Requirements for Salvation?

Question

Christians often say that we can be saved, only by accepting Jesus as our savior. As evidence, they will site passages from the book of John, as well as many of the writings of Paul.

However, there is no support for such a doctrine in the book of Matthew. How is it that this central tenent of Christianity was overlooked by Matthew?

Also, what is this stuff about the Last Judgment? "I was hungry, and you fed me not", etc. Does this not suggest salvation by deeds, rather than by grace?

I understand that failure to do good works might call a Christian's sincerity into question, but what of a Muslim, or an Atheist for that matter, who does the deeds, but lacks Christian beliefs. If you want to say these people are still going to Hell, how does that square with the words Jesus uttered, regarding the Last Judgment?

Answer 1

Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;

Answer 2

Salvation does not come from works...works will follow ..also said like this "Faith without works is dead"...in other words if I see a person in need and just say to that person "go and be well" but do nothing in your power to help him, what good have you done?....The book of Matthew focused on Christs ministry and his teaching the disciples and such..it is the only of the gospels to quote "go make disciples and baptising in the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit"...What difference does it make what Matthews account doesn't say?..is Matthew the only relevent book in the bible? The scripture you are using to say will be the "last judgement" is not the last judgement at all...Jesus was making a statement saying that not ALL who call LORD LORD will see the kingdom..because many will call him Lord but few will do his will and it was basically telling them that they may speak one way but their actions show another. I hope you understand what I am saying with that point. Salvation is not from works..if it were I don't think their is one person in the world that hits the bulls eye so to speak...we are made right only by the one who never sinned and then took the punishment for our sin... kind of like if you ran up a credit card and owed a huge debt and then you found out that there was a man willing to pay the price to get you out of debt..wouldn't you want to find out about him and see how he could help you? I bet you would.

Answer 3

deeds won't get you into heaven...if that were the requirement than everyone would be doomed because no one is perfect. There has always been a necessity for the forgiveness of our wrongs, even before christ.

I guess Matthew thought that some of the other doctrines were more interesting to talk about. It doesn't really matter because its all the word of god and he shouldn't have to say something twice.

If you truly accept jesus as your savior you should have a desire to "feed him" as revelation says. its not necessary, but you may be getting a little nervous at the judgement seat if you didn't do anything throughout your life, eh?

Answer 4

The book of Matthew was written to a jewish audience that was struggling with a work based salvation. Somewhere in the past the Jehovah believers began to think that salvation was based upon their sacrifices and "good works". However that was NEVER taught in the Old Testament. God has always shown that grace is the only way to Heaven. Don't confuse salvation with earthly blessings. They are obviously not the same thing and come by different means. Deuteronomy 11:27 & 28 explains that earthly blessings and curses come from obedience or the lack thereof when it says "A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. " God promised blessings to those who do "good works" but not salvation. That truth is both Old and New Testament.

You also need to understand that the Jews have been promised not only a potential home in Heaven (by grace) but also an earthly kingdom which is yet to come. This kingdom is promised all throughout the Old Testament and Satan has used it to cause the confusion in many Jewish minds. Because of this confusion Matthew wrote a "Gospel" geared for the Jew that struggled with works salvation. The Jewish mind understands many of the verses in Matthew describe the kingdom of Heaven as that earthly kingdom yet to come and not Heaven. An example of this is Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Let me leave you with a couple of verses that show how that "good works" have nothing to do with Heaven:

Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

Genesis 15:6 "And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he (God) counted it to him for righteousness." (Notice no works here!)

Habakuk 2:4 "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." (Here there is faith first and then that causes works not the other way around.)

James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (Here God tells us that faith will work but is not the way to salvation in Heaven.)

Ephesians 2:8&9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

I know that we can only be saved by Grace and Grace alone. Not by our works, least any man should boast. I know our good works can not get us into heaven no one can follow the law well enough to earn their way into heaven, with the exception of Yeshua. However, I also think that disregarding God's laws will keep a person out.I believe that a healthy combination of Grace and Law are needed to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Answer 6

The gift of salvation is free,but sanctification will cost you everything.When we are born again our sins are forgiven Jesus paid the price for sin.When we come to Jesus we come ready to serve Him.Many Christians today are singing about standing on the promises and all their really doing is just sitting in the pews.The day will come that they will face God as Judge and He will want to know if they have been faithful,but also have they been profitable.The unprofitable servant really hadn't done anything wrong he just hadn't done anything at all.It's like marrying a wife or husband and then having them do absolutely nothing.Does that sound like a relationship to you.When you love somebody you are going to do what you can for that person.The story of the talents tells us that one was given five talents ,another three talents , and another one talent.The one with the five who gained another five received the same reward as the one who had three and gained three more,but the one who had one and gained nothing but hid his talent was cursed of God and cast into outer darkness.Talents was given to their ability ,see God never asked more from us than what we can do.And we all enter into the joy of the Lord whether little or much is done.Salvation comes immediately,sanctification takes a life time.So the Christian is always busy about his Fathers business.

Answer 7

Anybody Lost or Saved can do the Works. And you Lost or Saved will get Blessed for Doing those Works On the EARTH.
Only the Born-Again Children of GOD will get Blessed in Heaven TOO for those Same Works.
And, they Won't hear Jesus say Depart from me Either.

You Must be Born-Again-----Jesus said that, HE wasn't Lying.
Gotta get that messed up Spirit that Adam passed down to us Recreated in order to go to Heaven and Stay There.

Answer 8

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved". Scripture should always be taken as a whole. And no, salvation is not by deeds. As Ephesians says, "for it is by grace we are saved, through faith; not by works, that any man should boast". Jesus said He was the only way to the Father. There is no other way for anyone.....other than by faith in Him as savior.

Answer 9

there is a little more to Salvation that just accepting Jesus Christ,many will fall from the grace. We must do what he tells us to do. By both, the grace and by the deeds , because if you live by grace,you will do the deeds...he will show you and instruct you on what to do and how to do it,if you listen.

Answer 10

that doctrine is supported in Matthew. it is spoken throught the parable of Jesus many times. you have to reade the meaning behind the parables...

the easiest to get it is in matthew 18 verses 10-14 the parable of the lost sheep.

verse 11 "for the Son of Man has come to save that which is lost."