Carl Roberts’ Heresy of Salvation by Dead Faith

If you preach the gospel of Jesus Christ you will suffer persecution. Jesus explained that the world will hate Christians because the world hates God. Jesus said that it would be those who “know not him that sent me” who would do the persecuting. So, Jesus makes clear that persecution will not come from within his true church. Thus, anyone who persecutes a Christian cannot be part of the true church of Jesus Christ.

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” (John 15:18-21)

One of the persecutions a Christian may suffer is libel and slander. Slander is the spoken defamation that falsely impugns a person’s reputation or character. Libel is the written defamation that falsely impugns a person’s reputation or character.  God does not look kindly on slander.  God states that “[w]hoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off.” Psalms 101:5. God describes a slanderer as a fool: “He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18. To suffer slander is actually a sign of the last days:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

Paul, who wrote 2 Timothy suggests that the persecution would come from reprobates claiming to be Christians. They will appear in the church but are actually not among the elect in the true church. Notice that false accusers are described who have a form of godliness and although they study they are “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Paul explains that they would be “reprobate concerning the faith.”

Paul explains that such persecution of a Christian is expected. He explains in the very same chapter that “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12.

The persecution will come from those who seem to be in the church but are among the tares Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13-24-30. John names a person, Diotrephes, took leadership in the church and threw true Christians out of it, and who spoke maliciously at great length against John and other true Christians.  Diotrephes loved the preeminence in the church.

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 3 John 1:9-10.

Jesus prophesied that such things would happen and called it a blessing.

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Luke 6:22-23.

Let us ponder the fact that John named Diotrephes. Why would John do that? John wanted to document Diotrephes’ behavior to warn other Christians about his heresy. He did not want others to fall prey to the apostasy of Diotrephes.

Modern-Day Diotrpehes: Carl Roberts

I will now follow the example of John and warn people about the apostasy of a modern-day Diotrephes. My purpose in writing this is to warn people about his heresy. Roberts preaches that a person can be saved by faith that bears no fruit. God calls such faith without works dead faith. James 2:17, 20, 26. God likens such dead faith to the faith that devils have. James 2:19. Roberts is leading people astray with his false gospel and I feel duty-bound to document his gospel error. It seems that his error is endemic in the “Christian” community because he has many followers who have parrotted his error. That false gospel of salvation by dead faith must be exposed for the heresy that it is.

Let me first lay the groundwork for how I came to write this. I think that God’s hand was in it. God elected me to expose the apostasy of Roberts. Much of what I have written below has been shared with Roberts in an effort to persuade him to turn from his apostasy. But it was to no avail.

For approximately a year I was fellowshipping with Carl Roberts, who I thought was a Christian. He posted a number of YouTube videos on his channel where we discussed various Christian topics.

Approximately a year ago I listened to a solo-broadcast from Roberts on the book of Revelation. In that broadcast, he stated the events in chapters 19 and 20 of the book of Revelation were in chronological order. And that anyone who disagreed with that interpretation of Revelation was a false teacher. I sent him an email explaining his error. In particular, I explained to him the impossibility of his interpretation since the first resurrection spoken of in Revelation 20:5-6 was a reference to the spiritual resurrection of believers in Jesus Christ upon being spiritually born again. That necessarily must take place prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ revealed in Chapter 19.

I tried to explain to him that the “thousand years” referenced in Revelation 20:6 is does not say one thousand years. It says “a thousand years.” There is a big difference between the two. “A thousand years” does not mean one thousand years in number. 

Thousand: “an indefinite but very large number: a hyperbolic use “

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved

“Hence, indefinitely, a great number. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand. – Ps. xci. 7.”

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/thousand

“Proverbially, denoting a great number indefinitely.” 

http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/thousand

I sent him a 5-page explanation with full scripture references breaking down the biblical authority for my position point-by-point. He did not even bother reading what I wrote. I know that because he responded to my email within two (2) minutes saying: “You go to great lengths to deny the plain teaching in Rev chapter 20.”

I exchanged several more emails with Roberts trying to reason with him and even spoke to him on the phone. In a later email, Roberts explained, without citing any biblical authority, that “the first resurrection there in verse 5  is cleary [sic] not refering [sic] to the new birth.”

He had taken the position that a person was a false teacher who did not agree with him that chapters 19 and 20 of Revelation were to be read in chronological order. Roberts was not willing to discuss the issue and so I decided not to discuss that matter or any other matter any further with him. I did not respond to his later email and telephone overtures. I took my guidance from Titus 3:9-11.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Titus 3:9-11.

Roberts made several attempts to contact me both via email and telephone. I did not respond. After about 9 months of stewing over his hurt feelings, Roberts decided to make it a project of his to slander me. He ended up posting a series of videos on YouTube.  Among the most serious slanders, and the one I will discuss in detail because it serves to undermine the gospel, is his false claim that I teach salvation by works.

Before I get into that I will discuss his allegation that I hang out with “trannies with masonic checkerboard dresses.” He is referring to a group discussion that I was invited to take part in on the recent infringement of our constitutional rights during the COVID-19 lockdowns and mask-mandates. It was supposed to be a discussion of the constitution with several lawyers and others.

I only knew the identities of two people that were supposed to be taking part (one of which did not show up). I did not know the others who were going to be on the show when I showed up. Surprisingly, there was what appeared to be a woman, who had a woman’s name, but who sounded like a man. I suspected he was a transexual when I heard his voice but I was not sure. I did not know if it was a masculine woman or a man who was pretending to be a woman. Carl did some research and found out it was the latter.

I had explained the circumstances to him after he told me about his discovery, but he chooses to deceptively misrepresent the episode as me having a preference for “hanging out with trannies.” Nonetheless, I was able to share the gospel with the whole group during the episode. To attribute the sin of another to me is unchristian and the very thing that the Pharisees did to Jesus.

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? (Matthew 9:10-11) 

Carl’s reference to the guitarist was an interview I did, where the show host blasphemed God in his introduction by saying the word G..d…  I did not realize he had done that. As soon as Carl notified me of it, I contacted the person and asked him to take that out of his introduction. He assured me that he would do that.

Carl Robert’s Gematria Divination

To top it all off, Carl confirms that he is full of superstition. I have a ministry called Great Mountain Ministry. It is named after the passage in Daniel 2:35.

[A]nd the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:35.

Carl knows the basis for the ministry name because I had previously explained it to him. Despite that, this Carl Roberts sent an email to me with the following irrational occult meaning he divined from the name of my ministry:

As well the aspects of your own ministry are very alarming. Take the name Great Mountain Ministry or GMM. GMM=Grand Master Mason, also turn the Ms on their side and you have 33 or G33. Your logo for Great mountain publishing even has the two pillars of Freemasory [sic] in it along with the pyramid.  The time has come for you to be held accountable for your lies and deception.

He has attributed two alternative Masonic meanings to my ministry. He alleges that the title of my ministry Great Mountain Ministry is actually an acronym (GMM) meaning Grand Master Mason. He then alternatively turns the Ms sideways making 3s to come up with G33, which he alleges also has Masonic meaning. Those meanings, which came from his own mind, he said alarmed him. What can you say about a person whose mind is so superstition-addled that he is alarmed by occult glyphs he created from his imagination?

Where did he come up with his “G33.” He explained in his video that he used cabalistic gematria:

I put this image together using a meme generator. This is a screenshot of Gematrinator. And a screens shot of Hendrie’s YouTube channel, Great Mountain Ministries, and his logo for Great Mountain Publishing. If you at the Gematrinator calculator, you’re going to see that GMM, which is the abbreviation for Great Mountain Ministry. The English ordinal reduces to 33. Now, this could be just a coincidence. But I just find it strange. If you look at his logo for Great Mountain Ministry, the G, like the way that it’s in there. That just reminds me of Masonry. Like that, you know, that letter G is always associated with masonry. You have Great Mountain Ministry, GMM. So, again, that reduces in the English ordinal to 33. And as well, if you take the GMM, if you were to turn those M’s sideways you would have threes. So you’d have like G33, you know, Great Mountain Ministry, or you could, you know, Grand Master Mason or something. And then if you look at the logo, Great Mountain Publishing, I mean that M there, it looks like two pillars. But they’re, I mean they’re leaned over. But that’s what it looks like. And it looks like, it looks like a pyramid there and then two pillars.

Screen shot of image generated by Carl Roberts using the Gematrinator and used as the image for his video.

If one looks up the Gematrinator used by Roberts we find that the Gematrinator is advertised as “The Web’s Best Gematria Calculator.” It calls on users to “Decode Your False Reality.” The occult nature of the Gematrinator is obvious. The Germatrinator logo includes the cartoon depiction of a ghost-buster.

What is gematria? The Collins Dictionary defines gematria as “a system of assigning numerical values to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, esp when used by cabbalists to interpret the Hebrew scriptures It seems likely that the Assassins believed in and practised a form of cabalistic gematria.

Assassin is defined in the Merriam Webster Dictionary as “a member of a Shia Muslim sect who at the time of the Crusades was sent out on a suicidal mission to murder prominent enemies.”

Occult World explains that gematria “is a system by which hidden truths and meanings are discovered within words in Hebrew or Greek” and that “[i]n Jewish mysticism this is a traditional system of associating numbers with Hebrew letters for the purpose of discovering hidden meanings in words as well as divination.”

Divination is defined as “[t]he act of divining; a foretelling future events, or discovering things secret or obscure, by the aid of superior beings, or by other than human means.” That means that gematria is a method of using devils to discover secret or obscure things.

Gematria originated with occult practitioners of the Cabbala (a.k.a. Kabbalah) and is one of the methods of divination through evil spirits (devils) practiced by cabalists. Kaballah is a book of witchcraft. Cabalism is the Jewish religion of the Pharisees, which is derived from the occult sorceries of Babylon. This Babylonian Judaism is the same Judaism that Christ criticized when he stated: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” (John 8:44) Albert Pike, who is viewed as the supreme pontiff of Freemasonry, revealed in the doctrinal bible of freemasonry, Morals and Dogma: “Masonry is a search for Light. That leads us directly back, as you see, to the Kabalah.” ALBERT PIKE, MORALS AND DOGMA OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY, p. 741 (1871).

Magic and occult mysticism run throughout the Kabbalah. The Kabbalah, like the Talmud, graphically blasphemes Jesus. For example, in Zohar III, 282a, the Kabbalah refers to Jesus as a dog who resides among filth and vermin.

Judith Weill, a professor of Jewish mysticism stated that magic is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, but the Jews are reticent to acknowledge it and don’t even refer to it as magic. Gershom Scholem (1897-1982), Professor of Kabbalah at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, admitted that the Kabbalah contains a great deal of black magic and sorcery, which he explained involves invoking the powers of devils to disrupt the natural order of things. Professor Scholem also stated that there are devils who are in submission to the Talmud; in the Kabbalah, these devils are called shedim Yehuda’im.

Robert Nowlan explains that “[g]ematria is the belief that various writings, especially religious scriptures, contain secret messages that can be discovered through translating various writings into numbers. … Gematria is a process used mainly by the kabbalists that consists of replacing the letters of a word or a sentence by their numerical value.”

