Scripture teaches that salvation is a gift from God, not something that can be purchased or earned through human effort. In Ephesians, we read that faith is the means by which we receive this gift, and that it is "not of works, lest anyone should boast." Jesus Himself declared in John that He is the only way to the Father, emphasizing the exclusivity of salvation through Him. The attempt to buy one's way into heaven is also illustrated in Acts, where Simon tries to purchase the Holy Spirit's power, and is rebuked for his error, highlighting the importance of genuine faith and repentance, as emphasized in Matthew and James.
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For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”