This page will tell you more about us here at True Words Christian. This page should answer most of your questions about us.
Table of Contents
Our Beliefs
These are our beliefs, and we believe all of these are based 100% in the Bible.
Here’s Exactly What We Believe
- We align with New Independent Fundamental Baptist, the New IFB, or the NIFB. 1) We believe in salvation by faith alone, plus nothing, minus nothing. 2) Once saved always saved. 3) It’s easy to believe in Jesus Christ if you aren’t stiffnecked. 4) King James Version Only. 5) Soul winning door to door. 6) Independent and fundamental Baptist. 7) We believe in replacement theology and anti-Zionist. 8) Post tribulation, pre-wrath rapture. 9) The rapture occurs at the second coming of Jesus Christ which occurs before the thousand year reign of Christ. 10) We believe in the reprobate doctrine in which God rejects sodomites, homosexuals, queers, etc as well as false prophets.
- Jesus Christ is the head of the church. The pastor leads the local church by example.
- We are King James Bible only. We believe the King James Bible is the perfect word of God in English without error. We reject modern versions.
- We sing hymns, Psalms, and spiritual songs with doctrine that aligns with the Bible.
- We believe in family integration within a church. This means everyone stays together for church services.
- We believe in the faithful attendance of all church services.
- We believe in soul winning or going door to door preaching the Gospel.
- We believe in water baptism after someone is saved by grace through faith.
- We believe in preaching and teaching the entire Bible from front to back.
- We believe in the observance of the Lord’s Supper at the frequency determined by each local church.
- The Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, is the inspired word of God without error. The original manuscripts were inspired, and the King James Bible is the perfect word of God in English. There are no mistakes within the words of the King James Bible. We reject any books as the perfect word of God outside of Genesis to Revelation.
- The King James Bible translators were not inspired themselves, but they were led by the Holy Spirit to give us a perfect Bible in English.
- The King James Bible is not the only inspired word of God in existence today, but it is the perfect word of God in the English language.
- All Bible versions do not say and mean the same thing. Compare them verse by verse and side by side. The King James Bible is very different from the modern Bible versions that have been corrupted.
- We know that modern Bible versions like the New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Version (NASV), English Standard Version (ESV), New Living Translation (NLT), New King James Version (NKJV), and others are corrupted.
- Bible doctrines are affected by the modern Bible versions. There is no such thing as minor Bible doctrines that do not matter. All doctrines within the Bible are important.
- There is one God who exists eternally as three persons: 1) Father, 2) Son, and 3) Holy Spirit. Each are each fully God but each are separate and distinct persons. God the Father is God. Jesus Christ is God. The Holy Spirit is God. God the Father is eternal. Jesus Christ is eternal. The Holy Spirit is eternal.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the only Son of God. He is God. Jesus is eternal. Jesus was made flesh. Jesus is not God the Father or the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the name of the Son of God only.
- Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, His body was buried, His soul went to hell, He arose from the dead in His body on the third day, His body did not see corruption, He ate and drank in His body after His resurrection, witnesses saw Him die on the cross, witnesses saw Him after He arose from the dead, and witnesses saw Him ascend into heaven. He sits on the right hand of His Father today.
- The salvation of your soul is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The grace comes from God. The faith comes from you. You must change your mind and believe in Jesus Christ.
- Salvation by grace and salvation by works cannot be related at all. If salvation is by grace, it cannot be of works. If salvation is by works, it cannot be of grace. We can ONLY be saved by grace. Salvation is by grace alone. It cannot be of works in any way, shape, or form before, during, or after salvation has occurred.
- Water baptism is a work. Repenting of sin is a work. Prayer is a work. Going to church is a work. We are not saved by works.
- The only requirement to be saved is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. When you believe in Him, you know that He can save you from death and hell.
- The work that Jesus did in His death, burial, and resurrection is enough to save you from your sins without any other works required.
- Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is “THE” sacrifice for sins. He is “THE” Savior of the world.
- Salvation is a gift of God that God preserves for you. You do not work for a gift. If you had to work for salvation, it would not be a gift. Working for it would mean that you earned it and that God owes you. God doesn’t owe you anything. He’s already given us so much that we don’t deserve. Now He wants to give us the gift of everlasting life.
- Once you believe on Jesus to save you, you’re saved and receive everlasting life that cannot end. Yes, it happens in a moment, and it is not difficult at all to be saved.
- Yes, I confess to easy believism. It’s easy for those who have a soft heart but for the stiffnecked religious people, such as the scribes and Pharisees, it’s difficult to believe only.
- Water baptism is a good work that should be done immediately after you’re saved. If you have put all your trust and confidence on Jesus to save you, you’re saved. Then, you should be baptized.
- Repenting of sin is a good work that should be done as often as you sin.