Bethsheba Ashe is the author of 6 books on the Kabbalah (a.k.a. Qabalah) and the occult. She is the Grand Master of the Fraternity of the Sanctum Regnum, and inventor of the world’s first dual logographic and alphabetical writing script (Galay). She is also the creator of the popular Gematria Calculator: Shematria. Ashe explains that gematria is used by “Kabbalists to derive mystical insights into sacred writings or obtain new interpretations of the texts.”

Collins Dictionary explains: “Something that is mystical involves spiritual powers and influences that most people do not understand.” Mystical interpretations of writings are occult interpretations supplied by evil spirits (devils).

The Pharisees used gematria to twist the scripture to their own Satanic ends. They replaced God’s word with their own interpretations, aided by gematria. Jesus explained: “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. … Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition.” Mark 7:9, 13.

Athol Bloomer states that “the Jewish mystical tradition as recorded in the Zohar (an important work of Kabbalah written by Moses de Leon), relates that all Scripture has a hidden mystical meaning as well as the literal historical meaning. The earthly meaning is only a shadow of the true heavenly or mystical reality.” The mystical writings of the Kabbalah twist and corrupt the true meaning of the Bible. Rabbi Ben Zion Bokser admits that the so-called traditions of the Jews that form the foundations of Judaism are entirely extra-biblical. He states that “[m]uch of what exists in Judaism is absent in the Bible, and much of what is in the Bible cannot be found in Judaism. . . . Judaism is not the religion of the Bible.”

It is no surprise to find Carl Roberts running to the witchcraft of cabalistic gematria to “decode [his] false reality.”

God identifies witchcraft as one of the many evils of the flesh. Galatians 5:20. Roberts should be careful with his occult gematria, God states that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:21.

Roberts is using the numerology of cabalistic gematria to divine meaning from letters and numbers. Such practice is the invocation of familiar spirits; it is a sin. It is the very method used by the Pharisees to supplant God’s word and replace it with their occult religion, for which Jesus condemned them. See Mark 7:9, 13. God commands us to “[r]egard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:31.

Jesus states that “[f]or without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:15.

When Roberts was confronted with his abominable sin of divination, rather than repent of his sin, he tried to justify it. Roberts said in an April 4, 2021, email:

Its [sic] revealing that he claims I am practicing sorcery by using the gematria calculated [sic] to show the possible hidden or occult symbolism in his ministry. You use these devils [sic] practices against them to expose them and they call you superstitious, say your [sic] into witchcraft, or call you crazy.

Roberts tries to claim that I was criticizing him for a past sin. He claimed in an April 4, 2021, email:

Chicken Ed, attacks me by bringing up my sinful past that I have been very open about in my videos, and attempts to use it against me.

This has nothing to do with Roberts’ past. Roberts continues to consult with familiar spirits today. He has admitted that he has continued to do so. Consulting the gematria calculator is like consulting a ouija board. Roberts is consulting familiar spirits, from which he came up with his G33 code. He admits that he is consulting with familiar spirits and is engaging in divination today.  This has nothing to do with a past sin of which he has repented. There is no repentance.

The book of Acts reveals that when people were saved and became Christians “many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.” Acts 19:19. Carl Roberts is reversing the order. He is running back to his witchcraft. “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” Proverbs 26:11.

Below is a screenshot of the Gematrinator classic page showing Kaballah, Satanic, and Chaldean (a.k.a. Babylonian) choices for engaging in the witchcraft of gematria numerology. The fact that Carl Roberts would engage in such occult divination reveals a lot about his spiritual condition.

Screenshot of Gematrinator classic page showing Kaballah, Satanic, and Chaldean (a.k.a. Babylonian) choices for engaging in the witchcraft of gematria numerology.

Revenge Motive

Roberts has repeatedly called me a Jesuit. Roberts explains in his video his intentions: “I intend to blow Ed Hendrie out of the water at this point.” His approach to addressing disagreements over the Bible is more akin to a hooligan than a Christian. When I asked him In an email why he posted the videos. He explained his reason. He said it was because “you abandoned me over our disagreement.” He explained that “[y]ou called me up laughing at me over my interpretation of Revelation which is the correct one. Soon after you cut off all contact with me.” And so, Roberts’ real purpose is not to expose alleged false teaching but rather revenge for what he perceives as a personal affront.

Roberts’ maniacal slander involving a continuous stream of nine videos that repeat the same thing over and over again is not the conduct of a Christian. Roberts’ behaves like a bedlamite. To illustrate the lunacy of Roberts, below is an actual email he sent to his friends on April 7, 2021, on which he courtesy copied me:

Ed Hendire [sic] … preaches works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works and more works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works

He followed that on April 10, 2021, with another post about me in the comments section below one of his slanderous videos:

Works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works works

It is strange to sit at a keyboard and type the same word over and over again, 86 times in an email. And then to sit at the keyboard and type the same word over and over again, 49 times, a couple of days later. Only someone who is spiritually unhinged would send out emails and make posts that evoke the insanity of “The Shining.” Add to that his posts of nine videos that repeat the same false charges over and over again and one can readily perceive that Roberts “is in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” Acts 8:23. What is the source of the gall of bitterness? It is from the devils he regularly consults. He admits to conferring with familiar spirits through the gematria calculator. And he is unrepentant about it. His many doctrinal errors and pathological lying can likely be traced to his divination.

In order for Roberts to claim that what I teach is false doctrine, he must misrepresent what I teach. He did that on several points but I will focus on one particular deception because in order to make his assertion that I teach a false doctrine it required him to reveal himself as a sheep in wolves clothing who teaches heresy.

The Accusation

Roberts quotes from my book What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?. I attached a PDF of the book below so that you can read the passage he cites in context. Roberts prefaces his reading from my book with the following introduction:

I am going to show how sneaky the devil is in teaching works. Because what Hendrie’s doing in this book, is he is teaching works. And this is how slick the devil is. And at this point, I’m going to be doing some videos exposing Hendrie’s false doctrine. And right now I’m going to just concentrate on his false doctrine. But there will be more to come as far as the things that I’m seeing. And the people who he hangs out with, trannies with masonic checkerboard dresses, individuals, failed musicians that are into occult symbolism like the great seal behind them.  All right, oh there’s going to be time for all of that because I intend to blow Ed Hendrie out of the water at this point. The man is very very dishonest, to say the least. And he’s into works.

In Roberts’ failed attempt to prove that I teach salvation by works, Roberts quotes from the first paragraph of Chapter 12 of my book where it says:

All those that are saved will bear the fruit of good works and that is all that God will see of the believer on judgment day. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8) There are not two judgments, there is one judgment where both the saved (sheep) and unsaved (goats) both appear before God’s judgment seat.

Roberts then states:  “This is how slick Satan is people. This is Hendrie preaching works.” Roberts then goes on a diatribe claiming that what I mean by the above quote from the book is that a person is saved by their works. I meant no such thing. I was explaining what Jesus meant at the final judgment when he referred to the good works of the sheep and sins of the goats. In no way was I preaching salvation by works.

The chapter explains clearly the point that we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. That all the good works that elect Christians do are prepared ahead of time by God for us to walk in them. Any good works are done by Jesus Christ through us. And those works do not earn salvation but are evidence of our true faith.  I explain at the outset that it is Christ who actually does the good works through the believer. Below are direct quotes from chapter 12 of my book that directly follow the passage quoted by Roberts:

“When God looks upon his sheep, he only sees the righteous acts done by Christ through them.”

“When Jesus saved us, he made us to be zealous to do good works.”

“Works are a manifestation of our salvation; they do not earn salvation nor any rewards.”

Below are specific quotes from Chapter 12 that refutes Carl Robert’s claim that I preach salvation by works:

“Any Christian who relies on rewards in heaven for his works on earth has abandoned God’s grace and instead is looking for God to pay a debt instead of relying on the mercy of God.”

“Good works are not to earn salvation or rewards in heaven. They are the fruits of salvation ordained by God.”

“Christians should be careful to do good works. Why? Not to gain rewards in heaven, but rather because they are ‘good and profitable unto men.'”

“God does the choosing, and all who are chosen receive the same perfect inheritance.”

“We have no reason to boast and there is no eternal reward for any of our good works because our salvation is not by works but by the grace of God. Even our very faith is from God.”

“Our blessing in heaven is not based upon some debt owed to us for works done on earth. Our blessing in heaven is based completely on the mercy and grace of God.”

“There is not some added blessing to be received by the preacher in heaven because the gospel they preached was effectual. The glory for saving the soul goes to God and God alone.”

It is incredible for Roberts to claim that the very same books by me that he read carefully and once promoted as the epitome of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith have suddenly been transformed into books that teach salvation by works. What caused the transformation? The transformation came when I told him that his theology was erroneous. Once I did that, I was then marked as his enemy, an enemy to be destroyed by all manner of deception. My books remain the same. They teach salvation by grace through faith. Roberts’ deception that the same books he championed as doctrinally sound in grace have been suddenly transformed into books that preach the heresy of salvation by works is easy to refute by simply reading the books. The transformation happened in Roberts’ reprobate mind. The books remain unchanged. A PDF of my book, What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?, is attached above. You can read chapter 12 of that book so you can read the entirety of what I said and judge the matter for yourself.

Chapter 12 of What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?

All those that are saved will bear the fruit of good works and that is all that God will see of the believer on judgment day. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8) There are not two judgments, there is one judgment where both the saved (sheep) and unsaved (goats) both appear before God’s judgment seat.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Christians who appear before the throne of Christ, will find it to be a throne of mercy, not judgment. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) How could the judgment seat of Christ be a throne of grace, if God will judge all (saved and unsaved) according to their works, and the Bible makes it clear that we cannot be saved by works? The answer is found in the bible. In Ephesians 2 God states that Christians are saved by his grace through faith in Jesus Christ and are pre-ordained to walk in good works. God’s elect are spiritual creations of God for the purpose of walking in good works. Those good works are prepared by God in advance for us to perform.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

If his will is that we will do good works, then we will do good works; his will is done on earth just as his will is done in heaven. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) God acts in accordance with his will and no one can stay the hand of God!

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:35)

Notice in Matthew 25:31-46 on judgment day, Jesus only sees the good works of the sheep (saved Christians) and he only sees the bad works of the goats (unsaved heathen). Why is that? Because Jesus works through the saved sheep to do good works; aside from Jesus no man can do any good. “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 7:17-19)

God will not consider or recompense any sins committed by his sheep. All the sins of his sheep have been forgiven and washed clean in the blood of the lamb of God. Revelations 7:14. God has stated that he will completely forgive and even forget the sins of his elect. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12) Though the sins be crimson red God will so cleanse the sinner that they shall be white as snow. Isaiah 1:18. Christ has reconciled God to his elect sheep and no sins will be imputed to them. When God looks upon his sheep, he only sees the righteous acts done by Christ through them.

