Salvation & the Gospel
The gospel of the grace of God is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. It is received by faith alone, apart from works, and it saves completely the moment it is believed. These articles set Paul's gospel apart from the terms given to Israel, and answer the common confusions about repentance, confession and faith.
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Repentance Rightly Divided: What Paul Meant — and What He Did Not
Posted by Edward Cross on
Paul never preached repentance of sins as a condition of salvation. He preached repentance toward God — a change of mind from unbelief to acknowledging the truth of the gospel. This article traces repentance through the prophetic program, Paul's salvation context, and the believer's walk, showing where each belongs.
The Mystery of Faith - Part 1
Posted by Edward Cross on
The faith Paul calls a mystery is not personal faith but the faith of Jesus Christ — His faithfulness — which is the basis of the believer's justification before God. Part one traces the distinction between personal faith in the Old Testament and the faith of Christ revealed to Paul for the dispensation of grace.
Salvation and Rewards: Two Different Things
Posted by Edward Cross on
Salvation and reward are not two names for one thing. One is a free gift that cannot be earned or lost; the other is a wage for service that can be gained or forfeited, yet never touches the gift. Rightly divide the two and the trembling conscience and the careless heart are answered at once.
All articles on this topic
Is Confessing Christ with Your Mouth Necessary?
Posted by Edward R. Cross on June 4, 2026
Romans 10:9 is embedded in Paul's explanation of Israel's stumbling, not a universal salvation formula. This article examines what kingdom confession meant, why heart-faith alone saves the Body of Christ, and why the sinner's prayer is not what Paul had in mind.
Repentance Rightly Divided: What Paul Meant — and What He Did Not
Posted by Edward R. Cross on May 29, 2026
Paul never preached repentance of sins as a condition of salvation. He preached repentance toward God — a change of mind from unbelief to acknowledging the truth of the gospel. This article traces repentance through the prophetic program, Paul's salvation context, and the believer's walk, showing where each belongs.
Shall Be Saved vs. Are Saved: Two Programs, Two Tenses, One Divided Word
Posted by Edward R. Cross on May 23, 2026
Shall be saved is future and conditional in Israel's kingdom program. Are saved is a present possession in Paul's mystery program. This article shows how the tense difference reveals two distinct programs with two distinct salvations, and why borrowing kingdom language robs the believer of present assurance.
What to Do When You Sin: Grace, Godly Sorrow, and Secured Fellowship in Christ
Posted by Edward R. Cross on May 4, 2026
Because the Body of Christ is already forgiven of all trespasses, the believer does not confess sin to regain standing before God. This article shows what Paul actually teaches about godly sorrow, reckoning, and yielding as the proper response to sin under the dispensation of grace.
Born Again, Born of the Spirit, and Born After the Spirit: Rightly Dividing Israel's Kingdom Hope from Our New Creature Reality
Posted by Edward R. Cross on May 2, 2026
Born again is kingdom language Christ spoke to a ruler of Israel about national new birth and entrance into the earthly kingdom. Paul's language for the Body of Christ is the new creature, quickened together with Christ and seated in heavenly places. This article shows the distinction and why it matters.
Feigned Faith of the Fathers
Posted by Edward R. Cross on October 7, 2023
Claiming promises God never made to the Body of Christ is feigned faith — pretense rather than genuine trust in the rightly divided word. This article shows what real faith looks like under grace and why applying Israel's conditional promises to yourself misrepresents God and produces vain jangling.
The Mystery of Faith - Part 1
Posted by Edward R. Cross on October 4, 2023
The faith Paul calls a mystery is not personal faith but the faith of Jesus Christ — His faithfulness — which is the basis of the believer's justification before God. Part one traces the distinction between personal faith in the Old Testament and the faith of Christ revealed to Paul for the dispensation of grace.
The Mystery of Faith - Part 2
Posted by Edward R. Cross on October 4, 2023
Part two continues the examination of the faith of Christ, showing why this mystery is superior to personal faith and why the believer's confidence rests in Christ's faithfulness rather than their own capacity to believe. If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful.
