grace Archives - Page 8 of 8 - Plain Bible Teaching

Andy Sochor May 1, 2009

The Grace-Unity Movement

The grace-unity movement has been one of the major controversies among brethren over the past twenty years or so. It is often called “unity in diversity” and it is the idea that we can continue to have unity despite our differences in matters that pertain to the faith because the grace of God saves us and covers our sins.

This movement has not just affected those in churches of Christ. It is all through the denominational world. We hear of multi-denominational programs, ministries, and worship services. We have community churches which are open to people from all denominations to come together, ignoring the things that could divide them. The differences and distinctions between the denominations do not mean all that much anymore. Members of one denomination are free to jump between churches without being out of place because these churches accept, tolerate, and endorse one another.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: false teachers, fellowship, grace, sin, tolerance, unity

Andy Sochor February 1, 2009

Can One Earn His Salvation?

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8).

Often, when one teaches that obedience is necessary for salvation, he is accused of teaching that we earn our salvation. Passages like the one above are sometimes cited as “proof” that there is nothing we must do to be saved. But is it even possible for salvation to be earned? Is it possible to live in such a way that God owes us a home in heaven?
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: grace, obedience, salvation

Andy Sochor October 3, 2007

Emphasizing Jesus Christ

Paul told the saints in Corinth, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Why did Paul place such an emphasis on teaching Jesus? He explained: “So that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

The Corinthians had a problem of following after men. This resulted in division as some were saying, “‘I am of Paul,’ and ‘I of Apollos,’ and ‘I of Cephas,’ and ‘I of Christ’” (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul later explained that when they claimed loyalty to these men, they were carnally minded and immature (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).

The inspired apostle sought to correct this thinking so that they would focus on following Christ and not men. This is the first problem he addressed in his letter (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). But notice how he subtly made this point before he explicitly stated it.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: authority, deity, fellowship, gospel, grace, Jesus, judgment, loyalty, revelation, salvation, sanctification, unity

Andy Sochor August 1, 2007

The Gospel of the Grace of God

On his way to Jerusalem, Paul stopped in Miletus to meet with the elders from the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17ff). In this farewell address, Paul reminded them that the message he brought to them was “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). This was the message that Paul preached “everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17). He preached the gospel to those who were already Christians (Romans 1:15) and to those who had not yet heard of Jesus (Romans 15:20). The gospel is the message that Jesus told His apostles to preach (Mark 16:15) and is the message that we must preach today (Galatians 1:8-9).
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: apostasy, church, gospel, grace, Jesus, kingdom, obedience, preaching, salvation

Andy Sochor May 7, 2007

The Free Gift of God

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Many use this verse to show that we are saved by the grace of God and that there is nothing we can do to affect our salvation. In other words, works (acts of obedience) are not necessary for salvation. We all recognize the fact that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), so it is true that all are deserving of spiritual death. But those who say grace is unconditional try to say that those who believe grace is conditional also believe they can earn their salvation.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: grace, obedience, salvation, sin, works

Andy Sochor January 5, 2007

Looking at the Big Picture

“The sum of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160).

Considering only one verse to prove a point can be dangerous. Many verses, when taken out of context, have several plausible interpretations. But if we settle on one interpretation without considering the sum of God’s word, we can easily find ourselves with an improper understanding of God’s will. Consider the following example with reference to salvation:
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: baptism, grace, salvation, truth

Andy Sochor October 1, 2006

A Brief Review of Calvinism

We are not to believe everything we hear. John warned, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). We test the spirits (teachers and their teaching) by the inspired, infallible word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; John 17:17; Psalm 119:160).

Some of the most common doctrines in the denominational world fall under the heading of Calvinism. Calvinism simply refers to the doctrines and teachings of John Calvin and his followers. Calvin was a theologian from the 1500′s who greatly influenced the Reformation movement. He was a brilliant man, but brilliance does not always translate into faithfulness to God or one accurately handling His word (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27). These doctrines are accepted by many, but are not taught in the word of God.
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