Do Not Add or Take Away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Galatians 1:6-9
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
I want to be clear that it’s not okay to take away or add to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s a clear warning right there, and it’s a very serious warning. Many people out there think they can add something to the Gospel without corrupting the Gospel.
The Gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s not your Gospel to change. It’s not your job to take away from it or add to it. We go by the Bible here, and I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
Introduction: A Perverted Gospel Is No Gospel at All
The Gospel is under attack—not by the world, but by religious people who claim to preach it. There is a most dangerous lie in churches today and it’s this subtle corruption that says you must ask to be saved.
Whether it’s “ask Jesus into your heart” or a manmade prayer, it is another gospel. I take the Gospel very seriously, and we can’t allow subtle additions to change the Gospel.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
What are we contending for or fighting for? The Bible says, “THE FAITH.” Let me say that again, “Ye should earnestly contend for the faith.”
This sermon is a sword swing against that corruption. The Bible says believe—not ask. They are not the same thing. Faith saves—not a formula. Not many things. One thing: FAITH. Trust saves—not a transaction. One thing: TRUST. Believing saves. Not asking. One thing: BELIEVING.
I am going to make this very clear. The exact moment someone believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are saved. It’s not when they open their mouth and confess. It’s not when they open their mouth and ask Jesus to save them. The moment of salvation is when they trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.
If someone listens to a Gospel video online and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ without saying anything out loud, they are saved. God hears their thoughts. He knows what they are believing. He knows that they want to be saved by believing in Jesus Christ.
Point 1: Asking to Be Saved Is Adding to the Gospel
Let’s begin by dealing with the root issue—asking for salvation is not the same as believing in Jesus Christ. It’s an addition to the Gospel. And every addition corrupts.
Don’t take this lightly. It’s not something to mess around with.
Someone can say, “Jesus, please save me” and still believe in their own good works to be saved. I’ve asked in my life, “Jesus, please save me,” but I wasn’t believing IN Jesus to save me. Did Jesus save me because I asked? No, he didn’t. Why? Because I wasn’t believing in him. He doesn’t hear the call for salvation if you aren’t believing in Him.
Hebrews 4:2
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
I’ve heard people say that FAITH ALONE saves, but then they say: “Well, you also have to ask to be saved?” Really? Think closely about what you’re saying. If someone hears the Gospel and faith is there, they are saved in that moment of faith.
Imagine someone hearing the Gospel and putting their faith in that Gospel of Jesus Christ. They don’t say anything. They don’t repeat the Sinner’s Prayer. They don’t confess with their mouth. They simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you telling me they aren’t saved yet? Are you telling me Jesus Christ is a liar in the Bible? Is that what you’re saying?
Are you telling me they put all their trust IN the Lord Jesus Christ, but you’re telling me they better ask Jesus to save them? What if they don’t say those words? What if there isn’t one example of that within the Bible for spiritual salvation? What if you allowed some preacher to deceive you?
This verse is powerful because it shows that hearing alone isn’t enough—the Gospel must be mixed with faith. It is faith, not a verbal response or ritual, that causes the message to take effect and result in salvation. AGAIN, FAITH ALONE SAVES.
If you are one that says faith alone saves, then mean what you say. Faith is not equal to asking. You ask because of faith. You speak because of faith.
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Asking is a human act. It’s an effort. Salvation is not about what you say, it’s about what you believe. Is that verse wrong? “But believeth on him. His faith is counted for righteousness.” It’s not his asking to be saved with his mouth in a prayer.
Believing is believing. Believing is not equal to asking. I am really tired of hearing lies.
Romans 11:6
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.
To require a prayer is to require something more than believing—and that cancels grace. It does. It’s the same thing as saying you must believe and get baptized. You must believe and ask God to save you in a Sinner’s Prayer. FALSE.
That’s not a technical error. That’s damnable heresy. The Sinner’s Prayer doesn’t save. Now, if someone believes during the Sinner’s Prayer, they are saved. But it’s still the believing that saves. If you say anything other than believing saves, you are preaching damnable heresy.
