SATANIC CONFUSION
The Holy Spirit led me to give this message as a caution to believers: Don’t let other people fool you with false teachings. Know the Truth of the Scriptures. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon continually stresses that we should gain knowledge and understanding.
Satan loves that many wrong teachings are prevalent in churches. You need this message as a tool to help you in your witnessing and to guard against false teachings. Please use this study to bring others to the saving Grace of Jesus and to remain "unconfused" yourself when the Devil attacks using false teachers to do his bidding (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Satan does his best to confuse people on their Christianity, yet Salvation is a simple, clear doctrine stated in Romans 10:9-10.
God's Word describes Satan as our "adversary." When you read the Gospels, you see Jesus encountering Satan in many places. Satan was trying to prevent Jesus from going to the cross to shed His blood for our forgiveness. He didn't want Jesus to show His love for the world. Satan tries to prevent believers from doing God’s will. Don't be a victim!
What can you do? You can recognize that Satan is a LIAR and the father of lies (John 8:44). Because Satan is a liar, his every word will counter God's Word in some way.
• He'll say words against your well being.
• He'll tell you God doesn't care about you.
• He'll tell you that you're not going to make it, and that you won't survive.
• He'll say, "You're going to get cancer!" Or, "You're going broke, you're going to loose everything."
• He'll tell you that your business is going to fail, or that you're going to lose your job.
• He'll tell you that no one likes you, or that you're ugly.
• He'll tell you that Jesus doesn't save, heal, or deliver people anymore.
• He’ll tell you that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit isn’t Salvation.
• He'll say, "God wants to bless others, but not you. He doesn't like you."
• He might say, "Give up! You're never going to amount to a thing."
All those thoughts filled with doubt and faithlessness are from Satan. You don't have to listen to Satan. You don't have to fall for his lies! James 4:7 says to resist Satan, "And he'll flee from you."
SATAN IS A STRONG RELIGIOUS LEADER AGAINST CHRISTIANITY! MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE HIS FOLLOWERS AND HELPERS, AND MANY DON’T EVEN KNOW IT. SATAN WAS DEFEATED AT THE CROSS, BUT HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO HIS WICKED DEEDS UNTIL HE IS THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.
Salvation is a complete work of Christ. Yet many false teachings today tell us that Salvation comes through Jesus plus some acts of humanity. Let’s look at some of these.
Jesus Plus Works
• Ephesians 2:6-10 is the key scripture passage which tell us that good works are unnecessary for Salvation. We are to do good works after we are saved, the result of our salvation.
• John 6:28-29 and Titus 3:4-5 prove no merit of man is needed.
• James was speaking to all Christians in James 2:14-18. On the basis of this passage, James has been charged with contradicting the doctrine of justification by faith alone in Romans 4:1-5. For James, the believers’ works are the outward evidence of the saved life. The word “justify” is for Paul a once-for-all act of God at the moment of Salvation (Romans 3:28). So, in their views of justification (being saved), Paul and James complement one another. The statement on faith and works in which both views are brought together is Ephesians 2:8-10.
If we work or do something ourselves for Salvation, the gift becomes wages or payment for what works we have done. You are then saying, “Jesus plus Works” to get saved or keep yourself saved, but you can’t lose your Salvation.
Jesus plus Water
• Acts 2:38-39 is wrongly interpreted as baptismal regeneration, that Salvation comes when water Baptism has been completed.
• The Greek word translated “for” does not mean “for completion” but rather “because of” or “due to” meaning water baptism is after the Salvation experience. Otherwise you are only getting wet.
• When a person adds “water” to Jesus, he comes up with the confused doctrine of Salvation by works.
• No person in the Old Testament was saved by keeping the Law. All Old Testament saints were saved by grace through faith (Hebrews 11:1-39). Their faith was in God’s promise that the Savior would come. They didn’t know about water Baptism.
• We are saved today in God’s promise that the Savior has come. We are saved through faith by God’s grace. We should, however, in obedience as our public testimony, receive water Baptism as a symbol of our Salvation.
• It is not Biblical to baptize babies. We can dedicate babies or children not old enough to understand Salvation, promising them we will raise them in a Christian home.
• Probably the best example that a person is saved by faith alone without water Baptism is the thief crucified next to Jesus, who said in Luke 23:42,
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
In verse 43, Jesus replied,
I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
Jesus plus Wonders
In John 4:48, Jesus is telling people that faith alone saves. Several religious groups today say Salvation is not complete without some sort of sign or wonder. People are trusting in some experience. The Devil can bring signs and wonders. The use of some spiritual sign gift doesn’t save you either, such as speaking in tongues.
Jesus plus Waiting
Have you ever heard anyone say, “Well I don’t know if I’m saved. I’ll just wait and see.” Some are waiting until they feel like being saved. Bad idea! Jesus said He will draw all men unto Himself. There is no waiting there. He has already fulfilled His part on the cross and with His Resurrection. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:6 don’t sound like Jesus plus waiting to me.
Jesus plus Weeping or Crying
When I got saved, I don’t remember any crying, just silent reverence! When you are saved, you are convicted by the Holy Spirit with His Spiritual baptism. The Bible doesn’t require you to cry, just believe genuinely in your heart.
Satan is a liar about everything. We are in a spiritual battle against his lies. Jesus always responded to Satan with Scripture, and we need to fortify orselves with Scripture.
You are precious to God with equal worth to others. We are saved by grace through faith alone. There is no plus or minus to the cross. Any work we do to gain salvation or keep it is worthless. Jesus alone is worthy to save (Revelation 5:12). No other name can save. He is the only sinless sacrifice. Salvation comes by Jesus alone. It’s just Jesus. It’s not Jesus plus anything.
★ You can't depend on your own goodness to get to Heaven. We've all sinned (Romans 3:23). Jesus paid the penalty for your sins with His death on the cross and His resurrection (John 3:16).
★ To be forgiven and be guaranteed a place in Heaven, you need to repent of sin, confess that you are a sinner, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart (Acts 2:21).
★ You can use the following prayer or your own words, but you must actually believe in your heart that your prayer is real:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing and let me live in relationship with You from now on.
I receive You as my Savior and recognize that the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross was done on my behalf.
Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You.
In Your name I pray, Amen.
Rev. Dr. Nicholas J. Gray, Pastor Broadway Baptist Church Sedalia, Missouri 2015
