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Christ Jesus to the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8); by teaching His Word (Colossians 1:24-28; 1 Timothy 4:11); by seeking Him through earnest prayer (Acts 2:42); by equipping the saints to walk, serve, and fellowship in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-46; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 14:26); and by keeping the ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:24-25; Matthew 28:19).
We believe that the Lord gave two ordinances to the church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is for believers and is a public testimony of faith in Christ in obedience to His command (Matthew 28:19). Baptism identifies the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Colossians 2:12) and is best represented by immersion (Acts 8:36-39). The Lord’s Supper is the believer’s remembrance of our Lord’s death until He comes and should be preceded by careful spiritual self-examination of the participant (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28). We believe that the church is expressed in local congregations of believers established under the headship of Christ and the authority of Scripture (Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:2;1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 1:11). Individual congregations are to be governed by elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7), men meeting biblical standards, who are responsible to guard the purity of church doctrine (Titus 1:9), to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3), and to oversee church matters (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17). Deacons are responsible for assisting the elders in the work of the ministry (Acts 6:1-6; Philippians1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
Future
We believe that Jesus Christ will physically return in the air to take the church out of the world to be with Him forever (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Scripture tells us to be ready always for His coming (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6; Revelation 22:20). At that moment, the dead in Christ and living believers will be given their eternal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Jesus Christ will then bring a seven- year period of wrath upon the earth known as the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; Revelation 6-18). At the end of this period of judgment, He will return bodily (Acts 1:9-11; Zechariah 14:4-8) with the church to set up a kingdom to rule in righteousness the entire earth for a thousand years (Revelation 19:1-20:6; Matthew 13:41-43).
The kingdom will end in rebellion against Christ and His people (Revelation 20:7-9), but the rebellion will fail in the face of Christ’s victory over Satan and all who oppose Him (Revelation 20:9-10). The unbelieving dead of all time will then be raised and given eternal bodies to face God in final judgment (Revelation 20:11), after which they will be thrown into the lake of fire to eternal torment (Revelation 20:15). Believers will enter a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-22:6) prepared for them to enjoy perfect, everlasting fellowship with God.
Note that my personal belief system closely matches the above Bible Baptist presentation, with one major difference. I believe that a person can deliberately and permanently reject salvation, thus losing salvation, which belief is a doctrinal distinctive of Free Will Baptists. Now and then people will lose a mate, or suffer some other terrible tragedy, and become so angry at God that they make the choice to reject God. I've seen this, and it is a very sad thing to witness. I also believe that one can sin enough to be rejected by God, as indicated in Scripture and as mentioned below:
The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” teaches that it is not possible for a child of God to sin in such a way that he will be lost. Many people, who undoubtedly are very sincere and possess a desire to do what is right, find tremendous comfort in this doctrine. This doctrine, however, is not taught in the Bible. It is an erroneous doctrine that provides a false comfort and a deceitful feeling of security.
...the writings of the apostle Paul teach it is possible for a Christian to fall from grace and be lost. To the church at Corinth, Paul wrote “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:27).
The word “castaway” refers to one who does not stand the test and is rejected! Paul knew that without practicing self-control he would be rejected by God.
Read the full article at Camden News and do some additional research. I believe most people will see that a person can sin in a way resulting in such severe rejection that that person thereby loses the salvation they once had.
Is Once Saved Always Saved Biblical? | UNLEARN The Lies
That said, this Statement of Faith by Immanuel Bible Church is very nicely documented with Scripture references, which is important for arriving at a correct understanding of Bible-based Christian Doctrine. A great deal of excellent learning can be obtained by visiting Bible Baptist, Independent Baptist and Free Will Baptist resources on the internet. These three denominations accept the Five Solas of the Reformation, and they reject Reformed Calvinism, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), and demonic so-called churches like Bethel Redding. It is important to ask the question: What Is A False Church? It is important for new Christians to learn what a cult is, so that purity of doctrinal knowledge based on the Holy Bible is retained. Correct doctrine IS important!
A Dispensation Of Law Yields To A Dispensation Of Grace
Remember: Rightly dividing the Scriptures is to divide between the Jews and the Church at the right time. When Jesus died and the curtain separating God from the people was rent from top to bottom, that is when the Dispensation of Law of Jewish prominence ended and the Dispensation of Grace of Church prominence started. The Book of Acts is where this division between Dispensations is recorded.
God does not put mistakes in the Bible. However, different contexts create contradictory verses in the Bible. These contradictions make it impossible to obey every instruction in the Bible. It is necessary to rightly divide the Lord’s instructions for us today from the instructions in time past or for those in the ages to come.
It is usual to separate the Old from the New Testaments. However, both of the Testaments are the subject of prophecy to Israel. The mystery information given to Paul demands another division separate from that which was prophesied.
We can reconcile the contradictions below by identifying who is speaking, to whom, and under what dispensational context.
