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Jesus answers the question of what a person must do to be saved:

It is the same reply that the blessed Apostle Paul gave!

Sam Shamoun

Paul Bilal Williams is at it again with his inconsistent appeal and use of liberal critical scholarship, despite the fact that such scholarship can be used to prove that Muhammad was a false prophet and that the Quran is an uninspired book filled with lies, distortions, contradictions, absurdities, immoral teachings etc.

Williams cites James Barr who pits Paul’s words in Acts against that of Jesus’ as found in the Gospel of Mark.

Barr argues that Jesus and Paul gave two different answers to the question of what an individual had to do in order to be saved.

According to Paul, a person must believe in the Lord Jesus:

“He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.’” Acts 16:30-31

Jesus, on the other hand, stated that eternal life is obtained by following the Ten Commandments and by giving up one’s wealth in order to serve the poor (cf. Mark 10:17-22).  

It is no exaggeration to say that the pericope of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler (cf. Mark 10:17-21; Matthew 19:16-21; Luke 18:18-22) happens to be one of Williams favorite texts, if not his favorite, since he constantly quotes it ad nauseam ad infinitum in order to prove that Christ did not teach that salvation comes from believing in and confessing that Jesus is Lord.

Yet here he has enlisted the support of a leading liberal and critical Biblical scholar to support his case.

Suffice it to say, Barr’s assertions are brimming with errors and logical fallacies which we will gladly address here for the benefit of Williams with the hopes that he will come to his senses and realize that such shallow argumentation and misguided appeals to liberal scholarship seriously calls into question both his integrity and consistency.

In the first place, what makes the assertions of Barr rather ironic is that the Markan reference actually concurs with Paul’s proclamation in Acts 16:30-31 that salvation comes from trusting and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ:   

"Jesus looked at him and loved him, 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, FOLLOW ME.'” Mark 10:21

Jesus clearly tells the rich man that eternal life is not obtained by following the Mosaic legislation, but by giving up everything to follow Christ. More on this pericope shortly.

Nor is this simply an isolated case since Mark repeats the necessity of giving up everything, including one’s life if necessary, to follow Jesus. He further warns his readers that Christ will reject and condemn anyone who has been ashamed to obey his words and believe in his Gospel:

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross AND FOLLOW ME. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life FOR ME and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of ME and MY WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in HIS Father’s glory with the holy angels.'” Mark 8:34-38 – cf. 10:28-30

Mark even records God the Father explicitly commanding the disciples to listen to Jesus, his beloved Son:

"After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: 'This is my Son, whom I love. LISTEN TO HIM!'” Mark 9:2-7

As if this weren’t sufficient enough to refute Barr’s shallow argumentation and exegesis, Mark also reports Jesus plainly telling his followers that he freely offers up his life as a ransom on the cross for the salvation of his followers:

“And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise… For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” Mark 10:32-34, 45

“And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.’” Mark 14:22-24

In light of such statements, how could Barr argue that Paul’s preaching in Acts is somehow at odds with Jesus’ statements to the rich young ruler in Mark?

To make matters worse for Williams and his authority, Luke (who happens to be the one that composed the book of Acts) also mentions the story of Jesus’ encounter with this ruler in his Gospel account:

"A certain ruler asked him, 'Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother."' All these I have kept since I was a boy,' he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 'You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, FOLLOW ME.' When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.' Those who heard this asked, 'Who then can be saved?' Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.' Peter said to him, 'We have left all we had TO FOLLOW YOU!' 'Truly I tell you,' Jesus said to them, 'no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.'” Luke 18:18-30

And yet this is the same writer that reported Paul’s proclamation to the jailer that salvation comes by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ!

The reason why Luke could record both events is because he obviously didn’t think there was a problem with Jesus’ and Paul‘s statements. Luke could see that Jesus wasn’t telling the rich man that eternal life is obtained by observing the commandments, but by following Christ and giving everything up for his sake. 

In fact, a careful examination of what Luke-Acts have to say concerning the subject of salvation brings this point out more clearly.

