ROMANS FIVE: J.B.PHILLIPS NEW TESTAMENT

5 ^1-2 Since then it is by faith that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things He has for us in the future.

 

^3-5 This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.

^6-8 And we can see that it was while we were powerless to help ourselves that Christ died for sinful men. In human experience it is a rare thing for one man to give his life for another, even if the latter be a good man, though there have been a few who have had the courage to do it. Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.

^9-12 Moreover, if He did that for us while we were sinners, now that we are men justified by the shedding of His blood, what reason have we to fear the wrath of God? If, while we were His enemies, Christ reconciled us to God by dying for us, surely now that we are reconciled we may be perfectly certain of our salvation through His living in us. Nor, I am sure, is this a matter of bare salvation—we may hold our heads high in the light of God’s love because of the reconciliation which Christ has made. This, then, is what happened. Sin made its entry into the world through one man, and through sin, death. The entail of sin and death passed on to the whole human race, and no one could break it for no one was himself free from sin.

^13-15 Sin, you see, was in the world long before the Law, though I suppose, technically speaking, it was not “sin” where there was no law to define it. Nevertheless death, the complement of sin, held sway over mankind from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sin was quite unlike Adam’s. Adam, the first man, corresponds in some degree to the man who has to come. But the gift of God through Christ is a very different matter from the “account rendered” through the sin of Adam. For while as a result of one man’s sin, death by natural consequence became the common lot of men, it was by the generosity of God, the free giving of the grace of one man Jesus Christ, that the love of God overflowed for the benefit of all men.

^16-19 Nor is the effect of God’s gift the same as the effect of that one man’s sin. For in the one case one man’s sin brought its inevitable judgment, and the result was condemnation. But, in the other, countless men’s sins are met with the free gift of grace, and the result is justification before God.
For if one man’s offence meant that men should be slaves to death all their lives, it is a far greater thing that through another man, Jesus Christ, men by their acceptance of His more than sufficient grace and righteousness, should live all their lives like kings! We see, then, that as one act of sin exposed the whole race of men to God’s judgment and condemnation, so one act of perfect righteousness presents all men freely acquitted in the sight of God. One man’s disobedience placed all men under the threat of condemnation, but One Man’s obedience has the power to present all men righteous before God.

^20-21 Now we find that the Law keeps slipping into the picture to point the vast extent of sin. Yet, though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God His grace is wider and deeper still! The whole outlook changes—sin used to be the master of men and in the end handed them over to death: now grace is the ruling factor, with righteousness as its purpose and its end the bringing of men to the eternal life of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

He took our sin upon Him, and offers His righteousness to all who will believe in Him!

ROMANS FIVE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Peace and Hope

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
⁹ Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
¹³ To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the One to come.
¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the One Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! ¹⁶ Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One Man, Jesus Christ!
¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One Man the many will be made righteous.
²⁰ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

WHY SHOULD BELIEVERS STUDY PROPHECY?

God does not want His children to be ignorant (Rom. 11:25; 1 Th. 4:13).  God does not want His children to be gullible (Mt. 7:15; 24:4-5, 11; Jn. 8:44; 2 Cor. 11:3).  God does not want His children to be fearful (Rom. 8:35-39; 1 Th. 4:18). 

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Rom. 11:25-26).

"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:10-11).

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (1 Th. 4:13-14).

"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY" (Rev. 19:10).

It is impossible for born again believers to be silent about their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  We have to tell people, or we feel we will explode if we don't!  Our baptism is a public profession of our faith in His death, burial, and Resurrection!  When we take the Lord's Supper, we proclaim His death on behalf of the world, until He returns:

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:  and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.  After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come" (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

ROMANS FIVE - ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

 

⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸ but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. ¹¹ More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

¹² Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— ¹³ for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. ¹⁴ Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the One who was to come.

¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. ¹⁶ And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. ¹⁷ For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. ¹⁹ For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the One Man's obedience the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹ so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Trust in the risen Christ today, and call upon Him to be your Savior and Lord!

