"Evangelical" Christianity (see our video "ECUMENICAL CHAOS: Going to Bed With Roman Catholic False Prophets & Idolaters" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76Nvi6p0lw) is awash in bad theology (via Wesley & Finney), bad leadership (like Billy Graham & TBN), & Biblical ignorance (87% don't know the Gospel or what justificaton is) thus it seems to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian (like Romanists, Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists or whoever). For proof of this see the following: "Methodist Founder & Self Proclaimed Heathen John Wesley Said He Never Believed In or Loved God" (short version) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_bz2RyShFI & "JOHN WESLEY, FOUNDER OF METHODISM & AN ARMINIAN, SAID HE DID NOT LOVE GOD & WAS "AN HONEST HEATHEN" (long version) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vo3ljr7ccs; BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS: CHARLES GRANDISON FINNEY – PHONY REVIVALIST & ARCH-HERETIC at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rUbi8AJRw4, "Exclusive Interview with Dave Hunt about the Gospel-less Mother Teresa & Compromiser Billy Graham" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YtX1DirDI4&list=UUQ_EDvOtDAAWfCvGUhd6y3A, Our playlist "Dealing with Phony TV Preachers (TBN) & King James Onlyites" at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CDA855486B09128 & "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im4ozy_EiR4. See our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 119 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715, our playlist "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL11CD0EE613306BB5 & our playlist "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5316CC6F66F24283. Billy Graham's false views on universal salvation & hell distort the Gospel message & is another reason he is so popular with the world (Galatians 1:6-10, see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E). Please reference the websites: http://www.BereanBeacon & http://www.CWRC-RZ.org. The simple Biblical fact is that few are going to be saved from the wrath of God & hell (Luke 13:23-30, Matthew 7:13-29, etc.); see our video on this: "Unpopular Bible Doctrines #2: Many "Christians" Are Not Real; God Loves Judgment; No Forgiveness" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJIlReP9SFw. All the ecumenical "love" & "harmony" in the world is not going to change the fact that God still hates false religions (Deuteronomy 28:64, 32:17, 21, Leviticus 17:7, Psalm 106:37, Jeremiah 44:3, 1 Corinthians 10:20, see also http://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/32-17.htm) & false doctrine (Revelation 2:6,14-15, 2 Peter 2:15, etc.). Thus following the Bible alone is the only safe path to travel (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 4:2-5, 1 Timothy 1:3-11, 6:3-5, etc.; see our video "WITHOUT "SOLA SCRIPTURA" (THE BIBLE ALONE), WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMnF6tgya0). 2 Timothy 2:15
See our video "Unpopular Bible Doctrines #2: Many "Christians" Are Not Real; God Loves Judgment; No Forgiveness" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJIlReP9SFw. Titus 1:9-16 For further study hear Rev. Ernest C. Reisinger on "Carnal Christians" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1170594213 & Albert N. Martin on "The Carnal Christian Doctrine #1 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11110485122 & "The Carnal Christian Doctrine #2 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11110485918. What is a Carnal Christian? The word carnal is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which literally means “fleshly.” This Carnal Christian doctrine is primarily based on an erroneous interpretation of a single passage of Scripture. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 often used as a proof text for the belief that there are three categories of men.. the Natural man who has not received Christ, the Spiritual man who is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and the Carnal man who supposedly is saved, but shows no evidence of change. The Scofield Reference Bible, which gave the teaching both creditability and it’s initial impetus, says.. 'Paul divides men into three classes: "Natural" i.e. the Adamic Man, un-renewed through the new birth; "Spiritual" i.e. the renewed man as Spirit-filled and walking in the Spirit in full communion with God; "Carnal", "fleshly", i.e. the renewed man who, walking "after the flesh", remains a babe in Christ." [1] Since, in this letter, Paul describes the Corinthians as carnal, many have come to the totally flawed conclusion that it is possible for people to come to faith in Christ, but then to proceed to live the rest of their lives with no evidence that they have experienced anything of the power of the gospel in their lives and that they are a new creation. In other words a person, believing that Christ died on the cross for him, has received Him as savior, but lives just like the unsaved, displaying in his (or her) life absolutely no evidence of holiness or any other fruit of the Spirit. They are not new creatures and, for them, old things have not passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). They act, think and live like non-Christians, which fact alone should give the thinking person pause for thought. However this is not the case… Carnal Christians consider themselves saved, supposedly having Christ in their lives, although not on the throne of their lives… which is the essence of the Carnal Christian Theory." Sadly enough there seem to be plenty of those who name the name of Christ in fundamental churches around the world who, in the words of Albert N. Martin, “…are convinced in their own thinking that they are the children of God but they are people who seem to be at home in the realm of sin. They will confess that there is sin and failure in their lives, but they do this without any grief. They glibly claim 1 John 1:9 (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness) in the promise of forgiveness to those who confess. But all of this is a cut and dried heartless sort of ritual that has very little meaning… [2] Amazingly, Carnal Christians believe that holiness which, although it might be both admirable and commendable, is not essential to salvation, and depends not on the commands of the Lord, but on the spiritual inclinations of the individual. They believe that they can have their cake and eat it too… living as they want in this world, then scrape through the Pearly Gates by the skin of their teeth. Although they will possibly lose some blessing in their present lives and certainly rewards in the kingdom to come, they will at least be there for all eternity. They are as secure as the Spiritual Christian. So the question has to be asked… Is there such a thing as a Carnal Christian or is this merely a ghastly contradiction in terms. Back To Basics It is absolutely amazing to me that this topic has to be dealt with at all, so clear are the Scriptures regarding the absolute ties between holiness and salvation. But the history of heresy shows that virtually all ‘other gospels’ have been based on Bible verses… twisted, manipulated and so wrenched from their context, that they can be made to prove almost anything the reader’s heart desires. And why worry about little details like the fact that all too often they flatly contradict other Biblical verses that are crystal clear. Somehow I doubt I would be very surprised if someone, some day, tried to use verses from Holy Writ to try and prove that there is no God. [See Context is Crucial] The topic of the Carnal Christian is no different, ignoring as it does both Scripture and common sense, both of which happen to go hand in hand which, I admit, is probably a radical concept for many. Lets start with the very heart of the Gospel.. Salvation, or the fact of being saved, which is where the common sense bit really kicks in. When we speak of being saved, we need to apply a little logic and recognize that being saved means being saved from something, and, according the Bible, it is not only hell that we are saved from. In Matthew 1:20-21 we are informed that the angel told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit, and that she would bear a Son; whom she was instructed to name Jesus… "… for He will save His people from their sins." So the angel said that Jesus would save His people from sin, but the Carnal Christian think he will be saved in sin. When push comes to shove, I think I will take the word of the angel any day. Besides which Isaiah 59:2 expressly states sin is the root cause of our separation from God.. "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that he will not hear". While Romans 6:23 very succinctly lays out the penalty of sin "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord". Bottom line? Our sins, which have separated us from God, merit the death penalty. However Christ died on the cross to save us from these very sins. If we had never sinned we would not have any fear of being sent to hell and certainly would not have needed a redeemer. Besides which, salvation involves more than simply affirming in one’s mind that Jesus is Lord and Savior. The modern day perversion of every aspect of the Gospel would lead us to believe a person is saved based solely on the fact that he has made a ‘decision’, walked an aisle, made a profession of faith, or asked Jesus to come into his heart. However Biblical salvation takes genuine repentance, which the Bible presents as being connected to salvation. While repentance is not something we do to earn salvation, without repentance there is no salvation, according to virtually everyone in the New Testament … John the Baptist, Jesus Himself and all the disciples… that is of course if their testimony counts for anything.
It is ludicrous to believe that an individual is saved from God’s judgment on his sins, when that individual has no desire to turn from sin
No Contradictions in The New Testament This concept of a Carnal Christian is completely unbiblical. The entire New Testament testifies against this theory, as shown in countless clear passages, a few examples of which have been given below, and which, apparently, are not being taken seriously. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him….for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [Romans 5:9, 13-14] "For sin shall not have dominion over you. Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves as servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? . . . Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:14, 16, 18). Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. [1 Corinthians 6: 9-11] "Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." [Galatians. 5:24] No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. [1 John 3: 6-9] Over and over again, the Bible divides men into two groups… the saved and the lost, the believer and the unbeliever, the sheep and the goats, the children of darkness and the children of light, etc. It is black and white, without even a suggestion of people having all the characteristics of people in the first group, yet all the benefits and blessings of those in the second. In other words… If your sinful nature has not been crucified by the grace of Christ, you are not a carnal Christian. You are no Christian and need to become one. Note however, that none of this implies that Christians do not ever sin. As long as we are in our present bodies, sin will continue to be something we do daily battle with. As Galatians 5:17 describes it.. "the flesh lusteth against the Spirit". Every Christian is carnal in some area of his life and his growth in Holiness is far from a smooth and easy ride. There are hills and plateaus, obstacles to be overcome and mountains to be scaled. However, through it all, the one thing that Christians do not do is deliberately and habitually sin. The Spirit has become the governing force in the born again Christian. On the other hand the term Carnal Christian implies a habitual state of carnality. So then what about the passage in Corinthians that so specifically talks about Carnal Christians.
The Misuse of I Corinthians 3 The church of Corinth is commonly cited as proof that even Carnal Christians are saved and on their way to heaven. The primary passages in question are.. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? [1 Corinthians 3:1-4] The confusion arises because Paul calls the Corinthians carnal, yet still addresses them as saints and speaks to them of the resurrection and spiritual gifts, etc. However it has to be remembered that 1 Corinthians is not primarily a doctrinal epistle. Like all Scripture it contains doctrine, but it was not written, as was the book of Romans, to lay doctrinal foundations. In the words of Ernest C Reisinger, “A passage of Scripture must never be used as a foundation for a doctrine unless that passage is specifically dealing with that doctrine. Most certainly a non-doctrinal passage cannot be used to contradict a passage where that specific doctrine is the subject of discussion. 1 Corinthians 3 is not a doctrinal passage and by no stretch of the imagination can it be thought of as providing the foundation of the doctrine of sanctification. Yet this is exactly what the Carnal Christian advocates do with these verses. Examine Romans 8, where security and sanctification are the subjects being dealt with, and see what happens to every person who is dominated by carnality… Paul's immediate concern in writing this Epistle was to deal with practical problems in a young church. In the third chapter, and earlier, he is dealing with the danger of division arising out of a wrong esteem for those from whom they heard the gospel. They were looking at second causes and forgetting the God to whom alone all glory belongs. Instead of saying, 'We are Christ's disciples' and recognizing their union in him, they were forming parties and saying, 'We are Paul's for he founded the church in our city'; or 'Apollos is more eloquent than Paul and he edifies us more'; or, 'We are of Peter'. Thus opposing parties were set up.” [3] He also says, It is important to see that the whole context is dealing principally with this one problem of unwholesome division. However, it has a common root with all the other problems in 1 Corinthians — the defrauding of one by another, the disorder at the Lord's Table, and so on. … In endeavoring to understand how Paul thinks of those he addresses in 1 Corinthians 3 we must bear in mind the designation he gives to them in chapter 1. He says they are 'sanctified in Christ Jesus', they are recipients of 'the grace of God', enriched by Christ 'in all utterance, and in all knowledge' (1:2-5). They are rebuked in chapter 3, not for failing to attain to privileges which some Christians attain to, but for acting, despite their privileges, like babes and like the unregenerate in one area of their lives. This is very different from saying that the Apostle here recognizes the existence of a distinct group of Christians who can be called 'carnal'. When Paul comes to speak of classes, he knows only two, as is clear in chapter 2 of this same Epistle where he divides men into 'natural' and 'spiritual', and says, 'But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man' (1 Corinthians 2:14-15). Under the term natural the Apostle includes all those persons who are not partakers of the Spirit of God. If the Spirit of God has not given to them a new and higher nature then they remain what they are by their natural birth, namely, natural men. The spiritual may be but babes in grace and babes in knowledge. Their faith may be weak. Their love may be in its early bud, their spiritual senses may be but little exercised, their faults may be many; but if 'the root of the matter' is in them and if they have passed from death unto life — passed out of the region of nature into that which is beyond nature — Paul puts them in another class. They are all spiritual men although in some aspects of their behavior they may temporarily fail to appear as such. Certainly these Christians at Corinth were imperfectly sanctified, as indeed are all Christians to a greater or lesser degree. But Paul is not saying that they were characterized by carnality in every area of their lives. He is not expounding a general doctrine of carnality but reproving a specific out-cropping of carnality in one certain respect. When Paul does state a foundational truth respecting the position of all Christians it is in such words as, 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature', and for all who are 'in Christ' it is also true that, 'old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new' (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is no place for two classes of Christians in Paul's letter to the church at Corinth, and indeed no place for it anywhere in the teaching of Scripture. To interpret 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 in such a way as to divide men into three classes is to violate a cardinal rule for the interpretation of Scripture, namely, that each single passage must be interpreted in the light of the whole. It was a wise saying of one of the church fathers, 'If you have one Scripture only on which to base an important doctrine or teaching you are most likely to find, on close examination, that you have none'." [4] In short.. All Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 is that, in some areas of their lives, Christians can and do sometimes act like the unconverted.
Warning The Corinthians It is worthwhile at this point to examine why Paul was chiding the church at Corinth and why he referred to them as carnal. In the sixth chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. "[1 Corinthians 6: 9-11] There are two very significant points about the above verses, which if paid attention to, throw a great deal of light on the matter. 1) The sins listed are not merely examples of immaturity and/or carnality, but will exclude a person from the kingdom altogether if not repented of and forsaken! Note that Paul begins this passage on the unrighteous by saying "know ye not?" In essence he was saying that they should already should have had a firm grasp on this spiritual truth, and it was a sad indictment that they didn't. Sadly, many today still "don't get” that the fate of the unrighteous is that of exclusion from the kingdom of God. 2) However Paul did not use the present tense and say ‘such are some of you’. It is obvious that some of the Corinthians had been guilty of the sins mentioned, but had since become Christians… washed, sanctified, and justified. So the carnality of the Corinthians had nothing to do with the above listed sins but, in the words of truthablaze.com “… had everything to do with their selfish attitudes and partisan spirit … reflected in much of their actions. We read that they were being very selfish in their display of spiritual gifts-not concerned about the edification of other believers. We also read that they were selfish in their appropriation of the Lord's supper. They were going to court in legal matters against each other. They needed a good lesson in love and that's why the "love chapter" (as it is affectionately known) is sandwiched in-between directions for the operation of spiritual gifts. The carnality demonstrated at Corinth mostly dealt with their lack of love for others.” However the warnings against their carnality are there so that the saints at Corinth don't eventually become the unrighteous. Backsliding is a process and James identifies the way that a person goes down the slippery slope: James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Notice that first it starts with temptation- then the temptation is meditated upon and gives birth to iniquity. James uses the terminology of "conception" (like getting pregnant with the sin). Then finally, the sin is "finished" or actually carried out by the body-thereby causing and bringing forth death. Paul, by the Holy Spirit, was warning the immature carnal Christians at Corinth that if they did not abandon their selfish/carnal ways, they could degenerate into that class of people called the unrighteous. Lest anyone should think that being carnal is a place of safety- let me remind you of this verse in Romans. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [Romans 8:6] May the Lord help us all to be spiritually minded and avoid the dangers of carnality! End Notes [1] Scofield Reference Bible, pp. 1213, 1214. [2] http://www.apuritansmind.com/ChristianWalk/MartinANCarnalChristian.htm [3] The Carnal Christian Doctrine. John G. Reisinger. http://solochristo.com/theology/Salvation/reisinger-carnalchristian.htm [4] The Carnal Christian. Ernest C Reisinger. http://www.peacemakers.net/unity/carnal.htm Matthew 7:21-29, "21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
So what does 1 John 2:2 really mean, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world"? Does the word "world" in this verse mean every last man, woman & child who was ever born? For more on the word "world" see our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6duguuzfho. Let me start by affirming that scripture is explicit in saying that Jesus died: for God's people ("He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people" – Isaiah 53:8; "He shall save His people from their sins" – Matt. 1:21); for His sheep ("I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." – John 10:11 – note that Jesus categorically states that some are not His sheep – "but you do not believe because you are not My sheep." – John 10:26) for His friends ("Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you." – John 15:13-14; for the Church ("… the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." – Acts 20:28; "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her…" – Eph. 5:25, 26). Indeed, as God allows us to gain a glimpse into the future, Revelation 5:9 reveals the song of the throngs of heaven as they sing to the Lamb upon His throne, "And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Notice that it does not say that He ransomed everybody in every tribe, etc., but that He ransomed people for God from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. Yet at least at first glance, 1 John 2:2 seems to strongly deny this idea that Jesus' death was designed for a particular people. The verse states, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." I don't believe that scripture contradicts itself. That is in fact why we are told to study the word of God in order that we might rightly divide it (2 Tim. 2:15) rather than simply throw up our hands saying a particular verse contradicts others on the same subject. "All Scripture is God breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16) and because there is one Divine Author of Scripture who does not contradict Himself, I am convinced that hard work and careful study will eliminate apparent contradictions. There are basically twelve principles of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics, see our video "Roman Catholicism Series #11: Scripture Twisting – 20 Ways Religious Cults Misread the Bible" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT_5peLnQoA). We start by affirming that there is only one correct interpretation of scripture. Though there may be many applications of a verse, it only means what it was intended to mean when it was written. With this as a foundation, two more principles would apply here: 1. Consider the Author – who wrote the book? (what was his background, language, culture, vocation, concerns, education, circumstance, what stage of life?) 2. Consider the Audience (why was the book written? who was the audience? what would these words have meant to its original recipients?) My friend, Dr. James White (see our video, "WITHOUT "SOLA SCRIPTURA" (THE BIBLE ALONE), WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMnF6tgya0) once wrote, "Remember when you were in school and you had to take a test on a book you were assigned to read? You studied and invested time in learning the background of the author, the context in which he lived and wrote, his purposes in writing, his audience, and the specifics of the text. You did not simply come to class, pop open the book, read a few sentences, and say, "Well, I feel the author here means this." Yet, for some odd reason, this attitude is prevalent in Christian circles. Whether that feeling results in an interpretation that has anything at all to do with what the original author intended to convey is really not considered an important aspect. Everyone, seemingly, has the right to express their "feelings" about what they "think" the Bible is saying, as if those thoughts actually reflect what God inspired in His Word. While we would never let anyone get away with treating our writings like this, we seem to think God is not bothered, and what is worse, that our conclusions are somehow authoritative in their representation of His Word." With this in view, John writes of Jesus Christ being "the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only (Hebrews), but also for the whole world (the Gentiles)." A third principle I mentioned in the article relates to the concept of considering the author's context. This refers to looking at all of a person's writings – John's writings, Paul's writings, Luke's writings, etc. When we look elsewhere in John's writings we notice in his Gospel an exact parallel in John's use of words, which gives us a great deal of insight as to what he (John) was referring to. In John's Gospel, chapter 11, verses 51-52, John wrote these words, "he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad." When we see this in chart form, the parallel with 1 John 2:2 is easy understood: John 11:51-52 "he prophesied that" cf. 1 John 2:2 "And"; John 11:51-52 "Jesus" cf. 1 John 2:2 "He Himself"; John 11:51-52 "would die for" cf. 1 John 2:2 "is the propitiation for"; John 11:51-52 "the nation" cf. 1 John 2:2 "our sins"; John 11:51-52 "and not for the nation only" cf. 1 John 2:2 "and not for our sins only"; John 11:51-52 "but also" cf. 1 John 2:2 "but also"; John 11:51-52 "that he would gather together in one" cf. 1 John 2:2 "for"; John 11:51-52 "the children of God scattered abroad" cf. 1 John 2:2 "the whole world." Dr. Phil Johnson (who provided this helpful chart) writes, "There is little doubt that this is how John's initial audience would have understood this expression. "The whole world" means "people of all kinds, including Jews, Gentiles, Greeks, Romans, and whatnot" as opposed to "ours only" i.e., the Jewish nation. What the apostle John is saying in the John 11 passage is particularly significant: Christ died so that he might gather "the children of God" the elect, from the whole world." I believe therefore that rather than undermining the case for Christ's death for His elect sheep, 1 John 2:2 actually affirms it. When we understand the verse in its Johannine context (the writings of the Apostle John) then the correct interpretation becomes very clear. For a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God in the understanding of 1 John 2:2 & other Arminian proof texts please see my video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI&list=PLA932903698A56780. From there see our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 79 videos & counting at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. 2 Timothy 2:15
