Salvation and Fruit Part 2

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Evening School of the Bible

Aug 01, 2025

There is only one gospel for salvation today, as clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4: Christ died on behalf of our sins, was buried (proving His death), and rose again on the third day—all according to the Scriptures.
Physical resurrection is essential. It was witnessed by many, including the disciples and over 500 brethren.
Salvation has always been by faith, never by works—not in any past, present, or future dispensation.

A distinction is made between fruit and works. Works may accompany repentance but are not necessarily good works.
Works worthy of repentance (e.g., turning from idols) reflect a change of mind—the true meaning of "repentance."
Acts 26:20 shows that Paul preached that people should repent (change their minds), turn to God, and perform deeds befitting that repentance.
The thief on the cross is an example: though he did no good works, his change of mind and faith in Christ revealed true belief.

Only New Testament saints can produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), because they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
The fruit is not our own; it is produced by the Spirit through us.
The fruit includes love (God’s love), joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, objectivity of mind (often mistranslated as gentleness), and self-control.
The Greek word for “objectivity of mind” is often mistranslated as “gentleness” or “meekness,” leading to confusion in interpretation.

Hebrews 6:4–6 is often misused to claim salvation can be lost, but the passage speaks of those who have been enlightened, shared in the Spirit, and tasted the good word of God.
If such a person were to “fall away,” renewal to repentance would require Christ to be crucified again, which is impossible.
The true focus is not the loss of salvation, but the loss of reward (bad works being burned, as in Hebrews 6:8 and 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).
The “land” represents the person; thorns and briars symbolize bad works, not the loss of the person.

Fruit and growth in truth are better indicators of salvation than external behavior or religious appearance.
True believers will exhibit spiritual understanding, which the natural (unsaved) man cannot.
Christians may stumble or be influenced by poor teaching, but they cannot lose salvation.

Salvation is not obtained by praying the “sinner’s prayer” or by confessing all sins.
A leading question (e.g., “Do you believe Christ died for your sins?”) can elicit rote responses without genuine understanding.
Ask instead: “What do you base your salvation on?”
Repentance for salvation means a change of mind, not an emotional response or remorse for sin.

God disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:6), not to condemn but to train.
If a professing believer never experiences God’s discipline, it may indicate they are not truly saved.
Unbelievers, including those in church leadership, are allowed to continue in their ways and “fill up their judgment” (Romans 1:18–32).

Tares (false believers) are indistinguishable from true believers except at birth and when fruit is produced.
They often appear more religious and righteous than true believers, but they lack spiritual fruit.
Satan uses them to infiltrate churches and mislead believers into legalism or false doctrine.

Salvation is secure because it is based on Christ’s finished work, not on our ability to maintain faith or perform works.
Believing in vain (1 Corinthians 15:2) refers to belief without purpose or object—e.g., belief based on something other than Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
True faith naturally results in good works, but works do not produce faith.

God will not forget the work and labor of love performed by believers (Hebrews 6:10).
Believers should grow in maturity, not return to the dead works of the Law.
True Christians will bear fruit, experience discipline, and have a growing understanding of Scripture.