Is this a doctrine of devils? Absolutely. It sounds glorifying of the Lord Jesus Christ, but it leaves people in death and Hell, persuaded that nothing is required of them after they’ve been converted. Trusting that “Jesus did it all,” they do nothing. But God sends strong delusion to those who don’t have a love of the truth, and they deserve their deception. God is never unrighteous, and the condemned are never undeserving.
We’re called upon to yield our members to righteousness, to do the work of God, believing and obeying, even as did Abraham and all other saints throughout history, Biblical and otherwise.
We’re called upon to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
We must with much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
We are to forsake all, take up our cross, and die, totally submitting ourselves to Him.
“I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God…”
Is this only an option? Certainly it’s treated that way, but what does the Scripture go on to say?
“…which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
Another translation puts it, “your spiritual worship.” In other words, if you worship God, you will present your body a living sacrifice, nothing less. An option? Only if you consider perishing a viable alternative.
Plainly, Paul’s words aren’t on record for the unbeliever, but for the believer. Believers are the ones being reminded of these facts. The Hebrews’ history was recorded for our sakes, so that we would take note, fear, and obey, lest we behave irresponsibly with the treasure committed to our trust.
1 Corinthians 10:5-12 MKJV
(5) But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were scattered in the wilderness.
(6) And these things were our examples, that we should not be lusters after evil, as they also lusted.
(7) Nor should we be idolaters, even as some of them, as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
(8) Nor let us commit fornication, as some of them fornicated, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
(9) Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted Him and were destroyed by serpents.
(10) Nor murmur as some of them also murmured and were destroyed by the destroyer.
(11) And all these things happened to them as examples; and it is written for our warning on whom the ends of the world have come.
(12) So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
“And you will be hated of all men for My Name’s sake, but the one who endures to the end shall be kept safe” (Matthew 10:22 MKJV).
Ironically, those who teach that conversion is full salvation are in all contradiction. They press others to go to church, lest the presumed believers become prey to the Devil and his wolves. Those who become church members are taught other requirements that aren’t of God. Jesus said of these: “But in vain they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9 MKJV).
This is the doctrine of religious hypocrites, who substitute their works for the commandments of God and for the taking up of the cross. They abhor and dismiss these necessities by saying, “Christ has done it all.” Meanwhile they promote their own ways and doctrines as requisites, without which no man can “buy or sell” among them (Revelation 13:16-17). They bar the door to the Lord for themselves and those who follow them (Luke 11:52).
We can’t leave the reader with excuse. He may curse us for making him aware of these things; it would have been better never to have heard if he doesn’t obey. But those who are unaware of the perversity and deception of the doctrines of devils, yet seek salvation, will one day thank and praise the Lord, for they will be made free by believing the truth.
When my wife and I repented, our lives changed dramatically. My vices, of which I couldn’t rid myself, were banished; the Bible became a Living Book; for the first time in 27 years, I had great hope and reason for living.
Yet an inner urging wouldn’t let me rest. “There’s more; you aren’t there yet,” I would hear within. Baptists and other evangelicals told me it was the Devil trying to cause me to doubt my salvation. Try as I might to shake those thoughts and feelings or words, however, I simply couldn’t.
Then, contrary to the doctrine of the evangelical circles we were in, we were baptized in the Holy Spirit of God, and I was at peace from then on concerning this matter. Our lives were changed in marvelous ways – we had more victory, more life in the Scriptures, and more understanding of many things of God. The gifts of the Spirit now operated in us, and we and others were truly learning and coming to knowledge of the truth. We were hearing the Voice of the Lord as we entered an intimate relationship with Him that others only red or spoke of, but never had.
Ask God about the Samaritans who believed, were water baptized and delivered of devils, and still had to have Peter and John come down and lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit.
“And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them. And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the many miracles which he did. For out of those having unclean spirits, many came out, crying with loud voice. And many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:5-8 MKJV).
“And the apostles in Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them; who when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had not fallen on any of them, they were baptized only in the Name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:14-16 MKJV).
(Read all of Acts 8.)
What about Saul of Tarsus who was dramatically converted on the road to Damascus as rare few have been, yet still needed to receive the Spirit?
Acts 9:3-6 MKJV
(3) But in going, it happened as [Saul] drew near to Damascus, even suddenly a light from the heaven shone around him.
(4) And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
(5) And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus Whom you persecute. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
(6) And trembling and astonished, he said, “Lord, what will You have me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do.”
Three days later:
“And Ananias went and entered into the house. And putting his hands on him, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you in the way in which you came, has sent me to you that you might see and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And instantly scales as it were fell from his eyes, and he instantly saw again. And rising up, he was baptized” (Acts 9:17-18 MKJV).
(Read the whole chapter.)
Ask God about Cornelius, whose example puts almost any Christ-professing person who thinks to be saved to shame. Notwithstanding his pious life, Cornelius had to hear words whereby he and his house would be saved. He and his household didn’t yet have the Spirit of God.
“And [Cornelius] declared to us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose last name is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your house shall be saved.’ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:13-15 MKJV).
(Read the whole of chapters 10 and 11.)
What about the Ephesian disciples who had repented years before Paul asked them if they received the Spirit since they believed? They hadn’t received, but did when Paul prayed for them.
Acts 19:1-6 MKJV
(1) And it happened in the time Apollos was at Corinth, Paul was passing through the higher parts to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples,
(2) he said to them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” And they said to him, “We did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit is.”
(3) And he said to them, “Then to what were you baptized?” And they said, “To John’s baptism.”
(4) And Paul said, “John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe into Him coming after him, that is, into Jesus Christ.”
(5) And hearing, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
(6) And as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
There’s much more to salvation than just being converted and growing from there. You must go all the way:
“And you will be hated of all men for My Name’s sake, but the one who endures to the end shall be kept safe” (Matthew 10:22 MKJV).
Are you signed, sealed, and delivered at conversion? According to men and their easy gospel, you are, but not according to Jesus Christ:
“The [convert] who overcomes, this one will be clothed in white clothing. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5 MKJV).
Prison doors will swing open, chains will be broken, swill will be disposed of, light and fresh air will be enjoyed, and God will be real to those worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. He will wash them in the Pure Water of His Word, anoint them with costly and fragrant oil, and clothe them in fine, glorious garments. The spirit will no longer mourn or languish, but joyously soar to majestic heights forevermore.
Read How One Is Saved, The Cross, Repentance, The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, The Three Degrees, Obedience, Iniquity, Law and Grace, Grace – The Reality, and So You Want to Walk with Jesus.
Consider the alternative to this doctrine: If you believe there’s more beyond conversion, you’ll seek it out and strive for the mastery, as did brother Paul, and God will richly reward you. If you seek only Him and His righteousness, how can you lose? Let His victory and peace be yours.