Only those who are in Jesus will have any good works on judgment day. Without Jesus a person can do no good works by God’s standard. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) All those who are saved will bear fruit. The very idea that his children will not bear fruit contradicts the word of God. Just as without Christ no man can bear fruit, so also with Christ no man can be fruitless.

In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul confirms that without Christ he cannot bring forth fruit from his labor. His labor bore abundant fruit not by his own merit, but rather by God’s grace.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

What are the fruits of salvation bestowed upon us by Christ? They include faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells his sheep “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” He has made all Christians to inherit his kingdom. We are God’s children and his heirs. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Re 1:6) What blessing is he going to withhold from his children? “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1Co 2:9)

Notice also in Revelation 20 the great and small stand before God and there are “books”that are opened. One of the books is the book of life. The dead are judged according to what was in the books. Only those that are not found in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire. Just as in Matthew 25 all are judged according to their works.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

Only those that are saved have done any good works, and they are the only ones found in the book of life. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

So we see from Matthew 25 that in 2 Corinthians 5:10 when all appear at the judgment seat of Christ, those who receive according to the good they have done are saved Christians (sheep on his right hand) and those who receive the bad are unsaved heathen (goats on his left hand). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Without Jesus Christ, a person is unsaved and can do no good: John 15:5. All the supposed good and righteous works of the heathen are worthless to the Lord. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

With Jesus Christ, a Christian bears much fruit and God sees no bad in him and forgets all his sins: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12)

There is no “in-between” where God sees the good and bad of Christians and the good and bad of the unbelieving heathen. It is all or nothing with God. One is either perfectly holy in his kingdom by the imputed righteousness of Christ or he is evil according to man’s fallen nature. With regard to the unregenerate man, God’s view is: “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:12) However, the believer is “justified:” “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:23-24)

Works are a manifestation of our salvation; they do not earn salvation nor any rewards. Any Christian who relies on rewards in heaven for his works on earth has abandoned God’s grace and instead is looking for God to pay a debt instead of relying on the mercy of God. “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:4-5)

Romans 4:4-5 is clear. There can be no mixing of grace and reward. There can be no grace if there is a reward.

When Jesus saved us, he made us to be zealous to do good works. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14) Good works flow from the zeal given to us by Christ. Good works are not to earn salvation or rewards in heaven. They are the fruits of salvation ordained by God. Read Titus 3:4-8 and you will see clearly that we are saved not according to our works of righteousness but rather according to God’s mercy. Read verse 8, where Paul explains that Christians should be careful to do good works. Why? Not to gain rewards in heaven, but rather because they are “good and profitable unto men.”

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:4-8)

In the parable of the penny paid to workers, Jesus made it clear that our heavenly blessings are based on God’s perfect grace. Jesus ends the parable by explaining that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. One way for that to be the case is if everyone is treated equally, regardless of the order of finish. That is, when all are treated equally, the first will be treated the same as the last and the last will be treated the same as the first. They would be treated the same, and the order of finish is irrelevant. That is illustrated by the fact that all workers received one penny, even though some worked longer than others. Jesus ends the parable by explaining that many are called, but few are chosen. God does the choosing, and all who are chosen receive the same perfect inheritance.

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1-16)

As explained in Ephesians 2, whatever good we do is preordained by God. We have no reason to boast and there is no eternal reward for any of our good works because our salvation is not by works but by the grace of God. Even our very faith is from God. That is why Paul stated that he had nothing to glory about. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16. Jesus drove home the point when he stated: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)

Consequently, if persons come to the knowledge of Christ and are saved due to the preaching of the gospel, that is due to the work of Christ. There is not some added blessing to be received by the preacher in heaven because the gospel they preached was effectual. The glory for saving the soul goes to God and God alone. “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)

Our blessing in heaven is not based upon some debt owed to us for works done on earth. Our blessing in heaven is based completely on the mercy and grace of God. Read again what God states: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Carl Roberts’ False Interpretation

No rational person could read that chapter and come to the conclusion that I teach salvation by works. But Carl Roberts did just that. He does not actually believe that I teach salvation by works, he is motivated to “to blow Ed Hendrie out of the water” because he thinks that I “abandoned [him] over our disagreement” regarding the book of Revelation.

Faith Without Works is Dead

Roberts posted the following comment on his video in response to a comment I posted. He said:

“Your [sic] a Lordship salvationist who claims that James 2 teaches that we are justified in the sight of God by works. Or have you repented of that Heresy?”

I then responded:

Lets’ turn to my book that you cited but did not quote. Why did you not quote it? Because it does not support your claim that I preach works salvation. It would reveal you as the liar that you are. In fact, I preach the very opposite. Let’s read what I said in the [7th] chapter [of my book] on James. You can find the following on pages 48-49 [chapter 7] of my book:

A true Christian will manifest his faith by his works. The works, however, do not merit salvation. The faith of the elect is from God and so are their works. The works are prepared by God ahead of time for his elect to walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. James explained: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:21-22)

A true Christian will manifest his faith by his works. The works, however, do not merit salvation. The faith of the elect is from God and so are their works. The works are prepared by God ahead of time for his elect to walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. James explained: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:21-22)

Some may read the passages in James 2:21-22 out of context to mean that salvation is by works. Those passages must be read in the context of the entire gospel. Do not confuse true faith that saves, being manifested by works, with false religions where salvation is alleged to be brought about by works. God, in Chapter 4 of Paul’s letter to the Romans, explains that it is the faith of Abraham and not his works that bring about salvation. Paul wrote: “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” Romans 4:2. He explains that Abraham was not saved by works but rather that “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3. Paul made a clear distinction between faith and works. He wrote that “to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5. Paul states that those are blessed “whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Romans 4:6.

What James means in Chapter 2 of his letter is not that salvation is by works, but rather that works are born of true faith and repentance. Good works are the fruit of salvation. James cites the very example of Abraham. Repentance is the flip side of faith and is manifested by works. Notice that in Hebrews 11:17 Paul states that Abraham offered up Isaac by “faith,” yet James states that Abraham was “justified by works” when he offered Isaac as a sacrifice. James 2:21. Those passages are not contradictory. Taken together, they mean that Abraham’s works were manifestations of his faith.

Roberts’s Heresy That Christians Are Justified Before Men

After I posted that statement, Roberts responded with this:

“James 2 is speaking of our works justifying us in the sight of other believers and not in the sight of God. This is your error Edward which you refuse to acknowledge. Your Lordship salvation doctrine is heresy.”

That statement by Roberts is heresy. Roberts claims that “James 2 is speaking of our works justifying us in the sight of other believers and not in the sight of God.” That is the very doctrine of the Pharisees. What Roberts means is that the reference to faith without works is dead in James, chapter 2, is ONLY  a reference to dead faith without works before men and NOT God because, according to Roberts, our faith with works ONLY justifies us before men and NOT God. Roberts claims that works are irrelevant to faith. But God says that “faith without works is dead.” James 2:20. So important was that doctrine that God repeated it three times in James, chapter 2.

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20)

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

This is not even debatable. It is the gospel. Faith will produce good works or it is not genuine faith that will justify the sinner. Indeed, so important are the works that authenticate the faith that James stated without equivocation that it was the faith that was manifested by works that justified Abraham and Rahab.

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:20-26)

Notice the statement that “by works man is justified, and not by faith only.” That means that workless faith is worthless faith that does not justify a man. A man is made righteous (justified) by faith. But that faith must be a perfect faith that has good works because faith without works is dead (good for nothing) faith. A Christian can only be justified by God. There can be no justification of a Christian before men. It is heresy to suggest otherwise.

The Command of God in Matthew 6:1

Roberts’ teaching that James, chapter 2, means that our works justify us “in the sight of other believers” is heresy. It is a violation of God’s command in Matthew 6:1 that we   “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4.

Roberts dismissed the applicability of Matthew 6:1-4, I then asked him whether this a command from God: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them.” (Matthew 6:1) I asked for a Yes or no answer. He refused my repeated requests for an answer. He did not answer because he knew that the correct answer is “yes.” That answer would impeach his strange theology.

Justification has a particular meaning throughout the bible. It means to be made righteous in the sight of God. Justification is something done by God, not by man. Only God can justify. There can be no Biblical justification before men. To teach that James was saying that we are justified (that is made perfectly righteous) before men is heresy.  You can ONLY be justified by God.

Carl Roberts does not understand what justification means.  He thinks that our works justify us in the sight of men. 

Justification before men is a false justification. And to preach such a thing is to implant in the minds of men that our good works justify us before men. The only way to ensure that our good works can justify us before men would be if a person goes out of his way to violate God’s command in Matthew 6:1 and do the good works to be seen of men. That is what the Pharisees did. It is the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees that Jesus warned us about in Matthew 16:6-12. Jesus said to the Pharisees:

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)

To teach that our works justify us in the sight of men is unscriptural. Such teaching does nothing but motivate people to display their works to the world to be justified by men. It violates God’s command in Matthew 6:1 to do our alms in secret. Indeed, if we obeyed God’s command to do our good works in secret, then it would be impossible to be justified by men. To teach that James meant justification before men in James 2:21, 24, and 25 is heresy. It is especially heretical to teach that James’ reference to justification in 2:21, 24, and 25 does NOT mean justification by God.

God said in James that faith without works is dead.

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Paul makes it clear that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works. But we are to do good works prepared ahead of time by God to walk in them.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

There is a reason. Our good works are actually the works of God done through us. Once we are saved, we will bear fruit of that salvation.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:8)

That is the gospel. Carl Roberts does not understand the gospel. He claims that the justification by faith with works discussed in James, Chapter 2, is ONLY a reference to justification by faith with works before men and NOT a reference to justification by faith with works by God. Roberts’ theology is heresy and it is the doctrine of the Pharisees. Jesus upbraided the Pharisees for just such a doctrine: “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men.” Luke 16:15.

Steve Anderson’s Abominable Doctrine of the Pharisees

Oddly, Roberts sent me an email on March 12, 2021, with a link to a video by the heretical pastor, Steven Anderson. Roberts introduces Anderson’s video in the email thusly: “Even this will worshiping idolater here gets it!”

Roberts knows that Anderson is a heretic, but it is necessary for Roberts to cite the authority of a heretic because Roberts’ doctrine is heretical. Indeed, Anderson has preached in other videos against salvation by the grace of God. Anderson uses the pejorative label “Calvinism” to describe the gospel of grace.

It is not surprising to find that Anderson, being an enemy of the gospel, agrees with Roberts about James, chapter 2, that the reference in that chapter to justification means justification before men and NOT God. Anderson preaches the following in the video, which was given Roberts seal of approval:

Now you see in what way a man is justified by works. And what is that way? Before man, not before God. Now you how a man is justified by works. It’s not before God. It’s not salvation. … We’re talking to the saved. We’re talking to believers. And when he talks to believers here’s what he says to them, he’s telling the believers, you need to get some works to go with your faith. Now listen if faith just automatically produced works, he wouldn’t even have to say that because it would be automatic. It doesn’t make sense. They’re missing the whole point of the passage. The whole point of the passage is to show your faith by your works, and not to just sit around oh I have faith. Do the work.

