The Lord Jesus Christ: The Only Way of Salvation

Salvation is not found in man-made ceremonies. Neither is it obtained through ordinances or religious sacraments. Instead, Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Still, multitudes believe that the pursuance of good works or the following of a prescribed code of ethics automatically earns them the guarantee of eternal life. Others talk about the benefits of the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, or the observance of the Decalogue-God’s Ten Commandments-as the way to prepare one’s soul for heaven. Although such ideals should be part of a believer’s life, they are a result of salvation, not a means of achieving it.

Ephesians 2:10 states, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…. In other words, good works accompany salvation because Christ, who lives within the believer, is doing the work in him. Thus, we see that it is because one is saved that he works. He does not work in order to become saved. Too often, however, mankind puts the cart before the horse and attempts to reverse the gears of God’s program. The result is humans trying to do that which only Almighty God can do. The end is frustration, false doctrine, and eternal damnation. Man plays no part in obtaining salvation. It is all of God. Titus 3:5 declares, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

God’s Word

Let me be as dogmatic as I have ever been and state that our Holy God has provided no other way of salvation except through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Notice that last phrase again: There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Zoraster, Dr. Moon, Maharajah Ji, and multitudes of others are unable to save because the Holy Word of God explicitly states that there is no other name or god who can save. Christ is the only Saviour.

Someone may immediately and antagonistically cry out within himself, He is quoting some isolated text from Scripture. The Bible is not that narrow in its limitations concerning salvation. Were he using all of the Scriptures, his conclusion would be different. Let me tell you something shocking. I read the entire New Testament through in a four-day period, marking every verse indicating that salvation is in Christ alone, not in creeds, works, ethics, rites, or ceremonies. I found approximately 400 portions of Scripture presenting this clear-cut truth.

Now if God said it once, that would satisfy my searching mind. However, when He declares it nearly 400 times, one had better believe it. In fact, I am presenting the entire list later in this chapter. The heart of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will be blessed as he takes time to study each of these passages. For the present, let’s examine just a few of the texts that prove that only Christ can bring salvation to needy hearts. We will begin with the statements of the Saviour himself.

Jesus’ Word

In order to bombard you with truth, my comments on the verses will be limited. This way I can cover approximately 75 portions of God’s Word.

Matthew 16:18: …upon this rock I will build my church….

Matthew 26:28: … this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Mark 8:38: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

In Luke 5:24, Christ states that the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

To the thief on the cross, the Saviour said, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Only God could make such a promise.

In John 4:13, 14, the Lord said to the woman at the well, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that l shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

In John 5:40, Christ said … ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

John 6:37: …him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 8:12: …I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:24: …if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 10:9: … I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved….

John 10:28: …I give unto them eternal life

John 11:25: …I am the resurrection and the life….

Verse 26: …whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die….

John 12:32, 33: …if I be lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all men unto me. This he said. signifying what death he should die.

After hearing the statements of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, one would do well to obey God the Father who said in Luke 9:35, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Jesus also said in Matthew 12:30, He that is not with me is against me…. One cannot say, “Oh. I admire Christ, but I believe there are other ways.” One is either for Christ or against Him. One either accepts what Christ stated about himself through 35 pronouns and references or rejects it. Neutral one cannot be!

The Holy Spirit’s Word

Next, let’s consider the blessed Holy Spirit’s statements, dictated as He moved upon the various Bible writers (see 2 Peter 1:20, 21). Thus, we will actually be hearing from Him as we investigate the verses He inspired these men to write. I am using only that portion of each verse which supports the truth that salvation is found in Christ alone. Please investigate each one thoroughly, as nothing has been taken out of context.

Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth …….. Notice it is the good news concerning Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. It is not to all who are sprinkled as babies or immersed as adults. It is not through confirmation or reformation. It is not based on works or a system of ethics such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, or the Ten Commandments. No, it is the good news about Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to all who-watch that word-believe, believe.

Romans 5:1: … we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:8: …Christ died for us.

Romans 5:9: …we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 6:23: … the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…. Think of it-no judgment or hell if one is in Christ Jesus!

Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 13:14: …put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ….

First Corinthians 1:2: [We are] sanctified in Christ Jesus….

First Corinthians 2:2: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Why Paul? He is the only way.

First Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is the foundation on which the superstructure, the Church, has been built. Praise God, He is the rock or foundation, not Peter or any other man.

