Are All "Christians" Really Christians?

ARE ALL "CHRISTIANS"
REALLY CHRISTIANS ?

WHAT DOES JESUS SAY?

EXPLORING MATTHEW 7:21-23

1. Will everyone recognizing Jesus as Lord enter the Kingdom ( verse 21)?_____________
2. What is the will of the Father ( John 6:40)? _____________________________________
3. What is the importance of the first word in Matt. 7:22 – "many"? ________________________________________________
4. What do they call Jesus?_____________ What things were happening in their church? _______________________________
5. Did the things happening in their church appear good or bad?_________________
6. In whose name were these things done ?_______________
7. What does Jesus declare to these people in verse 23? _____________________________
8. What was their lawless deeds (Gal. 1:8-9)?_______________________________

9. What is the importance of the word "never"? _____________________________________

10. Were these people Christians at one time? ______ Did they somehow lose, return, or forfeit their salvation? ______
11. Did these people think they were Christians? _______
12. What evidence did they try to give Jesus to prove that they were Christians? __________________________________________________
13. Do we become Christians by good works (Eph. 2:8-9)? __________________________
14. Do we become Christians by righteous deeds such as: baptism, confession, the Lord’s Table, mass, confirmation, etc. (Titus 3:5)? _________
15. Do we become Christians or prove we are Christians by keeping the commandments (Gal. 2:16,21)? _________

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

The word “gospel” means good news. What is the good news God wants us to believe? Read carefully 1 Cor. 15:1-4.

1. In verse three, what did Jesus Christ do for us? ___________________________________
2. In verse four, what happened to Jesus? _________________________________________

The resurrection proves that God the Father accepted the sacrifice of God the Son for you and me. Even though we were not alive at the time of Jesus' death, He knew us in the future, and suffered for all the sins of our whole life

1. What if Christ was not resurrected (1 Cor. 15:17)? ________________________________
2. Why was Christ raised from the dead (Rom. 4:25)? ________________________________
3. In Rom. 6:9-10, can Jesus be re-crucified ? ______ How many times did Jesus die? ______ For how many sins? _______
4. In Col. 2:13-14, how many transgressions and sins are forgiven? ______ Past sins?______ Present sins? ______ Future sins? ______

How was the debt canceled? _______________ When did this happen? ______________ How often has this happened? _______________

THE ERROR OF SACRAMENTAL SALVATION

Catholicism, Luther and Calvin all teach that the body of Christ is “genuinely and effectually” in the “sacrament” of the Lord’s table. This (they believe) makes participation as necessary as baptism for the forgiveness of your sins and salvation from hell. According to Titus 3:5, will your participation in these “righteous” deeds save you? _____

1. In Luke 22:19 Jesus institutes the memorial of the Lord’s table. He says “ ...do this (instead of), (in place of), or (in remembrance of) Me?" _____________________________
2. What does it mean to do something "in remembrance?" ___________________________________________________________
3. Were the disciples sins paid for that night at the first Lord’s table? _______
4. 1Cor. 11:24-25, what does it remembrance mean? ___________________
5. Is Jesus Christ re-sacrificed at the Lord’s table for your sins?____________________
6. In 1 Peter 3:18, how many times did Jesus die for your sins?______ For how many sins?______ When were your sins paid for? ___________

When does this apply to you? ( Eph. 1:13) __________________________________________________________

Read Hebrews 7:22-28

1. What has Jesus become (verse 22)? ___________________________________________
2. How long does He hold this priesthood (verse 24)? ________________________________
3. In verses 25-26, when He saves us, is it "forever"?_______. Can we lose our salvation, or is it forever? ______.
4. Who is our only intercessor/Priest? ___________________________________________.
5. In verse 27 how many times did Jesus offer up Himself as a sacrifice? ___________. For how many sins? _____.
Past? ______ Present? ___________ Future? __________

ONCE FOR ALL

1. In Heb. 9:12, how often did He enter the Holy place with His blood? _____ For how many sins? _____ To obtain what kind of redemption? __

_______________

2. In Heb. 9:25-26, does Jesus suffer often? ______ How often?_______ For what purpose? ___________________
3. In Heb. 9:28, Jesus was offered ______ to ________________________________________
4. In Heb. 10:10, how often does Jesus have to offer His body to sanctify us? __________ For how many sins? ________
5. Heb. 10:12, How many sacrifices were made? ______ For what?___________________
6. Heb. 10:14, states that "by ____ offering we are perfected __________________."

DO YOU GET THE PICTURE?

Review Matthew 7:21-23

1. These people thought they knew the Lord Jesus, didn’t they? ______ Did they know Him? ____ Did Jesus know them? _____ What word did

Jesus use to describe their numbers? __________________
2. In Gal. 2:4, the Bible uses two words to describe those who think they are Christians? ___________ ___________

Acts 15:1-11 gives us the historical background of the book of Galatians and why God had the Apostle Paul write the book. The “false brethren” in Galatians 2:4 are the people in Acts 15:1,5. They “believed” Jesus was God in flesh who came, suffered on the cross and in hell, and resurrected, but they also believed that they must participate in a sacred work, a "sacrament," in order to benefit from what Jesus did.

1. In Acts 15:1, what sacrament or righteous deed did "some men" say was necessary for salvation (to get saved, or prove you're saved)? ________
2. Did Paul and Barnabas agree with them (vs.2)? _________ What did they decide to do about the issue (vs. 2)? ________________________
3. In verse 5, did these men believe in Jesus? _____ Besides Jesus' sacrifice, what else did they believe was necessary for salvation? ___________
4. In Acts 15:7, what does Peter say the Gentiles did after they heard the word? ______________
5. In verse 8, what happened after they believed? ____________________________________
6. Were their hearts cleansed by circumcision, baptism, confession, the Lord’s table, mass, the Law, or faith? _________
7. How does Acts 15:9,11 compare with Eph. 2:8,9? __________________________________ How are we saved? ________________

God offers it by His ________. We receive it through our__________. Is salvation a gift?_____ Is salvation because of works? ________

Eternal death is burning in hell and the lake of fire forever. Eternal life is living with God forever. Eternal life is salvation.

1. In John 4:10-14, what is the gift? ______________________________________
2. In Romans 3:24, what is the gift? ______________________________________
3. In Romans 5:17, what is the gift? ______________________________________
4. In Romans 6:23, what is the gift? ______________________________________
5. In Romans 11:29, what does God say about His gifts? _______________________________
6. Which do you have – salvation or probation? ______________________________________
7. Do you have eternal life?_____ Why? ___________________________________________

The book of Galatians was given to us by God to stop any “works” gospel. The idea of Jesus plus "sacraments" or "keeping the Law" to get saved , stay saved, or prove that you are saved, was creeping into the Galatian churches.

1. What does Paul call these works gospel people in Gal. 2:4? __________________________
2. What were they preaching in Acts 15:1?_________________________________________
3. Read Gal. 5:1-9. In Gal. 5:2, what happens to a person who receives circumcision for salvation? _____________________________________

How much benefit is it?___________________
4. In Gal. 5:3, what else must a person who receives circumcision for salvation do? _____________________________ Is this possible? ______
5. In verse 4, what two things happen to these “false brethren”? ____________________ ____________________
6. Are you saved if you believe that circumcision, baptism, the Lord’s table, or keeping the law (not sinning) will get you saved, keep you saved, or

prove that you are saved? _______
7. Read verses 3-9. Compare vs. 9 to vs. 3, what is the leaven? _______ What is the lump?_______ What does this verse mean? __________

_______________________________________________________

Circumcision, like baptism, the Lord’s table, confession, repentance, and the Ten Commandments were God’s ideas and not man's, and are all good things. But doing them DOES NOT merit forgiving grace from God. Read Galatians 2:16. Are we justified by these works, or by faith? ________ Is anyone ever justified by the works of the Law? _____ Why (Rom. 3:20)?_____________________ Why (Gal. 2:21)?____________________________________ Do these acts of obedience produce saving faith (Rom. 10:17)? _____ (Heb. 11:1)? _____ (2 Cor. 5:7)? _____

KNOWING WHERE YOU ARE GOING

1 John 5:11-13 tells us that the free gift of eternal life is found in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. What do these
words “Son of God,” describing Jesus Christ, mean? _______________________________________________

1. In Matt. 1:23, what would they call Jesus? _________________ What does that name mean? __________________
2. In John 5:18, what was Jesus calling God? _________________ What did this make Him? ____________________
3. In John 1:1, who does the Bible say the "Word" was? _________
4. In John 1:14, what did the Word do? _____________________ Who was the Word? ________
5. In Col. 1:16, what did Jesus do? __________________________________________________
6. In Phlp. 2:6, what did Jesus possess? __________________________ In verse 7, what did He do? __________________________________

In verse 8, what did He do? ___________________________________

Jesus was the Creator God, equal with His Father and the Holy Spirit. In John 8:24, Jesus tells us what happens to a person who does not believe that Jesus is God! What does it mean to die in your sins? __________________________________________________
If you believe in the Son of God, that He is God and died once, for all your sins – past, present, and future – then 1 John 5:13 states that you may KNOW you have eternal life. Do you KNOW for sure that you are going to heaven? ______ Do you possess eternal life? _____ Why? _____________________________________________________________________________________________

1. In John 5:24, what two things are we to do? __________________________ ________________________ What three things are done for

the one who hears and believes? Present _____________________ Future _____________________ Past _______________________
2. If you can lose your salvation, can you KNOW you have eternal life? _______
3. If your salvation could be lost, can you KNOW that you have eternal life? _______ Is it possible for saved people to choose to return, forfeit, or

reject their salvation? _________ Explain ____________________________________________________________________________
4. If your salvation depends on good works or keeping the Law, can you KNOW that you have eternal life? _______
5. Is eternal life a free gift or is it because of your good works (Eph. 2:8,9)? _______________________
6. Which do you have – "probation" or "salvation?" __________________

What about good works? The bible teaches us to do good works and to be Christ-like, not in order to get saved, stay saved, or prove we are saved, but because we are saved. We will be REWARDED in heaven for our good works, but being saved from hell and getting to heaven is a free gift.

Read 1 Cor. 3:8-15

1. In verse 8, what are we rewarded for? ________________________________________________________
2. What is the warning in verse 10? _____________________________________________________________
3. In verse 13, what happens to our works? ______________________________________________________
4. In verse 14, what if our works remain? ________________________________________________________
5. In verse 15, what if all of our works are burned up? _______________________ Will we lose salvation? _____

Read Hebrews 12:5-10

1. In verse 9, what will a faithful father do to his disobedient child? _______________________
2. Prov. 13:24 gives us the motive behind a fathers discipline. ________________ How does that compare with Heb. 12:6? _________________

___________________________________________
3. In verse 8, who does God discipline? __________________________ Who doesn’t He discipline? _______________

Once we become God’s adopted, born again, sealed child we can never lose the free gift of eternal life. When we sin as Christians, we lose our fellowship with our Father and He has to plan how He is going to discipline (spank) us. Read 1 John 1:5-10.

1. Can we live in sin and have fellowship with our Father (vs. 6)? ______ Is He still our Father? ______
2. In verse 7, what does He want us to do? ______________________ Does walking in the light save us? ______ What does it do? __________

______________________________

The word “confess” in verse 9 means to “agree” with God that we have sinned. You do not have to tell God you have sinned, He already knows your sinful deeds, even your sinful thoughts. What God wants you to tell Him is that you “agree” with Him that you are WRONG, and want to stop sinning, and appreciate His Son Jesus suffering for that sin.

3. In verse 9, who is "HE" who is faithful to forgive us? (see vs. 7) _______ Therefore, who should we confess to? ____________
4. In verses 8 and 10, what does it say about a person who says he does not sin anymore? _______________________________
5. In 2 Cor. 10:5, what does God want us to do with our sinful thoughts? ____________________ How do we do this? ____________________

Let’s look at some ways God disciplines His children:

1. Miriam, Numbers 12:1-15 _____________________________________________________________
2. Moses, Numbers 20:12; 27:12-14; Deut. 3:24-27; 32:48-52 ___________________________________
3. Saul, 1Sam. 13:11-14 ________________________________________________________________
4. David, 2 Sam. 12:9-15 _______________________________________________________________
5. Zacharias, Luke 1:8-20 _______________________________________________________________

6. Ananias/Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11 _________________________________________________________
7. Corinthian Christians, 1Cor. 11:30 _______________________________________________________
8. Sinning brother, 1Cor. 5:5 _____________________________________________________________
9. Hymenaeus and Alexander, 1 Tim. 1:20: __________________________________________________

10. Sinning brother (or sister), 1Jn., 5:16,17 ___________________________________________________

In John 10:27-29, what does He give His sheep?_______________ Can they ever perish? ________ Can ANYONE (including yourself or Satan) snatch them out of Jesus’ hand?________ Are we, who have eternal life, in the Fathers hand? ________ Can anyone snatch us out of His hand? _______ Can you unseal and "un-son" yourself and give eternal life back? ________

SALVATION – FREE AND COSTLY??

