By: Robert Serreyn
Question? I have heard MANY ways to heaven, but the thief on the cross ONLY believed RIGHT?
Answer:
YES, you are right, The thief in Luke 23:43 ONLY BELIEVED for that is the ONLY THING that Jesus REQUIRES for anyone to get to heaven.
Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 And there were also two other, malefactors (thief’s), led with him to be put to death. (33) And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors (thief’s), one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (39) And one of the malefactors (thief’s) which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. (40) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? (41) And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. (42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (43) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The Bible MAKES IT’S CLEAR that all a person has to do IS BELIEVE…
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
John 3:15-16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The Lord Jesus Christ WILLINGLY went to the cross TO DIE and shed his blood AS PAYMENT for everyone’s sins and THE BEST NEWS of it all is that he offers it FOR FREE to all who will simply PLACE THEIR FAITH ALONE (believe) in his Death, Burial and Resurrection as the payment for their sins.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (cross), that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
That is ALL that is required, ANY OTHER gospel message DIFFERENT from “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and Thou shalt (will) be saved”. is a FALSE GOSPEL of works which WILL NOT SAVE and will seal a person’s eternity in hell IF believed until death.
The Gospel is simply this… 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
In Conclusion:
MOST churches PREACH a “works PLUS believe” gospel message, here is a short list of some of the things that churches and preachers INTERTWINE with the gospel.
1- Keep the ten commandments.
2- Be sorry, confess, or turn from sin.
3- Sincerely do your best.
4- Stop Sinning.
5- Do good, or religious deeds.
6- Give money to church.
7- Be water baptized as a infant or adult.
8- Be confirmed in a church.
9- Take communion, or pray the rosary.
10- Trust Christ as Saviour & serve him.
11- Ask Jesus into your heart or life.
12- Make Christ, Lord of your life.
13- Make Jesus, Master of your soul.
14- Coming Foward in a Church.
15- Laying all on the alter.
16 – Repent of Sin.
IF the Gospel message IS MORE than “Just Believe” or “Place your Trust in Christ” THEN it is NOT the gospel.
This is ALL that God OFFERS.
This is ALL that God REQUIRES.
This is ALL that God WILL ACCEPT.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH