What does Mormonism teaches about salvation by grace?

The Kingdom of the cult.

~Walter Martin and Ravi Zacharias

What does Mormonism teaches about salvation by grace?

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It is  common to find in Mormon literature the statement that “all men are  saved by grace alone without any act on their part.” Although this appears  to be perfectly orthodox, it is necessary to study all the Mormon statements relative to this doctrine in order to know precisely what they  mean.

In one such official Mormon publication (What the Mormons Think of Christ, B. R. McConkie, 1973), the Mormons give their own interpretation:

Grace is  simply the mercy, the love and the condescension God has for his  children, as  a result of which he has ordained the plan of salvation so that they may have power to progress and become like him.  … All men are saved by grace alone without any act on their part, meaning that they are resurrected  and become  immortal because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. … In addition to this  redemption from  death, all men, by the grace of God, have  the  power to gain eternal life. This is called salvation by grace coupled  with obedience  to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Hence Nephi was led to write:  “We labor diligently to write,  to persuade our children, and also  our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is  by grace that we are saved after all we can do.”

Christians speak often of the blood of  Christ  and its  cleansing power. Much  that  is believed and taught on this subject, however, is such utter nonsense  and so palpably false that to believe it is to lose one’s salvation. Many go so far, for instance, as  to pretend and, at least, to believe that if we confess Christ with our lips  and avow that we accept Him  as our personal Saviour, we are thereby saved. His  blood, without other act than mere belief, they say, makes us  clean. … Finally in our day, he has said plainly: “My blood shall not cleanse them  if they hear me  not.” Salvation in the kingdom  of God is available because of the atoning blood of Christ. But it is  received only on condition of faith, repentance, baptism,  and  enduring to the  end in keeping the commandments of God  (pp. 27–33, emphasis added).

The above quote is a  typical example of what might  be termed theological double-talk, which in one breath affirms  grace as a  saving principle and in the next declares  that it is  “coupled with obedience to the law and ordinances  of the  gospel,” and ends  by  declaring that  confession of Christ and acceptance of Him  as  “personal Savior”  is  “utter nonsense”  and  “palpably false.” McConkie decries  the  fact that Christ’s blood “without other act than  mere belief … makes us  clean” (p. 31).

The biblical position is, however, quite  clear in this  area; we are saved by grace  alone, as previously mentioned, but it in no way enables  us to “have power  to progress and become  like Him.” As  we have seen, in the  Mormon sense such a progression refers to becoming a  god, not to the Christian doctrine of sanctification, or of the  life of the believer being brought into conformity to the Holy Spirit as  clearly enunciated in the epistle to the Romans (chapters 8 and 12).

Mr. McConkie’s assertion—that “salvation by grace” must be “coupled  with obedience with the laws  and ordinances of the gospel” in order for a person to be  saved—introduces immediately the whole Mormon collection of legalistic observances and requirements. In the end, salvation is not by grace at all, but it is  in reality connected  with human efforts: “baptism, and enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God”  (p. 33).

This is not the Christian doctrine  of  redemption that  the apostle Peter described graphically when he wrote:

Forasmuch as  ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from  your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb  without blemish and without spot. … Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Peter 1:18–19,  23).

In diametric  opposition to the Mormon concept, the confession of Christ with the lips and the acceptance of Him  as  “our personal Savior” is indeed  the  very means of personal salvation. It is the biblical record which states that “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the  mouth confession is made unto salvation”  (Romans 10:10). The  gospel’s command is  “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be  saved” (Acts  16:31).  This is, of course, totally foreign to what the Mormons  would have us believe. Jesus  Christ  did not die merely to insure our resurrection, as  Mr. McConkie declares (p. 27), but He died to reconcile us to God, to save  us by grace, to redeem  us  by blood, and to sanctify us by His  Spirit. But such biblical doctrines the Mormons  most decidedly reject. It appears that they cannot conceive  of  a  God who could save  apart from  human effort, and Nephi’s statement betrays  this: “For we  know  it is  by grace that we are saved  after  all we can do” (p. 28).

In Mormonism, it is they who must  strive for perfection, sanctification, and godhood. Grace is merely incidental.

It was no less  an authority than Brigham Young who taught concerning salvation: “But as  many as  received Him,  to them  gave he  power to  continue  to be the sons of God” (Journal of Discourses, 12:100–101).

In Brigham’s theology, “instead of receiving the gospel to become the sons of God, my language would be—to receive the gospel that  we may continue to be the sons  of God. Are we not all sons of God when  we are born into this world?  Old Pharaoh,  King of Egypt, was  just as much  a son of God as Moses and Aaron were  His sons, with this difference—he rejected the word of the Lord, the true light, and they received it.”

