Is Belief All That's Required for God's Gift of Salvation?

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Is Belief All That's Required for God's Gift of Salvation?

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You’ve probably seen the religious tracts quoting Romans 10:9 Romans 10:9That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
American King James Version×
: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Or maybe they quoted Acts 16:31 Acts 16:31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.
American King James Version×
: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

We must look at a number of verses scattered throughout the Bible to get the whole picture and look at all the Bible says on the subject to come to a proper understanding.

Do this, the tracts assure us, and we have the promise of eternal life. But is this all there is to it? Is belief all that God requires of us for salvation? Some assume these two passages are the final word on the subject. But is that true?

If you’ve studied your Bible much at all, you probably realize that we must look at a number of verses scattered throughout the Bible to get the whole picture. We must look at all the Bible says on the subject to come to a proper understanding. And few things could be more important than understanding what we must do—or not do—if we are to receive God’s gift of eternal life.

Belief is a clear requirement—but is there more?

Certainly belief in God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, as They are described in Scripture, is crucial. As Hebrews 11:6 Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
American King James Version×
tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” So belief in God and having living faith in Him is vital to pleasing God and receiving His gift of salvation. 

And salvation, eternal life, is God’s gift by grace—His loving disposition of favor and acceptance toward us—as Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
American King James Version×
explains: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Salvation is God’s gift, unearned and undeserved on our part. No one will ever be able to boast that he or she has earned or deserves the gift of eternal life.

But it doesn’t stop at simple belief and grace. Can we do things—or not do things —that disqualify us from receiving that wonderful gift from God? The answer is crucial to your relationship with God and to your future!

The fact is, the Bible shows that God sets certain conditions for receiving salvation. Meeting these conditions will enable us to receive that gift, while disregarding and failing to meet them will disqualify us from receiving it. What are these conditions?

If there is an authority on receiving eternal life, it has to be Jesus Christ. After all, He is the One through whom we receive it!

In Hebrews 5:8-9 Hebrews 5:8-9 [8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; [9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him;
American King James Version×
, Jesus is called the author of our salvation: “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (emphasis added throughout).

Can gifts have conditions?

Since salvation is God’s gift, what does this passage mean when it speaks of “eternal salvation to all who obey Him”? If we must do something to receive God’s gift of salvation, how can it be a gift?

To use an analogy, if someone offered to send you a $100 bill if you would send him a self-addressed stamped envelope, he would be offering you a gift. Simply believing that he would send you the money would not actually get you the money. And if you failed to send the envelope, you likewise would not receive the money. You might complain, but you still would not receive the gift because you had not met the conditions.

On the other hand, if you sent the required envelope and received the $100 bill, this does not mean you earned the gift. You simply met the necessary conditions. Without the offer of the undeserved gift, you could’ve sent hundreds of envelopes and received nothing, as you would have been entitled to nothing. The fact that conditions are attached to receiving a gift makes it no less a gift. Millions of people fail to understand this simple fact, and as a result don’t realize that they risk missing out on God’s priceless gift of salvation!

What must we do?

Since Jesus is the author of our salvation, let’s examine a few of His statements that tell us what we must do to receive that gift of salvation—eternal life with Him.

In Matthew 7:21 Matthew 7:21Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
American King James Version×
Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Jesus made it clear that merely acknowledging Him as Lord and Master—saying “Lord, Lord”—is not sufficient. To inherit the Kingdom of God, we must do something. We must do the will of the Father, as He clearly stated.

Jesus wants us to understand that there is more to receiving eternal life than just belief or mental acceptance. Our conviction that He is our Savior must be more than just a warm, comforting thought or intellectual concept. Jesus warns that simply calling on His name or recognizing Him as “Lord” is not enough.

At one point a wealthy young man asked Jesus how he could receive eternal life. “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16 Matthew 19:16And, behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
American King James Version×
). Christ’s reply, in Matthew 19:17 Matthew 19:17And he said to him, Why call you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.
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, might shock some who think obedience to God’s law is unnecessary—that He has done that for us so we don’t have to do anything. Jesus responded, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Jesus didn’t answer that nothing is required other than believing in God or in Him. He told the young man he must obey the commandments of God to receive the gift of eternal life. How plain!

