EO Responds To
Emails 09-27-09
(EMAIL) What I try to, and hardly ever get from those who teach salvation can be lost by works, either by doing evil or failing to do good is a mechanism of how this works. It's a very Catholic type of doctrine.... Non Catholics who point to no specific authority to interpret scripture, that subscribe to this usually bypass the degrees of sin and claim ANY sin destroys grace, so if a person had not asked for forgiveness and died with one sin, they would go to hell. Before Christ, the Jews practiced animal sacrifice, and had/have Yom Kipur as an annual day of atonement. Animal sacrifice was perpetual and Yom Kipur is yearly. The implication is that sin was still happening and it was by the sacrifice of the animal that the sin was forgiven. Christ is already dead, we can't re-kill him. It was not their custom to wait until a person's first actual sin, sacrifice an animal and that was it. So Christ came and replaced animal sacrifice and days of reflection and forgiveness with completely perfect obedience? If not then what is the standard?
How much sin is "OK" to not destroy grace? People say the doctrine isn't salvation by works, well maybe, but it's certainly loss of salvation by works, meaning there is a dividing point where a person had sin, but not enough to destroy grace, and a fine line later where they have lost the grace until they dig themselves out of the hole they are in and can then be reconciled.....So what is the new standard? It's not perfection because if we could, then we would not need Jesus. It's easy to say a person who dies raping an infant and eating another with no remorse or reserve, most likely isn't saved; but we have to realize it usually isn't that cut and dry, there must be a breaking point where one sin and a person is ok, where one more sin and they are not. The hard line view that any sin can do this reminds me of an episode of Star Trek TNG. They are on a planet where there are special zones of land and each day some of these are secretly and randomly selected and anyone who breaks any law in a selected zone, unknown to them, is executed. So if you jaywalked in that zone, you would be immediately executed with no questions asked. This was to promote respect for even the least serious laws by placing a warning that you could die for any offenses. I don't know why, but that comes to mind as similar to the doctrines. Where am I going wrong? Perhaps you can tell me, point me in the right direction or give me a good source. Just trying to learn and understand, I write with all due respect to you. I thank you for your time.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. There are MANY things in the Bible that are NOT explained in much detail. Often we are only given a truth or statement of fact. Also, please do NOT try to connect a heretical false religious system, such as the Catholic church, to Christians.
There is NO question that Jesus’ work on the cross is complete, finished and never needs to be repeated. It replaced the entire Jewish sacrifice system. These truths, however, do NOT allow for Catholicism or eternal security.
If one loses his salvation it is not by “works.” It is through certain sins, believing/teaching a false gospel and/or disowning Jesus during persecution. There is no question the Bible teaches the righteous can die spiritually. To obey God is not legalism or “works.” Works in Paul’s writings (Eph. 2:8,9) are associated with the ceremonial and dietary aspects of the Jewish law. See Galatians. We do NOT teach sinless perfection for salvation.
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.).
Somehow you have been taught such misleading doctrine that you are not even sure if a person dies raping another he will go to fiery torment. You are NOT getting your beliefs from Scripture alone. You are listening to false teachings! A rapist who dies in the act will be damned. No question. See 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Rev. 21:8; Eph. 5:5-7; etc.
You want something clear and definite on an issue, but OFTEN such is NOT given by God!!!!! Stop seeking all the details and go by what we have. There is no similarity to God’s word and star trek, which is fiction.
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. It has never been refuted and never will, even though thousands of Baptists ministers have it!
Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) I just finished listening to your,1 Timothy, chapter 1, teaching. A Glorious Gospel, almost underscores How Great is Our God, beyond our words for sure! Always perfect, always pure, always available, always given to all who, Ask, Seek, Knock!