For more on the question "Can true Christians lose their salvation?" please go to the following links: "True Christians Cannot Lose Their Salvation But Fake & Deluded "Christians" Never Had It At All" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meUD2vCv3oo, "Losing Salvation Sermons on Sermon Audio" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currsection=sermonstopic&keyword=losing+salvation, "Can the Christian believer lose his salvation?" at https://carm.org/can-believer-lose-his-salvation, "ETERNAL SECURITY: Based in the Tri-Unity of God" at http://vintage.aomin.org/eternalsecurity.html, "DEBATE: 2 Cor. 13:14, Each Person (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) of the Trinity Actively Saves Sinners?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmf-BtnJJ3U&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=49 & "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI. We may live in a culture that believes everyone will be saved, that we are “justified by death” and all you need to do to go to heaven is die, but God’s Word certainly doesn’t give us the luxury of believing that. Any quick and honest reading of the New Testament shows that the Apostles were convinced that nobody can go to heaven unless they believe in Christ alone for their salvation (John 14:6; Rom. 10:9–10). Historically, evangelical Christians have largely agreed on this point. Where they have differed has been on the matter of the security of salvation. People who would otherwise agree that only those who trust in Jesus will be saved have disagreed on whether anyone who truly believes in Christ can lose his salvation. Theologically speaking, what we are talking about here is the concept of apostasy. This term comes from a Greek word that means “to stand away from.” When we talk about those who have become apostate or have committed apostasy, we’re talking about those who have fallen from the faith or at least from the profession of faith in Christ that they once made. Many believers have held that yes, true Christians can lose their salvation because there are several New Testament texts that seem to indicate that this can happen. I’m thinking, for example, of Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:18–20: This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Here, in the midst of instructions and admonitions related to Timothy’s life and ministry, Paul warns Timothy to keep the faith and to keep a good conscience, and to be reminded of those who didn’t. The Apostle refers to those who made “shipwreck of their faith,” men whom he “handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” This second point is a reference to Paul’s excommunication of these men, and the whole passage combines a sober warning with concrete examples of those who fell away grievously from their Christian profession. There is no question that professing believers can fall and fall radically. We think of men like Peter, for example, who denied Christ. But the fact that he was restored shows that not every professing believer who falls has fallen past the point of no return. At this point, we should distinguish a serious and radical fall from a total and final fall. Reformed theologians have noted that the Bible is full of examples of true believers who fall into gross sin and even protracted periods of impenitence. So, Christians do fall and they fall radically. What could be more serious than Peter’s public denial of Jesus Christ? But the question is, are these people who are guilty of a real fall irretrievably fallen and eternally lost, or is this fall a temporary condition that will, in the final analysis, be remedied by their restoration? In the case of a person such as Peter, we see that his fall was remedied by his repentance. However, what about those who fall away finally? Were they ever truly believers in the first place? Our answer to this question has to be no. First John 2:19 speaks of the false teachers who went out from the church as never having truly been part of the church. John describes the apostasy of people who had made a profession of faith but who never really were converted. Moreover, we know that God glorifies all whom He justifies (Rom. 8:29–30). If a person has true saving faith and is justified, God will preserve that person. In the meantime, however, if the person who has fallen is still alive, how do we know if he is a full apostate? One thing none of us can do is read the heart of other people. When I see a person who has made a profession of faith and later repudiates it, I don’t know whether he is a truly regenerate person who’s in the midst of a serious, radical fall but who will at some point in the future certainly be restored; or whether he is a person who was never really converted, whose profession of faith was false from the start. This question of whether a person can lose his salvation is not an abstract question. It touches us at the very core of our Christian lives, not only with regard to our concerns for our own perseverance, but also with regard to our concern for our family and friends, particularly those who seemed, for all outward appearances, to have made a genuine profession of faith. We thought their profession was credible, we embraced them as brothers or sisters, only to find out that they repudiated that faith. What do you do, practically, in a situation like that? First, you pray, and then, you wait. We don’t know the final outcome of the situation, and I’m sure there are going to be surprises when we get to heaven. We’re going to be surprised to see people there who we didn’t think would be, and we’re going to be surprised that we don’t see people there who we were sure would be there, because we simply don’t know the internal status of a human heart or of a human soul. Only God can see that soul, change that soul, and preserve that soul. Does Revelation 22:18-19 prove you can lose your salvation? As we approach this subject, it is important to read the Scripture rather than our present ideas and theology into the Word. What does the text say? It says:Rev. 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:Rev. 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Rev. 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.Rev. 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Notice that the text does not indicate that the person’s name is erased from the Book of life. It simply says, God will take the person’s part out of the book of life. We must be careful here not to misinterpret the text. In the study of Scripture, an important rule for biblical interpretation exists in hermeneutics. It implies that we should always interpret the obscure passages in light of the more clear passages of Holy Scripture. A good student of the Word of God understands that the Bible does not contradict itself, therefore, the unclear passages (very few exist) must be interpreted in light of the more clear passages.In this text, we have a controversial subject. Is it possible to lose your salvation? Some denominations insist that it is possible to fall from grace. However, their arguments are usually built upon small unclear passages rather than the entire testimony of the Bible. Here we have a warning about adding and subtracting from the Word of God. Some have argued that this one passage indicates that a person can have their name in the Lamb’s book of life and then erased out when they seek to harm the inspired text. In order to cover this subject, it is important that we view this possibility in light of Holy Scripture. Ephesians 1:4-5 – According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, If God did what Ephesians 1:4-5 claims – why would He later erase their name from the book of life and take away their inheritance from the Holy City? Does it make sense at all? Ephesians 1:11 – In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Notice what this text says. It says we have obtained. The point Paul is making is very clear. Those to whom God has elected before the foundation of the world, have already obtained an inheritance in Christ Jesus. The inheritance will not be possessed until later – but the point is clear – what Christ accomplished on the cross for those to whom the Father elected – it is waiting on them in eternity!The verb used here – we have obtained an inheritance – is in the aorist passive indicative form. The Greeks would often use this form to indicate something of the future that would occur with the certainty that it had already occurred. That is a wonderful way for God to inspire this text! What does that indicate about our salvation? What does that indicate about our inheritance? What does that indicate about our security? Does this inheritance of verse eleven speak of eternal inheritance? How do we know? We can be sure due to the context of the text. Context is always key! If we read further in the passage we see verses 12-14 unpack the details about our inheritance. It is described as sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. How much more secure could our salvation become? Conclusion – As we go back to the passage in Revelation we must understand that the warning here does not include the true Christian. How could a person who has been elected by God before time, sealed by the Spirit of God, purchased by the Son of God ever fall from grace or lose his or her salvation? A Christian will never seek to harm the Holy Scripture by addition or subtraction. The people that have been guilty of this throughout history and even in our present day are heretics who have professed the name of Christ but they have denied Him with their actions, speech, and sinful practices. Therefore, the people who add to and subtract from the prophecy prove themselves to be heretics or apostates – they have not persevered until the end – thereby proving they are not genuine Christians.God has always preserved His Word. This warning serves as a testimony of God’s preservation of His Word rather than a passage about losing one’s salvation. The implications are clear – those who would do such a thing are not the children of God – they are enemies that will never take part in the marvelous blessings revealed and recorded in Holy Writ. The Biblical doctrine of the eternal security for the Christian believer is not an endorsement of the heresy of antinomianism, see our videos "Apostate Grace Evangelical Society (GES) Teaches Phony Grace & the Easy Believism of Another Gospel" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMMvdPtyYvM&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=77 & "Christ Has Fulfilled & Replaced the Law of Moses With Higher Laws of the New Covenant,Hebrews 8:6-13" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkZ2Cn8TLzE&list=PL5316CC6F66F24283&index=21. 2 Timothy 2:15
This is in response to someone's comment on our video about John 3:16. See our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6duguuzfho&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=47. Your understanding of that verse is out of line with the context of the rest of the Bible. See our video "The God of the Bible Does Not Love Everybody But Actually Hates Many Instead (Romans 9:22)" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zHEJCHgQVg&index=74&list=PLA932903698A56780. Sometimes we hear that God hates the sin but loves the sinner. This is not true. A. H. Strong (“Systematic Theology,” p. 290) observes that God both hates and loves the sinner at the same time: “hates him as he is a living and wilful antagonist of truth and holiness, loves him as he is a creature capable of good and ruined by his transgression.” In other words, God hates the sin, and he also hates the sinner. “You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit” (Ps. 5:5-6). This and many other passages show that God’s hatred is directed against the PERSON who sins and not just the sin itself. Sometimes just a general category is mentioned. “Everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God,” says Deuteronomy 25:16. “The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates” (Ps. 11:5). The seven things that God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19 include “a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” He also hates “the perverse in heart” (Prov. 11:20), “everyone who is proud in heart” (Prov. 16:5), and whoever justifies the wicked or condemns the righteous (Prov. 17:15). Other passages describe God’s hatred for specific persons. Leviticus 20:23 speaks of God as abhorring or loathing the Canaanites. Sometimes his hatred is directed against Israel. When the Lord saw their idolatry, “He was filled with wrath, and greatly abhorred Israel” (Ps. 78:59). “I have come to hate her,” he says (Jer. 12:8; cf. Hosea 9:15). He also hated Esau (Edom), says Malachi 1:3 (cf. Rom. 9:13). We must not take these passages lightly. To be hated by the holy God is a terrible, terrifying thing. The Old Testament word translated “to hate” expresses “an emotional attitude toward persons and things which are opposed, detested, despised and with which one wishes to have no contact or relationship. It is therefore the opposite of love. Whereas love draws and unites, hate separates and keeps distant. The hated and hating persons are considered foes or enemies and are considered odious, utterly unappealing” (G. Van Gronigen, “Theological Wordbook of the OT,” Moody 1980, II:880). Could anything be more terrifying than to hear God say, “I hate you”? Keep in mind what Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." In this life God shows a general "love" to all men as Matthew 5:45 indicates but the personal, individual love of God is reserved only for His elect (Amos 3:2, Romans 8:27-39, Acts 13:48, 1 Peter 1:2, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."). Hear how Jonathan Edwards describes this in his sermon "Those Whom God Hates He Is Often Pleased To Give Plenty Of Earthly Things To, Edwards" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=427121150346. See our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 81 videos & counting at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780 which may help you understand what the Bible actually teaches on this issue. Amos 3:2, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." Deuteronomy 7:6-10, " For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face."
A question has been asked, "Can you please reconcile these verses? If the Lord did not elect these folks whom He is taking vengeance on, how could they do anything but not believe or disobey? Thanks. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." To begin with the apostle Paul already answered a question very similar to this in the Word of God therefore his answer takes top priority. See how he answers it in Romans 9:18-23, " Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory." Verse 19, "Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?" is basically asking the same question you are asking. Paul's direct answer to that question follows, "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory." Here's how Biblical scholar John Gill analyzes these verses: "Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will These are the express words of the former testimony: it follows, and whom he will he hardeneth; which is the just and natural consequence of what is contained in the latter; for if God could, or he did, without any injustice, raise up Pharaoh, and harden his heart against him and his people, that he might rise up against him and destroy him by his power for his own glory, then he may harden any other person, and even whom he will: now this hardening of men's hearts may be understood in perfect agreement with the justice and holiness of God: men first harden their own hearts by sinning, as Pharaoh did; what God does, is by leaving them to the hardness of their hearts, denying them that grace which only can soften them, and which he is not obliged to give, and therefore does them no injustice in withholding it from them; by sending them both mercies and judgments, which through the corruption of their hearts, are the means of the greater hardening of them; so judgments in the case of Pharaoh, and mercies in the case of others; see ( Isaiah 6:10 ) ( Romans 11:8-10 ) ; by delivering them up into the hands of Satan, and to their own lusts, which they themselves approve of; and by giving them up to a judicial blindness and hardness of heart, as a just punishment for their impieties. Romans 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me That is, thou wilt object to me; for this is another objection of the adversary, against the doctrine the apostle was advancing: and it is an objection of a mere natural man, of one given up to a reprobate mind, of an insolent hardened sinner; it discovers the enmity of the carnal mind to God; if is one of the high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of him; it is with a witness a stretching out of the hand against God, and strengthening a man's self against the Almighty; it is a running upon him, even upon the thick bosses of his bucklers; it carries in it the marks of ill nature, surliness, and rudeness, to the last degree: why doth he yet find fault? The objector does not think fit to name the name of "God", or "the Lord", but calls him "he"; and a considerable emphasis lies upon the word "yet": what as if he should say, is he not content with the injustice he has already exercised, in passing by some, when he chose others; in leaving them to themselves, and hardening their hearts against him, and to go on in their own ways, which must unavoidably end in destruction; but after all this, is angry with them, finds fault with them, blames, accuses, and condemns them, for that which they cannot help; nay, for that which he himself wills? this is downright cruelty and tyranny. The objector seems to have a particular regard to the case of Pharaoh, the apostle had instanced in, when after God had declared that he had raised him up for this very purpose, to make known his power, and show forth his glory in all the world, still finds fault with him and says, "as yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?" ( Exodus 9:17 ) ; and yet he himself had hardened his heart, and continued to harden his heart, that he might not let them go as yet; and when he had let them go, hardened his heart again to pursue after them, when he drowned him and his host in the Red sea; all which in this objection, is represented as unparalleled cruelty and unmercifulness; though it is not restrained to this particular case, but is designed to be applied to all other hardened persons; and to expose the unreasonableness of the divine proceedings, in hardening men at his pleasure; and then blaming them for acting as hardened ones, when he himself has made them so, and wills they should act in this manner: for who hath resisted his will? This is said in support of the former, and means not God's will of command, which is always resisted more or less, by wicked men and devils; but his will of purpose, his counsels and decrees, which stand firm and sure, and can never be resisted, so as to be frustrated and made void. This the objector takes up, and improves against God; that since he hardens whom he will, and there is no resisting his will, the fault then can never lie in them who are hardened, and who act as such, but in God; and therefore it must be unreasonable in him to be angry with, blame, accuse, and condemn persons for being and doing that, which he himself wills them to be and do. Let the disputers of this world, the reasoners of the present age, come and see their own faces, and read the whole strength of their objections, in this wicked man's; and from whence we may be assured, that since the objections are the same, the doctrine must be the same that is objected to: and this we gain however by it, that the doctrines of particular and personal election and reprobation, were the doctrines of the apostle; since against no other, with any face, or under any pretence, could such an objection be formed: next follows the apostle's answer. Romans 9:20 Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? &c.] Or "answerest again to God": some have been so weak and wicked as to suggest, that the apostle met with an objection he could not answer, or give a fair solution of, and therefore takes the method he does: but when the several things returned in answer by the apostle are considered, it will appear that he has taken the wisest method to silence such an audacious objector, and that he abundantly clears God from the charge of cruelty and unmercifulness. And he answers "first", by putting the insolent creature in mind of what he was; "nay, but O man, who art thou?" &c. Thou art man, and not God; a creature, and not the Creator; and must not expect that he, thy Creator, will give an account of his matters to thee, or a reason why he does, this or the other thing. Thou art but a man, who in his best estate was vanity, being mutable; thou art a fallen sinful creature, and obnoxious to the wrath and displeasure of God for thy sins, and darest thou to open thy mouth against him? thou art a poor, foolish, and ignorant man, born like a wild ass's colt, without understanding, and wilt thou take upon thee to confront, direct, or counsel the Most High, or tell him what is fitting to be done, or not done? "next" the apostle answers, by pointing out his folly and madness, in replying to God. To speak to God in behalf of a man's self at the throne of grace, in the most submissive manner, for any mercy or favour wanted, is an high privilege, and it is a wonderful condescension in God to admit of; and when a man, a good man takes upon him to plead with God on the behalf of others, of a wicked people, a sinful nation, he ought to set before him the example and conduct of Abraham, who in a like case acknowledged himself to be but dust and ashes, and more than once entreated, that the Lord would not be angry at his importunity; but for a man to answer again to God, which a servant ought not to do to his master, to litigate a point with God, to dispute a matter with him, is the highest instance of arrogance and impudence: "woe unto him that striveth with his Maker, let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth", ( Isaiah 45:9 ) : with their equals, with men like themselves, but let no man dare to "contend with God"; if he should, "he cannot answer him one of a thousand", ( Job 9:3 ) ; for "he is wise in heart", in forming all his counsels, purposes, and decrees; "and mighty in strength", to execute them; "who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered?" ( Job 9:4 ) . Another way the apostle takes in answering the objection is, by showing the absurdity of a creature's wrangling with God about his make, and the circumstances in which he is made: shall the thing formed, say unto him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? reference is had to ( Isaiah 45:9 Isaiah 45:10 ) ; Now as it would be a most absurd thing for the clay, was it capable of speaking, to say to the fashioner of it, why dost thou put me into such or such a shape and form? or for any piece of workmanship to say to the maker of it, he has no hands, no head, no judgment and skill; or for a child to say to its parents, what begettest thou, or what hast thou brought forth? so absurd and unreasonable is it, for any to say to God, why hast thou appointed me to such and such ends and purposes, and has brought me into being in such a manner, and under such circumstances? There is a story in the Talmud F14, which may be pertinently produced here; “it happened to R. Eleazar ben Simeon, of Migdal Gedur, that he went from his master's house, and he was riding on an ass, and travelling by the sea side, and as he rejoiced exceedingly, and his heart was lifted up because he had learnt much of the law, there was joined to him a certain man that was very much deformed, and says to him, peace be upon thee Rabbi; but he did not return the salutation to him, but says to him "Raca", how deformed is that man! perhaps all thy townsmen are as deformed as thee; he replied to him, I do not know, but go and say, (ynavev) (Nmwal) , "to the workman that made me", how ugly is this vessel thou hast made, when he knew in himself that he has sinned; upon this the Rabbi dismounted his ass, and fell down before him, and said unto him, I entreat of thee forgive me; he said unto him, I cannot forgive thee, till thou goest "to the workman that made me", and say, how ugly is this vessel which thou hast made.'' FOOTNOTES: F14 T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 20. 2. Massechet Derech Eretz, c. 4. fol. 18. 1. Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay By the power the potter has over the clay, to shape it in what form he pleases, and out of it to make what vessels he pleases, and for what purposes he thinks fit, which will be most to his own advantage, the apostle expresses the sovereign and unlimited power which God has over his creatures; the passages referred to, are ( Isaiah 64:8 ) ( Jeremiah 18:1-6 ) , in which God is represented as the potter, and men as clay in his hands; now if the potter has such power over the clay which he did not make, only has made a purchase of, or has it in his possession, much more has God a power, who has created the clay, to appoint out of it persons to different uses and purposes, for his own glory, as he sees fit; even of the same lump, to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour. The apostle seems to design hereby, to point out to us the object of predestination to be man, as yet not made, but as lying in the mere mass of creatureship, signified by the unformed clay, before put into any shape; and is an allusion to the first creation of man, out of the clay, or dust of the earth, ( Genesis 2:7 ) ; for such a consideration of man best agrees with the clay, lump, or mass, not yet formed, than as already made, and much less as fallen and corrupted: for if men, in predestination, were considered in the corrupt mass, or as fallen creatures, they could not be so well said to be made out of it, both to honour and dishonour; but rather since they were all dishonourable, that some were left in that dishonour, and others removed from it unto honour: besides, if this is not the case, God must create man without an end, which is contrary to the principle of reason and wisdom; the end is the cause, for which a thing is what it is; and it is a known rule, that what is first in intention, is last in execution, and "vice versa": the end is first fixed, and then the means; for God to create man, and then to fix the end of his creation, is to do what no wise potter would do, first make his pots, and then think of the end of making them, and the use they are to be put unto. To make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour, is for God to appoint creatures, which are to be made out of the same mass and lump, for his own glory; which end, his own glory, he determines to bring about by different means, as these following: with respect to the vessels of honour, whom he appoints for his glory, he determines to create them; to suffer them to fall into sin, whereby they become polluted and guilty; to raise and recover them, by the obedience, sufferings, and death of his Son; to regenerate, renew, and sanctify them, by his Spirit and grace, and to bring them to eternal happiness; and hereby compass the aforesaid end, his own glory, the glorifying of his grace and mercy, in a way consistent with justice and holiness: with respect to the vessels of dishonour, whom he also appoints for the glorifying of himself, he determines to create them out of the same lump; to suffer them to fall into sin; to leave them in their sins, in the pollution and guilt of them, and to condemn them for them; and hereby gain his ultimate end, his own glory, glorifying the perfections of his power, justice, and holiness, without the least blemish to his goodness and mercy: now if a potter has power, for his own advantage and secular interest, to make out of the same clay what vessels he pleases; much more has God a power, out of the same mass and lump of creatureship, to appoint creatures he determines to make to his own glory; which he brings about by different methods, consistent with the perfections of his nature. Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath The apostle proceeds to clear God from any charge of cruelty and unmercifulness, by observing his conduct in time, both towards those he passes by, and towards those he chooses; for in this and the following verse, nothing is said relating to any act of God before time, everything of that kind being considered already. In this verse, the apostle considers the conduct of God towards the vessels of dishonour; and let it be observed, that these are called vessels of wrath fitted for destruction; they are said to be vessels, and so no longer considered in the clay, in the mass and heap of creatureship, but as creatures formed and made, and brought into being; and so to be used as instruments in God's hands, to subserve his ends and purposes, and therefore called "vessels"; and not only so, but "vessels of wrath", fallen sinful creatures, and so deserving of the wrath of God, and objects of his vindictive justice, in whom he may righteously display his wrath and vengeance: hence they may be so called, being as vessels filled with his wrath; as such who are the instruments and executioners of his wrath are called, in ( Isaiah 13:5 ) , (wmez ylk) , "vessels of his wrath"; and in ( Jeremiah 50:25 ) ; where the Septuagint use the same phrase as here: and they are moreover said to be "fitted for destruction", as Haman is said to be by the Jews F15; whom they affirm to be the same with Memucan, and ask why is his name called Memucan? and answer, (twnerwpl Nkwmv) , "because he was fitted for punishment": so these are said to be "fitted for destruction", that is, eternal damnation; not by God, for this does not respect God's act of ordination to punishment; but by Satan, the god of this world, that blinds them, who works effectually in them, and leads them captive at his will; and by themselves, by their own wickedness, hardness of heart, and impenitence, do they treasure up to themselves wrath, against the day of wrath, so that their destruction is of themselves: a phrase somewhat like this is used in ( Psalms 31:12 ) , where the Psalmist, under some dismal apprehensions of himself, says, that he was like (dba ylk) , "a perishing vessel", or "a vessel of perdition"; the Septuagint render it, (skeuov apolwlov) , "a lost vessel". Now what is the method of the divine conduct towards such persons? he endures [them] with much longsuffering; as he did the old world, before he destroyed it; and as he did Pharaoh, before he cut him off: God not only supports such persons in their beings, amidst all their impieties and iniquities, but follows and fills them with his providential goodness, insomuch that many of them have more than heart can wish; nay, to many he affords the outward means of grace, which they slight and despise; externally calls them, but they refuse, loving darkness rather than light, and therefore are inexcusable: now if after all this patience, indulgence, and forbearance, when he could in justice have sent them to hell long ago, he is "willing to show his wrath"; his displicency at sin and sinners, his vindictive justice, his righteous vengeance: and to make his power known; what it is he can do, by the utter destruction and damnation of such persons; what man in his senses can ever find fault with such a procedure, or charge it with tyranny, cruelty, and unmercifulness? Romans 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory That is, his glorious riches, the perfections of his nature, his love, grace, and mercy, his wisdom, power, faithfulness, justice, and holiness; all which are most evidently displayed in the salvation of his people, here called vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared unto glory. They are said to be vessels, and so considered as creatures, made and brought into being; "vessels of mercy", and so fallen creatures, and by sin become miserable, for only such are objects of mercy: they are not called so, because deserving of mercy more than others, they are in no wise better than others, and are by nature children of wrath, even as others; but because God of his infinite goodness fills them with his mercy, displays it in them, in the redemption of them by his Son, in the regeneration of them by his Spirit, and in their eternal salvation: and these are by him "afore prepared unto glory"; to everlasting happiness, which he has chosen them to before time, and calls them to in time; to this glory he does not take them, until he has prepared them for it; which act of preparation does not regard the eternal predestination of them to eternal life, but an act of his grace towards them in time; and which lies in putting upon them the righteousness of his Son, and in putting his grace in them; or in other words, in justifying them by the imputation and application of the righteousness of his Son unto them, and by the regeneration, renovation, and sanctification of their hearts, by his Spirit. Now what if God willing to make known his glorious perfections, by displaying his mercy to such sinners, and by preparing them for heaven in a way consistent with his holiness and justice, what can any man that has the exercise of his reason object to this? The whole of his conduct is free from blame and censure; the vessels of wrath he shows his wrath upon, are such as fit themselves for destruction, and whom he endures with much longsuffering and patience, and therefore he cannot be chargeable with cruelty; the vessels of mercy he brings to glory, none of them are taken thither, until they are prepared for it, in a way of righteousness and holiness, and therefore he cannot be charged with acting contrary to the perfections of his nature. FOOTNOTES: F15 T. Bab. Megilia, fol. 12. 2. Since there is no better answer to the question than that was given by the apostle Paul then we must rest in it. For further study along the lines of the free will of man, the sovereignty of God & human responsibility please see my videos "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI & "God's Foreordaination & Sovereignty Over the Actions of Men But Humans Are Still Held Responsible" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ-ZCgZBi1s&index=71&list=PLA932903698A56780" along with our video "Biblical Election: Do Sin Loving Evil Doers Choose a Holy God or Does a Holy God Choose Sinners?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4Dqhguweg&index=5&list=PLA932903698A56780. Additional helpful resources are: "THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD, Chapter 8, GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY – "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" – Romans 14:12" at http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Sovereignty/sov_08.htm, "How can God be sovereign and man still be free?" at http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/sovereignfree.html, "The Sovereignty of God" by A. W. Pink at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesOnly=true&currSection=sermonstopic&sourceid=swrb&keyword=Calvinism+and+Predestination&keyworddesc=Calvinism+and+Predestination, "The Sovereignty of God" by Dr. James White (question & answer session) at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=630091023484. See also our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 81 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. A helpful website is http://reformationtheology.com/. 2 Timothy 2:15
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” —Luke 13:23-24 Do you understand the question in the above Scripture? “Lord, are there few that be saved?” Someone came to Jesus and wanted to know if “few” people were saved. It's interesting that the person didn't ask if “many” people were saved. Evidently the person had been listening to Jesus' preaching and became convinced that few people were really saved. When the Bible speaks of being “saved,” it means saved from God's wrath upon Christ-rejecting sinners in Hell (for more on hell see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E & "Eternal Punishment, Part 1" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607145320 & "Eternal Punishment, Part 2" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607143539). Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” All Christ-rejecters go to Hell if they die in their sins. If a person is “saved,” then they are going to Heaven when they die. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We are saved from the eternal consequences of sin, which is punishment in hellfire. To be saved is synonymous with being “born again.” When a person becomes a born-again child of God, they are saved eternally. EVERY human being MUST to be saved (i.e., born again) to enter into Heaven. John 3:3, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” If a person dies in their sins without believing on Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God, they will burn in Hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15).Just as the disciple who asked Jesus the question in Luke 13:23, I myself often wonder how few are truly born again believers. I dare say not many. Let's consider the question again…“Lord, are there few that be saved?” There are over one billion Catholics in the world who errantly believe that the Catholic Church is going to save them. Roman Catholics do not trust Jesus Christ alone; but rather, rely upon manmade traditions and self-righteous works to save them. According to the Word of God, genuine Catholics are hellbound in their sins because they are trusting in self-righteousness (Romans 3:20; 10:3-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5, see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 129 videos & counting at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715). There are over one billion Islamic Muslims in the world who deny that Jesus Christ ever died upon a cross for our sins (see our playlist "Dealing with Islam, Muslims: Sunni, Shi'ite, Alawites, Sufis" with 67 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1C7F68B548009FDD). According to the Bible, they are antichrists and liars on their way to Hell (1st John 2:22-23). There are over 183,000 cults in Japan alone that deny Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the world. Other false religions include Scientology, Hinduism, Wicca, Buddhism, Seventh Day Adventism, Zoroastrianism, Greek Orthodox, Judaism, Jehovah Witness, Mormonism, Freemasonry, and many more (see our YouTube channel CAnswersTV at https://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV with over 615 videos covering most of these anti Christian religions in detail). Why do I call them “false religions”? It's simply because they all corrupt the Biblical teaching of salvation, i.e., the gospel (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Trinitarians (UPC) & Early Church History" with 48 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9931642C7C8FFEAB). Most false religions ADD works to faith. Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses DENY the deity of Jesus Christ (i.e., that He is Almighty God) – see our playlists "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL11CD0EE613306BB5 & "Dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Society" with 22 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCF0ADB29C0EB8C40. Seventh Day Adventists falsely and deceitfully redefine faith to mean works (see our playlist, "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" with 23 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5316CC6F66F24283). There are hundreds of millions of followers of Hinduism who deny Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Christ Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 42 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69A3047B3497590A). Judaism denies that Jesus is the Messiah. The same Pharisaical Jews who crucified Jesus 2,000 years ago are crucifying Him today. The Campbellite Church of Christ deceitfully speaks of faith in Christ, but also requires water baptism and living the Christian life to be saved. That is works salvation, which is a lie of the Devil (Romans 3:20; Romans 4:5-6, see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 72 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBD55090718DA6D3D). Every Catholic claims not to worship Mary, but the second commandment (Exodus 20:3-5) forbids even bowing to Mary (which every Catholic does, for more on the Roman Catholic installation of the worship of saints, images, & polytheism in church history hear "Perseverance of the Saints & the Worship of Saints (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #17)" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=14101149112 & "The Worship of Images & Civil Authorities (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #18)" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=15101057200). There are hundreds of millions of so-called Charismatic & Pentecostal "Christians" who trade the Word of God for their own wild emotional experiences & replace the Biblical gospel for a gospel of "heath & wealth" despite 1 Timothy 6:10 saying, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" – see our two video series on this: "Blasphemous Charismatic & Pentecostal Mayhem #1: Mad Delusional Experiences Replace Scripture Alone" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbv7YsyMf0I begins one series while "AGONY OF THE PHONY WORD-FAITH TV PREACHERS #1: MIND SCIENCE ORIGINS OF KENNETH HAGIN & HIS DISCIPLES" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwQ5BLrYD_U&list=PL2CDA855486B09128&index=4 begins another series. Even secular humanism, atheism & agnosticism can be considered faith based religions due to the fact that atheists & humanists have a faith that God does not exist while agnostics are willingly ignorant concerning God (see our playlist "Dealing with "God Hating" Atheists, Agnostics, Know-It-Alls" with 20 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL640E505B96CD6B39). Many animistic religions exist throughout the world as well which are described in Romans 1:18-32, see our video "FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR CHRIST: PREACHING TO CANNIBALS, WITCH DOCTORS & TRIBAL NATIVES" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACnDLyXa9H0. All of the religions I have just mentioned account for well over seven eighths of the earth's population or more. Keep in mind, besides all of this, Jesus said, "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24). Who are considered "rich people"? It's not just millionaires & world leaders but many lesser wealthy persons who exceed the vast majority of mankind in money & possessions (Luke16:19-31 is a good example of this in the parable of the rich man & Lazarus). See the video "It is Difficult for Americans to Enter Heaven – Tim Conway" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDwNGXciNCQ. Statistics provided in this video show that even the poorest Americans living in the United States have a better net income than most of the world. For instance, according to Forbes magazine, June 1, 2013, the bottom 5% of United States citizens are richer than 68% of people living throughout the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $50,000 a year are richer than 99.69% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $20,000 a year are richer than 96% of the people in the rest of the world, U.S. citizens who make $10,000 a year are richer than 84% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $100,000 a year are in a category that only 8 out of every 10,000 people achieve in the entire world. Will it be difficult for rich Americans who don't think they're rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Jesus already gave the answer. For more on this hear "Those Whom God Hates He Is Often Pleased To Give Plenty Of Earthly Things To, Edwards" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=427121150346 by the well known theologian Jonathan Edwards who also preached the most famous sermon on North American soil called, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=770213541. If you don't like what I am telling you then get mad at God because He wrote the Bible. If you take the Bible at FACE VALUE, you can only interpret it one way. The best way to interpret the Bible is with the Bible. God said what He meant and meant what He said. Let the Bible speak for itself. Jesus answered the question in Luke 13:24 with the following words…“…for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Most of the people in this world are going straight to Hell when they die because they have not been born again (hear "Few Saved From A Burning Hell" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3514145121). Lies and deception are everywhere! Catholics and Jehovah Witnesses claim to be born-again but they are NOT. You can't get born-again by doing good works, confessing your sins to a priest, getting water baptized, joining a church or keeping the Sabbath Day. Salvation is NOT found in any religion; but rather, in a Person—The Lord Jesus Christ! Most people today have churchianity without Christianity, and they are all going to Hell if they don't repent toward God of their unbelief (for more on this see our video "TRUE BELIEVERS & NON BELIEVERS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL OF THE REFORMATION: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_dN0oC57Rk). The vast majority of so-called "Evangelical Christians" in the world today do not know what the Biblical gospel is or what "justification by faith alone" is (see our video "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im4ozy_EiR4. There are only two types of religions in the world: DO and DONE. Either you believe that you have to DO something to go to Heaven; or else you believe that it is DONE, paid for by Jesus' precious blood. Jesus said in Luke 13:24 that “many” will seek to enter into Heaven but will not be able. That is quite startling. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 7:21-23 . . . “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The reason why these religious people were not allowed into Heaven was because they attempted to enter Heaven through their own self-righteousness. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus spake concerning the religious leaders of His time . . . “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Most of the religious churchgoers in the world today are as lost as can be, still hellbound in their wickedness. They have not done the will of God concerning salvation, which is to BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (John 6:40; Acts 16:30-31). Jesus provides two contrasts in Luke 13:24, the contrast between seeking to enter and striving to enter and the contrast between seeking to enter through the narrow door and seeking to enter by any other means. Let’s now focus on the second contrast. Look at verses 25-27:"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; 27 and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.' (Luke 13:25 NAU) Jesus’ statement at the end of 25 and the middle of 27 is translated well in the NIV: “I don't know you or where you come from.” In effect, He is saying, “I don’t know you at all! You may think that you are mine, but I have nothing to do with you – I don’t even know your family, your village” So what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? What is His intended contrast with other methods of entering? Again, let’s begin by considering what the narrow door is not: The narrow door is NOT being in a church, reading the Bible, listening to sermons, looking to others like a Christian. This is clear from verse 26: these evildoers looked just like believers who had been with Jesus. They had listened to His preaching. But He does not know them, and they stand condemned.The narrow door is NOT being prominent in this life. Jesus says in verse 30 that some who are presently first will be last. Prominence now is no guarantee of one’s entering through the narrow door.The narrow door is NOT being a descendant of a great believer. See verse 28. Remember, Jesus is speaking to descendants of Abraham and Jacob. I sometimes like to use the expression, “God has no grandchildren.” Each of us must come to Jesus on our own, not through our parents, our grandparents, or other ancestors. Then what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? Elsewhere, Jesus says He Himself is the door: I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9) In what sense is this door narrow? In two ways. First, the door is narrow in the sense that no one comes to the Father any other way (John 14:6). No religious activities – Christian or non-Christian – bring us into the Kingdom. Sincere beliefs do not bring us in. Good works do not bring us in. Good feelings about our relationship with Christ do not bring us in. Though in our pluralistic society this message is despised, we must preach, teach, and live out this truth: There is only one door, and that narrow door is Jesus. The Lake of Fire is waiting for "many" when they die. Jesus' disciple asked Him if few people are going to Heaven. Jesus replied that many people will attempt, but fail. When the floods came in Noah's day, many people tried to get on the ark, but it was too late once the door was closed. When the bridegroom came in Matthew 25:1-13, the five foolish virgins were left behind because they were gone buying oil at the last moment. Do not likewise make the mistake of delaying salvation, for you will be sorry when it is too late. Few souls are going to Heaven. Jesus said, "Only those who find that strait gate and narrow way that leadeth unto life (Matthew 7:13-15), which is the righteousness of Jesus Christ will make it to heaven. So many churchgoers have religion, but they have never truly been born of the spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9, hear "Why Are So Few People Saved?" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=111710103558). Salvation happens when a person acknowledges their guilt of sin unto God in repentance; believing on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, to be forgiven (this is a supernatural action caused by God in the heart of a repentant sinner in 2 Timothy 2:24-26; see also "SUPERNATURAL BIBLE PROPHECY CONCERNING JESUS THE JEWISH MESSIAH (PART #1)" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVByqkjwChs). We are SINNERS and Jesus is the wonderful SAVIOR! Acts 10:43, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Salvation is given to those "few" who have been ordained to eternal life by God Himself (Acts 13:48). And who are those "few"? Jesus answers that question in John chapter 6:37,39,44,63 & 65: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." " It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." For more on this see our video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI. Keep in mind that God works with relatively few numbers throughout world history (remember how Elijah thought he was the last prophet of God left in Israel in 1 Kings 19:13-18 & the Lord had to correct Elijah about the number but still the number God told Elijah was small). The God of the Bible has always had His way of operating His plan in this world & it has always been consistently with small numbers (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence." For an excellent message concerning the small numbers God has historically employed please hear the outstanding theologian Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon "Sermon 113 – Three-score and Fifteen Souls" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=99217141430450. We also have a video along these lines called " Biblical Predestination #6: God Only Chooses a FEW for Salvation (Many Called/Few Chosen)" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veCdGzYsc70. See also our video "Strive To Enter – But Many Will Not Be Able To – Greg Van Court – Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, TX" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr2Rn-7o4RA. 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
Question: "How can I be saved?" Answer: True Biblical salvation is a sovereign act of God in the heart of the believer (Acts 13:48, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." & John 1:12-13, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."). You cannot even repent of your sins against God unless God first grants you the power to turn away from your sins (2 Timothy 2:24-26, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."). For an in depth Biblical discussion of God's power in the salvation of wicked sinners who cannot save themselves see our video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI. A free transcript of this message is available at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52015125752. Once there scroll down to "Sermon Transcription" where you have the following options: 1. View transcript, 2. Download PDF, 3. Send to Kindle, or 4. Google Translation making this message transcription available in 27 foreign languages. Everything is free with nothing to buy. 2 Timothy 2:15
This simple, yet profound, question is the most important question that can be asked. "How can I be saved?" deals with where we will spend eternity after our lives in this world are over. There is no more important issue than our eternal destiny. Thankfully, the Bible is abundantly clear on how a person can be saved. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) Paul and Silas responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
How can I be saved? Why do I need to be saved? We are all infected with sin (Romans 3:23). We are born with sin (Psalm 51:5), and we all personally choose to sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8). Sin is what makes us unsaved. Sin is what separates us from God. Sin is what has us on the path to eternal destruction.
