How Many Miss the Gospel?

[David]

“Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,” ~ Romans 9:32

We live in a day where there are many sincere, zealous, passionate Christians, but there are also many people whose religion is not enough to save their souls. It’s no secret; Paul was clear on this point: “They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom 10:2). No matter how zealous or religious one is, it is possible to be eternally lost if we attempt to earn God’s righteousness by our own works.

God chose to save Gentiles not because they were religious or did good works, but simply by faith. Paul quotes Hosea and he is blunt in his words here: “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people’… and in the very place it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called sons of the living God” (Rom 9:25–26). Paul is so amazed by the wealth of the gospel that he can’t help but get emotional and weep over this:

On the contrary, “for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.” What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;” ~ Romans 9:28-30

Paul is lamenting the lost state of Israel as a whole. They were given the Law, the prophets and they still did not trust God with their whole heart. “They did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone” (Rom 9:32). The stumbling stone was none other than Christ. He is the very rock of offense to those who would trust in anything else. People don’t like to be told they aren’t good enough; that all the rules, all the religion, and all the good deeds will not save. Christ says otherwise. “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart… because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:8–9).

That is the gospel. Christ came, died, and rose again and all you need is faith in him to be saved. “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek… everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:12–13). Your salvation does not depend on your nationality, your socio-economic status, or any other conditions you may think are required in order to be saved. It simply depends on whether or not you believe in Jesus Christ and trust in him for your salvation.

The bottom line: Religion won’t save you. Self-effort won’t save you. Good works won’t save you. All of your good intentions and religiosity will never save a single soul. Only Jesus Christ can and will save if you turn to Him in faith, no matter who you are.

 

[mailmandan]

I was previously in a discussion with someone who has completely missed the gospel. The gospel according to him centers around water baptism. He teaches that one MUST be water baptized and it MUST be done "in Jesus' name" ONLY and it MUST be followed by speaking in tongues or else one will NOT be saved. It did not take me very long to figure out that this person is a Oneness Pentecostal.

 

[David]

I was previously in a discussion with someone who has completely missed the gospel. The gospel according to him centers around water baptism. He teaches that one MUST be water baptized and it MUST be done "in Jesus' name" ONLY and it MUST be followed by speaking in tongues or else one will NOT be saved. It did not take me very long to figure out that this person is a Oneness Pentecostal.

That is sad, but it shows how easily people can become wrapped up in religion and false teaching while believing they are defending the gospel. Once water baptism, a particular baptismal formula, and speaking in tongues are made requirements for salvation, the finished work of Christ is no longer being treated as sufficient.

Water baptism is commanded, but it does not justify the sinner. Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized in water (Acts 10:43–48). Paul also wrote, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 1:17). He could not have separated baptism from preaching the gospel if baptism were required for salvation.

Speaking in tongues is not proof of salvation either. Paul asked, “Do all speak with tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:30). The expected answer is no. Scripture never teaches that every believer must speak in tongues to be saved.

The sad thing is that speaking in tongues is one of the easiest outward experiences to imitate or fake. A person can repeat sounds, work themselves into an emotional state, or follow what others around them are doing. Yet many people place their confidence in that experience instead of placing their faith in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross. An outward display cannot prove that a person has been born again.

The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). The sinner is justified by faith apart from works: “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). Adding baptism, a certain formula, or tongues as requirements for salvation does not strengthen the gospel. It corrupts it.