A Calvary Chapel pastor who warned of false teachings and apostate movements seeping into the Calvary Chapel organization has been removed from his regional leadership position, and is now removing his local congregation out of the Calvary Chapel Association altogether.
Pastor Dwight Douville of Calvary Chapel Appleton Wisconsin was informed last month that he was being removed from his position as a regional leader, a position he’s held for many years. Why? He says because personal friendships have been put above doctrinal truth, muddying the waters of what Calvary Chapels are all about.
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And because he advocated for maintaining and staying the course while calling out wolves and yeast seeping into Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and the organization as a whole since the death of founder Chuck Smith.
Says Douville:
“Back in March, I sent out the first of 2 letters regarding ongoing concerns about the direction of Calvary Chapels since the passing of Pastor Chuck. In both the primary letter and follow up, many of us had hoped that the CCA Council would follow up and see what could be done to address these concerns.
Instead, I was told that the real reason for my recent removal from leadership in Wisconsin following the release of my March letters isn’t related to how I asked pertinent questions about the direction of CCs, it’s that I asked at all and actually sent it out. This is not the first time a pastor who dared ask questions has been sanctioned either.”
While not an official denomination, Calvary Chapel churches operate autonomously and share a commitment to the doctrinal distinctives outlined by Smith. But in recent years many CCA leaders are no longer holding to those distinctives.
The Calvary Chapel Association is seemingly (though not officially) under the leadership influence of Smith’s son-in-law Brian Brodersen, who inherited the pulpit at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa with his marriage to Chuck Smith’s daughter, Cheryl. Since Smith’s death, many changes have occurred at CCCM as the “new Calvary” replaces the “old Calvary” under new leadership (Brodersen even changing Calvary’s dove logo). Case in point, Brodersen’s first media interview with Christianity Today titled, “A Case for Big Changes at Calvary Chapel.”
Douville says the ongoing problems have been of concern to many Calvary pastors, church members, and former members who he says are, “grieved by the lack of care on the part of CC leadership in protecting the sheep from wolves that have walked right through the front door of Calvary Chapel, which has always been known for its distinctive doctrinal views that are now being compromised for the sake of unity.”
These eyebrow-raising concerns have not gone unnoticed by news outlets and other Christian groups. In particular:
- Greg Laurie’s endorsements of the Azusa anniversary and teaming up with NAR’s Lou Engle Catholic mystic Roma Downey, Introducing Contemplative Advocates Gungor and David Crowder, and leading a Joint worship with a Catholic Priest.
- Laurie’s endorsement of Calvary Chapel pastor Steve Berger’s book “Have Heart” containing false teaching about necromancy which the bible prohibits;
- Phil Metzger’s bridge to and endorsement of seeker guru Bill Hybels and other similar Druckerite churches by default;
- Calvary Chapels aligning with the Acts 29 Church Planting ministry with Matt Chandler and Mark Driscoll.
- Brian Brodersen’s endorsement of the Anglican/Catholic Alpha Course
and his cooperation with Anglican priest Nicky Gumbel for the sake of his annual “Creationfest”;
- Brodersen’s statement on Pastors Perspective of 9/11/14 (43:05 mark) where he states “Catholicism IS Christianity” in response to a caller’s questions:
- Brodersen’s recent quoting of New Ager Eugene Petersen, and Affirmed Yes to the question, “Can I Attend My LGBT Friend’s Wedding?”
- Willow Creek’s Bill Hybels teaching at Calvary Chapel Golgota, Budapest
- Women in the pulpit. (Calvary Chapel and Women in the Pulpit)
- Rick Warren’s invitation to CC founder Chuck Smith’s funeral, and Warren’s and Mark Driscoll’s videotaped memorials that were broadcast.

Rick Warren, left, at Chuck Smith’s memorial
Of Warren’s appearance at Chuck Smith’s memorial, Douville says the pastors and members were stunned and asked questions. “The answer we got was that Rick Warren simply walked up on stage uninvited and turned the spotlight on himself to everyone’s surprise, but we’ve learned that just isn’t true. Those who asked about this were told he just appeared on the stage, with a chair already set up for him (or someone) and we are asked collectively to believe that,” Douville says. Later, he learned that it was Brian Brodersen who invited Rick Warren and Mark Driscoll, ignoring pleas from others in leadership not to invite them.
Douville isn’t the only Calvary Chapel pastor who has weighed the cost of staying in an organization that has shifted from its original mission into unbiblical waters. Many CC pastors have come the same conclusion, saying they feel they can no longer in good conscience be under the same doctrinal and fellowship umbrella as the current leadership of Calvary Chapels.
As for Douville, sound doctrine was the deciding factor. He made the announcement to his flock and to Calvary Chapel pastors:
The board of Calvary Chapel of Appleton has unanimously decided that we are no longer under the authority of, or a part of CC Association in any way, shape, or form. We will continue to call ourselves Calvary Chapel of Appleton and remain committed to the Calvary Distinctives as outlined by Pastor Chuck. As a fellowship we are taking an irrevocable stand and are in the process of determining what the next step will be as we continue to pursue truth.
