40 Biblical Truths

1. Salvation already happened in the Apostles’ generation. (Matthew 24:13 & 34, 17:17, Acts 2:40)

2. The past salvation event affects all generations. (Hebrews 5:9)

3. Therefore salvation cannot be gained or lost.

4. We are saved from God’s wrath against the enemy who brought sin. (Acts 2:21, Romans 5:9-10, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Luke 1:69-71, Revelation 12:10, Matthew 1:21, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Corinthians 1:18)

5. We are not saved in sin, we are saved from sin. (Matthew 1:21, John 1:29)

6. Salvation is being free from sin and doing good works.

7. Therefore anyone sinning has not been saved from anything. (Ephesians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 John 1:6, 3:6-9, 5:18)

8. Each persons’ works will be judged by Jesus for eternal life or death. (Matthew 25:34-46, John 5:28-29, Revelation 20:11-15)

9. Christians are not exempted from judgement. (1 Peter 4:18-19, Romans 14:10, Colossians 3:25, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:3-11, James 3:1)

10. Works are judged because works reveal the heart. (Proverbs 27:19, Jeremiah 17:10, Matthew 12:33-37, Matthew 15:19, James 2:18, Revelation 2:23)

11. Jesus wants a relationship, not heartless works. (Psalm 51:16-19, Matthew 7:21-23, 1 John 1:7)

12. Relationship with and faith in Jesus is obedience. (John 14:15, 1 John 1:6, 2:3, 3:7-8)

13. Rejecting Jesus leads to judgement and death. (John 15:22-25, John 3:18-21, 36)

14. Relationship with and faith in Jesus leads to eternal life because it results in good works. (John 3:18-21, 8:51, Romans 10:10, 1 John 3:7-8)

15. However, we are not saved by good works. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9)

16. In writing about works, biblical authors were writing to Jews who thought they deserved salvation because of their works of the law as opposed to trusting in Jesus for salvation. (Acts 13:38-39, Romans 3:20, 27-30, Galatians 2:16, 5:4)

17. Therefore salvation cannot be merited nor obtained on your own.

18. However, scripture says we are not justified by faith alone. (James 2:19-26)

19. Something that doesn’t save you can still be required for salvation. (For example, if you’re wearing a parachute in an airplane that's about to crash, you can be saved by jumping out of the plane and pulling the chute. The parachute won't save you unless you jump out of the plane -- jumping out of the plane is a requirement. But jumping out of an airplane certainly doesn't save you!)

20. Baptism without Jesus doesn't save nor does it merit salvation. (Acts 19:4-6)

21. Baptism is how God’s grace affects us. (1 Peter 3:21)

22. Baptism kills sin by joining one to the death and resurrection of Jesus. (Mark 16:16-18, Romans 6:2-7, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:27)

23. The thief on the cross died before the resurrection of Jesus. (Luke 23:43)

24. Therefore it was impossible for the thief on the cross to be baptized in Jesus’ name, just like every other believer who died before Jesus’ resurrection.

25. The thief on the cross didn’t need baptism because he didn’t have the opportunity to sin after repenting.

26. The gospel doesn’t stop with forgiveness and justification -- freedom from sin allows us to walk in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8)

27. Those who accept sin and deny the power of the gospel are false teachers. (1 Corinthians 4:20, 2 Timothy 3:1-9)

28. The Holy Spirit brings sanctification. (Romans 6:22, 15:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

29. Sanctification is an event, not a process. (1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

30. However, we should continuously be growing in spiritual maturity and righteousness. (2 Peter 1:3-12)

31. We must discern between the Holy Spirit and evil spirits. (1 John 4:1)

32. A spirit is discerned by what it says about Jesus. (1 John 4:2-3)

33. The Pharisees who Jesus warned not to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit were not trying to discern Jesus’ spirit, they were trying to discredit Jesus by discrediting the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 12:23-24, 34, Mark 3:30, Luke 11:15, 29, 12:1)

34. The only way to Jesus is through the Holy Spirit. (Luke 12:8-12, 1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

35. If one blasphemes the Holy Spirit, there’s no way to Jesus. (Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10)

36. Therefore if you believe in Jesus, you could not have blasphemed the Holy Spirit.

37. Scripture does not say that there is only one chance at grace. (Matthew 6:12, Luke 11:4, 12:6-7, Ephesians 1:7-8, Romans 5:20, James 3:2, 5:19-20, 1 John 1:9) 

38. All sin can be forgiven through Jesus, even blasphemy against Jesus. (Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28, Luke 12:10)

39. Freedom from sin comes from increasing your faith in God’s forgiveness and grace. (Luke 7:47, Acts 10:43, Romans 2:3-4, 5:1, 5:20-8:17, 10:10, 1 John 1:8-9, 1 John 2:1)

40. Therefore any struggle with sin is due to a lack of faith in and relationship with Jesus.