Notice that he is saying that Christians are justified before men and NOT God. He then segues to his claim that James is admonishing: “you need to get some works to go with your faith.” The problem with that is that the only way that one could be justified before men would be if the person did the works to be seen of men. The admonition that “you need to get some works to go with your faith,” is an admonition to do works to be seen of men in order to be justified before those men.

Anderson’s preaching violates the command of God in Matthew 6.1 to do our alms in secret. Indeed, if we obeyed God’s command to do our good works in secret, then it would be impossible to be justified by men as advocated by Roberts and Anderson.

Roberts and Anderson preach the leaven of the Pharisees about which Jesus warned in Mathew 16:6. What is that leaven? Jesus explained in Matthew 23:28. “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matthew 23:28) The Pharisees loved to be justified before men. God calls such justification before men an abomination in God’s sight.

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)

Roberts and Anderson preach a doctrine of justification before men that God describes as an “abomination in the sight of God.”

Roberts Claims Phinehas Was Justified Before Men

Roberts claims that such by such teaching that I have “added to the finished work of Jesus Christ and [am] claiming that if one does not have works to justify them before God then their faith is dead and they are going to Hell.” He misrepresents what I preach. He twists the idea of perfect faith having works to mean that I am claiming that we are justified by works. He does not accept that the works perfect the faith that and that faith justifies the believer. He decouples works from faith and he said in an email to me and others that “James 2 is speaking of works justifying us in the sight of others just like Phinehas in Pslam 106.”

Psalms 106:31 does not support Roberts’ position that a Christian is Justified before men. Let us look at Psalm 106.

Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. Psalms 106:30-31.

When I originally presented my argument that it was God speaking in Psalms 106:31, Roberts corrected me. He said that it was the Psalmist speaking and not God. While Roberts is correct, his quibble is a red herring because the psalmist was writing the words given to him by revelation from God. Roberts acknowledged that fact as being true. It is actually God speaking through the psalmist. The psalmist could not, himself, declare that Phinehas was justified, only God could do that. And God did that through the revelation given to the psalmist by God that what Phinehas did “was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.” While the psalmist was the writer, he was only the instrument in God’s hands revealing the words of God.

Who counted what Phinehas did unto him for righteousness unto all generations? It was God (NOT man). Just as God accounted Abraham’s faith (manifested by his works) for righteousness as explained in James 2:21-23. The justification in James 2:21 is justification by God, NOT man. Justification is the imputation of righteousness by God. Man cannot impute righteousness. The statement that what Phinehas did was “counted unto him for righteousness” is the same language used by God in to describe the faith of Abraham that was counted to Abraham for righteousness. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3-5.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:21-24.

When God Justifies a believer he imputes the righteousness of Jesus Christ to that man. The imputation of the righteousness of Phinehas in Psalms 106 means the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is a spiritual imputation. Why? Because no man is righteous. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10.

We are justified only by God, not man. We can only be justified by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:24) The only righteousness man can have is the imputed righteousness of Christ.  “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22) Notice is says the faith “of” Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ who supplies the faith unto salvation.

That means that the righteousness counted to Phinehas was a de jure righteousness, not a de facto righteousness. Phinehas was not in fact righteous. He did a work prepared by God for him to do, whereby God imputed righteousness to him as a legal spiritual imputation. But that did not make Phinehas in fact a righteous man by his own doing. It was all Gods’ doing and Phinehas reaped the spiritual blessing of being justified by God. Indeed, Phinehas was counted as righteous for evermore, that is eternity.  And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. Psalms 106:30-31. That is not some temporal righteousness before men as proposed by Roberts; that is a spiritual eternal righteousness from God. Notice that it “was” (past tense) accounted at a given time by someone (God) for all time. No man can, at a given point, account someone to be righteous for “all generations for evermore.” Only God can do that.

Righteousness is imputed to the believer by God. It cannot be imputed to a believer by man. For Roberts to teach that the justification spoken of in James 2:21 is ONLY justification before men is heresy. I maintain that the justification in James 2:21 is justification by God (NOT man) where God (NOT man) imputes righteousness to Abraham by his faith that was manifested in his works.

For man to declare someone justified for wickedness is an abomination to the Lord. “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” Proverbs 17:15. Justification in Proverbs 17:15 is similar to the justification provided for by God, in the sense that it is a declaration of justification and not an impartation of actual righteousness. It is the epitome of evil for man to justify the wicked by declaring them not guilty for their wickedness. That is because a declaration by man that the wicked is justified is by definition an injustice. Even if the sinner were to be punished for his wickedness, he cannot be justified, because is still guilty of the wicked act. Being punished does not justify the act and render him not guilty.

While it is the epitome of unrighteousness for man to justify the wicked, it is the epitome of righteousness for God to do that same thing. That is because God justifies the wicked through the atonement of his Holy Son, Jesus Christ. If God were to punish the sinner directly, the sinner would be punished, but he could never be justified, because the guilt for the sin would remain. The only way to justify the sinner is by having Jesus trade places with the sinner. There was a perfect legal exchange at the cross, which facilitated justification. The righteousness of Jesus is imputed to the sinner, and the sins of the sinner are imputed to Jesus.

Without the imputation of the righteousness of Christ to the sinner, justification of the sinner would be an abomination. That is why Jesus had to atone for the sins of his elect. It is only through the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ that man can be justified. The sacrifice of Jesus facilitated the justification of the wicked, because God only sees the righteousness of Christ when he sees a believer. The believer is thus justified in God’s eyes. The believer only needs to believe in Jesus. His faith in Jesus will justify him before God. Notice in the parallel passages below that justification is by grace and also by faith. Faith and grace go hand in hand, which indicates that faith is provided by God, through his sovereign grace.

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Romans 3:24

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1.

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7.

Roberts Claims John 6:28-29 Means Works are Irrelevant

Roberts cites John 6:28-29 to make the argument that works are irrelevant.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:2829.

But what Roberts fails to understand is that Jesus said: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” Words have meaning. Jesus was pointing out it is the “work of God that ye believe.” That means it is God’s work that one believes in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is “the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2. Faith comes from God. True faith will have good works because “faith without works is dead.” James 2:20. God has ordained that we walk in works he prepared for us to do. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

John 15 Explains John 6:28-29

The same God who wrote John 6:28-29, explained what he meant in John 15.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:1-2.

In order to bear fruit, one must be in Christ. Those branches that do not bear fruit are taken away. They have fruitless faith. God never knew them.

But those branches with true faith that abide in Christ will bear much fruit.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5.

Indeed, the very mark of a disciple of Christ with true faith is to bear fruit. Jesus explained:

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8.

There is no choice in the matter; all true Christians will bear the fruit of their faith by good works.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16.

That is what Jesus meant when he said This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29.

An elect believer will then work the works of God. Those good works are ordained by God for the believer to walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.

Roberts Quotes Romans 11:5-6 to Argue Works are Irrelevant

Roberts cites Romans 11:5-6 in arguing the irrelevance of works.

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:5-6.

Carl Roberts does not understand that God, in the Bible makes a distinction between the works of God and the works of man. When making a distinction between grace and works, as God does in Romans 11:5-6, he is contrasting the works produced by the corrupt will of man to earn salvation with God’s perfect election of his elect by his grace to salvation.

The works that flow from the corrupt free-will of man spoken of Paul in Romans 11:5-6 cannot be compared to the works that are ordained by God to flow the faith bestowed on the believer by the grace of God spoken of by Paul in Ephesians 2:8-10. The same Paul who wrote Romans 11:5-6 also wrote Ephesians 2:8-10.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10.

Carl Roberts Misunderstands the Gospel

Carl Roberts claims that “What Ed Hendrie is doing is preaching a another [sic] gospel.” Roberts interprets James as follows: “[t]he book of James is instruction [sic] to assembly [sic] to be doers of the word and not just hearers for action speaks louder than words.” Roberts thinks that works are only to justify the believer before men.

He claims that to preach that works authenticate faith before God is a false gospel of salvation by works. He eschews James’ statement that genuine faith will have works and that genuine faith that has those works justifies the believer. He claims that to in any way suggest that works have any relation to justifying faith is to preach justification by works. He goes further and pontificates that works ONLY justify a person before men and works can never authenticate before God the justifying faith.

Roberts misrepresents my position thusly: “What Ed is essentially claiming is that God saves his people by grace and works where God gives his elect faith in Jesus Christ enabling them to do good works so that they can be justified in the sight of God by them, Its utterly ridiculous.”

Roberts is claiming that I preach justification before God by works. Roberts, knows full well that what he is saying is a subtle twisting of my preaching. I have repeatedly told him that what I am saying is that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, it is not of works. I explain that saving faith will have good works. God gives the faith and the works that authenticate that faith. Faith with works is alive and saves. Faith without works is dead and has no eternal efficacy.

Roberts understands neither the gospel nor justification. He thinks that faith without works can save a man. God disagrees. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14) Roberts thinks that to say that faith without works is dead and such workless faith cannot save a man is equivalent to saying that man is saved by works. Roberts disagrees with God. The gospel cannot be clearer.

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Carl Roberts’ Heresy of Salvation by Dead Faith

On March 8, 2021, I asked Carl Roberts in an email the following question:

Will God Justify a man who has faith without works? Yes or No.

Roberts responded thusly:

God absolutley [sic] justifies a sinner without works. Justification was carried out by God the Son on Calvary. Our faith in Jesus Christ which is a gift to us by the Spirit of God receives this justification. We are justified freely by his grace.  To hear this heresy from Ed really gets my blood boiling. Expect multiple videos exposing Ed Hendrie as a heretic. 

Roberts usually goes into an irrational rage spewing epithets when such questions are asked. His behavior is not what you would expect from a Christian. But it is pretty clear that he answered Yes to the question: “Will God Justify a man who has faith without works?”

Carl Roberts believes that God will Justify a man who has faith without works. That is a problem for Roberts because God disagrees with him. God says:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14)

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20)

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24)

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Carl Roberts’ belief that God will Justify a man who has faith without works is one of the “damnable heresies” about which Peter warned. See 1 Peter 2:1-22. Roberts denies the clear teaching of the gospel.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10.

On March 9, 2021, Roberts sent an email to others and me stating:

Ed has said that if one has no works their faith is a dead one and a dead faith cannot save so they are going to hell.  He cites James 2 to teach this heresy. James 2 is speaking of being Justified in the sight of the assembly by our works and not in the sight of God.

But that is not what he had claimed all along that I preach. He had repeatedly claimed in his videos, comments, and meals that I preach “justification in the sight of God by works.” In an earlier email on March 9, 2021, Roberts falsely claimed about me: “You have claimed that these works justify you in the sight of God according to James 2. That is heresy.”

He, basically acknowledged in the March 9th email that he understands that I am referring to justification by faith and not justification by works.  And that I mean that saving faith comes with works. Faith without works is dead, i.e., it is only genuine faith that has the fruit of works prepared by God for us to walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10) that saves. But Roberts, instead, purposely misrepresents my position and alleges that I preach justified by works. He slipped up to reveal that his misrepresentation of my position is willful and intentional.

