(Bible Question) I tend to lean toward your views on eternal security however I am struggling with a few things when trying to explain this to others. First how should I explain being "unborn". The Bible says we are "Born again". This term is hard for me to explain away when talking to those who believe in eternal security.
My second question comes from a passage I happened to read today:
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. (1 Corinthians 3 1, NIV)
This verse calls them worldly but then calls them infants in Christ in the same sentence. That seems to say that one can be worldy and still belong to Christ. I consider you to be an expert on this subject and would love any help you can give me with understanding of these issues. Thank you so much for your time. Love in Christ,
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus’ name. The typical argument they use when reasoning like that is, a person can’t get unborn? Their statement is true! But we are not saying a Christian gets unborn! They misrepresent us when presenting an argument like that, but that is their intention! So how can a Christian deal with that point? Simply tell the once saved always saved proponent that you agree with him, that is, we can’t get unborn, but we can experience spiritual death. Just like a person in the natural cannot get unborn, he can (and will) die if he gets hit by a mack truck speeding down the highway. Lethal dangers do exist in both the natural and spiritual realms. Hence, a Christian definitely can lose his salvation (die spiritually) through certain sins, believing/teaching a false gospel and/or disown Jesus during persecution.
Your second question is not hard either, if you understand the way the NIV uses worldly. The context shows the Corinthians were arguing and spitting over their favorite preachers, as the context shows (1 Cor. 3:3-10). The Corinthians were NOT like the way the popular heretics tend to describe them. (Neither was the godly Apostle Paul!) In reality, the Corinthians were without sexually immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness or swindling! That is clear from the following:
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. (1 Cor 5:11)
They were forbidden to eat with anyone claiming salvation who were in those sins, so they couldn’t be like that themselves. So when Paul wrote they were worldly you must understand that the way he meant it, which is often different than most would today and certainly NOT like the grace changers say.
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer’s Conditional Security: Eternal Security Refuted.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. This book is the greatest work ever written refuting eternal security. Your money will be fully refunded if not satisfied upon the return of this in a re-sellable condition. It is available in hardback, softback and voice book. Prompt shipment plus free materials with your book order. Order online at this link evangelical books.
So, can salvation be lost? Yes, absolutely and many have lost theirs especially because of false teachings which come from the eternal security teachers. Please click plan of salvation to better understand how all of this fits together. God bless you. Remember 1 Tim. 4:16.
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(Bible Question) I've been curious about the "sin unto death" for the purpose of fellow Christians, whom I feel are on the verge of apostasy because of the belief that loved ones are in "hell". This seems to be a stumbling block for many who live in anguish of loved ones they could not bring to Christ, (or so they believe), that are suffering in hell.
I believe this to be a huge problem and one that is hardening hearts all over the world. I realize that none of us knows the heart besides our Father in heaven and I also agree that there is no "eternal security" and that our faith is something that we can lose and that needs constant and diligent protection. But, please, could you help me understand the meaning of 1 Corinthians 5:4-5:
4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
I only ask because I feel that because we do not know the hearts of our loved ones that there may be those who believe and love Jesus Christ, who may also repent, but may still keep sliding back into sin. This verse to me seems to show God being most merciful in that He wishes to punish the sin, but still save the soul. Is this possible or even correct to interpret in this way? Yes, I have read your page on Eternal Security and Sin unto death, but I did not see this verse touched upon at all.
If it is a possiblity, I feel it is one way to assure some that even though they may have witnessed involvement in sin of those they loved and passed, that there does not need to be a massive worry or final damning to hell in their minds. Is this one weapon against this stumbling block of Satan's to fight against this terrible worry and possibility of falling away? I would deeply appreciate your thoughts. In Christ,
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus’ name. It is a great blessing to read about your concern for loved ones and others. Many who profess salvation seem to have no concern at all. The sin unto death is committed before one goes to hell fire. Though it isn’t clear it seems it could be any of the sins listed in 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Rev. 21:8; Eph. 5:5-7, etc. All sins are not the same in their effect on our souls. Some sins are greater than others (Jn. 19:11). One type is eternal (Mk. 3:29), while others are not. Another type of sin is uniquely against our bodies, while other sins are outside our bodies (1 Cor. 6:18). 1 Jn. 5:16 declares there is a sin that does not lead to death while there is a sin that leads to death. Sins such as worry (Phil. 4:6), unthankfulness (Col. 2:7, 3:15; Lk. 17:11-18) and not being completely humble and gentle (Eph. 4:2) are not included in any of the lists of sins that will send people to the lake of fire, even if they were once saved. However, other sins certainly will send any person to hell if they die unrepentant, even a person who was once saved. (See 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Rev. 21:8; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5,6; Jude 7; Rev. 22:15; etc.).