First Corinthians 6:11: … ye are washed… in the name of the Lord Jesus….

Second Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature….

Second Corinthians 12:2: I knew a man in Christ…. Amen, that’s the only way to be-in Christ.

Galatians 1:4: [Christ] gave himself for our sins….

Galatians 2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ ….

Galatians 3:13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Galatians 3:26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:1: …Christ hath made us free….

Ephesians 1:3: …our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

Ephesians 3:17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith….

Philippians 3:10: That l may know him, and the power of his resurrection….

Philippians 4:21: Salute every saint in Christ Jesus…. Saints are produced in Christ.

Colossians 1:20: [He] made peace through the blood of his cross….

Colossians 1:27: Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 2:10: … ye are complete in him….

First Thessalonians 1:10: …Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come.

First Timothy 2:6: [Christ] gave himself a ransom for all….

Second Timothy 2:10: …they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Hebrews 2:9: … that [Christ] by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Hebrews 5:9: …he became the author of eternal salvation ….

Hebrews 10:12: But this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.

First Peter 2:24: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree….

Second Peter 2:20: . they have escaped the pollution’s of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ….

First John 4:9: …God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

First John 4:10: [He] sent his Son to be the propitiation of our sins.

First John 5:11,12: And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Jude 21: …looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Revelation 5:9,10 pictures the eternal future when believers shall be with Christ in heaven. It also records the words of the song the redeemed shall sing in that day. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and halt redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. If one never sings about the blood of Christ in his high-class services, he will never find himself in heaven with the throngs singing redemption’s story.

Revelation 7:14 pictures the Tribulation Hour. Here we find that the same plan of salvation exists after the Church is removed from this earth. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Christ is the Lamb of God (see John 1:29).

Revelation 14:13 states that the only ones called blessed or happy are the dead which die in the Lord. If one doesn’t die in the Lord, he will be lost. Dear reader, I sum it all up by saying that you will never see God unless you come by the way of Christ’s shed blood upon the cross.

Revelation 21:27: And there shall in no wise enter into it [heaven] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: But [hear it, don’t miss it] they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life [Christ’s book of life].

These references but skim the surface. Four hundred passages reiterate this same glorious truth. The following compilation of references from Matthew through Revelation is printed chronologically. This allows one to follow the entire program of verses by simply turning the pages of the New Testament. In fact, I suggest that you highlight or underline each portion in your own Bible as a permanent record. The list is by no means exhaustive. Try to find others in your own study of the Word.

Matthew 7:21, 22, 23; 11:28, 29, 30; 16:18; 18:6; 19:14; 26:28; 27, 28 Gospel Story

Mark 5:6; 8:35; 8:38; 9:41, 42; 10:28, 29, 30, 31; 15, 16 Gospel Story

Luke 1:46, 47; 2:11, 29, 30; 5:24, 32; 9:23, 24, 25, 26; 13:25; 19:10; 23:43; 23, 24 Gospel Story

John 1:4,12, 29; 3:16, 17, 18, 36; 4:14, 42; 5:40; 6:28, 29, 37, 47, 48, 51; 7:5; 8:12, 24; 9:38; 10:9, 28; 11:25, 26; 12:32, 33; 14:6; 17:3 19, 20; Gospel Story 20:30, 31

Acts1:8 4:12 5:30, 31, 42 8:5, 12, 35, 37 9:20, 27 10:36, 43; 13:38, 39; 15:11, 17; 16:30, 31; 17:2, 3, 4; 20:21,28; 28:31

Romans 1:16; 5:1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18, 19, 21; 6:23; 8:1, 3, 10, 32, 34, 35, 39; 9:33; 10:4 ,9, 10, 11, 13; 12:5; 13:14; 14:10, 11; 15:16, 29; 16:18

1 Corinthians 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 18; 2:2; 3:11; 4:1,10, 15; 5:5; 6:11, 15; 10:4, 16; 11:1, 25; 15:1, 2, 3, 4, 23; 16:22

2 Corinthians 2:12; 4:4, 5, 6, 14; 5:15, 17, 18, 19, 21; 8:9; 10:7; 11:2, 10, 23; 12:2, 19; 13:5

Galatians 1:4, 6, 7, 8, 9; 2:16, 17, 20; 3:13, 14, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 24; 6:12, 14, 18