What is most damning to Roberts is that he states that it is heresy for me to teach that there is no salvation from dead faith. “Ed has said that if one has no works their faith is a dead one and a dead faith cannot save so they are going to hell.  He cites James 2 to teach this heresy.”

But that is precisely what God states in James. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14) Roberts’ answer to James’ rhetorical question is yes. Roberts believes that if someone has faith without works that faith can save him. But James explains that the correct answer is no. James concludes his reasoning three verses later: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

Roberts is calling the very doctrine of God in James, chapter 2, heresy. He even cites to James, chapter 2, where James states the very principle that if one has faith without works that faith cannot save him. In another email on March 9th Roberts stated:

Ed’s heresy is that “Good works authenticate faith” in the sight of God.  This is absolute heresy of the highest caliber. Ed has crept in pretending to preach the gospel of God’s free grace with books like the Antigospel, but infact [sic] Hendrie is a wolf in sheep [sic] clothing.

Again, Roberts reveals that he truly understands my position. He is correct that I preach that good works authenticate faith. That is the doctrine set forth by God in James. But Robers falsely alleges in his videos, comments, and emails to others that I preach salvation by works.

But what is most notable is that Roberts claims that the very doctrine that God announces in James is heresy. Roberts preaches that one can be saved by a faith that has no works, i.e., dead faith. After announcing in James 2:14 that faith without works cannot save, James repeats three times that faith without works is dead, i.e., useless and ineffectual.

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20)

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

So damning is Roberts’ heresy that God calls the kind of faith preached by Roberts, the faith of devils.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:19-20)

Roberts preaches that dead faith can save a man. He preaches the faith of devils. That is heresy.

Roberts Decouples Works From Faith

I emailed Carl Roberts the following question: “Does God give his elect faith with works? Yes or No.” On March 9, 2021, Roberts responded with:

God absolutey [sic] justifies a sinner without works. And God absolutey [sic] gives his elect faith with works. These works are ordained by God with the only work necessary for justification in the sight of God is infact [sic] the work of God himself which is faith wrought in the heart of the dead sinner by the Holy Spirit of God at regeneration.

Roberts acknowledges that the works of a believer are the works of God. But he then, oddly, decouples those works from faith. He claims that God cares not about those works. Jesus explains:

 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16 AV)

Our works are not irrelevant to our faith. Jesus has ordained his elect to bear the fruit of salvation. Where James explains that faith without works is dead, he means that such dead faith cannot save a man. Indeed, James says that very thing. He says that faith without works cannot save. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14)

Roberts contradicts James and says that faith without works (which James calls dead faith) can save a man. In order to explain away what James says about the importance of works authenticating the saving faith of the believer, Robert has come up with a concept that the reference by James to justification by faith having works is a reference to ONLY justification in the sight of men and NOT God. Where did Roberts come up with that unbiblical theology? He borrowed it from a Nicolaitan pastor, Don Fortner.

Roberts introduces Fortner’s heresy by saying that “[t]he following is a link to a article [sic] the late Pastor and Brother in Christ Don Fortner wrote.” Roberts then quotes Don Fortner’s explanation of James, Chapter 2.   “Every true believer is justified before men by the display of good works.”

That statement by Fortner is heresy. And it gets worse. On that very page cited by Roberts, Fortner says:

“[A]ll who know Christ, in the experience of grace, are justified by the display of good works before men (James 2:14-26). Yes, there is a sense in which we are justified by works, not before God, but before men. We justify our profession of faith in Christ by our works. Believers do not show their faith by creeds, confessions, and catechisms, but by their conduct. This is what the Holy Spirit teaches us in James 2:14-26.”

The heresy by Roberts can’t get any clearer. James makes it clear that Abraham was justified by faith and that faith was made perfect by his works. His justification was entirely by God.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:21-23)

James has Abraham saved by his faith and that faith was a living faith that has works. Roberts cannot allow that. So Roberts decouples the authenticating works from that faith and claims that what James means when he says that Abraham was “justification by works” that “we are justified by works, not before God, but before men.” What Roberts proposes is impossible. Justification can only come from God.

Carl Roberts Refuses To Answer

On May 25, 2021, this author sent Roberts the following email after Roberts stated in a prior email that he was not against good works. The email this author sent said, in pertinent part:

The issue is not whether you are against good works. The issue is whether you are against the gospel that says that faith without good works is dead. And you have clearly stated that you are against the gospel. You have stated without equivocation that it is heretical to say “that if one has no works their faith is a dead one and a dead faith cannot save so they are going to hell.”

I am here to tell you that, in fact, faith without works is dead, and dead faith cannot save.

Let’s stop playing games, Carl. Please answer the following question[s], Carl: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14)

Everybody is now listening, Carl. This is your big chance to answer the big question that will settle this issue. What is your answer? The answer is either Yes or No. That’s it, yes or no. What is your answer?

You would think those two questions would be easy to answer. But they weren’t so easy for Roberts. Roberts realized his dilemma. Roberts responded to my questions, not by answering them, but by asking this author a series of his own questions. He didn’t truly ask questions; he posed polemics against this author’s character in the form of questions. He disparaged this author’s occupation. He opined that this author’s fruit would not justify this author before God. He falsely alleged that this author is a hypocrite about God-given rights. But Roberts refused to answer the question found at James 2:14.

This author sent Roberts a second email and pointed out that his email reply was not responsive to the questions. I asked him to answer the rhetorical questions God asked in James 2:14. Again, Roberts responded with the same polemics. He maintained his refusal to answer the simple questions posed by God in the gospel at James 2:14. Roberts was in a conundrum. He tried to solve his problem by creating a smokescreen; he sent a barrage of seven emails to this author over two days. Each contained the identical polemics against this author that were mentioned above.

The questions at James 2:14 should be easy for any Christian to answer. They are rhetorical questions posed by God. The answers are obvious: faith without works does not profit a man, and profitless faith cannot save. But Carl Roberts disagrees with the gospel truth that faith without good works cannot save a man, so Carl refused to answer the questions. He knows the correct answer, but his theology requires him to give the wrong answer. He refuses to answer because he knows it will reveal his theology as contrary to God’s word.

Stop and reflect on that. God asks rhetorical questions in James, indicating that faith without works cannot save a person. I asked Carl Roberts what he would answer to those rhetorical questions, and he refused to answer. He declined to answer because he disagrees with the solution that God built into the rhetorical questions. The rhetorical questions indicate that a man’s faith that does not have works cannot save him. Roberts thinks that faith without works can save a person. Roberts disagrees with God, and that is why he will not answer the questions.

In an email, this author posed the same questions from James 2:14 to Larry Phillips. He also dodged the questions and only addressed false confessions of faith generally and not the specific issue being addressed by the questions in James 2:14, which is whether saving faith necessarily has good works. Indeed, Phillips made no mention of works at all in his response. He completely ignored the elephant in the room.

In the process of trying to dodge the questions in James 2:14, Larry Phillips unwittingly agreed that faith without works cannot save. Phillips sent an email wherein he quoted 2 Timothy 2:19 and gave the following answer to the questions this author presented him in James 2:14:

The answer to your question Edward is this. Men say a great deal of things that just are not so including making false confessions of faith. It’s called lying. Lying and making false confessions of the Faith of Christ is done by millions of people on a daily basis this in not [sic] way negates the claims of Christ that His sheep hear his voice and they will follow Him. This is my final word on the matter Edward and your long diatribes and will not change that fact.

Phillips agreed that the reference in James 2:14 to faith without works references false confessions of faith. Phillips is incognizant that his statement is an implicit agreement that faith without works cannot save. James 2:14 identifies that false confession of faith as a man who says he has faith but has “not works.” The rhetorical questions indicate that such faith without works cannot save the man. Phillips identifies workless faith as “false confessions of faith.” Phillips tried to avoid addressing good works by saying the passage in James 2:14 is addressing “false confessions of faith.” He did that because he believes that one can be saved by faith without works. But his characterization of the passage as addressing salvation implicitly acknowledged that James 2:14 contains the doctrinal truth that faith without works cannot save.

Phillips completely eschews that works authenticate saving faith. He believes that the doctrine that works authenticate faith constitutes a false gospel of salvation by works. But when this author asked him to answer the rhetorical questions in James 2:14, he recognized that James 2:14 addresses salvation. Oddly, he is not cognizant that his position that James 2;14 addresses salvation means that he unwittingly accepts that James 2:14 teaches that works authenticate saving faith.

This author cc’d Carl Roberts on that email. Phillips also cc’d Robert in his reply, which prompted Roberts to chime in with an email that, in pertinent part, said the following:

Its [sic] in Ed’s depraved nature to take a question asked by James regarding false professions of faith and make it about works. … Cleary [sic] the context of James 2 is speaking of knowing other believers by their fruit. Indeed we have come to know Edward Hendrie by his rotten fruit. To assert as Ed has done that James 2 is speaking of being Justified in the sight of God by works is to speak damnable heresy as it makes the finshed [sic] work of Jesus Christ not sufficient for salvation.

Roberts decided to take Phillips’ general false confession argument and run with it. He claimed that this author was taking a passage (James 2:14) and making it about works instead of false professions of faith in general. No, God is making it about works; it is works that distinguish saving faith from dead, ineffectual faith. Faith without works constitutes a false confession of faith, but it is the absence of good works that makes it so. The distinguishing factor between a false confession of faith and true faith is works. That is the point of James chapter 2. Indeed, God, through James, mentions works 12 times in James chapter 2 alone. That suggests that God thinks works are integral to saving faith.

Notice that Roberts tries to distance the “false confessions of faith” from the reference to works in James 2:14 as though James 2:14 says nothing about works. Rather than address the doctrine in James chapter 2 that faith without works cannot save, Roberts tries to remove all discussion of works and pretends that is not what James is addressing.

Roberts’ position makes no sense because James 2:14 explicitly mentions works. That passage states that faith without works cannot save. Roberts alleges that it is this author who is making it “about works,” when, in fact, it is James who is making it “about works.” Roberts agrees with Phillips that James 2:14 is addressing “false confessions of faith.” He, like Phillips, has thus unwittingly acknowledged that James 2:14 means that faith without works constitutes “false confessions of faith.” Thus, both Roberts and Phillips unwittingly recognize that faith without works is a false confession of faith that cannot save.

Roberts doesn’t realize it, but he implicitly agreed in his email that James 2:14 means that faith without works cannot save, while at the same time, he is saying that works are irrelevant to salvation. Both cannot be true. But Roberts holds both positions at the same time. Behold the double-mindedness of Carl Roberts. James describes people like Roberts. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8.

The Heresy of Don Fortner

Carl Roberts published a video where he lauds the teaching of Don Fortner and preaches from the doctrine found in Don Fortner’s book. In that video Roberts made the following statement:

“God will use any part of his word including the doctrine of the shape of the earth to reveal himself to a sinner. And I believe it is of the utmost importance and that if we attribute a creation to God that is not scriptural that is not defined in scripture for us that we have profaned his name. And we are presenting another god. And another god does not exist. Therefore, he can’t save you.”