- Sin is doing anything against God’s commands for us. This also includes not doing something God commands us to do. For example, Jesus commands us to go out and preach the Gospel. If we aren’t doing that, we are sinning against God. We sin every day because we are in this flesh.
- No one in this life is sinless. All people sin every day. We can do better by walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
- All people of all time are saved the exact same way and that is by God’s grace through faith. No one has ever been saved any other way in any other “age” or “time.”
- The unsaved who never believe on Jesus will be tormented in a literal hell for eternity. There is no way out of hell once you’ve been thrown into hell by God. God created hell and holds the keys to hell and death. Satan does not run hell. Satan is not in charge of hell. He is a loser who will one day be thrown into hell for 1000 years, be loosed again, get his butt kicked again by Jesus Christ, and then thrown into the lake of fire forever.
- The rapture or resurrection will take place after the tribulation and before God’s wrath is poured out. The tribulation is not equal to Daniel’s 70th week and not equal to the entire 7 year period.
- Daniel’s 70th week is a 7-year period of time, but the entire 7 years is not the tribulation. The tribulation is over once the sun and the moon is darkened. After those signs, the tribulation is over and Jesus comes in the clouds to gather together all of the saved of all time prior to the rapture. The rapture includes all Old Testament saints as well as anyone who was saved before the rapture occurred.
- At this time, no one has a glorified body but Jesus Christ. No man has been resurrected at this time but Jesus Christ. Jesus is the first fruits. The rapture is the first resurrection. A final resurrection will take place after the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ.
- The second coming of Jesus Christ is the day of the Lord and the rapture or resurrection takes place on that day.
- Life begins at conception or fertilization. Life begins at fertilization. Anything that ends life after fertilization is murder.
- God made male and female. There are no other genders. There are not unlimited genders. The world can call it whatever they want, but it only matters how God sees it.
- God made marriage between a man and a woman. There are no other marriages. The world can call it whatever they want, but it only matters how God sees it.
- No one is perfect in the flesh. The flesh is not even close to the most important thing in life. Our flesh will pass away, but our souls can receive everlasting life through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Men are the leaders and teachers within the church. Outside of the church, all men, all women, and all children should be preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- God does reject people after He’s given them chances to accept Him. God is patient (thank God) and long suffering with all of us so you can know that the people He rejects truly deserve to spend eternity in hell.
- God is a God of love, but true love is greatly hating that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good. God gets jealous, God gets angry, and God has wrath upon people who won’t turn to Him. We should fear God with all that we have because He can destroy us at any time. God holds our breath in His hands.
- God does not love everyone no matter what. The Bible never says that anywhere. God hates sin, and He hates sinners too that NEVER believe on Him as the Savior. God throws those people into hell, and that is not an act of love towards those people. It is an act of love towards His people as He gets rid of wickedness when that wicked person is sent to hell. Most people don’t make it to heaven but end up in hell because they won’t change their mind and believe on God to save them. It’s simple and easy to be saved. Simply believe that Jesus will save you by faith in Him to save you.
- God’s nature doesn’t change. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. God only changes His actions because we do wrong. His nature is perfect and will never change.
- God created hell and is in the authority of hell. Satan does not run hell. Satan will be thrown into hell for eternal torment so Satan obviously doesn’t have power over hell.
- We are not to look for revenge on others as God says He is the one who takes vengeance on others. We are not to take the law into our own hands. The government is responsible for implementing God’s laws and the punishments for breaking those laws.
- If a law goes against God’s law, we will always choose to follow God’s law over the laws of a government. God’s laws are always the priority. For example, if a government law says you will be put to death for attending church, the government will have to put us to death. We will follow God’s laws.
- As another example, quarantine is a valid Biblical practice for the sick and not for the well. If you are sick, quarantine goes along with God’s recommendation. If the government changes the speed limit to 20 mph, you should follow that law because it doesn’t break God’s law.
- The best works you can be doing are those of eternal significance. Preaching the Gospel is a great work because it has eternal significance. Reading and studying the Bible is a great work and that knowledge and wisdom will stay with you for eternity. Baptism, prayer, attending church, partaking in the Lord’s Supper, and worshiping God are all good works.
- We trust in God and seek Him first over doctors, medicine, and vaccines.
Here’s Exactly What We Reject
- We reject water baptism that includes sprinkling and pouring. Biblical baptism is going down into the water and coming up out of the water. We reject infant baptism. A person must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to save them. This is the only requirement to be baptized.
- We reject the man-made invention of “speaking in tongues.” There is a Biblical definition for tongues. Tongues are languages with order and structure. “Speaking in tongues” doesn’t include some unknown babbling with no structure or order. For example, the same word in babble MUST have a definition. Since none do, babble is not a language or a tongue. You cannot communicate with babble. This practice of speaking in babble is not within the Scriptures. Search them. It’s not there.