As the apostle James points out, belief is pointless unless it is backed up by action and obedience: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble” (James 2:19 James 2:19You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
American King James Version×
). If we think that belief is all we need for salvation, we are sorely mistaken. As James tells us, the demonic spirits fully believe in the existence of the one true God. They further know that Jesus is the Son of God raised from the dead. But the demons’ belief in this regard doesn’t mean they are saved!

James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ, goes on to explain that faith—belief and trust in God—and obedience go hand in hand: “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:20-22 James 2:20-22 [20] But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar? [22] See you how faith worked with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
American King James Version×
).

James thus explained that works of obedience as a result of our faith maintain our relationship with God and lead to greater faith and obedience, as God requires. Without works as evidence of our faith, that faith is dead—worthless and useless.

Baptism and laying on of hands

Jesus gave another condition for God’s gift of eternal life in Mark 16:16 Mark 16:16He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.
American King James Version×
: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Water baptism—by full immersion—is a symbolic act representing the death and washing away of our old sinful self and the beginning of a new life of serving God and striving to avoid sin (Romans 6:1-23 Romans 6:1-23 [1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [3] Know you 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. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he lives, he lives to God. [11] Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. [15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. [16] Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. [19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity to iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness to holiness. [20] For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. [21] What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. [22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life. [23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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). Through this act we symbolically put to death and bury the old person with his or her sins and rise from that watery grave to a new life as a new person.

Baptism is to be followed by the laying on of hands by a true minister of Jesus Christ, which allows us to receive God’s Holy Spirit and truly belong to Him (Acts 8:17 Acts 8:17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
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; Romans 8:9 Romans 8:9But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
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). Unless we surrender our lives to God through baptism and the laying on of hands to receive His Spirit as instructed, we fail to meet—whether knowingly or unknowingly—His prerequisites for receiving His gift of salvation.

The apostle Peter also affirmed these conditions for receiving God’s Spirit, declaring, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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). Repentance means to turn from disobedience to God to obeying Him. So again, committed obedience and baptism are shown as requirements in the salvation process.

To those who would brush aside these and other plain biblical instructions Jesus replies, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?’”(Luke 6:46 Luke 6:46And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
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).

In Matthew 10:22 Matthew 10:22And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
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and Matthew 24:13 Matthew 24:13But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
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Jesus gave another condition we must meet to receive God’s gift of salvation: “He who endures to the end will be saved.” Some believe in the unbiblical teaching of “eternal security” or “once saved, always saved.” But as Jesus plainly and directly implied here, we can lose out on salvation if we fail to endure to the end.

Once we have committed ourselves to obeying God and surrendering ourselves to Him, we must stay the course to the end and not look back (Luke 9:62 Luke 9:62And Jesus said to him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
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). Even the apostle Paul realized that he needed to discipline himself to be in total subjection to God—“lest, when I have preached to others,” he wrote, “I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 1 Corinthians 9:27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
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). He clearly understood that through neglect he could lose out on God’s gift of salvation! (compare Hebrews 2:1-3 Hebrews 2:1-3 [1] Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. [2] For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; [3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him;
American King James Version×
).

Salvation is free, but not cheap

You may have heard the expression, “Salvation is free, but not cheap.” God’s gift of life to us cost Jesus Christ His life. He, the very Son of God, willingly surrendered His life so that we might receive God’s wonderful gift of eternal life. And it cost the Father, who “gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16 John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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).

But God expects us to surrender our lives in return, as Jesus states in Luke 14:26-27 Luke 14:26-27 [26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. [27] And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
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: “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me” (New Living Translation, 1996).

Our love for and commitment to Jesus Christ and God the Father must be more important to us than any other relationship. Each of us must be willing to bear his “cross,” to faithfully follow Jesus even through life’s most difficult challenges.

Luke 14:28-33 Luke 14:28-33 [28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? [29] Lest haply, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, [30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. [31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassador, and desires conditions of peace. [33] So likewise, whoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.
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carry on that thought, warning us to consider carefully that accepting the gift of eternal life comes at the highest cost we can imagine. “So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me” (Luke 14:33 Luke 14:33So likewise, whoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.
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, NLT, 1996). As Jesus Christ gave His life for us, we must be willing to give our lives to follow Him!

