In this sermon, Allen explores the fundamental biblical doctrines of grace, faith, and works, emphasizing the importance of accurate spiritual information regarding the soul.

The Value of the Soul and Sound Doctrine

Allen begins by reflecting on his interest in doctrine, which was his field of specialized study in graduate school. He recalls a verse he memorized as a pre-teen in Oklahoma regarding the supreme value of the soul: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?”. Allen argues that while misinformation in business or health can be costly, misinformation regarding the plan of salvation is uniquely dangerous because it can cost a person their soul. Consequently, he urges the congregation to follow the Apostle Peter’s advice to make their “calling and election sure” and the Apostle Paul’s directive to “correctly handle the word of truth”.

A Critique of Calvinist Theology

Allen addresses the question of whether a person is responsible for their own salvation by examining John Calvin’s theological system, which he identifies by the acronym TULIP:

• Total Depravity (T): The belief that because of the fall of Adam and Eve, humans are born so infested with sin that they cannot seek or understand God on their own.
• Unconditional Election (U): The idea that salvation is granted by God without any action required by the individual.
• Limited Atonement (L): The doctrine that Jesus died only for a fixed number of the “elect,” a number that Allen notes John Calvin claimed could not be increased or decreased by even one person.
• Irresistible Grace (I): The belief that those intended to be saved cannot resist God’s grace.
• Perseverance (P): Often referred to as “once in grace, always in grace,” meaning a saved person can never be lost.

Allen shares a historical anecdote about Daniel Parker, who taught a similar “two seeds in the spirit” doctrine in Texas to argue against the necessity of missionary work.

The Interplay of Grace, Faith, and Works

While acknowledging that grace is the prominent theme of salvation, Allen clarifies the relationship between faith and action. He reads from Ephesians, noting that while salvation is a “gift of God” and not achieved through works of merit, it is accessed “through faith”.

Allen challenges the “faith only” theology popularized by Martin Luther, pointing instead to the Book of James, which teaches that “faith if it does not have works is dead”. He describes faith and works as “yolked partners,” citing the example of Abraham, whose faith was perfected through his actions. Using the Message translation of Matthew 7:21, Allen emphasizes that “serious obedience”—doing the Father’s will—is required rather than merely knowing the “correct password” of saying “Lord, Lord”.

Justification and Spiritual Security

Allen defines justification as God imputing the righteousness of Jesus Christ to us. He reflects on his childhood in the church, where he feared that a single unconfessed sin before death would result in being lost forever—a concept critics of the Church of Christ mocked as an “in again, out again” theology.

However, Allen now teaches a sense of security based on 1 John: if we “walk in the light,” the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us. He explains that:

• Works do not earn or merit salvation.
• Works demonstrate and prove the existence of a living faith.
• As long as one is engaged in the works of faith, stumbling in sin does not result in being “cast out,” because Christ’s righteousness continues to be imputed to the believer.

Conclusion and Invitation

Allen concludes by defending the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins as stated in Acts 2:38. He expresses confusion toward modern “television theologians” who claim baptism has nothing to do with salvation, urging the congregation to search the Bible for themselves rather than relying on the words of men. The service concludes with an invitation to confess faith in Christ while singing “I want to be a worker for the Lord”.