The way of salvation according to many, is through the book of Romans. For the most part I agree. One must not be partial (Neither in obedience; as King Saul was fulfilling only part of the instructions that God gave him, and it was counted as disobedience! Read his story in 1 Samuel 13:1-14. Nor in scriptures as the whole word must be used.) but instead use all of the word rightly. The first scripture is Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Here all can see that his disciples were told to preach the Gospel everywhere, and by faith those who received it would act on truth. James 2:19-24 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Jesus said in John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And in John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. To believe is to obey. 2 King 5: 1-15 tells of Naaman who by faith in action was healed by following the instruction of God in his baptism. Today, many say they are saved by faith alone. Not true as the scriptures refute that! Everybody with real faith acts upon it! Hebrews 11:1,6-8 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. As it reads here we are saved by grace and faith and not our works, and we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. We know faith is. Grace is defined as the unmerited or unearned favor of God, that is reflected in one's life. It's similar to Moses face shining with the glory of God after speaking with him. Exodus 33:11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. Exodus 34:35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Grace and mercy was given at the cross of Calvary. As nobody but God could provide the perfect sacrifice to satisfy his wrath revealed against all sin. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Jesus Christ came and died in our place. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. And almost all things are by the law purged with
blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. That is from the Hebrew chapter 9. I would encourage you to read this whole chapter yourself. Romans 3:2230 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. All have sinned and Jesus (Our perfect sacrifice in our place.) the just one, has brought grace of God to reveal the truth to us; as we being the lost sheep that needed to found. Again, also here we read: That we are saved by the grace of God through our faith and obedience, to his ways and it is not by our own means, efforts, or abilities to save ourselves. Roman 5:8-9 restates this also. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Also obedience to the word is very important! Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Jesus himself said (When being tempted by Satan in the three ways he tempts with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; to rebuff Satan's twisting of one scripture!) "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God". The Command of Acts 2:38 was first spoken by Peter on the day of Pentecost; even as he was obeying Jesus' words and waited to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of tongues at Jerusalem. See Luke 24:45-47 and Acts chapters 1-2. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:39-41 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. How were these people, who were moved by the knocking of God on their hearts door, saved? By the grace of God, hearing the word and acting upon it to their baptism in Jesus name; as he shed his blood and rose again from the grave! God commands baptism in his name and by his grace and through our faith. Roman 6:1-6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Plainly one who loves God will not be willing living anymore in sin, as to the best of their abilities! God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? How did we die to our sin then? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. (Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Belief plus baptism in Jesus name makes us friends of God!) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Galatians 2:20-21 also is a great scripture which correlates to this study here. I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. We are saved by our faith in the operation of the plan of God for our lives. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. From Colossians 2:12-13. All must beware of traditions of men that are not based on all the word of God. Colossians 2:8-9 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Many say unscriptural quotes such as what follows. "Baptism is a outward sign of an inward happening". Really? Show me in the word where your contradiction of it says that. Because Jesus said himself in Mark 16:16, Luke 24:45-47 and many more that if you would believe, that you would act in faith upon that belief. Or, as some false people say baptism is for sins already forgiven. If that is so, then all the other times that Jesus forgave someone or cleansed them; was that because they were already had been forgiven of their sin? Baptism is for the forgivesness of sins and not because of already been forgiven of them. If I already won the lotto for a million dollars and have the money, would I turn in the ticket? That simply does not make common sense. Furthermore that theory or vain philosophy, has already been disproven by many Greek professors who show that theory as foolishness of man. And it is simply an attempt (A Satanically inspired one!) to cheat people out of the promised land! In over fifty (50) versions of various bible the word is translated as "for the remission of sins" or the "for the forgiveness of sins". I would suggest anyone sincerely loving God out of a heart of faith to look up an article that explains this and more, by David Padfeild. And it is called "Baptism for the remission of sins". He worships God at the Church of Christ in Zion, ILL. Now back to to the Roman's road of truth. Roman 8:9-10 But ye 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 (Unless you have been baptized correctly by faith in the operation of God, you are not saved by water baptism and the ensuing spirit entering in! Read John 3:5 and Matthew 7:21-27) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Ephesians 2:18-20 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Since Jesus is the door and only way unto the father; how can one be baptized any other way and be saved scripturally? They cannot says the unchangeable word! I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly, John 10:9-10. Also we read in Hebrews 13:8-9 that, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines". That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, Romans 10:9-10. The exact example of this is the Eunuch, in Acts 8:2640! Here is some of it. Verses 35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart,
thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. The Eunuch heard the word from a preacher (Just as Peter preached to the Jews from all nations, and they by their faith repented, believed, confessed Christ. And then obeyed baptism in Jesus name; which is for the forgiveness of their sins.) and with all of his heart confessed and believed in the son of God, even Jesus Christ, (Acts 10:36) who is Lord of all! Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Again in Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:). Verse 48 of the same chapter. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Also in Acts 8:12-16 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Romans 10:14-16 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? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. As we read in the book of Acts in all the cases of someone being baptized they were preached to, and then by their belief were baptized in the name of Jesus immediately. Back then not all obeyed the Gospel, as Paul said it here! Paul was called to preach and not baptize, yet he baptized Lydia (Acts 16:15) and the Jailer (Acts 16:33) in Jesus name. Also he baptized the Corinthians ( In Acts 18:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18) and John's disciples (Acts 19:1-5) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus holds all power. (Matthew 28:18) He alone saves all. (Acts 4:12) His name alone is commanded for all words spoken and deeds done. (Colossians 3:17) And he is both the power and wisdom of God. (I Corinthians 1:24) It is the family name of God. (Ephesians 3:15) The name of the father. (John 5:43) It is the name of the son. (Matthew 1:21) And it is the name of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. (John 14:26) So, any other Gospel or way of baptism is simply not true by the word of God. Galatians 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed". That sounds very serious indeed! Paul reiterates himself in the plainest possible way. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. He shows that he is in accord or agreement, with the way Peter and all the early church taught and did. This happened though he him he received the gospel seperate from them, through or by Divine Revelation. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ, Galatians 1:11-12. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and not the titles said Paul, in Romans 13:14. As well, so must we all must gain faith by hearing and then showing it through the doing of the word. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. The doers of the word, and not hearers only, are blessed! But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he
beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. From James 1:22-25. Today is the day of salvation. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation, 2 Corinthians 2:6. We only have the here and now. Our life is but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Now is the time to act on your faith by receiving the truth and grace of God, that is in Jesus christ our Lord and Savior. John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. James 4:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Though Cornelius prayed down and angel in Acts 10:1-48, he was not saved until he obeyed the Gospel and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. No prayer can save anyone without their baptism by obedience, as said 1 Peter 3:21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you believe and out of your faith and his operation; your conscience is made clean by the washing and regeneration. Titus 3:5 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. Finally, in Romans 1:5-6. By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ. By many today, the name of Jesus Christ is used for all except baptism! Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. From Matthew 7:21-23. These are the five foolish virgins spoken of in Matthew 25:1-12 who had not the spirit of God in them. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. These people needed to be baptized in Jesus name. And regardless if they spoken with other tongues or received the extra spirit portion gift of God's spirit. A gift such as wisdom, knowledge, or unknown tongues is simply a gift. Baptism is a requirement by faith. As it is our faith that gives us the victory over sin and Satan in 1 John 5:4. In verse 8 of the same we read: And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. The spirit of God or Holy Spirit enters in (Matthew 3:12-17/Mark 1:9-11) after our water baptism (Romans 6:4/Colossions 2:12) and by his blood are we saved. (Hebrews 9:15-22/John 1:29) The judgement of God has already begun at the household of God. We have the covering of Jesus Christ over and in us. But what of them that have it not? For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Peter 4:18-19. The real Roman's road of life and salvation has been revealed. The true Gospel must be preached before the end time. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of
the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. And if the true Gospel had been preached faithfully, Christ would of already returned. As one can see, it clearly has not been. The Trinity has been preached by Catholics and Protestants alike. This is but a vain philosophy created by two men: by Justin Martyr in baptism 145 AD, and Tertullian in Godhead via Pagan Plato's work of Timaeus in 197 AD; we see that these men were both Greek in thought and nature. And was it adopted by a Apostate church in 325 AD. This truth will set you free because Jesus said it would. God bless all in his name of Jesus! (Zechariah 14:9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.)