- We reject the idea of one universal church. God chose the local church to do His work. Church is a physical gathering together of believers. If you don’t have a gathering together of people who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ alone to save them, you don’t have a church. The world can call it whatever they want, but it only matters how God sees it.
- We reject Calvinism and know that God gives everyone the choice and the chances to be saved.
- We reject Arminianism and know that God provides eternal security to the believer. You cannot lose everlasting life once you receive the free gift from God.
- We reject dispensationalism and know that all people get to heaven by God’s grace through personal faith.
- We reject the pre-tribulation rapture as it does not agree with the Bible and is a man-made doctrine. Revelation 4:1-2 is not the rapture. John is in the spirit so God can show him the things in Revelation which must shortly come to pass.
- We reject praying to humans and only pray to God Almighty. Praying to humans would be just like praying to rocks. They can’t do anything for you. God can hear prayers so we pray to God.
- Mary is not a mediator between us and Jesus Christ. This is a man-made doctrine not found in Scriptures and is pure evil.
- We reject the idea that Mary is still a virgin. She is not the queen of heaven. She is human. Joseph “knew her” not till she had brought forth Jesus. The Bible tells us that Mary did not stay a virgin. Jesus had physical brothers and sisters.
- We reject all forms of abortion including morning after pills, birth control pills, surgical abortion, and any and all other procedures that end life after conception. Children are a blessing from God no matter what you think or believe. Children are not a burden but a blessing.
- We reject sodomy and sodomites. Sodomites should not be allowed to attend church services. God rejects sodomy and sodomites, and we will stand with him and not with the world. Sodomy is an action and a decision that one must make. This is not natural and doesn’t happen naturally. It is not okay. A decision must be made and God calls sodomy and sodomites an abomination that He greatly hates.
- We reject liberalism, modernism, and worldliness. We choose to follow God and not the world. The “truth” in the world is usually the opposite of the truth in the Bible. The Bible is right and the world is wrong.
- We reject any so-called “Christian” denomination that doesn’t believe God exists eternally as three separate and distinct persons: 1) God the Father, 2) the Son of God, and 3) the Holy Spirit. Yes, the term “person” to describe God is biblical. Any denomination that doesn’t believe in the triune God of the Bible is worshiping a false god.
- We reject any so-called “Christian” denomination that adds works to salvation in any way. This includes the requirement to repent of your sin and be baptized in order to be saved. Acts 2:38 does not say this. You should repent (change your mind from unbelief to belief) and then you SHOULD be baptized “FOR” or “BECAUSE OF” the remission of sins. There are many people in heaven right now that were not baptized.
- We reject teaching from books, commentaries, and other materials in church. Preaching and teaching in church should come from the Bible alone. If a teacher does not know the Bible, they should not be teaching and relying on other “materials” to do the work for them. Churches need to be very careful of what they are allowing to infiltrate their churches and Sunday school classes. We need to be very careful and check the materials being used. It’s much safer to choose teachers who know and use the Bible alone. Man-made doctrines should not be taught at church.
- We reject women leading the church. God selected men to be the leaders within His church, and we will follow what God says no matter who it offends. God didn’t say men were better than women or women were better than men. And we don’t either. Women are amazing, but we trust in God’s plan over what we think or want. God did say for men to lead within His church. He is the boss. Men need to do their job and step up and lead the church like God commanded. Outside of church, women should be preaching the Gospel too.
- We reject racism in any way, shape, or form. No one chose their race before they were born. Race doesn’t matter at all in God’s eyes so we will follow God’s lead. God chose your gender and your race for you, and it is very good. We do not believe in treating anyone different over their race.
- We reject the use of the cross as an image to represent Jesus Christ and God. God says that He hates graven images. There is no image that God tells us to use to represent Him. Yet, churches everywhere put an image of the cross front and center. God is not happy with this.
- We reject false teaching as this leads to the worship of a false god. For example, a false gospel that includes works like baptism to be saved equals the worship of a false god. “You must be baptized to be saved. You must keep the faith your entire life. You must endure to the end.” All of these are false. God does not say any of those things so this is called preaching a false god, a false gospel, and another Jesus.
- We reject the damnable heresy that says you must stop sinning in order to be saved. Repent of your sin to be saved is not within the Bible anywhere. You don’t have to stop sinning to be saved. For example, an alcoholic can be saved right now if he/she would simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to save them.
- We reject Zionism that states all of the physical nation of Israel today will be saved. Not all of the physical children of Israel will be saved. Jacob and Esau were twins of the same flesh and blood. God loved Jacob and hated Esau. Why? Jacob had faith. Esau didn’t. The only dividing factor for all people, including physical Israel, is faith. If you’ve had faith at some point in your life, you will go to heaven. If you’ve never had faith, you will go to hell.