This OSAS [once saved always saved] theology doesn't work for me, because I live a in a world surrounded with fallen people who claim for themselves, to be Christian, yet they do not produce Godly Fruit! They cling to false teachings that they desire, rather than what God desires for them! I love your explanation of the moment of Salvation, where the believer is given three elements that they clearly did not possess beforehand. The Pure Heart, the Good Conscience, and the Sincere Faith!
The ability to "trust and obey" cannot be achieved without those imperative tools of Salvation, given only by the Saviour, for all mankind walks by sight first, a then by Grace can he walk by Faith!
I have ____ older brothers who live a lifestyle that goes against the Scriptural Teachings we were raised to believe, they belong to the world and the Ruler of the Air, filled with meaningless talk!! Praise God, for my Salvation, and His Holy Spirit, that has given me the ability to show others, (our greatest testimony) that we can now walk freely in the blessings of 1 Corinthians 10:13, for Our God is Greater than all the trapping of Satan!! We have the "Victory in Jesus," that fallen Christians have apparently lost! Praise God for you, and your Faithfulness, and your God-given teaching! Your brother in Christ...
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. It was a blessing to read your email about the new creation. With today’s poisoned gospel deceiving many, getting set free from sin’s addictions (Rom. 6; John 8:34-36) is not possible. Hence, the real message is not going forth, for the most part, because people are not getting changed. Furthermore, with the counterfeit grace of eternal security, many who were really saved are reclaimed by the devil. If a Christian opposes such evil doctrine, he gets accused by some of being a false teacher, false prophet, heretic, works salvation person, etc.
May God help all true Christians shine brightly in our DARK (VERY DARK) day, which will get darker. Remember Rev. 12:11. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) ...Something that I find very disturbing with you and your teaching is the fact that you have taught that Judas Iscariot was a apostle! Do you know what the qualifications of an apostle were? Answer: That each 'apostle' witnessed the resurrection. Question: Did the 'probationary' apostle Judas Iscariot 'witness' the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Answer: No. This is just one of the countless issues within your teachings. Will you investigate this matter with the authority of holy scriptures or '...are you right, and I'm wrong' attitude?
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. David Stewart is grossly deceived. Have you seen what we wrote about him? http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/davidstewartskullcrossbones.htm He is the one who is wrong! Why contact us with his garbage? What he wrote against us is no more valid than the lies spoken against John the Baptist, Paul or any other servant of God by wicked people.
You mentioned Judas. If a person avoids parts of the Bible and only focuses in upon a Scripture or two, he will probably be grossly deceived. This is often the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, Calvinists, etc. Without a doubt, Judas Iscariot was an “apostle” before he backslid. To question this is to question the accuracy of what the Holy Spirit inspired. Note the following:
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mat 10:1-4)
He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (Mark 3:14-19)
When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (Luke 6:13-16)
Judas was just as much an apostle (and the same kind of disciple) as the other Twelve. Also, there is no such thing as a “probationary apostle,” except in the deluded minds of Calvinists who want to protect the dangerous myth of eternal security. NO SCRIPTURE can be given for such a designation! Furthermore, the Scripture you are referring to, but didn’t cite, is Acts 1:21-23:
“Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
The context is referring to Judas’ replacement! QUESTION: Why would they choose a person to replace Judas and fill the office of “apostle,” if Judas wasn’t an apostle? Were they only trying to find a “probationary apostle”? Think.
ALSO NOTE that Judas was the Lord’s disciple. Hence, he was saved at that point, yet later went to hell. There was no eternal security for him and there is none for us either. Please do NOT be deceived. God bless you.
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(EMAIL) Your doctrine says that NO one can be ever be sure of their salvation!! This says we must lead a life of total insecurity!! My Bible says I am saved by a profession of faith, NOT of works lest any should boast. Therefore when I am born again, NOTHING can take me out of His hand. As I am not saved by MYSELF but by my faith IN HIM! In God We Trust, Why ?, Nothing Else Works!