Gospel contradictions
1. Is the gospel the cross or the kingdom? – Mark 1:14-15 & 1 Cor 15:1-4
2. Was the cross glorious or shameful? – Acts 3:13-15 & Gal 6:14
3. Was the gospel made known or kept secret? – Rom 16:25 & Acts 3:21
4. Did the twelve understand the gospel or not? – Luke 9:2 & Luke 18:34
5. Do we preach gospel of the kingdom or of Grace? – Luke 9:2 & Acts 20:24
6. Justification with or without works? – Rom 4:5 & James 2:24
7. Was Christ’s blood shed for many or for all? – Mat 20:28 & 1 Tim 2:6
8. Do animal sacrifices atone for sins? – Lev 16:27 & Heb 10:4
9. Is God imputing sins against us? – Acts 5:1-10 & Rom 4:8
10. Do we need works for righteousness? – James 2:24 & Titus 3:5
11. Is salvation not of works or by our behavior? – Eph 2:8-9 & Luke 10:25-29
12. Was Abraham justified by works or not by works? – James 2:21-23 & Rom 4:2-3
13. How are sins forgiven? – John 20:23 & Col 1:14
14. Is forgiveness conditional or not? – Mat 6:14-15 & Eph 4:32
15. Does grace abound or is their an unforgivable sin? – Mark 3:29 & Rom 5:20
16. Is the gospel believe or repentance and baptism? – Acts 2:38 & Acts 16:31
17. Are we at peace with God? – Mat 3:7 & Rom 5:1
Baptism contradictions
18. Are we sent to baptize? – 1 Cor 1:17 & Mark 16:16
19. Does the gospel include water baptism? – 1 Cor 15:1-4 & Mark 1:4
20. One baptism or more? – Eph 4:5 & Mat 3:11
Commission contradictions
21. Go to ‘all men’ or just to Israel? – Mat 10:5-6 & Titus 2:11
22. Should they carry money or not? – Luke 10:4-5 & Luke 22:35-36
23. Should the disciples go to all nations or only circumcision?–Mat 28:19 & Gal 2:9
24. Was Paul sent to baptize? – Mat 28:19 & 1 Cor 1:17
25. Are they baptized by Jesus or into Jesus? – John 4:1 & Rom 6:3
26. Are we to witness Christ’s earthly ministry? – 2 Cor 5:16 & Acts 1:22
27. Should Peter take a sword? – Luke 22:36 & Matt 26:52
28. Should we meditate about what to speak? – 1 Tim 4:15 & Luke 21:14
29. Does the Holy Spirit give utterance or do we? – Acts 6:9-10 & Col 4:6
30. Are the gainsayers able to resist? – Luke 21:15 & Titus 1:9
31. Is Paul or Peter the masterbuilder upon Christ? – Mat 16:18-19 & 1 Cor 3:10
32. Is Paul the least or the ‘chiefest’ of the Apostles? – 2 Cor 11:5 & 1 Cor 15:9
33. Was Paul the first or the last? – 1 Cor 15:8 & 1 Tim 1:16
34. How do we know what to say and believe? – Mark 13:11 & 2 Tim 3:15-17
Contradictions about the Law
35. Are we under the law or not under the law? – Mat 5:19 & Rom 6:14
36. Is Sabbath observance required? – Exo 20:8-10 & Col 2:16
37. Is circumcision necessary? – Gen 17:10-14 & Gal 5:2-6
38. Is the law for righteous men? – Mat 5:17-18 & 1 Tim 1:7-8
39. Are we dead to the law or should we follow it? – Mat 23:1-3 & Rom 7:3
40. Does righteousness come by the law? – Deut 6:25 & Rom 10:3-6
41. Is the law a sign of strength or weakness? – Josh 1:7 & Gal 4:9
42. Should we tithe? – Mat 23:23 & 2 Cor 9:7
43. Is giving (tithing) a punishable requirement? – Mal 3:8 & 2 Cor 9:7
44. Should Sabbath laws be enforced? – Numbers 15:32-36 & Gal 4:10-11
45. Liberty or bondage of the law? – Mat 23:1-2 & Gal 5:1
46. Do we need a temple? – Acts 2:46 & 1 Cor 3:16
47. Are the laws of abomination still effectual? – Mat 24:15 & Gal 4:9-11
48. Are we secure in Christ or our continued behavior? – 2 Tim 2:13 & Heb 10:26-27
Jew/Gentile contradictions
49. Is there a distinction between Jew and Gentile? – Mat 15:26 & Gal 3:28
50. Jews saved ‘in due time’ or ‘out of due time’? – 1 Pet 5:6 & 1 Cor 15:8
51. Salvation of the Jews or the Gentiles? – John 4:22 & Rom 11:11
52. Gentile blessing through Israel’s rise or fall? – Acts 3:25 & Rom 11:11
53. Will the Gentiles receive salvation? – Acts 28:28 & Rom 1:28
54. Did the Lord tell the apostles to go to Jerusalem first? – Luke 24:47 & Gal 1:17
