There is a lot of confusion about that topic. There are many cults who make everything a salvation issue. On the other hand however there indeed are essentials that are not be compromised. Let us look through scripture what they are.
#1 The infallibility of the scriptures known as "the Bible"
The Bible consists of 66 books, none less, none more. And everything that is written is inspired by God.
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
2 Timothy 3:15-16
and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
#2 The deity of our Lord Jesus Jesus Christ.
Jesus is not only the son of God, but also God himself as well as the second part of the Godhead (also known as "the Trinity"). This disqualifies most Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists, if not all of them, from the truth. Of course they can repent. But scripture shows that the denial of Christ's deity makes you an Antichrist.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 8:24
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
#3 Jesus being the only way
Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved from hell and to go to heaven and he also is the only mediator between God and man (so the Catholics are in error with Mary).
Exodus 20:3
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
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.
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 John 5:12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
#4 The only way of salvation is Christ's atonement
2,000 years ago Jesus died on the cross for the sins of ALL people (sorry, Calvinism doesn't work) at the cross of calvary, was buried and rose again the third day.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
1 John 2:2
and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
#5 How to be justified
Everybody must choose by his own free will.
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.
Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
God wishes no one to perish.
Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
To receive the Holy Spirit and be saved from the power of sin, one must come to God broken, repent (change your mind, heart, purpose and direction) and trust in him alone.
Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Luke 23:39-43
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Romans 2:11
for there is no respect of persons with God.
Romans 10:9-13
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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
#6 Somebody who calls himself a Christian ought not to be involved in the things in this list
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
As long as you keep up with those points, you are fine.
Comments