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We Believe...
by Phil Maxwell c. 1998
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Scattered Sheep Hosts,
Phil & Brenda Maxwell |
The way to attain eternal life in the resurrection is fairly simple and
concisely outlined in the Bible. Salvation, that is, hope beyond the
certain grave this life offers, is the good news, or gospel message of Yahshua
the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and the New Testament. Although most
complicate the message by adding their own brand of religious tradition, dogma,
and doctrine, Biblical salvation is amongst the simplest, least controversial
doctrines of the Christian faith. The hard part isn't understanding or
even receiving the power to become a child of God, it is walking in the ways of
Christ so as to actually grow into a mature member of Yahweh's family.
The following outline is most notable for what it does not contain, that is,
common contrived additions to the basic Christian doctrine of salvation, as
explained further at Biblical Salvation vs.
Orthodox Doctrine and Church Membership.
What one must know & believe to be saved...
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The first of all commandments is that Yahweh (Jehovah) alone is God. He is
the God and Father of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, all the prophets, Yahshua the
Messiah, all the apostles, and all true believers of this all generations.
Yahweh is the Creator of all things, He is the living God, an invisible and
Almighty Spirit. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
- Yahshua (Jesus) is the Son of God, the Messiah or Christ. He was born of the virgin Mary, tempted without sin, died for the sins of man, rose from the dead, and was given all power and authority, being made Lord and Savior. He is the Chief Cornerstone of all of Yahweh's creation, the Head of all men, subject only to the Father, and is the only Mediator or High Priest between God and men. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
- All (except Yahshua) are guilty of sin and, therefore, subject to the universal penalty of sin, which is death. Sin is the willful defiance of Yahweh's authority. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
- Beyond death, all will face the judgment of Yahweh in the resurrection, which is vested in Yahshua. Only those who have yielded to Yahshua will be granted entrance through the resurrection into the new heaven and earth that Yahweh will create. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
What one must do to be saved...
- To be saved, one must be forgiven of their sins and receive the Holy Spirit, both of which are promised to those who truly repent of their sinfulness and are baptized in Yahshua's name, believing that He is the Son of God, the Lord and Messiah, who died for their sins and rose from the dead. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
- To truly be a child of God, one must not only receive, but also submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit enable us to overcome sin and death, but only those who actually yield to the Spirit will ultimately overcome. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
- We are not saved by grace alone, but by grace through faith, and faith works by love. As benefactors of the salvation wrought through the death and resurrection of Yahshua, we are required to love one another as He both demonstrated and commanded. Our ultimate salvation does not hinge upon dead works of the flesh, but can be jeopardized through persistent disobedience to Yahshua's commandments, namely, despising and rejecting His people. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
We count as brethren...
- All those whom Yahshua (Jesus) has added to the body of Christ, which is His Church. We trust in the grace of Yahweh our God and Father, purchased at the high price of His beloved Son Yahshua's innocent blood, to cover not only our sins and shortcomings, but also those of others. Yahshua is not ashamed to count sinners like us as His own brethren, so neither are we ashamed to count whoever He receives as our brethren. To receive whoever He receives is to receive Him, and to receive Yahshua is to receive the Father. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
We do not count as brethren...
- Likewise, we do not count as brethren those who persistently reject or offend those whom Yahshua has received, regardless of whatever professions or confessions of faith may otherwise be evident. To reject Yahshua's people is to reject both Him and the Father, and we, therefore, have an unction to disassociate ourselves with such who do. In these last days, there are many wolves in sheep's clothing, and the most sure way to identify them is when they attack the sheep. (Click HERE for related Bible verses)
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