For example, Luke reports Jesus’ warning that the eternal destiny of every individual will be determined by how they have responded to Christ:

"I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges ME before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns ME before others will be disowned before the angels of God." Luke 12:8-9

Jesus himself stated that he had come to seek and save those who are lost:

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

Christ also told his followers to proclaim to everyone that forgiveness and salvation come from turning to and believing in his name:

“He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.' Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, 'This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.'” Luke 24:44-49

This is the same message which the risen and ascended Christ proclaimed to Paul when he appeared to him in a vision: 

“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified BY FAITH IN ME.” Acts 26:12-18

In light of such instructions, it shouldn’t surprise us to find the book of Acts reporting that the Apostles went around telling everyone that salvation only comes through believing in the risen Lord Jesus: 

“'And everyone who calls ON THE NAME OF THE LORD will be saved.'… When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.'” Acts 2:21, 37-39

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43

“Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' 'As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” Acts 11:11-17

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39

“Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: 'Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.' This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, 'The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.' The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: 'Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts BY faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is THROUGH THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS that we are saved, just as they are.'” Acts 15:1-11

Jesus’ disciples even went as far as to say that Jesus is the One who actually grants repentance and forgiveness of sins to all those who turn to him:

“God raised up His Servant and sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.” Acts 3:26

“God exalted this Man to His right hand as Ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31

And in one particular case, one of Christ’s followers prayed to the risen Lord as he was about to be martyred, asking Jesus to not only receive his spirit but to also forgive his persecutors! 

“They were stoning Stephen as he called out: ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin!’ And saying this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60

The disciples were simply following the example of their risen Lord who forgave people their sins while he was still with them on earth:

“On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, ‘Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Rise and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the man who was paralyzed—‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’” Luke 5:17-26

“And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” Luke 7:48-50

Luke also reports how the believers would go around performing miracles in Jesus’ name in order to provide supernatural verification to back up their assertions concerning Christ:

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, rise up and walk!’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: 'Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.'” Acts 3:1-16

“The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: 'By what power or what name did you do this?' Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: 'Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is "the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone." Salvation is found in NO ONE ELSE, for there is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN given to mankind by which we must be saved.'” Acts 4:5-12

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.” Acts 8:4-13

“Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, JESUS CHRIST HEALS YOU; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.” Acts 9:33-43

“As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.’ And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.” Acts 16:16-18

“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.” Acts 19:11-12 – cf. 13:5-12

Interestingly, Luke tells us that Jesus’ followers were already performing miracles in his name during his time on earth:

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal… John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’” Luke 9:1-2, 49-50

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go… ‘Heal the sick in it and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”… The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.’ The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us IN YOUR NAME!’ And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I HAVE GIVEN YOU authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’” Luke 10:1, 9, 16-20

In light of the foregoing, isn’t it clear that Jesus’ answer to the question of salvation is actually the same as that of his blessed servant and apostle? Do Williams and Barr seriously expect us to believe that Jesus taught a conflicting message from that of Paul concerning the issue of salvation when a careful examination of Mark and Luke-Acts shows that Christ taught that eternal life comes from trusting in him and accepting his vicarious death for sinners? More importantly, do they really think that all Christians are that naïve and/or misinformed (if not uninformed) about the teachings of the Holy Bible that they could really get away with such gross distortion and misrepresentation of what the NT writings teach in regards to this important subject?

They apparently do (did in the case of Barr) since they wouldn’t produce such shoddy and dishonest articles or books if they didn’t.

However, as much as Williams and his authority may dislike or deny it, the fact is that as far as Jesus’ answer (as well as the answer of the NT as a whole) to the question of salvation is concerned, it is exactly the same as that of the blessed Apostle Paul. One has to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved, since there is no salvation apart from trusting in and obeying God’s unique, beloved Son:

“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:20-21

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:14-18

“They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.’” John 4:42

“‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’” John 6:27-29

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.’ So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’” John 6:35-42

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.’” John 6:47-58

This is why Jesus is able to invite everyone to personally come to him since he is able to grant everlasting rest to all who trust in him:

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-30 

Amen! Come, risen Lord Jesus, come! Because of your sovereign grace we are able to love and trust in you for ever and ever! Amen!