Many people in the religious world have been taught error for so long that it just sounds right to them (Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 55:8; Jeremiah 10:23; 1 Corinthians 1:18; John 14:6). The Bible even gives us examples of people who considered a certain way to be correct, but in actuality was not:
Eve (Genesis 3:4)
Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1,2)
King Saul (1 Samuel 15:22)What sounded right to these people brought nothing but tragedies (Romans 10:1-3).
Statements That Sound Right To Many
"Good moral people will be saved."
While we would agree that immoral people will not find salvation, what about those people who are of obvious good moral character? Will this alone save these people? No , it takes more. It took Christ to give his life for the sin that condemns each of us. Obedience to Christ is ultimately what saves us."We are saved by our faith alone."
Many base this notion on Ephesians 2:8,9 mention of "not as a result of works.". Our faith has to be an active faith, and many scriptures speak clearly about acts demmanded of us, based upon our faith (James 2:24-26; Luke 6:46; Galatians 5:6; 1 Peter 1:22; Philippians 2:12; Acts 6:7; Romans 2:7,8; 1 Peter 4:17)."One church is as good as another."
So many people are content making this statement, but is it a true statement? No. New Testament doctrine does not allow for different "churches" in the first place. Christ is the savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). The body is the church (Ephesians 1:22,23). There is only one body (Ephesians 4:4). God adds people to that one body when they obey (Acts 2:47). When members of the church of Christ say, "You must be a member of the church of Christ to be saved.", many listeners interpret this statement as, "You must be a member of the church of Christ denomination to be saved." Yet the statement needs to be taken for what is said and nothing more. The saved are found in Christ's one church and nowhere else."A person does not need to be baptized to be saved."
Many New Testament passage speak clearly on this subject (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3,4; Acts 22:16; Ephesians 1:3). Salvation is found in Christ. And what does being in Christ have to do with baptism? Baptism puts one into Christ.Many false teachings are floating around in the religious world. Our plea is to find out what the scriptures have to say on the matter.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Leviticus 10:1,2
1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Romans 10:1-3
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.Ephesians 2:8,9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.James 2:24-26
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Romans 2:7,8
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
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.
Ephesians 1:22,23
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
1 Peter 3:21 he like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Romans 6:3,4
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
