The Heresy Hunter

How To Be Saved

I was looking at Kenneth Copeland's idea of Salvation. He writes:

Salvation is a gift that is made available to those who repent, believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and that He died and rose from the dead to save mankind (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10). This gift cannot be earned through good deeds or by simply being "good" (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 1:9). It is a matter of faith (acting out on what you believe according to God's Word concerning salvation). If you have come here looking for a change in your life, if you have come seeking a peace that is found only through a personal relationship with a loving God, then you are at the right place. God is ready and willing to help you—right now, and right where you are.

Pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.

If you have prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of God.

But what is missing from this page for those just visiting his site for the first time?

• Repent - repent from what? What does that mean?
• Save mankind - from what? Why do I need saving? I'm doing just fine.
• Jesus - who is he? How can some man save me? Copeland once said that Jesus told him that under the right circumstances Copeland himself could have saved mankind, so what makes Jesus so special?
• Acting out - does that mean I have to do something? I'd heard Jesus did it all.

Unfortunately, salvation statements like this are all too common in many churches, not just Word of Faith churches. The Gospel does no one any good if they haven't heard the Law. It does no good if they don't know what Jesus is saving them from. And the Gospel does no good if people think they must do something besides trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Labels: Kenneth Copeland

posted by Bob Hunter @ Thursday, October 26, 2006