How can I be saved? Saved from what? Because of our sin, we all deserve death (Romans 6:23). While the physical consequence of sin is physical death, that is not the only kind of death that results from sin. All sin is ultimately committed against an eternal and infinite God (Psalm 51:4). Because of that, the just penalty for our sin is also eternal and infinite. What we need to be saved from is eternal destruction (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15).
How can I be saved? How did God provide salvation? Because the just penalty for sin is infinite and eternal, only God could pay the penalty, because only He is infinite and eternal. But God, in His divine nature, could not die. So God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God took on human flesh, lived among us, and taught us. When the people rejected Him and His message, and sought to kill Him, He willingly sacrificed Himself for us, allowing Himself to be crucified (John 10:15). Because Jesus Christ was human, He could die; and because Jesus Christ was God, His death had an eternal and infinite value. Jesus’ death on the cross was the perfect and complete payment for our sin (1 John 2:2). He took the consequences we deserved. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead demonstrated that His death was indeed the perfectly sufficient sacrifice for sin.
How can I be saved? What do I need to do? “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). God has already done all of the work. All you must do is receive, in faith through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-17), the salvation God grants to His elect (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 9:10-33). A full trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sins is supernatural because a person's faith is empowered by God the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8, John 6:37, 39, 44, 63,65). Thus believing in Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), the true believer will not perish (John 3:16-21) but this can only be done by the supernatural sovereign power of God's Holy Spirit & not a person's own "free will" by itself (see our video "DEBATE: Luke 1:15, Did John the Baptist Make a "Free Will" Decision for Christ in the Womb?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXBDYPlXV0 & Charles Haddon Spurgeon's Biblically insightful sermon "Free Will — A Slave" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8160293628. Therefore, in reality, the lost sinner, realizing that there is nothing he can do by his own efforts to attain salvation from the wrath of a Holy God must simply cry out to that Holy God for salvation through His Son Jesus Christ constantly. In other words the lost sinner must beg & plead with God to save him or her each day until God supernaturally responds to that request which may or may not happen immediately. In many cases lost sinners are finally redeemed by God after a long period of begging & pleading with God (consider the cases of the Pharisee & the Publican in Luke 18:9-14 & the Unjust Judge in Like 18:1-8).
Saved by Grace Alone or Saved by Grace Plus Free Will? You cannot consistently assert that we are saved by "grace alone" and then in the same breath declare that the natural man has a free will to come to Christ (John 6:65). Man needs salvation precisely because his will is in bondage to sin. And that which is in bondage is not free. For the need for grace does away with free will altogether. Its not Christ plus our good will that saves us but Christ alone who grants us everything we need for salvation, including a new heart to believe. Visitor: What is salvation? Response: The short answer is salvation is deliverance from God's wrath and salvation from sin….Saved from the just consequences of our rebellion against God, it was accomplished when God took those consequences upon Himself when Jesus was nailed to the cross.The wrath of God abides on all men apart from the grace of Jesus Christ, who alone lived the life we should have lived and died the death we justly deserve. Visitor: Okay, what is free will? Response: Free will is something that exists only in people's imagination. Fallen man does not have a free will. He is NOT able NOT to sin. All people except Jesus Christ have broken God's law and have sinned. Therefore none can save themselves or lift a finger toward their own salvation. God must intervene if man is to have any hope at all. And He has done it in the Person of Jesus Christ. Visitor: How does a person know if they are saved then? Response: By grace you look to Christ's Righteousness and not your own. The Scriptures indicate that we are saved if the Word of God has come in divine power into our soul such that our self-complacency is shattered and our self-righteousness is renounced. Second, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our woeful, guilty, and lost condition. Third, God reveals to us the sufficiency of Jesus Christ alone to meet our desperate case and by a divinely given faith causes us to lay hold of and rest upon Him as our only hope. Fourth, when the Spirit changes our heart He gives us a love for God, a love for His word and an appetite for spiritual things; a longing for holiness; a seeking after conformity to Christ. This does not mean that you are sinless, but that you desire to obey Christ and feel anguish when you disobey Him. (A.W. Pink) Visitor: What if I've felt this my whole life? Response: Then it is likely that the Holy Spirit opened your heart to the gospel at an early age. Quotes: "…he who in his soul believes that man does of his own free-will turn to God, cannot have been taught of God, for that is one of the first principles taught us when God begins with us, that we have neither will nor power, but that he gives both; that he is "Alpha and Omega" in the salvation of men. – C. H. Spurgeon (Free Will, a Slave)
"In vain people busy themselves with finding any good of man's own in his will. For any mixture of the power of free will that men strive to mingle with God's grace is nothing but a corruption of grace. It is just as if one were to dilute wine with muddy, bitter water. But even if there is something good in the will, it comes from the pure prompting of the Spirit." -John Calvin, "Institutes of the Christian Religion."
John 6:65, "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." John 6:39, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
Did Christ die for the Eskimos who lived 500 years before Jesus lived? How about the Eskimos that lived 500 years after Jesus lived yet no one ever came & told them the gospel during that time? Did Jesus die for Esau in Romans 9:13? Did Jesus die for Pharoah who opposed Moses in Romans 9:16-23? Jesus told parables so people would not understand so they would be condemned by God instead (Mark 4:11-12; see our video "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #4: WHY DOES JESUS SPEAK IN PARABLES?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHCMHCqubg). Jesus does not even pray for the "world" (John 17:9 cf 1 John 2:15). Turning now to John 3:16, it should be evident from the passages just quoted that this verse will not bear the construction usually put upon it. ‘God so loved the world.’ Many suppose that this means, The entire human race. But ‘the entire human race’ includes all mankind from Adam till the close of earth’s history: it reaches backward as well as forward! Consider, then, the history of mankind before Christ was born. Unnumbered millions lived and died before the Savior came to the earth, lived here ‘having no hope and without God in the world,’ and therefore passed out into eternity of woe. If God ‘loved’ them, where is the slightest proof thereof? Scripture declares ‘Who (God) in times past (from the tower of Babel till after Pentecost) suffered all nations to walk in their own ways’ (Acts 14:16). Scripture declares that ‘And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient’ (Rom. 1:28). To Israel God said, ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth’ (Amos 3:2). In view of these plain passages who will be so foolish as to insist that God in the past loved all mankind! The same applies with equal force to the future . . . But the objector comes back to John 3:16 and says, ‘World means world. ‘True, but we have shown that ‘the world’ does not mean the whole human family. The fact is that ‘the world’ is used in a general way.. . Now the first thing to note in connection with John 3:16 is that our Lord was there speaking to Nicodemus, a man who believed that God’s mercies were confined to his own nation. Christ there announced that God’s love in giving His Son had a larger object in view, that it flowed beyond the boundary of Palestine, reaching out to ‘regions beyond.’ In other words, this was Christ’s announcement that God had a purpose of grace toward Gentiles as well as Jews. ‘God so loved the world,’ then, signifies, God’s love is international in its scope. But does this mean that God loves every individual among the Gentiles? Not necessarily, for as we have seen the term ‘world’ is general rather than specific, relative rather than absolute. . . the ‘world’ in John 3:16 must, in the final analysis refer to the world of God’s people. Must we say, for there is no other alternative solution. It cannot mean the whole human race, for one half of the race was already in hell when Christ came to earth. It is unfair to insist that it means every human being now living, for every other passage in the New Testament where God’s love is mentioned limits it to His own people — search and see! The objects of God’s love in John 3:16 are precisely the same as the objects of Christ’s love in John 13:1: ‘Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His time was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.’ We may admit that our interpretation of John 3:16 is no novel one invented by us, but one almost uniformly given by the Reformers and Puritans, and many others since them. See our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6duguuzfho. Romans 9:15-18
A free written transcript of this message is available at https://media-cloud.sermonaudio.com/text/77162248310.pdf . Free written transcripts of this message are available in 20 languages at https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?m=t&s=77162248310 . See our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 98 videos at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. John Wesley, the famous founder of the Methodist religion, lacked faith in the God he preached. "I do not love God. I never did … I have never believed … I am only an honest heathen … I have no direct witness … of anything … invisible or eternal" said John Wesley in a letter to his brother Charles Wesley in June 1766. Wesley's confession to his brother was long after his supposed "conversion" to Christianity.
In a letter to his brother Charles in June 1766, the hybrid Arminian evangelist John Wesley, now in his sixties, confesses that he does not and never did love God, believe or have the direct witness of divine sonship or even of things invisible or eternal. Here's his testimony: "In one of my last [letters] I was saying that I do not feel the wrath of God abiding on me; nor can I believe it does. And yet (this is the mystery), I do not love God. I never did. Therefore I never believed, in the Christian sense of the word. Therefore I am only an honest heathen … And yet, to be so employed of God! And so hedged in that I can neither get forward nor backward! Surely there was never such an instance before, from the beginning of the world! If I ever have had that faith, it would not be so strange. But I never had any other evidence of the eternal or invisible world than I have now; and that is none at all, unless such as faintly shines from reason's glimmering ray. I have no direct witness (I do not say, that I am a child of God, but) of anything invisible or eternal."(quoted in Stephen Tomkins, John Wesley, A Biography [Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2003], p. 168)
It is an interesting fact that Wesley's childhood was steeped in the Mystics. His parents were great fans of the mystical writers and Charles and John grew up in a home surrounded by their works. Initially John was wholly accepting their teachings, and they made and left a deep impression on him during the formative years of his life. Eventually, he became involved in a protracted internal struggle with mysticism which never really abated. John Wesley wrote to his brother Samuel on 23rd Nov.1736: 'I think the rock on which I had the nearest made shipwreck of the faith was the writings of the Mystics'. And in this connection he specifically names Johann Tauler and the Spanish Quietist, Miguel de Molinos. In his Preface to the Collection of Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739, John Wesley writes: 'Some verses, it may be observed, in the following Collection, were wrote upon the scheme of the Mystic Divines.
And these, it is owned, we had once in great veneration, as the best explainers of the Gospel of Christ. But we are now convinced that we therein greatly erred, not knowing the Scriptures neither the power of God. And because this is an error which many serious minds are sooner or later exposed to, and which indeed most easily besets those who seek the Lord Jesus in sincerity, we believe ourselves indispensibly obliged, in the presence of God, and angels, and men, to declare wherein we apprehend those writers not to teach "the truth as it is in Jesus"'. And he then lays out the argument under four headings: They lay another foundation; their manner of building on it is the opposite of that prescribed by Christ (He commands us to build up one another. They advise: 'To the desert! To the desert! and God will build you up'); their superstructure has no correspondence with that laid down by the Apostle Paul; they teach another Gospel. Again, in his diary on 5th June 1742,
Wesley writes: 'I just made an end of Madam Guyon's "Short Method of Prayer" How many evangelicals today read Madame Guyon? Or, rather, how many will actually admit it? In Wesley's journal dated 5th February 1764 is written: 'I began reading Mr Hartley's ingenious Defence of the Mystic Writers.
Wesley was a complex character who never really shook off the foundations of the mystical teaching he had imbibed. As J. Brazier Green says in John Wesley & John Law (Epworth Press, 1945, p.179): 'Although Wesley uttered substantial indictments of the Mystics in 1739, 1756 and 1764, he was also publishing and commending their writings in his Christian Library (1749-55) and until the last years of his life'. See http://www.cephasministry.com/ecumenism_evangelical_attraction.html.
To see all our videos which come with free written transcripts please click on https://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currpage=1&keyword=christiananswers&SourceOnly=true&mediatype=PDF&AudioOnly=false&sortby= which add up to 70 videos & counting at this time. Keep in mind that these free written transcripts are also available in 20 different languages by going to any of the individual videos and locating the "View Transcript" area. For example, say you want a foreign language transcript from our video "Biblical Canon of Scripture is the Basis for Authentic Christian Belief & Doctrine" at https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=21519512147884 & you want the transcript in Chinese just follow these basic steps: 1. Click on "select translation" next to the "Google Translate" indicator 2. Click on the type of Chinese you want to use, you have two choices either "Simplified" Chinese or "Traditional" Chinese 3. Let's say you click on "Traditional Chinese" 4.Then you click on "Translate" which brings up another screen which has the entire video translated into traditional Chinese 5. From there you have additional options to share this Chinese translation with others as indicated 6. This is very cool & is an just another opportunity for evangelism around the world in this digital age! Jude 3, "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."
I have been an Methodist for 32 years. My grandmother and family are Methodist. I gave so much to the church. But God knew. I finally know the truth. Its going to be hard to leave the church but it has to happen. I need God now more than ever. The things that is going on in the church today. I am always one who looks to find the truth. I am going to humbly say i know nothing even if i do research. I want to be used by God but my sins wont allow me. Thank you and God bless
Wesley's doctrine is appealing to the flesh. Eve desired to be like God. This was her offence and continues to be the desire of our flesh. This is precisely why we had to be crucified with Christ and our soul be placed into the righteousness of our Christ.
Someone asked about John Wesley's abnormal sex life. To answer this an internet search was made & the following was found at https://www.christiantoday.com/article/saints-and-sinners-the-skeletons-in-the-closets-of-great-theologians/53492.htm saying this about John Wesley – "Wesley is famous as the founder of Methodism, a great preacher, teacher and traveler. Less well known is his truly catastrophic love life. He had a disastrous relationship with a young woman named Sophia Hopkey in Savannah, Georgia, which resulted in legal proceedings being issued against him. He nearly married the very suitable Grace Murray, but she was not of his class and his brother Charles scuppered the match. In the end he married a widow, Mary Vazeille, and neither of them were happy: she would heckle him when he preached and one witness spoke of seeing her drag him around the room by the hair. When she eventually left him he wrote wryly: "I did not forsake her, I did not dismiss her, I will not recall her." Wesley, the founder of Methodism, affirmed the primacy of scriptural authority. But he also acknowledged the genuine, albeit secondary, religious authority of tradition, reason, and experience. Wesley writes: 'I just made an end of Madam Guyon's "Short Method of Prayer" How many evangelicals today read Madame Guyon? Or, rather, how many will actually admit it? In Wesley's journal dated 5th February 1764 is written: 'I began reading Mr Hartley's ingenious Defence of the Mystic Writers.
Wesley was a complex character who never really shook off the foundations of the mystical teaching he had imbibed. As J. Brazier Green says in John Wesley & John Law (Epworth Press, 1945, p.179): 'Although Wesley uttered substantial indictments of the Mystics in 1739, 1756 and 1764, he was also publishing and commending their writings in his Christian Library (1749-55) and until the last years of his life'. See http://www.cephasministry.com/ecumenism_evangelical_attraction.html. Wesley enjoyed Roman Catholic mystics so this obviously would affect his interpretation of scripture in his life.
Truth!
The wicked hate the wrath, justice & judgment of a Holy God. Get an in-depth study of the Biblical Doctrine of Hell besides videos on our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E by going to "Eternal Punishment, Part 1" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607145320 & "Eternal Punishment, Part 2" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607143539 by A.W. Pink. Great preaching on this subject can be found at "Heaven & Hell" by Charles Haddon Spurgeon at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8702112616 & "The Sinner's End, Hell Opens Wide Her Jaws, the Sinner Falls To Destruction, Spurgeon" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1014131452290; "A Few Sighs From Hell" by John Bunyan at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=112903233617; "The Eternity of Hell Torments" by George Whitefield at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11307232342; Men Don't Regard Warnings of Future Punishment As Hell Doesn't Seem Real – Edwards" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1031121125362, "The Torments of Hell Are Exceeding Great, A Rich Man Went to Hell and Was Tormented" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51513154140, "They That Are Gone to Hell Are All of Them in Despair, Eternal Damnation by Edwards" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=219131311338 & "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=113003134610 by Jonathan Edwards, "God's Hell" by John Wagner at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6501212239; "A Tour of Hell" by E.A. Johnston at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7251216250; other great Biblical messages about the doctrine of Hell can be found at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currSection=sermonstopic&keyworddesc=Hell&keyword=hell.
See our newsletter on Hell with plenty of Biblical references on our website http://www.biblequery.org/ (once on the homepage click on the "experience" box to the left then scroll down to the newsletter section & click on "Turn or Burn."
The wicked hate the Biblical doctrine of Hell & will create any myth to pretend it is not real or eternal in the conscious divine punishment of the damned. "Be not deceived, GOD IS NOT MOCKED: For whatsover a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galations 6:7). "VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY SAITH THE LORD" (Rom. 12:19). "Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and THAT WILL BY NO MEANS CLEAR THE GUILTY" (Exodus 34:7). Jesus said, "It would have been good for that man if he had not been born" (Matthew 26:24). Why would Jesus say this if there wasn't something far worse waiting for that man after this life is over? Interestingly enough, over the years many atheists have flocked to our YouTube hell videos with unusual curiosity. Why do they bother if they don't think it is real?
2 Timothy 2:15
"Evangelical" Christianity (see our video "ECUMENICAL CHAOS: Going to Bed With Roman Catholic False Prophets & Idolaters" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76Nvi6p0lw) is awash in bad theology (via Wesley & Finney), bad leadership (like Billy Graham & TBN), & Biblical ignorance (87% don't know the Gospel or what justificaton is) thus it seems to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian (like Romanists, Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists or whoever). For proof of this see the following: "Methodist Founder & Self Proclaimed Heathen John Wesley Said He Never Believed In or Loved God" (short version) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_bz2RyShFI & "JOHN WESLEY, FOUNDER OF METHODISM & AN ARMINIAN, SAID HE DID NOT LOVE GOD & WAS "AN HONEST HEATHEN" (long version) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vo3ljr7ccs; BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS: CHARLES GRANDISON FINNEY – PHONY REVIVALIST & ARCH-HERETIC at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rUbi8AJRw4, "Exclusive Interview with Dave Hunt about the Gospel-less Mother Teresa & Compromiser Billy Graham" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YtX1DirDI4&list=UUQ_EDvOtDAAWfCvGUhd6y3A, Our playlist "Dealing with Phony TV Preachers (TBN) & King James Onlyites" at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CDA855486B09128 & "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im4ozy_EiR4. See our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 119 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715, our playlist "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL11CD0EE613306BB5 & our playlist "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5316CC6F66F24283. Billy Graham's false views on universal salvation & hell distort the Gospel message & is another reason he is so popular with the world (Galatians 1:6-10, see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E). Please reference the websites: http://www.BereanBeacon & http://www.CWRC-RZ.org. The simple Biblical fact is that few are going to be saved from the wrath of God & hell (Luke 13:23-30, Matthew 7:13-29, etc.); see our video on this: "Unpopular Bible Doctrines #2: Many "Christians" Are Not Real; God Loves Judgment; No Forgiveness" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJIlReP9SFw. All the ecumenical "love" & "harmony" in the world is not going to change the fact that God still hates false religions (Deuteronomy 28:64, 32:17, 21, Leviticus 17:7, Psalm 106:37, Jeremiah 44:3, 1 Corinthians 10:20, see also http://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/32-17.htm) & false doctrine (Revelation 2:6,14-15, 2 Peter 2:15, etc.). Thus following the Bible alone is the only safe path to travel (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 4:2-5, 1 Timothy 1:3-11, 6:3-5, etc.; see our video "WITHOUT "SOLA SCRIPTURA" (THE BIBLE ALONE), WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMnF6tgya0). 2 Timothy 2:15
See our video "Unpopular Bible Doctrines #2: Many "Christians" Are Not Real; God Loves Judgment; No Forgiveness" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJIlReP9SFw. Titus 1:9-16
For further study hear Rev. Ernest C. Reisinger on "Carnal Christians" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1170594213 & Albert N. Martin on "The Carnal Christian Doctrine #1 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11110485122 & "The Carnal Christian Doctrine #2 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11110485918.
