1. The Evangelical Obstacles To Salvation

1.1. The Evangelical gospel of “Faith Alone” (i.e. faith in Christ is the only thing necessary to be saved) is the gospel found in the Bible.

Correction: The Evangelical gospel of “Faith Alone” was invented by Martin Luther (the inventor also of the term, evangelical), who rejected the New Testament books of Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation b/c they revealed this gospel to be false.

1.2. We can have differing gospels and still be saved.

Correction: There is only one saving gospel message (Gal 1:6-9; Eph 4:4-6).

1.3. There are two gospels in the Bible (the impossible gospel of the OT = earning your way to heaven thru perfect obedience VERSUS the possible gospel of the NT = belief only/faith alone in Christ who perfectly earned it for us).

Correction: The mechanics of the gospel/salvation (i.e. the relationship between faith and obedience in salvation) under the New Covenant is no different than it was under the Old Covenant.

1.4. We should listen to Evangelical Christianity since it has a long and rich history filled w/many scholars and pastors.

Correction: Jesus and God’s Word must be the only things we listen to since they are the only things that can save us (Joh 14:6; Act 4:12; Isa 8:20; 2Ti 3:15-16).

2. The ONE/ONLY gospel according to Jesus and His Word

2.1. Christ = We gain salvation thru receiving God’s covenant sign in faith which is now baptism into Christ (OT: circumcision and sacrifice for sin = Gen 17:1-14 w/Lev 12:1-3; Lev 16:1-34//NT: baptism in Christ = Rom 3:28 w/1 Pe 3:21 = baptism is where/how we express faith in Christ that God will accept; Mar 16:16; Act 2:36-38; Col 2:11-14 w/Heb 10:11-18 = baptism is our circumcision and where we are “sanctified” or forgiven our sins thru the sacrifice Christ).

2.2. Covenant = Our salvation is a marriage covenant with Christ which means it must be maintained thru faithful obedience to all of His commands – including His OT laws according to their NC application (Jer 31:31-33; Deu 28:1-2; Deu 4:2 w/Mat 5:17-20; Luk 6:46-49 w/Mat 7:21-21-27; Deu 30:11-14, 15-19 w/Rom 10:6-8; e.g., application: circumcision and sacrifice for sin = Col 2:11-14; capital crimes = Deu 22:23-24 w/1Co 5:1-5, 13 w/Lev 16:10, 21-22).

2.3. Church = The church (or God’s house) is where we gain and maintain our salvation in Christ (Gen 28:16-17 w/Psa 132:13-16 w/1Ti 3:15 w/Mat 16:13-19 w/Mat 28:18-20 = NOTICE, Jesus delivered the same gospel requirements to His church before His ascension back to Heaven; Joh 20:21-23; Joh 13:1-21 w/Mat 26:17-28).

CLOSING CHALLENGE: (1Ti 4:15-16).

1. The false beliefs embraced by Evangelicals

1.1. The Evangelical gospel of “Faith Alone” (i.e., faith in Christ is the only thing necessary to be saved) is the gospel found in the Bible.

Correction: The Evangelical gospel of “Faith Alone” was invented by Martin Luther (the inventor also of the term, evangelical), who rejected the New Testament books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation b/c they revealed this gospel to be false.

“[James] is an epistle of straw… Let us banish this epistle from the university, for it is worthless. It has no syllable about Christ, not even naming him except once at the beginning. I think it was written by some Jew who had heard of the Christians but not joined them… The epistle of James gives us much trouble…Accordingly, if they [books of the New Testament] will not admit my interpretations, then I shall make rubble also of [them]. I almost feel like throwing Jimmy into the stove.” (Luther’s Works; Table Talk, 1522-1545)

“You tell me what a great fuss the Papists are making because the word ‘alone’ is not in the text of Paul…say right out to him: ‘Dr. Martin Luther will have it so,’…I will have it so, and I order it to be so, and my will is reason enough. I know very well that the word ‘alone’ is not in the Latin or the Greek text.” (Rebuilding a Lost Faith)

1.2. We can have differing gospels and still be saved.

Correction: There is only one saving gospel message (Gal 1:6-9; Eph 4:4-6).

1.3. You can’t use the Old Testament as part of how you determine the true gospel since the plan of salvation was different under the Old Covenant.

Correction: The mechanics of salvation (i.e., the relationship between faith and obedience in salvation) under the New Covenant is no different than it was under the Old Covenant (Rev 14:6; 2Ti 3:15; Heb 13:8 w/1Co 10:1-11 w/Jud 1:5).

1.4. We should listen to Evangelical Christianity since it has a long and rich history filled w/many smart people and pastors.

Correction: Jesus and God’s Word must be the only things we listen to since they are the only things that can save us (Joh 14:6; Act 4:12; Isa 8:20; 2Ti 3:15-16).

CLOSING CONTEMPLATION/CHALLENGE (for the Evangelical you are witnessing to):
Why would you trust your soul to a version of Christianity invented by a man (Luther) who rejected portions of God’s Word?