EO Responds To
Emails 03-22-09
(EMAIL) I have backslid a couple of times after becoming a Christian and does that mean I\’ve lost my salvation permanently. I do feel remorse and anguish over what I do and at times I doubt if I ever really received salvation. To be honest I\’m scared because of the so many sins I\’ve committed. I repent and ask for forgiveness but I end up doing the same thing and making the same mistakes?
(RESPONSE) Greetings Jesus’ name.
The only way salvation can be permanently lost is to commit eternal sin, which is believing/saying Jesus had a demon and by the power of the devil he performed his miracles (Mk. 3:22-30). Eternal sin is NOT taking drugs, getting drunk, sexual immorality, etc. Hence, such is forgivable and if that describes you, you can get forgiven again.
If you keep doing the same things again, then how could your repentance, which is needed for forgiveness and salvation, be genuine. From the depths of your heart you must be willing to turn from wickedness. Turn from all those idols which are dragging you to hell and serve the Lord Jesus. When you get forgiven you will be set free from your sin addictions. Please read these articles, which all seem to apply to you in some way:
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/backslider.htm
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/prodigal.htm
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/newconverts.htm
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/abovesin.htm
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/salvationps.htm
GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) Greetings in the name of Jesus.
...I want to thank you for your internet church. Every time I read your messages, they remind me of the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith ....
After I read your message from Jude, I read the book of James. Something jumped out at me like never before. In all my years of indoctrination into the false teachings that surround and falsely support the hub of all false teachings, Once Saved Always Saved, one rang loud today.
In today’s false salvation message, works in relation to salvation is as big a no-no as denying Christ as Savior. Don’t even use works and salvation in the same day, much less in the same sentence. Mention works in the plan of salvation and get the corporate answer, “so Christ is not sufficient” or “so you think you can work your way to heaven?”
Well, amazingly, in James’s teaching on faith and works, I found that James stated “you see then, man is justified by works and not by faith only” James 2:24. Justified not only by faith, but works.
Am I reading this wrong...? If not I continue to be blown away at how far the so-called church has strayed from the truth. Not only ignoring the truth, but fighting against the truth. I read a poll this week that said less than one percent of 18 to 23 year olds hold a biblical world view. Are we in the midst of the great falling away?
...thank you for your love, your encouragement and your dedication in the spread of the gospel.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
The word “works” to the modern-day church is like a cuss word. They hate to hear it, but the Bible says much about it, especially in James. James was clear in stating a saving faith in Jesus will have works with it (James 2:14-17). If there are no works then it is not a saving faith and merely the faith of demons. Works (obedience) is the proof of a saving faith, but one is still saved instantly at the point of a trusting-submitting faith in Jesus, even before any good works are seen by man. An example is the dying thief, who repented:
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42,43)
His sincere and humble prayer for mercy brought justification even before man could see any works, which in that case were never seen because he died soon afterwards. Other examples of instant justification before works are seen are found in Luke 7:50; Acts 10:34-43; etc.
James cites Abraham to make a similar point about this. The reason this seems confusing is because James is talking about, at one point, being justified by works before man. James clearly stated in 2:23 that Abraham became righteous when he believed God. That occurred at Gen. 15:6. It wasn’t until Gen. 17:23-27 that Abraham was circumcised and it wasn’t until Gen. 22 that he offered up Isaac as a sacrifice. James wrote the following. Note especially verses 21 and 23:
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (James 2:20) Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? (James 2:21) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. (James 2:22) And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. (James 2:23) You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. (James 2:24)
Paul wrote on Abraham getting justified too:
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. (Rom 4:2) What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Rom 4:3)
... Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. (Rom 4:9) Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! (Rom 4:10) And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. (Rom 4:11)
Paul said Abraham was justified before works (circumcision in Gen. 17) at the point of his faith (Gen. 15:6). James is in agreement. James 2:24 is talking about man knowing another has a saving faith. James stated man could tell Abraham was justified when he offered Isaac (Gen. 22), but he believed in Gen. 15:6. Remember also that we prove our repentance by our deeds:
... I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. (Acts 26:20)
We prove our repentance before man by our deeds, but we are still saved [instantly] at the point of a trusting-submitting faith in Jesus.
No doubt we are in a deep dark apostasy. Sadly, it is going to get worse to pave the way for the antichrist. We must learn to stand alone and be willing to die for the cause of Christ. Remember Rev. 12:11 ....