55. Christ is at the right hand for whom? – Acts 5:31-32 & Eph 1:19-23
56. Who is the audience for the gospel? – Mat 10:5-7 & 2 Tim 1:11
57. Are we saved into one nation (Israel) or one Body? – Isa 60:3 & Eph 2:16
58. Are we a part of the seedline or adopted? – Gen 9:9 & Gal 4:5
59. Jesus ministry to circumcision or Paul’s ministry to Gentiles? Rom 15:8 & 15:16
60. Did Paul have mutual faith with uncircumcised Romans or with Jesus ministry to the circumcision? – Rom 1:12 & Rom 15:8
Prophecy/Mystery contradictions
61. Were the mysteries revealed before the death of Christ? Mat 13:11 & 1 Cor 2:7-8
62. What was prepared before/since the world began? – Mat 25:34 & Eph 1:3-4
63. Was the work of Jesus prophesied or kept hidden? – Luke 24:44 & Eph 3:9
64. Was the message for today known by the prophets? – Acts 3:24 & Col 1:26
65. Can we understand the things God has prepared? – Isa 64:4 & 1 Cor 2:10
66. Was the book of Acts the end or the beginning? – Acts 2:17 & 1 Tim 1:16
Contradictions about our service to God
67. Who is responsible for our soul? – Heb 13:7 & Rom 14:12
68. Do we get the Holy Spirit upon belief or baptism? – Acts 2:38 & Eph 1:13
69. Do we need to confess sins to get forgiveness? – 1 John 1:9 & Col 2:13
70. Do we eat animals? – Gen 1:29 & Gen 9:3
71. Which animals do we eat? – Deut 14:3 & 1 Tim 4:4
72. Are we to keep unity or honor separation? – Eph 4:3 & Rom 16:17
73. Be like the ant or the raven? – Prov 6:6-8 & Luke 12:22-24
74. Should we work for food or not? – Mat 6:25-26 & 1 Tim 5:18
75. Should we sell all or provide for our family? – 1 Tim 3:5-6 & Mark 10:17-22
76. Should we judge? – Mat 7:1-2 & 1 Cor 2:15
77. Should ministers work for food? – Luke 10:4-5 & 2 Thess 3:8-11
78. Is having a child a good or bad thing? – Mat 24:19 & 1 Tim 5:14
79. Does the Holy Spirit stay or leave when we do wrong? Psalm 51:11 & Eph 4:30
80. Do we need a teacher? 1 John 2:27 & 2 Tim 2:2 & Eph 4:11
Future events contradictions
81. Peace on earth or not? – Luke 2:14 & Luke 12:51
82. Do the Jews have a special standing before God? – Deut 7:6 & Col 3:11
83. Do we inherit the earth or heaven? – Mat 5:5 & Col 1:3-5
84. Is the coming of the Lord a time of terror or comfort? –Joel 2:1-11 & 1Thess 4:16
85. Looking for earthly dominion or heavenly? – Phil 3:20 & Mat 6:10
86. Will we endure through the wrath or be delivered? – Mat 24:13 & 1 Thess 1:10
87. Plowshares or swords? – Joel 3:10 & Micah 4:3
88. Physical blessings or spiritual blessings in heaven? Luke 12:32 & Eph 1:3
89. Future or present atonement? – Acts 3:19 & Rom 5:11
90. Future or present grace? – 1 Pet 1:13 & Rom 5:2
91. Will we reign in heaven or on earth? – Luke 22:30 & Eph 2:6
Prayer contradictions
92. How often do we need to pray before it is answered? – Isa 65:24 & Eph 6:18
93. Do we get anything we ask in prayer? – Mat 21:22 & 2 Cor 12:8-9
94. Should we know how to pray or not? – Luke 11:1 & Rom 8:26
95. Do we get what we ask or more than we ask? – Mat 21:22 & Eph 3:20
96. Do apostles have the power to heal? – Mark 16:18 & 1 Tim 5:23
97. Can we expect a healing from God? – Isa 53:5 & 2 Cor 12:7-10
General contradictions
98. Was creation good or bad? – Gen 1:31 & Gen 6:6
99. Were the Jerusalem saints poor or not? – Acts 4:34 & Rom 15:26
100. Do we need to teach ‘Know the Lord’? Jer 31:34 & 1 Tim 4:10-11
101. Are we washed by water or the Spirit? – Acts 22:16 & 1 Cor 6:11
102. Is it greater love to die for your friends or enemies? John 15:13-14 & Rom 5:10
103. Are angels teaching us or are we teaching them? – Zech 1:9 & Eph 3:10
104. Jesus was the stumbling stone or cornerstone? – Rom 9:18-33 & Eph 2:20
Editor’s note: This is not an exhaustive list. This list is not intended to engender doubt about the truth of the Bible. Mid Acts Pauline right division resolves every contradiction above.