What Carl Roberts does not mention in his video is that Roberts knows that Don Fortner said that the view that the gospel includes God’s creation of a flat, stationary earth is “contemptibly silly.” Fortner preached that such teaching is of the devil. Fortner was not just ignorant about God’s creation, he was an enemy of what the Bible revealed about it. Fortner preached the following in condemnation of the biblical description of the flat earth:

“I urge you, I urge you, don’t listen. Don’t listen to one word. You get intrigued, and all of a sudden you’re gone. Something that takes your heart and your mind off of Jesus Christ and him crucified is of the devil; even if it’s true, it’s of the devil. Don’t be enticed by false prophets.”

Fortner then cited NASA as his authority for a spherical, spinning earth under the heliocentric model. Carl Roberts knows that Don Fortner said those things. I have personally discussed that fact with Carl Roberts. I documented what Fortner said in my book, The Sphere of Influence, which Carl Roberts has read.

Don Fortner has done that very thing described by Carl Roberts as a sign of a person who preaches a false gospel. Don Fortner has profaned God’s name. Don Fortner has presented another god. Don Fortner preached a god that does not exist. Don Fortner has preached a god that can’t save you.

But what does Carl Roberts say about Don Fortner in this video? He says:

“I do not believe that Don Fortner, the late brother, Don Fortner or these other guys in the sovereign grace community are not saved or are not believers because of their refusal to acknowledge this lie about the shape of the earth and heliocentricity.”

In that video, Roberts praises Fortner for his knowledge of the gospel, that same man Roberts has defined as an apostate. Roberts then quotes from the teachings of that very man, whom Roberts knows is a heretic, and who by Roberts’ own standards profaned God’s name, preached another god, preached a god that does not exist, and preached a god that can’t save you.

Fortner is the same apostate source Roberts quoted in support of Roberts’ heresy of salvation by dead faith.

The double-minded apostasy of Carl Roberts is breathtaking. “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” Proverbs 26:11.

When I emailed Carl Roberts and pointed out his obvious double-mindedness, he made excuses for the heresy of Fortner and preaching the doctrines of fortner. Roberts said: “Fortner made mistakes as we all do.”

Roberts thinks that profaning God, preaching a god who does not exist and cannot save are just “mistakes”? Remember those were Roberts words to describe the very things Fortner did. Now, since Roberts has been caught drinking from the vomit of that heretic, suddenly that arch-heretic only made some “mistakes” which we can all overlook. It’s all good now. Roberts lives in a netherworld where heretics are called Christians and Christians are called heretics.

Roberts Claims That “Faith Does NOT Justify Us”

Roberts posted a March 10, 2021, video titled Ed Hendire [sic] Minister of Satan, wherein he misrepresents my position on the gospel. In the course of that slanderous video, Roberts reveals one of his many heretical doctrines. Roberts makes the following statement at the two (2) minute mark in the video:

We are justified freely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. And let me say this, our faith does not save us. It is the object of our faith that saves us. Our faith does not justify us. It is the object of our faith that justifies us. And the object of our faith is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has justified his people. He has reconciled his people. He has saved his people. And our faith, which is a gift of God to us, receives this justification. It receives this justification.

After I brought that heresy to light, Roberts doubled down and repeated his heresy in yet another video on April 25, 2021, titled, Ed Hendrie is a Roman Catholic. You can go to the 0:53 mark of the video and hear Roberts proclaim the following:

Men are justified by Jesus Christ by his finished work, okay. And let me say this, I want to be on record saying this. And I’ve said this before. But I want everyone to hear me. Our faith in and of ourselves, that a dead sinner can never have anyway okay, does not justify us. Okay, the faith that we possess that faith does not justify us. It is the object of our faith which justifies us. And the object of our faith is Jesus Christ. He has justified his people, There’s nothing left to be done. It is the object of our faith which justifies us. And our faith, which is a gift of God, the Holy Spirit to us at regeneration, it receives this justification. This is how we are justified freely by his grace.

Roberts’ statement directly contradicts the gospel. It is the faith of Jesus Christ, given as a gift from God, by his grace, that justifies us. Roberts makes the error of separating the faith of Jesus Christ (who is the source of our faith) from faith in Jesus Christ (the object of our faith). Our justification is by faith. It is by the faith of Jesus Christ. Faith is a gift from God. It is by the gift of faith that we believe in Jesus Christ. We are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ.

We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed, the imputed righteousness given to Abraham was based upon the faith God gave him.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:3)

In like manner, we will be justified by God and counted in his eyes to be righteous through faith.
 
 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)
 
Notice that Paul states that it is those who “walk in the steps of faith” that obtain the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The walk of faith is the true faith that comes with good works because faith without works is dead. See James 2:20.
 
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:12-13)
 
Paul concludes that we are “justified by faith.”
 
Romans 5:1 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Romans 3:28 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
 
Galatians 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
 
Romans 4:5 – But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Philippians 3:9 – And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

Luke 7:50 – And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

John 1:12-13 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 6:40 – And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1 Peter 1:9 – Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The Bible emphatically states that we are “justified by faith.” Roberts’ claim that “our faith does not justify us” is heresy. From where is Roberts getting this heresy that we are not justified by faith? It seems that Roberts obtained that doctrine from Don Fortner, who stated: “Faith is not the basis upon which men are justified; but faith is the instrument by which justification is received.”

This is an error that can be traced back to Horatius Bonar (1808-1889), who preached that “[f]aith connects us with the righteousness, and is therefore totally distinct from it. To confound the one with the other is to subvert the whole gospel of the grace of God. Our act of faith must ever be a separate thing from that which we believe.”

One cannot decouple faith from the source of that faith. The gospel is clear that we are “justified by faith.” Romans 5:1.

This “faith does not justify” error is a necessary doctrine of free-will Arminianism. Roberts claims that he is a staunch opponent of the Arminian error but his adoption of the “faith does not justify” heresy indicates that he is drinking from their polluted doctrine.

Joseph R. Dongell, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Dr. Dongell has as an instructor in various languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) at Asbury Seminary (1981-1983), Asbury College (1985-1986), and Union Theological Seminary (1987). Dr. Dongell is the author of a commentary on the Gospel of John (Wesley Press). Dr. Dongell is an ordained elder in the Wesleyan Church and has maintained “an active ministry in that denomination as an associate pastor, a regular adult Sunday school teacher; a one-time director and frequent advisor of the Wesleyan Seminary Foundation on Asbury Seminary’s campus; an instructor in regional Wesleyan ministerial training; and a representative to the annual Graduate Student Theological Seminar.”

Dr. Dongell presents the problem faced by Arminians who believe that faith does not come from God, but is rather an act of man’s free will. If faith is by the free will of man, it cannot be entirely by the grace of God because if it were, salvation by free-will born faith necessitates the cooperation of man in the decision to be saved. Arminians accept that salvation is by God’s grace, but their doctrine of faith being generated from the free will decision of the believer seems to undermine the graciousness of salvation. Dr. Dongell presents the issue thusly: “Some fear that a human faith which God, himself, did not cause would turn salvation by grace into salvation by the human act of faith.” How does Dr. Dongell get around this rather unsurmountable conundrum? Simple, he just changes the gospel. Dr. Dongell states that “faith does not save; not even partially. God alone saves upon the condition of human faith.”

Dr. Dongell has decoupled faith from the grace of God. Dr. Dongell cannot argue that salvation is not by grace, so he argues that salvation is not by faith. He distinguishes the faith that he alleges is by the free-will of man from the grace of God. But the gospel makes no such distinction. The gospel states that we are saved by faith. That faith is a gift from God’s grace.

The Thief on the Cross

Roberts cites the thief on the cross as an example of a person who had faith without works.  Roberts stated: “The faith of the thief on the cross was the only work necessary for his justification. This work was the work of God himself.” I  responded to him with the following message:

True, but after his salvation, he manifested the fruit of that salvation.  Again, you are conflating works to earn salvation and works that flow from salvation. The two are not the same. 

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)

Roberts does not understand that the thief on the cross did, in fact, bear the fruit of his salvation by rebuking the other malefactor and defending Jesus. He then turned to Jesus and called him “Lord.” That is faith that was imparted by God into that thief. No person could have thought that a person being crucified next to him on a cross would be God. That takes a revelation from God for that thief to know that. It is the same revelation that is attendant to all God’s elect who are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. All salvation is by the revelation of God. All faith comes from God. Saving faith will bear the fruit of salvation. In the end, the thief on the cross does not help Roberts’ theology.

Two Kinds of Faith

Roberts has Christians being justified in the sight of men because he simply cannot understand that there are two kinds of faith, death faith (without works) and living faith (with works). He rejects James’ repeated pronouncement that “faith without works is dead.” James 2:20.

Justification can never be done by men. That is because justification is the imputation of righteousness. That can only be done by God. It is clear in the above passage from James that the “justification by works” is the same imputation of righteousness by faith. James explains: faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.” Imputation of righteousness requires a perfect faith, a living faith, faith with works. Faith without works is dead.

There are two kinds of faith. Faith that has fruit, which is saving faith, and faith that is without fruit, which is a dead faith that God describes as the faith of devils.

Two Kinds of Works

Not only are there two kinds of faith, but there are also two kinds of works. Just as Roberts does not understand that there are two kinds of faith, he also does not understand that there are two kinds of works. There are those works ordained by God through faith and then there are those other works that flow from man’s will. He thinks that the works that Paul is discussing in Romans are the same works that James is talking about. They are not. Read carefully what Paul says:

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.(Romans 4:1-5)

Roberts thinks that Paul is contradicting James. He is not. Both Paul and James are addressing two different kinds of works. Paul is explaining that Abraham was not justified by the works of the flesh. He leads off with: “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?” He makes the point that Abraham’s righteousness was not from the works of the flesh. Abraham was not justified by works. But wait a minute, didn’t James say that Abraham was justified by works? He did. Isn’t that a contradiction? No. And here is why. In Romans, Paul is talking about the works of the flesh. Whereas, James is talking about the works of faith.

The works of faith are those works ordained and performed by God through the believer that perfect his faith. They are the result of faith. That perfect faith justifies the believer. Whereas works of the flesh cannot ever justify the believer. Paul explains that a person who works the works of the flesh is looking for a reward.  “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” But the works born of faith are the fruit of salvation; they do not earn salvation, they are not for a reward. Salvation is a gift of God and not a reward for good works. Good works flow from salvation. That is what James was saying. Good works do not earn salvation. That is what Paul was saying.

Paul: Works do not earn salvation.

James: Works are the fruit of salvation.

Carl Roberts does not understand that basic concept. On March 10, 2021, he sent me an email in response to my exposition and comparison of Romans and James above. Roberts said “works are works,” meaning that there is no difference between the fleshly works spoken about by Paul that can never save and the works spoken of by James that are the fruit of salvation. He claims that to say that saving faith comes with works means that one is requiring works to be added to the finished work of Christ.

Works are works Ed. The minute you say any works are necessary in the sight of God for one’s justification other than the finished work of Jesus Christ as you have done with your Lordship salvation heresy you have made those works works [sic] of the flesh. 