What is a Carnal Christian?
The word carnal is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which literally means “fleshly.”
This Carnal Christian doctrine is primarily based on an erroneous interpretation of a single passage of Scripture. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 often used as a proof text for the belief that there are three categories of men.. the Natural man who has not received Christ, the Spiritual man who is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and the Carnal man who supposedly is saved, but shows no evidence of change.
The Scofield Reference Bible, which gave the teaching both creditability and it’s initial impetus, says..
'Paul divides men into three classes: "Natural" i.e. the Adamic Man, un-renewed through the new birth; "Spiritual" i.e. the renewed man as Spirit-filled and walking in the Spirit in full communion with God; "Carnal", "fleshly", i.e. the renewed man who, walking "after the flesh", remains a babe in Christ." [1]
Since, in this letter, Paul describes the Corinthians as carnal, many have come to the totally flawed conclusion that it is possible for people to come to faith in Christ, but then to proceed to live the rest of their lives with no evidence that they have experienced anything of the power of the gospel in their lives and that they are a new creation. In other words a person, believing that Christ died on the cross for him, has received Him as savior, but lives just like the unsaved, displaying in his (or her) life absolutely no evidence of holiness or any other fruit of the Spirit. They are not new creatures and, for them, old things have not passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). They act, think and live like non-Christians, which fact alone should give the thinking person pause for thought. However this is not the case… Carnal Christians consider themselves saved, supposedly having Christ in their lives, although not on the throne of their lives… which is the essence of the Carnal Christian Theory."
Sadly enough there seem to be plenty of those who name the name of Christ in fundamental churches around the world who, in the words of Albert N. Martin,
“…are convinced in their own thinking that they are the children of God but they are people who seem to be at home in the realm of sin. They will confess that there is sin and failure in their lives, but they do this without any grief. They glibly claim 1 John 1:9 (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness) in the promise of forgiveness to those who confess. But all of this is a cut and dried heartless sort of ritual that has very little meaning… [2]
Amazingly, Carnal Christians believe that holiness which, although it might be both admirable and commendable, is not essential to salvation, and depends not on the commands of the Lord, but on the spiritual inclinations of the individual. They believe that they can have their cake and eat it too… living as they want in this world, then scrape through the Pearly Gates by the skin of their teeth. Although they will possibly lose some blessing in their present lives and certainly rewards in the kingdom to come, they will at least be there for all eternity. They are as secure as the Spiritual Christian.
So the question has to be asked… Is there such a thing as a Carnal Christian or is this merely a ghastly contradiction in terms.
Back To Basics
It is absolutely amazing to me that this topic has to be dealt with at all, so clear are the Scriptures regarding the absolute ties between holiness and salvation. But the history of heresy shows that virtually all ‘other gospels’ have been based on Bible verses… twisted, manipulated and so wrenched from their context, that they can be made to prove almost anything the reader’s heart desires. And why worry about little details like the fact that all too often they flatly contradict other Biblical verses that are crystal clear. Somehow I doubt I would be very surprised if someone, some day, tried to use verses from Holy Writ to try and prove that there is no God. [See Context is Crucial]
The topic of the Carnal Christian is no different, ignoring as it does both Scripture and common sense, both of which happen to go hand in hand which, I admit, is probably a radical concept for many. Lets start with the very heart of the Gospel.. Salvation, or the fact of being saved, which is where the common sense bit really kicks in.
When we speak of being saved, we need to apply a little logic and recognize that being saved means being saved from something, and, according the Bible, it is not only hell that we are saved from. In Matthew 1:20-21 we are informed that the angel told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit, and that she would bear a Son; whom she was instructed to name Jesus…
"… for He will save His people from their sins."
So the angel said that Jesus would save His people from sin, but the Carnal Christian think he will be saved in sin. When push comes to shove, I think I will take the word of the angel any day. Besides which Isaiah 59:2 expressly states sin is the root cause of our separation from God..
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that he will not hear".
While Romans 6:23 very succinctly lays out the penalty of sin
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord".
Bottom line? Our sins, which have separated us from God, merit the death penalty. However Christ died on the cross to save us from these very sins. If we had never sinned we would not have any fear of being sent to hell and certainly would not have needed a redeemer.
Besides which, salvation involves more than simply affirming in one’s mind that Jesus is Lord and Savior. The modern day perversion of every aspect of the Gospel would lead us to believe a person is saved based solely on the fact that he has made a ‘decision’, walked an aisle, made a profession of faith, or asked Jesus to come into his heart. However Biblical salvation takes genuine repentance, which the Bible presents as being connected to salvation. While repentance is not something we do to earn salvation, without repentance there is no salvation, according to virtually everyone in the New Testament … John the Baptist, Jesus Himself and all the disciples… that is of course if their testimony counts for anything.
It is ludicrous to believe that an individual is saved from God’s judgment on his sins,
when that individual has no desire to turn from sin
No Contradictions in The New Testament
This concept of a Carnal Christian is completely unbiblical. The entire New Testament testifies against this theory, as shown in countless clear passages, a few examples of which have been given below, and which, apparently, are not being taken seriously.
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him….for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [Romans 5:9, 13-14]
"For sin shall not have dominion over you. Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves as servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? . . . Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:14, 16, 18).
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. [1 Corinthians 6: 9-11]
"Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." [Galatians. 5:24]
No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. [1 John 3: 6-9]
Over and over again, the Bible divides men into two groups… the saved and the lost, the believer and the unbeliever, the sheep and the goats, the children of darkness and the children of light, etc. It is black and white, without even a suggestion of people having all the characteristics of people in the first group, yet all the benefits and blessings of those in the second.
In other words… If your sinful nature has not been crucified by the grace of Christ, you are not a carnal Christian. You are no Christian and need to become one.
Note however, that none of this implies that Christians do not ever sin. As long as we are in our present bodies, sin will continue to be something we do daily battle with. As Galatians 5:17 describes it.. "the flesh lusteth against the Spirit". Every Christian is carnal in some area of his life and his growth in Holiness is far from a smooth and easy ride. There are hills and plateaus, obstacles to be overcome and mountains to be scaled. However, through it all, the one thing that Christians do not do is deliberately and habitually sin. The Spirit has become the governing force in the born again Christian. On the other hand the term Carnal Christian implies a habitual state of carnality.
So then what about the passage in Corinthians that so specifically talks about Carnal Christians.
The Misuse of I Corinthians 3
The church of Corinth is commonly cited as proof that even Carnal Christians are saved and on their way to heaven. The primary passages in question are..
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? [1 Corinthians 3:1-4]
The confusion arises because Paul calls the Corinthians carnal, yet still addresses them as saints and speaks to them of the resurrection and spiritual gifts, etc. However it has to be remembered that 1 Corinthians is not primarily a doctrinal epistle. Like all Scripture it contains doctrine, but it was not written, as was the book of Romans, to lay doctrinal foundations. In the words of Ernest C Reisinger,
“A passage of Scripture must never be used as a foundation for a doctrine unless that passage is specifically dealing with that doctrine. Most certainly a non-doctrinal passage cannot be used to contradict a passage where that specific doctrine is the subject of discussion. 1 Corinthians 3 is not a doctrinal passage and by no stretch of the imagination can it be thought of as providing the foundation of the doctrine of sanctification. Yet this is exactly what the Carnal Christian advocates do with these verses. Examine Romans 8, where security and sanctification are the subjects being dealt with, and see what happens to every person who is dominated by carnality…
Paul's immediate concern in writing this Epistle was to deal with practical problems in a young church. In the third chapter, and earlier, he is dealing with the danger of division arising out of a wrong esteem for those from whom they heard the gospel. They were looking at second causes and forgetting the God to whom alone all glory belongs. Instead of saying, 'We are Christ's disciples' and recognizing their union in him, they were forming parties and saying, 'We are Paul's for he founded the church in our city'; or 'Apollos is more eloquent than Paul and he edifies us more'; or, 'We are of Peter'. Thus opposing parties were set up.” [3]
He also says,
It is important to see that the whole context is dealing principally with this one problem of unwholesome division. However, it has a common root with all the other problems in 1 Corinthians — the defrauding of one by another, the disorder at the Lord's Table, and so on. …
In endeavoring to understand how Paul thinks of those he addresses in 1 Corinthians 3 we must bear in mind the designation he gives to them in chapter 1. He says they are 'sanctified in Christ Jesus', they are recipients of 'the grace of God', enriched by Christ 'in all utterance, and in all knowledge' (1:2-5). They are rebuked in chapter 3, not for failing to attain to privileges which some Christians attain to, but for acting, despite their privileges, like babes and like the unregenerate in one area of their lives.
This is very different from saying that the Apostle here recognizes the existence of a distinct group of Christians who can be called 'carnal'. When Paul comes to speak of classes, he knows only two, as is clear in chapter 2 of this same Epistle where he divides men into 'natural' and 'spiritual', and says,
'But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man' (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).
Under the term natural the Apostle includes all those persons who are not partakers of the Spirit of God. If the Spirit of God has not given to them a new and higher nature then they remain what they are by their natural birth, namely, natural men.
The spiritual may be but babes in grace and babes in knowledge. Their faith may be weak. Their love may be in its early bud, their spiritual senses may be but little exercised, their faults may be many; but if 'the root of the matter' is in them and if they have passed from death unto life — passed out of the region of nature into that which is beyond nature — Paul puts them in another class. They are all spiritual men although in some aspects of their behavior they may temporarily fail to appear as such.
Certainly these Christians at Corinth were imperfectly sanctified, as indeed are all Christians to a greater or lesser degree. But Paul is not saying that they were characterized by carnality in every area of their lives. He is not expounding a general doctrine of carnality but reproving a specific out-cropping of carnality in one certain respect. When Paul does state a foundational truth respecting the position of all Christians it is in such words as,
'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature', and for all who are 'in Christ' it is also true that, 'old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new' (2 Corinthians 5:17).
There is no place for two classes of Christians in Paul's letter to the church at Corinth, and indeed no place for it anywhere in the teaching of Scripture. To interpret 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 in such a way as to divide men into three classes is to violate a cardinal rule for the interpretation of Scripture, namely, that each single passage must be interpreted in the light of the whole. It was a wise saying of one of the church fathers, 'If you have one Scripture only on which to base an important doctrine or teaching you are most likely to find, on close examination, that you have none'." [4]
In short.. All Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 is that, in some areas of their lives, Christians can and do sometimes act like the unconverted.
Warning The Corinthians
It is worthwhile at this point to examine why Paul was chiding the church at Corinth and why he referred to them as carnal.
In the sixth chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul says,
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. "[1 Corinthians 6: 9-11]
There are two very significant points about the above verses, which if paid attention to, throw a great deal of light on the matter.
1) The sins listed are not merely examples of immaturity and/or carnality, but will exclude a person from the kingdom altogether if not repented of and forsaken! Note that Paul begins this passage on the unrighteous by saying "know ye not?" In essence he was saying that they should already should have had a firm grasp on this spiritual truth, and it was a sad indictment that they didn't. Sadly, many today still "don't get” that the fate of the unrighteous is that of exclusion from the kingdom of God.
2) However Paul did not use the present tense and say ‘such are some of you’. It is obvious that some of the Corinthians had been guilty of the sins mentioned, but had since become Christians… washed, sanctified, and justified.
So the carnality of the Corinthians had nothing to do with the above listed sins but, in the words of truthablaze.com
“… had everything to do with their selfish attitudes and partisan spirit … reflected in much of their actions. We read that they were being very selfish in their display of spiritual gifts-not concerned about the edification of other believers. We also read that they were selfish in their appropriation of the Lord's supper. They were going to court in legal matters against each other. They needed a good lesson in love and that's why the "love chapter" (as it is affectionately known) is sandwiched in-between directions for the operation of spiritual gifts. The carnality demonstrated at Corinth mostly dealt with their lack of love for others.”
However the warnings against their carnality are there so that the saints at Corinth don't eventually become the unrighteous. Backsliding is a process and James identifies the way that a person goes down the slippery slope:
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Notice that first it starts with temptation- then the temptation is meditated upon and gives birth to iniquity. James uses the terminology of "conception" (like getting pregnant with the sin). Then finally, the sin is "finished" or actually carried out by the body-thereby causing and bringing forth death. Paul, by the Holy Spirit, was warning the immature carnal Christians at Corinth that if they did not abandon their selfish/carnal ways, they could degenerate into that class of people called the unrighteous.
Lest anyone should think that being carnal is a place of safety- let me remind you of this verse in Romans.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [Romans 8:6]
May the Lord help us all to be spiritually minded and avoid the dangers of carnality! End Notes
[1] Scofield Reference Bible, pp. 1213, 1214.
[2] http://www.apuritansmind.com/ChristianWalk/MartinANCarnalChristian.htm
[3] The Carnal Christian Doctrine. John G. Reisinger. http://solochristo.com/theology/Salvation/reisinger-carnalchristian.htm
[4] The Carnal Christian. Ernest C Reisinger. http://www.peacemakers.net/unity/carnal.htm
Matthew 7:21-29, "21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
It's always exciting to see the Sovereignty of God in action during true evangelism activities. You don't need fake "sales techniques" to get "converts." Recently SermonAudio put a testimony of a French lady who came to the Lord out of Roman Catholicism through our videos on YouTube in their "Staff Picks" section. You can hear "Testimony: Camille Jolly" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=6414192554 (or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oXfZEP6hL4). Glory to God alone for this.
Larry Wessels, Director, Christian Answers of Austin, Texas / Christian Debater
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV
Home Church: Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, Texas http://www.dsf.org/, Reformed Baptist
Pastor: Greg Van Court at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Greg_Van_Court
2 Timothy 4:2-5
So what does 1 John 2:2 really mean, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world"? Does the word "world" in this verse mean every last man, woman & child who was ever born? For more on the word "world" see our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6duguuzfho. Let me start by affirming that scripture is explicit in saying that Jesus died: for God's people ("He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people" – Isaiah 53:8; "He shall save His people from their sins" – Matt. 1:21); for His sheep ("I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." – John 10:11 – note that Jesus categorically states that some are not His sheep – "but you do not believe because you are not My sheep." – John 10:26) for His friends ("Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you." – John 15:13-14; for the Church ("… the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." – Acts 20:28; "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her…" – Eph. 5:25, 26). Indeed, as God allows us to gain a glimpse into the future, Revelation 5:9 reveals the song of the throngs of heaven as they sing to the Lamb upon His throne, "And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Notice that it does not say that He ransomed everybody in every tribe, etc., but that He ransomed people for God from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. Yet at least at first glance, 1 John 2:2 seems to strongly deny this idea that Jesus' death was designed for a particular people. The verse states, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." I don't believe that scripture contradicts itself. That is in fact why we are told to study the word of God in order that we might rightly divide it (2 Tim. 2:15) rather than simply throw up our hands saying a particular verse contradicts others on the same subject. "All Scripture is God breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16) and because there is one Divine Author of Scripture who does not contradict Himself, I am convinced that hard work and careful study will eliminate apparent contradictions. There are basically twelve principles of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics, see our video "Roman Catholicism Series #11: Scripture Twisting – 20 Ways Religious Cults Misread the Bible" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT_5peLnQoA). We start by affirming that there is only one correct interpretation of scripture. Though there may be many applications of a verse, it only means what it was intended to mean when it was written. With this as a foundation, two more principles would apply here: 1. Consider the Author – who wrote the book? (what was his background, language, culture, vocation, concerns, education, circumstance, what stage of life?) 2. Consider the Audience (why was the book written? who was the audience? what would these words have meant to its original recipients?) My friend, Dr. James White (see our video, "WITHOUT "SOLA SCRIPTURA" (THE BIBLE ALONE), WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMnF6tgya0) once wrote, "Remember when you were in school and you had to take a test on a book you were assigned to read? You studied and invested time in learning the background of the author, the context in which he lived and wrote, his purposes in writing, his audience, and the specifics of the text. You did not simply come to class, pop open the book, read a few sentences, and say, "Well, I feel the author here means this." Yet, for some odd reason, this attitude is prevalent in Christian circles. Whether that feeling results in an interpretation that has anything at all to do with what the original author intended to convey is really not considered an important aspect. Everyone, seemingly, has the right to express their "feelings" about what they "think" the Bible is saying, as if those thoughts actually reflect what God inspired in His Word. While we would never let anyone get away with treating our writings like this, we seem to think God is not bothered, and what is worse, that our conclusions are somehow authoritative in their representation of His Word." With this in view, John writes of Jesus Christ being "the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only (Hebrews), but also for the whole world (the Gentiles)." A third principle I mentioned in the article relates to the concept of considering the author's context. This refers to looking at all of a person's writings – John's writings, Paul's writings, Luke's writings, etc. When we look elsewhere in John's writings we notice in his Gospel an exact parallel in John's use of words, which gives us a great deal of insight as to what he (John) was referring to. In John's Gospel, chapter 11, verses 51-52, John wrote these words, "he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad." When we see this in chart form, the parallel with 1 John 2:2 is easy understood: John 11:51-52 "he prophesied that" cf. 1 John 2:2 "And"; John 11:51-52 "Jesus" cf. 1 John 2:2 "He Himself"; John 11:51-52 "would die for" cf. 1 John 2:2 "is the propitiation for"; John 11:51-52 "the nation" cf. 1 John 2:2 "our sins"; John 11:51-52 "and not for the nation only" cf. 1 John 2:2 "and not for our sins only"; John 11:51-52 "but also" cf. 1 John 2:2 "but also"; John 11:51-52 "that he would gather together in one" cf. 1 John 2:2 "for"; John 11:51-52 "the children of God scattered abroad" cf. 1 John 2:2 "the whole world." Dr. Phil Johnson (who provided this helpful chart) writes, "There is little doubt that this is how John's initial audience would have understood this expression. "The whole world" means "people of all kinds, including Jews, Gentiles, Greeks, Romans, and whatnot" as opposed to "ours only" i.e., the Jewish nation. What the apostle John is saying in the John 11 passage is particularly significant: Christ died so that he might gather "the children of God" the elect, from the whole world." I believe therefore that rather than undermining the case for Christ's death for His elect sheep, 1 John 2:2 actually affirms it. When we understand the verse in its Johannine context (the writings of the Apostle John) then the correct interpretation becomes very clear. For a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God in the understanding of 1 John 2:2 & other Arminian proof texts please see my video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI&list=PLA932903698A56780. From there see our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 79 videos & counting at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. 2 Timothy 2:15
To see the entire 4 hour debate on whether Jesus died for everyone who ever lived on the earth or only for the "elect" who were chosen by God the Father before the world was created please see the following links: "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #1: IS JESUS' DEATH MAINLY A FAILURE?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOD-IwS3fW4&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=21, "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #2: LIMITED ATONEMENT-FOR ELECT/NONELECT?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCygb86ios4, "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #3: DID CHRIST KNOWINGLY DIE FOR JUDAS?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKxqvU0Gzc0 & "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #4: WHY DOES JESUS SPEAK IN PARABLES?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHCMHCqubg. For more information on the Arminian versus Calvinism issue see our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 81 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. Particularly notice the following three videos: "True Christians Cannot Lose Their Salvation But Fake & Deluded "Christians" Never Had It At All" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meUD2vCv3oo&index=2&list=PLA932903698A56780, "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=4 & "Biblical Election: Do Sin Loving Evil Doers Choose a Holy God or Does a Holy God Choose Sinners?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4Dqhguweg&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=5. Acts 13:48, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."
