SALVATION

Faith * Works * Grace * Elect * Universalism

by Gary DeVaney

5 Types of Biblical Salvation

Faith

Some skeptics say that faith is nonsense; that where faith begins, reason ends.

John 3:16 God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:18 He who believes in Jesus is not condemned but he who does not believe in Him is condemned already.

John 3:36 He who believes in Jesus has everlasting life. He who does not believe in Jesus shall not see life but the wrath of God lives on him.

John 6:29 Jesus said: It is the work of God that you believe on Him whom He has sent.

John 6:47 Jesus said: He that believes on Me has everlasting life. KJV

John 8:24 Jesus said: If you do not believe I am He, you will die in your sins.

Blackmail?

John 8:26 Jesus said: I have much to say about you in condemnation. Catholic

John 14:6 Jesus said: No man comes to God except through Me.

Acts 4:12 There is no salvation by any other whereby we must be saved.

Acts 16:30-31 What must I do to be saved? They said: Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that doesn’t believe shall be damned.

What? Now, one must be baptized, too? The thief on the cross next to Jesus wasn't baptized and Jesus promised him that Jesus would see him in Heaven that day. Hummm... Jesus, 2 days later, after resurrecting, told Mary that He had not yet ascended to Heaven. Inconsistent? Contradictory?

Romans 5:1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus.

Galatians 3:11 The just shall live by faith.

Timothy 3:15 The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus.

In reality, is faith and belief when subordinates give assumed authorities unmerited gifts?

Hebrews 11:16 Without faith it is impossible to please Him. He rewards them that seek Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 By grace you are saved through faith not of yourselves. It is a gift from God.

Works

One has to earn salvation by deeds and effort. One has to do something.

Matthew 7:21 Jesus said: Not everyone who says Lord to Me will enter Heaven, only the one who does the will of God.

Matthew 16:27 Jesus shall come and reward every man according to his works. KJV

Matthew 19:16-18 A man asked Jesus: What do I do to have eternal life? Jesus said: Keep the commandments. Don’t murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t bear false witness. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 God requires: Fear God. Walk in all His ways. Love Him. Serve him with all your heart and soul. Keep His commandments and statutes for you own good.

Micah 6:8 God requires you to do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God for the duty of man is to keep His commandments.

Mark 10:17-19 Same stuff + don’t defraud.

Luke 18:18-22 Same stuff + sell all that you have and give the money to the poor in order to have treasure in Heaven.

Luke 1:25-28 Jesus said: Love your God with all you heart, soul, strength, mind and your neighbor as yourself and you shall live.

Can you be commanded to love someone?

Luke 19:8-9 Zacchaeus said to Jesus: I have given half my goods to the poor. If I have taken anything by false accusations, I restore him 4 fold. Jesus said: Today salvation came to this house because this man is a descendent of Abraham.

What’s this about Abraham? Does this confirm again that "salvation" is racist?

John 5:28-29 All who are in their graves will hear His voice and come forth. They who have done good get resurrection of life and those that have done evil resurrection of damnation. KJV

Ezekiel 18:4-9 The soul that sins shall die. If a man be just, and do what is lawful and right, and walk in My statutes, and keep My judgments, he shall surely live.

I Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

II Corinthians 5-10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ according to what we have done, whether good or bad.

II Corinthians 6:17 God said: Come separate from them and touch nothing unclean, then I will receive you.

Doesn’t this again teach discrimination?

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?

Psalm 62:12 Render to every man in accordance to his work.

Revelation 20:12-15 I saw the dead, small and great stand before God. The books were opened. The dead were judged by things written in the books according to their works. Who was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Deuteronomy 4:24 The lord thy God IS a consuming fire. KJV

So, is that God ultimate agenda? Maybe we are the sacrifices that feeds this angry God's hunger by our being consumed in His fire. As horrible as that sounds, it could finally make sense.

Revelation 22:12 To give every man as according to his work. KJV

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they who do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life. KJV

Acts 10:35 In every nation he that fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.

I Peter 1:17 God judges impartially according to each one’s works.

II Peter 1:10 If you do these things, you shall never fail.

Romans 2:6-11 God will render to every man according to his deeds, eternal life for good works, wrath and fury for those who disobey. Jews first, then the Greek. There is no partiality with God.

No partiality? Then, how come Jews first? Isn’t this a contradiction?