In yet another email he mischaracterized what I said. In a March 10, 2021 email, Roberts responded to my exposition on Romans and James: “Ed your preaching that men are justified in the sight of God by works that’s heresy.” Roberts falsely claims that I am preaching justification by works. He cannot allow that faith without works is dead. In Roberts’ mind to repeat what James says, that saving faith will have works, is to preach justification by works. That is why he must categorize James’s reference to “justification by works,” not James expressing that true saving faith has works, but rather as referring to justification before men.

When I asked him in an email to cite where I had ever said that “men are justified in the sight of God by works.” He came back to me in a March 10, 2021 email with the following quote from me.

“You are saying that faith without works is ONLY dead faith before man and NOT God because according to you our works ONLY justify us before men and NOT God.”

I told him in a March 6, 2021 email that I misspoke when I wrote that. I told him on March 6th that I meant to say:

“You are saying that faith without works is ONLY dead faith before man and NOT God because according to you our faith with works ONLY justify us before men and NOT God.”

This is the second time since I told him about my correction of that statement that he has used that uncorrected statement. That is the kind of dishonesty that marks the character of Carl Roberts. Despite my correction, he continues to quote the mistaken statement. That is just plain dishonest. He is not displaying Christian character. He is ever so subtle in his deceptions. That is just the latest in a long list of them.

When I objected to his mischaracterization of my position, he sent an email to me asking me: “Yes or no….Are you claiming that James 2 teaches that we are justified in the sight of God by works?” I responded: “No.”

Robert then dug himself even deeper into his pit by sending me an  email on March 10, 2021, where he follows citations to James 2:18 and 2:24 with the following statement:

To say this justification is speaking of being Justified in the sight of God by faith and works is heresy. Its all of grace and none of works. Anything you add to the completed work of Jesus Christ becomes a work of the flesh! Hopefully by the Grace of God you will repent of this. If you do I will remove the vidoes of your lordship salvation heresy.

James 2:18 says: “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” and James 2:24 says: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

Roberts quotes two passages, which clearly state that true faith has works. It is that true faith that saves. But Roberts twists things to suggest that I am saying that we are “justified in the sight of God by faith and works.” That is not what I am saying. I am saying what James is saying, that we are saved by faith, the kind of faith that has works. That is faith that comes “with” works. We are saved by the kind of faith that comes “with” works. I am not saying, as alleged by Roberts, that we are saved by faith “and” works. Neither James nor I am saying that works justify a man. We are saying that faith that has no fruit is not saving faith. Faith without works is dead.

Neither Roberts nor Fortner knows what justification means. Roberts does not understand that the relationship between faith and works is the same as the relationship between faith and repentance.

Repentance

The bible is clear that salvation brings repentance. Repentance is the flip side of faith. Once God moves a person to be born again, he is freed from sin and turns toward God in faith. The turning toward God involves a turning away from the former sin. Repentance is manifested through works. If faith comes from God, then so does repentance.

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4 AV)

Repentance, which is the turning from sin toward God is accomplished by God.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. (Psalms 85:4)

Man will not, indeed he cannot, repent of his sin on his own, because his will is enslaved to sin. Repentance is entirely of God. God changes the hearts of his elect and turns them to repent of their sins. “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” (Acts 3:26)

God reveals in the book of Acts that it is God who “grants” repentance.

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. (Acts 11:18 AV)

Notice that repentance brings salvation “unto life.” Repentance is the other side of faith. It is manifested in works, and it brings with it salvation. The fact that repentance comes from God and not from the free will of man was clearly understood by the early church. We see the writer of 2 Timothy expressing God’s sovereign rule over the hearts of men; God “gives” repentance.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:24-25)

Without God moving the heart of the penitent, there could never be repentance. It is Jesus that supplies the faith and the repentance.

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)

As Acts 5:31 reveals, repentance, being a product of faith, brings with it forgiveness of sins. Repentance is manifested by works. If repentance is by the free will of man, that means that those works are born of man’s free will. Such a theology constitutes salvation by works. But if those works are prepared by God to be performed by God through the believer, then we have the performance of a perfect, living faith that justifies. See Ephesians 2:10.

Read what the book of Acts states about the relationship of repentance to salvation.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-38)

Notice that when the people heard Peter preach the gospel “they were pricked in their heart.” That was God effectually drawing them to Christ. They then asked Peter “what shall we do?” Peter told them to “repent, and be baptized.” Repentance in the biblical context means to change one’s mind and stop sinning. If the people could repent of their own free will that would make Peter’s command to repent a command to work their way to salvation.

The gospel, however, states that the spiritual rebirth is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit. That means that repentance is a fruit of the Spirit, which is also accomplished by God. It is not a work of the free will of man at all. The gospel is salvation by grace through faith, with repentance from sin being the fruit of the true faith of Jesus Christ. Peter’s command to the people to repent and be baptized was not a command to work toward heaven, because they could not repent, unless God gave then the faith of Jesus to turn toward him in faith. Paul told King Agrippa how he preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul stated that Jesus told him:

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” (Acts 26:16-20 AV)

Jesus commanded Paul to go to the Gentiles and “open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Paul’s mission was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. What did Paul tell the Gentiles to do? Paul told the Gentiles to repent of their sin and “do works meet for repentance.” If repentance is a fruit of the Spirit that is born by the faith of Jesus Christ, then Paul’s admonition was in complete accord with the gospel. If, as claimed by many free-will preachers today, repentance is an act of the free-will of man, then Paul was all wrong in his approach. If repentance is a free will act, then Paul was preaching a false gospel of works by telling them to “do works meet for repentance.”

Repentance and faith go hand in hand. Without works faith is dead. That is what James meant when he said: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

A true Christian will manifest his faith by his works. The works, however, do not merit salvation. The faith of the elect is from God and so are their works. The works are prepared by God ahead of time for his elect to walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. James explained:

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (James 2:21-22)

Notice how James stated that works that are born of repentance are necessary fruits of saving faith. He even cites the very example of Abraham. Repentance is the flip side of faith and is manifested by works. Notice that in Hebrews 11:17 Paul states that Abraham offered up Isaac by “faith,” yet James states that Abraham was “justified by works” when he offered Isaac as a sacrifice.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” (Hebrews 11:17)

James drives the point home that faith without works is not saving faith. Abraham’s faith was perfect faith since it was manifested by his works. “Seest thou how faith wrought with his [Abraham’s] works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:22 AV)

This same parallelism is seen with Rahab. James states that she was Justified by works (meaning that her faith was true faith that was manifested by works).

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? (James 2:25)

However, that same Rahab was given as an example of faith in the letter to Hebrews.

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31)

We are saved to bear fruit. God has ordained that his elect bear fruit. If you are saved, you will bear fruit, because God has willed it. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16 AV)

That fruit will be manifested in the good works that spring from the new charitable heart God has given those who believe. Faith without works is dead!

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:17-20)

God prunes us so that we will bear fruit: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2) If a branch does not bear fruit it is good for nothing but destruction.

Jesus stated any fruit comes from him and that without him man can bear no fruit. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5 AV)

There can be no faith without repentance, all repentance brings forth fruit. The bible states that all faith and repentance and fruit are from God. They all go together. The fruit of faith and repentance is good works.

18 thoughts on “Carl Roberts’ Heresy of Salvation by Dead Faith

  1. “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” (Prov. 18:17-KJV)

    I appreciate that you wrote this and clarifying where you stand.
    I have listened to you and Carl over the years and have enjoyed what you both have to say on various issues.

    You are the only author who has taken on all 3 groups of Pharisees that Jesus warned about in Matthew 23 (call no man Rabbi (apostate Judaism), call no man Father (Papacy), and call no man Master (Freemasonry). I appreciate your work and courage in taking on these three groups according to the Scripture.

  2. All those that are
    saved will bear the
    fruit of good works
    and that is all that God
    will see of the believer
    on judgment day.
    Edward Hendrie
    What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?
    #kindlequotes
    How do you explain this unbiblical statement Edward.

    • You call it an unbiblical statement that “all those that are saved will bear the fruit of good works and that is all that God will see of the believer on judgment day.” Is the statement by Paul in Romans 8:1 an unbiblical statement? Paul states that those who are the saved elect and are in Christ “walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” That is not an admonition to walk after the Spirit. It is a statement of fact. That means that the saved will do the good works that are the fruit of saving faith that James spoke of in James, Chapter 2.

      We are born again through the Holy Spirit as new creations in Christ Jesus to do good works ordained by God for us to walk in them. We are not saved by works, our works are the fruit of our salvation. The Bible states that it is God that works through the believer. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13) As Paul explained:

      “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

      Without Jesus, a person can do no good works by God’s standard. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) All those who are saved will bear fruit. The very idea that his children will not bear fruit contradicts the word of God. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

      When Jesus saved us, he made us to be zealous to do good works. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14) Good works flow from the zeal given to us by Christ. Good works are not to earn salvation or rewards in heaven. They are the fruits of salvation ordained by God.

      “Faith without works is dead.” James 2:20. Those that have dead faith are not saved. They have been marked for destruction. In his parable of the sower, Jesus explains how it can be that there are some who profess that they believe but really are lost. See Matthew 13:18-23.

      Let us look at James 2:14 and see what Paul thinks about what James said. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” James 2:14. Paul answers that question with an emphatic, No! In Romans 8:4 Paul explains that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us by our faith in Christ. Those who have faith in Christ walk after the Spirit of Christ that is in us. The “walk” to which Paul refers is what James calls “works.” That is our genuine faith has works. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:4. Indeed, Jeus has ordained that we bear fruit. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16) What about those that bear no fruit? “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

      Paul explains that if you are God’s elect, he will “[m]ake you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21. It is God who is performing the good works of the believer according to God’s good pleasure. That is because the Holy Spirit is in the believer and makes him willing to do good works. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13.

      Only those that are saved have done any good works, and they are the only ones found in the book of life. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

      So we see from Matthew 25 that in 2 Corinthians 5:10 when all appear at the judgment seat of Christ, those who receive according to the good they have done are saved Christians (sheep on his right hand) and those who receive the bad are unsaved heathen (goats on his left hand). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Indeed, Paul explains:

      “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.” (Romans 2:6-8)

      In Matthew 25 Jesus tells his sheep “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” He has made all Christians to inherit his kingdom. We are God’s children and his heirs. All God’s elect will bear the fruit of their election. That fruit is ordained by God and performed by God through them. At the judgment, God will only see Christ in us. The works mentioned are the works of Christ done through the believer. There is nothing that we have done of ourselves. We are reborn as new creations unto good work, which Christ works through us. It is our faith that saves us. But that faith will have good works because “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

      To say that you can be saved by a faith that has no good works is to say that you can be saved by a dead faith. That is a direct contradiction of the gospel. We are born again to walk in newness of life. See Romans 6:4. True faith will bear the fruit of salvation.

      Edward Hendrie

  3. You are making salvation out to be decided when we at last stand before God by works that
    He has performed in us .what was the cross of Christ for?. No one I am not saying
    We don’t do good works in Christ but they do not save us we are saved at the cross.
    How do you know what are good works can you name one you have done recently.