- We reject altar calls as they are not Biblical. An altar was used for offerings. We don’t need an altar any more. God takes His altar very seriously. Study the word altar in the Bible and you won’t want to take part in altar calls any more. Altar calls are showmanship within the church. God is not happy with this.
- We reject the man-made idea that instruments shouldn’t be used in church. God doesn’t say this anywhere. The church didn’t start in the Book of Acts. The church has been present throughout all ages just like the Bible says. The Book of Acts teaches there was a church in the wilderness with Moses.
- We reject the sale of any merchandise in the church and at church. This includes anything. Fundraisers, coffee, and Bibles are included. Jesus threw the people out of the temple who were selling animals for sacrifices within the temple. They were not selling bad or evil things, and yet, Jesus was very angry with them. Nothing should be sold in church. It doesn’t matter what it is or what you think. “Well, is this okay?” No, it’s not. It’s very simple. Nothing is allowed.
- We reject the idea that Sheol, Gehenna, and Hades are different places. Hell is hell.
- We reject vaccines. We reject the Covid vaccine. We know that the Covid vaccine is not the mark of the beast, but it is a small step towards that.
- We reject the flat earth theory. The earth is not flat. I do work every day with a radar system that proves the earth is not flat. The pictures of earth from space are not fake.
- We reject the false doctrine of a compartment in hell called Abraham’s bosom. This is a fairy tale. Abraham’s bosom is a body part. Jesus Christ was slain from the foundation of the world. All Old Testament saints went to heaven when they died. Their bodies are still dead or sleeping in the grave awaiting the rapture or first resurrection.
- We reject the liberal and progressive idea of toxic masculinity. God commands men to be men: act like men, cut their hair like men, and dress like men. God commands men to be the leaders of the church and their homes. How can they lead a church if they can’t lead their own home?
About Our Family and The Church
My family and I are the founders of True Words Christian. This includes my Dad, Gary, and my Mom, Beverly. My name is Joshua. My wife’s name is Pamela. Pam and I have four daughters: Callie, Taylor, Emma, and Abigail.
We are from the Louisville, Kentucky area and live outside of Louisville in Shelby County (East of Louisville). I grew up in Shelby County. I have lived in Chestnut Grove, Shelbyville, Southville, Simpsonville, and Fisherville. All of these locations are in close proximity to Louisville.
I grew up in a false church, Shelby Christian Church, in Shelbyville, Kentucky. I went there from as far back as I can remember through my college years. My wife and I met when we were 16 years old. We were married at 22 years old. We waited to have children until we were 28 years old (wrong – should have started earlier). I was baptized at Shelby Christian church at around 13 years of age. I trusted in Jesus Christ, but I did not understand much of the Bible. I have always used a King James Bible. Our church didn’t care what Bible version you used. I don’t remember learning much of anything in church, but I did faithfully attend church for all those years.
We were lost for many years because we didn’t live by the words of the Bible. But, we’re back now thanks to some good preachers out there in this country. And we will do everything we can to live for God now that we know He has saved us by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
I am an electrical engineer and my wife was a registered nurse. My wife is now a keeper at home. We have always taught our children at home. They have never been to a public school or a private school. I was ordained a deacon at Rhema Christian Assembly in Shelbyville, Kentucky. This is a false church and inter denominational. I believed, in the past, that anyone who mentioned the name of Jesus Christ was good. I preached a sermon there titled, “False Gods,” and the pastor did not like it at all. You will find that sermon the first one listed here at True Words on the sermons page. I was not allowed to talk any more at that church. I left that church and started True Words Christian. When I was asked to be a deacon, that’s when I really started to read and study the Bible. This is where I went a different way than the pastor of that church. We didn’t align very well in any beliefs after I read the King James Bible through several times.
My Dad and Mom left with us to start this church. We have not been successful in building a church in Shelbyville, KY. Our maximum attendance has been 29 in person for a Sunday morning service. We have been doing this since late 2019. The website has been successful (500 to 600 visitors per day at the end of the third year). Soul winning has been successful. We have baptized several people. We just can’t get people to faithfully attend church services in person. Since Jesus builds His church, we believe He wants us to go elsewhere.
How To Connect With Us
You can find us any of the following ways:
Physically Come and See Us At Church
Church Address (inside a room on the left side of the Electric City building):
1013 Mount Vernon Drive
Shelbyville, KY 40065
We are there on Sunday morning from about 9:45 AM to 12:00 PM and Wednesday night from about 6:45 PM to 9 PM.
The church is not open at any other times as we work normal jobs during the week.