For more on the question "Can true Christians lose their salvation?" please go to the following links: "True Christians Cannot Lose Their Salvation But Fake & Deluded "Christians" Never Had It At All" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meUD2vCv3oo, "Losing Salvation Sermons on Sermon Audio" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currsection=sermonstopic&keyword=losing+salvation, "Can the Christian believer lose his salvation?" at https://carm.org/can-believer-lose-his-salvation, "ETERNAL SECURITY: Based in the Tri-Unity of God" at http://vintage.aomin.org/eternalsecurity.html, "DEBATE: 2 Cor. 13:14, Each Person (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) of the Trinity Actively Saves Sinners?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmf-BtnJJ3U&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=49 & "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI. We may live in a culture that believes everyone will be saved, that we are “justified by death” and all you need to do to go to heaven is die, but God’s Word certainly doesn’t give us the luxury of believing that. Any quick and honest reading of the New Testament shows that the Apostles were convinced that nobody can go to heaven unless they believe in Christ alone for their salvation (John 14:6; Rom. 10:9–10).
Historically, evangelical Christians have largely agreed on this point. Where they have differed has been on the matter of the security of salvation. People who would otherwise agree that only those who trust in Jesus will be saved have disagreed on whether anyone who truly believes in Christ can lose his salvation.
Theologically speaking, what we are talking about here is the concept of apostasy. This term comes from a Greek word that means “to stand away from.” When we talk about those who have become apostate or have committed apostasy, we’re talking about those who have fallen from the faith or at least from the profession of faith in Christ that they once made.
Many believers have held that yes, true Christians can lose their salvation because there are several New Testament texts that seem to indicate that this can happen. I’m thinking, for example, of Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:18–20:
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Here, in the midst of instructions and admonitions related to Timothy’s life and ministry, Paul warns Timothy to keep the faith and to keep a good conscience, and to be reminded of those who didn’t. The Apostle refers to those who made “shipwreck of their faith,” men whom he “handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” This second point is a reference to Paul’s excommunication of these men, and the whole passage combines a sober warning with concrete examples of those who fell away grievously from their Christian profession.
There is no question that professing believers can fall and fall radically. We think of men like Peter, for example, who denied Christ. But the fact that he was restored shows that not every professing believer who falls has fallen past the point of no return. At this point, we should distinguish a serious and radical fall from a total and final fall. Reformed theologians have noted that the Bible is full of examples of true believers who fall into gross sin and even protracted periods of impenitence. So, Christians do fall and they fall radically. What could be more serious than Peter’s public denial of Jesus Christ?
But the question is, are these people who are guilty of a real fall irretrievably fallen and eternally lost, or is this fall a temporary condition that will, in the final analysis, be remedied by their restoration? In the case of a person such as Peter, we see that his fall was remedied by his repentance. However, what about those who fall away finally? Were they ever truly believers in the first place?
Our answer to this question has to be no. First John 2:19 speaks of the false teachers who went out from the church as never having truly been part of the church. John describes the apostasy of people who had made a profession of faith but who never really were converted. Moreover, we know that God glorifies all whom He justifies (Rom. 8:29–30). If a person has true saving faith and is justified, God will preserve that person.
In the meantime, however, if the person who has fallen is still alive, how do we know if he is a full apostate? One thing none of us can do is read the heart of other people. When I see a person who has made a profession of faith and later repudiates it, I don’t know whether he is a truly regenerate person who’s in the midst of a serious, radical fall but who will at some point in the future certainly be restored; or whether he is a person who was never really converted, whose profession of faith was false from the start.
This question of whether a person can lose his salvation is not an abstract question. It touches us at the very core of our Christian lives, not only with regard to our concerns for our own perseverance, but also with regard to our concern for our family and friends, particularly those who seemed, for all outward appearances, to have made a genuine profession of faith. We thought their profession was credible, we embraced them as brothers or sisters, only to find out that they repudiated that faith.
What do you do, practically, in a situation like that? First, you pray, and then, you wait. We don’t know the final outcome of the situation, and I’m sure there are going to be surprises when we get to heaven. We’re going to be surprised to see people there who we didn’t think would be, and we’re going to be surprised that we don’t see people there who we were sure would be there, because we simply don’t know the internal status of a human heart or of a human soul. Only God can see that soul, change that soul, and preserve that soul.
Does Revelation 22:18-19 prove you can lose your salvation? As we approach this subject, it is important to read the Scripture rather than our present ideas and theology into the Word. What does the text say? It says:Rev. 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:Rev. 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Rev. 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.Rev. 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Notice that the text does not indicate that the person’s name is erased from the Book of life. It simply says, God will take the person’s part out of the book of life. We must be careful here not to misinterpret the text. In the study of Scripture, an important rule for biblical interpretation exists in hermeneutics. It implies that we should always interpret the obscure passages in light of the more clear passages of Holy Scripture. A good student of the Word of God understands that the Bible does not contradict itself, therefore, the unclear passages (very few exist) must be interpreted in light of the more clear passages.In this text, we have a controversial subject. Is it possible to lose your salvation? Some denominations insist that it is possible to fall from grace. However, their arguments are usually built upon small unclear passages rather than the entire testimony of the Bible. Here we have a warning about adding and subtracting from the Word of God. Some have argued that this one passage indicates that a person can have their name in the Lamb’s book of life and then erased out when they seek to harm the inspired text. In order to cover this subject, it is important that we view this possibility in light of Holy Scripture. Ephesians 1:4-5 – According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, If God did what Ephesians 1:4-5 claims – why would He later erase their name from the book of life and take away their inheritance from the Holy City? Does it make sense at all? Ephesians 1:11 – In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Notice what this text says. It says we have obtained. The point Paul is making is very clear. Those to whom God has elected before the foundation of the world, have already obtained an inheritance in Christ Jesus. The inheritance will not be possessed until later – but the point is clear – what Christ accomplished on the cross for those to whom the Father elected – it is waiting on them in eternity!The verb used here – we have obtained an inheritance – is in the aorist passive indicative form. The Greeks would often use this form to indicate something of the future that would occur with the certainty that it had already occurred. That is a wonderful way for God to inspire this text! What does that indicate about our salvation? What does that indicate about our inheritance? What does that indicate about our security? Does this inheritance of verse eleven speak of eternal inheritance? How do we know? We can be sure due to the context of the text. Context is always key! If we read further in the passage we see verses 12-14 unpack the details about our inheritance. It is described as sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. How much more secure could our salvation become? Conclusion – As we go back to the passage in Revelation we must understand that the warning here does not include the true Christian. How could a person who has been elected by God before time, sealed by the Spirit of God, purchased by the Son of God ever fall from grace or lose his or her salvation? A Christian will never seek to harm the Holy Scripture by addition or subtraction. The people that have been guilty of this throughout history and even in our present day are heretics who have professed the name of Christ but they have denied Him with their actions, speech, and sinful practices. Therefore, the people who add to and subtract from the prophecy prove themselves to be heretics or apostates – they have not persevered until the end – thereby proving they are not genuine Christians.God has always preserved His Word. This warning serves as a testimony of God’s preservation of His Word rather than a passage about losing one’s salvation. The implications are clear – those who would do such a thing are not the children of God – they are enemies that will never take part in the marvelous blessings revealed and recorded in Holy Writ.
The Biblical doctrine of the eternal security for the Christian believer is not an endorsement of the heresy of antinomianism, see our videos "Apostate Grace Evangelical Society (GES) Teaches Phony Grace & the Easy Believism of Another Gospel" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMMvdPtyYvM&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=77 & "Christ Has Fulfilled & Replaced the Law of Moses With Higher Laws of the New Covenant,Hebrews 8:6-13" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkZ2Cn8TLzE&list=PL5316CC6F66F24283&index=21. 2 Timothy 2:15
This is in response to someone's comment on our video about John 3:16. See our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6duguuzfho&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=47. Your understanding of that verse is out of line with the context of the rest of the Bible. See our video "The God of the Bible Does Not Love Everybody But Actually Hates Many Instead (Romans 9:22)" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zHEJCHgQVg&index=74&list=PLA932903698A56780. Sometimes we hear that God hates the sin but loves the sinner. This is not true. A. H. Strong (“Systematic Theology,” p. 290) observes that God both hates and loves the sinner at the same time: “hates him as he is a living and wilful antagonist of truth and holiness, loves him as he is a creature capable of good and ruined by his transgression.” In other words, God hates the sin, and he also hates the sinner. “You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit” (Ps. 5:5-6). This and many other passages show that God’s hatred is directed against the PERSON who sins and not just the sin itself. Sometimes just a general category is mentioned. “Everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God,” says Deuteronomy 25:16. “The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates” (Ps. 11:5). The seven things that God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19 include “a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” He also hates “the perverse in heart” (Prov. 11:20), “everyone who is proud in heart” (Prov. 16:5), and whoever justifies the wicked or condemns the righteous (Prov. 17:15). Other passages describe God’s hatred for specific persons. Leviticus 20:23 speaks of God as abhorring or loathing the Canaanites. Sometimes his hatred is directed against Israel. When the Lord saw their idolatry, “He was filled with wrath, and greatly abhorred Israel” (Ps. 78:59). “I have come to hate her,” he says (Jer. 12:8; cf. Hosea 9:15). He also hated Esau (Edom), says Malachi 1:3 (cf. Rom. 9:13). We must not take these passages lightly. To be hated by the holy God is a terrible, terrifying thing. The Old Testament word translated “to hate” expresses “an emotional attitude toward persons and things which are opposed, detested, despised and with which one wishes to have no contact or relationship. It is therefore the opposite of love. Whereas love draws and unites, hate separates and keeps distant. The hated and hating persons are considered foes or enemies and are considered odious, utterly unappealing” (G. Van Gronigen, “Theological Wordbook of the OT,” Moody 1980, II:880). Could anything be more terrifying than to hear God say, “I hate you”? Keep in mind what Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." In this life God shows a general "love" to all men as Matthew 5:45 indicates but the personal, individual love of God is reserved only for His elect (Amos 3:2, Romans 8:27-39, Acts 13:48, 1 Peter 1:2, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."). Hear how Jonathan Edwards describes this in his sermon "Those Whom God Hates He Is Often Pleased To Give Plenty Of Earthly Things To, Edwards" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=427121150346. See our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 81 videos & counting at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780 which may help you understand what the Bible actually teaches on this issue. Amos 3:2, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." Deuteronomy 7:6-10, " For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8 But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face."
A question has been asked, "Can you please reconcile these verses? If the Lord did not elect these folks whom He is taking vengeance on, how could they do anything but not believe or disobey? Thanks. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." To begin with the apostle Paul already answered a question very similar to this in the Word of God therefore his answer takes top priority. See how he answers it in Romans 9:18-23, " Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory." Verse 19, "Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?" is basically asking the same question you are asking. Paul's direct answer to that question follows, "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory." Here's how Biblical scholar John Gill analyzes these verses: "Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will These are the express words of the former testimony: it follows, and whom he will he hardeneth; which is the just and natural consequence of what is contained in the latter; for if God could, or he did, without any injustice, raise up Pharaoh, and harden his heart against him and his people, that he might rise up against him and destroy him by his power for his own glory, then he may harden any other person, and even whom he will: now this hardening of men's hearts may be understood in perfect agreement with the justice and holiness of God: men first harden their own hearts by sinning, as Pharaoh did; what God does, is by leaving them to the hardness of their hearts, denying them that grace which only can soften them, and which he is not obliged to give, and therefore does them no injustice in withholding it from them; by sending them both mercies and judgments, which through the corruption of their hearts, are the means of the greater hardening of them; so judgments in the case of Pharaoh, and mercies in the case of others; see ( Isaiah 6:10 ) ( Romans 11:8-10 ) ; by delivering them up into the hands of Satan, and to their own lusts, which they themselves approve of; and by giving them up to a judicial blindness and hardness of heart, as a just punishment for their impieties. Romans 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me That is, thou wilt object to me; for this is another objection of the adversary, against the doctrine the apostle was advancing: and it is an objection of a mere natural man, of one given up to a reprobate mind, of an insolent hardened sinner; it discovers the enmity of the carnal mind to God; if is one of the high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of him; it is with a witness a stretching out of the hand against God, and strengthening a man's self against the Almighty; it is a running upon him, even upon the thick bosses of his bucklers; it carries in it the marks of ill nature, surliness, and rudeness, to the last degree: why doth he yet find fault? The objector does not think fit to name the name of "God", or "the Lord", but calls him "he"; and a considerable emphasis lies upon the word "yet": what as if he should say, is he not content with the injustice he has already exercised, in passing by some, when he chose others; in leaving them to themselves, and hardening their hearts against him, and to go on in their own ways, which must unavoidably end in destruction; but after all this, is angry with them, finds fault with them, blames, accuses, and condemns them, for that which they cannot help; nay, for that which he himself wills? this is downright cruelty and tyranny. The objector seems to have a particular regard to the case of Pharaoh, the apostle had instanced in, when after God had declared that he had raised him up for this very purpose, to make known his power, and show forth his glory in all the world, still finds fault with him and says, "as yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?" ( Exodus 9:17 ) ; and yet he himself had hardened his heart, and continued to harden his heart, that he might not let them go as yet; and when he had let them go, hardened his heart again to pursue after them, when he drowned him and his host in the Red sea; all which in this objection, is represented as unparalleled cruelty and unmercifulness; though it is not restrained to this particular case, but is designed to be applied to all other hardened persons; and to expose the unreasonableness of the divine proceedings, in hardening men at his pleasure; and then blaming them for acting as hardened ones, when he himself has made them so, and wills they should act in this manner: for who hath resisted his will? This is said in support of the former, and means not God's will of command, which is always resisted more or less, by wicked men and devils; but his will of purpose, his counsels and decrees, which stand firm and sure, and can never be resisted, so as to be frustrated and made void. This the objector takes up, and improves against God; that since he hardens whom he will, and there is no resisting his will, the fault then can never lie in them who are hardened, and who act as such, but in God; and therefore it must be unreasonable in him to be angry with, blame, accuse, and condemn persons for being and doing that, which he himself wills them to be and do. Let the disputers of this world, the reasoners of the present age, come and see their own faces, and read the whole strength of their objections, in this wicked man's; and from whence we may be assured, that since the objections are the same, the doctrine must be the same that is objected to: and this we gain however by it, that the doctrines of particular and personal election and reprobation, were the doctrines of the apostle; since against no other, with any face, or under any pretence, could such an objection be formed: next follows the apostle's answer. Romans 9:20 Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? &c.] Or "answerest again to God": some have been so weak and wicked as to suggest, that the apostle met with an objection he could not answer, or give a fair solution of, and therefore takes the method he does: but when the several things returned in answer by the apostle are considered, it will appear that he has taken the wisest method to silence such an audacious objector, and that he abundantly clears God from the charge of cruelty and unmercifulness. And he answers "first", by putting the insolent creature in mind of what he was; "nay, but O man, who art thou?" &c. Thou art man, and not God; a creature, and not the Creator; and must not expect that he, thy Creator, will give an account of his matters to thee, or a reason why he does, this or the other thing. Thou art but a man, who in his best estate was vanity, being mutable; thou art a fallen sinful creature, and obnoxious to the wrath and displeasure of God for thy sins, and darest thou to open thy mouth against him? thou art a poor, foolish, and ignorant man, born like a wild ass's colt, without understanding, and wilt thou take upon thee to confront, direct, or counsel the Most High, or tell him what is fitting to be done, or not done? "next" the apostle answers, by pointing out his folly and madness, in replying to God. To speak to God in behalf of a man's self at the throne of grace, in the most submissive manner, for any mercy or favour wanted, is an high privilege, and it is a wonderful condescension in God to admit of; and when a man, a good man takes upon him to plead with God on the behalf of others, of a wicked people, a sinful nation, he ought to set before him the example and conduct of Abraham, who in a like case acknowledged himself to be but dust and ashes, and more than once entreated, that the Lord would not be angry at his importunity; but for a man to answer again to God, which a servant ought not to do to his master, to litigate a point with God, to dispute a matter with him, is the highest instance of arrogance and impudence: "woe unto him that striveth with his Maker, let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth", ( Isaiah 45:9 ) : with their equals, with men like themselves, but let no man dare to "contend with God"; if he should, "he cannot answer him one of a thousand", ( Job 9:3 ) ; for "he is wise in heart", in forming all his counsels, purposes, and decrees; "and mighty in strength", to execute them; "who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered?" ( Job 9:4 ) . Another way the apostle takes in answering the objection is, by showing the absurdity of a creature's wrangling with God about his make, and the circumstances in which he is made: shall the thing formed, say unto him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? reference is had to ( Isaiah 45:9 Isaiah 45:10 ) ; Now as it would be a most absurd thing for the clay, was it capable of speaking, to say to the fashioner of it, why dost thou put me into such or such a shape and form? or for any piece of workmanship to say to the maker of it, he has no hands, no head, no judgment and skill; or for a child to say to its parents, what begettest thou, or what hast thou brought forth? so absurd and unreasonable is it, for any to say to God, why hast thou appointed me to such and such ends and purposes, and has brought me into being in such a manner, and under such circumstances? There is a story in the Talmud F14, which may be pertinently produced here; “it happened to R. Eleazar ben Simeon, of Migdal Gedur, that he went from his master's house, and he was riding on an ass, and travelling by the sea side, and as he rejoiced exceedingly, and his heart was lifted up because he had learnt much of the law, there was joined to him a certain man that was very much deformed, and says to him, peace be upon thee Rabbi; but he did not return the salutation to him, but says to him "Raca", how deformed is that man! perhaps all thy townsmen are as deformed as thee; he replied to him, I do not know, but go and say, (ynavev) (Nmwal) , "to the workman that made me", how ugly is this vessel thou hast made, when he knew in himself that he has sinned; upon this the Rabbi dismounted his ass, and fell down before him, and said unto him, I entreat of thee forgive me; he said unto him, I cannot forgive thee, till thou goest "to the workman that made me", and say, how ugly is this vessel which thou hast made.'' FOOTNOTES: F14 T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 20. 2. Massechet Derech Eretz, c. 4. fol. 18. 1. Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay By the power the potter has over the clay, to shape it in what form he pleases, and out of it to make what vessels he pleases, and for what purposes he thinks fit, which will be most to his own advantage, the apostle expresses the sovereign and unlimited power which God has over his creatures; the passages referred to, are ( Isaiah 64:8 ) ( Jeremiah 18:1-6 ) , in which God is represented as the potter, and men as clay in his hands; now if the potter has such power over the clay which he did not make, only has made a purchase of, or has it in his possession, much more has God a power, who has created the clay, to appoint out of it persons to different uses and purposes, for his own glory, as he sees fit; even of the same lump, to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour. The apostle seems to design hereby, to point out to us the object of predestination to be man, as yet not made, but as lying in the mere mass of creatureship, signified by the unformed clay, before put into any shape; and is an allusion to the first creation of man, out of the clay, or dust of the earth, ( Genesis 2:7 ) ; for such a consideration of man best agrees with the clay, lump, or mass, not yet formed, than as already made, and much less as fallen and corrupted: for if men, in predestination, were considered in the corrupt mass, or as fallen creatures, they could not be so well said to be made out of it, both to honour and dishonour; but rather since they were all dishonourable, that some were left in that dishonour, and others removed from it unto honour: besides, if this is not the case, God must create man without an end, which is contrary to the principle of reason and wisdom; the end is the cause, for which a thing is what it is; and it is a known rule, that what is first in intention, is last in execution, and "vice versa": the end is first fixed, and then the means; for God to create man, and then to fix the end of his creation, is to do what no wise potter would do, first make his pots, and then think of the end of making them, and the use they are to be put unto. To make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour, is for God to appoint creatures, which are to be made out of the same mass and lump, for his own glory; which end, his own glory, he determines to bring about by different means, as these following: with respect to the vessels of honour, whom he appoints for his glory, he determines to create them; to suffer them to fall into sin, whereby they become polluted and guilty; to raise and recover them, by the obedience, sufferings, and death of his Son; to regenerate, renew, and sanctify them, by his Spirit and grace, and to bring them to eternal happiness; and hereby compass the aforesaid end, his own glory, the glorifying of his grace and mercy, in a way consistent with justice and holiness: with respect to the vessels of dishonour, whom he also appoints for the glorifying of himself, he determines to create them out of the same lump; to suffer them to fall into sin; to leave them in their sins, in the pollution and guilt of them, and to condemn them for them; and hereby gain his ultimate end, his own glory, glorifying the perfections of his power, justice, and holiness, without the least blemish to his goodness and mercy: now if a potter has power, for his own advantage and secular interest, to make out of the same clay what vessels he pleases; much more has God a power, out of the same mass and lump of creatureship, to appoint creatures he determines to make to his own glory; which he brings about by different methods, consistent with the perfections of his nature. Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath The apostle proceeds to clear God from any charge of cruelty and unmercifulness, by observing his conduct in time, both towards those he passes by, and towards those he chooses; for in this and the following verse, nothing is said relating to any act of God before time, everything of that kind being considered already. In this verse, the apostle considers the conduct of God towards the vessels of dishonour; and let it be observed, that these are called vessels of wrath fitted for destruction; they are said to be vessels, and so no longer considered in the clay, in the mass and heap of creatureship, but as creatures formed and made, and brought into being; and so to be used as instruments in God's hands, to subserve his ends and purposes, and therefore called "vessels"; and not only so, but "vessels of wrath", fallen sinful creatures, and so deserving of the wrath of God, and objects of his vindictive justice, in whom he may righteously display his wrath and vengeance: hence they may be so called, being as vessels filled with his wrath; as such who are the instruments and executioners of his wrath are called, in ( Isaiah 13:5 ) , (wmez ylk) , "vessels of his wrath"; and in ( Jeremiah 50:25 ) ; where the Septuagint use the same phrase as here: and they are moreover said to be "fitted for destruction", as Haman is said to be by the Jews F15; whom they affirm to be the same with Memucan, and ask why is his name called Memucan? and answer, (twnerwpl Nkwmv) , "because he was fitted for punishment": so these are said to be "fitted for destruction", that is, eternal damnation; not by God, for this does not respect God's act of ordination to punishment; but by Satan, the god of this world, that blinds them, who works effectually in them, and leads them captive at his will; and by themselves, by their own wickedness, hardness of heart, and impenitence, do they treasure up to themselves wrath, against the day of wrath, so that their destruction is of themselves: a phrase somewhat like this is used in ( Psalms 31:12 ) , where the Psalmist, under some dismal apprehensions of himself, says, that he was like (dba ylk) , "a perishing vessel", or "a vessel of perdition"; the Septuagint render it, (skeuov apolwlov) , "a lost vessel". Now what is the method of the divine conduct towards such persons? he endures [them] with much longsuffering; as he did the old world, before he destroyed it; and as he did Pharaoh, before he cut him off: God not only supports such persons in their beings, amidst all their impieties and iniquities, but follows and fills them with his providential goodness, insomuch that many of them have more than heart can wish; nay, to many he affords the outward means of grace, which they slight and despise; externally calls them, but they refuse, loving darkness rather than light, and therefore are inexcusable: now if after all this patience, indulgence, and forbearance, when he could in justice have sent them to hell long ago, he is "willing to show his wrath"; his displicency at sin and sinners, his vindictive justice, his righteous vengeance: and to make his power known; what it is he can do, by the utter destruction and damnation of such persons; what man in his senses can ever find fault with such a procedure, or charge it with tyranny, cruelty, and unmercifulness? Romans 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory That is, his glorious riches, the perfections of his nature, his love, grace, and mercy, his wisdom, power, faithfulness, justice, and holiness; all which are most evidently displayed in the salvation of his people, here called vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared unto glory. They are said to be vessels, and so considered as creatures, made and brought into being; "vessels of mercy", and so fallen creatures, and by sin become miserable, for only such are objects of mercy: they are not called so, because deserving of mercy more than others, they are in no wise better than others, and are by nature children of wrath, even as others; but because God of his infinite goodness fills them with his mercy, displays it in them, in the redemption of them by his Son, in the regeneration of them by his Spirit, and in their eternal salvation: and these are by him "afore prepared unto glory"; to everlasting happiness, which he has chosen them to before time, and calls them to in time; to this glory he does not take them, until he has prepared them for it; which act of preparation does not regard the eternal predestination of them to eternal life, but an act of his grace towards them in time; and which lies in putting upon them the righteousness of his Son, and in putting his grace in them; or in other words, in justifying them by the imputation and application of the righteousness of his Son unto them, and by the regeneration, renovation, and sanctification of their hearts, by his Spirit. Now what if God willing to make known his glorious perfections, by displaying his mercy to such sinners, and by preparing them for heaven in a way consistent with his holiness and justice, what can any man that has the exercise of his reason object to this? The whole of his conduct is free from blame and censure; the vessels of wrath he shows his wrath upon, are such as fit themselves for destruction, and whom he endures with much longsuffering and patience, and therefore he cannot be chargeable with cruelty; the vessels of mercy he brings to glory, none of them are taken thither, until they are prepared for it, in a way of righteousness and holiness, and therefore he cannot be charged with acting contrary to the perfections of his nature. FOOTNOTES: F15 T. Bab. Megilia, fol. 12. 2. Since there is no better answer to the question than that was given by the apostle Paul then we must rest in it. For further study along the lines of the free will of man, the sovereignty of God & human responsibility please see my videos "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI & "God's Foreordaination & Sovereignty Over the Actions of Men But Humans Are Still Held Responsible" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ-ZCgZBi1s&index=71&list=PLA932903698A56780" along with our video "Biblical Election: Do Sin Loving Evil Doers Choose a Holy God or Does a Holy God Choose Sinners?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4Dqhguweg&index=5&list=PLA932903698A56780. Additional helpful resources are: "THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD, Chapter 8, GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY – "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" – Romans 14:12" at http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Sovereignty/sov_08.htm, "How can God be sovereign and man still be free?" at http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/sovereignfree.html, "The Sovereignty of God" by A. W. Pink at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesOnly=true&currSection=sermonstopic&sourceid=swrb&keyword=Calvinism+and+Predestination&keyworddesc=Calvinism+and+Predestination, "The Sovereignty of God" by Dr. James White (question & answer session) at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=630091023484. See also our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 81 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. A helpful website is http://reformationtheology.com/. 2 Timothy 2:15
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” —Luke 13:23-24 Do you understand the question in the above Scripture? “Lord, are there few that be saved?” Someone came to Jesus and wanted to know if “few” people were saved. It's interesting that the person didn't ask if “many” people were saved. Evidently the person had been listening to Jesus' preaching and became convinced that few people were really saved. When the Bible speaks of being “saved,” it means saved from God's wrath upon Christ-rejecting sinners in Hell (for more on hell see our playlist "Dealing with Hell, Lake of Fire, Unpopular Bible Doctrines" with 30 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE04A1D0DFE95B95E & "Eternal Punishment, Part 1" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607145320 & "Eternal Punishment, Part 2" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607143539). Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” All Christ-rejecters go to Hell if they die in their sins. If a person is “saved,” then they are going to Heaven when they die. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We are saved from the eternal consequences of sin, which is punishment in hellfire. To be saved is synonymous with being “born again.” When a person becomes a born-again child of God, they are saved eternally. EVERY human being MUST to be saved (i.e., born again) to enter into Heaven. John 3:3, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” If a person dies in their sins without believing on Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God, they will burn in Hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15).Just as the disciple who asked Jesus the question in Luke 13:23, I myself often wonder how few are truly born again believers. I dare say not many. Let's consider the question again…“Lord, are there few that be saved?” There are over one billion Catholics in the world who errantly believe that the Catholic Church is going to save them. Roman Catholics do not trust Jesus Christ alone; but rather, rely upon manmade traditions and self-righteous works to save them. According to the Word of God, genuine Catholics are hellbound in their sins because they are trusting in self-righteousness (Romans 3:20; 10:3-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5, see our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 129 videos & counting at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715). There are over one billion Islamic Muslims in the world who deny that Jesus Christ ever died upon a cross for our sins (see our playlist "Dealing with Islam, Muslims: Sunni, Shi'ite, Alawites, Sufis" with 67 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1C7F68B548009FDD). According to the Bible, they are antichrists and liars on their way to Hell (1st John 2:22-23). There are over 183,000 cults in Japan alone that deny Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the world. Other false religions include Scientology, Hinduism, Wicca, Buddhism, Seventh Day Adventism, Zoroastrianism, Greek Orthodox, Judaism, Jehovah Witness, Mormonism, Freemasonry, and many more (see our YouTube channel CAnswersTV at https://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV with over 615 videos covering most of these anti Christian religions in detail). Why do I call them “false religions”? It's simply because they all corrupt the Biblical teaching of salvation, i.e., the gospel (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Trinitarians (UPC) & Early Church History" with 48 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9931642C7C8FFEAB). Most false religions ADD works to faith. Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses DENY the deity of Jesus Christ (i.e., that He is Almighty God) – see our playlists "Dealing with Mormonism, the Religion of Mitt Romney & Utah" with 20 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL11CD0EE613306BB5 & "Dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Society" with 22 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCF0ADB29C0EB8C40. Seventh Day Adventists falsely and deceitfully redefine faith to mean works (see our playlist, "Dealing with Seventh-day Adventism & Their "Prophetess" with 23 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5316CC6F66F24283). There are hundreds of millions of followers of Hinduism who deny Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God (see our playlist "Dealing with Anti Christ Cults, "New Age" & World Religions" with 42 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69A3047B3497590A). Judaism denies that Jesus is the Messiah. The same Pharisaical Jews who crucified Jesus 2,000 years ago are crucifying Him today. The Campbellite Church of Christ deceitfully speaks of faith in Christ, but also requires water baptism and living the Christian life to be saved. That is works salvation, which is a lie of the Devil (Romans 3:20; Romans 4:5-6, see our playlist "Dealing with "Saved by Works & Baptism", "Church of Christ" with 72 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBD55090718DA6D3D). Every Catholic claims not to worship Mary, but the second commandment (Exodus 20:3-5) forbids even bowing to Mary (which every Catholic does, for more on the Roman Catholic installation of the worship of saints, images, & polytheism in church history hear "Perseverance of the Saints & the Worship of Saints (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #17)" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=14101149112 & "The Worship of Images & Civil Authorities (Historical Theology Vol. 1, #18)" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=15101057200). There are hundreds of millions of so-called Charismatic & Pentecostal "Christians" who trade the Word of God for their own wild emotional experiences & replace the Biblical gospel for a gospel of "heath & wealth" despite 1 Timothy 6:10 saying, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" – see our two video series on this: "Blasphemous Charismatic & Pentecostal Mayhem #1: Mad Delusional Experiences Replace Scripture Alone" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbv7YsyMf0I begins one series while "AGONY OF THE PHONY WORD-FAITH TV PREACHERS #1: MIND SCIENCE ORIGINS OF KENNETH HAGIN & HIS DISCIPLES" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwQ5BLrYD_U&list=PL2CDA855486B09128&index=4 begins another series. Even secular humanism, atheism & agnosticism can be considered faith based religions due to the fact that atheists & humanists have a faith that God does not exist while agnostics are willingly ignorant concerning God (see our playlist "Dealing with "God Hating" Atheists, Agnostics, Know-It-Alls" with 20 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL640E505B96CD6B39). Many animistic religions exist throughout the world as well which are described in Romans 1:18-32, see our video "FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR CHRIST: PREACHING TO CANNIBALS, WITCH DOCTORS & TRIBAL NATIVES" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACnDLyXa9H0. All of the religions I have just mentioned account for well over seven eighths of the earth's population or more. Keep in mind, besides all of this, Jesus said, "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24). Who are considered "rich people"? It's not just millionaires & world leaders but many lesser wealthy persons who exceed the vast majority of mankind in money & possessions (Luke16:19-31 is a good example of this in the parable of the rich man & Lazarus). See the video "It is Difficult for Americans to Enter Heaven – Tim Conway" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDwNGXciNCQ. Statistics provided in this video show that even the poorest Americans living in the United States have a better net income than most of the world. For instance, according to Forbes magazine, June 1, 2013, the bottom 5% of United States citizens are richer than 68% of people living throughout the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $50,000 a year are richer than 99.69% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $20,000 a year are richer than 96% of the people in the rest of the world, U.S. citizens who make $10,000 a year are richer than 84% of the people in the rest of the world; U.S. citizens who make $100,000 a year are in a category that only 8 out of every 10,000 people achieve in the entire world. Will it be difficult for rich Americans who don't think they're rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Jesus already gave the answer. For more on this hear "Those Whom God Hates He Is Often Pleased To Give Plenty Of Earthly Things To, Edwards" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=427121150346 by the well known theologian Jonathan Edwards who also preached the most famous sermon on North American soil called, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=770213541. If you don't like what I am telling you then get mad at God because He wrote the Bible. If you take the Bible at FACE VALUE, you can only interpret it one way. The best way to interpret the Bible is with the Bible. God said what He meant and meant what He said. Let the Bible speak for itself. Jesus answered the question in Luke 13:24 with the following words…“…for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Most of the people in this world are going straight to Hell when they die because they have not been born again (hear "Few Saved From A Burning Hell" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3514145121). Lies and deception are everywhere! Catholics and Jehovah Witnesses claim to be born-again but they are NOT. You can't get born-again by doing good works, confessing your sins to a priest, getting water baptized, joining a church or keeping the Sabbath Day. Salvation is NOT found in any religion; but rather, in a Person—The Lord Jesus Christ! Most people today have churchianity without Christianity, and they are all going to Hell if they don't repent toward God of their unbelief (for more on this see our video "TRUE BELIEVERS & NON BELIEVERS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL OF THE REFORMATION: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_dN0oC57Rk). The vast majority of so-called "Evangelical Christians" in the world today do not know what the Biblical gospel is or what "justification by faith alone" is (see our video "SAD STATE OF THE CHURCH: 87% OF EVANGELICAL "CHRISTIANS" DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION IS" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im4ozy_EiR4. There are only two types of religions in the world: DO and DONE. Either you believe that you have to DO something to go to Heaven; or else you believe that it is DONE, paid for by Jesus' precious blood. Jesus said in Luke 13:24 that “many” will seek to enter into Heaven but will not be able. That is quite startling. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 7:21-23 . . . “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The reason why these religious people were not allowed into Heaven was because they attempted to enter Heaven through their own self-righteousness. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus spake concerning the religious leaders of His time . . . “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Most of the religious churchgoers in the world today are as lost as can be, still hellbound in their wickedness. They have not done the will of God concerning salvation, which is to BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (John 6:40; Acts 16:30-31). Jesus provides two contrasts in Luke 13:24, the contrast between seeking to enter and striving to enter and the contrast between seeking to enter through the narrow door and seeking to enter by any other means. Let’s now focus on the second contrast. Look at verses 25-27:"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; 27 and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.' (Luke 13:25 NAU) Jesus’ statement at the end of 25 and the middle of 27 is translated well in the NIV: “I don't know you or where you come from.” In effect, He is saying, “I don’t know you at all! You may think that you are mine, but I have nothing to do with you – I don’t even know your family, your village” So what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? What is His intended contrast with other methods of entering? Again, let’s begin by considering what the narrow door is not: The narrow door is NOT being in a church, reading the Bible, listening to sermons, looking to others like a Christian. This is clear from verse 26: these evildoers looked just like believers who had been with Jesus. They had listened to His preaching. But He does not know them, and they stand condemned.The narrow door is NOT being prominent in this life. Jesus says in verse 30 that some who are presently first will be last. Prominence now is no guarantee of one’s entering through the narrow door.The narrow door is NOT being a descendant of a great believer. See verse 28. Remember, Jesus is speaking to descendants of Abraham and Jacob. I sometimes like to use the expression, “God has no grandchildren.” Each of us must come to Jesus on our own, not through our parents, our grandparents, or other ancestors. Then what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? Elsewhere, Jesus says He Himself is the door: I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9) In what sense is this door narrow? In two ways. First, the door is narrow in the sense that no one comes to the Father any other way (John 14:6). No religious activities – Christian or non-Christian – bring us into the Kingdom. Sincere beliefs do not bring us in. Good works do not bring us in. Good feelings about our relationship with Christ do not bring us in. Though in our pluralistic society this message is despised, we must preach, teach, and live out this truth: There is only one door, and that narrow door is Jesus. The Lake of Fire is waiting for "many" when they die. Jesus' disciple asked Him if few people are going to Heaven. Jesus replied that many people will attempt, but fail. When the floods came in Noah's day, many people tried to get on the ark, but it was too late once the door was closed. When the bridegroom came in Matthew 25:1-13, the five foolish virgins were left behind because they were gone buying oil at the last moment. Do not likewise make the mistake of delaying salvation, for you will be sorry when it is too late. Few souls are going to Heaven. Jesus said, "Only those who find that strait gate and narrow way that leadeth unto life (Matthew 7:13-15), which is the righteousness of Jesus Christ will make it to heaven. So many churchgoers have religion, but they have never truly been born of the spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9, hear "Why Are So Few People Saved?" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=111710103558). Salvation happens when a person acknowledges their guilt of sin unto God in repentance; believing on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, to be forgiven (this is a supernatural action caused by God in the heart of a repentant sinner in 2 Timothy 2:24-26; see also "SUPERNATURAL BIBLE PROPHECY CONCERNING JESUS THE JEWISH MESSIAH (PART #1)" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVByqkjwChs). We are SINNERS and Jesus is the wonderful SAVIOR! Acts 10:43, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Salvation is given to those "few" who have been ordained to eternal life by God Himself (Acts 13:48). And who are those "few"? Jesus answers that question in John chapter 6:37,39,44,63 & 65: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." " It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." For more on this see our video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI. Keep in mind that God works with relatively few numbers throughout world history (remember how Elijah thought he was the last prophet of God left in Israel in 1 Kings 19:13-18 & the Lord had to correct Elijah about the number but still the number God told Elijah was small). The God of the Bible has always had His way of operating His plan in this world & it has always been consistently with small numbers (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence." For an excellent message concerning the small numbers God has historically employed please hear the outstanding theologian Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon "Sermon 113 – Three-score and Fifteen Souls" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=99217141430450. We also have a video along these lines called " Biblical Predestination #6: God Only Chooses a FEW for Salvation (Many Called/Few Chosen)" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veCdGzYsc70. See also our video "Strive To Enter – But Many Will Not Be Able To – Greg Van Court – Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, TX" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr2Rn-7o4RA. 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
Question: "How can I be saved?" Answer: True Biblical salvation is a sovereign act of God in the heart of the believer (Acts 13:48, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." & John 1:12-13, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."). You cannot even repent of your sins against God unless God first grants you the power to turn away from your sins (2 Timothy 2:24-26, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."). For an in depth Biblical discussion of God's power in the salvation of wicked sinners who cannot save themselves see our video "The Sovereignty of God Versus Man-Made Religions, Hollywood Movies & Petty Emotionalism" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQABR_9gGI. A free transcript of this message is available at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52015125752. Once there scroll down to "Sermon Transcription" where you have the following options: 1. View transcript, 2. Download PDF, 3. Send to Kindle, or 4. Google Translation making this message transcription available in 27 foreign languages. Everything is free with nothing to buy. 2 Timothy 2:15
This simple, yet profound, question is the most important question that can be asked. "How can I be saved?" deals with where we will spend eternity after our lives in this world are over. There is no more important issue than our eternal destiny. Thankfully, the Bible is abundantly clear on how a person can be saved. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)
Paul and Silas responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
How can I be saved? Why do I need to be saved?