GOD BLESS YOU. Heb. 3:14.
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(EMAIL from a Jehovah’s Witness) You are being misled. No man can be given the distinction of being the founder of TRUE followers of Jesus, the Christ, and being CALLED by the name of God Almighty.
Do NOT be BLINDED by what people say, remember Jeremiah 17:5, 6. After SEARCHING through all things I was baptized in 2006, as a witness of Almighty God, JEHOVAH, and of his Son [John 3:16, John 8:42], Jesus.
Do NOT JUDGE a group [Acts 28:22], by what is heard, or by an individual, JUDGE by the harmony of what is TAUGHT to that of the Bible [John 4:23, 24; John 7:17, John 18:37b] and what is practiced [the fruitage] of its members [Matthew 7]. Truth be told, there are FAR MANY MORE PERSONS IN Christendom who are guilty of MUCH GREATER THINGS THAN the person, who you falsley accuse of starting a religion.
(RESPONSE) Greetings Jesus’ name. Your reply to our facts on Charles Russell http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/charles_russell.htm is very disturbing. We cited your own literature and what your founder taught, which is glaringly false and strange and your reply is, we are “being misled”! How can you rightly say that? You are not open to truth. The Biblical evidence and their own teachings only prove Russell and the Watchtower Society are not spreading God’s truth, but the devil’s lie which will damn souls.
It means little or nothing for a group to call themselves a religious name like “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The Mormons call themselves “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” yet they too have been misled by a false prophet.
Jer. 17:5,6 does not apply to us. We are trusting in Jesus for our salvation and are blessed (Jer. 17:7). That parallels what Paul wrote:
As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (Rom 9:33)
We will never be put to shame because we are trusting in JESUS.
After examining the teachings and leaders of the Jehovah’s Witnesses with the Bible, I have no other choice than to flatly reject their “gospel,” which is no gospel at all. Besides that, the JWs are teaching a false Jesus—not one they can go to for “living water” in John 4:10. Jesus said:
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)
You can not ask Jesus for living water because of the reasons Jesus gave there—you do not know the gift of God or who Jesus is. You have been misled to think he is Michael the archangel. Hence, you can not pray to, worship or trust in the Lord Jesus. You also “refuse” to go to Jesus for eternal life:
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. (John 5:39,40)
We have judged Russell and the Watchtower Society by their fruit—Armageddon in 1914, 1918, 1925, 1931, 1941, 1975, etc. Those deceivers even tried to deny they said 1975 was to be the end. Their fruit is poisonously rotten. Jesus said false prophets are “deceivers” (Mt. 24:11). There is no harmony with what those savage wolves in sheep’s clothing have taught to the Bible, especially since they don’t know who Jesus is, what the gospel is or how to get salvation. The fruit of its members is also bad. They are all brainwashed to think the Watchtower Society is “Jehovah’s Organization,” when it is really a false prophet. They are blind followers of the blind. You must start to think on your own and believe what the Bible says or you will be lost. Have you seen this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/jehovah.htm
While there are other false prophets and deceivers besides Charles Taze Russell, the point is he is not of God. He can not be trusted for sound teaching and the organization he created has hurt and stumbled millions over the years. Please don’t confuse the issue. You do so to your own harm and destruction. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) Dear Evangelical Brethren.... Read your Expose of Jehovah’s Witness founder Russell... I agree... There is a point of question that I have in context of true Bible salvation.... In John 7:38 Jesus said “He that believeth on me as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters”... We do not “choose” Him , but He calls us and fills us (Sinners Prayer is not scriptural... doctrine of “Holy Trinity” is not scriptural). ...so while finding error with the Mormons and the Witnesses and the Catholics we may want to more closely examine our own “false doctrine”... ”In that day they shall say Our fathers have inherited lies “Come out of her my Brethern and He will receive you” ...God bless
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. John 7:38 shows there is evidence of true converts. See also 1 John 3:10; etc. We have free will to accept or reject the God’s truth. We can believe (Acts 4:4; etc.) or refuse to believe (Acts 14:2; 19:9; John 5:39,40; 2 Thess. 2:10). Do not confuse God choosing those already saved to bring forth “fruit” with us choosing Jesus for salvation. They are not the same. Read this carefully:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:16)
The Calvinists often misuse that passage. Do NOT be deceived by them.