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Our doctrine teaches that a follower of Jesus can KNOW he is saved NOW in the present time. Such is the ONLY salvation assurance taught in Scripture. 1 John 5:12,13 is a present tense believe. We can only KNOW we have eternal life as we presently have Jesus. That can change since we can be disowned by Jesus (Mt. 10:33) and get spued out of his body for lukewarmness (Rev. 3:15,16). Have you ever noticed this passage:
See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—even eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (1 John 2:24-26)
John wanted his readers to know the believer’s security is CONDITIONAL. Isn’t that clear?
[FYI, it is Calvinism which has absolutely NO SALVATION ASSURANCE AT ALL, even though they may try to contradict this fact. Since Calvinists believe in prevenient grace, which is where their god deceives some people making them think they are saved when they aren’t. Hence, no Calvinist can really be sure of final salvation!]
Initial salvation does NOT come merely because one makes a profession of faith. To get born again one MUST “repent” (turn from his idols) and place a submissive faith and trust in JESUS (Acts 20:21; 1 Thess. 1:9; etc.) If you have never been set free from your sin addictions, you have never been saved.
You have referred to the following passage, so let’s take a close look at it:
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME. John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Please note that the ones that will “never perish” or get “snatched” from God’s hand, according to Jesus’ teaching, are only the ones that FOLLOW HIM. Also, the Greek tense of the word “follow” in v. 27 is a CONTINUOUS TENSE. Hence, this verse does NOT allow for one to stray into wickedness and maintain their salvation as it has been misused to teach. Please remember this.
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. It has never been refuted and never will, even though thousands of Baptists ministers have it!
Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm
Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) Do you not realize that there really is no difference between Christianity and Catholicism? (in reference to Could This Be The Great Apostasy? section titled The Ecumenical Movement). If you do research and are honest with yourself, you will realize the irrefutable similarities. Christianity is nothing more than a branch off of Roman Catholicism. Sure there may be some minor differences but even the differences are variations of the basic dogma set forth by the Roman Catholics [between the years 325 AD and 1095 AD].
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Please do not try to equate Catholicism to Christianity, as revealed in the New Testament. All who have read the New Testament should be able to see the major differences. When I was a Catholic I was in a make-believe fairytale world of Mary, the saints, the priest, the sacraments, the Pope, the rosary, kissing statues, lighting candles, praying for the dead, Holy Days of obligation, etc. The truth of God, which brings eternal life, is significantly different, but you will not believe this unless you read the New Testament for yourself carefully with an open mind. We have MUCH material which can help you here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/catholic.htm Remember: It can ONLY be for your good to carefully read the New Testament and change accordingly! God bless you.
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(EMAIL) If works and turning away from your sin’s along with the output of works is necessary for salvation then explain the salvation received by the thief on the cross next to Jesus that simply believed and Jesus told him plainly “that today you will be with me in paradise.” The thief did not have an opportunity to turn from his sin’s or perform works. So, Please if you could explain to me his salvation or maybe you’re suggesting that he wasn’t saved at all and Jesus was a liar incapable of securing this man’s salvation by simple belief. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. The ONLY way that thief could have gotten forgiven (which is what happened) was for him to repent (turn from his sins). In his HEART he turned away from wickedness and essentially asked Jesus for mercy. If he didn’t he could not have been forgiven. Jesus taught one MUST repent (Lk. 13:3,5; 24:47; etc.) just as his disciples did (Acts 3:19; 20:21; 26:20) to get forgiven. He sincerely and humbly asked for mercy as he repented. See also Lk. 18:13,14. His spiritual identity changed from “thief” to “righteous” in a moment’s time and he was therefore of the PURE HEART needed to enter “Paradise.” The sins that were dragging him to eternal fire were forgiven INSTANTLY. Had he been able to come down from the cross he would have proven his repentance by his deeds (Acts 26:20).
Please consider signing up for our email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm
GOD BLESS YOU. (Remember Heb. 3:14.)