ROMANS FIVE - GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

Right with God

5 Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! ³ We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, ⁴ endurance brings God's approval, and His approval creates hope. ⁵ This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us.

⁶ For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose. ⁷ It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a righteous person. It may even be that someone might dare to die for a good person. ⁸ But God has shown us how much He loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! ⁹ By His blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by Him from God's anger! ¹⁰ We were God's enemies, but He made us His friends through the death of His Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life! ¹¹ But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God's friends.

Adam and Christ

¹² Sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it. As a result, death has spread to the whole human race because everyone has sinned. ¹³ There was sin in the world before the Law was given; but where there is no law, no account is kept of sins. ¹⁴ But from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, death ruled over all human beings, even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam did when he disobeyed God's command.
Adam was a figure of the one who was to come. ¹⁵ But the two are not the same, because God's free gift is not like Adam's sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God's grace is much greater, and so is His free gift to so many people through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁶ And there is a difference between God's gift and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the judgment of “Guilty”; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of “Not guilty!” ¹⁷ It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule because of that one man. But how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ! All who receive God's abundant grace and are freely put right with Him will rule in life through Christ.
¹⁸ So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life. ¹⁹ And just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man, in the same way they will all be put right with God as the result of the obedience of the one man (Jesus Christ).
²⁰ Law was introduced in order to increase wrongdoing; but where sin increased, God's grace increased much more. ²¹ So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ROMANS FIVE: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness, there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.                 

ROMANS FIVE FROM YOUNG'S LITERAL TRANSLATION

5:1 Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:2 through whom also we have the access by the faith into this grace in which we have stood, and we boast on the hope of the glory of God.
5:3 And not only so, but we also boast in the tribulations, knowing that the tribulation doth work endurance;
5:4 and the endurance, experience; and the experience, hope;
5:5 and the hope doth not make ashamed, because the love of God hath been poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that hath been given to us.
5:6 For in our being still ailing, Christ in due time did die for the impious;
5:7 for scarcely for a righteous man will any one die, for for the good man perhaps some one also doth dare to die;
5:8 and God doth commend His own love to us, that, in our being still sinners, Christ did die for us;
5:9 much more, then, having been declared righteous now in His blood, we shall be saved through Him from the wrath;
5:10 for if, being enemies, we have been reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved in His life.
5:11 And not only so, but we are also boasting in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom now we did receive the reconciliation;
5:12 because of this, even as through one man the sin did enter into the world, and through the sin the death; and thus to all men the death did pass through, for that all did sin;
5:13 for till law sin was in the world: and sin is not reckoned when there is not law;
5:14 but the death did reign from Adam till Moses, even upon those not having sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a type of him who is coming.
5:15 But, not as the offence so also is the free gift; for if by the offence of the one the many did die, much more did the grace of God, and the free gift in grace of the one man Jesus Christ, abound to the many;
5:16 and not as through one who did sin is the free gift, for the judgment indeed is of one to condemnation, but the gift is of many offences to a declaration of Righteous,
5:17 for if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the One -- Jesus Christ.
5:18 So, then, as through one offence to all men it is to condemnation, so also through one declaration of Righteous it is to all men to justification of life;
5:19 for as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners: so also through the obedience of the One, shall the many be constituted righteous.
5:20 And law came in, that the offence might abound, and where the sin did abound, the grace did over-abound,
5:21 that even as the sin did reign in the death, so also the grace may reign, through righteousness, to life age-during, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ROMANS FIVE: FROM THE NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.
⁶ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ⁷ Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. ⁸ But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹ And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ¹⁰ For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. ¹¹ So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Adam and Christ Contrasted

¹² When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. ¹³ Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. ¹⁴ Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. ¹⁵ But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁶ And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. ¹⁷ For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. ¹⁹ Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
²⁰ God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. ²¹ So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

DOUAY RHEIMS VERSION OF THE CATHOLIC BIBLE

ROMANS 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
5:13 For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

 

ROMANS CHAPTER FIVE

[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
[2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
[11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
[12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
[13] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
[14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
[15] But not as the offence, so also is the FREE GIFT. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
[16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the GIFT: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the FREE GIFT is of many offences unto justification.
[17] For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of GRACE and of the GIFT of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the FREE GIFT came upon all men unto justification of life.
[19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.
[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded,  GRACE did much more abound:
[21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might GRACE reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

DON'T BE RELIGIOUS - TRUST GOD!

