I am continuing to analyze Mormon doctrines versus historic Biblical Christianity. When we looked at the Trinity we saw that Christianity teaches one God subsists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity is co-equal and co-eternal. However, Mormons deny the Trinity and believe there are three gods of this earth, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christianity is monotheistic (belief in one God) while Mormonism is polytheistic (belief in many gods). The Bible teaches the Trinity and therefore, Mormons are wrong about who God is. Next I would like to compare teachings concerning salvation.
- What do Christians believe about salvation?
Ephes. 2:8, 9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.” Paul clearly says we have been saved by faith APART from good works! A Christian cannot earn his or her way to heaven. What are we saved from? He tells us in Ephesians 2:3“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.” Paul says through faith we are saved from God’s wrath; His judgment. That judgment is separation from God for all eternity, which the Bible calls hell.
Our problem with trying to enter heaven is our sin; God will not allow anyone into heaven with unpaid sin. Romans 3:23 says, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse tells us clearly we are all in trouble; we are all sinners. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Bible teaches someone has to pay the penalty for each and every sin we have committed. Either we pay for our own sin or Jesus pays for our sin. Paul writes what we earn from sin is death and separation from God for all eternity. How can we have Jesus pay for our sins? How can we get into heaven? Ephesians 2 says it is by faith in Jesus we can enter heaven. Jesus explains more in the book of John.
Jesus spoke about heaven and who could enter in John 14:1-6 (NASB) “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 “And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus told his disciples about heaven and said He would come back to get them and take them into heaven; this promise is for us today. Jesus then told them the entrance requirements for heaven; only by belief in Him (v6). Only those who follow Jesus will be in heaven when they die. Everyone else will pay for their own sins and incur the wrath of God; they will be separated from God for all eternity.
Grace or heaven is provided free to those who believe; to those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. And what about doing good works? Doing good deeds cannot pay the penalty for sin, only Jesus dying on the cross can pay the penalty for sin. Salvation is not by works, so that no one can boast. No one can brag about earning heaven. We are saved by God’s grace through faith apart from any works.