Ephesians 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 22, 23; 2:5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 20, 21; 3:6, 8, 11, 12, 17; 4:12, 13, 15, 21, 32; 5:2, 5, 23, 25, 27, 30

Philippians 1:1, 6, 27; 2:10, 11, 16; 3:8, 9, 10, 14, 18, 20; 4:13, 19, 21, 23

Colossians 1:2, 4, 7, 13, 14, 18, 20, 27, 28; 2:6, 7, 8, 10; 3:1, 4, 13, 17, 24

1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:14; 3:2; 4:14, 16; 5:9, 10, 28

2 Thessalonians 2:14, 16; 3:16, 18

1 Timothy 1:1, 14, 15, 16; 2:6; 4:6

2 Timothy 1:1, 9, 10, 13; 2:1, 10; 3:15

Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:4, 5, 6

Philemon 1:6, 25

Hebrews 1:3; 2:9, 14, 15, 17; 5:9; 7:25, 27; 9:12, 14, 15, 25, 26, 28; 10:10, 12, 14, 19, 20, 29; 12:2; 13:12

1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2:5, 7, 21, 24; 3:18; 4:1

2 Peter 1:1, 11; 2:1, 20; 3:18

1 John 1:7, 9; 2:2, 24, 25, 28; 3:23; 4:9, 10, 14, 15; 5:1, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20

2 John 1:9

Jude 1:1, 4, 21, 25

Revelation 1:5, 18; 3:20, 21; 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12; 7:14; 12:11; 13:8; 14:4, 13; 15:3; 19:1, 9, 10; 20:4; 21:7

At this point, one final question remains, “What will you do with Jesus?” You are a sinner. Christ shed His blood for your sin, and now you must receive Him. Remember the words to that old hymn, “What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be. Someday your heart will be asking, What will He do with me?” If you reject Him, I can give you the answer today. John 5:40: …ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Again, John 14:6: No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Revelation 20:15: And whosoever was not found written in the [Lamb’s] book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

A Lesson for life from a donkey

One of the great ironies in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ last days on earth is the story of His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. We still remember and commemorate this event each year on Palm Sunday.

The Bible tells us that Jesus sent two disciples to find a donkey colt no one had ever ridden before and to bring it to Him. They did, and put their cloaks across the little animal’s back for a saddle.

Then Jesus rode from the Mount of Olives, across the valley and through the narrow streets up to the gate of Jerusalem. A multitude of people prepared the way for Him, spreading their garments and strewing branches from trees in His path.

“Hosannah!” they cried. “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosannah in the highest!”

So Jesus entered Jerusalem, and into the temple, with the adulation of the multitude who hoped He would become their new king. Sadly, only a few days later, many of these same people would join the throngs demanding that Christ be crucified!

But there’s a part of the story about the Triumphal Entry that has always fascinated me. It’s about the donkey colt Jesus rode that day. That little animal has some important lessons for us, I think.

The donkey was available

First, the little donkey was available, ready to be used. Jesus knew the colt was there, and sent His disciples to the particular place they could find him. And when the animal’s owners were told that the Master had need of the donkey, they willingly let him go.

But the donkey was willing, too. Mark’s Gospel says no man had ever sat on his back. He was unbroken, untamed, untrained. But he was available.

Why didn’t Jesus choose a larger, better-qualified animal to carry Him – a spirited horse, or at least the mother of the colt? Why did He ask for such a humble little animal?

I believe the reason might be to show us that the Lord can use small things – if they’re available and ready to be used. One doesn’t have to have a great voice to sing God’s praises. Nor is it necessary to have great talent and training to teach a Sunday School class. One need not have “a way with words” to send birthday greetings, get well, or sympathy cards to people who need to hear from someone who cares.

Are you available? Are you willing to do what you can for the Lord, however small your talent or ability seems to you? There is something you can do – God has given each of us spiritual gifts to use in His service.

But we have to be available. Had the little colt been hidden away where the disciples couldn’t find him, he would have missed having the Son of God ride upon His back!

Remember the story of the five foolish virgins who were invited to the marriage supper. When the bridegroom came, the five foolish virgins were gone – not available to go into the wedding.

How many times do you and I miss out on God’s great blessings simply because we’re not available when the Lord desires to use us?

The donkey was submissive

I don’t know a lot about animals, but I’ve been told that horses, mules, and donkeys have to be broken, or trained, to be ridden. They have to learn to accept the burden of a rider and to respond to his direction and guidance.

