Examining and reproving these myths in light of God’s word

1. Examining and reproving these myths in light of God’s word

2. The Need for Authority… • Many try to enter by the broad way! • Matthew 7:13–14-13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and therearemany who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

3. The Need for Authority… • The doctrines of men have turned people away from God since the days of Isaiah! • Matthew 15:8–9-8“‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

4. The Need for Authority… • Many are not diligent with their convictions! • 2 Timothy 2:15-15Bediligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

5. A Simple Challenge! Acts 17:11These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

6. #3 “I am Saved by Grace Alone”

7. The Position “What the Scriptures say about Sola Gratia: Simply stated, if the Scriptures are clear that men and women are sinful by nature and cannot do anything to save themselves or even prepare themselves to be saved, the Scriptures are equally clear that it is God who saves by grace alone through faith alone on account of Christ alone. This means that it is God who acts first, upon the sinner, while the sinner is dead in sin. For as we have seen, the sinner is enslaved to the sinful nature and its passions, and will not come to God, as Paul declares. But the good news is that while sinners do not seek God, God seeks sinners. And this is what we mean by the phrase, grace alone.” (Grace Alone: An Evangelical Problem? By Kim Riddlebarger, http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/gracealone.html)

8. The Position “The hallmark and glory of Protestant theology is its commitment to sola gratia, or the assertion that we are saved by grace alone. This is not limited to those who are Reformed in their theology but also to those who are Arminian in their theology. No true evangelical Christian will claim that their salvation did “not” come to them entirely by the grace of God alone.However, many who support the Arminian position will also come dangerously close to the heresy taught by the Roman Catholic Church and others in that the grace of God “must” be coupled with something that “I” do in order for me to be saved.” (What is Sola Gratia? By Sam Hughey, http://www.reformedreader.org/sola_gratia.htm)

9. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” then what about faith? • Ephesians 2:8–9 -8 For by grace you have been saved throughfaith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

10. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” then what about faith? • Romans 3:21–26 -21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, throughfaithin Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, throughfaith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of theonewhohasfaithin Jesus.

11. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” why then are not all men saved? • Titus 2:11–15 -11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

12. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” why then are not all men saved? • 1 Timothy 2:3–4-3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. • Acts 13:46-46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

13. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” why then are not all men saved? • Romans 10:14–17-14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

14. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” why then are not all men saved? • 1 Peter 4:17-17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? • 2 Thessalonians 1:8-8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” then why did Paul and Silas answer the Philippian Jailor the way they did? • Acts 16:30–34-30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

16. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” then why did Paul and Silas answer the Philippian Jailor the way they did? • Romans 6:4–6-4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

17. General Reproofs • If we are saved by “grace alone,” how is it that man can fall from grace and need restoration with the help of other men reproving them and turning them away from the error of their way? • Galatians 5:4-4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. • James 5:19–20-19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

18. Case Studies • Noah… • Genesis 6:8-8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. • Hebrews 11:7-7By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

19. Case Studies • Noah… • 1 Peter 3:18–22-18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

20. Case Studies • Abraham… • Romans 4:1–4-1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

21. Case Studies • Abraham… • Hebrews 11:8–9, 17-19-8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. . . . 17By faithAbraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

22. Case Studies • Abraham… • Romans 11:1–6-1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

23. Case Studies • The Apostle Paul… • 2 Timothy 1:8–12-8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

24. Case Studies • The Apostle Paul… • Acts 9:6-6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” • Acts 22:16-16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ • Philippians 2:12–13-12 Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

25. Case Studies • The Apostles and the First Gentile Converts… • Acts 15:6–11-6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

26. Case Studies • The Apostles and the First Gentile Converts… • Acts 2:38–47-38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”41 Then those who gladly received his wordwere baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. . . . 47b And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

27. Case Studies • The Apostles and the First Gentile Converts… • Acts 10:44–48-44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believedwere astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptizedin the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

28. Luke 17:10 “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

29. Hebrews 5:8-9 “8 … though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…”