Again I am by no means claiming or teaching this a doctrinal truth but rather simply a possibility! TR I hear ya TR. I get tired of these preachers who package salvation messages into these slogans like the "ABC's of salvation" that actually involve works , the only part needed is the ""B" part "Believe". The "A" and "C" parts mean attaching works. Romans 10:9, which is actually part of an appeal to Israel, is misused as a salvation slogan for individual salvation. It involves the work of confessing and does not involve the complete message of the gospel. In 1975 I came to trust Christ as my Savior simply by reading and believing Romans chapters 3 thru 5, which contains the complete message of salvation. Before then, I just heard "for all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23), but I didn't hear the next verse Rom 3:24. "being justified freely by his grace thru the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." There are a number of teachers, good and bad, who have their fan base. One particularly popular is Andy Woods. I have nothing against him, but it is a little scary how many people will just hang onto what he is saying. I just hope people will be Bereans and search the scriptures and not be just spoon fed by these teachers and writers. I get tired of these preachers who package salvation messages into these slogans like the “ABC’s of salvation” that actually involve works , the only part needed is the “”B” part “Believe”. The “A” and “C” parts mean attaching works. I have to whole heartedly disagree with this. "A" is for admitting you are a sinner. Unless you admit you are a sinner you see no need for a Savior. Calling that "works" is a bit over the top. "C" is for Confess. Matthew 10:32, straight from the Saviors mouth says Whoever therefor shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. So if Jesus says we are to do this then I suppose He is the one we should be listening to. You may call this "works" but Jesus does not. We could really split hairs and call "Believing" works too because it is a verb, an action. I don't have a problem with the ABCs personally. We do need to admit we are sinners. That's repentance. (A change of mind of who we are and our need for salvation.) Repent and believe the Gospel. The Holy Spirit prompts us to do that so I don't see it as a work. The confession comes after belief. I don't believe in Lordship Salvation which puts the cart before the horse. After we we have repented and believed the gospel then we confess Jesus as Lord. That's the way I see it, anyhow. Yohanan, if you mean coming to realize you are an sinner in need a savior, that is admission which leads to faith in Christ for salvation. And far as you citing from Matt 10:32, this was to the Jews still under the law and not to the church, the body of Christ in the age of grace. It does not demand a public confession plus faith in the age of grace. The gospel given to Paul by the ascended Lord is for the church is the gospel of salvation for the church, (Gal 1:11,12). I learned long ago to rightly divide what is for the Jews and for the church, the difference between law and grace. We are simply called to accept by faith the gospel of our salvation, and in so accepting this we thus receive eternal salvation for ourselves.