Service Times:
- Sunday Morning 10 AM – 12 PM
- Wednesday Night 7 PM to 9 PM
Note: We will be moving to a New Independent Fundamental Baptist (NIFB) church due to the unsuccessful building of a church in Shelbyville, KY. Current plans are to move some time in the year 2023 depending on the sale of our home.
This website will continue as “True Words Christian,” and I will continue to teach the Bible, create videos, and win souls to Christ through this website. I will be under the authority of a pastor at an NIFB church. We will be contributing to that church and giving our full effort there as well. The most likely church, at this time, will be Sure Foundation Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington. I will be preaching there on Sunday night, 12/11/22, Lord willing. The video will be posted here once it has been preached.
We will continue to have church and will go soul winning until we move to our new church.
My Phone Number and Email Address
My name is Joshua Tapp and my phone number is (502)396-1657. You can text me any time. I might not be able to answer a phone call if I am working during the week. Please leave a message.
My email address: josh@truewordschristian.org
You can email me at any time. Please give me a day or so to respond. I try to respond as quickly as I can.
My Home Address
You can find my home address in any number of ways so I’ll go ahead and list it here for you:
467 Hebron Road
Shelbyville, KY 40065
If you want to have dinner or learn the Gospel, send me a message. My wife, kids, and I would love to cook a dinner for you and welcome you to our table to eat.
You Tube Channel
True Words Christian You Tube Channel
True Words Christian Instagram Page
Good Churches, NIFB, Throughout This Country
I wanted to give you a list of good churches that we support and agree with in doctrine. This list is in no particular order.
Sure Foundation Baptist Church
Vancouver, WA
Pastor Aaron Thompson
Faithful Word Baptist Church
Tempe, AZ
Pastor Steven Anderson
Verity Baptist Church
Sacramento, CA
Pastor Roger Jimenez
Faithful Word Baptist Church
Tucson, AZ
Deacon Corbin Ressl
Hold Fast Baptist Church
Fresno, CA
Pastor Jared Pozarnsky
First Works Baptist Church
Anaheim, CA
Pastor Bruce Mejia
Strong Hold Baptist Church
Norcross, GA
Pastor David Berzins
Shield of Faith Baptist Church
Boise, ID
Pastor Joe Jones
Stedfast Baptist Church
Watauga, TX
Pastor Jonathan Shelley
Mountain Baptist Church
Fairmont, WV
Pastor Jason Robinson
New Life Baptist Church
Unit 9, 16 Sydal St
Little Mountain QLD 4551
0497 868 329
Pastor Kevin Sepulveda
There are other church plants that are under all of these churches that will be great churches to find as well.
What to look for in a good church? Here are the 3 requirements without any compromise:
1) King James Bible Only
2) Salvation is by grace through faith alone and not of works
3) Soul Winning
If a church does not have these 3 things, find another church.
Please find a good church in your area. Support that church. Attend every service they have. Go soul winning. Fulfill the commandment Jesus gave us: 1) Preach the Gospel, 2) Baptize, 3) Teach “them” all things. You are “them.” Now go find more of “them.”
If you can’t find a good church, make it a priority. Move to one of them. First visit. Then make a decision. It is a priority that you get to a good church with believers.
Thanks For Being Here
Thanks for being here and enjoying the True Words Christian website.
If this website has helped you in any way, please send me a text message, email, or give me a call some time.
Have a great day! If you haven’t been saved, or if you aren’t sure, please watch: How To Make It To Heaven.
Bill Lee says
Hi Josh, I found your website just browsing around. I am always interested in better understanding how different Christians interpret Scripture concerning what we must do, if anything, to be saved.
You quoted…. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Then, you stated…False preachers will take this single verse right here and teach that you must repent of your sin and be baptized to be saved….
You continued….Yes, repenting of sin and getting baptized in water is a work that YOU do. If it’s not, who else is going to do it? They’re saying YOU must do these works to be saved.
Next you asked…..Does Jesus Christ ever say that you MUST repent of your sin and be baptized to receive everlasting life? No, he doesn’t….
If what you say is true, how do you explain Mark 16:15-16 (KJV) “and He (Jesus) said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…”
It sounds like Jesus is saying, like Peter, that we must do something, work or otherwise, to be saved….namely believe and be baptized.
(Note: I read the grammar of “is baptized” to be the passive tense ie. the baptizing is done TO you (not by you) so, it can be said that the baptism is NOT a work…..what do you think?)
Please keep in mind I am just trying to better understand the different interpretations I come across, especially having to do with what I call a faith alone (belief alone) teaching.
Thanks so very much for your consideration in this matter and God bless. Bill Lee
p.s. I love your graph showing the two choices that both lead to eternal life. I will save it. Thanks for putting it together.
Joshua Tapp says
Hello Bill,
Nice to meet you.
