The cover of a magazine from Cornwall, for March, 1885, has been sent us, containing one of the boldest denials of the gospel we have ever seen in print. It surely ought to have been headed “A Churchman’s Answer,” &c, as we trust there are many who would utterly repudiate such an answer. The clergyman who signs this article or answer, gives three reasons why, as he says, the clergy never ask such a question when speaking about church-going and sacraments, as “Are you saved?”
“First, your clergy cannot ask you this plain question, whatever others may do, because it would be unscriptural; secondly, misleading; and thirdly, impossible for you to answer in the affirmative.” “It,” scripture, “tells us, of course, that God has saved us (Eph. 2:55Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5); Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5) Pet. 3:21) so far as He can do so,” fee. “It nowhere permits us to call ourselves ‘saved, but them that are being saved.’”
It will be seen that the very foundations of Christianity are here attacked. And surely this is a case in which we are called to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. Far be it that these pages should be taken up in mere controversy; but when thousands of souls are being betrayed by such false teaching, is the servant of the Lord to be silent? No, reader, we solemnly assure you that we write for your soul. It is the question of your soul’s salvation.
Is the certainty of a believer’s salvation scriptural? turn to Luke 7:5050And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:50). Jesus speaks to a sinner. He says, “Thy sins are forgiven.” “Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace.” Were her sins forgiven? Was she saved? May she believe Jesus and say, Yes, my sins are forgiven; Yes, I am saved? J. H. says it would be unscriptural. Reader, shall you, if a believer, and I, receive the words of Jesus, or the clergyman’s?
In 1 Cor. 15:11Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (1 Corinthians 15:1), Paul speaks of the gospel which he preached, he says: “Which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand: by which also ye are saved.” He then tells them that Christ died for our sins; and that all depends on whether He is raised from the dead. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (Ver. 14.) Yes, if Christ is not risen, then the clergyman is right, ye are not saved, ye are “in your sins.” (Ver. 17.) Is it not blasphemy to say, God has done all He could do? Has He not raised Christ from the dead, the absolute proof that the believer is saved, is justified, accounted righteous before God? Again, in Eph. 2:5-95Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:5‑9), “By grace ye are saved!” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” One would think no man could be found to say after all this, God had done all He could; but you must not believe Him, that you are saved, though He says it is so. Shall we believe the word of God or the word of a clergyman? That is really the question.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,” &c. (2 Tim. 1:99Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9).) Am I to say: No, He hath not saved us, the clergyman says we are not saved, it is unscriptural? “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pet. 1:99Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9).) “But unto us which are saved” (1 Cor. 1:1818For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18).) “In them that are saved, and in them that perish.” (2 Cor. 2:1515For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: (2 Corinthians 2:15).) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” &c, &c. (Mark 16:1616He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16).) Then how many other scriptures state the certainty of accomplished salvation in other words. Is not Jesus set before us as the Author of eternal salvation. “By his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb. 9:1212Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12).) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:1414In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14).) “For by one offering he hath perfected forever, them that are sanctified.” “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” “There is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).) “By him all that believe ARE justified from all things.” (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39).) There are these blessed divine certainties true of every believer: he has peace with God, being justified by faith; he has access into the present favor and grace of God; and the future before him is the glory of God. In Christ he is without condemnation: and nothing can separate him from the love of Christ. (Rom. 5:1, 2; 8:1, 38, 391Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1‑2)
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38‑39).)
And will you now say that the knowledge of salvation is unscriptural? Will you give up all this which God tells you in His holy word? Fellow believer, we are invited to give up this divine soul-sustaining certainty, for what? Positively nothing with any certainty. If I understand this doctrine it is this: God has done His best to save you: He has failed, for you are not saved. Now you must do your best: the clergyman will do his best with sacraments, and the like, yet after all, it is still uncertain whether you can be saved.