(Question) Hi, I was looking at your site on the false teachers, and of course most of the names are not a surprise or news, but I was surprised to see Chuck Smith. Do you have any more info on his organization? Please let me know. Thanks.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. Chuck Smith is the founder of the Calvary Chapels, which are located all over the USA. They are proclaiming once saved always saved and hurting many by doing so. His book on “grace” is where we got those quotes of his, which show his serious misunderstandings....GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Comment) I am truly blessed to read your articles against once saved always saved. I praise God for your ministry. We have to continue to fight for the Truth. Don't ever let the devil slow you down. Continuing to spread the truth is a good way to stomp on the devil and make him mad. Praise God. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. Thanks for the encouragement regarding our teachings. It is good to know you have been helped to some degree. Please get in the fight too. The need is great. The Calvinists are everywhere deceiving people about salvation. Please pray for our ministry regularly. The devil attacks in various ways as we press on for the cause of God and refute doctrines of demons. Do you have our evangelical books? Remember Heb. 3:14.
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(Comment) The Lord has revealed to me that we do not say, "In Jesus Name" but rather we say In the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.....many today say in Jesus name and yet, there are many who have named their children Jesus, and there is one who's name was Jesus who was called Justus in Colossians 4:11. Rather, the disciples as an example said, the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. No doubt there have been many who have been or are still called “Jesus,” but the context of what is being done by Christians is clearly Jesus, the Savior—not someone else. It appears that you are trying to split hairs over nothing. Notice these two Scriptures:
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Phil 2:10)
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27)
If you are right, then why does it say, the “name of Jesus” in those places? Please spend your time and energy on other subjects which are more relevant to the will of God. God bless you. Heb. 3:14.
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(Comment) Hello, My mother just turned Catholic a couple months ago; she started talking to me about praying to Mary. When I asked her why she was praying to anyone but Christ she said exactly what you said Catholics say! “We don't pray to her, we pray through her... like when I ask you to pray for your sister!” It's like they brain wash them into saying these things. She told me I was ignorant for not knowing the difference, and I pointed her to your web page. Thank you so much for displaying this so boldly, I'm sure you get a lot of hate mail. I just want to lift you up in Christ and let you know you helped me to have an intelligent and Godly Bible Answer back that hopefully will help my mom. I appreciate everything you guys are doing, may God continue blessing you all for spreading the TRUTH! Thank you,
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. Thanks for the words of encouragement. We have noticed that not only do some Catholics, but also some Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, SDA, etc. will try to deny what they actually believe at times! That is often their only defense when their doctrine is exposed and refuted.
It was very distressing to read that your mother turned Catholic. That is terrible and we sympathize with you. Oftentimes, Catholicism is presented as just another Christian sect when it is FAR from what others believe. For example: Catholicism has an ongoing sacrifice for sins through the mass, they think people get purged of sins after death in the fires of Purgatory, they think the priest changes the communion elements into the literal body and blood of Jesus and “worship” the communion wafer as God because of this doctrine. They also have, among many other strange beliefs, a fabricated Mary, Mother of Jesus who is their sinless, ever virgin Queen of Heaven, who is the mediatrix and dispenser of “ALL graces.” She is also supposed to be “our life, sweetness and hope” as she is openly and regularly mentioned as such in the Rosary, another unique and unscriptural belief/practice of theirs. Catholicism has a false and dangerous plan of salvation which leads people to hell, even though they know Jesus is the Savior and Lord.
How sad so many so-called churches and ministries are not speaking out against these serious problems, as nearly 1 BILLION Catholics exist in the world. (Maybe God will help you do this very thing, now that your own mother has been ensnared.)
As a former Catholic, when I started to read the New Testament, I was thrown into confusion because what I thought was true was not only not true, but often the opposite of truth. If your mother has just been converted she will be very defensive because of her recent decision to join them. That is where a humble heart and one which is willing to admit error is needed to get free from such a snare. May God help you help her. Do you know about our book for Catholics, “Is This The Mary Of The Bible?” We also have various radio interviews on Catholicism, which are available on CD....God bless you.