I know you didn’t do this on purpose, but we need to put all of the verse there. Here is the entire verse:
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” This is a true statement because it is written in the Bible. If you believe in Jesus Christ and are baptized, you shall be saved. But this doesn’t say that if you believe in Jesus Christ and aren’t baptized that you won’t be saved. The entire Bible says that if you believe in Jesus Christ, you are saved and have everlasting life.
If we finish the verse, the Bible explains itself: “But he that believeth not shall be damned.” Notice that the second half of verse 16 tells you that it is the believing part that saves you or damns you. Not the baptism part.
If you believe in Jesus Christ and have blue eyes, you will be saved. If you believe in Jesus Christ and weigh less than 200 pounds, you will be saved. If you believe in Jesus Christ and have one leg, you will be saved. I hope I am explaining myself so that you can understand. Do you see what the entire verse says now? Please let me know.
100%, without any doubt at all, the Bible teaches that we are only saved by grace through faith. Grace is the opposite of works. Grace means none of us deserve to be saved.
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Please let me know if something isn’t clear. Thank you for asking the question, and I hope to see you around more. I am glad the graph helps!
In Jesus Christ,
Josh
Bill Lee says
Thanks for your prompt and kind response. I just wanted to let you know things are busy around here so rest assured I will get back to you asap.
God bless, Bill
Joshua Tapp says
Hello Bill, I think I know where this is going. I could be wrong. Before you respond, maybe you should watch or read these sermons:
https://truewordschristian.org/by-one-spirit-are-we-all-baptized/
https://truewordschristian.org/sermon-baptism-in-the-book-of-acts/
https://truewordschristian.org/sermon-does-baptism-save-you/
https://truewordschristian.org/sermon-repent-and-be-baptized/
https://truewordschristian.org/he-that-believeth-and-is-baptized-shall-be-saved/
https://truewordschristian.org/making-scripture-say-what-it-doesnt/
https://truewordschristian.org/sermon-born-of-the-water/
If you are trying to understand the truth, you should watch them.
Josh
Bill Lee says
Hey Josh. Sorry it took me time get back. I’m glad you suggested I listen to your sermons because doing so did change my thinking. I chose to listen to ‘does baptism save you’ because that was one of the two items on your graph that caught my attention, the other item being the relationship between sin and rewards. I listened to a good portion of the video but not all of it. I really appreciated your sincere style and your kindness toward your congregation and it evident God gave you a heart for Him. There’s one thing you made me wonder and if I missed it in the rest of the video I apologize. If faith in Jesus is all we need to be saved, does the New Testament give any indication why baptism was even insituted? God bless, Bill
Joshua Tapp says
Hello Bill,
We are only saved by grace through faith. Grace and works are the opposite of each other according to the Bible. Salvation is not of works. It is clearly said throughout the Bible. Once we are saved, this is not the end of our life here. We still have work to do for God. But these works do not save us. We were created to do good works through faith. Water baptism is the first physical work we do after we are saved when done according to the order in God’s words. Water baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are publicly professing our faith and saying that we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that salvation is not of ourselves. There are other baptisms mentioned in the Bible. Being baptized in Christ is fully putting on Christ alone for salvation. Yes, we must be baptized in Christ, but this is a spiritual baptism. God uses physical things, for us, to teach us spiritual things.
Josh
Bill Lee says
Very good answer concerning Baptism. Thanks.
My other question has to do with a verse your graph brought to mind. The bottom left of the graph teaches that serious sin after salvation only affects our heavenly rewards. So, how would you interpret the following passage where Paul is speaking to and warning fellow Christians. As I read the chapter, I see a number of ‘condition’ statements Paul includes that appear to clearly state that, if Christians go back to to doing such things (works of the flesh), they will not inherit eternal life. For examples of ‘condition’ statements, see verses 1,10, 16-18 and especially verse 21. (Note: I interpret ‘doing such things’ to mean going back to ‘practicing works of the flesh’ because I agree with you that we all sin and makes mistakes but ‘practicing’ those works of the flesh I see as a different matter altogether).
Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Thanks and God’s blessings to you, Bill
Joshua Tapp says
Hello Bill,
I am not sure what you mean as serious sin. I am assuming you are taking the list in Galatians Chapter 5 and calling it the more serious sin. But let’s take a look at more of the Scriptures before we assign certain sin as “Serious sin.”
I would call everything on that list serious sin as well since it all sends you to hell. Right? Fearful is on the list. Unbelieving is on the list. All liars is on the list. And the Bible doesn’t say that a liar is defined as a big time liar or a compulsive liar or anything like that. We don’t add to God’s words. A liar is someone who has told one lie. A murderer is someone who has murdered one person. One lie sends you to hell. One sin sends you to hell because one sin causes you to break the whole law because God’s law is one law. When it’s broken, it’s broken.