We are all infected with sin (Romans 3:23). We are born with sin (Psalm 51:5), and we all personally choose to sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8). Sin is what makes us unsaved. Sin is what separates us from God. Sin is what has us on the path to eternal destruction.
How can I be saved? Saved from what?
Because of our sin, we all deserve death (Romans 6:23). While the physical consequence of sin is physical death, that is not the only kind of death that results from sin. All sin is ultimately committed against an eternal and infinite God (Psalm 51:4). Because of that, the just penalty for our sin is also eternal and infinite. What we need to be saved from is eternal destruction (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15).
How can I be saved? How did God provide salvation?
Because the just penalty for sin is infinite and eternal, only God could pay the penalty, because only He is infinite and eternal. But God, in His divine nature, could not die. So God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God took on human flesh, lived among us, and taught us. When the people rejected Him and His message, and sought to kill Him, He willingly sacrificed Himself for us, allowing Himself to be crucified (John 10:15). Because Jesus Christ was human, He could die; and because Jesus Christ was God, His death had an eternal and infinite value. Jesus’ death on the cross was the perfect and complete payment for our sin (1 John 2:2). He took the consequences we deserved. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead demonstrated that His death was indeed the perfectly sufficient sacrifice for sin.
How can I be saved? What do I need to do?
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). God has already done all of the work. All you must do is receive, in faith through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-17), the salvation God grants to His elect (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 9:10-33). A full trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sins is supernatural because a person's faith is empowered by God the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8, John 6:37, 39, 44, 63,65). Thus believing in Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), the true believer will not perish (John 3:16-21) but this can only be done by the supernatural sovereign power of God's Holy Spirit & not a person's own "free will" by itself
(see our video "DEBATE: Luke 1:15, Did John the Baptist Make a "Free Will" Decision for Christ in the Womb?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXBDYPlXV0 & Charles Haddon Spurgeon's Biblically insightful sermon "Free Will — A Slave" at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8160293628. Therefore, in reality, the lost sinner, realizing that there is nothing he can do by his own efforts to attain salvation from the wrath of a Holy God must simply cry out to that Holy God for salvation through His Son Jesus Christ constantly. In other words the lost sinner must beg & plead with God to save him or her each day until God supernaturally responds to that request which may or may not happen immediately. In many cases lost sinners are finally redeemed by God after a long period of begging & pleading with God (consider the cases of the Pharisee & the Publican in Luke 18:9-14 & the Unjust Judge in Like 18:1-8).
Saved by Grace Alone or Saved by Grace Plus Free Will?
You cannot consistently assert that we are saved by "grace alone" and then in the same breath declare that the natural man has a free will to come to Christ (John 6:65). Man needs salvation precisely because his will is in bondage to sin. And that which is in bondage is not free. For the need for grace does away with free will altogether. Its not Christ plus our good will that saves us but Christ alone who grants us everything we need for salvation, including a new heart to believe.
Visitor: What is salvation?
Response: The short answer is salvation is deliverance from God's wrath and salvation from sin….Saved from the just consequences of our rebellion against God, it was accomplished when God took those consequences upon Himself when Jesus was nailed to the cross.The wrath of God abides on all men apart from the grace of Jesus Christ, who alone lived the life we should have lived and died the death we justly deserve.
Visitor: Okay, what is free will?
Response: Free will is something that exists only in people's imagination. Fallen man does not have a free will. He is NOT able NOT to sin. All people except Jesus Christ have broken God's law and have sinned. Therefore none can save themselves or lift a finger toward their own salvation. God must intervene if man is to have any hope at all. And He has done it in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Visitor: How does a person know if they are saved then?
Response: By grace you look to Christ's Righteousness and not your own. The Scriptures indicate that we are saved if the Word of God has come in divine power into our soul such that our self-complacency is shattered and our self-righteousness is renounced. Second, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our woeful, guilty, and lost condition. Third, God reveals to us the sufficiency of Jesus Christ alone to meet our desperate case and by a divinely given faith causes us to lay hold of and rest upon Him as our only hope. Fourth, when the Spirit changes our heart He gives us a love for God, a love for His word and an appetite for spiritual things; a longing for holiness; a seeking after conformity to Christ. This does not mean that you are sinless, but that you desire to obey Christ and feel anguish when you disobey Him. (A.W. Pink)
Visitor: What if I've felt this my whole life?
Response: Then it is likely that the Holy Spirit opened your heart to the gospel at an early age.
Quotes: "…he who in his soul believes that man does of his own free-will turn to God, cannot have been taught of God, for that is one of the first principles taught us when God begins with us, that we have neither will nor power, but that he gives both; that he is "Alpha and Omega" in the salvation of men. – C. H. Spurgeon (Free Will, a Slave)
"In vain people busy themselves with finding any good of man's own in his will. For any mixture of the power of free will that men strive to mingle with God's grace is nothing but a corruption of grace. It is just as if one were to dilute wine with muddy, bitter water. But even if there is something good in the will, it comes from the pure prompting of the Spirit." -John Calvin, "Institutes of the Christian Religion."
For more of the sovereignty of God in the salvation of sinners see our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 81 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. Particularly note the video "Biblical Election: Do Sin Loving Evil Doers Choose a Holy God or Does a Holy God Choose Sinners?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4Dqhguweg&list=PLA932903698A56780&index=5.
John 6:65, "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." John 6:39, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
Did Christ die for the Eskimos who lived 500 years before Jesus lived? How about the Eskimos that lived 500 years after Jesus lived yet no one ever came & told them the gospel during that time? Did Jesus die for Esau in Romans 9:13? Did Jesus die for Pharoah who opposed Moses in Romans 9:16-23? Jesus told parables so people would not understand so they would be condemned by God instead (Mark 4:11-12; see our video "Did Jesus Die for Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not? Debate #4: WHY DOES JESUS SPEAK IN PARABLES?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHCMHCqubg). Jesus does not even pray for the "world" (John 17:9 cf 1 John 2:15).
Turning now to John 3:16, it should be evident from the passages just quoted that this verse will not bear the construction usually put upon it. ‘God so loved the world.’ Many suppose that this means, The entire human race. But ‘the entire human race’ includes all mankind from Adam till the close of earth’s history: it reaches backward as well as forward! Consider, then, the history of mankind before Christ was born. Unnumbered millions lived and died before the Savior came to the earth, lived here ‘having no hope and without God in the world,’ and therefore passed out into eternity of woe. If God ‘loved’ them, where is the slightest proof thereof? Scripture declares ‘Who (God) in times past (from the tower of Babel till after Pentecost) suffered all nations to walk in their own ways’ (Acts 14:16). Scripture declares that ‘And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient’ (Rom. 1:28). To Israel God said, ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth’ (Amos 3:2). In view of these plain passages who will be so foolish as to insist that God in the past loved all mankind! The same applies with equal force to the future . . . But the objector comes back to John 3:16 and says, ‘World means world. ‘True, but we have shown that ‘the world’ does not mean the whole human family. The fact is that ‘the world’ is used in a general way.. . Now the first thing to note in connection with John 3:16 is that our Lord was there speaking to Nicodemus, a man who believed that God’s mercies were confined to his own nation. Christ there announced that God’s love in giving His Son had a larger object in view, that it flowed beyond the boundary of Palestine, reaching out to ‘regions beyond.’ In other words, this was Christ’s announcement that God had a purpose of grace toward Gentiles as well as Jews. ‘God so loved the world,’ then, signifies, God’s love is international in its scope. But does this mean that God loves every individual among the Gentiles? Not necessarily, for as we have seen the term ‘world’ is general rather than specific, relative rather than absolute. . . the ‘world’ in John 3:16 must, in the final analysis refer to the world of God’s people. Must we say, for there is no other alternative solution. It cannot mean the whole human race, for one half of the race was already in hell when Christ came to earth. It is unfair to insist that it means every human being now living, for every other passage in the New Testament where God’s love is mentioned limits it to His own people — search and see! The objects of God’s love in John 3:16 are precisely the same as the objects of Christ’s love in John 13:1: ‘Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His time was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.’ We may admit that our interpretation of John 3:16 is no novel one invented by us, but one almost uniformly given by the Reformers and Puritans, and many others since them. See our video "DEBATE: John 3:16, Does "World" Always Mean Everybody Who Ever Lived or Not?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6duguuzfho. Romans 9:15-18
I have been asked about great preachers to listen to or read . Here are my recommendations of which all can be found at http://www.sermonaudio.com/ (Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas speaking, YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV):
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=C._H._Spurgeon),
John Bunyan (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=John_Bunyan),
A.W. Pink (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=A._W._Pink),
Martyn Lloyd-Jones (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Martyn_Lloyd-Jones),
John Calvin (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=John_Calvin),
George Whitefield (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=George_Whitefield),
Jonathan Edwards ( http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Jonathan_Edwards),
Richard Baxter (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Richard_Baxter),
Isaac Ambrose (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Isaac_Ambrose),
Stephen Charnock (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Stephen_Charnock),
Cotton Mather (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Cotton_Mather),
John Knox (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=John_Knox),
John Foxe (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=John_Foxe),
Martin Luther (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Martin_Luther),
John Owen (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=John_Owen),
John Gill (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=John_Gill),
Augustus Montague Toplady (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Augustus_Toplady)
Present day preachers:
John MacArthur (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Pastor_John_MacArthur),
Phil Johnson (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Phil_Johnson),
Ian Brown (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Rev_Ian_Brown),
James White (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Dr._James_White),
R.C. Sproul (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Dr._R._C._Sproul),
Albert Mohler, Jr. (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Dr._R._Albert_Mohler,_Jr.),
Voddie Baucham (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Voddie_Baucham),
John Reisinger (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=John_Reisinger),
Paul Washer (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Paul_Washer),
Matthew McMahon (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Matthew_McMahon),
Steven J. Lawson (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Dr._Steven_J._Lawson),
Sinclair Ferguson (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Dr._Sinclair_B._Ferguson),
Tom Nettles (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Professor_Tom_Nettles),
Iain Murray (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currpage=1&keyword=Pastor%5FIain%5FMurray&SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&AudioOnly=false&sortby=added)
Curt Daniel (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currpage=1&keyword=Dr%2E%5FCurt%5FD%2E%5FDaniel&SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&AudioOnly=false&sortby=added).
For in depth church history/ historical theology lectures hear William Cunningham (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=William_Cunningham).
For a Biblical refutation of the heretical Word-Faith Movement of the
phony TV preachers, the fraudulent modern day tales of trips to heaven
& hell, & the spiritual delusion of the Charismatic &
Pentecostal movement hear Justin Peters (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Justin_Peters).
For Biblical creation lectures contrasted to Darwin's metaphysical theory of evolution hear Ken Ham (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Ken_Ham).
For the most famous sermon ever preached on North American soil hear
Jonathan's Edward's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=113003134610).
Death can come suddenly & unexpectedly. Hear deathbed testimonies of
the damned during their last days, hours & moments before going
into eternity: "Horrifying & Terrifying Death Bed Scenes Of
Atheists, Apostates & Reprobates" (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?keyword=horrifying&selectsearch=).
For deception in the news media hear Peter Hammond (http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5131365140).
For the importance of the local church fellowship hear Mark Dever – which includes a free transcript (http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=912071916550).
Sermon Audio featured a talk in their "Staff Picks" section of a French
lady who gave her testimony about coming to faith in Christ through
watching our "CAnswersTV" YouTube videos there in France – "Testimony:
Camille Jolly" (http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6414192554).
Hear my own pastor Greg Van Court (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Greg_Van_Court)
who took the place of my original pastor for 30 years Jackson Boyett
who was called home to be with the Lord (hear Pastor Boyett at http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Jackson_Boyett).
There are many other great preachers listed in the "Classic Speakers"
& "Reformers & Puritans" section found in the "Sermons by
Speaker" section of http://www.sermonaudio.com/.
I hope that this list of outstanding Christian preachers may be of help
to you in your Christian walk. 2 Timothy 4:2-5, " Preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long
suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
A free written transcript of this message is available at https://media-cloud.sermonaudio.com/text/77162248310.pdf . Free written transcripts of this message are available in 20 languages at https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?m=t&s=77162248310 . See our playlist "Dealing with Predestination, Arminianism & Calvinism" with 98 videos at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA932903698A56780. John Wesley, the famous founder of the Methodist religion, lacked faith in the God he preached. "I do not love God. I never did … I have never believed … I am only an honest heathen … I have no direct witness … of anything … invisible or eternal" said John Wesley in a letter to his brother Charles Wesley in June 1766. Wesley's confession to his brother was long after his supposed "conversion" to Christianity.
Larry Wessels ( https://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV & websites: http://www.BIBLEQUERY.ORG, http://www.HISTORYCART.COM, & http://www.MUSLIMHOPE.COM ) presents an analysis of the Roman Catholic mystical background of John Wesley, Wesley's hybrid brand of Arminanism & Wesley's own claim to be a true "heathen."
In a letter to his brother Charles in June 1766, the hybrid Arminian evangelist John Wesley, now in his sixties, confesses that he does not and never did love God, believe or have the direct witness of divine sonship or even of things invisible or eternal. Here's his testimony:
"In one of my last [letters] I was saying that I do not feel the wrath of God abiding on me; nor can I believe it does. And yet (this is the mystery), I do not love God. I never did. Therefore I never believed, in the Christian sense of the word. Therefore I am only an honest heathen … And yet, to be so employed of God! And so hedged in that I can neither get forward nor backward! Surely there was never such an instance before, from the beginning of the world! If I ever have had that faith, it would not be so strange. But I never had any other evidence of the eternal or invisible world than I have now; and that is none at all, unless such as faintly shines from reason's glimmering ray. I have no direct witness (I do not say, that I am a child of God, but) of anything invisible or eternal."(quoted in Stephen Tomkins, John Wesley, A Biography [Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2003], p. 168)
It is an interesting fact that Wesley's childhood was steeped in the Mystics. His parents were great fans of the mystical writers and Charles and John grew up in a home surrounded by their works. Initially John was wholly accepting their teachings, and they made and left a deep impression on him during the formative years of his life. Eventually, he became involved in a protracted internal struggle with mysticism which never really abated. John Wesley wrote to his brother Samuel on 23rd Nov.1736: 'I think the rock on which I had the nearest made shipwreck of the faith was the writings of the Mystics'. And in this connection he specifically names Johann Tauler and the Spanish Quietist, Miguel de Molinos. In his Preface to the Collection of Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739, John Wesley writes: 'Some verses, it may be observed, in the following Collection, were wrote upon the scheme of the Mystic Divines.
And these, it is owned, we had once in great veneration, as the best explainers of the Gospel of Christ. But we are now convinced that we therein greatly erred, not knowing the Scriptures neither the power of God. And because this is an error which many serious minds are sooner or later exposed to, and which indeed most easily besets those who seek the Lord Jesus in sincerity, we believe ourselves indispensibly obliged, in the presence of God, and angels, and men, to declare wherein we apprehend those writers not to teach "the truth as it is in Jesus"'. And he then lays out the argument under four headings: They lay another foundation; their manner of building on it is the opposite of that prescribed by Christ (He commands us to build up one another. They advise: 'To the desert! To the desert! and God will build you up'); their superstructure has no correspondence with that laid down by the Apostle Paul; they teach another Gospel. Again, in his diary on 5th June 1742,
Wesley writes: 'I just made an end of Madam Guyon's "Short Method of Prayer" How many evangelicals today read Madame Guyon? Or, rather, how many will actually admit it? In Wesley's journal dated 5th February 1764 is written: 'I began reading Mr Hartley's ingenious Defence of the Mystic Writers.
Wesley was a complex character who never really shook off the foundations of the mystical teaching he had imbibed. As J. Brazier Green says in John Wesley & John Law (Epworth Press, 1945, p.179): 'Although Wesley uttered substantial indictments of the Mystics in 1739, 1756 and 1764, he was also publishing and commending their writings in his Christian Library (1749-55) and until the last years of his life'. See http://www.cephasministry.com/ecumenism_evangelical_attraction.html.
To see all our videos which come with free written transcripts please click on https://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currpage=1&keyword=christiananswers&SourceOnly=true&mediatype=PDF&AudioOnly=false&sortby= which add up to 70 videos & counting at this time. Keep in mind that these free written transcripts are also available in 20 different languages by going to any of the individual videos and locating the
"View Transcript" area. For example, say you want a foreign language transcript from our video "Biblical Canon of Scripture is the Basis for
Authentic Christian Belief & Doctrine" at https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=21519512147884 & you want the transcript in Chinese just follow these basic steps: 1. Click on "select translation" next to the "Google Translate" indicator 2. Click on the type of Chinese you want to use, you have two choices either "Simplified" Chinese or "Traditional" Chinese 3. Let's say you click on "Traditional Chinese" 4.Then you click on "Translate"
which brings up another screen which has the entire video translated into traditional Chinese 5. From there you have additional options to
share this Chinese translation with others as indicated 6. This is very cool & is an just another opportunity for evangelism around the world in this digital age! Jude 3, "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."
I have been an Methodist for 32 years. My grandmother and family are Methodist. I gave so much to the church. But God knew. I finally know the truth. Its going to be hard to leave the church but it has to happen. I need God now more than ever. The things that is going on in the church today. I am always one who looks to find the truth. I am going to humbly say i know nothing even if i do research. I want to be used by God but my sins wont allow me. Thank you and God bless
Wesley's doctrine is appealing to the flesh. Eve desired to be like God. This was her offence and continues to be the desire of our flesh. This is precisely why we had to be crucified with Christ and our soul be placed into the righteousness of our Christ.
What is the evidence that he was a sexual pervert? I can't find it anywhere
Someone asked about John Wesley's abnormal sex life. To answer this an internet search was made & the following was found at https://www.christiantoday.com/article/saints-and-sinners-the-skeletons-in-the-closets-of-great-theologians/53492.htm saying this about John Wesley – "Wesley is famous as the founder of Methodism, a great preacher, teacher and traveler. Less well known is his truly catastrophic love life. He had a disastrous relationship with a young woman named Sophia Hopkey in Savannah, Georgia, which resulted in legal proceedings being issued against him. He nearly married the very suitable Grace Murray, but she was not of his class and his brother Charles scuppered the match. In the end he married a widow, Mary Vazeille, and neither of them were happy: she would heckle him when he preached and one witness spoke of seeing her drag him around the room by the hair. When she eventually left him he wrote wryly: "I did not forsake her, I did not dismiss her, I will not recall her." Wesley, the founder of Methodism, affirmed the primacy of scriptural authority. But he also acknowledged the genuine, albeit secondary, religious authority of tradition, reason, and experience. Wesley writes: 'I just made an end of Madam Guyon's "Short Method of Prayer" How many evangelicals today read Madame Guyon? Or, rather, how many will actually admit it? In Wesley's journal dated 5th February 1764 is written: 'I began reading Mr Hartley's ingenious Defence of the Mystic Writers.
Wesley was a complex character who never really shook off the foundations of the mystical teaching he had imbibed. As J. Brazier Green says in John Wesley & John Law (Epworth Press, 1945, p.179): 'Although Wesley uttered substantial indictments of the Mystics in 1739, 1756 and 1764, he was also publishing and commending their writings in his Christian Library (1749-55) and until the last years of his life'. See http://www.cephasministry.com/ecumenism_evangelical_attraction.html. Wesley enjoyed Roman Catholic mystics so this obviously would affect his interpretation of scripture in his life.