The Church's Misunderstanding of Salvation (Part 1)

The Church have greatly misunderstood the doctrine of salvation! Salvation is a work of God; not man saving himself (Eph. 2:8-9). The problem with many Bible-based sects is the attempt to earn that of the gift of salvation with conjunction with works.  Such grace-works basis of many legalistic churches today is that of the subsequential work of salvation according to Acts 2:4; 19:1. In so many words according to the theology of many Charismatic and Pentecostal churches and denominations is that even though a person may be saved but they must seek to tarry for the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4; 19:1). As the leadership invite people to receive Christ in order to be saved is that they are taken to the back of the church or the "mourners" bench to seek that of the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues (Gal. 3:1; 2-4). There is what my wife shared with me as a former member of a Bible-based sect that of many of the evangelist and mothers of the church pray with people to receive that of the "gift" of the Holy Ghost but at the same time "pressure" them to open up their mouths to experience such extraordinary experience and power. Once the evangelists and mothers of the church affirm that the person who is saved got that of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues then they have the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit.  The whole of the system of teachings taught within many Bible-based sects and cults are based upon a religion of works; not grace (Acts 15:1-2ff).  Christ's death on the cross assures us that we are cleanse and forgiven for our sins. The purpose by which Christ came into the world is to die for the sins of the world by which there is nothing added unto the cross of Christ.  To add works unto the cross of the Christ is a "different" gospel by which it is no gospel at all whatsoever (Gal. 3:1).  To preach a "different" gospel other than that of the gospel of Christ is for false spiritual leaders to envision God's divine judgment (Gal. 1:8-9).

  Throughout this article I will begin by addressing the church's misunderstanding of salvation as to (1) The Church's basic understanding of salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).  (2) The Church's misunderstanding of the doctrine salvation (Eph. 2:8-9).  And (3) The Church having such proper knowledge and understanding of salvation (Jn. 6:38, 44).  It is very much important for the church to have a wrong view of the doctrine of salvation can adversely impact believers within their own spiritual and personal walk with the Lord (Gal. 3:1, 2-4).  We must grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ in order to grow spiritually as to have such proper knowledge and understanding of God's Word. 

  The Church's basic understanding of salvation is according to Romans chapter 10 verse 9 where it says, "That if you confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the day you will be saved."  In so many words in order that a person can be saved is to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. To believe that the eternal Father raised His Son Jesus from the dead (v. 9).  It is true that there are those within the church today who refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ for Who He claim to be. That Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord.  Once a person accept Jesus Christ into there life by repenting of one's sins realizing they are a sinner who have sinned against a Holy God and is separate from Him can be restored by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  They must acknowledge that Jesus is Savior and Lord.  Jesus is "kurios" or Ruler within that of the life of the saved person. The way by which the church can discern whether or not a person who is saved by which they under Christ's Lordship demonstrates that of their character and lifestyle.  A saved person is going to do the things that are pleasing unto the Lord.  If in fact a person who profess to be saved but they are running like a loose canon is indication that they are not truly saved (Matt. 7:15-21).  Even when people who are truly saved stumble in their walk with the Lord is that the convicting work of the Holy Spirit will deal with their hearts to repent of their sins by being restored unto Christ's fellowship (1 Jn. 1:9).  Sin does not affect one's salvation but their fellowship with the Lord. We as believers are encouraged to make such daily confession of our sins before the Lord. Whenever religious folk claim to live free from sin within or there elevated knowledge of holiness is to deceive one's own self (1 Jn. 1:8). 

  For a person to acknowledge Christ as Savior and Lord must also believe that the eternal Father raised Jesus from the dead (v. 9b).  Christ's being raised from the dead by the glory of the Father gives us as believers the assurance that one day we are going to appear before the glory and presence of God's divine glory (Rom. 8).  The death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ is apart of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-2ff).  As the apostle Paul says according to 1 Corinthians chapter 15:1-4 that if Christ is not risen than our faith is in vain and we are remain in our sins.  Christ's resurrection from the dead is to be raised as having a physical glorified body; not a "spiritual" resurrection or the appearance of Christ's resurrection that are taught by many Gnostics within the professing church today (2 Tim. 2:16, 17).  The resurrection of Christ is at the core of the gospel message.  For professing Christian teachers to deny Christ's resurrection is to strike a death blow at the gospel of Christ.