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(Comment) Hello, my name is __________. I have been raised in a Southern Baptist church for about thirteen years now. I am __ and all my life I believed in the OSAS doctrine until about three days ago because I had been going much deeper into Scripture and was astonished at the solemn warnings Jesus gave and how everyone always has seemed to “accidentally” overlook them. I brought the discussion up and man, I tell you, they hate the idea of Conditional Salvation! It is like Satan to them! Someone went as far as to say it could destroy my faith if I kept it up (with me being against OSAS and my research with it). One had also conveniently said that Satan can use Scripture and twist it up and plant seeds in our heads (pointing to me). But I do not believe in the OSAS lie anymore. I've tried to show them warnings but they rationalize and generalize the Scripture citing all sorts of passages (ie…No one can snatch them out of my hand) and excuses (they must not have been saved to begin with.) In reality I gave up on my discussion… In my youth group it was 9 to 1. I wasn't too happy about it. But now that I have seen the truth Scripture makes so much more sense to me. OSAS distorts Scripture and exchanges the truth of God for a lie. However as I know it, most of the ___ people that attend _____ Baptist believe OSAS and I am going to be hard pressed to get the truth to them. Your website has helped me see the truth more plainly and has given me the evidence to fight OSAS.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. Your email was like a sweet sounding gospel song to us. We love it when another one has potentially escaped from the grace changer's dangerous teachings. Your eyes have been opened, but you are still in a very dangerous environment because of their false view of grace and the gospel. I know you are young, but you really need to leave that church. That same congregation you are attending has distorted sin, God, the gospel, grace, righteousness, etc. They have to do those things as they avoid or twist HUNDREDS of Scriptures that teach a conditional security as they try to teach and defend their beloved “gospel,” which has no place for 1 Cor. 15:2:
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. (1 Cor 15:2)
It is wonderful that our web site has helped you ....We also have numerous tracts which are written to help eternal security people out of their doctrinal snare. You can also print some of these tracts from your computer printer for free. Please consider signing up for our internet church.
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).
Here is a very important article for Christian singles. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Question) Saw your website. Great design and very well laid out with straight to the point information. Correct me if I am wrong but it sounds from what you have stated on your website that even if I have been saved that I can lose my salvation if I sin. Is this right?
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. There are three ways for a Christian to lose his salvation: certain sins, believing/preaching certain false doctrines and disowning Jesus. Since you specifically asked about sin, carefully read what we teach about it:
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.).
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, The Believer's Conditional Security. There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. This book is the most exhaustive and comprehensive refutation to eternal security ever written....GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Bible Question) I do not wish to debate you because I do not debate anything except Jesus. You are sincerely wrong about your belief about the Doctrine of Eternal Security.
What are you trying to achieve by your assertions? There is no edifying in what you say.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. When we refute eternal security we are obeying what Jude wrote in verses 3,4 about contending against the grace changers. The Calvinists have laid a spiritual snare before all who believe their teaching. Besides destroying the fear of God and making people think they must sin, sin is not as bad as it really is, etc., they have also set people up for a fall:
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Cor 10:12)
...Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, The Believer's Conditional Security. There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. Please consider signing up for our weekly internet church. Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Comment) Have you ever heard of the Pharasies in the Bible? They were so “holy” that they were no good to the Kingdom. You have a “religious spirit” from the devil and I'm going to pray that you don't harm innocent Christians in their walk with the Lord. You are obviously very narrow minded and don't understand His Grace. I feel sorry for you.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. We have heard of the Pharisees. They were not “holy” and they were not benefitting God's “kingdom.” Instead, they were religious unsaved people who were filled with wickedness and hypocrisy (Mt. 23:27,28). You have labeled us with several untrue and unscriptural things. We are none of them.
Regarding new Christians (and old Christians), we have helped many realize what Biblical “grace” is and how it has no connection with the myth of once saved always saved. We believe like Paul, the real “grace” teacher. You are the one who doesn't:
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—as 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)
...GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Comment) Hi, I read your article on Mary and how she's not the mother of the Church. I was just wondering why you seem to dislike her so much. I can understand not believing that she's the mother of the Church, but there seems to be such strong feelings against anything good being said about her. Do you truly believe that she's “just a woman”? How can you say this about a woman who contained the divine within her womb? She bore divinity. She brought God into this world. She must have been extraordinary for God to choose her to be the one through whom God would enter the world! You may think I worship Mary as God because I'm Catholic, but I don't. However, revering her as the greatest human creature is not idolatry. Just know that the more you love Mary, the more you love Jesus. Mary's greatest desire is that you love her son. We Christians all want the same thing - to love Jesus as best as we can. The point of differentiation is how to do this. My response: you love the Son by loving His mother. It pleases Jesus so much when we honor His mother. So even if you don't and won't accept the fact that Mary is the mother of the Church, at least have a special love for her in your heart. Also, you quoted this scripture passage:
While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
...Actually, if you think about it, who better “hears the word of God and observes it” better than Mary? By saying this, Jesus really was saying, “Yes, blessed is Mary. But I want you to know that blood ties are not as strong as the ties made through baptism.” What Jesus is doing is establishing the supremacy of his covenantal relationship with us over blood relationship.
