The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Titus and Philemon
Timothy Andrew from the Lord’s Library finishes cataloguing, using the King James Version of the Bible and his own commentary, verses and passages from across the New Testament that detail how one is justified and saved via the blood of Christ Jesus.
Titus 3:5
To obtain a Titus 3:5 meaning, see the verse in Scripture: "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;" As one can see, this verse illustrates how that salvation is entirely the work of God’s mercy and grace. This contrasts with the common misconception that righteous deeds save people.
The phrase "Not by works of righteousness which we have done" makes this idea clear, at least to this writer. Better yet it aligns with the teachings of Ephesians 2:8-9: "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." Isaiah 64:6 further confirms that even the best efforts fall short: "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."
If salvation depended on your own righteousness, no one could be saved, for according to Romans 3:10: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
Instead, salvation comes "according to his mercy." According to the 1828 Webster's Dictionary, the word mercy means "An act or exercise of mercy or favor." Because all have sinned, every person deserves condemnation, yet God, in His mercy, provided salvation through Jesus Christ. See Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Paul explains about it in Romans 5:8: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
The phrase "washing of regeneration" describes the new, spiritual birth that happens when someone is saved. This is not referring to water baptism as commonly understood but to the inward cleansing that happens when a person places their faith in the Blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke of this in John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
According to the Scriptures, when a person believes, Christ creates a new person, washes away their sins, and gives them new life. See 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
The Spirit convicts of sin, regenerates the heart, indwells the believer, and seals them for eternity. See John 16:8, John 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 6:19, and Ephesians 1:13-14:
John 16:8: "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
John 3:5-6: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
1 Corinthians 6:19: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
Ephesians 1:13-14: "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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
This renewal is not a process of self-improvement over time, no, but a supernatural work of God in making a sinner spiritually alive; praise God.
Philemon 1:4-6
To gain an Acts 13:38-39 meaning, see the verses: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
These verses, spoken by the apostle Paul during his sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, cement how that salvation comes solely through Jesus Christ and not by adherence to the law. Paul announces that Christ freely offers forgiveness of sins and justifies all who believe. This message is the heart of the Gospel of Christ—salvation by grace through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus on the Cross.
Paul first reveals that "through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins." This statement shows that Jesus Christ alone is the means by which sins are forgiven. Throughout Scripture, forgiveness is consistently tied to faith in Christ’s atoning work. See Ephesians 1:7: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
It's clear that people do not earn forgiveness through religious works, good deeds, or adherence to the law. Hebrews 9:22 affirms: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." The Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed the perfect and final sacrifice of Christ. John the Baptist said in John 1:29: "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
Jesus’ death on the cross fully satisfied God’s justice, making forgiveness available to all who trust in Him.
Paul then says: "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Justification, which means being declared righteous before God, is not achieved by works of the law but by faith in Christ alone. Romans 3:28 says it: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
See, the Law of Moses could reveal sin but could never remove it. See Romans 3:20: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." In this way, the law functioned as a schoolmaster to bring people to Christ, showing them their need for a Savior. See Galatians 3:24: "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
No one could perfectly keep the law. See James 2:10: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Therefore, righteousness could never come through the law; salvation could only be imputed by grace through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s declaration that "by him all that believe are justified from all things" emphasizes that justification is based entirely on faith.
See also Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" This peace is not something believers can earn; it is the result of Christ’s Blood Atonement. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains further: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Christ took upon Himself the penalty for sin, and in exchange, those who believe in Him receive His righteousness. This exchange is at the heart of salvation—it is not about what man can do but about what Christ has already done.
Paul’s message in Acts 13:38-39 is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is summed up clearly in Ephesians 2:8-9: "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." The moment a sinner places their faith in Christ, they are justified before God - some call it "being saved."
Colossians 2:13-14 provides a beautiful visual on this very thing: "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
The law, which once condemned, has been fulfilled in Christ, and believers are no longer under its penalty. Praise God!
We will leave you with Hebrews 10:14: "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." There is nothing left for man to add to Christ’s Finished Work but to believe it in the heart. Jesus Himself declared on the cross, saying "It is finished" from John 19:30.
Those who believe in Him are fully justified, not by works, but by faith in what He has done.
Timothy Andrew is the founder of Lord’s Library. He believes the Bible commands us to minister “as of the ability which God giveth” (1 Peter 4:11). Tim aspires to be as The Lord’s mouth by “taking forth the precious from the vile” (Jeremiah 15:19) and witnessing The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) to the whole world.