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Is man saved only by grace? Can a person be saved merely by believing in Christ and accepting Jesus as his Savior without doing any works? Are repentance and baptism necessary?
This discussion gives solid scriptural answers to these questions as it compares the Mormon perspective of salvation to the parallel Protestant viewpoint. In a series of fourteen probing questions and answers, the author discusses Christ's redeeming grace, sin and its effects upon man, the fall of Adam, why the atonement was necessary, how the Lord was able to pay for man's sins, faith, works, and being born again.
The author also focuses on seven areas in Protestant practice concerning "being saved" which he feels are in serious conflict with the scriptures: lack of true repentance, rejection of baptism by one holding authority, presumed guidance of the Holy Ghost, assumed invulnerability to losing salvation, assumed freedom from ethical and moral responsibilities, failure to seek eternal rewards, and lack of knowledge of after-death events. He observes that the real question is not "Do you accept Jesus?" but rather, "Does Jesus accept you?" Its message has great potential to touch the hearts of honest seekers of truth.
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Definitions and Basic Explanations
1. Man is Saved Through the Grace of Jesus Christ.
2. Grace is God's Willingness to Bless Mankind with Mercy, Pardon, Gifts and Power.
3. All Have Sinned and Are in Need of Christ's Saving Grace.
4. Sin Is Transgression of God's Laws.
5. Sin Results in Spiritual Separation from God.
6. Adam's Fall Subjected Mankind to Sin, Physical Death and Spiritual Death.
7. An Atonement Was Needed to Overcome Sin, Physical Death, and Separation from God.
8. Only Christ Had the Power to Die and then Return to Life.
9. Christ Paid for Our Sins So Man May Attain Eternal Life.
10. Christ Began the Resurrection for All Mankind and Allows Forgiven Individuals to Regain God's Presence.
11. Faith is Personal Commitment to God and Trust in His Power, Promises and Love.
12. "Works" Are Righteous Deeds Motivated by Faith in God.
13. "Justification" Means to Be Declared Free From Sin Before God.
14. "Sanctification" Means to Be Made Clean, Pure and Holy by God.
15. "Born Again" Means to Be Personally Changed by the Spirit from a Carnal Disposition to a Righteousness-Seeking Disposition.
16. A Comparison of Protestant and LDS Beliefs on these Fourteen Points of Doctrine.
Seven Areas of Doctrinal Disagreement Between Protestants and Latter-day Saints
Concern #1: Lack of True Repentance.
Concern #2: Rejection of Authorized Baptism as an Essential Step Towards Salvation.
Concern #3: Presumed Guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Concern #4: Assumed Invulnerability to Losing Salvation.
Concern #5: Antinomianism-Assumed Release from Ethical and Moral Responsibilities.
Concern #6: Failure to Grow and Seek Eternal Rewards.
Concern #7: Lack of Knowledge of After-Death Events.
Questions Worth Considering
Is Your Concept of Salvation a Something-for-Nothing Insurance Policy?
The Real Question: Not "Do You Accept Jesus?" but "Does Jesus Accept You?"
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