In agreement with their doctrine of the preexistence of souls,  the Mormons believe that they are already the sons  of God and that the acceptance of God merely enables them to “continue  to be  the  sons of God,” a direct contradiction of  the biblical record which states:

“But as  many as  received him,  to them  gave he power to become  the sons  of  God, even to them  that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

The apostle Paul points out, with devastating force,  the fact that “they which are the children of the flesh, these are  not  the  children of God: but the children of  the promise  are  counted for the seed” (Romans  9:8, emphasis  added).

The apostle, with equal certainty, affirms  that only those who are led by God’s Spirit can be  called the sons  of God (Romans 8:14). It is  difficult to see how in any sense of the term, “Old Pharaoh, King of Egypt, was just as  much a son of God as  Moses and Aaron were His  sons,”  as Brigham  Young declared.

The biblical teaching is that  “ye are all the children of  God  by faith  in Christ Jesus” (Galatians  3:26, emphasis added), a fact Brigham  obviously overlooked.

 It is one of  the great truths of  the Word  of  God that  salvation is not of  him  that wills or of  him that strives, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16), and that  Jesus  Christ  has redeemed  us from the curse of the law, having become  a curse  for us (Galatians  3:13).  

It was the teaching of our Lord that “all that the Father giveth me shall come  to me; and him that cometh to me  I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37),  and the salvation which He still offers to lost men is “not by any works  of  righteousness  which we  have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” ( T i t u s 3 : 5 )

In the Mormon religion, they boldly teach universal salvation, for as Mr. Evans,  the  Mormon apostle and spokesman, put it: “Mormons believe in universal salvation that all men will be saved, but each one in his  own order”  (Rosten, p. 136).

It is the teaching of the Scriptures, however, that not  all men will be saved, and that at the end of the ages  some  shall “go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous  into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46). 

The somber  warnings of the apostle  John stand arrayed against the Mormon doctrine of universal salvation:

And I saw the  beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make  war against him  that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him  the false  prophet that wrought miracles before him,  with which he deceived  them  that had received the mark of the beast, and them that  worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire  burning with brimstone. … And the devil that deceived them  was cast into the lake  of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be  tormented day and night for ever and ever. … And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the  lake of fire. … But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have  their part in the  lake which burneth with fire  and brimstone: which is the second death. … The  same  shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be  tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence  of the  Lamb: And the  smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest  day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the  mark of  his  name  (Revelation 19:19–20;  20:10,  15;  21:8;  14:1011).

By no conceivable stretch of the imagination is  universal salvation to be found in these passages where the Greek words  in their strongest form  indicate  torment, judgment, and eternal fire that defies human chemical analysis.

The Mormon doctrine of “celestial marriage” derived  from their original concept of polygamy  and substituted for it in 1890, when  they  were forced  to abandon this  immoral conduct lest Utah not be given statehood, is tied to their doctrine of salvation. The Mormons believe that the family unit will endure unto the eternal ages, hence their insistence upon the sealing of Mormon men to many women, and the sealing of  their families. It was for this  reason that there are many special rites and ceremonies instituted in behalf  of  the dead (particularly relatives);  hence, their practice of  baptism  for the dead and laying on of hands (for the bestowing of  the  gift of the Holy Ghost), all by proxy.

Tithing.

Tithing.
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1 Chronicles 29:5-9
New King James Version (NKJV)

Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?”

6 Then the leaders of the fathers’ houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king’s work, offered willingly.7 They gave for the work of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. 8 And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord, into the hand of Jehiel[a] the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.

John MacArthur Commentary:
29:6–9 willingly. Here is the key to all freewill giving, i.e., giving what one desires to give. Tithes were required for taxation, to fund the theocracy, similar to taxation today. The law required that to be paid. This, however, is the voluntary giving from the heart to the Lord. The NT speaks of this (cf. Lk 6:38; 2Co 9:1–8) and never demands that a tithe be given to God, but that taxes be paid to one’s government (cf. Ro 13:6, 7). Paying taxes and giving God whatever one is willing to give, based on devotion to Him and His glory, is biblical giving.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ch 29:6–9). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

