© 14 Colin Melbourne
Works-Based Salvation Heresy
Q: I’ve heard that Cornelius, the Roman Centurion in Acts 10, was already saved before Peter arrived. Is this correct?
A: No, it’s a deception propagated by several cults, for example; the JWs, “JayDubs”, aka. Russellites; followers of false-teacher Charles Taze Russell. They peddle it to support the heresy that salvation depends upon our good works.
Proponents erroneously claim that the Acts Centurion, Cornelius, was already saved long before Peter visited him, citing as proof; the angel’s description of him as devout, and his alms-giving.
We are certain they are wrong because their teaching flatly contradicts God’s word.
Devotion and good works save no-one.
Not even preachers of the true Gospel.
The Only Way to Heaven
Spend every waking moment proclaiming Christ, giving alms, caring for orphans & widows, but you’ll still die in your sins, because you must be born again.
Have you been born again as Christ described in John 3?
Nicodemus was a devout Jewish teacher of the Law, who believed in the true God, and surely had far more good works than Cornelius, but Jesus told him exactly what he was lacking, Jn. 3:5-7KJV;
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Notice the precision of the KJV; I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
“Thee“, singular, meaning Nicodemus, followed by, “Ye“, plural, meaning each person born of the flesh, you and me, everybody.
There are plenty of preachers who have never experienced the new birth.
Their message betrays them.
God’s Double Curse on Cults
The “Christ” of Russellites, and all cults, is not the Christ of the Bible, but a false-Christ leading sinners to Hell.
JayDubs are twice condemned; first, like all men, by being born sinful, and second, accursed by preaching a perverted gospel. Gal. 1:7b-9 KJV;
…there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Those are the perfect words of God; take them to heart.
How To Be Sure of Your Salvation
I have believed the identical Gospel preached to the Galatians.
I have believed in the same Christ preached to the Galatians.
My salvation from; sin, death, and Hell, depends entirely upon the complete and perfect work the LORD Jesus Christ has accomplished.
God in the Flesh gave Himself for me, bore my sin, my guilt, my diseases, my infirmities, and my punishment.
He went to Hell in my stead, and was raised to life for my total justification before God, once and for all.
It is done, never to be repeated, and entirely sufficient.
Jesus’ Blood is enough for me
The Son of God’s Life-Blood was poured out to appease the wrath of Almighty God that was justly due for me.
Don’t try and persuade me that I need to add to, or improve, the work of God: He did enough.
I merely heard about it, believed it, and received Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
He entered my heart and instantly made me a new creation.
That’s true of every person who repents from unbelief and believes on Him.
When was Cornelius the Centurion Saved?
Before Peter arrived and delivered his anointed Gospel message, the Roman soldier was still in his sins, and unsaved.
How do we know Cornelius was not saved before Peter came?
God’s word tells us.
First, in Ac. 10:4-6 KJV, the angel of God commended Cornelius for his devotion, and alms giving;
Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
The Lord had noted his sincere devotion, fasting, and praying to the true God, together with his good works.
Look how tactfully and gently the Lord indicates there was something vital this seeker was missing.
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
What was it that God said He wanted him to do?
Perhaps; pray more, give more, fast more, or build synagogues?
God, the Holy Ghost through Peter, later recounting events, specifies what He wanted this sincere and devout Gentile to do, Ac. 11:13-14 KJV;
And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Future tense, “shall be saved“: When the angel spoke to Cornelius, the man was still unsaved, in his sins, and Hell-bound, despite his religious devotion and righteous acts.
Nobody in Cornelius’ household was saved before Peter arrived.
Who Will You Believe?
False teachers claim Cornelius was saved already: God’s word, delivered by God’s Spirit says he still needed to be saved.
Whose word are you going to believe: God’s or man’s?
The Complete Teachings of Smith Wigglesworth: Is a wonderful book of Smith Wigglesworth sermons transcribed by James Salter (his son-in-law, and missionary in the African Congo). Full sermon transcripts in this massive inspirational collection. It makes a perfect daily devotional alongside your Bible.
© 14 Colin Melbourne
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