When asked, most everyone would say they hope to spend eternity in heaven.  And most are actually doing all they can to deserve it.  However, even the most zealous are in for a rude awakening, for there is not a single religion that man can surrender his life to, that will lead him to his eternal goal.  Religion is simply a set of rules, of don'ts, and do's, which mankind thinks will get them there.  For instance, the Jews thought the Law would get them to heaven, but the Apostle Paul described the Law as a guide to show man he cannot live a righteous life.  He wrote:

Is the Law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law.  But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:21-26).

Elsewhere, Paul wrote:  "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5).  "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works" (2 Tim. 1:9).  "For 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" (Eph. 2:8-9).  "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law" (Rom. 3:28).  "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, His faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).

Does that mean a person can place their faith in the finished work of Christ who died on the cross for their sin?  Yes!  But trusting in God's forgiveness (for He raised Jesus from the dead, having been satisfied with His sacrifice), does not mean one needs to live life as he or she wishes.  Out of gratitude to the Lord for His sacrifice of love, we seek to please Him - not to earn favor, but to bring glory to our risen Lord and Savior!  That is why born again believers in Christ make every effort to serve Him.  Ephesians 2:10 shows this:  "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  Note this verse immediately follows the Ephesians 2:8-9 quote above. 

Believing Jesus died for me, motivates me to live for Him.

 

 

 

 

SALVATION CANNOT BE EARNED

When the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross He cried out, "It is finished" (Jn. 19:30). The work of our salvation was FINISHED, DONE, ACCOMPLISHED and COMPLETED. We simply need to trust and rest in what the Savior has accomplished.  Salvation is not working; it is RESTING on the WORK of Another, even the Lord Jesus Christ: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).

       Religion is man trying to bring himself to God by human effort, by good works, by ritualism, by traditionalism, by sacraments, etc. Salvation is Christ bringing us to God on the basis of what He did for us on the cross: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Pet. 3:18).

       God's holiness utterly condemns the best man; "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10) and God's grace freely justifies the worst; "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:23-24).

       The gospel message brings to man not a work to do, but a word to believe about a work done: "But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you" (1 Pet. 1:25).

       We are saved, not because of what we have done, but because of the MERCY OF GOD based upon what Christ has done on the cross: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). A person can never be saved by his own good works: "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" (Eph. 2:8-9).

       Good works done by sinful man can never please a Holy God. The greatest good work is GOD'S WORK accomplished by Jesus Christ who offered Himself on the cross as the sinner's Substitute. Thus we are not saved by good works but we are saved unto good works: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

       Are you resting fully in the finished work of Christ? Are you trusting in Jesus Christ, WHO HE IS, WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU and WHAT HE HAS SAID IN HIS WORD? "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else" (Isa. 45:22).

SALVATION IS BY FAITH - PERIOD!

John H. Gerstner, in his book Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth:  A Critique of Dispensationalism, wrote, "What is indisputably, absolutely, and uncompromisingly essential to the Christian religion is its doctrine of salvation.... If Dispensationalism has actually departed from the only way of salvation which the Christian religion teaches, then we must say it has departed from Christianity.