John Newton's Conviction

John Newton's Conviction

Letter 18

March 29, 1781

Dear sir,

It is certain I did not wish to leave this town; and likewise that if the Lord had left me to choose my situation, London would have been almost the last place I should have chosen. But, since it was the Lord's choice for me, I am reconciled and satisfied. He has in this respect given me another heart; for, now that I am fixed here, I seem to prefer it. My sphere of service is extremely enlarged, and my sphere of usefulness likewise. And, not being under any attachment to systems and parties, I am so far suited to my situation. My hearers are made up of all sorts, and my connections are of all sorts likewise; I mean of those who hold to the head, Jesus Christ. My inclination leads me chiefly to insist on those things in which all who are taught of God agree. And my endeavor is to persuade them to love one another, to bear with one another, to avoid disputes, and, if they must strive, to let their strife and emulation be, who shall most express the life of the Son of God in their temper and conduct.

I preach my own sentiments plainly—but peaceably, and directly oppose no one party. Accordingly, Churchmen and Dissenters, Calvinists and Arminians, Methodists and Moravians, now and then even Papists and Quakers, sit quietly to hear me. I can readily adopt No Popery for my motto; but Popery with me has a very extensive sense. I dislike it, whether it be on a throne, as at Rome; or upon a bench, or at a board, as sometimes in London. Whoever wants to confine me to follow his sentiments, whether as to doctrine or church order, is so far a Papist. Whoever encourages me to read the Scriptures, and to pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and then will let me follow the light the Lord gives me, without being angry with me because I cannot, or will not, see with his eyes, nor wear his shoes—is a consistent Christian. The depravity of human nature, the Deity of the Savior, the influences of the Holy Spirit, a separation from the world, and a devotedness to God, these are principles which I deem fundamental. And, though I would love and serve all mankind, I can have no religious union or communion with those who deny them.

But whether a surplice or a band be the fittest distinction of a minister, whether he be best ordained by the laying on or the holding up of hands; whether water-baptism should be administered by a spoon-full or tub-full, or in a river, in any river, or in Jordan, (as Constantine thought,) are to me points of no great importance. I will go further—though a man does not accord with my views of election—yet if he gives me good evidence that he is effectually called of God—he is my brother! Though he seems afraid of the doctrine of final perseverance; yet, if grace enables him to persevere, he is my brother still. If he loves Jesus, I will love him, whatever hard name he may be called by, and whatever incidental mistakes I may think he holds. His differing from me will not always prove him to be wrong, except I am infallible myself.

I praise the Lord for preserving you from harm when you fell; I have had such falls from horses and received no hurt. When I dislocated my shoulder, I was at my own door, and in the greatest apparent safety. But we are only safe naturally or spiritually—while the Lord holds us up!

http://gracegems.org/Newton/114.htm

Global Flooding of Noah's time

Global Flooding of Noah's time

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Genesis 7:4

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

4 For after (A)seven more days, I will send rain on the earth (B)forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land (C)every living thing that I have made.”

Lexicon Translation:

Blot:
machah: to wipe, wipe out
Transliteration: machah
Short Definition: blot

Face:
panim or paneh: face, faces
Original Word: פָּנִים
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: panim or paneh
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-neem')
Short Definition: before

Land:
adamah: ground, land
Original Word: אֲדָמָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: adamah
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-aw-maw')
Short Definition: land

Every:
kol: the whole, all
Original Word: כֹּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kol
Phonetic Spelling: (kole)
Short Definition: all

http://biblehub.com/lexicon/genesis/7-4.htm

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Genesis 7:19

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

19 The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains [a]everywhere under the heavens were covered.

Lexicon Translation:

Earth:
erets: earth, land
Original Word: אָ֫רֶץ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: erets
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-rets)
Short Definition: land

All:
kol: the whole, all
Original Word: כֹּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kol
Phonetic Spelling: (kole)
Short Definition: all

Everywhere:
kol: the whole, all
Original Word: כֹּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kol
Phonetic Spelling: (kole)
Short Definition: all

Covered:
kasah: to cover
Original Word: כָּסָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kasah
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-saw')
Short Definition: covered


http://biblehub.com/lexicon/genesis/7-19.htm

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Genesis 7:20-23

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

20 The water prevailed fifteen [a]cubits higher, (A)and the mountains were covered. 21 (B)All flesh that [b]moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; 22 of all that was on the dry land, all (C)in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. 23 Thus He blotted out [c]every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the [d]sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only (D)Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark.

