We are now ready to explain how baptism and grace are related. First, I will state several basic principles to keep in mind when studying baptism. (A) Every doctrine, including baptism, is based on Scripture first, not on experience. (B) … Continue reading
Jack Cottrell
Many in the Christian world will vehemently reject just about everything I said in the previous lesson (part 8, “Saved by Grace, Saved in Baptism”). This is because they view baptism as a work, and believe that this automatically prevents … Continue reading
I like to summarize salvation, using Eph. 2:8-10 and Col. 2:12, thus: we are saved BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH, IN BAPTISM, FOR GOOD WORKS. Here we are examining the last phrase, “for good works” (Eph. 2:10). Good works are simply … Continue reading
Much of the world (including many Christians) assume that if we do something “wrong,” we can do something “right” to make up for it. In many religions this concept is the key to whatever they consider to be “salvation.” An … Continue reading
Long ago I saw this comic strip: (Panel 1) – The boss bawls out his employee. (2) The employee goes home and hollers at his wife. (3) The wife yells at Junior. (4) Junior screams at the dog. (5) The … Continue reading
What about babies—when they are conceived, while in the womb, at birth? Are they under law, or under grace? This question is actually raised and answered in Romans 5:12-19, where Adam’s sin is contrasted with Christ’s cross. The issue being … Continue reading
“Once in grace, always in grace.” “Once saved, always saved.” “Eternal security.” These three phrases all refer to the same idea, namely, that once a person has truly become saved, he or she can never become unsaved. Once you are … Continue reading
HERE IS THE LAST INSTALLMENT IN THIS SERIES ON GRACE: GRACE DISTINCTIONS #10– by Jack Cottrell X. LAW’S COMMANDS SATISFIED, or LAW’S PENALTY SATISFIED? The issue here is this: of all that Jesus did while he was on earth, exactly … Continue reading
GRACE DISTINCTIONS #9– by Jack Cottrell IX. God’s Righteousness: PERFECT MORAL CHARACTER or GIFT TO SINNERS? The point here is to understand exactly what is meant by GOD’S righteousness. Most of the time in the Bible, the righteousness of God … Continue reading
GRACE DISTINCTIONS #8 – by Jack Cottrell VIII. PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS vs. GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS. In the previous point we spoke of human righteousness as well as God’s righteousness. Distinguishing between them is very important as we try to understand grace. First, … Continue reading