My response to Gerstner's statement is that he obviously does not understand what Dispensationalists teach.  For example, C. I. Scofield's New Scofield Reference Bible (p. vii) states "As a further aid to comprehending the divine economy of the ages, a recognition of the dispensations is of highest value, so long as it is clearly understood that throughout all the Scriptures, there is only one basis for salvation."  Charles Ryrie, author of Dispensationalism, has a whole chapter addressing the false claim that Dispensationalism teaches more than one way of salvation.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME" (Jn. 14:6).  And yet, there were many Gentiles and Jews who never heard of Jesus, and still, they are viewed as righteous by God.  The first chapter of the Book of Hebrews declares that the Creator of the Universe, Jesus (v. 1-2), paid for the sins of mankind (v. 3).  In the eleventh chapter, the writer lists the "heroes of the faith"; that is, those who, BELIEVING AND TRUSTING IN GOD, demonstrated their faith by their actions.

In addition, Abraham, a Gentile chosen by God to be the father of the Nation of Israel, is declared to be righteous three times in the New Testament.  Romans 4:3 says, "For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."  Galatians 3:6 says, "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  And finally, James 2:23 says, "And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."

It was his failure to believe God that caused the fall of Adam in the first place, and through him, the fall of all mankind (Gen. 3:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:22; etc.).  Throughout Scripture, the use of the word, "believe" when it comes to saving faith, is always present tense.  Those who are "saved" believe in God.  Those of us who have been born again by faith in Jesus Christ, remain saved because it is God's work in us that brings us into Christ-likeness, not ours (Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 1:6; 1 Jn. 3:2).

 

The Bible gradually reveals God's truth (Heb. 1:1-2).

Those who believe whatever light God gives them, they are saved!

THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLE PROPHECY

1. Prophecy warns unbelievers. The future for unbelievers is not a happy one. Death and judgment await them. The wicked are warned about the future again and again (Pro.14:12; 2 Th. 1:8-9).
    
2. Prophecy comforts believers because their future is bright and happy (1 Th. 4:13-18). The Bible gives strength to live by and comfort to die by. A believer can bravely face death because he knows what God has said about the future (Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 5:8).
    
3. Prophecy proves that God’s Word is true. No prophecy in the Bible has ever failed. Everything that God has said about the future has come to pass or will come to pass. As we see prophecy being fulfilled we are reminded that God’s Word "is Truth" (Jn. 17:17) and that God "cannot lie" (Ti. 1:2).
    
4. Prophecy gives us a true picture of the world’s problems. As we look at our world we see wars and crime and sin and sickness and all kinds of problems. Without the Bible these things would trouble and disturb us. But God’s Word helps us to understand why these things are so, and how they will come to an end.
    
5. Prophecy helps us to know what to expect.   A person would be upset and troubled by wars if he thought that there should not be any wars in the world.  But Jesus told us to expect wars (Mt. 24:6-7). The believer is not shocked by reports of wars; he expects them. Knowing what to expect also keeps us awake (Rom. 13:11). If your family knew that a thief would try to enter the house at 3:00 a.m., would they sleep that night? God has told us about the future so that we can be spiritually awake and ready (1 Th. 5:4-8; Mt. 24:43).
    
6. Prophecy increases our understanding of the Bible. A large part of the Bible is prophetic (tells us about what will happen in the future). If a person does not understand prophecy then he will not understand the Bible. Just as a person would not be very educated if he did not understand arithmetic and mathematics, so a person is not very sharp spiritually if he does not understand prophecy.
    
7. Prophecy helps us to know God’s will. If I never learn what the Bible says about the future, then I will not know what God’s purpose is for my world and for my life.
    
8. Prophecy helps the believer to walk with God. You cannot walk with God unless you know which way God is moving. In Genesis 18, Abraham needed to know that God was going to judge Sodom. God wants His children to know what He is going to do (Gen. 18:17).
     
9. Prophecy stirs and stimulates us to live a holy and righteous life (Hos.14:9). The better we understand the future, the better we will walk with God today. Knowing that Christ could come at any time, should make a difference in how I live (Ti. 2:11-14).
     