Lexicon Translation:

Higher:
maal: above, upwards
Original Word: מַ֫עַל
Part of Speech: substantive; adverb; preposition
Transliteration: maal
Phonetic Spelling: (mah'al)
Short Definition: upward

Covered
kasah: to cover
Original Word: כָּסָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kasah
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-saw')
Short Definition: covered

All:
kol: the whole, all
Original Word: כֹּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kol
Phonetic Spelling: (kole)
Short Definition: all

Perished:
gava: to expire, perish, die
Original Word: גָּוַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: gava
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-vah')
Short Definition: perish

Land:
charabah: dry ground
Original Word: חָרָבָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: charabah
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-raw-baw')
Short Definition: ground

Blot:
machah: to wipe, wipe out
Transliteration: machah
Short Definition: blot

Every:
kol: the whole, all
Original Word: כֹּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kol
Phonetic Spelling: (kole)
Short Definition: all

Earth:
erets: earth, land
Original Word: אָ֫רֶץ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: erets
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-rets)
Short Definition: land

Only:
ak: surely, howbeit
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: ak
Phonetic Spelling: (ak)
Short Definition: only

http://biblehub.com/lexicon/genesis/7-20.htm

Mac Arthur Study Bible Commentary:

Genesis 7:20

The highest mountains were at least 22.5 feet under water, so that the ark floated freely above the peaks. This would include the highest peak in that area, Mt Ararat (8:4), which is ca. 17,000 feet high. That depth further proves it was not a local flood, but a global one.

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2 Peter 3:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁶ through which ^(A)the world at that time was ^(B)destroyed, being flooded with water.

Lexicon Translation:

World:
kosmos: order, the world
Original Word: κόσμος, ου, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: kosmos
Phonetic Spelling: (kos'-mos)
Short Definition: the world, universe
Definition: the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment

Destroyed:
apollumi: to destroy, destroy utterly
Original Word: ἀπόλλυμι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apollumi
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol'-loo-mee)
Short Definition: I destroy, lose, am perishing
Definition: (a) I kill, destroy, (b) I lose, mid: I am perishing (the resultant death being viewed as certain)..

http://biblehub.com/lexicon/2_peter/3-6.htm

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Genesis 9:19
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

19 These three were the sons of Noah, and (A)from these the whole earth was [a]populated.

John Mac Arthur Commentary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9:19 from these the whole earth. All men who have ever lived since the Flood came from these 3 sons of Noah (cf.10:32). The "One man" (Ac 17:26) from whom all nations came is Adam through Noah. All physical characteristics of the whole race were present in the genetics of Noah, his sons, and their wives

NASB Lexicon

These
elleh: these
Original Word: אֵ֫לֶּה
Part of Speech: pronoun plural masculine and feminine
Transliteration: elleh
Phonetic Spelling: (ale'-leh)
Short Definition: these

Whole
kol: the whole, all
Original Word: כֹּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kol
Phonetic Spelling: (kole)
Short Definition: all

Earth
erets: earth, land
Original Word: אָ֫רֶץ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: erets
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-rets)
Short Definition: land

Populated
naphats: to disperse, be scattered
Transliteration: naphats
Short Definition: disperse

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Genesis 11:1-4
New King James Version (NKJV)

The Tower of Babel
11 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

Note:
The Whole earth had one language and one speech.

The remnant of Noah's descendant were commission to be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth (Genesis 9:7)

But they refuses to be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth. 

After the flood as they journeyed from east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and decided to stop and establish a city as a monument to their pride and for their  reputation.

The above verse shows that after the flood, the only remnant are the descendant of Noah. The flood destroy everyone on the surface of the earth except Noah's family. 

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Genesis 11:8-9
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

John MacArthur Commentary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11:8 scattered them abroad. God addressed their prideful rebellion at the first act. They had chosen to settle; He forced them to scatter. This account tells how it was that the families of the earth "were separated... everyone according to his language" (Genesis10:5) and "were separated on the earth after the flood (Genesis 10:32)

Repentance from sin is not a prerequisite for salvation part 2

Is repentance necessary for salvation? What is repentance?

Many misunderstand the biblical term "repentance." The New Testament term for repentance is from a Greek word that simply means to change one's mind. In that sense, repentance is necessary for salvation; we must believe we need saving (which is usually a change of the human mindset). After we are saved we continue to repent of our former lives, or to change our minds about our previous way of being. This changing of our minds will certainly lead to our living changed lives; however such resultant "works" are not necessary for salvation.

