Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 1/15/2012

Question
Hello again Rev. Carpenter,

I have a question regarding some doctrine I found on this website (http://www.abideinchrist.info/gospel.html) that is quite confusing. They claim that the Gospel is this:

"God created people in order to beget Children for Himself.  He gives commandments to the people, chooses the obedient, purifies them to the point that they are without spot or wrinkle and grants them the Spirit and power to become holy and perfect.  He will raise the holy people with the glory of Jesus and declare them as sons of God.  These men and women will live eternally with the status of God as joint heirs with Jesus Christ.Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth ---.  Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; ---.  Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."  This news is the good news, the gospel of God to us."

And this also: "God created the whole universe and all the things in it with its minute details.  We are His creation, taken from the dust of the earth, and we will return to the dust.  But everybody will be called back from the dust again to receive the rewards according to whatever we have done while we were living on earth.  Our life on earth is considerably short when compared to eternal life.  If we have perfect obedience in this short life to suffer with Jesus, then we will reign with Jesus Christ throughout eternity.  Won’t it be marvelous? Is it not the good news?  This is the true gospel."

Bottom line: They say that those who become perfect now - who have perfect obedience (who stop sinning altogether) - are the ones who will receive salvation.

I feel they are twisting Scripture...but the verses they use seem to support the idea. Is this website right? Is what they are saying THE TRUE Gospel?

Sincerely,
The confused Tressa

Answer
Hi Tressa,

Thank you for this great question.  I am so sorry for my late response.  You are absolutely right to feel like this is twisting the scripture.  Paul warned us that there may be some that change the simple Gospel of salvation by grace alone and try to add stuff to it.

Galatians 1:6–9 (AV)
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 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. 9 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.


In his defense of the true Gospel, Paul went on to explain that no one is justified (declared to be righteous) through works.

Galatians 2:16 (AV)
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.


In fact, Paul argues that if someone could merit salvation by overcoming to the end, then Jesus' death was a waste.

Galatians 2:21 (AV)
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.


Now let us examine that overcoming to the end business.  False teachers like these imagine that the way to overcome is to work, work and keep working to obtain and maintain your salvation and hopefully you will be good enough when Jesus returns.  The Bible tells us that it is FAITH that makes us overcomers... not works.

1 John 5:4–5 (AV)
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


There is nothing here about being sinlessly perfect.  It is about accessing God's grace though simple faith... that's it.  Anyone that teaches something different is teaching false doctrine.

Romans 5:1–2 (AV)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.


I hope that this helps you.  Again, I am very sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don