    • You claim that I am “making salvation out to be decided when we at last stand before God by works that He has performed in us.” I have never said such a thing. Obviously, you did not read what I wrote on this blog page and you are completely unfamiliar with any of my writings. You seem to have bought hook-line-and-sinker the lies of Roberts about me. Had you actually read my blog article you would have seen that I said the following:

      “In Matthew 25 Jesus tells his sheep ‘inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ He has made all Christians to inherit his kingdom. We are God’s children and his heirs. ‘And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (Re 1:6) What blessing is he going to withhold from his children? “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1Co 2:9)”

      What does that mean? You may ask. It means that our salvation was decided before the foundation of the world. It is not decided at the final judgment, and I never said it was. Notice in Matthew 25 the sheep obtain an inheritance. An inheritance is not earned. An inheritance is given to someone based on the generosity of the testator. But how can God judge a person according to his works if they are to receive “life eternal” as an inheritance prepared “from the foundation of the world?” Paul explains that if you are God’s elect, he will “[m]ake you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21. It is God who is performing the good works of the believer according to God’s good pleasure. That is because the Holy Spirit is in the believer and makes him willing to do good works. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13.

      I am not saying, as you claim, that we are saved at the judgment. I am saying that the works being judged are the fruit of salvation that are performed by Christ through the believer. It is the faith that saves us. The works testify to the genuineness of that faith. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26) The goats had no good works. The sheep had the good works of Christ that authenticated their faith of Christ.

  4. Your error Edward is saying That is all that God will see of the Believer.
    Which is one of the worst statements I have heard coming from one who purports to hold the doctrines of grace.

    • It is not an error. It is the gospel. You, apparently, seem to think that my statement means something other than what it says. If God promises that “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more,” (Hebrews 8:12) that means that at the judgment he can only see the works done by Christ through the believer. All those that are saved will bear the fruit of good works and that is all that God will see of the believer on judgment day. That fruit is ordained and performed by Christ through the believer. God will not see their sin on judgment day. You refuse to understand my statement, which I explained in the blog post. It is all right there in the post. I am quoting in my blog post from Chapter 12 of my book, which you can download and read for yourself. Please explain the error you claim. Immediately after I quote Matthew 25:31-46, my blog states:

      “Christians who appear before the throne of Christ, will find it to be a throne of mercy, not judgment. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) How could the judgment seat of Christ be a throne of grace, if God will judge all (saved and unsaved) according to their works, and the Bible makes it clear that we cannot be saved by works? The answer is found in the bible. In Ephesians 2 God states that Christians are saved by his grace through faith in Jesus Christ and are pre-ordained to walk in good works. God’s elect are spiritual creations of God for the purpose of walking in good works. Those good works are prepared by God in advance for us to perform.

      “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

      “If his will is that we will do good works, then we will do good works; his will is done on earth just as his will is done in heaven. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) God acts in accordance with his will and no one can stay the hand of God!

      “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:35)

      “Notice in Matthew 25:31-46 on judgment day, Jesus only sees the good works of the sheep (saved Christians) and he only sees the bad works of the goats (unsaved heathen). Why is that? Because Jesus works through the saved sheep to do good works; aside from Jesus no man can do any good. “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 7:17-19)

      “God will not consider or recompense any sins committed by his sheep. All the sins of his sheep have been forgiven and washed clean in the blood of the lamb of God. Revelations 7:14. God has stated that he will completely forgive and even forget the sins of his elect. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12) Though the sins be crimson red God will so cleanse the sinner that they shall be white as snow. Isaiah 1:18. Christ has reconciled God to his elect sheep and no sins will be imputed to them. When God looks upon his sheep, he only sees the righteous acts done by Christ through them.

      “Only those who are in Jesus will have any good works on judgment day. Without Jesus a person can do no good works by God’s standard. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) All those who are saved will bear fruit. The very idea that his children will not bear fruit contradicts the word of God. Just as without Christ no man can bear fruit, so also with Christ no man can be fruitless.”

  5. Edward you seem to me to be like on faith plus works, has a person does when they
    Mix law and grace they say they can now do the law because God causes or helps
    Them to keep it. But we live by grace and not by law. You now say we live by faith and works that God causes or helps us to keep, but we live by faith and not by works.
    We will be presented perfect before him not because of any works he performs in us.
    But we will be perfect because we are in Him complete faultless because all He has done
    Made perfect in Him . I will stand before Him with my spotless garment on only
    what He has done for His elect will be on display that He will see.

    • You said: “Edward you seem to me to be like …” I don’t know why you cannot take me for what I actually say and not some preconceived notion of what you think I “seem to” be like. I am not mixing grace and law as you allege. Again, you apparently believe the strange allegations made about me by Roberts regardless of what I say.

      I am repeating what God emphatically states in Romans 9:15. And that is that salvation is all of God and none of man. We are the objects of his mercy.

      “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:16)

      It could not be clearer. Salvation is solely by the grace of God. The will of man and his own works are irrelevant to salvation. The works spoken of by God in the Bible that are born of faith and the fruit of salvation are the works of God performed through the vessels of his grace.

      Without the imputation of the righteousness of Christ to the sinner, justification of the sinner would be impossible. That is why Jesus had to atone for the sins of his elect. It is only through the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ that man can be justified. The sacrifice of Jesus facilitated the justification of the wicked because God only sees the righteousness of Christ when he sees a believer. The believer is thus justified in God’s eyes. The believer only needs to believe in Jesus. His faith in Jesus will justify him before God. But that faith must be the faith that is imparted by Jesus Christ. It must be the faith “of” Jesus Christ. That perfect faith comes with good works that Jesus Christ prepared before the foundation of the world for the believer to walk in. Faith without works is dead. James 2:20. That is the gospel and I am saying no different.

      In Hebrews 4:3 we read that the rest is because “the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Just as our inheritance is “from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:43) so also the works upon which God judges the sheep were finished from the foundation of the world.

      “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3)

      You seem to have a problem with the fact that genuine saving faith necessarily comes with good works. If that is your problem, take it up with God. It is the very theme of the Bible. It is the gospel.

      “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

  6. Edward I did not say you were mixing law and grace read again what I said
    You are like those who do that but you do it with Faith and works you say God performs
    Them in us the works that is, I would not disagree with you but you make them saving
    Works along with Faith you say this is all that God sees at the judgement which is
    Unbiblical don’t matter how many scriptures you may want to bring to the table.

    • You say it is unbiblical because you reject the clear pronouncement in the Bible. There can be no argument about what the Bible says. In order to make it unbiblical, as you desire, requires you to cut passages out of the Bible. What Jesus describes in Matthew 25 is what happens at the final judgment. What does Jesus describe as the basis for judging people? He looks at their works.

      The Bible is clear; Jesus Christ will judge all by what we do. This fact is not even debatable. Paul explains: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) That final judgment includes all, both saved and unsaved. Paul explains:

      “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.” (Romans 2:6-8)

      James makes the point that faith without good works cannot save a person; Jesus reveals that judgment in hell awaits those who do not have good works. That damnation would include those who have faith without good works. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus explains that important doctrine of the gospel. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. James succinctly reiterates what Jesus taught. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22. When James says that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20), he means that damnation awaits those that have faith without good works.

  7. The good works of a Christian do not save them they live by faith by the faith
    Of Jesus Christ . This last reply to me that you have made is works salvation
    You will not find one of those who claim they are Elect would agree with you.
    You do not hold to the doctrines of grace hope you come to see this.

  8. One very important consideration in this subject is to remember Who is doing the choosing. The scripture is quite clear in this.

    John 15:16
    16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

    Of course, there are many other verses that point this fact out. I know that I did not choose God. I was not going to church and had no interest in such matters until one day out of nowhere I started to feel “Something” speaking to me. I was totally changed over a matter of a couple of weeks without the intervention of any man. I became a new person and all around me could see this.

    Now back to the subject matter at hand. Saved by works. As you imply evidence of true belief in God through Christ is the works you do. It is NOT because you said a sinners prayer, even if a false teacher told you that is how it works. So God picks His true children and guides them in what they do. I believe from what I have studied and witnessed that God also sends “Strong delusions” to those He does not choose. These sent these strong delusions then believe a great many false things because God Himself wants them to believe what is not true.

    What we have to accept is that this world was not made just for us and our purpose. This world was made for God’s purpose and that purpose was that God would have children that loved Him through Christ. The whole thing is about what God wants. God planned this whole thing and He foreknew those who would love Him. Therefore God calls those who will truly love Him for Who He is.

    I find that most pastors do not accept God just as He is. They change God into something that they would be like if they were God. Although I believe your intent is good, I do not think that you will change anyone’s mind and bring them into the truth. If God wants them, He will get them. I believe that when Christ said, “Never the less, not my will, but thy will be done” it was the truth from then on. It is not us who convinces anyone to believe who has not been chosen by God to believe the truth. It is all up to God. That being said, God can use us, both believers and non-believers to accomplish His will. I believe that God is doing this will the Covid-19 issue. Some are believing that they must be vaccinated. I do not. I strongly feel the vaccines will turn out to be very bad, but in doing so they will accomplish God’s will. God’s will is about eternity and every time we consider God’s will we must keep that in mind.

    Those who are truly in Christ will prove that they are by the works they do. They do not have to try and do good works, it is just who they are. They are indeed Children of God.

    God Bless, I love what I have read of your writings.

    • Indeed brother! Absolutely spot on! But I think it is (as he in his vigorously long and passionate commentary of scripture has explicated) the fruit of the believer to shine the light and to rub salt against the sore wounds of the world. The fruit of which was all possible because God ordained it to be possible from before the world even was! Thus, Edward Hendrie was an ordained voice crying out in the wilderness whether it be to the elect’s joy or to the shame of the deceived and of the “wise” just as John was, or Elijah (whom also was saddened for he thought none listened to him), or practically all the prophets. It is not our concern whether there be anyone willing to hear or whether it be changing the figment of our reality but because it is pleasing to our Father in Heaven (whom has alloted this fruit of goodness graciously to us today at this time) and a blessing to those whom He has alloted to hear. Blessings also brother!

  9. Mr. Hendrie, Greetings!
    I applaud your work, however one thing is bothering me. Could it be that YAHUAH Himself has ordained some SAVED men to stumble upon some of the craftiness of the world. YAHUSHA, our Messiah in His own almighty words tell us that “For there shall arise FALSE CHRISTS and FALSE PROPHETS and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT (Matthew 24:24)”. Could there be an instance that some of these “elect” which He is talking about be found in the throne room of God unrepentant of their “heretical” positions? For it to be another glory of our YAHUAH, another great display of His unending mercy and grace which He has done to us! I am aware that if they were truly YAHs, He woukd definitely save them out of the paradigm by whatever means necessary as He states “Come out of her (Mystery Babylon), my people” but there is still a probability that some would not. I am curious about your response, as I am just learning as well.

    Moreover, may Yah bless your ministry further my dear brother in Christ. You are truly beloved of God, brother. God bless!

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