When you are believing in Christ, you are not relying on your own works. You are relying on the works of Jesus Christ. Not your own. Don’t add to the Gospel or you’re getting into very dangerous waters. It’s not something little to add to the Gospel. “You must ask to be saved” is a statement that’s not in the Bible and not even close.
Galatians 2:21
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Now that we’ve exposed asking as an addition to believing, let’s see what the Bible consistently commands for salvation. We’ll see this over and over and over again throughout the Bible.
Point 2: The Bible Repeatedly Says Believe—Never Ask
Scripture is plain. The language is clear. The pattern is consistent. The Bible tells us to believe. Never once does it say to ask for salvation.
John 6:47
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Now, believing is not the same as asking. Believing is not the same as saying the Sinner’s Prayer. It’s not. Believing happens within. Did Jesus lie to us in that verse? Of course not. The ones who are saying you must ask are obviously the liars. Some on purpose and some on accident. And this isn’t something small.
I will fight to the death over this. Contend for the faith. Contend for the what? THE FAITH! Not contend for the Sinner’s Prayer. Not contend for a prayer asking to save you. Contend for the faith.
And anyone on the other side of this can study the Scriptures for themselves and will see that Jesus isn’t a liar. Say that you must ask to be saved, and you call Jesus a liar right there. And you call all the Scriptures lies. And whose side are you on? You better take a long hard look at whose side you’re on and who you are calling a liar?
Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Oh, is that wrong? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” When? The moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. But you have these people out there saying, “No, that’s wrong.” I repeat what the Bible says and they call me a devil and a false preacher and pray for my death in hell.
Hey, you better wake up out there. Look at the Scriptures. Don’t corrupt the Gospel, or you create another Gospel.
Romans 10:9-11
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
The believing in Jesus Christ is the part that saves the soul forever. You can put whatever else there you want, and it will always be the believing part that saves. ALWAYS. Or, Jesus lies to us over and over again in the Scriptures. He’s not the liar.
Don’t take that and try to say someone must confess with their MOUTH to be saved. If someone hears the Gospel and believes without opening their mouth, they are saved.
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
That verse isn’t saying you must be baptized in water to be saved. Some people will try to say that’s not talking about water baptism but it’s a parallel passage with Matthew 28. So don’t try twisting things.
“But he that believeth not shall be damned.” There’s only one thing you must do to be saved. BELEIVE. Not confessing with the mouth, saying a Sinner’s Prayer, or anything else.
It’s great to confess with your mouth, but you’re already saved before it comes out of your mouth. If it comes out of your mouth 300 milliseconds after you believed, you were already saved. If it comes out of your mouth 300 days after you believed, you were already saved.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Imagine telling people you must ask to be saved and calling God a liar in all the Scriptures.
John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Not once does Jesus say, “Ask me to save you.” This is important. Not once does Paul say, “Repeat after me.” Not once. And again, this is important. This is hell on the line. This is everlasting life on the line. Not once does the Holy Ghost record someone asking for salvation after believing.
Believing in the Lord, confessing the Lord, and calling upon the name of the Lord is all happening from within. As you are believing, God is hearing your thoughts. If you’re saying, “Yes, I believe in Jesus” from within, God hears.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ can save you right now without saying a prayer? Now listen closely out there. I know of people who would say, “No, I must say the prayer to be saved.” So, look, you aren’t believing IN Jesus Christ. You are adding a prayer to the Gospel. You are adding a prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ just as people add other things.
You can ask me right now: “Josh, do you believe that Jesus Christ can save you right now without saying a prayer?” And I will say YES from within and not move my lips, and Jesus will save me. Why? Because I believe IN the Lord Jesus Christ and nothing else. I don’t believe the prayer ever saved me. I believe my faith in Jesus saved me.
But, I want to use my lips. I want to confess Jesus out loud. I want to pray to Jesus. I want to tell others about Jesus. Those things don’t save me. He already saved me because I put my faith IN Him alone and NOTHING ELSE.
When I believed, I called upon the Lord to save me from ALL MY SINS. I knew that I was believing in Jesus alone to save me from my sins. I put my faith in Jesus alone and not me saying a prayer. Did I say a prayer? Yes, but He already saved me when I believed.
And if you don’t like that, you don’t like the Bible. How so? Listen to this.