NOTE: We do not and can not tell for certain what a person does at the very end of his life. That means the worst sinner could sincerely repent and get saved! An example of this is the dying thief who got saved before he died (Lk. 23:42,43). If it wasn’t written down for all to read, those who personally knew him would have wrongly thought he went to eternal torment after death, but he didn’t! That is very encouraging to us. Furthermore, remember this: God will not send anyone to hell who doesn’t deserve to go to hell. Hence, if a person goes there, that is where the heaven Father (who knows best) decided. So there is no need for anyone to get stressed over a departed loved ones. That is the devil torturing and bothering one’s mind to hurt and confuse. Instead, all Christians should be concerned about the physically live, even those who were once born again. The issue is: Are they still saved, because many destructive things can occur. We must endure to the end for salvation (Mt. 10:22; Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:10,11).
Your second question dealing with 1 Cor. 5:5 is common. We have something on our website on this already. Please click 1 Cor.5:5. A good teaching which might help wake up an unsaved person is Your Approaching Death.
Consider signing up for our internet church, email, text, audio and video teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that there.
Please also consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer's Conditional Security: Eternal Security Refuted.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. This book is the greatest work ever written refuting eternal security. Your money will be fully refunded if not satisfied upon the return of this in a re-sellable condition. It is available in hardback, softback and voice book. Prompt shipment plus free materials with your book order. Order with credit card at 724-632-3210 or online at evangelical books
God bless you. 1 Cor. 2:9.
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(Bible Question) Just because John Calvin accepted infant baptism is no reason to reject it. We need to look at what other Christians have done. While it is true there is believer baptism, where in the Bible does it say infants cannot believe in God?
There are Christians who never fell into heresy like Calvin did who baptized infants, and that does not make them heretics. Why shouldn't everyone be baptized? Doesn't Matthew 28 say "baptize all nations", "baptize all ..." Does it say "Baptize only people who can make a rational decision to believe?"
Also, what do we do with Jesus clear statement, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." On what basis could one FORBID infant baptism, then?
While it is possible that infants thus baptized may not later repent, it is just as possible that a believer who has repented at baptism may later fall away and be in an unrepentant state. Clearly, when one is baptized doesn't necesssarily relate to whether or not one falls into apostasy later. We must endure unto the end to be saved by Christ. God bless you all. Lord have mercy on all of us. In ____ PA USA
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus’ name. The reason infant baptism should be rejected by all Bible believers is because there is absolutely no evidence for it in the Bible. What professing Christians do is not relevant. As a former Roman Catholic, I once believed in infant baptism myself! Reading the Bible is what set me free from the rosary, Fatima visions, etc., including the idea of an infant baptism. Please ponder this passage:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16,17)
If we apply that to infant baptism, then: (1) There is no mention of it, inference to it or example in the whole Bible which should cause one to believe in it. The idea of infant communion is just as Scriptural, but it isn’t found either! (2) The two Scriptures you cited for correction have nothing to do with infants being baptized, according to the context:
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (Mat 19:13-15)
Jesus was referring to placing his hands on the little children and praying for them. To reject infant baptism is not forbidding what Jesus referred to. Please make a not of that! The other Scripture is:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mat 28:19).
One must first be a disciple (a Christian) before he qualifies for that baptism Jesus spoke of. Since babies cannot meet the conditions for salvation (repent and submissively follow Jesus) that passage cannot possible refer to infants being baptized. Also, Christian baptism is not related to a person possibly falling away. The only way you could believe in infant baptism is because you were taught it apart from the Bible, like I once did. Please click on infant baptism to read much more on this subject.
We are in perfect agreement that one must endure to the end for salvation. That is clearly in the Bible (Mt. 10:22; Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:10,11). GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Bible Question) When honoring Mary you may think it's worship...it's not. Without going into great theological teachings I'll make it short...If she's good enough for Jesus, she's good enough for us. Jesus needed his mother as do we. She taught him how to pray, how to love God and everything else. To say we don't need her is saying we are better than the Christ Himself. Christ gave her to us as our eternal, heavenly mother before he died. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, our Blessed Mother reflects the light of THE SON.
It would be insulting if I said horrible things about your mother, instead of saying horrible things about Christ's mother you just ignore her, which is equally insulting to Christ.
Yes we can go directly to Him, but his Mother (our Mother) will bring us closer.
Go back and read the scriptures about Solomon, his kingdom and his mother Bathsheba. His mother was the Queen and the intercessor for the people of the kingdom, the people could go to King Solomon but went through Bathsheba. Just as Jesus is our King and Mary is our Queen and our intercessor.