The Bible is clear that salvation is something God provides because of His love.John 3:16teaches, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."Ephesians 2:8-9also makes clear salvation is based on God's grace and that we respond by faith: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

While Scripture notes the importance of faith for salvation, repentance (or changing one's mind) is also part of the process God uses to save us.Acts 26:20reveals, "[I preached] that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance." People must first change their minds about their way of being in order to turn to God. After we turn to God, our faith demonstrates our changed mind through works. Repentance, faith, and works are intimately connected. Faith shows a change of mind that leads to changed behaviors.

Confusion sometimes arises from how repentance is explained. Many teach repentance as the works that we do to show we are sorry for wrong. In other words, many see repentance as the changes we make as a result of our conviction of sin. In passages where repentance and salvation appear in the same context (i.e.,Acts 2:38;3:19;11:18, and others), some begin to understand salvation as something that is in some way earned. Yet the intended meaning of "repentance" in these passages does not imply a works-based salvation.

Biblical repentance is the changing of one's mind. How does this change take place? Ultimately, God must convict by His Spirit. That conviction leads to a change of mind and faith in Jesus that we call salvation. The changed life we live as a result is not just repentance; it is the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist spoke very clearly about the true role of repentance when he said, "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8). A repentant person will live differently. A changed mind will lead to a changed life. In fact, it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance or a changed mind that we may live for Him (Romans 2:4).

Biblical repentance, to change one's mind, is part of salvation. Repentance, when defined as works we do to show we are sorry, is not part of salvation. This important distinction must be understood so that true salvation is clearly communicated. Salvation is not something we do, but something God does within us. We are saved by God's grace through faith, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Read more:http://www.compellingtruth.org/repentance-and-salvation.html

Repentance from sin is not a prerequisite for salvation Part 1

Repentance from sin is not a prerequisite for salvation
                                                                                                                                                           
Repentance from sin as a prerequisite for salvation is not mention in the bible.                                                                                                                                                  
Question: "What is repentance and is it necessary for salvation?"
                                                                                                                                                           
Many understand the term repentance to mean “turning from sin.” This is not the biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19). Acts 26:20 declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action.
                                                                                                                                                             
What, then, is the connection between repentance and salvation? The Book of Acts seems to especially focus on repentance in regards to salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent, in relation to salvation, is to change your mind in regard to Jesus Christ. In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), he concludes with a call for the people to repent (Acts 2:38). Repent from what? Peter is calling the people who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their minds about Him, to recognize that He is indeed “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Peter is calling the people to change their minds from rejection of Christ as the Messiah to faith in Him as both Messiah and Savior.
                                                                                                                                                             
Repentance and faith can be understood as “two sides of the same coin.” It is impossible to place your faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior without first changing your mind about who He is and what He has done. Whether it is repentance from willful rejection or repentance from ignorance or disinterest, it is a change of mind. Biblical repentance, in relation to salvation, is changing your mind from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ.
                                                                                                                                                             
It is crucially important that we understand repentance is not a work we do to earn salvation. No one can repent and come to God unless God pulls that person to Himself (John 6:44). Acts 5:31 and 11:18 indicate that repentance is something God gives—it is only possible because of His grace. No one can repent unless God grants repentance. All of salvation, including repentance and faith, is a result of God drawing us, opening our eyes, and changing our hearts. God's longsuffering leads us to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), as does His kindness (Romans 2:4).
                                                                                                                                                             
While repentance is not a work that earns salvation, repentance unto salvation does result in works. It is impossible to truly and fully change your mind without that causing a change in action. In the Bible, repentance results in a change in behavior. That is why John the Baptist called people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A person who has truly repented from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ will give evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19-23; James 2:14-26). Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ and turning to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19). Turning from sin is not the definition of repentance, but it is one of the results of genuine, faith-based repentance towards the Lord Jesus Christ.
                                                                                                                                                             
Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and So Great Salvation by Charles Ryrie.
                                                                                                                                                             
While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/repentance.html

Colossians 1:15-23 (Sovereignty of God;Total Depravity;In Christ Alone;By Faith Alone)

Colossians 1:15-23
(Sovereignty of God;Total Depravity;In Christ Alone;By Faith Alone)
=====================================================
New Living Translation (NLT)

Christ Is Supreme
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,[a]
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.[b]
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. (Total Depravity) 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. (Sovereignty of God) As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

Life Application Commentary Colossians 1:21,22
=======================================
No one is good enough to save himself or herself. If we want to live eternally with Christ, we must depend totally on God’s grace. This is true whether we have been murderers or honest, hardworking citizens. We have all sinned repeatedly, and any sin is enough to cause us to need to come to Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life. Apart from Christ, there is no way for our sin to be forgiven and removed. (In Christ Alone)

Colossians 1:24-29
New Living Translation (NLT)
========================

Paul’s Work for the Church
24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect[a] in their relationship to Christ. 29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.(In Christ Alone)

Life Application Commentary
========================
Christ’s message is for everyone; so everywhere Paul and Timothy went, they brought the Good News to all who would listen. An effective presentation of the Good News includes warning and teaching. The warning is that without Christ, people are doomed to eternal separation from God. The teaching is that salvation is available through faith in Christ. (By Faith Alone) As Christ works in you, tell others about him, warning and teaching them in love. Whom do you know that needs to hear this message?