From John MacArthur's book, The Gospel According to Jesus, are the following quotes of good works and discipleship for salvation (all emphasis added):

Eternal life is a free gift . . . But that does not mean there is no cost in terms of salvation's impact on the sinner's life. This paradox may be difficult, but it is nevertheless true; salvation is both free and costly. (Chap. 12, p. 140) Paradox : A statement contrary to received opinion.

It is an exchange of all that we are for all that Christ is. And it denotes implicit obedience, full surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Nothing less can qualify as saving faith. (Chap. 12, p. 1 40)

He had made a complete turn-around. His demeanor was one of unconditional surrender, a complete resignation of self, and absolute submission to His father. That is the essence of saving faith . (Chap. 14, p. 153)

Let me say again, unequivocally, that Jesus' summons to deny self and follow Him was an invitation to salvation not an offer of a "higher life", or a second step of faith following salvation. (Chap. 19, p. 196)

... Christian discipleship explicitly demands just that kind of total dedication. It is full commitment, with nothing knowingly or deliberately held back. No one can come to Christ on any other terms. (Chap. 19, p. 197)

Do you know anyone that can meet the above requirements for salvation? ______

1. In Gal. 3:1-5 what are the Galatians called in vs. 1? ________________________________________
2. What should be the correct answer for a true believer to vs. 2? _____________ vs.3? ______________
3. What is "suffering in vain" in vs. 4? ______________________________________________________
4. What is the correct answer to vs. 5? ____________________________________________________
5. In Gal. 3:21-24, what is the purpose of the law? ___________________________________________
6. Does our obedience prove our salvation, Rom. 4:4-6? _______

Read Gal. 5:1-4. It is right to be a disciple and obey our LORD, but when you mix obedience to Christ with the gospel – the good news about the absolutely "free gift" (no strings attached) of "eternal life," – the gospel is nullified. "Christ will be of no benefit to you, . . . you have been severed from Christ, . . . you have fallen from grace." In other words, you are LOST.

We have seen that the Bible clearly teaches that once a person is born again by receiving the free gift of eternal life, he can NEVER lose that gift of salvation from the Hell he deserves. Jesus loves you so much that He not only suffered on the cross, but also suffered three days in Hell (Hades, Matt. 12:40; Acts 2:24-31; Rom. 10:7) to pay your sin debt. Do you understand that you are a sinner (criminal) in God's eyes and deserve nothing but Hell? _____ Do you understand that your salvation from Hell and entrance into Heaven is only on the merits of Jesus Christ and HIS suffering, and NOTHING of yourself? _____ Do you believe that no sacraments, no good works, no law, nothing but faith in the deity and suffering of Jesus can save you? ______ Is eternal life ETERNAL? ______

LET US REVIEW

1. Do the people in Matt. 7:22 think they are Christians? ______
2. What are their reasons for thinking this? ________________________________________
3. Does Jesus know them (vs. 23)? ______ Are they Christians? ______ Why? __________________________________________________
4. The Bible refers to similar people in Gal. 2:4 as ________________________
5. What was their error in Acts 15:1,5? __________________________________________
6. What similar error is being made today with baptism, confession, the Lord’s table, Ten Commandments, discipleship, etc.? __________________
7. What shall we call people who make this same error today? (Gal. 2:4) ____________ ____________
8. What should we do for them (Gal. 5:2-3)? ________________________ (Rom. 10:1-4) _______________________
9. What else should we do? (2 Cor.6:14,17) _____________________________________
10. In 2 Cor. 11:13, what are these false brethren referred to as? _______________________ What are they preaching in 2 Cor. 11:4? _________

_____________________________________________ Although they don’t realize it, whose servants are they in 2 Cor. 11:14? __________
11. In 2 Pet. 2:1-3, God uses two more titles for these false brethren and false apostles. What are those titles? _____________________________

____________________________
12. What is God’s command to you concerning them in 2 Cor. 6:14? ____________________ What are you commanded in 2 Cor. 6:17? ________

_____________________________ Will you obey? _______

In 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5 God warns us that as time goes on things are going to get worse. Do not ignore these warnings. Your faith must be in God's Word and His promises. In this study, you have been exposed to God's Word. You will either believe it or you won't. The choice is yours!

2 TIMOTHY 4:2-4

"... preach the word, be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths."

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