What Must I Do?

I often am asked to name my church affiliation. Very few who ask this appear content when I tell them that I am a member of the True Church, the Body of Christ. They are, I suppose, looking for me to name a particular denomination or sect. I tell them that I am a Christian. I do not consider myself to be a Calvinist or a member of a Reformed Church – or any denominational church or sect. For me it is sufficient to be a blood-bought follower of Jesus Christ.

I used to respond that I prefer to worship in a non-denominational church when home and with an Evangelical Free congregation when in Mexico. I don't mention a non-denominational affiliation any longer. Far too many of those assemblies calling themselves non-denominational that I have encountered recently appear to be nothing more than cults and the object of worship often seems to be a wonderfully entertaining self-called preacher.

Some folks press me for an answer by asking about my theological position. When I respond that I consider myself to be a Fundamentalist Christian, in the classical sense, some still are not satisfied and ask me what I believe.

My personal eschatology is Pre-Tribulation/Pre-Millennial. My personal soteriology is based on the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ. I do not believe that my salvation has anything to do with tithing, what day I worship, what Bible version I use, whether I have been baptized, if I do or do not raise my hands when I pray, how I dress for worship, when I pray, etc.

FYI, I do not tithe. I prefer the NASB for personal study and meditation on the Scriptures, but use the KJV or some other version in my writing. I have been baptized; twice in fact: Once as a baby Catholic and once as a 49-year-old adult. I say small prayers every now and then throughout the day, but at night, as I pray in the darkness of my room, I sometimes do lift up my hands – but not very often. I worship my Lord God in whatever clothes I happen to be wearing – and even when wearing nothing, should I choose to utter a prayer while taking a shower. I do and believe many other things in my personal relationship with my Lord and Savior, God the Father and the Holy Spirit, but they really don't concern anyone but myself and my Trinitarian God.

I am convinced of my saved relationship with my Lord, whether someone else agrees or not. I have had many challenges to my assurance, based on whether or not I measure up to some artificial standard. In common with the Reformers,

I Believe . . .

That the Scripture Alone is the Standard (Sola Scriptura)

Everything we need to know for salvation is contained in the Scripture, which is the standard against which all doctrine must be measured.

“We believe that this Holy Scripture contains the will of God completely and that everything one must believe to be saved is sufficiently taught in it. For since the entire manner of service which God requires of us is described in it at great length, no one-- even an apostle or an angel from heaven, as Paul says-- ought to teach other than what the Holy Scriptures have already taught us. For since it is forbidden to add to or subtract from the Word of God, this plainly demonstrates that the teaching is perfect and complete in all respects.

“Therefore we must not consider human writings-- no matter how holy their authors may have been-- equal to the divine writings; nor may we put custom, nor the majority, nor age, nor the passage of time or persons, nor councils, decrees, or official decisions above the truth of God, for truth is above everything else.” The Belgic Confession, Article 7

The Scripture teaches us of the sovereignty of God over every aspect of the believer's life. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks,

Q. “What is the chief end of man?

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” Westminster Shorter Catechism

Christ is the sole mediator between God and man.

“Question 30. “Do such then believe in Jesus the only Saviour, who seek their salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?

Answer: They do not; for though they boast of him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Saviour; for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Saviour; or that they, who by a true faith receive this Saviour, must find all things in him necessary to their salvation.” The Heidelberg Catechism

I hold dear the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith; that our righteous standing before God is imputed to us by grace because of the work of Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Paragraph 3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those who are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due to them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's justice in their behalf; yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them, their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.” The Baptist Confession of 1689

The "Material Principle" of the Reformation was justification by faith alone. As the Westminster Confession of Faith says,

“II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love” Westminster Confession of Faith

If that is not sufficient ground for assurance, please tell me what more I must do to be saved.