Acts 10:43-44
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
What was Peter preaching? He said EXACTLY: “That through HIS name whosoever BELIEVETH in HIM shall receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking those words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. All of them weren’t already saved because Peter is preaching salvation. They hear his words, believe, and are saved just like that.
Peter didn’t tell them to say a prayer with him or ask Jesus to save them. They were saved the moment they believed. They didn’t have to open their mouths. They were calling upon Him from within—by believing in Him for salvation. That belief was their plea. That trust was their cry. They believed Jesus could save them from their sins, and that’s exactly when they were saved.
Let me be clear once again. The moment of belief is the moment someone is saved.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Not after you said a prayer. Not after you asked for the free gift of everlasting life. Not after you pleaded with Jesus to save you. Not after you asked Jesus into your heart. AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED. I am sick and tired of the Gospel of Jesus Christ being corrupted.
There’s not one example of a Gospel preacher in the Bible telling someone they must ask. “Hey, you must pray to be saved. You’ve believed, but you aren’t yet saved. You must ask Jesus to save you.” That’s a lie from the pits of hell.
John 12:42
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
Now, were these chief rulers saved? The Bible clearly says they believed on him. Jesus says, “If you believe on me, I’ll give you everlasting life right now.” HATH EVERLASTING LIFE. They believed on Jesus. Did they not receive everlasting life OR not? They did not confess Jesus. Did they go to hell? What’s the truth here?
The truth is they believed and were saved—even without confessing. Confession didn’t save them—belief did. Again, the Bible says over and over and over again that believing saves. Believe, believe, believe. Not ask, ask, ask. Believe, believe, believe.
But what about calling upon the name of the Lord? Let’s rightly divide that next.
Point 3: Asking Is Not Calling – Calling Comes From Believing
One of the most misunderstood verses is Romans 10:13. People think calling means verbally asking: “Jesus, please save me.” Many will say that the Sinner’s Prayer equates to Romans 10:13, but again, that is a lie straight from hell. The Sinner’s Prayer isn’t in the Bible once.
Scripture defines calling as the outflow of faith.
Again, calling upon the name of the Lord is not equal to asking Jesus to save you verbally and out loud: “Jesus, please save me.” Calling upon the name of the Lord comes from believing. And the Bible is teaching this. Not me – the Bible. The verses are connected, and I didn’t write them. If you don’t like it, tell God.
Romans 10:13-14
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
You cannot call without believing first. THAT’S THE ORDER. So calling is not the method of salvation—it’s the result of faith. As someone is believing in the Lord, they are calling upon the name of the Lord. From within, “Yes, I believe IN Jesus.” If they believe in Jesus, they are saved.
It doesn’t take me hearing someone verbally call. It takes faith IN Jesus. God hears their thoughts. I ask someone while I am preaching the Gospel: “Do you believe Jesus can save you?”
And they say, “Yes, I do.” But let’s say they believe in their works still. They aren’t saved. I continue explaining the Gospel. The moment they believe IN Jesus, they are saved. It can happen at any moment. It can happen after I leave. They can confess with their mouth to me all day long. They can pray and ask Jesus to save them all day long.
They are not saved until they have believed in Jesus Christ. One requirement to be saved: trusting in Jesus.
Luke 18:13-14
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
He didn’t ask Jesus to save him. “God be merciful unto me a sinner.” He didn’t say, “Jesus, please save me.” He said, “God be merciful unto me a sinner.” I am a sinner. Have mercy on me.
Even here—his calling was a heart of faith, not a formula. Faith justifies you before God. Nothing else. To prove this beyond doubt, let’s look at real-life Bible examples of salvation—and what they actually did.
Point 4: Bible Examples of Salvation Without Asking
Nowhere in Scripture does a lost sinner say, “Jesus, please save me.” Instead, we’re shown moment after moment where faith alone saved.
- “Acts 10:43-44 …whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins… the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.”
- “Acts 8:36-37 …If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest… I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
- “Luke 23:42-43 Lord, remember me… To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
- “Acts 16:14 …whose heart the Lord opened…”
- “Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
- “Mark 5:34 Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole…”
- “John 4:13-14 …whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst…”
- “John 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”
- “John 4:29 …is not this the Christ?”
