Question:
Preacher, the Bible says in Matthew 10:32 & 33 that you have to confess Jesus before men or Jesus will deny you before the Father. 1 John 4:15 says, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” After reading those passages, how can you say (on your radio show) that those chief rulers mentioned in John 12:42 were saved? It is pretty clear in Luke 23:39-43 that even the thief on the cross made a confession about himself and Jesus. In verse 41, the thief confessed (with his mouth) his sins by stating to the other thief, “we receive the due reward of our deeds.” This showing that the thief recognized his sinful state. The thief goes on to the confess (with his mouth) that Jesus was sinless by stating that Jesus had “done nothing amiss.” This shows that the thief recognized Jesus as God because only God is prefect or sinless. You can not explain these Luke passages in any other way because if you say that the thief was not recognizing Jesus’ sinlessness than you would also have to say that the thief did not recognize Jesus as God. If the thief did not recognize Jesus as God then Jesus could have never said to him, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Preacher, if you do not confess (with your mouth) Jesus before men, He is going to deny you before the Father. Preach the Word, not your opinions.
Answer:
IT IS SAD THAT YOU ARE TRUSTING IN A SALVATION THAT “IS OF YOURSELF”. EPHESIANS MAKES PLAIN THAT “FOR BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.” THEREFORE THE SALVATION YOU HAVE IS NOT FROM GOD BECAUSE IT IS BASED UPON WORKS! SALVATION IS “BY FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE”