Saved What It Means To Me
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Saved What It Means To Me
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Author : Ken Byrne
language : en
Publisher: WestBow Press
Release Date : 2020-11-25
Saved What It Means To Me written by Ken Byrne and has been published by WestBow Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2020-11-25 with Religion categories.
What happened to these people changed their lives forever. Compelling life stories, or testimonials, from eleven people in different walks of life. You may relate to one of them. Find out what it means to be “born-again” and the impact it can make on you. What happened to these people changed their lives forever. “I remember begging God to do something because I could not go on like this anymore. I asked Him to either take control of it all or take me home. I don’t know how long I stayed like this. While I was contemplating all this, I suddenly realized a change coming over me. I felt a deep peace and then strength.” —Jane Byrne “There is nobody so filthy or so lost that Jesus Christ cannot come and turn your world right-side up. Neither is there anyone so righteous or so good that they do not need Jesus Christ.” —Jessica “My time at church turned stale, with the exception of the homily, and I had committed the entire Mass (service) to memory. The most alarming thing to me was that I felt the same exact way before a church service as I did after church. There was no feeling in my faith, only doing and attending church once a week, which simply checking off my duty to God. I believed salvation, or entrance into heaven, was something you could earn or achieve, and I lived with this mentality for 19 years.” —Monica Saved!!! What it means to me does not just end with these stories. We want you to experience a relationship with God like we have, so a Plan of Salvation is included at the end, which could be the beginning for you!
Saved What It Means To Me
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Author : Ken Byrne
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 2020-11-25
Saved What It Means To Me written by Ken Byrne and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2020-11-25 with categories.
What happened to these people changed their lives forever. Compelling life stories, or testimonials, from eleven people in different walks of life. You may relate to one of them. Find out what it means to be "born-again" and the impact it can make on you. What happened to these people changed their lives forever. "I remember begging God to do something because I could not go on like this anymore. I asked Him to either take control of it all or take me home. I don't know how long I stayed like this. While I was contemplating all this, I suddenly realized a change coming over me. I felt a deep peace and then strength." -Jane Byrne "There is nobody so filthy or so lost that Jesus Christ cannot come and turn your world right-side up. Neither is there anyone so righteous or so good that they do not need Jesus Christ." -Jessica "My time at church turned stale, with the exception of the homily, and I had committed the entire Mass (service) to memory. The most alarming thing to me was that I felt the same exact way before a church service as I did after church. There was no feeling in my faith, only doing and attending church once a week, which simply checking off my duty to God. I believed salvation, or entrance into heaven, was something you could earn or achieve, and I lived with this mentality for 19 years." -Monica Saved!!! What it means to me does not just end with these stories. We want you to experience a relationship with God like we have, so a Plan of Salvation is included at the end, which could be the beginning for you!
God Is The Gospel Meditations On God S Love As The Gift Of Himself
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Author : John Piper
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 2011-03
God Is The Gospel Meditations On God S Love As The Gift Of Himself written by John Piper and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2011-03 with Religion categories.
The wonder and majesty of the gospel are that we are given the greatest gift imaginable: God himself. Biblically faithful and radically God-centered, this book leads to satisfaction for the deep hungers of the soul.
Will God Forgive Me Can I Be Saved
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Author : Jon Hunter
language : en
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
Release Date : 2021-04-27
Will God Forgive Me Can I Be Saved written by Jon Hunter and has been published by Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2021-04-27 with Religion categories.
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night and confessed, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." Jesus told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:2–3) This declaration that Jesus made to Nicodemus holds true to all who seek forgiveness and eternal life. If we want to see Heaven, then we also must be born again. Many fear they cannot be forgiven for one particular sin or a multitude and are afraid they are unable to experience this new birth, which is God's gift of salvation. The purpose of this book is to share God's way of forgiveness. No matter what you've done, no matter what sin or sins you've committed, you can be forgiven. You can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and you can receive His gift of eternal life. God's Word is quite clear. Whosoever desires forgiveness and salvation can be saved, and whosoever means you.
What The Cross Means To Me
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Author : Peter Bodek
language : en
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
Release Date : 2020-02-11
What The Cross Means To Me written by Peter Bodek and has been published by Xlibris Corporation this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2020-02-11 with Poetry categories.
WHERE AN INNOCENT MAN GAVE HIS LIFE FREELY SO MANKIND COULD BE SAVED ALL THAT PLACE THEIR SIN IN THE SIN BIN AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS WILL BE SAVED AND FORGIVEN MANKIND HAS THE CHOICE TO DO THIS ENOUGH ROOM TO HOLD ALL THE WORLD’S SIN FORGIVEN SAVED AND LOVED
Salvation Clear And Plain
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Author :
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 2004-09-01
Salvation Clear And Plain written by and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2004-09-01 with categories.
What is salvation? What Does Salvation Include? First, there's full, complete, and eternal pardon for every sin. That's wonderful, but that's only part of it. God also freely gives everlasting life, mansions in the skies, adoption into His family, communion with Himself, rewards for service, and in fact "all things" to those whom He saves. That is such good news, because everyone desperately needs to be saved. All have sinned and deserve punishment. There is not one single person in the whole world free from sin. This includes you too. But there is salvation! And there is salvation for you! That's what you'll find explained in this booklet. While the way of salvation should be clear and plain, unfortunately there is confusion in the minds of millions as to how to be saved. Multitudes are trying to be saved in their own way while ignoring God's perfect way. To miss God's way is to perish eternally. How marvelous that the God of the Ages should have a way for us! He has looked after all the details. There is nothing left out. His way is complete, foolproof--perfect. It's so important that you know God's way. The following pages use sharp contrasts to explain God's way of saving sinners. Read them with an open mind and an open heart. Not Your Work for God, but God's Work for You! The truth simply is this: It just isn't possible for you to be saved by what you do for God. If you are of good moral character, that will not help. You may be educated, gifted, wealthy, successful, respectable, honored, but God accepts nothing in return for the gift of salvation. Good deeds can't purchase pardon either. Not giving money to worthy causes, not volunteering for charities. You may do the very best you can, but the works of men's hands can never merit salvation. "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy" (Titus 3:5). "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment" (Isaiah 64:6). What then? How can one be saved? Listen carefully: The essence of salvation is that it's God's work for you. It's all provided for. The entire price has been paid. It's offered on one simple condition: that you take it as a free gift from God. We couldn't earn it or merit it in a million eternities. Therefore, God freely gives it to us. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9). "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Not a New Leaf, but a New Life! There are some who have promised God they will do better. Under stress of trouble or sorrow many have sincerely determined to forsake their sins and turn over a new leaf. But this is not the door to salvation. Even if the new leaf were kept unspotted--what about the other soiled days and years? God's salvation is deeper than mere reformation. It's an absolutely new nature. It's a complete reckoning with all the past and an ironclad guarantee for the future. It's not washing of the hands--it's the gift of a new heart. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever" (John 4:13, 14). Be assured that God is not interested in patching up your old life. What He wants to do is to give you a completely new nature, part of His own nature. For this new nature is destined to live forever in eternity's heavenly glory. It's completely new, fresh from the hand of our Creator God. "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation" (Galatians 6:15). "You must be born again" (John 3:7). How can one be saved? Not Going to Church, but Being a Christian! This is so important. It is true that the Church is God's divinely appointed institution in today's world. But salvation is not by the Church. You may attend the services regularly, sing the hymns, listen to the sermons, drop your gifts in the collection basket, join in observance of the Lord's Table, even join the Church--but these things will never save your soul. Don't misunderstand. These things are right and good for all Christians to do, but we're talking about how to become a Christian. Don't mistake church privileges and duties for the door to eternal life. Many people have been saved in church, but not by the Church. Christ alone can save. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31). It is true that the main duty of the Church is to proclaim Christ and His gospel. But it is Christ and Christ alone who saves. One must have a personal, individual, actual transaction with the risen Son of God. The Church is the body of Christ. But in the matter of salvation, we're saved by the Head. "Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior" (Ephesians 5:23). "He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him" (Hebrews 7:25). Not Keeping the Law, but Love Keeping You! Are you trying to be saved by keeping the law? Do you expect to enter Heaven by the observance of the Ten Commandments? Would you be amazed if you heard that no one in all the world has ever been saved that way? While the law is just, holy, and good, it is not a means of salvation. Its purpose is to show you your inability to be righteous before God. It is a means of condemnation. "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20). "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4). "No one is justified before God by the law, for 'The righteous shall live by faith'" (Galatians 3:11). Not in ceremonies and washings, not in keeping the Sabbath, not in refusing to eat certain foods, not in pilgrimages to holy places, not in burning candles, not in paying a tithe of one's income. Salvation is not in these acts. The law condemns (that's its purpose), but Christ saves those whom the law condemns. The law is a mirror to show man's need, but the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. Salvation is not to be found in "keeping." The Christian is "kept" by God. "The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24). "You are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14). Not by Water, but by Blood! Baptism in water is one of the two great sacraments of the Christian Church. It is a divinely given ordinance to mark the Christian's inseparable union with Christ in death and resurrection. Never, however, is it a means of salvation. There is no soul-cleansing in water. Sin can only be cleansed by blood. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (Hebrews 9:22). "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" (Ephesians 1:7). "You were ransomed... not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18- 19). Every Christian ought to be baptized, but not until he or she has been genuinely saved. Baptism is a testimony to the believer's own heart, to the church, and to the world that his or her faith and trust are in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is a symbol of that change which has already taken place in the Christian's life. "So those who received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). "And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). Not Feeling, but Fact! Some have complained they don't "feel" saved. But salvation must first be a fact before it is a feeling. Never does God work from feeling to faith--always the opposite. Our redemption rests upon the absolute certainty of God's Word, not on our own experience. We are saved on the simple basis of taking God at His word. God offers to sinners all the benefits of incomparable salvation on the one condition that we believe Him. At the moment we reach out by faith and trust in God, all the things which God has promised become eternally true. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). Feeling will come in time. As you grow in your faith you will begin to "feel" saved. Christ will become more real, and prayer and Bible reading more blessed. But entering the Christian life is different. This step is taken not on the quicksands of uncertain feeling, but on the surety of the Rock of Ages, Christ Jesus. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6). "'What must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household'" (Acts 16:30-31). Not Trying, but Trusting! Suppose you try to do the best you can. Is that enough? Suppose you strive to make your life upright and exemplary. Suppose you endeavor to perform noble deeds. Let's say your motives are high and unselfish. Will you be surprised to hear that God simply does not save on the basis of man's trying? God's standard of life is absolute perfection. He will never receive anything short of that. No one will ever be in Heaven except those who fully qualify here. And the truth is that only one Person in all the world ever lived an absolutely sinless life--Christ. All else have terribly failed. If salvation were by trying, no one would ever be saved! "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy" (Titus 3:5). "For by grace you have been saved through faith...not a result of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The heart of salvation is substitution. Christ took our place. He lived perfectly, never sinned, and when He died, He died for us. He became our substitute. He takes our sins; we take his righteousness. Thus we can stand before God clothed in robes of perfect righteousness by simply trusting in the finished work of Christ. That's the good news of the gospel. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24). Not by Our Methods, but God's Miracle! Methods employed in gospel meetings are intended to be an aid to the sinner's acceptance of Christ. But the methods in themselves are not a basis for salvation. Raising one's hand for prayer, going forward to the altar, signing a card, or shaking the hand of the evangelist may help in the all-important decision, but there is no salvation until the sinner meets the Savior. Saving your guilty soul is God's greatest miracle. For in doing so, He righteously removes your sin and in all justice pardons your guilt. No one in all of time or eternity can ever question the validity of your redemption. But the key to the entire matter is the sacrifice of Christ. To trust anything but Him is to entirely miss the mark. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life" (John 3:36). "Whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (John 6:37). "You search the Scriptures because you think in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life" (John 5:39, 40). There is nothing wrong with methods if they point to Christ. The danger lies when it is not clearly explained that not only must you raise your hand, but you must open your heart. Not only must you come forward to the altar, but you must come to Christ. Shaking the hand of the evangelist must indicate that you forever place your hand, heart, and life in the pierced hands of the Savior. For it is when the guilty sinner meets the Savior of sinners that God's mighty miracle takes place. Not Head Knowledge, but Heart Belief! Some have argued that they have always accepted Christ. But you don't believe in Christ like you believe in Julius Caesar or George Washington. Christ must become to you more than a mere figure of history. When you receive Him it must be with more than intellectual assent. To be saved, Christ must be the greatest, nearest, and dearest Person in your life. It is true that Jesus Christ is the greatest Man in history. But He is more than that--He is the God-Man. It is also a fact that He lived a life of wonderful example. But that isn't enough either. His life was absolutely, sinlessly perfect. You may accept the truth that He died innocently and sacrificially, but until you see that He died for you, personally, you cannot know salvation. "And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3). Please understand that salvation is never yours on the basis of your acknowledgment of the Jesus of history. To be saved, one must personally receive the Christ of Calvary. You must place your entire trust and faith in Him. Not Your Anything, but God's Everything! Sincerity does not constitute salvation. The man who is sincere yet wrong is just as lost as the hypocrite. God demands that you be both sincere and right to be saved. To depend upon sincerity is to die in your sins. Nor is repentance synonymous with salvation. Repentance is sorrow for sin and often leads to salvation. But it is never enough to be sorry for sin. Tears will never cleanse a guilty heart. Only Christ's blood can do this. Being under conviction is not salvation. Conviction of heart is often God-sent and may lead one to the realization of his or her desperate need. In this way conviction may become an arrow pointing to Christ, but salvation takes place when the convicted one rests his all in an all-sufficient Christ. Nor is confession of sin salvation. Confession is a healthful exercise and can lead to the blessed experience of having your transgressions pardoned. But confession of sin must lead to a definite, actual, personal trust in the crucified and risen Christ before salvation occurs. Denial of sin will not change the fact, nor a routine affirmation of the goodness of God. It is true that God is love, but God is also righteous, just, pure, and holy. And God hates sin with a holy hatred. No sinner can ever stand in His presence. Thus the necessity of the acceptance of the sinner's substitute, Christ. By Him sin is forever banished, and the sinner is forever saved. Salvation is Christ, receiving Him in your heart. With Him you're saved. Without Him you're lost. What does salvation mean for me? Salvation--Clear and Plain What then is our part in salvation? If being saved is God's miracle, if Christ has fully paid the price, what does the sinner need to do in order to receive the incomparable benefits of salvation? Here is God's truth. The whole matter of our responsibility has been gathered into one all-inclusive term--we are told to "believe." We are to believe God. Believe what He has said about us, that we're hopelessly lost in trespasses and sins. Believe what He has said about His own dear Son, that He is abundantly able to save to the uttermost. We are to believe so completely that we gladly rest our life and our eternal destiny on the Word of God. Believe means to receive. Salvation is so great and costly it could never be earned. So God freely offers it to guilty sinners as a gift. We believe, when by faith, we reach out and take it. Believe means to trust. Trust our past, present, and future to Christ. Surely He is worthy of our trust. Everything that comes into our lives is to be entrusted to Him. Believe means to accept. To open the door of your entire being and invite the Lord Jesus to enter. To take Him for a blessed and wonderful Companion all the days. Believe means to turn. To turn from following your own will and way to following God's will and way. To turn from seeking your own advancement to advancing the cause of Christ. Believe means to rely. To depend upon the Lord Jesus for every need. To find Him abundantly able to meet every problem. To have Him as your very own. Salvation--for YOU! Are you ready to believe? Are you willing for God to accomplish in your heart the miracle of the new birth? Will you here and now trust the peerless Christ? Will you open the door of your heart and receive Him--forever? God is ready to receive you. And here is the basis of your approach to Him: You are a lost sinner, worthy of death and under the condemnation of a righteous God. But Christ has died, not only for the sins of the world, but for your sins. And God freely offers to forgive all your sins and gladly bring you into His family if you will receive His dear Son. "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). Now why don't you go to a place where you can be alone, get on your knees before God, and pray this simple prayer: Dear God, I come to You as a lost sinner, for Your Word says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But I thank You that Christ died for me, and that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. I come to You believing in Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and receiving Him into my heart. According to Your Word, cleanse me from all my sins and make me Your child. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Gospelbound
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Author : Collin Hansen
language : en
Publisher: Multnomah
Release Date : 2021-04-06
Gospelbound written by Collin Hansen and has been published by Multnomah this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2021-04-06 with Religion categories.
A profound exploration of how to hold on to hope when our unchanging faith collides with a changing culture, from two respected Christian storytellers and thought leaders. “Offers neither spin control nor image maintenance for the evangelical tribe, but genuine hope.”—Russell Moore, president of ERLC As the pressures of health warnings, economic turmoil, and partisan politics continue to rise, the influence of gospel-focused Christians seems to be waning. In the public square and popular opinion, we are losing our voice right when it’s needed most for Christ’s glory and the common good. But there’s another story unfolding too—if you know where to look. In Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra counter these growing fears with a robust message of resolute hope for anyone hungry for good news. Join them in exploring profound stories of Christians who are quietly changing the world in the name of Jesus—from the wild world of digital media to the stories of ancient saints and unsung contemporary activists on the frontiers of justice and mercy. Discover how, in these dark times, the light of Jesus shines even brighter. You haven’t heard the whole story. And that’s good news.
Faith Alone The Doctrine Of Justification
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Author : Thomas R. Schreiner
language : en
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Release Date : 2015-09-15
Faith Alone The Doctrine Of Justification written by Thomas R. Schreiner and has been published by Zondervan Academic this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2015-09-15 with Religion categories.
Renowned biblical scholar Thomas Schreiner looks at the historical and biblical roots of the doctrine of justification and offers an updated defense of this pillar of Reformed theology. Reinvigorating one of the five great declarations of the Reformation—sola fide—Schreiner: Summarizes the history of the doctrine, looking at the early church and the writings of several of the Reformers. Walks readers through an examination of the key biblical texts in the Old and New Testament that support the Reformed understanding of justification. Discusses whether justification is transformative or forensic and introduces readers to some of the contemporary challenges to the Reformation teaching of sola fide, with particular attention to the new perspective on Paul. Five hundred years after the Reformation, the doctrine of justification by faith alone still needs to be understood and proclaimed. In Faith Alone you will learn how the rallying cry of “sola fide” is rooted in the Scriptures and how to understand this doctrine in a fresh way. —THE FIVE SOLAS— Historians and theologians have long recognized that at the heart of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation were five declarations, often referred to as the "solas." These five statements summarize much of what the Reformation was about, and they distinguish Protestantism from other expressions of the Christian faith: that they place ultimate and final authority in the Scriptures, acknowledge the work of Christ alone as sufficient for redemption, recognize that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and seek to do all things for God’s glory. The Five Solas Series is more than a simple rehashing of these statements, but instead expounds upon the biblical reasoning behind them, leading to a more profound theological vision of our lives and callings as Christians and churches.
Salvation Journey
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Author : David L. Charlton
language : en
Publisher: America Star Books
Release Date : 2011-12
Salvation Journey written by David L. Charlton and has been published by America Star Books this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2011-12 with categories.
Salvation is more than simply praying, "I'm sorry" and then expecting to enter heaven when you die. It's a journey with distinct moments in time that define who we are and to whom we belong. This journey brings us into a love relationship with the Lord God Almighty through faith in Jesus. It gives us our purpose in life and enables us to become the people God created us to be. Come, join me on this journey. The path will not always be easy: It involves sacrifice and self-denial. Choosing to follow the course chartered by God will, however, be the best and most rewarding decision you ever make.
Old Paths
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Author : J.C. Ryle
language : en
Publisher: Ravenio Books
Release Date : 2015-06-20
Old Paths written by J.C. Ryle and has been published by Ravenio Books this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2015-06-20 with Religion categories.
“If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”—1 Corinthians 14:8 THE volume now in the reader’s hands consists of a series of papers, systematically arranged, on the leading truths of Christianity which are “necessary to salvation.” Few, probably, will deny that there are some things in religion about which we may think other people hold very erroneous views, and are, notwithstanding, in no danger of being finally lost. About baptism and the Lord’s Supper,—about the Christian ministry,—about forms of prayer and modes of worship,—about the union of Church and State,—about all these things it is commonly admitted that people may differ widely, and yet be finally saved. No doubt there are always bigots and extreme partisans, who are ready to excommunicate every one who cannot pronounce their Shibboleth on the above-named points. But, speaking generally, to shut out of heaven all who disagree with us about these things, is to take up a position which most thoughtful Christians condemn as unscriptural, narrow; and uncharitable. On the ether hand, there are certain great truths of which some knowledge, by common consent, appears essential to salvation. Such truths are the immortality of the soul,—the sinfulness of human nature, the work of Christ for us as our Redeemer, the work of the Holy Ghost in us,—forgiveness, justification,—conversion,—faith,—repentance,—the marks of a right heart,—Christ’s invitations,—Christ’s intercession, and the like. If truths like these are not absolutely necessary to salvation, it is difficult to understand how any truths whatever can be called necessary. If people may be saved without knowing anything about these truths, it appears to me that we may throw away our Bibles altogether, and proclaim that the Christian religion is of no use. From such a miserable conclusion I hope most people will shrink back with horror. To open out and explain these great necessary truths,—to confirm them by Scripture,—to enforce them by some appeals to the conscience of all who read this volume,—this is the simple object