What does it mean to be saved by works.

What does it mean to be saved by works.

Saving by works means that man plays a part in the sovereign works of salvation.
Saving by works is a heresy. It robs alway the glory due Christ.

Example of saving by works are:
1.Insisting that baptism / repenting / believing or obeying as a prerequisite for salvation.
2.Man's effort of praying Jesus into your heart to attain salvation.
3.Man's effort of repentance to attain salvation.
4.Man's effort of believing to attain salvation.

While the bible clearly says that salvation has nothing to do with man but solely by the sovereign will of God. That all glory should ascribe to Christ alone.

Examples of verses that depicts:

1.God's Sovereignty

Ezekiel 11:19
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
19 And I will (A)give them one heart, and put a new spirit within [a]
them. And I will take the (B)heart of stone out of their flesh and give
them a (C)heart of flesh,

Jeremiah 32:40

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁴⁰ I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.

2.Man's inability

Romans 3:11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹¹ There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;

3.Giving glory to God.

Psalm 29:1-2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

29 Ascribe to the Lord, O ^[a]sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
² Ascribe to the Lord the glory ^[b]due to His name;
Worship the Lord in ^[c]holy array.

Paul's warning against the heresy of teaching saving by works

Galatians 6:11-18
New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Final Advice
11 Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.
12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross,[a] my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.[b]17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.18 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Day 6 Summary Notes for GALATIANS 6:11-­18
False teachers love themselves and make use of those whom they are supposed to serve
to achieve their own selfish agenda. This is seen so clearly in the case of the Judaizers.
Their emphasis was outward – a good showing in the flesh. Hence they called upon the
Galatian Christians to be circumcised. Frankly, they were not concerned about the
spiritual wellbeing of these people. Rather, they were making use of the Galatian
Christians, so that they could boast and so that they would avoid persecution. Paul went
a step further to expose their hypocrisy: Although they call the Galatian Christians to be
circumcised and keep the Law, they themselves can’t keep the Law!

In contrast to false teachers, true servants of God will always value the inward above
the outward, and point people to Christ instead of to themselves. So the gospel minister
will emphasize the crucial importance of being a new creature in Christ. To be a new
creature in Christ is an inward, spiritual condition. The gospel minister will not trim his
message to be popular with the masses. No, he will preach Christ crucified, and he
himself will live the cruciform life – a life shaped by the cross, putting his own sins to
death, following Christ in obedience to God. In short, he will seek to do what he calls
others to do! While the world deems it as folly and madness, the gospel minister glories
in the cross of Jesus. Hence, he will preach it till he dies!

The cross – the gospel of grace, that man is saved by Christ alone – is the message we
must preach and live by. In the context of GALATIAN, this is the rule by which
Christians and churches must be directed. God’s people are people who follow this rule.
God’s people are the true Israel of God. The common name is ‘the church’. The church
will enjoy peace and mercy from God only when the church sticks to this rule, to this
gospel.

http://shalomrb.org/RTBT/Galatians.pdf

Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free!

Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free!
==========================================

Galatians 5:1-12
New Living Translation (NLT)

Freedom in Christ
5 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

11 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. 12 I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.[b]

Commentary for Day 5 & 7
===================
"Note: Isn’t circumcision just a minor operation on the body? Why then was Paul
making such a big fuss over it? It was because of the doctrinal implications!
The Judaizers were insisting that unless one is circumcised and keep the
Law of Moses, one cannot be saved. Hence, circumcision has come to stand
for “salvation by human works”. To receive circumcision is tantamount to
accepting “salvation by works”. It is, in effect, to accept the “Christ plus”
gospel!"

Once again, Paul starts with identity – we are free men in Christ, for Christ has made us
free. Our identity must then affect our life – stand fast in this liberty, and do not be
entangled with a yoke of bondage.

