Acts 13:38-39, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
I love this passage of Scripture in Acts 13:39. Whosoever BELIEVES on the name of Jesus are JUSTIFIED from ALL THINGS! That means ETERNAL SECURITY! That means ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED! And let me say confidently on biblical authority: ETERNAL LIFE is ETERNAL SECURITY! These are not two separate doctrines; but rather, they are one and THE SAME. That is, the man who has Eternal Life also has Eternal Security.
I am sick and tired of lying false prophets in bad churches everywhere today, errantly teaching that God won't save you unless you are first willing to forsake a lifestyle of sinning. That constitutes WORKS dear reader! These ungodly deceptive pastors (sadly including most Baptists today) will deceitfully say that you're not saved by works, but then tell you that if your faith doesn't produce works you did really get saved. They are LIARS!
Instead of adding works to frontload the Gospel, they are adding works on the backside of the Gospel. What saith the Scripture? Romans 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” Carefully notice that the inspired Word of God doesn't say to repent (change your mind) to turn away from your sin (bad works).
Contrariwise, the Bible teaches to repent to turn away from your “DEAD WORKS” (which includes all works that cannot merit you Heaven). You cannot get to heaven by doing good works. You cannot get to Heaven by forsaking bad works (sins). If you want to hear a tremendous sermon by Pastor Jack Hyles on this topic, it is titled: “HE DIED FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS TOO.” Isaiah 64:6b declares that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Committing even one sin disqualifies a sinner from going to Heaven (James 2:10).
The following passage of inspired Scripture, like umpteen other Bible passages, simply tells the reader to “BELIEVE” to be justified; not just justified, but JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS!
Acts 13:38-39, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
The moment that you by faith (taking God at His written Word) accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that Jesus was buried but then raised up from the dead three days later, is saved instantly and permanently. This is the “Glad Tidings” (i.e., Gospel, Good News) by which all humanity may be saved if they simply “BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Acts 16:31b). This salvation invitation from God is extended to each and every human being by grace. Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.