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(EMAIL) If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (Jo. 8:36). Your teaching of conditional security makes all Christians slaves and not free.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Grace changers like to refer to John 8:36, but don’t have the slightest idea what the context is:
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36)
The context refers to freedom from slavery to sin. This is also Paul’s message regarding the new creation under “grace”:
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. (Rom 6:6,7)
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Rom 6:16)
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Rom 6:18)
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Rom 6:22)
The freedom referred to is from sin! Note Rom. 6:6,7. The Bible teaches a conditional security if you or I like it or not. That is the way it is!
God bless you.
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(EMAIL) On your web site you mentioned that the idea of once saved always saved promotes licentiousness. This could never be further from the truth. Read Romans 6:1-11 for what Paul said about your false idea. Also. According to what John taught in John 10:27-29, a saved person is kept safe by God and not through his own power. If we can not save ourselves what make you think we can keep ourselves saved? God does both the saving and the keeping. There is not one verse or passage in the Bible that teaches that a believer could ever lose his salvation. Remember this and it will help you with this truth; we can lose rewards but never our salvation.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. We have read the entire Bible multiple times. There is NOTHING in Rom. 6:1-11 or anywhere else that can be used to defend or proclaim the heresy of eternal security. That doctrine clearly promotes sin, including criminal acts http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/rick_knapp_george_sodini.htm
You have referred to the following passage, so let’s take a close look at it:
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME. John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Please note that the ones that will “never perish” or get “snatched” from God’s hand, according to Jesus’ teaching, are only the ones that FOLLOW HIM. Also, the Greek tense of the word “follow” in v. 27 is a CONTINUOUS TENSE. Hence, this verse does NOT allow for one to stray into wickedness and maintain their salvation as it has been misused to teach. Please remember this.
Have you ever noticed the following Scriptures:
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Rev 3:11)
But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. (Heb 3:6)
We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. (Heb 3:14)
(They are just a few of the ones which could be listed.) You also wrote:
There is not one verse or passage in the Bible that teaches that a believer could ever lose his salvation.
Have you ever noticed these passages? [They are only two of many which could be listed:]
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19,20, NASB)
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:26-29)
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. It has never been refuted and never will, even though thousands of Baptists ministers have it!
Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) Thank you for reaching out to this sin-darkened world! I have a question: What is the Beast and what is its Mark that we are to avoid? Blessings
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. You asked the proverbial $64,000 question twice! We do NOT know these answers [in detail] at this moment. All anyone can do is guess.
Over the years many falsely thought various people were the “Beast” (Antichrist). Time has proven them wrong. We do KNOW the antichrist is a person though, who will be one day be worshiped by society!
The “mark of the beast” is another thing we are not completely certain of either, but when it is issued it will be needed to buy or sell. To receive the mark of the beast will result in eternal damnation, even for people previously saved. If we are the generation which will face the antichrist (and since the “rapture” will not remove Christians at that time), especially Rev. 12:11 will be vitally important:
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Please consider signing up for our email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm
GOD BLESS YOU.
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(EMAIL) Great site and reasons for false prophets “other Jesus’s” as warned in Bible. Among the apostasy listed, I didn’t see failure to keep the Sabbath? Real Christians (as distinguished from pagan “Roman” Christians are required to “remember” the one true God’s day. And not worship “sun” gods on “Sun” day. No more “lawless” Christianity! Praise God! Praise Jesus!
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name. Thanks for the compliments about our website. It is very sad that so many have been taught wrongly and consequently think Christians cannot set apart Sunday as the special day of the week for God. Saturday Sabbatarians have elevated this day to a salvation issue when it is NEVER shown to be such in the New Testament anywhere—not even once! Besides that, Romans 14 shows that Christians do NOT have to all agree on an exact day and shows flexibility away from the Old Testament Moses’ era. We have various articles here that may help you http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/sabbath.htm
[BTW, Saturday was named after the Saturn god.]
Please consider signing up for our email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm
GOD BLESS YOU.