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What does the Bible say about buy your way into heaven?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that no one can buy, earn, or bargain their way into heaven; salvation is God’s free gift received by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, while Romans 6:23 contrasts sin’s wages with God’s gift of eternal life. Peter sharply rebuked Simon for thinking God’s gift could be purchased with money in Acts 8:18-23. Jesus alone is the way to the Father (John 14:6), and Acts 4:12 declares that there is no other name by which we must be saved. True faith bears fruit in obedience and living works, but these flow from salvation rather than purchase it (James 2:26; Matthew 7:21).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 2:8-9

    [8] for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, that no one would boast.

  • John 14:6

    Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

  • Acts 8:18-23

    [18] Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, "Give me also this power, that whoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit." [20] But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! [21] You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn't right before God. [22] Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

  • Matthew 7:21

    Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

  • John 3:36

    One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

  • James 2:26

    For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

  • Acts 8:20

    But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

  • Romans 6:23

    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Acts 4:12

    There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"

  • Isaiah 64:6

    For we are all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousness are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

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