- “John 4:39 …many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him…”
The woman at the well didn’t pray. She didn’t ask for the free gift of everlasting life. She didn’t have a clue what she was asking for at the time. She wanted water so she wouldn’t thirst and wouldn’t have to come back to the well to draw again.
John 4:15
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
The thief on the cross didn’t recite any version of the Sinner’s Prayer. Jesus didn’t tell him to bow his head and say a prayer. These people believed—and were saved. If they never opened their mouth, as in some of these examples, they were saved. Abraham believed.
Don’t add to the word of God and resemble the devil. “Yea, hath God said it’s really only believing? Why wouldn’t you just add the prayer? It’s a good thing to do. Why not just add the prayer to salvation? Why not just go ahead and ask for salvation. Yea, hath God said?”
So why is it so dangerous to add something as small as a prayer? Because God hates a corrupted Gospel.
Now, let me make something clear. I’m going to pray with someone at the end of the Gospel because prayer is a good thing. Prayer can help people remember the day of their salvation, can jump start their prayer life, and most people have never prayed with someone. But I am going to make clear that the prayer doesn’t save them.
Believing alone saves them. If they have believed, they are already saved. Now I will pray with them, give another summary of the Gospel, and thank Jesus for saving them.
Point 5: False Gospels Are Cursed—Even Slight Additions
We’ve proven the truth. Now it’s time to show the danger. Adding anything to salvation—even a prayer—makes it another gospel. Telling someone they must pray and ask to be saved is another Gospel.
Galatians 1:8-9
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
It’s not just wrong—it’s cursed.
1 John 5:10-11
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
This life is in Jesus. It’s not in a prayer. It’s you putting ALL your faith IN Jesus.
Do you believe the record OR not? Or are you rewriting it with your own religious ritual?
Romans 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Confession is not the root—it’s the fruit. Faith saves. Jesus saves. Prayer doesn’t save.
Confession follows BELIEF in this example. In others, confession doesn’t follow. Confession is not faith alone. Faith is faith. Faith saves. Confession with your mouth doesn’t save. Believing saves. How many times do we need to say this?
Unto salvation doesn’t mean confessing with your mouth is a requirement for salvation. If so, the Bible contradicts itself hundreds of times. And this isn’t speaking of a Sinner’s Prayer. This is agreeing with God that Jesus is the Christ – not asking for something.
Confession is made unto salvation but not to get salvation. Unto can mean “showing the result of something.” You already have salvation so you confess Jesus with your mouth. And it’s a great thing to confess Jesus with your mouth. But believing saves. Confession doesn’t save. You are saved before you confess.
So what should we preach? What should we proclaim? Let’s finish with the simple, saving truth.
Conclusion: Stop Telling People to Ask—Tell Them to Believe
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
The Gospel is not complicated. It’s not a ritual. It’s not a recitation. It’s Christ alone.
We are not ashamed to preach:
- Not a prayer.
- Not a process.
- Not a performance.
But a Person: Jesus Christ, crucified, buried, risen, and ready to save anyone who believes.
John 20:31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Let God be true—and every sinner’s prayer be a lie if it replaces simple faith.
We’ll preach the Gospel. We’ll explain what believing in Jesus means as this is the Gospel. If someone believes, they are saved. We want to make sure we explain everlasting life to them and ensure they know everlasting life can’t be lost. We want to make sure they are believing IN Jesus. We don’t want to confuse them by then saying that the prayer saves them.
Believing saves. Faith alone saves. A prayer doesn’t save. We must ensure people understand that faith alone saves. Asking for salvation doesn’t save. This is a corruption of the Gospel, and we all need to be very careful. This corruption doesn’t lead to good things.
For example, there’s people everywhere preaching you must ask Jesus into your heart to be saved. NOT IN THE BIBLE ONCE. The correct Gospel is believe IN the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. It’s different. It’s not the same. It’s not okay. Believe. Not ask. Believe.
Hundreds of Scriptures agree. John 3:16 agrees. John 5:24 agrees.
John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Do not call the word of God a lie. Believe—and be saved. And be careful adding to the Gospel. That’s a warning for you out there. Let’s pray.
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