What is everything in salvation based on?
Everything in salvation is based on God's love. Church membership, baptism—whether sprinkling, pouring, or immersion—and other rituals are not the basis. After belief, God seals believers with the indwelling Holy Spirit as His mark of ownership and the down payment of their inheritance.
Les explains that salvation is not based on church membership or baptism—whether sprinkling, pouring, or immersion—because those things are not in Scripture. After a person believes, God seals them with the Holy Spirit, branding them as His own possession. Les uses the illustration of a cattle brand, which marks ownership. The indwelling Holy Spirit is God's mark of ownership, the seal of promise, and the earnest or down payment of our inheritance. Romans 5:8 declares that God commended His love toward us, and everything is based on His love.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
More Questions
What is the basis of everything in God's plan?
Les teaches that everything is based on God's love. In Romans 5:8, he shows that God, the Almighty Creator, the Triune God, commended or extended His love toward us. This love is why salvation cannot be based on church membership or baptism—whether sprinkling, pouring, or immersion—because those things are not in Scripture. After a person believes, God seals and brands them with the indwelling Holy Spirit, His mark of ownership and the earnest or down payment of our inheritance.