Don't shut our 4000 years of Jewish/Catholic Teaching because you're anti catholic and don't understand what you read in Sacred Scripture and ignore in Sacred Tradition.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus’ name. You have a dangerous attachment to a mythical image of Mary - really mariolatry. I fear for your SOUL. What you have stated, though accurate Roman Catholic teaching regarding their fabricated Mary, is still extremely non-Christian. Though you view me as an enemy, I’m really a true friend who once believed in and implicitly trusted the same religious system as you. I even stated I would die a Catholic and wore (back then) the brown scapular, miraculous medal and St. Christopher medal around my neck! I’m now in a unique position where I can help you find God, if you want God’s truth, as written in the Holy Bible.
It was a real eye opener to read the precious salvation truths directly from the Catholic Bible, the only Bible I would trust at the time. At first it threw me into confusion, because I was so deceived by false teachings. But the message was still clear enough for me to know I was in very serious trouble with God because of my sins. When I noticed MOST will go to hell and only the minority to heaven (Mt. 7:13,14), I knew I didn’t love God enough back then to be of the few. As I kept reading I came to the wonderful truth stated in Lk. 18:9-14. As a Catholic, I never went directly to God to get forgiven as Jesus taught there. Regretfully, I only went to the priest to get forgiven. Obeying Jesus’ teaching was my beginning with God as I repented and committed myself to the Lord to serve him.
Please be assured your sincerity is not enough to save you from hell. Being a devout Catholic means nothing as far as gaining salvation. You must do it God’s way or you are even in DISobedience to him on that. So what is his way? Going to God or the Lord Jesus for forgiveness without Mary or the priest. Committing yourself to JESUS is the key. JESUS is to be our first love, not Mary. We are to unashamedly follow, trust and obey JESUS now. Mary is not in any special position in heaven, according to the book of Revelation or any other Scripture. She is NOT the mediatrix of all graces or mother of God. She is not our intercessor. To go to her will not bring us closer to God as you think, but instead show stubborn rebellion to His holy word. BTW, Solomon was NOT always right! He turned to idolatry and built pagan temples. So don't stumble over the Bathsheba-Solomon belief you embrace. Mary can’t hear your prayers anyways. To pray to Mary is far beyond hindrances to prayer. Mary is dead! She is not all-knowing like God who does hear the prayers of the righteous. You will never get to Jesus by going first to Mary because Jesus told us to come directly to himself!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28)
There can be nothing wrong or dangerous with doing it Jesus’ way! Go to JESUS without Mary. The Mary of Catholicism is a dangerous fabrication and totally unlike the real Mary of the Bible. The Catholic Mary doesn’t really exist except in the minds of people who are unaware of the Biblical message. To read more about the Biblical message on salvation, click Plan of Salvation. To read about the real Mary of the Bible, click mother of Jesus. That is an important teaching for you. Compare what you read there with the cited references from the Bible. They are factual. Your SOUL is in the greatest danger! These are all truth though they come from a former Catholic.God bless you.
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(Bible Question) Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have a questions for you on the subject of divorce; hope you don't mind providing an answer:
What if a man is married, divorces and then remarries. Some time later he repents, receives the faith of Christ, is born again and becomes a Christian. Is this man still an adulterer or has the blood of the Lamb washed him from all sin and unrighteousness (including past sexual immorality)? Is he then not a new creation in Christ, able and willing to obey the Lord in all things? What do you think God's Word teaches on this because you do not address this in your articles? Or do you believe all sins are forgiven when one first come to Christ except the sin of adultery? Thank you for your time,
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus’ name. When a person gets saved he gets forgiven of all past sins, not his future sins too. However, getting saved doesn’t negate one’s marriage! That is the issue, not if one can get forgiven of adultery at the point of repentance. Your point is missing the mark. If a person is still married or not in God’s eyes to the person he is “divorced” from in the eyes of society is the issue! Learn more about the meaning of repentance.
There are multitudes of professing Christians in adultery and therefore on the road to hell because they are not really married in God’s eyes to the person they are now with. This divorce-remarry-repent-then-your-okay teaching is deceptive. It only takes one act of adultery to be an adulterer again! Have you read, Divorce Remarriage Adultery? Remember Rev. 21:27.
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(Bible Question) We are saved by faith through grace, not by works of our own. What can I ever do that would make me "good enough" to get into heaven - what could ever supercede Christ's work on the cross? If Christ died to save me from my (past) sins, then didn't he also die to save me from my present and future sins? Christ died before I was born or committed ANY sins at all! The timing of my sins is therefore not really relevant. What matters most is that I believe in Him and accept the free gift of salvation. We will all still sin and fall short of the glory of God, but his blood is what saves us, not our works....
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus’ name. You are NOT acquainted with what we teach! It appears that you have lumped us in with others or just hear some misrepresentation of our doctrines some other way. If you knew our doctrines you would not ask such questions. NOTE: Jesus is our salvation. Nothing can supercede the Lord’s work, but to have salvation we must have him. It is possible to stop following Jesus! If that horrible thing occurs, that deceived person has experienced spiritual death (lost his salvation), even though Jesus died for all of our sins on the cross! You are walking in a horrible spiritual deception because of once saved always saved. Hence, you are in GREAT DANGER! To better understand what many wrongly think about Christians like us, read misconceptions about a conditional security.