What do you mean by the “Sinner’s Prayer”? If you mean one can’t get saved by praying for mercy or calling on the name of the Lord, that is wrong. See Lk. 18:13,14; 23:42,43; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13; etc. Also, the sum total of God is a Triune being. The Trinity is Biblical http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/trinity.htm
Please drop all preconceived ideas you have about God and read the New Testament and change accordingly. It seems that you have been listening to different types of false teachers.
GOD BLESS YOU. Heb. 3:14.
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(EMAIL) My name is _____ I’m from _____ Western Australia. Far away from you- but close- thanks to the internet! I found your website by _____________. I have been reading the articles over the last few days and I am impressed with your biblical messages- I like the way you bring out the important Scriptures. I have been to various churches, and have been disappointed to see that most churches are just preaching to tickle peoples ears.
Eternal security: I only became aware of the “once saved- always saved” doctrine last year at a women’s Bible study- when just one other lady and I disagreed with what we were reading- and the next thing I knew- one woman said that I mustn’t know Jesus at all, if I didn’t know that! Me and the other lady have not been back since- we just can’t believe such rubbish. I was shocked as I didn’t actually realize people believed that you couldn’t lose your salvation- or if u did- then they justified it by saying that u mustn’t of ever really got saved in the first place. Completely illogical. It sounded so wrong- and completely against what I knew from Scripture- I like the way you have expounded on the topic- and I’m only just realizing how widespread this teaching actually is! You are right- it is a deadly poison- a license for immorality- and is being used to keep people happy- make friends with the world, and make money.
I used to be an atheist. I never knew that God was real. I was called by God and became a Christian just over __ years ago- I had an amazing transformation- and excitement at knowing that God was real- and now I knew what the point to life was! I’ve had good and bad patches- and seen some of my friends and family members come to know Christ... and I’ve had patches of sin in between- although I can’t ever forget God now.
Please help: I am burdened by my conscious and the Holy Spirit which tells me that I’m not living right, and have not been living right. I am aware of obvious sins and try to avoid them...but am stuck in bad habits that I desperately need to break... mainly involving conflict with my husband. I am embarrassed to say- but I know I need help- and I’m asking for help- and for you to pray for me- and help me- I yell, scream, swear, I fight- I call him names- I throw things- I hit him. This is my main area of sin. I know this is weighing me down- and I need to stop it. We have both lost respect for each other and desperately need it back. He is a Christian too.
...I then got involved in a church/cult- here in ____ - Their main doctrine is the same as the United Pentecostal Church- which you may be familiar with. They preach the need to “speak in tongues” as evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit- and they say if you haven’t spoken in tongues then you are not a Christian- and hence- won’t be going to Heaven. I didn’t have the internet at the time- LOL- and nobody was defending the doctrine they put to me- I had only been a Christian for a few months- and I ended up sucked into their church/cult- That’s where I met my husband- ! He still attends there- I stopped going there over __ years ago- after getting the internet with broadband- and being able to look up information for and against that doctrine and other doctrines that they teach.... I have attended other churches briefly- and cannot find a church that I agree with their doctrine.
...I want to live a holy life- I want to be right with God- I want to do His will. I want to love everyone- I want to behave myself. I want to put to death the deeds of the flesh- I want to live for God- I want to be like Jesus- I want Him to be happy with me- I don’t want to go to hell- I am fearful of that! Thanks for listening-I hope to hear from you-Keep up the good work-I like the way that you preach straight to the point- seriously and calmly and clearly. God bless you.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Your experience with eternal security is both sad and somewhat typical. That is because that heresy has been taught for so long and with little or no opposition that most think it is related to grace, salvation and the gospel itself. It was a wise move to leave that congregation!
Regarding your anger, it is good you know something needs to be done. Now you need to put into practice God’s word. It is that simple, but it sounds like you will have to get extremely serious to get the victory over anger and rage. Let me suggest this: (1) Ask God for forgiveness and help, (2) Ask your husband for forgiveness, (3) Recognize your words and actions are VERY POWERFUL, (4) Know that fits of rage will damn your SOUL, unless you get forgiven and change (Gal. 5:19-21). You might even try memorizing certain relevant Scriptures dealing with this. The devil and your flesh will battle so you better get serious and die to self. This should help too http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/newconverts.htm
We believe there are both true and counterfeit tongues in our day. It is good you know the United Pentecostals, and groups like them, are dangerously wrong. What they teach about water baptism is also dangerous. Have you read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/baptism.htm
Please drop all preconceived ideas and read the New Testament for yourself and change accordingly. You are in a very serious and intense spiritual war for your SOUL. Give the devil NO OPPORTUNITY. Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm
GOD BLESS YOU. Heb. 3:14.