10. Prophecy helps us to help others. Our unsaved friends do not understand what is going on in the world and to them the future is dark and unknown. We have the answers that they need! We can say, "Let me show you what God says about that."   The Jewish people have faced great persecution and horrible terrorist attacks.  We can befriend the Jews and help them to understand that God has a wonderful plan and a wonderful future for the nation Israel (Isaiah ch. 2, ch. 11, Jer. 31, etc.). The better we know the Bible the better we will be able to help others.

GOD'S SONS

The title "the Son of God" appears forty-seven times in the Bible.  The only reference to it in the Old Testament is found in Daniel 3:25, where Nebuchadnezzar said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."  Don't you find it strange that the leader of the Babylonian Empire, the one responsible for conquering Israel, a heathen Gentile, would be able to identify the fourth person in the fiery furnace as being "like the Son of God?"  It reminds me of the three disciples recognizing Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-8).  The Word does not tell us how Nebuchadnezzar new what the Son of God looked like, nor does it tell us how Peter, James, and John knew the two men who appeared before them.  I suppose if it were important that we know, God would have told us.  We probably should add that to our list of the millions of questions we hope to discuss in heaven.

Of the forty-six references in the New Testament, Christ's enemies recognized Him:  Satan (Mt. 4:3), the demons (Mt. 8:29), and the Centurion (Mt. 27:54).   His disciples believed He was God's Son (Mk. 1:1; Lk. 3:38; Jn. 1:49; Jn. 11:4; 20:31; Acts 9:20; etc.), but only John identifies Him as God's "only begotten Son" (Jn. 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 Jn. 4:9).  That distinction is very important in that, while God has many sons (and daughters), only Jesus was "begotten" of Him.  Jesus' Father is God; He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and became a human being (Lk. 1:35).  All of the rest of God's sons (and daughters) came to be God's children by believing in Jesus; we are adopted by God (Jn. 1:11-12).  Here are a few of the verses that speak of our adoption as children of God:

Romans 8:15 - "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

Romans 8:23 - "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."

Galatians 4:5-7 - "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

Ephesians 1:5-6 - "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." 

If you believe in Jesus as God's only begotten Son, you have become FAMILY!

THE SECOND RESURRECTION

Yesterday's blog was from the Middletown Bible Church's teaching on the First Resurrection.  In it, we find that the First Resurrection was not a single event, but that it began with Jesus Christ's Resurrection, and will be completed when the last believer is raised from the dead.
 
       *   Christ is first (1 Corinthians 15:23).
       *   The "dead in Christ" (members of the Church who have died) will be raised up at the time of the rapture (1 Th. 4:16 and 1 Cor. 15:52). 
       *   Those Christians who are living on earth at the time of the rapture will also "be changed" and receive new bodies (see 1 Cor. 15:51-52).  
      *   Old Testament believers will be raised up after the time of tribulation (about seven years after the rapture) according to Daniel 12:1-2. Believers who die during the tribulation will also be raised up at this time according to Revelation 20:4. 
      *   We must assume that those who are saved during the 1000 year kingdom will receive new bodies at the end of the Kingdom, although there is no verse that specifically mentions this.

Today's blog is also from Middletown Bible Church's teaching on the Second Resurrection.  It will include ALL unsaved people, and they will be part of the Resurrection of Damnation (or judgment), according to John 5:29, which says:  "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the Resurrection of Life; and they that have done evil, unto the Resurrection of Damnation."