Serious sin after salvation doesn’t only affect your rewards. Your life here and now is affected too. A saved person is a child of God and will now be punished or chastened by their Father in heaven. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. I think you might be minimizing what God can do to a saved person when they want to continue in these serious sins. He isn’t sending them to hell, but God can and will make their life a living hell. David had to deal with those punishments. He lost children. I can’t imagine something as bad as losing my wife or my children. So, it’s not only your rewards that are affected.
I don’t see one statement in that chapter or in the entire Bible that says “if Christians go back to doing such things (works of the flesh), they will not inherit eternal life.” Are you reading the King James Bible? You are quoting from there so I assume that you are.
The Bible is telling us to walk in the Spirit so we don’t fulfill the lusts of the flesh. The flesh will never inherit the kingdom of God. This is why our flesh dies. It is corrupt. When we walk in the flesh, and we do, we will do these evil works. We don’t want to do those things so we are to walk in the Spirit. And those who won’t put all their trust in Jesus Christ alone (faith alone) will have no choice but to walk in the flesh. The children of the flesh do not have the Spirit of God and they are none of His.
If anyone who done these things (even after saved) could not inherit the kingdom of God, there wouldn’t be anyone in heaven. All liars end up in hell. We are made clean once we believe in Jesus Christ. Our soul is forgiven of all sin. Our flesh is not because our flesh will die. This is why our bodies die. But the second death is the death of our soul in hell. For example, in my flesh, I am a liar. But in my soul, I am perfect and holy because I have been forgiven of all sin (even future lies). My soul will never die. My flesh will die. But one day God will raise my flesh incorruptible and change my body in the twinkling of an eye. I will put on incorruption and be like Jesus Christ because He was the first to rise from the dead.
Saved people do these things but God forbid. He isn’t okay with these things. And He will punish us if we do these things, but He will not throw us into hell. Jesus says, “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” He can’t say that and then add works that you can’t do to salvation. Salvation is not of works and this list has nothing to do with salvation. If we are not forgiven of all our sins, then we would be on that list.
Saul was a saved man before he committed those sins. He murdered his own people (85 priests of the Lord and more in that city). David was a saved man before he committed those sins. Solomon was a saved man before he committed those sins. And that was the Old Testament. They weren’t saved by their works then either or all of them would be in hell. Ananias and Sapphira were saved. They tempted God and lost their life. Saul killed himself. Can’t repent of that sin because he was dead. Samson killed himself. Paul admitted that he kept sinning. We can’t say, “Well, he didn’t commit the really bad sins.” He committed sin in his flesh. In his soul, though, he had no sin so he wasn’t called anything on that list. We are not called anything on that list if we have believed “IN” the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks again,
Josh
Bill Lee says
Thanks Josh. Your additional comments helped me better understand what you are saying and they also helped better clarify the graph. I mostly wanted to get a better understanding of your thoughts concerning the two questions I raised ie. about Baptism and sin/rewards. I believe you have done a thorough job in addressing both topics so that I have achieved my goal. As I continue my studies, I believe your input will prove helpful.
Before I go, I want to thank you for the time you took out of your schedule and for the kindness you have shown me. I appreciate it. I saved the graph and hope to use it for further study in the future. Thanks again for making it available.
God’s blessings to you and your congregation.
Bill
Pastor Joshua Oendo says
Dear Brethren,
We are happy and moved by what you share and teach. We are moved in our hearts writing to you and request for your teachings, such as your beliefs of your ministry to help teach the congregation here. We are located in Kenya Africa.
We honor to hear from you. may the Lord bless you all.
Pastor Joshua
james e tucker says
what do you think Hebrews 6:4-6 is saying? I haven’t found a preacher who knows what this says. some say it says you can lose your salvation; others say these people were never saved. I say both of these are wrong.
Joshua Tapp says
Please tell me more James. I know it’s not saying you can lose your salvation. I personally believe it’s talking about the last chance for someone to be saved. They reject God one final time and God rejects them forever. They have no more chances to be saved.
Alice Taylor says
Hello Josh, I came across your article in reference to Southeast Christian Church being a false church. While I am, according to Southeast’s records, a member, I stopped attending church services in 2019. I won’t say what campus I attended. I want you to know that prior to the church plant here in my town, I LOVED Southeast, never missing a telecast each Sunday. I WAS SO HAPPY AND EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON!
I have been a born again Christian since 2005. At the time I began to attend Southeast, it felt right. Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman, at least to me, were at the top of their game, hitting my funny bone every time. And oh, the music was second to none; I was practically dancing in the aisles! The message was good, though oddly enough, after the service, I hardly remembered what it was about.
