Beth-El Baptist Church

09/09/2012

Greg Tomlinson


Is the principle of through Christ alone biblical?


One of the great dividing points between Roman Catholics and Protestantism in general, even amongst some Protestant groups, is the relationship between Christ and salvation. While most will acknowledge the necessity of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, many will claim that salvation requires more than Christ and in some cases that not even Christ is necessary. This is considered to be especially true when dealing with other religions. One of the claims of the Reformation was that “salvation is through Christ alone”.


  1. If it were not through Christ, then what would the other option(s) be?

Jeremiah 7:4-5 Matthew 3:7-10

Proverbs 20:6 John 5:17


There are basically three pathways, apart from Christ, that people will identify. There are those who believe that they will enter into the eternal heaven because of their heritage. Whether that heritage is through the physical lineage of Abraham or physical lineage of Christian parents or grand-parents, some claim their “right” to enter into the kingdom of God simply because of who they are descended from. Some claim that they will enter into the kingdom of God because of their good works. Others claim they will enter into the kingdom of God by being faithful to their own religion.


  1. Why can't salvation be accomplished by being faithful to what you believe?

2 Timothy 3:5 2 Peter 2:1-2

John 14:6; 3:36 Ezekiel 33:13

Romans 10:3-4 Philippians 3:8-10

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12


Being steadfast and unmovable in believing a lie is still believing a lie. It does not matter how much “faith” you place in the lie that you believe, believing it does not make it so. The only faith that can and will provide eternal life is life in Jesus Christ. This is not true because Christians claim it to be so but because God claims it to be so.


  1. Doesn't the bible claim that Christ died for the sins of the whole world? So it should not matter what is believed.

1 John 2:2-4 John 3:36

Matthew 11:27 Romans 4:20-25


Although Christ did die for the sins of the whole word, it does NOT mean that all are forgiven and that all have received the imputed righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Regardless of the person's faith or religion or beliefs, if he does not believe on Jesus Christ, the person will NOT face the loving acceptance of God but he will instead face the fullness of the wrath of God. It not only matters that you believe in Jesus Christ but that you believe in the RIGHT Jesus Christ.




  1. Why can't other religions be just as acceptable to God?

Matthew 26:39 Acts 4:12

Hebrews 9:20-23 Leviticus 4:23

1 Corinthians 10:20; 15:1-4 Galatians 2:21


The most fundamental answer is because God said so. But let us go beyond that. All other religions are sacrificing, whether other animals or an image or a concept, to a devil and not to God. It is only through humble submission to God's way, the way of Christ that salvation can become a reality. If there were any other pathway apart from Christ to enter into the kingdom of God, then Christ's death would be unnecessary and counter productive. Salvation must be through Christ alone for anything else mars His offering.