Those who take part in the Second Resurrection will ALL be raised at the same time. They will ALL be raised to stand before the GREAT WHITE THRONE and before the HOLY GOD who sits upon it.  Rev. 20:11-15 says:

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

All saved people will be a part of the resurrection of life (the first resurrection). God will give each saved person a new resurrection body that will be perfectly designed for the believer to live in throughout eternity. This resurrection body is described in 1 Corinthians 15:35-54.
Those who take part in the first resurrection (saved people) are not all raised up at the same time. Who was the first Person to be raised up (1 Cor. 15:23). Christ is raised up first. He is the One who leads the "RESURRECTION PARADE." Other groups of saved people will follow in their proper ORDER (1 Cor. 15:23):

1. Christ is first (1 Cor. 15:23).
    
2. The "dead in Christ" (members of the Church who have died) will be raised up at the time of the rapture (1 Thes. 4:16 and 1 Cor. 15:52). Those Christians who are living on earth at the time of the rapture will also "be changed" and receive new bodies (see 1 Cor. 15:51-52).
    
3. Old Testament believers will be raised up after the time of tribulation (about seven years after the rapture) according to Daniel 12:1-2. Believers who die during the tribulation will also be raised up at this time according to Revelation 20:4.
    
4. We must assume that those who are saved during the 1000 year kingdom will receive new bodies at the end of the Kingdom (although there is no verse that specifically mentions this).

Note:  In Matthew 27:52-53 we learn about a very unique event which took place immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ in or around the city of Jerusalem:  "And many bodies of the saints that slept arose [were raised], and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."   Matthew is the only gospel writer who mentions this event.  We know nothing about this event except for what is here said.  Notice that they were raised up bodily and came out of their graves.  These who were raised were "saints" (believers), not unsaved people.  They appeared to many people in Jerusalem.  Whether these saints were raised like Lazarus, only to die again, or whether they were raised up in a permanent resurrection body is not stated.

CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED WHEN THEY BLESS ISRAEL

As Bible believing Christians, we ought to have a great love for the Jewish people. Please allow me to explain why this is so.  Because of what the Bible teaches, I am absolutely convinced of the following:

1.  The Jews are God's chosen people:  "For thou (Israel) art an holy people unto the LORD thy God; the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all the peoples who are upon the face of the earth" (Deut. 7:6).
 
2.  God used the Jewish people in a special way to give mankind the Bible. He used men such as Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel to be His special penmen. Peter, a Jew who recognized Jesus as Israel's Messiah (Mt. 16:16), wrote:  "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. 1:21). 
  
3.  It was through a Jew, Moses, that God gave His holy Law, especially the Ten Commandments, which are a reflection of God's holy and absolute standards (Ex. 20; Deut. 5; etc.).  John wrote concerning God's revelation of His divine Law, saying:  "For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17). Those individuals or societies which disregard God's Law are headed for trouble.
 
4.  Israel has divine rights to the land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) because God Himself promised this land to Israel in the covenant which He made (cut) with Israel:  "Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates" (Gen. 15:18).  Because of this, we fully support the nation Israel in their rightful claim that the land of Israel is their homeland.  Their cause is just.

5.  God has a wonderful future for the Jewish people.  This involves the fulfillment of all of the kingdom promises found in the writings of the Hebrew prophets (such as found in Isa. 2:1-5; 9:6-7; 11:1-16; Jer. 23:5-8; Jeremiah Chapter 31, and many other similar promises). We are convinced that the day is coming when Israel shall dwell safely in the land to enjoy a peace and prosperity such as the nation has never had. Indeed, according to the prophets,  Jerusalem will be the capital of the world and Israel will be the pride of every nation (Mic. 4:1-2; Zech. 8:22-23; etc.).

6.  "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).

7.  "But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:  for there is no respect of persons with God." (Rom. 2:10-11).

   

PAUL'S THOUGHTS ON THE GOSPEL

Paul uses six terms to describe the whole scope of the Gospel which he preached:

 

1. The Gospel of God (Rom. 1:1). Here is the source of the good news. It does not originate with man, but with God, who "sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 Jn. 4:10) and sent His angel to declare "good tidings of great joy...to all people"

(Lk. 2:10).

 

2. The Gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7). Here is the theme of the good news, already noted. It is the declaration that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, "came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15), that the Father "laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6), and that He is risen again and is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us (Rom.. 8:34).

