Is the Forgiveness of Sins Equivalent to Everlasting Life?
By Mike Lii I. Introduction: Evangelism Based on the Forgiveness of Sins Have you ever heard the gospel presented as follows: “Believe in Jesus so that all your sins—past, present, and future—will be forgiven.” This kind of gospel presentation tells one to believe in Jesus for “the forgiveness of sins.” Is a gospel presentation that […]
A Book and Life in Jeopardy
By Marcia Hornok and Leah Gingery In November 2023, we sat around the dinner table with our adult children and spouses and reviewed our “Praise Notebooks” for the year. Holding our youngest daughter’s hand, her husband said somewhat drolly, “Highlight for January—my wife didn’t die. Highlight for February—Leah still didn’t die. March—Leah is still alive.” […]
The Dead Believer
By Kathryn Wright Introduction Many words and expressions fall under the category of “Christianese.” The way believers talk and the stock phrases we use to describe Biblical truth are often so rote that they become like a second language. Often, however, these sayings are rooted, not in Biblical terminology, but in our traditions. This is […]
Healing in His Wings: The Awesome Power of FAITH in Jesus Christ
By Ken Pierce The story of the woman with an issue of blood testifies convincingly to both the awesome power of faith placed in Jesus Christ and the importance of taking Him at His word. Unfortunately, some story elements may escape twenty-first-century readers less familiar than she was with the Tanakh (the Torah—Law, the Neve’im—Prophets, […]
Voice From the Past: Man’s Role in Conversion
By Zane C. Hodges* Man’s role in conversion is to BELIEVE The answer to the jailor’s classic question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” is still the same, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31; italics added). What must man do? He must believe. But can he […]
Are Eternal Rewards Secure? Part 2
By Bob Wilkin In Part 1, we saw that there are two types of rewards: instant winners and perseverance prizes. Instant winners are secure the moment they are earned. Perseverance prizes are only secure once one finishes the race (2 Tim 4:6-8). There are two related questions we will address in this article. Will we […]
Why Aren’t All Who Believe in Christ Overcomers?
By Bob Wilkin Many people who’ve watched my YouTube videos on assurance and eternal security have asked me to explain how we can be sure of our eternal security if we’re not sure we’ll be overcomers. They also wonder if 1 John 5:4-5 teaches that all believers are overcomers. An Overcomer Is Victorious The word […]
Focused Free Grace Versus Flexible Free Grace: Can Two Walk Together? Part 2
By Mike Lii1 V. Fundamental Theological Differences as a Consequence of the Two Essential Differences (Eternal Life and Assurance) A. THE NATURE OF THE FAITH THAT SAVES Many Flexible Free Gracers view assurance of eternal life as optional for saving faith because they understand faith as including something more than the Focused Free Grace definition: […]
Are Eternal Rewards Secure? Part 1
By Bob Wilkin Jeff raises a great question: Do you think a believer earns a reward each time he does a good deed in Jesus’ name (or to honor God). In other words, as he lives each day, does he lay up gold, silver, and precious stones in heaven for the good he does? But […]
Free Grace College Campus Ministry Under Siege
By Jack Stevens “You’re not teachable!” Lately, I’ve heard that frequently. In meetings with pastors and campus leaders who have been in the ministry for almost fifty years, I’ve been repeatedly told that my understanding of salvation is “just surface level,” “overly simple,” and “unbiblical.” I’m seen as a wayward heretic, and I’ve experienced heavy […]