Are we really saved by faith?

[Darren Carino]

Reformation Sunday is in October. Are we really saved by faith? How come? What does it mean to be justified? How? Does it mean accepting Jesus as our Lord? How do we accept Him? Is it by prayer of acceptance just like the Baptists? Is it by Altar Call? by baptism?

[Edwin Legaspi de Ocampo]

Let me get this right, Darren, Ephesians 2:8-10 clearly states that for by GRACE are ye saved through faith, not by faith, but through faith. Justification is actually salvation by grace through faith. Our sanctification is by grace, justification through faith. The once saved always saved ideology of the Baptists does not apply here, but our sanctification by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of all is sufficient enough for a person to be saved. Romans 10:9-10 follows this idea, that if we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus, and believe in our hearts that he died for our sins, that is enough evidence for a man /woman to be saved. Hope this simple answer to you queries has gained added information to your Christian life. If you got more, feel free to ask away, and with God's help, I'll do my very best to answer it. Enjoy your Bible Studies and God bless you!

[Kim Nejudne]

We are saved by GRACE through FAITH. Yes, but genuine faith is preceded and evidenced by REPENTANCE.

Mar 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Luk 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Act 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,

Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Act 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

We are NOT saved by saying the 'sinner's prayer/prayer of acceptance' or ask Jesus to come into our hearts or when we make him Lord and Savior of our life. We are saved when we repent and believe the Gospel.

[Darren Carino]

Does it mean we are not allowed to pray the sinners prayer/prayer of acceptance or the prayer of salvation? isn't it that some of the UCCP local churches are adopting the Evangelism Explosion way?

[Edwin Legaspi de Ocampo]

Darren, this is Kuya Edwin of the Tagalog Service. You do not need to pray the sinner's prayer or whatever prayer the Evangelism credo is saying. The prayer you need to pray is one that comes from the heart. I tell you, if you pray the simple prayer the publican prayed in Jesus' parable, I can assure you that you are rest assured that Christ has already forgiven you and that your sins have been already washed by the blood of Jesus Christ when He died on the cross. l