So returning to the title of this article, is belief all that’s required for God’s gift of salvation? Clearly the answer is no. His Word spells out certain conditions for us. Let us be sure, as Hebrews 2:3 Hebrews 2:3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him;
American King James Version×
exhorts us, that we not “neglect so great a salvation”!

    Comments

  • Jacob Hitsman
    Good job Scott Ashley, Full commitment to Christ is required and expected but with most this would entail too much sacrifice. You have made very clear that surrender of your whole life is required to follow Christ. My personal faith in Christ crucified will remain with me until death overtake me. There is no turning back as you said, but then again who wants to go back to the shallow meaningless life after you have known the Truth of Life and His Salvation from death? Many times have I said that to give my life defending His Holy Honor would be the most satisfying and glorious end to this physical life as I know it. This short time we live in the flesh cannot be compared to what we shall inherit in His Kingdom. This life is to prepare us to be children of God. Let us pray that we are found worthy to stand at the Day of His coming. Amen
  • Eric V. Snow
    How can we Christians better understand the relationship between faith and works concerning their contribution to salvation? One way to consider salvation a process over time that has three stages: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation overall isn't gained all at once permanently by a single event or faith commitment. Justification, the first stage, is indeed by grace through faith alone. "Justification" means "to be declared righteous," or to be in a state without sin. As Paul explained the concept of imputed righteousness (Romans 4:5-6 Romans 4:5-6 [5] But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [6] Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works,
    American King James Version×
    ), "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. . . . God reckons righteousness apart from works." But sanctification, the second stage, requires some level of actual works and human participation. The Holy Spirit helps Christians to build holy righteous character. For example, in Romans 6:16 Romans 6:16Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?
    American King James Version×
    , 19, 22 (NASB) "obedience, result[s] in righteousness," "righteousness, result[s] in sanctification" and "sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life." Finally, "glorification" occurs when Christians become spirit beings when Jesus returns.
  • Hypnus9
    As far as obedience goes, why isn't the verbatim saying of the Lord's Prayer taught as a teaching to obey regularly in most churches as Jesus commanded it ought be?
  • geekay
    Baptism is to be followed by the laying on of hands by a true minister of Jesus Christ, That is quite a statement, one that should be backed up by quoting chapter and verse. When was the disciple Philip so anointed before meeting the Ethiopian on his way and also Stephen before his discourse that got him killed. There are a multitude of faithful servants of God out in the world baptising genuine seekers in rivers and backyard swimming pools who have never been anywhere near "genuine ministers" of God to have hands layed on them. Are those who they baptised any less baptised?
  • Malachi 3_16-18
    Hi Hypnus, Many churches do recite this prayer, but it’s often rattled off without paying attention to the words. The “Lord’s Prayer” is an outline – Jesus said “after this manner” we should pray (Mt 6:9), & then He proceeded to give a framework to expand upon. We know it’s inadequate to simply recite these words each time we pray, because He said we shouldn’t make “vain [empty] repetitions” when talking to His Father (Mt 6:7). But I believe that using it as a guide, & expanding on each point within it – for instance, “Hallowed be Thy name” becomes a few minutes of praising & thanking our Father – is what Jesus intended. There are times we can digress from this pattern – for example, personal crisis, or intercessory prayer for a friend – but it’s good to return to it often to check we’re on track & not just praying “gimme” prayers. Talking to God from our heart as to a friend, & humbly (Isaiah 66:2 Isaiah 66:2For all those things has my hand made, and all those things have been, said the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.
    American King James Version×
    ), is the most desired form of prayer. Here are a few of the prayers the Bible shows were/are very effective: 1 Kings 18:36-39 1 Kings 18:36-39 [36] And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. [37] Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that you are the LORD God, and that you have turned their heart back again. [38] Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. [39] And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
    American King James Version×
    ; 2 Kings 20:1-6 2 Kings 20:1-6 [1] In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus said the LORD, Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live. [2] Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, [3] I beseech you, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. [4] And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, [5] Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus said the LORD, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you: on the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. [6] And I will add to your days fifteen years; and I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
    American King James Version×