Romans 2:13 Before God, the doers of the law shall be justified.

John 6:28-29 What can we do to accomplish the works of God? Jesus said: The work of God is that you believe in Me.

So, to believe is a form of work?

James 1:25 The doer who acts is the one blessed in what he does.

James 2:14&2:17& 2:20& 2:26 All say: Faith without works is dead.

James 2:21 Was not Abraham, justified by works when he offered Isaac on the alter?

James 2:25 Was not Rahab, the whore, justified by works?

She, Rahab the whore, was Jesus Christ's and King David’s blood ancestor.

I Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and hope.

II Thessalonians 1:11 And the work of faith … KJV

Galatians 5:6 Faith which works by love.

Is faith and / or love a work and not grace?

I Samuel 2:3 God, who judges deeds.

Grace

Mercy, charity: God chooses unpredictably and irrationally and gives salvation to whom He wishes by unmerited gift, undeserved favor. Grace is something you can not earn nor work toward. You cannot be saved because you choose to or want to be. It is out of your hands and there is nothing you can do about it. All your tithes, your keeping of the law, baptism, love, charity, heroics, worship, sacrifice will not get you saved.

Galatians 1:15 God called me by grace.

John 6:44 Jesus said: No man can come to Me except God draws him.

Romans 2:11 & Ephesians 6:9 God has no respect of persons, no partiality.

Romans 9:13-16 & Malachi 1:3 (God said): I loved Jacob but hated Esau. I show mercy and take pity on whom I will. It’s not the will of the person, it is God that shows mercy.

Titus 3:5 Not by the good we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us by washing, regeneration and renewing of The Holy Ghost.

Isaiah 43:25 God said: I blot out your transgressions for my own sake and your sins I do not remember. KJV

Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation is by faith. It is not attained by works of any kind.

Contradictions?

Salvation by having faith, or accepting Jesus is a doing thing. Repenting, praying, tithing, being baptized, all are doing things. Grace is not a doing thing. Is Grace a gift from God or a debt paid by God for giving mankind such a hard time? GWD

Malachi 1:4 The people with whom the Lord is angry forever. Catholic

Forever? Doesn’t that include innocent children who aren’t yet born?

Malachi 2:1-3 God said: If you do not listen to give glory to my name, I will strew dung (throw feces) in your faces.

This is more than I want to know about the Biblical God.

Logic and grace: If we must have faith and believe to be saved, must we also do something which is work? Grace, unbiased mercy, and unmerited gifts amount to no respecter of persons. Is grace blind charity, random luck? If we must do something for salvation, then mustn’t we earn it? If we earn something, it is not a gift. If we claim to believe, to have faith and to assume an entitlement or an unmerited gift of salvation, then God’s grace can not take place as an unmerited gift for anyone. By Grace, wouldn’t Hitler and other heinous criminals have as much chance for salvation as the good guys? GWD

The Elect

 Predestination. God chose you before you were born for salvation. God knows it all ahead of time; He determines it, fixes it, plans it. Whatever happens to you is God’s predestined idea solely for His pleasure. Man’s free will is a myth.

Revelation 13:8-10 All names not written from the foundation of the world in the Lamb’s book of life which belong to Jesus is destined for captivity, goes to captivity.

Revelation 17:8 Whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will see the beast.

Does this declare that only the elect named in the book of life are saved?

Revelation 20:15 Anyone whose name was not written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.

So, if one is not in the book, why even try?

Romans 6:22 Now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God. Catholic

Romans 8:29-30 Whom He did foreknow, He predestined to conform to the image of Jesus. Whom He predestined He called, justified, glorified.

Romans 9:18 God will have mercy on whom He will - and will harden whom He will.

Once a leader creates a false authority for his slaves to believe in, he is easily served.

Romans 11:7-8 What Israel was seeking it did not attain, but the elect attained it. The rest were hardened as it is written: God gave them deep sleep, eyes that could not see, ears that could not hear down to this very day.

Why does God sabotage one’s capacity to be saved?

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation God has chosen for His inheritance. KJV

Psalm 135:4 God chose Israel for His particular treasure.

Psalm 139:16 God, You foresaw my actions written in your book before I came to be.

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart devises his way, but God directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap but God determines.

Then, why would any true believer be reluctant to gamble?