  The Church's misunderstanding of the doctrine of salvation is according to Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8 through 9 where it says, "For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast." As we look at the first part of Ephesians 2:8 where it also says, "For by grace are you saved through faith..." In so many words that the truly saved are saved by the grace of God through personal faith in Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:36).  When it comes to that of the grace of God is not something that a person work for in order to get saved. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As a person avail their faith in Jesus Christ that they receive the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23b).  It is quite unfortunate that many legalistic churches believe that even though a person is saved is that they are responsible in maintaining his or her salvation. In so many words they must work out there salvation with fear and trembling.  Christ's death on the cross secures that of the believer's salvation without the effort to maintain the salvation they were not responsible for in the first place. If in fact Christ's death on the cross does not secure the believer's salvation then the death by which Christ died for the sins of the elect are powerless to maintain that of our salvation.  There is what is called, The assurance and the security of the believer's salvation (Jn. 10:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:17).  When it comes to the assurance of our salvation is that based upon God's Word that we have the confidence in what Christ did on behalf of us as it relates to our salvation is assured (2 Cor. 5:17).  Also when it comes to the security of the believer's salvation that our salvation is eternally secured in Christ. There is nothing that we can do nor say that can undo that by which God have saved us. Our salvation is eternally secured in Christ based upon Christ's finished work on the cross (Jn. 10:28-29).  The sovereignty of God's salvation in regards to the elect is that God have chosen certain individuals to receive that of salvation as oppose to many professing believers who reject that of God's divine grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Legalism, asceticism, and mysticism is at the heart of apostate Christianity by which many strict holiness and Pentecostal sects theological presupposition are based upon a works based system that are devoid of the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9).
  The necessity of the church having such proper knowledge and understanding of salvation is that of the study of God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15).  In order for believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ is to be properly nourished by the clear teaching of scripture. The authority of scripture is what the church ought to believe based upon God's Word and how the church is to live their lives.  Whenever there is such a distortion of biblical truth when it comes to the whole of the doctrine of salvation it will adversely affect that of the lives of God's people.  People today who are apart of legalistic churches have a tendency to judge others based upon how they are being taught (Gal. 3:1, 2-4).  Our relationship with God is based upon what is "unconditional" by which we must love people; not based upon rules and regulations.  Rules and regulations are the core values and beliefs of many Bible-based sects that have such elevated knowledge of holiness as it relates to perfectionism (1 Jn. 1:8). Mere sanctimoniousness, moral plank, and legalism is at the heart of many strict holiness and Pentecostal sects.  It focus upon people's outward appearance but not the heart.  God is interested in changing people's hearts. In order that people's hearts are changed is through the regenerative power and work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).  The Holy Spirit change that of the heart of stone into a heart of flesh.  People must be born again in order to get into heaven; not the pompous religiosity of many strict holiness and Pentecostal Bible based sects.  Salvation is a work of God in behalf of man; not Man saving himself.  Nor is salvation kept by keeping man-made rules and regulations by which many become discouraged simply because they could not live up to the standards of the church leadership (Matt. 23; Gal. 3:1 2-4). Our salvation is eternally secured in Christ based upon Christ's finished work on the cross (Jn. 10:28-29).  There is nothing that the believer can say nor do to undo that by which God have saved them.  We also have the assurance or confidence of our salvation simply because of what Christ did on our behalf of us as sinners (Rom. 5:8).
  In my next article I will begin to address the security of the believer's salvation experience in light of God's Word as oppose to many within that of the leadership of the church today who believe that our salvation can be lost based upon a person "relapsing" in faith or they simply stop believing.  It is a tragedy that many of believers who were truly saved are doubtful whether they are saved simply because they could not live up to the standards of the church and its own leadership (Matt. 11:28-30). Our hope of salvation must be in Jesus Christ; not the elementary principle that is of this world (Col. 2:4, 6, 8).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller, president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" He is also the Podcast Host of, "Ask Darryl" that airs regularly @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons.  As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."