The freedom in view here is not freedom from sin but from the Law. Christ has indeed
set us free from the bondage of sin. However, that is not what Paul had in view here.
Rather, he is focusing on the truth that Christ has made our conscience free from the
guilt of sin. The Christian conscience is a conscience free from the tyranny of the Law,
the dreadful struggle to keep the Law in order to be accepted by God.

The teachings of the Judaziers were damning. If the Galatian Christians accepted them,
then they were in effect turning their back on the gospel of ‘Christ alone saves’, and
receiving the gospel of ‘Christ plus my works save’. This explains those very strong
terms used by Paul in verses 2-­4 regarding the consequences of following the
Judaizers.

Since Christians are people with a conscience free from the guilt of sin, we do not live
our Christian Life striving constantly to gain God’s acceptance. Rather, we wait for the
day of our salvation (when we shall be publicly declared, to the whole world, that we
are righteous; a righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ). While waiting, we live by
faith in Christ daily. This faith is not an idle faith, but it is a faith working through love.
Note the theme of “faith, hope and love” in the Christian Life!

Having laid out the contrast between people seeking to be saved by their works and
Christians who trust Christ alone for salvation (verses 1-­6), Paul moved to contrast
false preachers and true gospel preachers.

Concerning false preachers, he said that their message did not come from God. The
effects of their message were damaging: it hinders true believers from real progress in
the Christian Life, troubles and unsettles believers, and spreads to negatively affect others.
On the other hand, the effects of the gospel on the lives of believers would be exactly
the reverse!

There is one other contrast, and that is “persecution”. Preachers of the gospel will be
persecuted, just like believers of the gospel will be persecuted (4:28-­31). To preach
circumcision is to tell people that by their own good works and effort, they can achieve
salvation. To preach the gospel of Christ crucified is to tell people that they cannot do
anything to save themselves. Only Christ can save them through the cross.

The message of circumcision is quite inoffensive, popular because it’s flattering to the
ego. The message of Christ crucified is offensive to human pride, unpopular because it’s
unflattering to one’s ego and the notion of self-­‐righteousness. No wonder people hate
preachers of the gospel and persecute them!

Reference:
http://shalomrb.org/RTBT/Galatians.pdf

We are saved, not by works but by the grace of God.

We are saved, not by works but by the grace of God.
========================================

Galatians 4:21-31
New Living Translation (NLT)

Abraham’s Two Children
21 Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? 22 The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife.[a] 23 The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.

24 These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law that enslaved them. 25 And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia,[b] because she and her children live in slavery to the law. 26 But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother. 27 As Isaiah said,

“Rejoice, O childless woman,
you who have never given birth!
Break into a joyful shout,
you who have never been in labor!
For the desolate woman now has more children
than the woman who lives with her husband!”[c]

28 And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. 29 But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit.

30 But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[d] 31 So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.

Excerpt from day 3
=============

Delving into the symbolism deeper, Paul talked about the mothers as well. Hagar was a
slave and she gave birth to a slave (Ishmael). They represent the covenant from Mount
Sinai, and in the New Testament time, correspond to the earthly Jerusalem, i.e. the Jews
then who were trying to gain salvation by obeying the Law.

On the other hand, Sarah was a free woman and she gave birth to a free man (Isaac).
They represent the New Covenant, and correspond to the heavenly Jerusalem, i.e. the
New Testament believers in Christ – people who are saved, not by works but by the
grace of God.

Paul goes on to quote Isaiah 54:1 about the barren woman having more children than
the one who had a husband. The background to this verse would be the Abraham-­‐
Sarah-­‐Hagar account in Genesis. Recall that Sarah was barren. This was why Hagar
came into the picture, and she was pregnant soon afterwards. Perhaps there was
gloating on the part of Hagar, mocking at the barrenness of her mistress Sarah while
she was bearing Ishmael. Yet her happiness didn’t last long! Before long, she would be
cast out of the house together with Ishmael, while Sarah would bear a son, the son of
promise – Isaac.

The immediate context of Isaiah 54:1 was about the return of the Jews from exile, and
how God here promised that though they looked like the barren woman, yet He shall so
blessed them that they shall have many children. One cannot help but relate this to
God’s blessings to Abraham in Genesis that his descendants be as numerous as the
sand of the sea and the stars of the sky.

When and how would this promise to Abraham, and the promise of Isaiah 54:1, come
to pass? It would ultimately be fulfilled in the Christian Church! Those who believed in
Christ for justification are the true sons of Abraham, free persons like Isaac, and they
are the “many more children” of the barren woman!