of the series of papers which is now offered to the public. The name which I have selected will prepare the reader to expect no new doctrines in this volume. It is simple, unadulterated, old-fashioned Evangelical theology. It contains nothing but the “Old Paths” in which the Apostolic Christians, the Reformers, the best English Churchmen for the last three hundred years, and the best Evangelical Christians of the present day, have persistently walked. From these “paths.” I see no reason to depart. They are often sneered at and ridiculed, as old-fashioned, effete, worn out, and powerless in the Nineteenth Century. Be it so. “None of these things move me.” I have yet to learn that there is any system of religious teaching, by whatever name it may be called, High, or Broad, or Romish, or Neologian, which produces one quarter of the effect on human nature that is produced by the old, despised system of doctrine which is commonly called Evangelical. I willingly admit the zeal, earnestness, and devotedness of many religious teachers who are not Evangelical. But I firmly maintain that the way of the school to which I belong is the “more excellent way.” The longer I live the more I am convinced that the world needs no new Gospel, as some profess to think. I am thoroughly persuaded that the world needs nothing but a bold, full, unflinching teaching of the “old paths.” The heart of man is the same in every age. The spiritual medicine which it requires is always the same. The same Gospel which was preached by Latimer, and Hooper, and Bradford, ruby Hall, Deviant, Usher, Reynolds, and Hopkins,—by Manton, Brooks, Watson, Charnock, Owen, and Gurnall,—by Romaine, Venn, Grimshaw, Hervey, and Cecil,—this is the gospel which alone will do real good in the present day. The leading doctrines of that gospel are the substance of the papers which compose this volume. They are the doctrines, I firmly believe, of the Bible and the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England. They are doctrines which, I find, wear well, and in the faith of them I hope to live and die. I repeat most emphatically that I am not ashamed of what are commonly called “Evangelical principles.” Fiercely and bitterly as those principles are assailed on all sides,—loudly and scornfully as some proclaim that they have done their work and are useless in this day, I see no evidence whatever that they are defective or decayed, and I see no reason for giving them up. No doubt other schools of thought produce great outward effects on mankind, gather large congregations, attain great popularity, and by means of music, ornaments, gestures, postures, and a generally histrionic ceremonial, make a great show of religion. I see it all, and I am not surprised. It is exactly what a study of human nature by the light of the Bible would lead me to expect. But for real inward effects on hearts, and outward effects on lives, I see no teaching so powerful as thorough, genuine Evangelical teaching. Just in proportion as the preachers of other schools borrow Evangelical weapons and Evangelical phraseology I see them obtaining influence. No doubt the good that is done in the world is little, and evil abounds. But I am certain that the teaching which does most good is that of the despised Evangelical school. It is not merely true and good up to a certain point, and then defective and needing additions, as some tell us; it is true and good all round, and needs no addition at all. If those who hold Evangelical views were only more faithful to their own principles, and more bold, and uncompromising, and decided, both in their preaching and their lives, they would soon find, whatever infidels and Romanists may please to say, that they hold the only lever which can shake the world. The readers of the many tracts which God has allowed me to send forth for thirty years, must not expect much that they have not seen before, in “Old Paths.” Experience has taught me, at last, that the peculiar tastes of all classes of society must be consulted, if good is to be done by the press. I am convinced that there are thousands of people in England who are willing to read a volume, but will never look at anything in the form of a tract. It is for them that I now send forth “Old Paths.” Those who read through this book continuously, and without a pause, will, doubtless, observe a certain degree of sameness and similarity in some of the papers. The same thoughts are occasionally repeated, though in a different dress. To account for this, I will ask them to remember that most of the papers were originally written separately, and at long intervals of time, in some cases of as much as twenty years. On calm reflection, I have thought it better to republish them, pretty much as they originally appeared. Few readers of a religious book like this read it all through at once; and the great majority, I suspect, find it enough to read quietly only one or two chapters at a time. I now send forth the volume with a deep sense of its many defects; but with an earnest prayer that it may do some good. J. C. LIVERPOOL. This classic includes the following chapters: Chapter 1. Inspiration Chapter 2. Our Souls! Chapter 3. Few Saved! Chapter 4. Our Hope! Chapter 5. “Alive or Dead?” Chapter 6. Our Sins! Chapter 7. Forgiveness Chapter 8. Justification Chapter 9. The Cross of Christ Chapter 10. The Holy Ghost Chapter 11. Having the Spirit Chapter 12. Conversion Chapter 13. The Heart Chapter 14. Christ’s Invitation Chapter 15. Faith Chapter 16. Repentance Chapter 17. Christ’s Power to Save Chapter 18. Election Chapter 19. Perseverance