Question: Can you be saved by obeying man?
Another question: How much do you have to be in agreement with Jesus to be saved? Can we think, “Well, I’m in agreement 85% with Jesus so I honor Him as Lord”?
Third question: Is it possible for a “church of Christ” to stop being a “church of Christ”? That is, is it possible for Jesus to decide He will no longer recognize a church as being “of Christ”?
Fourth question: How much does a church have to be in agreement with Jesus to be saved? Can a church say, “Well, we agree with Jesus in 85% of what He says, therefore, we honor Him as Lord”?
When my mom and dad started dating, Mom was in a denominational group. She was very faithful in that group; she even taught Bible class in that group. In fact, she was my primary – but not only – Bible class teacher most of my elementary years. That’s why when I pronounce a Bible word, even though I know how it should be pronounced in Hebrew, I still hear her pronouncing it and I still usually pronounce it Mom’s way.
Dad “grew up in the church,” as we say. Specifically, Dad had an understanding of the biblical teaching on baptism from an early age. Dad and Mom talked about baptism because the denomination where Mom went did not teach what the Bible teaches on baptism. Mom insisted that the church did.
At some point, they came across Mom’s Bible she had and observed in the front of her Bible these inscriptions: “Saved 11/18/1953; baptized 12/18/1953.” I’m making up these dates since I do not know the specifics, but the specifics do not matter.
Dad pointed out to Mom that she did not obey Jesus Christ when she was baptized. She was baptized because man told her to. Since they had Mom’s Bible in front of them, they flipped through the pages to Mark 16:15-16. Mom had notes in her Bible, underlining, highlighting, etc, in Mark 16 from verse 1 through verse 14. And then from verse 17-20. Dad asked her why there was nothing at verses 15-16. Mom responded, “I guess the pastor never preached on it.”
And Mom was baptized biblically – that is, for the forgiveness of sins.
Let me ask you this: If my mom had taught me something wrong and it influenced the way I read Scripture, but I disbelieved the clear teaching of Jesus because of my mom’s influence, could I be saved anyway?
Did Jesus say, “He who believes and is sincere shall be saved?”
Didn’t Jesus teach us not to distort the Scriptures because it would lead to our destruction (2 Peter 3:16)? The most important thing my momma taught me, relative to the Bible, is that it is God’s truth and you accept it and don’t twist it.
Paul Holland
