Saved By Works???

There is a controversy which has existed in the church since the New Testament times concerning whether or not the sinner must meet certain conditions before God will save him. Augustine debated it with Pelagius, Calvin debated it with Arminius; but even before that, the apostles, particularly Paul, debated it with the Judaizers of their day.

This debate culminated in Acts 15 with a church council which gathered to once and for all settle the question, is salvation by grace or is it by works?

After some debate, Peter arose and, after warning the church not to provoke God, stated emphatically this eternal truth: "We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we (Jews) shall be saved, even as they (the Gentiles).

Paul puts it rather succinctly in Romans 11:5-6 when he firmly asserts, "And if (this election which is under consideration) by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace (the free and unmerited favor of God) is no more grace."

Now, my friends, almost everyone SAYS he believes in salvation by grace, but then he will turn right around and tell what all one must do in order for God to save him.

Some say that one must let Jesus come into his heart, others add that one must be baptized, still others maintain that one must join a certain church. Then as if to add insult to injury, some say that if one does not toe the line properly, he will lose this free gift of salvation.

Dear reader, we believe that born again people will hunger to do all the works that accompany salvation (believe, repent, be baptized, etc.); however, we most emphatically believe that these are the evidences of a gracious state and not the cause of a gracious state. SALVATION IS BY GRACE AND NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST!!! (Ephesians 2:8)