Overall, Paul is saying to the Galatian Christians: It is not enough to claim Abraham as
your father. You must also know who is your mother. If she is Hagar, then you are like
Ishmael, but if she is Sarah, then you are like Isaac.

Reference:
http://shalomrb.org/RTBT/Galatians.pdf

Being obedience does not secure your salvation.

Being obedience does not secure your salvation.

.Obedience does not secure your salvation neither do failing to obey results in losing your salvation.

.For by grace you have been saved through faith.And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

.If you are from God, you will obey His commandment but your acts of obedience doesn't saves you.

.You are save by grace throught faith in Christ alone, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

~James 2:10
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.

Therefore there is no way we could ever be saved if salvation truly was dependent on works.

~Romans 3:23
New Living Translation (NLT)
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

~James 2:18
New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

Good works do not contribute to salvation, but they will always be characteristic of one who has been born again. Good works are not the cause of salvation; they are the evidence of it.

~John 10:26-27
New Living Translation (NLT)
26 But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

If you are God's people, you will desire to obey His commandment but your acts of obedience doesn't saves you.

~Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

You are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Reference:
http://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-by-works.html

What has become of the churches today?

What has become of the churches today?

1.Churches today are trying to "blend" into the custom of the world in the hope of drawing people to Christ..

What does the scripture says:

Romans 12:2
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Matthew 5:13
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how [a]can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

Life Application Commentary
If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

Do Not Love the World

1 John 2:15-17
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

You are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

John 15:18-25
New Living Translation (NLT)

The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures[a]: ‘They hated me without cause.’

Whatever is [a]born of God overcomes the world

1 John 5:4-5
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 For whatever is [a]born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

What modern churches are behaving now:

Excerpt:
Jeaney Yip, an Australia-based academic who has studied the marketing methods of fast-growing churches, said they make Christian teachings attractive by drawing on pop culture.

"Whatever’s in fashion, whatever’s stylish, whatever looks cool is used and infused in megachurch practice," Yip said.

Terence Chong, a sociologist at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, said some independent churches like City Harvest preach the "prosperity gospels" which seek to convince followers that offerings made to God through donations and voluntarism will be rewarded with spiritual and material blessings.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/scandal-puts-spotlight-rich-singapore-churches-071254546.html

Our God is a God from of old.

Psalm 74:12
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
12 Yet God is my king from of old,
Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth.

Psalm 93:2
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.

Psalm 119:52
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
52 I have remembered Your ordinances from [a]of old, O Lord,
And comfort myself.

He is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God does not change

Malachi 3:6
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 “For [a]I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, [b]are not consumed.

What does the man of God says:

~Charles H. Spurgeon
An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it during the past few years. It has developed at an abnormal rate, even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.

~Charles H. Spurgeon:
"I believe that it is anti-Christian and unholy for any Christian to live with the object of accumulating wealth.”

http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/Church/Spurgeon.htm

What is the condition of your church now?

Ephesians 4:17-19
English Standard Version (ESV)

The New Life
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Timothy 4:16
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2.False Shepherd are well fed...

Jeremiah 23:1
New Living Translation (NLT)
The Righteous Descendant
23 “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord.

Ezekiel 34
New Living Translation (NLT)
The Shepherds of Israel
34 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? 3 You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. 4 You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. 5 So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. 6 They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.7

“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. 9 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. 10 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.

The Good Shepherd
11 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. 13 I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. 14 Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!

17 “And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats. 18 Isn’t it enough for you to keep the best of the pastures for yourselves? Must you also trample down the rest? Isn’t it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19 Why must my flock eat what you have trampled down and drink water you have fouled?

20 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. 21 For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands. 22 So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. 23 And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!

The Lord’s Covenant of Peace
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with my people and drive away the dangerous animals from the land. Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear. 26 I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. 27 The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, then they will know that I am the Lord. 28 They will no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.

29 “And I will make their land famous for its crops, so my people will never again suffer from famines or the insults of foreign nations. 30 In this way, they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

3.True shepherd are starving...

Galatians 6:6
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

1 Corinthians 9:7-12
New Living Translation (NLT)
7 What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? 8 Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? 9 For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.”[a] Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? 10 Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.

11 Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 12 If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.

1 Timothy 5:17-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well,[a] especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”[b]

4.In the last day..

Matthew 7:22-27

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

The Two Foundations
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and [b]acts on them, [c]may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the [d]floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not [e]act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, and the [f]floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Reference:
What is a Biblical Church - Paul Washer .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsR48mXSjds

Exposing the Institutionalized Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWNhrqscAwQ