Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
September 14, 1967
NUMBER 19, PAGE 1-2a

Had You Thought Of It That Way?

Jefferson David Tant

We are all aware of the commonly held idea that "All religions are right," or "It doesn't make any difference what you believe, so long as you are sincere in it." The majority of people in this country hold to such an idea, with a few reservations.

First, let us consider the question, "Must one believe the truth in order to be saved?" We are, of course, speaking of the truth of the gospel, not the truth of mathematical equations, or scientific facts, etc. In answering the question, it is in order that we notice some scriptures that satisfactorily answer the question for us.

Christ, during his personal ministry, stated ... The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: Repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15) Negatively, Christ stated it in John 12:48: "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day." The "sayings" and the "word" are the TRUTH (John 17:17) or the GOSPEL.

Paul, writing by inspiration in Romans said: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (1:16); and "... with the heart man believeth unto righteousness." (10:10) Believeth what? Why, the gospel, the truth. What else?

Paul made it quite plain for the Thessalonians as to the connection between belief of the gospel and salvation. "And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe." (I Thess. 2:13) Now, so that there can be absolutely no misunderstanding, notice II Thess. 2:11-14, as he writes of them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you...for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the spirit and BELIEF OF THE TRUTH, whereunto he called you THROUGH THE GOSPEL... "

Back to our question, "Must one believe the truth (or gospel) in order to be saved? MOST EMPHATICALLY YES!

NOW, think carefully, slowly, and deliberately as we draw some serious conclusions.

If you are a member of a denomination, let me ask you, "Must one believe the doctrine of your particular denomination in order to be saved?" Almost immediately, you say, "NO." Do you see what you have done? You have admitted that your denomination DOES NOT teach the truth, the gospel of Christ. "Now, just a minute, there, preacher..." you may sputter. But, dear reader, if the conclusions are valid, DON'T REJECT THEM - ACCEPT THEM!

If one does not have to believe the teaching of the Methodist Church (or Baptist, or Presbyterian, or Lutheran, etc.) in order to be saved, THEN SUCH TEACHING CANNOT BE THE TRUTH, THE GOSPEL, FOR ONE MUST BELIEVE THE TRUTH, THE GOSPEL, IN ORDER TO BE-SAVED. (See scriptures quoted) ".

This, friend, is what makes the Lord's church different from the denominations of men. Churches of Christ have no creed books as do the denominations (Methodist Discipline, Baptist Manual, Pentecostal Discipline, Catholic Catechism, Presbyterian Confession of Faith, Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, Lutheran Catechism, etc.) As members of the New Testament church, we believe ONLY THE BIBLE. We teach ONLY THE BIBLE. Herein is the road to unity. NOT upon the works of men, BUT UPON THE WORD OF GOD.

Obviously, denominational doctrines cannot all be true, for truth does not contradict itself. When the Methodist preacher says one can be baptized by having water sprinkled, but the Baptist preacher says that baptism is ONLY by immersion, BOTH CANNOT BE TRUE. When the Presbyterian preacher says men are individually predestined unto salvation, but the Lutheran preacher says man is NOW saved by faith in God, BOTH CANNOT BE TRUE. And on we could go.

You say, "I hadn't thought of it that way." Well, it's time you did. It's time you woke up to the TRUTH, while you still have time. As members of the body of Christ, we are most happy at any time to study the WORD OF GOD with you, for IT is the POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION (Rom. 1:16), and without believing and obeying it, you cannot be saved (II Thess. 1:7-8, 2:10-14.) We welcome the opportunity to serve you.