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is God’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 20:24 Man’s goings are of God. How can man understand his own way?

I Thessalonians 5:9 God has not destined us for wrath but salvation through Jesus.

II Thessalonians 2:13 God has from the beginning chosen you for salvation.

Matthew 20:16 & 22:14 Many shall be called but few chosen. KJV

Matthew 20:23 Jesus said: For you to sit at My right of left is not for Me to grant, but God.

Matthew 24:22-24 If those days had not been shortened, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect they will be shortened. If anyone says: Look, there’s the messiah, don’t believe it. False prophets shall deceive the very elect. KJV

What? Can you explain this!

Matthew 24:31 The angels shall gather together His elect.

Matthew 25:34 Come blessed of God, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Mark 13:20 For the elect’s sake, whom He has chosen.

Luke 18:7 Shall not God avenge His Own elect? KJV

John 6:44 No man can come to me except God draw him.

John 6:64-71 Jesus knew from the beginning who would not believe Him and who would betray Him. Jesus said: No man can come to Me except it is granted him by God. Many of His Disciples left Jesus and returned to their former way of life. (What?) Jesus asked the 12, do you want to go? Jesus said I have chosen you 12, yet is not one of you a devil?

Did Jesus choose Judas to play out His agenda? How could Jesus punish Judas for doing his part? If Jesus did choose Judas, wouldn’t Judas be one of the elect names written in the Lamb’s book of life? If Judas is of the elect, could something take him out of God’s hand?

John 15:16 Jesus said: You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you.

John 15:18-20 Jesus said: If the world hates you, realize it hated Me first. If you belong to the world, the world would love its own. But, because you do not belong to the world and I have chose you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember, no slave is greater than his master. If they persecute Me, they will also persecute you.

John 17:2 God gave Jesus power over all flesh as He shall give eternal life to as many as God has given Him.

Again, how can Jesus and God be the exact same?

John 17:5-6 Jesus prayed: God, now glorify Me with the glory I had with you before the world began. Those who belonged to you, whom You have given Me.

John 17:9 Jesus said: I pray not for the world but for them You have given Me.

Acts: 2:47 God added to their number those who were being saved.

What? God added to the number in the "Book of Life" to be saved? I thought God "knew it all" "In The Beginning".

Acts 4:28 They did what God had decided beforehand.

More evidence of predestination?

Acts 10:41 Not all the people, but us, the witnesses chosen by God, in advance.

Acts 13:46-48 Paul said to the Jews: It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. All Gentiles who were destined for eternal life came to believe.

I Corinthians 1:26 Not many wise men after the flesh, mighty or noble are called.

But, some are? It seems that Bill Clinton was.

I Corinthians 7:17 Let every man lead the life God has assigned him and called him.

Job 14:5 Man’s days are determined. God has set the number of his months and set limits which he cannot exceed.

What could possibly describe predestination more specifically than this?

Jude 4 There have been some intruders, who long ago were destined for condemnation.

II Timothy 1:9 Who has saved us not according to our works but His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began.

II Timothy 2:10-13 I bear everything for the sake of those whom are chosen so they too may obtain the salvation in Jesus together in eternal glory. If we have died with Him, we also shall live with Him but if we deny Him, He will deny us.

How conditional. How human.

I Peter 1:1-2 Peter, chosen elect and destined by foreknowledge of God. KJV

I Peter 2:8 Even those who stumble, being disobedient were also appointed. KJV

What? Sin is in? So, based in this C&V, what difference is it if you are disobedient of not?

I Peter 2:8 They stumble by disobeying as is their destiny.

Same C&V - the Catholic version.

Ephesians 1:11 We obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to His purposes and will.

Ephesians 2:10 We are His workmanship, created in Jesus which God had before ordained…

Isaiah 42:1 My chosen upon whom I have put My spirit.

Isaiah 44:1- 2 Israel, whom I have chosen, my servant, the darling I have chosen. Catholic

Isaiah 45:4 God said: Israel is My elect. KJV

So, only Jews can be God's elect? What do fundamentalists say about this?

Isaiah 65:9 My elect shall inherit it. My servants shall live there.

The elect are but God’s slaves Catholic - uh, servants (KJV) to serve Him?

What did Jesus Christ bring to humanity? Jesus brought either eternal-slavery to serve and worship God and Him or eternal-damnation. Like animals, death / non-existence is probably what most realists would choose.   

Colossians 3:12 The elect of God holy and beloved.

Deuteronomy 7:7 God chose Israel because it was the smallest of all nations.

Smallest nation? What a criteria?

Deuteronomy 10:15 God chose you above all nations.

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born I dedicated and appointed you.

Behold! Here it is! Here is C&V evidence that the Judeo - Christian - Islamic religions are all predestined. If so, and if God knows-it-all and is truly in-charge, YOU AND I DO NOT HAVE FREE-WILL. Case closed!

Hebrews 9:15 They which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

What?

Arrogance: An attitude of potential discrimination.

Jeremiah 49:12 God said: Even those not sentenced to drink the cup must drink it! You shall not go unpunished; you shall surly drink it!

Can you explain this?

If God predestines and prejudices everything, what’s the point of “the saving game”?

To communicate or to debate does include disagreement. Disagreement is part of communication. Insults are the focus of incompetent debaters and poor communicators.

To have faith / To believe: To pretend to know without evidence. Why do some attempt, by intimidation, to silence those who question the facts concerning God?

Some feel that God, as the Bible stories go on, becomes more like an insane character than anything considered good and heart-felt “God-like”. And, where is Satan during all this?

Spiritual / Fantasy: When you put the word fantasy in the place of spiritual, does it fit?

When common sense, logic and reason are abandoned, brute force is often empowered. Gullible masses are often sold on the agenda - that some brute force is to be the god who should be supported by sacred faith which amounts to strict nonsense. Many tyrannical individuals, groups, and yes, even organizations have used this voodoo strategy to enslave mankind to their personal power. Some men and women, throughout history, have used this tactic by arrogantly declaring themselves to be the actual god or goddess to be feared. Is the god-game but a pseudo power and control game, that uses what amounts to voodoo consequences as its agenda manifests? Common sense, logic and reason often could be the tyrant’s greatest nemesis. Was religion but the birth of primitive politics, which effectively assumed power and profit over people - by consequence, fear, blackmail and intimidation?

Universalism

All are saved - regardless

Acts 13:39 By Him, all that believe are justified from all things.

All that believe is not all.

I Timothy 4:10 God, who is the savior of all men, especially those who believe.

Especially?

I Corinthians 15:22 In Christ shall all be made alive.

Are we really into all now?

Mark 3:28 Jesus said: All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men. KJV

Sons of men?

Romans 5:18 The free gift came to all men unto justification of life. KJV

Free gift?

Romans 11:32 God has delivered all to disobedience, so that He may have mercy upon all.

John 1:29 Behold Jesus, who takes away the sins of the world.

All the sins of the world? No exceptions?

Titus 2:11 The grace of God brings salvation to all men.

Hebrews 2:9 Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death that He, by grace of God, should taste death for every man.

This one is a gem for multiple debate. Jesus was made and was lower than angels?

II Peter 3:9 Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more reward for the memory of them is forgotten.

Ah, Biblically this seems to be the most logical and least punitive destiny of all. Personally, this seems to be the most desirable, probable and correct. Yes! It’s my favorite. GWD

Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 What befalls man befalls beasts, as one dies so dies the other. Man has no preeminence above the beast, for all is vanity. All go one place, dust to dust. Who knows if the spirit of man goes up and the spirit of the beast goes down to the Earth?

So, is the saving business all vanity and ego fantasy? Does this mean there is no salvation?

In 325AD, the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine, ordered the Council of Nicea. Within a few years, the books of the Canon came about by vote. Jesus was also voted to be Divine. This is evidence that in religion and faith, truth is democratic. Facts have no regard for emotions nor politics. Political agendas and self-centered feelings often attempt to turn solid facts into bias and deceptive truths. Do you insist on being democratic when it comes to God?

So is this the "end-time" sequence?

1. I die. Yes.

2. Comes the 1,000 year "Millenium". Yes.

3. Comes God's "Judgment Day". Yes.

4. Who judges me? God.

5. Who saves me? Jesus.

6. Isn't Jesus God? Yes. God plays the Jesus role.

7. What is Satan's role? God plays the Satan role.

"Life is like a roller-coaster, not that it has ups and downs, twists and turns, or topsy-turvy, but that the ride is more important than getting there."