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(EMAIL) I saw your letter you wrote and posted on the internet to David Wilkerson and all I can say is I disagree.
You made some good points and did a respectable job of arguing but I think you may have taken some of the things he said out of context and/or too far.
I do not believe DW as you call him is part of a heresy. I believe he believes that we are all sinners who live in sin of one type or another and yet we are still Christians and believers.
I would challenge you to find me a believer who is without sin because if I read your arguments right, you are saying that you’re not a believer if you are involved in some sort of sin like porn addiction or homosexuality...both of which you and I know are detestable sins. Yet, what if someone is stuck in the rut of being critical and judgmental? You and I both know that no sin is worse than another one, even though some might affect us more harshly than others. If I am a believer and have been saved, yet I struggle with the sin of say gluttony and just can’t stop stuffing my face... something most Americans and I dare say even you are struggling with, that is just as much of a sin as you going out and committing adultery because let’s face it, a sin is a sin. If you are a drunkard, do you suddenly lose your salvation and then regain it once you sober up and live the rest of your life “dry”?
Again, your arguments had good points and good structure formats, but I believe you are wrong. One thing I might caution you is this and then I’m done. Sometimes envy and jealousy that we aren’t aware we’re harboring or simply don’t want to acknowledge compels us to do/say things that needn’t be said. Example would be you writing your letter criticizing DW for what he’s said. Accountability is one thing, but jealous based criticism is another thing. I don’t know what your basis for your letter was but it’s worth mentioning.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. It never ceases to amaze us how people can criticize us when we state and document what some person has said. It is a FACT that Wilkerson has taught the things we have stated. How you can imply they are “out of context” or taken “too far” is ludicrous. You should have examined the context before trying to defend Wilkerson and oppose us who are obeying God. The truth is: you should have written Wilkerson and asked him how he can teach like that, but you seem to be a closed-to-the-facts follower of him. Besides all of that you insult us and imply jealousy or envy is why we expose his dangerous teachings. You are thinking the worst about us. WHY can’t you see the DANGER in what he has said? Why aren’t you glad people are warned he is WRONG so they won’t be deceived and harmed?
We do not say one must be sinless to have salvation! Also, 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.).
It seems that you are trying to make allowances for wickedness. Are you aware how easy it can be for a righteous person to die spiritually? ALL drunkards will not inherit God’s kingdom, unless they repent and get the victory over that wickedness.
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. http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/whatsnew.htm This book is the most exhaustive and comprehensive refutation to eternal security ever written.... GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) Peace be with you! ...I first would like to thank you for not bashing Catholics in your explanations, but treating us with dignity. Secondly, I am a fervent, practicing Catholic. There are many things I would like to tell you about our attitude towards Mary, but the one thing that sums it up is this: Protestants believe in “Sola Scriptura” (ONLY the Bible), whereas Catholics believe in Scripture & Tradition. Therefore, anything that is not in the Bible, you refuse to give any credit to. Catholics, on the other hand, realize that the Bible has what we need to know while we are on earth to be believers and to attain eternal salvation. However, EVERYTHING that happened is not in the bible, as is stated in John 21:25. Also, the protestant bible has 7 books missing from the original bible... it was a human being, Luther, who decided, on his own, that he thought those books should not be in the bible, because in them was biblical proof of many of the Catholic Church’s teachings, and since he did not believe in these things, he decided to get rid of the evidence. He was therefore guilty of being disobedient to what John had to say at the end of the bible, Rev. 22:18-19.
I could go on & on, because Mary is the one who brought me out of my sinful life and into a life filled with the love of God. We do not WORSHIP Mary; we honour her and venerate her, just as God Almighty commanded us to do: “Honour your father and mother.” Who should we honour more than the woman that God chose throughout all of time and creation to become the mother of His only Son, Jesus Christ, Who is God; therefore, through God's own doing, the inexplicable and difficult to comprehend mystery came to be: Mary, a human being, became the Mother of God. That is why we love her and honour her. We worship ONLY GOD.