Also, be careful when you speak of Jesus' “brothers and sisters” as meaning blood relatives....Anyway, I will pray for your continual growth in your relationship with the Lord. Please pray for me as well. Have a wonderful day.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. Thank you for sharing your heart about the Mary you were taught—the Mary of Catholicism. Our most basic point on this issue is: the Mary of Catholicism is not the Mary of the Bible. The Mary of Catholicism has been exalted to such a degree that multitudes have and are still trusting in her for their salvation. If you disagree with this please read Augustine's prayer to Mary for his salvation and what the Catholic saint and doctor, Alphonsus Liguori wrote.
What they believed and what you think are basically identical. The Bible not only states that to be in error, but poisonous and deadly. Please, before you get angry I have been reading/studying/pondering/meditating/memorizing Scripture for over 30 years. As a former Roman Catholic I can humbly tell you that type of teaching will damn a person to hell, if believed. It is only out of love for your soul that we speak like this.
The Mary of the Bible is my spiritual sister, not my mother. Jesus said John the Baptist was the greatest born of woman, with no mention of his mother (Mt. 11:11). The “Jesus” of Catholicism would never portray his mother like that! Hence, you have been taught wrongly about him too.
Furthermore, the Lord Jesus was clear and precise with his public rebuke and correction of the woman who wanted to exalt his mother because she gave birth to and nursed him (Luke 11:27,28):
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:27,28)
What she said is essentially the same exact message as your beliefs. Jesus corrected her and wanted others to openly know such is false. Hence, the Lord didn't have the kind of fantasies you have about Mary's importance. How can you read what Jesus when correcting the woman of Luke 11:27 and remain the same? You are holding on to unscriptural beliefs you were taught thinking they are true when they are poison. It is to your own eternal harm and the eternal harm of the people you love the most to remain unchanged. The mythical Mary of Catholicism has been so exalted that you think:
Just know that the more you love Mary, the more you love Jesus.
That is not what Jesus taught about loving him. Here is the truth:
If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)
Obedience to Jesus' commands is how we show our love to Jesus. He never commanded us to honor Mary. Please search the Scriptures for yourself. Of course, the Catholic church defines honor for Mary to be venerate, trust, pray to, kiss statues of her, etc. Sometimes this is confused by the Old Testament scripture found in Exodus 20:12 about honoring one's natural mother and father, but that can't be relevant for us since Mary is not our natural mother. Moreover, had the Jews who kept that command of honoring their mother and father trusted in or bowed before and kissed a statue of either, they would have committed idolatry. Do not be deceived.
The fabricated Mary of Catholicism is supposed to be sinless, queen of heaven who is reigning with Jesus there, the hope of sinners, mediatrix and dispenser of all graces, our life, our sweetness, our hope, the way to God, our refuge, etc. All of this is pure poison for your soul. We do not dislike the real Mary, but we are repulsed at the counterfeit Mary, who people are wrongly trusting in instead of Jesus.
The best way for you to know the truth is to read and believe the New Testament. Do that without other books or pre-conceived ideas combined with a willingness to change accordingly. It takes humility to change, but God exalts the humble. You cannot be wrong to go by the Bible. You have to be right to go only by Scripture. Do yourself a favor and those you love the most— go only by the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
[Mary was not a virgin when she died.] Please consider reading our book, “Is This The Mary of The Bible?” It can help you much. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Comment) ok I believe everything you are saying-I don\'t understand why anyone would want to live in sin like that -just because of what you reap out of it-I see the destruction of that everyday!!!! - I read through your page but did not see the reason for Jesus to die-I am not saying you should live like a sinner-I am just saying that if it is me that works my way into heaven then it makes me sad that Jesus went through that unspeakable death-thank you
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. Unfortunately, someone misinformed you about what Christians like us believe. First, Jesus died for [all] our sins. There were other reasons too why Jesus came to earth.
Secondly, the eternal security teachers have also misinformed you about what we believe regarding salvation. We do NOT believe we earn our salvation by good works. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT! If you hear those teachers say that again, please correct them. We have all 100% of our faith in JESUS as we follow and serve him. We also know a righteous man can die spiritually, which the once saved always saved teachers (Ray Comfort; Charles Stanley, John MacArthur, etc.) will always deny ...GOD BLESS YOU.
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