FREE $1,000 Dollars to the First Person That….

            Often times, offers like these are nothing more than mere hoaxes attempting to steal your money.  Today’s offer is not like that.  The McLish Avenue church of Christ will give 1,000 dollars to the first person that can present one verse in the Bible that says belief ALONE will save a person.  Many preachers right here in the town of Ardmore will tell you that all a person has to do to be saved is believe.  Is that really what the New Testament teaches?

            The Bible clearly teaches that belief is essential to salvation.   Jesus taught that if we did not believe He was God’s Son we would be lost in our sin (Jn. 8:24).  What has often been referred to as the golden text of the Bible, John 3:16, teaches that belief is essential to salvation.  But, the Bible never says that belief ALONE will save anyone. 

            Isn’t it interesting that many people say “belief alone saves”, when the Bible actually says the exact opposite.  Did you know that God’s word teaches the exact opposite of what most in the religious world teach?  The Bible says, “You see then that man is justified by works and NOT BY FAITH ONLY” (James 2:24).  The religious world says “faith only” while God says “NOT BY FAITH ONLY.” 

            The Bible teaches there are other steps in God’s plan of salvation that are also essential to salvation.  For example, both Paul and Jesus taught that confession of Christ was essential to salvation (Rom. 10:10; Mt. 10:32-33).  Jesus also taught that repentance was an essential requirement of salvation (Luke 13:3, 5).  And, the Scriptures clearly teach that a person CAN NOT be saved with out being baptized.  Peter said a person had to “repent and be baptized” for the remission of his sins.  Jesus said that belief and baptism are both prerequisites to receive salvation (Mk. 16:16).  Paul was told that his sins would be washed away when he obeyed God in baptism (Acts 22:16).  Probably the clearest verse on the necessity of baptism is 1 Peter 3:21.  Peter said, “baptism doth now also save us.”  Question: Did Peter say that baptism saves us?  Yes!  Then, how could a person ever say that baptism is not essential to salvation. 

            Again, the challenge stand for anyone who can find just one verse in the Bible that says BELIEF ALONE saves.  The McLish Avenue church of Christ will gladly give that person 1, 000 dollars.  However, while you are searching for that passage it may be the case that you find something more important than 1, 000 dollars.  You may find that the religious world has taught you a false way of salvation.  As you search the Scriptures, you will find out what God wants you to do to be saved!  To receive your 1,000 dollars please write down the verse (out of a standard and accepted translation) that teaches belief alone saves and send it to: McLish Avenue church of Christ, Ardmore, OK 73401.  We will be waiting to here from you!