Here are some bible passages I invite you to read, to show you that the Catholic Church’s teachings are biblically based. If you cannot find them in your bible, try looking them up in a Catholic bible, which has the missing 7 books. Please pray with me for the day where Jesus’ heartfelt request to the Father is fulfilled: “That we may all be one!!” May the Lord bless and keep you. __________ from Canada
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. As a former “fervent, practicing Catholic” I’m very acquainted with what I was taught. In fact, I believe I know what Catholicism teaches better than you do, but that is not nearly as important as knowing what the Bible teaches, which is definitely not the same.
Catholics are taught the Bible is the word of God, but Sacred Tradition is of equal importance. Catholics are also taught only the Catholic hierarchy can understand the Bible. (These are two common traits of cults and false religions.) Sacred Tradition in Catholicism is a catch all term. In other words, anything that is not in the Bible and was created or evolved over the centuries is said to be part of Sacred Tradition. They concocted this idea to try to defend and protect the many unscriptural teachings and practices they have. A prime example of tradition is the Rosary.
The Rosary was invented around 1090 AD. No professing Christian ever heard of the Rosary or recited such for the first 1,000 years of the real church! The Rosary is not only not original, it is actually disobedience to Jesus’ teachings on how to pray. The Lord taught:
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Mat 6:6-8)
Hence, just because the word “tradition” is found in the Bible (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6), that doesn’t mean it is the same as what Catholicism calls (Sacred) Tradition. It is impossible for the Rosary to be under that umbrella since it is disobedience to God. It cannot be of the same source which gave us the Bible. Besides the above proof showing this about the Rosary there are also the various Mary-exalting concepts, such as found in the “Hail Holy Queen.” The Rosary declares Mary to be our “life, sweetness and hope,” which is pure spiritual poison. If believed, that is enough to damn a person. The truth is: JESUS is our life, sweetness, hope and much more. My trust and hope are centered on JESUS, but after the Catholic system gets done with someone he/she will be thinking Mary is that. Such is reflected in your email to us. You have written that only because you are not reading and believing the New Testament, but instead what Catholic people have taught you. Your SOUL is in the greatest danger. You must stop this and commit to JESUS. SUBMIT TO and TRUST IN JESUS 100% FOR YOUR SALVATION, WHICH LEAVES ZERO LEFT FOR MARY, BEING A CATHOLIC, THE SACRAMENTS, ETC. You must OBEY him (Lk. 8:21).
The Apocrypha is not inspired by God. The Jews NEVER thought it was. They were the ones who established what we call the Old Testament, not the Catholic Church. Also, the ONLY Catholic doctrine it has in it is praying for the dead (purgatory). It is easy to know such is not God’s word because in 2 Mac. 12, where we read of this—the ones who were to be prayed for died with idols in their possession. Catholicism would say they died in the state of mortal sin and consequently went to hell—not Purgatory!!!! Hence, 2 Mac. 12 contradicts the teachings of Catholicism and Purgatory. It is not a support of Catholic doctrine!
Just because John 21:25 states there were other miracles Jesus did which are not recorded, that doesn’t mean what Catholicism calls “Sacred Tradition” is true! Think! Furthermore, it can NOT be wrong to only go by the Bible. It has to be right. In fact, 2 Tim. 3:16,17 says all Christian teaching is to come from the Scriptures and the man of God is throughly equipped for every good work with the Bible alone:
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)
While it is true that officially Catholicism does NOT teach to worship Mary, the truth is many Catholics do “worship” Mary! Furthermore the Catholic church teaches to “venerate” Mary and the word “venerate” is a synonym of “worship”! Catholicism openly teaches and worships the Communion wafer! That is idolatry as well as bowing before statues, such as what is done on Good Friday.
The Scripture in Exodus regarding honoring your father and mother is referring to honoring one’s NATURAL father and mother. Mary is NOT your natural mother! That verse cannot be correctly used to exalt Mary. Besides the Mary of Catholicism is NOT the Mary of the Bible.
