Vol. 04, No. 18

Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

Steven J. Wallace
05/11/25 - Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

Beyond Belief, the Full Path to Salvation in Christ (1)
(By Ralph L. Myers)

In a secular world, there is widespread belief that salvation comes solely from accepting Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Easter Holiday was recently observed, commemorating Christ’s crucifixion, burial in a tomb, and resurrection three days later. If one believed all the claims about how or when we receive salvation because of His crucifixion, we would, of course, probably decide that we are saved because of His sacrificing His life. And if any of those who generally do not attend church regularly but choose to attend worship services on Easter Sunday in a Church of Christ, they may be more confused because this church, Christ’s church, does not observe any secular holidays, e.g., Christmas or Easter.

As a member of the Church of Christ, I feel compelled to explain to those unfamiliar with the Lord’s church that while we do honor Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, our belief in the Bible and its commandments demands that we reverently worship and dedicate our lives to God and Jesus each day. On the days we go to church to worship them, and not just on special days set aside for them. More importantly, I want to address and explain why December 25th, and the day Easter falls each year, has only religious significance because of secular edicts as to when they are observed yearly. For example, the exact date of Jesus’s birth is unknown, yet December 25 has been celebrated as Jesus’s birthday for over 1600 years. Early Christians chose December 25 to align with existing midwinter festivals. For the Easter Holiday, in 325 A.D., the Council of Nicaea, which agreed upon the basic principles of Christianity, established a formula for the date of Easter as the Sunday following the paschal full moon, which is the full moon that falls on or after the spring equinox. In practice, that means that Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls on or after March 21. Easter can occur as early as March 22 and as late as April 25, depending on when the paschal full moon appears. The Council of Nicaea decided that Easter must always occur on a Sunday because the first day of the week, Sunday, was the day Christ rose from the dead. But why is the Paschal full moon used to determine the date of Easter? The answer comes from the Jewish calendar. The Aramaic word "Paschal" means "Pass Over," which refers to the Jewish holiday.

Additionally, I want to discuss the erroneous belief that all one must do to be saved is believe in Jesus Christ. Depending upon what you believe, or want to believe, one can choose from more than 370 religious bodies in the United States, with over 350,000 congregations and more than 160 million adherents. So, it’s no wonder there is such a plethora of beliefs, opinions of the scriptures, and confusion. All one needs is the Bible to understand what one must do to be saved. The Church of Christ relies upon this: no supplemental guides, catechisms, or instructional aides. Confusion will always be with us if you rely on social media, the media, and/or all the false teachers, preaching false doctrines. So, let’s explore the biblical foundation for salvation as a lifelong commitment, not just a single moment of belief.

Let’s look at The Resurrection, which is a vital but Initial Step. The resurrection of Christ is the undeniable proof of His power over death, affirming His divinity and role as Savior of mankind. Without this event, there would be no victory over sin (1 Corinthians 15:17). However, belief in His resurrection alone is insufficient for salvation.

Romans 10:9 is often cited. It says, “If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” While this passage emphasizes belief, it does not dismiss the following biblical commandments. Faith is only the beginning; true discipleship requires active obedience. James 2:19 warns, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and shudder.” This verse highlights an essential truth: belief without obedience does not fulfill God’s requirements. Faith must be accompanied by action. Recognizing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Salvation begins with recognizing who Jesus truly is. Throughout the New Testament, individuals who were saved acknowledged Him as the Messiah. The Apostle Peter boldly declared in Matthew 16:16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. This confession was not just an intellectual statement but a declaration of surrender to Christ’s divine authority. To accept Jesus as Lord, one must go beyond acknowledging His resurrection. They must accept His sovereignty, surrender their will to Him, and recognize His role as the source of salvation (Acts 4:12). To be continued…

A MOTHER’S LOVE

Isaiah 49:13-15

“It is to her we turn and depend when the heart is sore, the body racked with pain, the soul filled with sorrow, and the spirit broken by bitterness. We long for the touch of her hand, the soothing music of her voice, the light of her smiles, and the healing counsel coming from her union with Jehovah.“[1]

How did Solomon's test reveal the true mother—and what does it show about a mother’s love? (1 Kings 3:16-26)
Why does Paul urge younger widows to marry and guide the house? (1 Timothy 5:13–14)
The Scriptures teach that young women are to be taught to love their children (Titus 2:4). List three areas where a mother’s love will be active, along with supporting Scriptures for each.
1. A Mother’s Love _____________________________________________________________
2. A Mother’s Love _____________________________________________________________
3. A Mother’s Love _____________________________________________________________

THE SWORD OF EDEN (2)
Hebrews 9:6-12

As we continue our series on The Sword of Eden, let’s consider how Christ’s work overcomes the barrier symbolized by Eden’s flaming sword and the temple’s veil—restoring our access to sacred life with God.

What might dwelling “east of Eden” indicate, and what examples in the Bible seem to parallel this thought?
As a sign of hope, where does Ezekiel see the glory of the Lord returning to fill the temple? (Ezekiel 43:1–5)
What overshadowed the ark of the covenant, and why is this significant concerning God’s dwelling place? (2 Chronicles 5:7-9; Psalm 80:1)?
What does the high priest’s limited access to the Most Holy Place—only once a year and never without blood—teach us about approaching God? (Hebrews 9:7)
What effect did Solomon’s 142,000 animal sacrifices have on the veil? (1 Kings 8:62-63)?
How has access to the Tree of Life been restored, and through what means is the Most Holy Place now opened to us? (Hebrews 9:11–12; 10:19–22; Revelation 2:7; 22:14)

[1] C. R. Nichol, God’s Woman (1938).