Salvation Army Doctrine #7

Hi this is breathing welcome to the Salvation Army's words of life. Welcome back to words of life. I'm Bernie Dake and I'm here and we are glad that you're here. This is our seventh episode of this series on the doctrines of the Salvation Army.

There are 11 of them and funny enough, this is an 11 week series.

So we got a friend, a retired Salvation Army officer named Col. Dan Sterrett whose studying the doctrines and discussing how each one builds on the previous section important areas in the way in which Dan is sharing his messages is taking a look at our faith today in a world where it seems hard to speak about our faith. It's crucial to know what we really believe we are saying that you have to agree with our faith. But this is what we believe.

I have a friend we did. We were talking about earlier always says you the fight has been fixed. God's already won the battle. You just need to accept his forgiveness and live your life as best you know how like him like Jesus showed us why he was here on earth love wins at the end of the day. Of course we want this world to be a loving place in an accepting place and that's who we are as a Salvation Army that's who we claim to be.

That's who Jesus is. But living sinful lives there are consequences for those sins just want to encourage everyone to consider a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Listen, if you've missed any of the episodes. This series began on January 9, so check us out at Salvation Army's outcast.org and catch up if you're enjoying words of life we want to invite you to check out another show brought to you by the Salvation Army, the holiness podcast is a monthly Bible study with Lieut. Col. Vern June.

This show is a deep dive into the Scriptures, starting with the word of God says about holiness with each episode.

There is also a corresponding study guide. Listen whenever you get your podcasts visit Salvation Army's outcast.org. Let's look at document number seven. We believe that repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation. We seem to live in the world today that teaches that you can just believe whatever you want and that's enough to have a relationship with God. It's enough to be saved is enough to get you to heaven and eternity were James chapter 2 in verse 19 tells us that you say you have faith for you believe that there was one God. Good for you, even the demons believe that and they tremble in terror, so obviously the devil and his demons believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They clearly know who their enemies are so just stating I believe in God. I believe in Jesus or I believe in the Holy Spirit is not enough for salvation. We believe that there are three major parts of salvation and they must all be present in the life of each Christian without one or more of these, you have no salvation.

You have no relationship with God. Where is this belief or doctrine come from. I want to continually remind you that the Salvation Army didn't make this up, it's not new.

It surely is not from man or from this world.

It is from the word of God. Make sure that the things that you're learning and basing your life and teaching are based in the word of God and not any teaching of man or groups. Anything else but the word of God. So what are these three major components or parts of salvation. While part number one is repentance toward God. Number two faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and number three regeneration by the Holy Spirit are all necessary for us to be saved. You can claim all you want about being born again about being a believer, you can say you regularly attend church or read your Bible every day, but no amount of Christian activity will guarantee salvation so let's look at these, part one, we believe that repentance toward God is necessary to salvation being sorry for your sins is not repentance that's regret. Repentance is clearly understanding, accepting and knowing the severity of our sins against God. Repentance, it admits our rebellion, our willful disobedience to body, mind, soul and spirit are rebellion against God's word is will purpose and so much more. We fully acknowledge and admit and accept that we are a sinner and must repent toward God. God set the standard laws, the rules and the purpose and the goals of our life toward him and others in the one time or another. We have all disobeyed turned our back and rejected his leading erection and love you know and I know this because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit and because of God's law is written into every individuals conscience and our status send in denial. We cannot enter into the presence of God.

There are about eight original words for repentance in Hebrew and Greek, the word repent is found, 110 times from Genesis chapter 6 through six Revelation 1611, so it's not new. It's not an infrequent thought, God has constantly told man repent to the words that may be helpful to you to consider if you are repentance is true is this one means to just regret the consequence of sin, but not the cause.

For example, in Matthew 27 three when Judas, who had betrayed him. Realize that Jesus had been condemned to die. He was filled with remorse, so he took the 30 pieces of silver back to the leading priests and elders and said I have sinned, for I betrayed an innocent man.

Notice he did not confess his sin to God in second Corinthians chapter 7 of rose pulses. I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you.

Though I was sorry. At first, for I know it was painful to you for a while now. I'm glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways is the kind of sorrow. God wants his people that have so that you are not harmed by us in any way in second real change of mind and attitude toward sin and is cause in Matthew three and verse eight or verse 11 it says proved, by the way you live that you have repented of your sins, and turned to God, I baptize you with water, but those who repent of their sins and turn to God, but someone is coming soon. Who is greater than I so much greater than I am not worthy even to be a slave or carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. So our proper response to God's forgiveness and grace is our repentance through faith.

These two factors comprise one action you're going one way and God stops you, you repent and you go the exact opposite is not just trying to make parts better repentance must be part of our faith in Christ. The second factor of this doctrine is faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is necessary to salvation.

Sorrow for transgressions and wanting to leave them behind deep guilt over past sins wanting a cleanse conscience or even making major changes in your life may be called repentance.

But unless this and more leads to our life in Christ is not repentance you just kinda came up with an improvement program. Faith means being focused upon Christ learning and following obeying the words and life of Christ faith focuses upon Christ life, death and resurrection and ascension, not upon what were doing, thinking, or said faith that centers upon Christ's sacrifice upon the cross and his forgiveness of our sins.

Acts 2021 Paul declares this message. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike. The necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God and having faith in our Lord Jesus Christ will how can any of this be possible if God is in heaven. And Christ is seated on the right hand of the father. That's the third part.

The third factor of doctrine seven is we believe that regeneration of the Holy Spirit is necessary to salvation Christ's sacrifice and resurrection leads to hope and forgiveness. Jesus talked about being born again in John chapter 3 I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God. Paul states in second Corinthians 517. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old is gone, the new life has begun. One of the greatest miracles doctrine and teaching of Scripture is demonstrated by the lives of those of them in the book of acts and the epistles is God in us through the person the work of the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit comes into our life and brings the present power and person of Christ. Regeneration is God's word for us and in us is the gift of the indwelling spirit regeneration means we die door old life and we come alive to Christ we know and can testify to the working of the Holy Spirit because the works of the flesh are replaced by the work of the spirit we demonstrate who we are what we do where we go and what we say and also who we are with you how we spend our time, our money and our talents. You see, if were not regenerated these things will change will study more about this when we look at Dr. number 10 as we seek to live his holy people by following Jesus Christ and being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

So what's our pick and choose for Dr. number seven. Somehow we think that we've only sinned and been wrong against man. The environment or people and animals, and that if we just act like a good person that God is going to be pleased with us.

That is an abomination against the sacrifice of Christ on the cross we can follow the philosophies and the ideologies of men. We ground ourselves in God's word. Choose faith in Christ Jesus choose regeneration by the Holy Spirit and you will be saved. The flesh and the Salvation Army's mission doing the most good means helping people with material and spiritual needs to become a part of this mission every time you give to the Salvation Army visit Salvation Army USA.org to offer your support and love to hear from you. Email us radio@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 1-800-229-9965 right SI PO Box 29972, Atlanta, GA 30359 tell us how we can help share prayer requests or share your testimony. Would love to use your story on the air. You can also subscribe to our show on iTunes podcast store and be sure to give us a rating to search for the Salvation Army's words of life.

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