Catholicism has misled hundreds of millions of people. They were taught they follow the Bible and are Christians, but that is not true. If you don’t believe me, read what Jesus taught for yourself and be stunned. May this email stir you enough to read the New Testament for yourself without any study aids and to change accordingly. You have not been saved or delivered from a sinful life because of Mary. Mary is not our Savior or Deliverer. Jesus is the ONLY true Savior of man. For your own sake please carefully ponder these things and read over these other related articles and testimonies of former Catholics http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/catholic.htm
GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Second EMAIL) Thank you for your response. I can see that nothing I say in defense of my beliefs will sway you, as you are convinced that your beliefs are truth. Therefore, we agree to disagree. I am convinced with every fibre of my being that the Catholic Church has the fullness of the Truth. I could give you hundreds of examples and experiences from my lifetime, right up to the present moment. Mary brought me to Jesus, from Whom I was straying at the time. Because of her intervention and intercession, I fell in love with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. That is what she does. She brings people to God through her prayers, just as a friend can bring another friend to God through their prayers. I worship only God. I love and honour Mary, just as I do my own mother. Mary is my SPIRITUAL mother, because she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God, and since we are God’s children, that makes her our spiritual mother.
Anyways, I will not go on, even though I could write 100 pages and still not be done with my testimony. I am saddened that you chose to leave the Catholic Church, and pray that you will one day find your way straight to return to your true home. May God bless you with an abundance of joy and peace, and may He be there to greet you when it is your time to return to Him in heaven. Maybe we’ll be neighbors:)
(Second RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
You have no defense for what you believe. All you have is what someone told you and you accepted. You do not have Scripture. In fact, even though Scripture teaches the opposite of what you were told you reject Scripture and continue to cleave to various deadly myths. Somehow you got the idea that Mary brought you to Jesus and she is your deliverer. This is foreign to New Testament Christianity. For you to trust in Mary at all for anything is to go against God. If you are led by the Holy Spirit you will accept what the Bible says about how to get to Jesus and how to get forgiven. If you seek you will find, but you are not seeking. You are trying to convert us from truth and spiritual life to deception and spiritual death. Though this might sound harsh it is not. It is fact.
You remind me of the Catholic-like woman who spoke to Jesus:
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)
NOTE: Jesus publicly corrected her FALSE VIEW OF MARY’S IMPORTANCE! Jesus said she was WRONG. You are just like that woman and need to accept Jesus’ correction. WHY don’t you change for your own sake?
Catholicism is not my “home.” My home is with God on the other side of the grave, as is the case with all Christians. We are here now to help others who are lovers of truth find Truth himself (Jesus) and be spared from hell. This is very serious. This is not a game of throwing out a few concepts via an email. This is for eternity. Our death is certain, as is Judgment Day. NOW is the time to draw near to God his way—through the Scriptures which point to JESUS and NOT Jesus and Mary too. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) God will not be pleased with those who persecute the One True Church, the Bride of Christ, the Holy Roman Catholic Church will exist in eternity by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. To speak out truth is not “persecution.” Furthermore, WHY would you think Catholicism is the one true church? ANSWER: only because that is what someone told you. You do NOT have Scripture to support such a claim.
The worst part of this deception is you do not have true salvation, even though you are religious and maybe even God fearing. You want the salvation and eternal life the Bible refers to, but you refuse to do what it says to get it. You believe what other Catholics have told you over the Bible and therefore remain in the greatest spiritual danger. Please, please for your own SOUL’S sake, drop all preconceived ideas about God and salvation and read the New Testament with a willingness to believe and do what it says. That is your only hope. The Bible is final authority (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
True salvation is found by those who repent (turn from wickedness) and place their TRUST in JESUS for salvation. It is a trusting and submitting faith in Jesus which will bring initial salvation and we must endure to the end to enter God’s kingdom. Please read this for more info http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/salvationps.htm
GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) I am writing to find out more. I’d like to know how you respond to someone who commits one sin vs. another. Meaning like you letter to Mr. Wilkerson that if you commit adultery (with the eyes) in God’s eyes is no different than had you done it with your body. He see’s no degree in sin. So because we are people and not with out flaw if I am angry over and over have I not committed sin as well? Then does your statements declare that I too have lost my salvation like the adulterer? Sincerely,
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. 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.).
Also, please ponder this repeated warning Paul gave Christians:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)
Please take these truths serious for your own soul’s sake. It might be you are under some influence of eternal security. Sometimes even among people who reject eternal security there is a dullness because of the poor examples around us by eternal security “Christians” [who are not real Christians at all] and are drunks, liars, thieves, sexually immoral, etc. Please know Jesus’ sheep “follow” him. To enter God’s kingdom you will have to have a pure heart (Mt. 5:8).
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GOD BLESS YOU.
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