Salvation: Lordship vs. Grace Alone

Lordship Proponents

John MacArthur, Billy Graham, D. James Kennedy, Henry C. Theissen

Key Verse

Romans 10:9-10

Supporting Verses

II Peter 3:9 – Repentance is required for salvation. (Acts 11:18; 26:20)

II Corinthians 7:10 – Repentance to salvation – only verse containing repent and save or salvation

Romans 6:1-2 – Sin is no longer for the life of a believer.

Romans 6:23 – Salvation is through (Jesus Christ our LORD).

Luke 14:27 – Cannot be my disciple.

II Corinthians 5:17 – New creature.

Hebrews 5:9 – Salvation is given to those who obey Jesus..

James 2:19Profession without action is not enough.

I John 2:13-14 – Keep His commandments.

Where is the term Lordship found in the Bible?

Only two times — each referring to secular governments lording over their subjects (Mark 10:42; Luke 22:25).

 

Grace Alone Proponents

C. I. Scofield, Lewis Sperry Chafer, Oliver Greene, J. Vernon McGee, Adrian Rogers, Bob Wilkin, Charles Ryrie, Andy Woods, Bible Broadcasting Network

Key Verse

Ephesians 2:8-9

Supporting Verses

Matthew 14:30; Mark 16:16; Luke 8:12; John 1:12; 3:14-18; 4:10; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26, 31; 12:46; 14:6; 20:31; Acts 2:21; 4:4; 10:43; 15:11; 16:31, 33-34; Romans 1:16-17; 3:22; 4:1-5, 16; I Corinthians 1:21; 15:1-2; Galatians 3:11, 24; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 11:39; I John 5:1

Key Concepts

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone – both are gifts from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Saving faith occurs in the heart (Romans 10:9-10), not in the mind (James 2:19).

The gospel states that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures (I Corinthians 15:3-4).

Good works follow salvation (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8).

Godly living follows salvation (Titus 2:11-12).

Living-sacrifice living is a reasonable response to but not required for salvation (Romans 12:1-2).

Sacrificial living can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4-14).

Godly living comes only through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

The only acceptable motivation for a sacrificial life is the love of Christ (II Corinthians 5:14-15).

Where does repentance fit into this?

The goodness of God yields repentance (Romans 2:4).

Repentance and faith are linked (Acts 20:21).

What do fundamental church creeds typically say?

who by His grace determined to save us through our faith in His name alone;

What is the proper translation of Romans 10:9?

…confess Lord Jesus… It’s His title followed by his name. See Acts 1:21; 4:33; 7:59; 8:16; 9:17,29; 11:17; 11:20; 15:26: 16:31; 19:5,10,13,17; 20:21,24,35; 21:13: 28:31; Romans 1:7; 5:1,11;