MUST ONE BELIEVE JESUS IS GOD IN ORDER TO BE SAVED?

QUESTION: Does true saving faith in Jesus Christ necessarily include believing that he is God in the flesh? Must one believe that Jesus is God in order to be saved? Can one deny his deity and still be saved? ANSWER: … Continue reading

THE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL: WRIGHT IS WRONG

THE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL: WRIGHT IS WRONG JACK COTTRELL — 2ND EDITION – JUNE 2016 I begin with this caveat: I am not an expert on this subject. I am pursuing it because it is one of the most … Continue reading

IS BAPTISM THE FIRST STEP OF OBEDIENCE?

IS BAPTISM THE FIRST STEP OF OBEDIENCE? (This is the second edition of an article by Jack Cottrell, first published in Christian Standard in April 10, 2005.) A church leader was recently asked to explain his convictions and practice concerning … Continue reading

THE MESSAGE OF ROMANS 1-8

THE MESSAGE OF ROMANS 1-8 A DEVOTIONAL GIVEN BY JACK COTTRELL AT THE MAY 2016 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CHRISTIAN RESTORATION ASSOCIATION I. INTRODUCTION. How can we discern what Paul is teaching in Romans 1-8, or … Continue reading

JOHN 6:65 AND CALVINISM

JOHN 6:65 AND CALVINISM Jack Cottrell – November 2015 QUESTION: In John 6:65 Jesus says, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” This … Continue reading

Saved by Grace #4 — SAVED BY GRACE, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

Romans 3:24-25 says, “We are all justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation—a sacrifice of atonement—through faith in his blood” (composite translation). The only way to … Continue reading

Saved by Grace #5 — JUSTIFIED BY FAITH: THE KEY TO ASSURANCE

The immediate practical benefit of understanding that we are saved by grace is that we have assurance of salvation. Assurance is not the same as “once saved, always saved.” It is a confidence in our present security in Jesus Christ. … Continue reading

Saved by Grace #8 — SAVED BY GRACE, SAVED IN BAPTISM

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