You have to know, I am not one of those, just show up every Sunday, say Amen, and drop my “obligatory “ offering in the collection plate. When I say I am “born again,” I’m not perfect by any means. I’ve been guilty of terrible sins, long before now, at one time I deliberately turned my back on God, blaming Him for the cause of a hurt so deep I never thought I would live through it. God patiently and lovingly brought me through it. For that, I’m very grateful. I’m a sinner saved by grace. My conversion is a daily process. I consider it most seriously and humbly. I have learned by God’s grace and faithfulness how to love and follow Him in truth and trust. Every single day, the first thing each morning, without exception, I devote myself in praise, prayer, honor, and devotion to reading the Word of God. Never in my life would I ever have imagined I would be on this path. My trust and faithfulness is growing by leaps and bounds. The ways God is showing up in my life is nothing short of a miracle!
Getting back to Southeast, it wasn’t very long after attending that the “laugh out loud “ humor from Dave and Kyle (Kyle, now solo, since Dave has retired) only emitted a smile at best, the music was too loud, the fog machine unnecessary and out of place, the bright lights keeping in tune with the music now blinded me. The message, what there was of it, sounded too soft, devoid of substance, lacked accountability, and Godly wisdom. In my opinion, Southeast, like so many contemporary churches AKA “cool churches” are just for entertainment and wealth. I no longer attended services, however, I had begun to regularly attend the weekly adult Bible Study which I enjoyed quite a lot. I made a lot of friends, the lessons made sense and the small group made learning and sharing God’s Word intimate and genuine.
Josh, I apologize for this very lengthy message. There is one more vitally, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE I pray you will take heed to. You are laying the foundation of your God given faith by acknowledging false teachings and churches. I SO APPRECIATE everything you have said what only God could have placed in your heart.
NOW UNDERSTAND THIS TRUTH: SUNDAY IS NOT THE SABBATH DAY! REPEAT!!
SUNDAY IS NOT, NOR HAS EVER BEEN THE SABBATH DAY!!! This is not something God laid out for the Jews, but also for EVERYONE who considers themselves Christians.
Sunday worship is something the Roman Catholic Church instituted, defiantly removing the true Sabbath from the Holy Commandments God gave. I know you must know this because you appear to me to be knowledgeable. Sunday worship is a false teaching!
I now understand why Southeast lost my appeal; God was calling me out. …”Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” – Revelation 18:4. I didn’t understand it that way at the time I stopped attending Southeast. I had not looked into joining any other church since then either.
Look, you don’t have to take my word for it. This is what I hope you, your wife, and anyone else you can interest, to watch this extremely enlightening four part Christian Documentary, “As In The Days Of Noah” telecast on Amazon Prime. The first three installments are free, the final one is $3.99 to rent, $10.00 to purchase. You will have to have an Amazon subscription to view. You also, might be able to view it on YouTube. This is not a MOVIE! The production is made by a host of Biblical experts and a variety of other people in fields of Bible history.
When I first saw the telecast, I immediately approached my Bible Study host, offering to purchase the documentary and present it to our group for important, informative information and discussion. Not surprisingly, I was met with anger and unbelief. I have also mentioned the topic and documentary to friends and neighbors. Sadly, I am met with non-interest, or, fake words of, “Yes, thank you for telling me, when I have time, I’ll watch it.” I get it, most Christians are not going to stop going to church on Sunday even if it would mean they would lose their mortal souls.
I am not angry at anyone who won’t believe what God says, COMMANDING us how to worship Him. I, instead choose to pray for them. Long before, I was even aware of this documentary, God’s honest truth is that I end EVERY PRAYER with these words: “FATHER, PLEASE GUARD US ALL AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS “. Amazing, how God hears and answers our prayers that pleases Him. Last comment: I, along with another person have been honoring God, worshipping the TRUE SABBATH EVERY SATURDAY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. We come away blessed each and every time! PRAISE GOD!!
Josh, God bless you and your Godly walk. If I never hear from you or our paths cross in this world as we know it, I pray to meet you in Heaven.
Joshua Tapp says
Hello Alice,
Southeast Christian is a false church in every way.
Are you a Seventh Day Adventist now?
The Sabbath is not on Sunday. But you are wrong about church being bad on Sunday. Use the examples in the New Testament and the Scriptures.
Are you telling me it’s wrong to worship God on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday too? Come on. Don’t fall for that trash.
I will worship God every day and would love to have church all 7 days a week. Do you think God would be angry? No, because there are Scriptures saying so.
The problem with false doctrine is people fall for one thing and then they act like everyone else is evil over something like worshipping God on Sunday.
Instead, you gage evil by the actual Gospel. For example, Southeast Christian is evil because they preach a False Gospel and a works based salvation. Not because they have church on Sunday.