 

3. The Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24). Here is the nature of the good news. God proclaims that He has an undeserved gift for all mankind, salvation through faith in His beloved Son. "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" (Eph. 2:8-9).

 

4. The Gospel of your Salvation (Eph. 1:13). Here is the work of the good news. It is the "power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth..." (Rom. 1:16). "God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto He called you by our Gospel..." (2 Th. 2:13-14).

 

5. The Gospel of Peace (Eph. 6:15). Here is the effect of the good news–peace! It is peace with God: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). It is also peace of conscience: "...the blood of Christ (shall) purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Heb. 9:14).

 

6. The Gospel of Glory (the "glorious gospel")—(1 Tim. 1:11). Here is the final goal of the good news, that those who receive it may share in God’s glory, both now and in eternity. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18). Christ "tasted death for every man...(that He might bring) many sons unto glory" (Heb. 2:9-10). "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (Jn. 17:24).

 

 

Jesus died for our sins according to the prophetic Scriptures.

Jesus was buried according to the prophetic Scriptures.

Jesus was raised to life according to the prophetic Scriptures! 

NOTHING SURPRISES OUR OMNISCIENT GOD!

Who is God, and what is His name?  The Bible tells us that God is known by several names; here are the most frequently used:  He is Elohim ("the Strong One") in Genesis 1:1; Adonai ("Lord" or "Master") in Joshua 5:14; YHVH ("the One Who is" - from which we get the name Jehovah) in Exodus 3:14; Theos (God) in Matthew 1:23; Kurios (Lord) in Matthew 5:33; Despotes ("Master") in Acts 4:24; and Pater ("Father") in John 15:16.  To the born again believer, He is Logos ("Word") in John 1:1; He is Jesus ("Savior") in Luke 1:47;  and Creator in John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16; and Hebrews 1:1-2)!

Another way in which the Bible identifies God, is by association with those who placed their faith in Him.  In Genesis 26:24, He is "the God of Abraham."  In Genesis 28:13, He is "the God of Abraham and of Isaac."  In Exodus 3:6, He is "the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob."  In 2 Kings 20:5, He is "the God of David."  And most importantly, He is the God of Jesus, His only begotten Son (Mt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Jn. 3:16; 20:17; Rev. 3:12)!

So one can see, even thought the Bible was written by about forty men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21); and even though it took over 1500 years for it to be formed into a single book (Moses wrote Genesis about 1500 B.C. and John wrote Revelation about A.D. 100), there is a single, consistent theme:  God loves mankind, and although He knew man would break fellowship with Him through sin, He made a provision for man to be reconciled unto Himself.  The sacrificial death of Jesus, His burial, and His being raised from the grave, all according to the Scriptures, is God's "Good News," God's Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4)! 

Because God knows all things (He is Omniscient - Ps. 139:2; Isa. 40:26; 46:10; Rom. 11:23; etc.), He knew our sin would have to be forgiven if He was ever to fellowship with us.  He was not caught "off guard," or "surprised" by the huge sacrifice His Son would have to make; He had it all planned and settled before the very creation of the world (Mt. 13:35; 25:34; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:3; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8; 17:8)! 

 

The free gift of salvation is offered to all who will believe in Jesus (Eph. 2:8-9)! 

THE SAVED KNOW JESUS AS LORD!

Acts 11:17 - "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?"

Acts 15:11 - "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

When we tell others about Jesus, it is very important that we identify Him properly.  Jesus is Savior, Master, the Son of God, and Lord.  Here are a few verses of the twenty-six which specifically say that He is both Lord and Christ:

Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Acts 28:31 - "Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

Romans 1:7 - "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 13:14 - "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

1 Corinthians 1:3 - "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 16:22 - "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha."

Philippians 3:20 - "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."

James 1:1 - "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."

2 John 1:3 - "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."


That is why Peter said:  "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16).
That is why Paul said:  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10).