    ; Lk 18:9-13; Jas 5:16. I found a very helpful article on using the Lord’s Prayer: ucg.org/Christian-living/perfect-prayer
  • michael9776
    Hello Mr. Ashley, A few years ago, a longtime church member said to me: "If one commits sin he falls back 'under the law' until he repents." This man had a misconception about the grace of God. His notion about grace was the legal opposite to the mistaken belief of "once saved - always saved." I understand this gentleman's misconception - because I also held it for many years. When God answer my prayers (pleas) for help and comfort, I was left with a deeper discernment of our Creator's kind nature, and His grace toward us. Grace is God's long-suffering love toward man - and His endearing love for His saints. In a sense, grace IS God's relationship with us - for without it - no hope exists. Our hope is living "under grace" with God. Yet, just as in sustaining human relationships - so we must also accept our responsibility in our relationship with God. God saved us - and is saving us - by his loving grace, through our active, action-based faith that bears fruit of our love and respect for Him. As you stated: "...works of obedience as a result of our faith maintain our relationship with God and lead to greater faith and obedience..." Thank you for the article. Michael
  • Missyjoy
    Geekay has a very good point. "Baptism is to be followed by the laying on of hands by a true minister of Jesus Christ" is a statement that stuck out to me in the article too. It came out of nowhere and had nothing to do with the scripture reference given. I realize the Bible says Peter and John laid hands on people so they would receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:14-17 Acts 8:14-17 [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen on none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
    American King James Version×
    . But that didn't happen for every new believer in the New Testament. See Acts 2:4 Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
    American King James Version×
  • allanv
    Hi, not only belief but confessing or speaking out. Believe in the heart and speak out with the mouth. Belief in the heart to righteousness and salvation is speaking out, both must occur together. Jesus related that it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles the person because it comes off the heart. It is also what is in the mind that is the person and this presents body language and tone of the voice etc. There must be an act of being purified from the inside by the Spirit. Taking action to do this can be regarded as works. Hearing the word as an enlivened word from a mind that is receiving revelation and inspiration and speaking out with deepening belief. Going all the way to breaking inwardly and then the gentle nature of Jesus covering. He resides now as our High Priest and this Gives access to knowing God the Eternal Father and He will indwell. The mind must be cleared of all the usual thoughts and human responses to input. The kingdom of God is not about biology and human interpretation of it. The kingdom of God is about escaping the influences of a not well understood realm of the natural mind. It is very subtle because most never test it in their own comfort.
  • Malachi 3_16-18
    Hi Missyjoy, The apostles received the Spirit of God in a special way (Acts 2:1-4 Acts 2:1-4 [1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat on each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
    American King James Version×
    ), as tongues resembling fire, that would make a huge and memorable impact on many at the official start of the New Testament Church on the day of Pentecost. God’s Spirit was also sent in a special way to Cornelius and his household, as it came prior to baptism (Acts 10:44 Acts 10:44While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
    American King James Version×
    ). I believe this was also an unusual method or sequence used by God since Cornelius was the very first Gentile to receive the Holy Spirit. This was a historic milestone in the New Testament Church of God. Notice that Peter was quick to follow up with baptism (Acts 10:44-48 Acts 10:44-48 [44] While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, [47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
    American King James Version×
    ). This was and is not the normal way to receive the Holy Spirit. A few Biblical exceptions do not mean we can choose not to have hands laid on us. God can tweak His own rules when He pleases, but I believe we should strive to follow the example clearly set out in Acts 8:14-17 Acts 8:14-17 [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen on none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
    American King James Version×
    . Laying on of hands by a minister of God is used in other situations for receiving a special blessing from God: for instance, healing (Jas 5:14-15), and ordination (Acts 6:1-8 Acts 6:1-8 [1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. [2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. [3] Why, brothers, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. [5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: [6] Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. [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. [8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
    American King James Version×
    ). So it is right and fitting to also receive the Holy Spirit from the laying on of hands.
  • Aaron Booth

    The comments above where posted when this article was first published on the ucg.org website on January 2014. The article was republished in the May/June 2015 issue of the Good News.

  • Ivan Veller

    Thank you, Mr. Ashley, for this excellent article.

    Readers might ask a follow-up question. Does Paul’s statement that "I came to you...proclaiming to you...nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:1-2, ESV 2011) - "I decided that while I was with you I would forget about everything except Jesus Christ and his death on the cross" (ERV 2008) - mean that Paul's gospel was a gospel of faith alone?

    In Romans 15, Paul clarifies this question: "For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed...according to my gospel...to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of ["the" (Coverdale 1535, NKJV, EMTV, MLV 2016)] faith" (Romans 15:18; 16:25-26 ESV).

    “[F]aith and law go hand in hand”: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/faith-alone

    We find "God…telling us that if we want to be in His family and in His Kingdom, we have to become like Him. His law describes Him. He wants His values to be our values; He wants us to take on His character": https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/the-law-gods-design-for-our-lives

  • dmdk66

    The author makes an analogy that is loosely based and does not properly support his argument. He speaks of the $100 bill and that one has to do more than just believe he will receive it. He has to also send in a self-addressed envelope, according to the stipulations, to receive the free gift and then he will receive it in the mail. So what is the problems with this analogy? He is adding steps to receiving eternal life. He says that just by believing that isn't enough. While true in his analogy, it isn't true with our eternal future. Jesus makes no such stipulations. The whole point that Jesus makes is that this gift is by belief, not by additional stipulations. The author's illustration is about a material, physical world involving mailings, envelopes, stamps, etc. Jesus' gift is a supernatural one that doesn't require physical impediments. Using the author's analogy, does Jesus really need additional help in getting you this free gift? This just shows when you have a particular denominational mindset, you have to use analogies that are awkward to make your point.

  • WMB

    There are only two formulas for salvation.: Jesus Christ + Something or Jesus Christ + Nothing. Those who teach the doctrine of “Jesus Christ + Something” always fail to tell us just how many good deeds and how many good works it takes to convince ourselves and God that we are truly saved, even though John the Apostle says we can know we are saved. I admit, I cannot save myself, neither can I keep myself.
    How many on this site has obeyed the commandments of Christ? An honest answer is that none of you have kept his commandments. and you never will. All of you, including myself, are so far from God’s righteousness that you can never reach his holiness on your own, only by grace. You cannot add anything to His grace. If I can do any of it on my own, then what good is His work on the cross?
    That does not mean I have a license to sin, or that I should not strive to be like Him. It means salvation is by His grace, and other than my faith in Him, I have no right to make any claim on his gift to me. When I get to Heaven, and I assure you I am going, the first thought on my mind will be, “Jesus got me here, and there was nothing I ever did on my own to deserve it. Thank you Jesus!”

  • Scott Ashley

    I find it fascinating that some people can so easily dismiss so many plain statements from the Bible, including many from Jesus Christ Himself, stating the conditions God places on His gift of salvation. Salvation is certainly by God's grace, but many people have a sorely lacking understanding of what the Scriptures really teach about grace. Before perpetuating so many erroneous statements about grace, I'd recommend that you read our study guide "What Does the Bible Teach About Grace," which you can request or download here: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/what-does-the-bible-teach-about-grace
    Otherwise the first thought on your mind when you "get to heaven" should probably be how you will respond to Jesus' challenge, "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?"

  • Jordan127

    I think the article is great overall. The analogy about the envelope was okay but I think something better is appropriate. For example, as a father, my kids have requirements to do around the house and other duties they cannot neglect. Even though they sometimes mess up, they still get gifts from me all the time just because I love them. I think likewise, all who are sons of God and obey God's sovereign will, will receive gifts from God including salvation. I'm not sure if that's a good analogy but I would like to see more analogies of how gifts work but duties are involved by the receiver. Thanks.

  • Scott Ashley

    Hi Jordan,
    I think your analogy of a father giving gifts to his children because he loves them is very appropriate. This is certainly true of God. Thanks for your comment. As for you comment about wanting to learn more about how "duties are involved by the receiver" in response to receiving gifts from God, I’d recommend that you read our study guide “What Does the Bible Teach About Grace,” which you can request or download here: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/what-does-the-bible-teach-about-grace
    It includes a deep discussion of exactly that and how it was understood in the first century when the apostle Paul wrote so much about God's grace and gifts. I think you'll find it eye-opening.

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