This wild little donkey had never been ridden before – no man had ever sat on his back. But when the disciples brought him to Jesus and put a cloak on his back for a saddle, he was submissive. There is no record in the Scripture that he protested, bucked, or rebelled.

He couldn’t have known what was happening, or what was ahead. One moment he was standing peacefully at his mother’s side – the next he was dragged away and a heavy burden put upon him. And as far as we can tell, the little donkey submitted to these strange events without a fuss.

How often do we balk and buck when asked to carry out some assignment or bear some burden? “Why me?” we cry. “Get somebody else.”

So often we tend to hold back until we can see the end from the beginning. We want to see the light at the end of the tunnel before we go into it. We want to understand everything happening in our lives before we submit to it. But that’s not the way life works. Submission is more than agreeing just with what we understand and approve.

How proud and presumptuous to say to God, “Show me Your will for my life, then if I like it, I’ll do it!” The Apostle Peter warns, God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:5,6).

When God leads us to do something for Him, rather than worrying about being embarrassed, put on the spot, or even misunderstood, or disliked by other people, we should submit immediately, trusting in Him. We need to be willing to be led by the Holy Spirit in such a way that we will obey – blindly, if need be – no matter what God asks.

The little donkey submitted to Jesus … and so should we.

The donkey was unafraid

Can you imagine a more difficult and frightening time to be ridden for the first time than this colt experienced? He had no preparation, no training. He is snatched away from his mother by strangers, another stranger gets upon his back, and he bears his first burden through narrow streets crowded with exciting, shouting people, waving tree branches and clothing, crowding around him from every side.

Such an experience would be enough to excite any animal and make him nervous and skittish. But the little donkey didn’t kick anybody or try to get away. He just kept going, carrying Jesus the way He wanted to go.

I’m sure the Lord must have leaned over and whispered to the little animal, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t fear – I’m with you.” And in the most confusing circumstances, with the press of the multitude all around, the colt kept calm and cool. He just kept on doing what he was supposed to do, going where he was supposed to go. And because Jesus was with him, he was not afraid.

God’s supreme sacrifice

Bible scholars tell us there was great significance in Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem at this time, just before the Passover sacrifices. The gate Jesus entered to reach the city was the one through which people brought their sacrifices to the temple. No doubt the streets were full of sheep and lambs being led to the sacrificial altar. And here comes God’s Son, riding on a donkey, about ready to be offered up as the supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world!

So, because he was available, submissive and unafraid, the little donkey played a key role in one of the most riveting events in all of history.

If the donkey could speak to us today, what do you suppose he would say?

It would not be the first time a donkey spoke. The Old Testament, in Numbers 22, tells of Balaam’s donkey who chided the prophet who rode him for opposing the will of God. The donkey saw what Balaam’s spiritually blinded eyes did not – the angel of the Lord with a drawn sword, standing in the path.

If you listen very carefully with the ears of your heart, I think you can hear the little donkey’s voice even now. He’s saying –

“If God could use me, He can use you, too. No one is too humble or insignificant to have a place in God’s service.

“Just be available – stay where the Lord can reach you. Keep an open heart, an open, holy life.

“Then, trust God enough to submit to him. Don’t buck and kick against the unknown. Decide that the Lord knows what’s best and simply do what he asks. He’ll never steer you wrong!

“And last, you don’t have to be afraid when Jesus is with you. His presence, His touch, will calm your fears and keep you on track no matter what goes on around you.

“Maybe you’ve never done anything great, or accomplished very much before. But this year can be different. If you’re available, submissive, and unafraid, who knows what you’ll be chosen to do and how important it may be to the world.

“After all, you’re even more important to God than a little donkey such as I. And the very first time I was ridden, I carried the King!”

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

I want to thank Drs. Jack & Rexella for preaching and teaching the truth in these last days. I’m praying for them and so glad that they don’t fear anyone for telling the Bible truth. God Bless them and all that help them, keep up the Great Work.

J. W. K.

Thank you every day that you faithfully bring Gods truth to a lost and dying world. You and Rexella have not compromised Gods word and because of your stand I have been so blessed and forever thankful. May God bless both of you as you fight the good fight.

B. T.

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The Betrayal of Christianity: Ravenous Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

Unprecedented blasphemy; apostasy; heresy; so-called Christian leaders utterly turning their backs on the Word of God.

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