We believe that we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8,9) but we can fall from grace (Gal. 5:2-4). We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1) but our faith can become shipwrecked (1 Tim. 1:19,20) and cease to exist (Lk. 8:13; Rom. 11:19-23). We are not under the law (Rom. 6:14,15) but if you live according to the sinful nature you will die (Rom. 8:13). Paul taught against legalism (Gal. 5:3,4) but he also taught that no immoral, impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph. 5:5-7). We are not saved by works (Eph. 2:8,9) but to reap eternal life and not destruction you must sow to please the Spirit and not the sinful nature (Gal. 6:8,9). God is faithful to us (1 Jn. 1:9; 1 Cor. 10:13) but we must be faithful to him to the very end of our lives to escape the lake of fire or second death (Rev. 2:10,11). God surely loves us (Jn. 3:16; Mk. 10:21; Rom. 8:35-39) but those who inherit the kingdom of God love God (Jam 2:5; 1 Cor. 2:9) and to love God means to obey his commands (Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 5:3). We have freedom in Christ (Gal. 5:1) but this freedom is not to indulge the sinful nature (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet 2:16).
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer’s Conditional Security :Eternal Security Refuted.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. This book is the greatest work ever written refuting eternal security. Your money will be fully refunded if not satisfied upon the return of this evangelical book in a re-sellable condition. It is available in hardback, softback and voice book. We will provide prompt shipment plus free materials with your book order. Order with credit card at 724-632-3210 or online at evangelical books. Remember:
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Eph 5:5-7)
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil (1 John 3:7,8)
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(Bible Question) I read on your website that King David and even Peter lost there salvation. My question is what religious denomination are you? My guess is you are ___________.
(Bible Answer) Both righteous men turned to evil and died spiritually (Ezek. 18:24), that is, lost their salvation. They both got salvation back upon their repentance. See James 5:19,20; Lk. 15:24; Rom. 11:20-22. To believe David and Peter didn’t lose their salvation is to say one can commit adultery, murder and disown Jesus three times and still remain saved! That is a license for immorality and doctrine of demons! Because of such poison many who profess salvation only have empty words and a form of godliness. They know nothing about the new creation and the true plan of salvation! Such truth is why people need to be alerted to ministries like CARM and teachers like David Pawson. Another dangerous deceiver is David Servant.
The issue is NOT what denomination one might attend, but is he living holy and believing the message of the Bible regarding salvation. Some denominations are rampant with idolatry like the Catholic church, but others seem more Scriptural but still embracing dangerous lies such as Calvinism! Hence, forget this denomination stuff and magnify the message of the Bible.
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer’s Conditional Security :Eternal Security Refuted.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. This book is the greatest work ever written refuting eternal security. Your money will be fully refunded if not satisfied upon the return of this evangelical book in a re-sellable condition. It is available in hardback, softback and voice book. We will provide prompt shipment plus free materials with your book order. Order online at evangelical books. Remember Heb. 3:14. God bless you.
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(Bible Question) I have just learn that our preacher of 8 years at our church believes in Calvinism which I know nothing about, but the elders in our church picked up on it. I would like to know what it means completely from some one out side of our church. I know how my family believes. Could you please help me. I have just been saved last year and have gave my life to the lord. I am away from home right now with my brother that has cancer so I wasn't there when all this took place and our preacher last left our church, I just don't know what to think, he has been my family's guidness. Please Help!
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Calvinism is a very strange theology, especially if one is a 5 point Calvinist, but all professing Calvinists are not 5 pointers. Some are 4 points, some 3 all the way to 1 point. They all believe in once saved always saved, which they like to call the perseverance of the saints. The bottom line is, they believe once a person gets saved he will forever remain saved even if he strays into adultery and murder (like David), disowns Jesus 3 times (like Peter), turn to idolatry (like Solomon), backslides into worldliness and being with prostitutes (like the Prodigal Son), etc. So the bottom line is, it is a security in sin counterfeit gospel and grace message. They deny the righteous can experience spiritual death. It is also a popular doctrine of demons which has led many into the eternal flames of hell. To read more about what Calvinism is, click here on doctrines of grace. The true plan of salvation is much different.
One good point about that preacher is, at least he admitted his doctrines! Some turn to such amazing error like him, but don’t admit it openly. They try to cautiously teach it so as to not be caught by their following! Good thing the elders could notice what he was doing.
As a new believer don’t be shaken. Read this for new converts. That is very important for you. Keep your eyes on Jesus and let the New Testament guide you. God bless you.
PS: May God heal your brother.
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