© Berean Research, 2016
God bless you pastor Douville. That you would hold to the word of truth rather than the praise of men. It is a shame that those in leadership since pastor Smith’s death have done such damage to God’s work at the Calvary Chapel fellowships.
The first church I attended was one that Greg Laurie pastored. There were only about 150 of us then. The Greg Laurie in this article is not the same one that ministered in those days. I pray that God will continue to draw him and the others back to the truth.
Keep digging Ed
A video from Greg Laurie interviewing Chuck Smith with Greg stating they have been friends and surfing buddy’s for over 40 years
Plus Rick Warren got his Purpose driven church structure from Chuck Smith!!
Plus Chuck Smiths Connections with Jacob Prasch (Moriel) Hebrew Roots Teaching and connection with Jack Hibbs
The name list go’s on and on.
Ben,
You are mistaken on two things. 1. Rick Warren got his church building model from Peter Drucker, Robert Schuller. Bill Hybels and Warren implemented this at Saddleback and WillowCreek. Chuck explicitly rejected this model and it’s implementation over the Word of God. 2. Jacob Prasch is not Hebrew Roots, and I believe attends a small Baptist Church (could be mistaken on that), but in the least has actually publicly distanced himself from the majority of the Hebrew Roots movement as he says they try to force people to live under two covenants. Mr. Prasch simply wishes to teach others about the importance of Israel in the last days, battling replacement theology, and wishes to help exposition scripture in light of the Jewish understanding of scripture since the Bible is a book for all men written by Jews about a Jewish Messiah.
Well said, Jerod. I did not see your comment before posting mine.
Thank you Jared Hatch and Maggie for your comments. That is my recollection of Chuck as well. A lovely gracious man who loved the Lord. Not perfect doctrinally. But, still for the most part in line with scripture. And definitely a Christian brother.
Blessings:-}
“Not perfect doctrinally. But, still for the most part in line with scripture…”
Who decides if someone is “perfect doctrinally” and/or “in line with scripture”?
Let me guess, you do and anyone who disagrees with you is not “in line with scripture”…
Here is a question for you
If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that your beliefs/doctrines are not “in line with scripture” and that you and anyone who agrees with you is not truly saved who is correct? You or them and how do you know?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
By grace, through faith, in Christ, + works for salvation= death.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. = eternal life
Eph 5:5
For of this YOU CAN BE SURE: No immoral, IMPURE or greedy person (that 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.
James 2:24
You see that a man is made righteous by works and NOT by faith alone
Rom 2:13
It is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s eyes it is those who OBEY THE LAW who will be declared righteous.
Matt 7:21
Not everyone who says to me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven but ONLY the one who DOES THE WILL of my Father in heaven.
Rev 14:12
This calls for the perseverance of the saints, all those who KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS and their faith in Jesus Christ.
You still have not answered the questions:
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are wrong and are not truly a Christian and not truly saved who is right and who decides?
2. Which of God’s 10 Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
You cannot answer the questions. Repent and OBEY the Gospel (Jesus teachings) the kingdom of God is at hand. I pray you Repent and stop teaching your father’s unbiblical disobedience salvation doctrine.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
“…that is, an idolater” is the key. Anyone who worships an idol can not worship the true God.
For example, Mormons worship the serpent. This is seen in the fact that they believe that man can be made Gods. The worship of anything other than the true God, Jesus Christ, is idolatry. Maryolatry, Allah, Krishna….. are all forms of idol worship. And all disqualify a person from being able to worship the true God.
Mt.6:24- “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
James 2:24- The context deals with Abraham who was made righteous many years prior to the events James describes. So this is saying the fact that he was righteous was confirmed by his works.
Rom 2:13- The law is fulfilled in love for God and love for one another. That is why it has been abolished. Eph.2:15- “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”
Matt 7:21- This is a rejection of salvation by works + faith. Vs.22- “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?”
These thought their works had something to do with their salvation. They found out they were wrong when Jesus said in vs.23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.”
Even though they thought they were doing these things IN JESUS’ NAME, because they trusted in works they never knew Jesus.
Rev 14:12- This is speaking of those believers who will be here during the tribulation period. They are subject to the “time of Jacob’s trouble”. It is a time that God will finish His dealings with Israel as a nation. The final week of Daniel’s 70 weeks in Dan.9.
But, Christians who are alive today will not be there. We will have gone in the rapture. The New Testament is unconditional. Israel’s covenant with God is not.
Believers can disagree on scriptural issues and still be saved, if those issues are not things like who God is or whether works + faith equal salvation, etc… because the scripture is crystal clear on them.
When the rapture happens, who the AC is, etc… are not. Christians consider these to be in-house debates.
The reason you believe as you do is you have never been born again. Therefore your eyes are still blinded to the truth. You have believed a lie and are in the camp of those Jesus addressed in Mathew7:21-23.
But, you do not have to remain there. Jesus loves you and died so you could be free from the law given to Moses, the law of sin and death. Rom.8:1,2
The sad thing is you place yourself under the law even though you are not Jewish. Jesus dies to free Israel from the law (Rom.7:6) and people like you come along and put yourself under it. The definition of insanity.
Thank you for sharing your personal/falible interpretations of the Bible.
You do admit that you are falible or do you claim that your interpretations of the Bible are perfect and free from any/all error (infalible)?
If you admit that you are not infallible then you must admit that you could be absolutely wrong on one or all of your explanations.
Funny how you (a fallible, imperfect sinner) feel comfortable declaring what are and are not “salvation issues” as if you are infallible.
Your personal, imperfect interpretations of the Bible do not change the fact that there are tens of thousands of “Bible based” Protestant Christians who are “spirit led” who completely disagree with your personal Interpretations of the Bible and believe that YOU (and everyone who agrees with you) are not truly Christian, are not truly spirit led and are not truly saved.
You still have not answered the questions.
1. When 2 or more Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible agree that you are incorrect, not truly Christian and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which one of God’s 10 Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
You cannot answer the questions. Notice I did not say “will not answer” because there is a difference.
You falsely portray yourself as someone who “will not answer” but in reality you are someone who “cannot answer”. If you could you would. Your man made doctrines have
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
P.S.
The original Greek word used in Matt 7:23 (which you translated as “iniquity”) is Anomia which correctly translated means “lawlessness”
Anomia is the combination of 2 Greek words, the words are NOT and LAW.
458 anomía (from 1 /A “not” and 3551 /nómos, “law”) – properly, without law;
lawlessness; the utter disregard for God’s law (His written and living Word).
458 /anomía (“lawlessness”)
So the correct wording of verse 23 is “you workers of lawlessness” but like most Protestants you deceptively use words that omit and/or conceal the word “law” in your “interpretations”.
In verse 23 Jesus says ergazomenoi anemia. “workers of lawlessness”
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
The key word that describes what they thought saved them is WORKS. Not iniquity.
Amen. Works alone cannot save anyone.
You consistently attack an argument that I am not making. It’s not faith alone (James 2:24) and it’s not works alone. It’s BOTH obedience + faith.
God’s people (aka the saints) Have BOTH (Rev 14:12)
You still have not answered the questions.
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, not truly Christian and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Don’t “amen” something I did not write or imply. When works are added for salvation it makes faith void. Rom4:14- “For if they which are of the law be heirs, FAITH IS MADE VOID, and the promise made of none effect:”
“When works are added for salvation it makes faith void”
Amen!
Again, it’s not either/or its both/and.
It’s not EITHER Rom 2:13 OR Rom 4:14
It’s BOTH Rom 2:13 AND Roman 4:14.
One verse does not cancel out the other, we must accept BOTH verses. We must consider the WHOLE counsel of God so that we read,
For if they which are of the law be heirs, FAITH IS MADE VOID, and the promise made of none effect. For it is not those who simply hear the law who are righteous in God’s eyes it is those who OBEY THE LAW who WILL BE DECLARED RIGHTEOUS.
It’s BOTH. Both verses are true. You cannot use verses to nullify other verses. I accept BOTH verses.
It’s not faith alone (James 2:24) and it’s not works alone. It’s BOTH fairh + obedience.
God’s people (aka the saints) have BOTH obedience and faith. (Rev 14:12)
This is clearly supported by other verses in Scripture i.e. (Heb 5:9), (Heb 10:26), (1 Cor 6:9), (1 John 3:24), (Matt 7:21-23) and the historical witness of the writings of the early church Fathers who learned directly from John the Apostle who Jesus loved (such as Ignatius and Irenaeus)
You still have not answered the questions.
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, not truly Christian and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Jesus said,” Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
This says,” do not waste what is holy on people who are unholy. But pray for them and ask for wisdom. Snoopie this is directed toward you. The thing you say over and over, and if you really mean it, this will get you to hell. You better examine yourself and see whether you are in the faith. And I’m not judging, but the thing you say tell me that.
Jesus says there no one good, and no one can keep the commandments. You say that you can keep the commandments, than you don’t need Jesus. He didn’t die for you.
James 2:18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works ; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
James here is saying prove your faith by your works. You do good works as a result of your faith in Christ. You want to obey Him.
“Jesus says there no one good, and no one can keep the commandments”
You do not know the Bible.
Luke 1:6
Both of them were RIGHTEOUS in the eyes of God KEEPING ALL of the Lords commandments and decrees BLAMELESSLY.
Matt 1:19
And Joseph her husband, being a RIGHTEOUS man…
Gen 6:9
…Noah was a RIGHTEOUS man, BLAMELESS among the people of his time, and HE WALKED FAITHFULLY WITH GOD.
2 Sam 22:24
I am BLAMELESS before God; I have KEPT MYSELF FROM SIN
2 Sam 22:25
The LORD has rewarded me ACCORDING TO MY RIGHTEOUSNESS according to my cleanness in his sight.
Job 1:1
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was BLAMELESS and RIGHTEOUS; he feared God and shunned evil.
Job 1:8
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is BLAMELESS and UPRIGHT, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
Rom 2:5-7
But because of your stubborn and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS: to those who by patience in DOING GOOD seek for glory and honor and immortality, HE WILL GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.
2 Cor 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
You also declare me unsaved and only Jesus can do that. You have recreated God in YOUR own image and believe that you can speak for God. You cannot.
Repent and OBEY Jesus teachings in the Gospels, the kingdom of God is at hand.
You still have not answered the questions.
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, not truly Christian and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
You can give me all kinds of verses out of the Bible, but if it is not used on context, they are useless. As a true Christian I truly believe, that God inspired men to write the Bible, it is His word. Therefore I believe that you will not find a verse that will contradict another verse and if you do find one ( like you pointed out many), it is your human mind that is in error. I will admit that I do not understand everything, far from it.
There are verses that seem to contradict another verse, it does not mean that the Bible is in error. But what it means is for us to study more and question what does the writer mean in what he says.
I rather believe that we are in error, and not the Bible. God is the author, He is perfect and errorless. What you are doing is showing, according to you, the mistakes He is making. I like to give you a few examples.
James 2:18 But someone may well say,” You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
What James is saying here is,” True faith and works are inseparable . True faith produces works and works is the evidence that you have that true faith. Show me the reality of that faith. The only way to do that is by good works.
We don’t get saved by doing good works, but we do good works to show that we are saved.
Eph. 2:8,9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; NOT AS A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.
I like to add since you mentioned 2 Cor. 5:10 and Romans 2:5-7
God judges man on the basis of his righteous deeds.
We will not be saved by works, but we will be judged by our works.
Marinus L,
I would like to add something to your very good statement about works and faith.
The judgment of the believer’s works does not concern salvation. He is being judged as to whether he will receive the rewards for the works God course for him was set for him to do. If he did not he will not receive the reward, but he will still be saved.
1Cor.3:14,15- “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire.”
His loss is the reward that he was to receive for the works. Not his salvation.
Blessings:-} sis
“The judgment of the believer’s works does not concern salvation”
That is absolutely false. You are either intentionally lying or you simply don’t know the scriptures.
Paul begins his letter to the Christians in Rome by saying,
Rome 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your FAITH is being reported all over the world
Paul goes on to warn these people of faith (believers)
Rom 2:5-7
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in THE DAY OF WRATH and revelation of THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT OF GOD, WHO WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS: to those who by perseverance in DOING GOOD seek glory and honor and immortality, HE WILL GIVE ETERNAL LIFE…
Paul opens his letter to the Christians in Ephesus by saying,
Ephesians 1:1
“To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:”
Paul goes on to warn the faithful (believers),
Eph 5:5
For of this YOU CAN BE SURE: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a person is an idolater–HAS ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND OF GOD.
Every single one of Paul’s letters in the Bible was written to BELIEVERS who he converted and ALL of his warnings are written to BELIEVERS. Not a single letter in the Bible was written to non-believers, this is explicitly clear in all of the introductions.
You REALLY need to study the Bible more.
P.S.
You completely disagree with Marinus about the true nature of God (whether or not God created man with with a free will) and yet you praise Marinus simply because he disagrees with a Catholic. Your hypocrisy shines a light on your bigotry.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Snoop1e,
The passage in question was 1Cor.3:12-15-
“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (To build upon this foundation one must be a Christian)
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day (judgment) shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, HE SHALL RECEIVE A REWARD.”
(The next verse makes it clear that this judgment has NOTHING to do with salvation.)
Vs15- “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire.”
The fact that he is still saved after suffering loss shows the losss is referring to the reward for good works. The plain reading of the text reveals that the judgment for the believer that happens after physical death has ZERO to do with salvation. I can show it to you, but I can’t understand it for you.
The Christian Is judged when he comes to faith in Christ and found to be righteous. So this judgment has passed for the Christian and will never be visited again.
ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED.
Rom.4:3,6- “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness…….Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness WITHOUT WORKS.”
This is what Jesus has done through the NT.
2Cor.5:21- “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.”
“…..NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.” Eph.2:9
Your clinging to OT righteousness that Paul considered “dung” and “loss” is going to land you in the lake of fire. Receive Christ’s righteousness that is able to save to the uttermost and you will enter the kingdom of God.
Heb.7:25- “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
In some religions they teach through their ceremonies that He ever dieth to make intercession, which is in direct opposition to this scripture. That’s why some religions keep Jesus ON the cross.
But, the cross AND the tomb are EMPTY. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Praise His mighty name forever!
Thank you for repeating your personal, fallible interpretation of the Bible. You still have not answered the questions.
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, that you are not truly Christian and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Snoop1e,
You said, “Paul begins his letter to the Christians in Rome by saying,” HUH?!
The letter to the Corinthians was a letter to them at Corinth, NOT ROME. The letter to the Romans was a letter to Rome. Two completely different cities and people.
Snoop1e,
You said “You REALLY need to study the Bible more.”
I need to study the Bible more?
You don’t even know the difference between the Romans and the Corinthians.
Guys you need to stop this?=?=?+.?= + it goes no where. In the beggining 2 bros CAIN versus ABEL. Do you think they would have thought their lives were both in jeprody 1 naturally 1 spiritually .I still lived 1 died ? Which 1 still speaks. Here is where WORKS / FAITH was sorted out by GOD himself . So in the end does GOD really needs our help ////WORKS .When he comes ?????WILL HE FIND FAITH is our modern day ? . It bhis blood that does the work the spirit IN THE FAITH / WAY /TRUTH / LIFE. SELAH was a word that DAVID used a lot in his teachings also. SHALOM. This is the last time i will be posting any thing on here. The scriptures state WE all must WORK OUT our own SALVATION with fear and trembling you need to remember that. It is the ANNOINTING that teaches you not a man.. For an exam Paul said many teachers but not many FATHERS in the church in his time it is even more so today.
@noel
If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name an after reading the Bible decide that you are wrong and they also agree that you are not truly saved who is right? You or them and who decides?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
@edwitness
You need to go back and read my post again slowly. I was not referencing Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth (you were)
I was referencing Paul’s letters to the Christians in Rome and Ephesus.
Please slow down and take your time, you are not making any sense. Do you read the Bible the same way that you read my posts? It seems so…
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Agree. Thank you for the addition.
“We will not be saved by works, but we will be judged by our works.”
AMEN!!!
Rom 2:5-7
HE WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory and honor and immortality, HE WILL GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.
The Bible NEVER says that obeying God EARNS us salvation AND the Bible NEVER says that we are justified by faith alone (James 2:24)
It is a false/flawed presumption that says since God COMMANDS obedience – then obedience is the cause of our salvation. Nowhere does the Bible draw this conclusion.
Just because God commands us to obey Him does not mean that obeying God EARNS salvation. That is a faulty conclusion based on imperfect human reason.
You have been taught that you can “love” God AND disobey God simultaneously, this is not Biblical. You have also been taught that God’s commandments are burdensome (impossible to obey), this also is not Biblical.
1 John 5:3
IN FACT THIS IS LOVE FOR GOD, TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS
and HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT BURDENSOME
You have been taught that you can know God WITHOUT keeping His commandments, this is not Biblical.
1 John 2:3
By this WE CAN BE SURE that we have come to KNOW Him: IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS
1 John 2:4
If anyone says, “I know Him,” BUT DOES NOT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS HE IS A LIAR AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM.
1 John 2:5
But if anyone KEEPS HIS COMMANDMENTS, the LOVE OF GOD has been TRULY perfected in him. BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN HIM:
1 John 3:6
… IN HIM THERE IS NO SIN.NO ONE WHO IS IN HIM SINS; NO ONE WHO CONTINUES TO SIN HAS SEEN HIM OR KNOWS HIM.
1 John 3:7
Little children, make sure no one deceives you; THE ONE WHO DOES WHAT IS RIGHT IS RIGHTEOUS, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.
1 John 3:9
NO ONE WHO IS BORN OF GOD CONTINUES TO SIN, because His seed abides IN him; and HE CANNOT SIN BECAUSE HE IS BORN OF GOD
1 John 3:10
This is how we KNOW who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: ANYONE WHO DOES NOT DO WHAT IS RIGHT IS NOT GOD’S CHILD.
1 John 3:21-22
… whatever we ask we receive from him, BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND DO WHAT PLEASES HIM
You have been taught that you can simultaneously love your neighbor while disobeying God, this is not Biblical.
1 John 5:2
By this WE KNOW that we love the children of God, when we love God and OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS.
1 John 5:18
We KNOW that ANYONE BORN OF GOD DOES NOT KEEP ON SINNING
Jesus tells us,
John 14:15
IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS
John 15:10
IF YOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY LOVE, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
I have never said that the Bible contradicts itself and I have never said that we are saved by our works. Those are your ideas not mine. I simply pointed out that the Bible says God’s children obey His commandments.
You still have not answered the questions,
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, that you are not truly Christian and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
No you never did say outright that we are saved by works. But, you continue to use this little saying by our Lord to the rich young ruler from Matt. 19:17,” If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” You know that you are using this phrase out of context. If you believe that phrase, then you believe that we are saved by works.
Point #2. You never said outright that the Bible contradicts itself, but you make it sound like it does. If you agree with Eph. 2:8,9 and then say you have to obey the commandments to get saved, you created a contradiction in the Bible. In reality you are the one that created these contradictions, it is not the Bible, God is the author and He is perfect.
All these verses you posted in this comment, have nothing to do to gain salvation.
According to 1John 2:1 John is talking to the already saved people. It is the works you do because you saved, not the works you do to get saved. This is exactly what James is trying to explain, and it seems like you have a hard time to understand.
Will pray for you.
“According to 1 John 2:1 John is talking to the already saved people”
Nowhere in the passage does John ever say he is “talking to already saved people” those are your words.
Actually in 1 John 2:1 John begins with “my dear children”. No where in the passage does John ever say he is talking to “already saved people”.
Even if John were speaking to “already saved people” you would still have a major problem because John tells them,
1 John 2:3
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
And
1 John 2:4
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him
And
1 John 3:6
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
And
1 John 3:7-8
Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
And
1 John 3:9
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil…
And
1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And
1 John 5:2
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
And
1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments
And
1 John 5:16
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death
And
1 John 5:18
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning…
And
Repent and obey the Gospel, the kingdom of God is at hand.
You still have not answered the questions,
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, that you are not truly Christian and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
This is the problem with you, you read only partial verses, and you read verses out of context. Read the whole verse 1 John 2:1. …….but if anyone does sin, WE have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.
My question to you ,” does an unbeliever have an advocate who can plead their case to the Father.” I have to say no. So John is talking to believers.
First you say that John is talking to “people who are already saved”,
then when I point out to you that no where does the passage say “people who are already saved” you change your position and now you say that John is speaking to “believers”.
So you make my point, precisely. Yes John is speaking to believers and he tells them that Belief/faith that does not love (obey) God is false faith/belief.
The Epistle of James points this out as well saying “faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-24)
John tells them,
1 John 2:3
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
And
1 John 2:4
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him
And
1 John 3:6
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
And
1 John 3:7-8
Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
And
1 John 3:9
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil…
And
1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And
1 John 5:2
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
And
1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments
And
1 John 5:16
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death
And
1 John 5:18
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning…
And
Repent and obey the Gospel, the kingdom of God is at hand.
You still have not answered the questions,
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, that you are not truly Christian and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
My question was ,” does an unbeliever have an advocate that can plead to the Father,” I said NO, so he is talking to believers, already saved people.
No where does John EVER say
“already saved people”
Those are your words, you are adding words to the passage. You are imposing your beliefs on the passage and mentally inserting words that are not there.
John is tells believers,
1 John 2:3
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
And
1 John 2:4
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him
And
1 John 3:6
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
And
1 John 3:7-8
Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
And
1 John 3:9
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil…
And
1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And
1 John 5:2
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
And
1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments
And
1 John 5:16
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death
And
1 John 5:18
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning…
And
Repent and obey the Gospel, the kingdom of God is at hand.
You still have not answered the questions,
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, that you are not truly Christian and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
“Are already saved people,” the same as “believers”
Lets get serious, I think you’re playing around. You can’t be that dumb.
“You can’t be that dumb”
Thank you for proving my point.
1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Matt 5:22
…whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
No need for sarcasm and insults, we both believe in Jesus. You are putting your pride above your love for the Body of Christ.
You still have not answered the questions,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
I’m sorry, according to the thing you say, I come to the conclusion that you are not my brother in Christ. Your father is the devil, he uses you as a tool to cause disruption among His people. And this is my final comment with you, there is nothing edifying coming out of you. It is obvious the devil is at work, and I want no part of it.
Keep you in my prayers.
Peace in Christian brother
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
“No need for sarcasm and insults, we both believe in Jesus. You are putting your pride above your love for the Body of Christ.”
Nope Snoop1e, that’s where you are wrong. Faith + works for salvation is not Christian doctrine. Anyone who believes it does not know Jesus and is therefore not a part of the body of Christ. Paul made this very clear in Rom.7:1-4. This is what makes this so important and is why we have been trying so hard to help you understand.
You are as steeped in iniquity as those Jesus said that to in Mt.7:15-27;
“15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(The tree is the heart and the fruit are the words that come from your heart and out of your mouth. Mt12:32-37. The fruit there is also words from false teachers.)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
And before you start braying about the word “doeth” in vs’s 24 and 26, remember Jesus is referencing words here not works. This chapter is about false teaching.
And the answer Jesus gave to those who He said He did not know had to do with works not words. That’s why He did not know them. They trusted in works + faith.
You are not Christian if you believe faith + works = salvation. This is why the reformers rejected the doctrines of works + faith for salvation. And is also why true Christians reject it still.
Are your explanations above fallible or infallible?
You still haven’t answered the questions,
1. Which of God’s commandments are impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
2. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they disagree with you and believe that your belief in salvation by faith alone is not biblical and you are not truly saved who is correct? You or them? And who decides?
God Bless,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Snoop1e,
The passages I gave you are Bible. It is the inerrant word of God. You can go to hell if you want to but, you will never be able to say you weren’t warned.
Tell me, how does Rom.7:1-4 not make you and those who believe like you an adulteress?
As expected you do not answer the questions.
Like your father’s Martin Luther and John Calvin you are very comfortable telling people the meaning of the Bible but you do not liked to be questioned about your teachings.
How can I possibly come to the truth if you will not answer my simple questions? This is the reason I am no longer a Protestant.
Yes God’s Word is inerrant but your human interpretation of God’s word is fallible and subject to error. I simply ask you if your interpretations of the Bible are perfect and without error? Are they?
The reason I ask you this is because the Bible warns us (2 Peter 3:16) , (2 Peter 3:17) that Paul’s letters are “difficult to understand and ignorant and unstable people will twist his words to their own destruction teaching lawlessness. The Bible warns us not to carried away by these false teachers and fall from salvation.
You teach lawlessness (salvation apart from keeping God’s law) so how do I know that you are not one of the ignorant and unstable people twisting the scriptures to your own destruction? This is why I ask you questions, should I trust you or trust the written word of God?
The Bible also warns us (Jude 1:4) that ungodly people will worm their way into the church teaching that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
You teach that we do not have to live moral lives because of God’s mercy/grace yes/no? So how do I know that you are not one of the ungodly people destined for condemnation that is spoken of in Jude 1:4?
The Bible says (Rev 14:12) that the saints (those destined for eternal life) keep the commandments and keep faith in Jesus but you say this is not true, you tell me the saints only keep faith in Christ. Whose words should I trust? Yours or God’s?
In the Bible (Matt 19:17) Jesus says, “if you want to enter life, keep the commandments” but you say “if you want to enter life you dont have to keep the commandments”. Who should I trust?
God tells me in the Bible (James 2:24) that a man is justified by what he does and NOT by faith alone but you tell me a man IS justified by faith alone. Who should I trust?
God tells me in the Bible (Eph 5:5) that > can be SURE that no immoral person has ANY inheritance in the kingdom of God but you tell me that immoral people most certainly do inherit eternal life they just get less “rewards” in heaven. Who should I trust?
This is why I ask you if your interpretations of the Bible (your teachings) are perfect and free from any/all error? Because I know for a fact that God’s words in the Bible are perfect and free from all error but you are telling me that God’s words actually mean the exact opposite of what they say.
So I ask you again,
1. Which of God’s commandments is impossible for you to keep with Christ IN you?
2. If 2 Christians gather together in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they come to the conclusion that your beliefs are not Biblical and you are a false teacher and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
3. Are your interpretations of the Bible perfect and free from all error?
God Bless,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Snooopie I asked you a question five days ago. Since you say that I misinterpret the Bible. You may be right, but I am anxious to learn more.
My question was,” what was it that the apostle Paul is saying in Eph. 2:8,9 I like you to explain it to me, you may be right, I may be missing something here.
Don’t give me a long winded answer, by given verses that have nothing to do with the question. There is no need to go to Strong’s concordance. It is all plain English even an uneducated person can understand. ( that is if he/she is under influence by the Holy Spirit.) I’m waiting.
Snoop1e,
Paul tells the church at Rome that if they have believed Christ they have been delivered from the law. Rom.7:6 “BUT NOW WE ARE DELIVERED FROM THE LAW, THAT BEING DEAD WHEREIN WE WERE HELD; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
He also gave one of the laws so we would know what law he was talking about. The 10 commandments.
Rom.7:7
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, THOU SHALT NOT COVET.”
He started the message by saying that anyone who remains under the law while saying they believed in Jesus was an adulteress. Rom.7:1-3
Vs.3- “So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, SHE SHALL BE CALLED AN ADULTERESS: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.”
After this Paul relates to them the only way to be in a relationship with Jesus. Vs4-
“Wherefore, my brethren, YE ALSO ARE BECOME DEAD TO THE LAW by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
As long as the works of the law have anything to do with your relationship with Jesus you are an adulteress.
Case closed.
snooop1e
You are missing the point about what scripture says concerning justification to life and judgment concerning works. Unbelievers (the dead) will be judged according to their works (John 5:28-29, Rev 20:12-13). Believers have passed from death to life and will not come under judgment. This is what Jesus says in John 5:24-30—v24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Then He says in —v28-29 “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” Believers will not be in the grave when that hour comes.
Paul’s point in Romans is that God’s wrath is (present tense) revealed from heaven against all ungodliness; believer and unbeliever alike, Jew and Gentile alike, the moralist and immoralist alike. Romans 2:12-13 is not saying that we are justified by “faith plus works”. Paul is saying that to hear the Law is not enough to be justified but one must fulfill the Law in its entirety (Gal 5:3, Jas 2:10) to pass the final judgment awaiting those people who insist on being judged by works will be judged by works—one needs to keep the Law in its entirety.
It seems you want to pit Jesus against Paul and Paul against James and Paul against himself and by doing so you miss out on the different truths of scripture; let’s call them A (justification —having eternal life ) B (practical sanctification—possessing that eternal life towards kingdom inheritance) and C (judgment for those who do not have eternal life).
Receiving eternal life is always by grace through faith and works play not part or else it is not grace (John 3:15-18; 5:24, Rom 3:28; 4:2-6, Gal 2:16, Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5).
Possessing that eternal life is by walking according to the Spirit in obedience as Christ did (John 13-15, Rom 8, Eph 5-6. Gal 5-6).
Jesus is the “narrow gate” in regards to receiving everlasting life and possessing that life (John 10:9-10; 14:6, Rom 5:9-10, 2Cor 5:15, 2Peter 1:3, 1John 3:14-15). Just as the Children of Israel were given the Promise Land the blessing was for them to possess the land. They have been through conquest and exile but the Land is theirs forever and Jesus will reign on earth from Jerusalem when He returns to set up His kingdom and give inheritance to those who have eternal life and possessed that life by walking in obedience through the Holy Spirit and not by the energy of the flesh.
@rascott247
Thank you for sharing your personal interpretation of the Bible.
Why do Jesus words “keep the commandments” trouble you so much?
1. Which of God’s commandments are impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
2. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that your interpretations above are incorrect and they agree that you are teaching false doctrines and are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
P.S.
All of Paul’s letters were written to believers. See what Paul says to the believers in Ephesus below. Paul never says a word about “unbelievers”. You have been taught a false Gospel according to Paul.
Repent and obey the Gospel, the kingdom of God is at hand.
Eph 5:5
For OF THIS YOU CAN BE SURE: NO IMMORAL, IMPURE, or GREEDY person (that is, an idolater), HAS ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND OF GOD.
NOTE: The Immoral, The Impure and the Greedy do not have ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Paul goes on to say,
Eph 5:6
LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU WITH EMPTY WORDS for because of such things GOD’S WRATH COMES ON THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT.”
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e
Thinking that “keep my commandments” bothers me is your interpretation of what I wrote and cannot be rightly inferred without presupposition. What bothers me is that you assume that Jesus’ conversation with the “young ruler” and “keeping my commandments” concerns (A) truth —receiving everlasting life when it concerns (B) truth—possessing everlasting life (life more abundantly, maturity, John 10:10). The “young ruler” asked a (B) question and Jesus gave a (B) answer, but not before Jesus gauged where the “young ruler” was coming from by asking “Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, and that is God”. And this went right over the “young ruler’s” head just like it does yours. Sad!
What I wrote is found in the text. If you follow inductively you will see that it is not an interpretation but is what the text says.
John 5:24-28
V24-Those who hear Jesus and believe in Him who sent Him HAVE everlasting life and shall not come into judgment.
V25-The hour for the dead to hear and be given life is NOW.
V26-27-The Father has given authority to the Son to execute judgment.
V-28- An hour is coming (that presently is not) when those in the graves will hear and come forth for judgment according to their works.
Now who is being judged based on works? Not those who presently hear and believe but those who are called from the grave (in the future). You have conflated the judgment of works for believers in 1Cor 3 with the judgment of unbelievers by their works in John 5 and Rev 20.
Don’t stop your mantra at Matt 19:17 you need to add 19:21 also if you believe Jesus is speaking of how to be justified. But of course that ruins your interpretation while remaining true to the text.
@rascott247
Thank you for sharing your personal interpretions of the Bible. By what authority do you, an imperfect sinner presume to “explain” God’s perfect Word? Who told you that God needs YOU to “explain” His perfect word?
Is your interpretation of the Bible above perfect and free from any/all error (infallible)?
Paul tells the Believers in Ephesus,
Eph 5:5
For of this YOU CAN BE SURE: No immoral, impure or greedy person—SUCH A PERSON IS AN IDOLATOR—has ANY INHERITANCE in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
And
Eph 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things GOD’S WRATH COMES ON THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT.
Paul tells the Believers in Rome,
Rom 2:5-7
God WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS to those who by perseverance in DOING GOOD seek glory and honor and immortality, HE WILL GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.
John tells Believers,
1 John 5:3
IN FACT THIS IS LOVE FOR GOD, TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS
and HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT BURDENSOME.
And
1 John 2:4
If anyone says, “I know Him,” BUT DOES NOT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS HE IS A LIAR AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM.
Should I trust in God’s perfect Word in the Bible or should I trust in your personal, imperfect explanations of God’s perfect Word?
Surely you agree that God does not need you (a fallible sinner) to “explain” His perfect Word?
Can you answer the questions?
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, that you are not truly Christian and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
You quote John 5:24-28,
John 5:24-28
Those who hear Jesus and believe in Him who sent Him HAVE everlasting life and shall not come into judgment.”
But the passage goes on to say,
John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when ALL who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—THOSE WHO HAVE DONE WHAT IS GOOD WILL RISE TO LIFE, and THOSE WHO HAVE DONE WHAT IS EVIL WILL RISE TO BE CONDEMNED.
Which passage is correct?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e
So let me get this straight. You have been pontificating about the need to keep God’s commandments to receive everlasting life which would mean to do so an imperfect sinner would need to understand God’s commandments which are in God’s Word or else it means that to understand God’s commandments which are in God’s Word one must be a perfect non-sinner? Which are you? If you are the former how is it that you presume to explain God’s Word to the rest of us? If you are the latter…pleased to me you, you’re the first one I’ve met.
Tell me what sense does 2Tim 3:16-17 make if imperfect sinners are not meant to understand and explain God’s perfect Word? Or how about 2Tim 2:15, Matt 4:4, Eph 6:17, Psalm 119:105, Isa 34:16? God’s Word is meant to be understood.
It is clear that you disagree with the explanation I have given. You can copy and paste scripture after scripture that deals with (B) truth and it will not change the fact that we are saved (justified to life) by grace through faith and not by faith plus works. You continually pit scripture against scripture in hopes of justifying your desire to earn everlasting life.
On John 5 one more time: There is no contradiction in what Jesus is saying! Those who believe have everlasting life and will not face judgment! There is a judgment for those who don’t believe and this judgment is to see if their works are good enough to give life the way Christ does. Saying “those that have done what is good will rise to life” does not mean that there will be any found to do good! Their works will not be good enough to give life. The judgment is to show that none are good but One, and that is God. And God demonstrates His justice in this manner.
So are you looking forward to that judgment snooop1e ? You can show the court of Heaven how well you kept the commandments and hope it was good enough to earn life or you can put your trust in the work of Jesus Christ and pass from death to life and not come under this judgment!
“one must be a perfect non-sinner”
Now I see what is confusing you.
You believe that in the Bible the words
“Righteous”, “Blameless, “Upright”, “Perfect”, “Innocent”, “Godly”, “Just” and “Holy” mean “sinless” they
do NOT.
The Greek word for “sinless” is anamartétos (ἀναμάρτητος). Anamartetos only occurs one time in the Bible (John 8:7)
Below are the Greek words for righteous, perfect, blameless, innocent, just, upright, godly and holy.
Righteous – Dikaios
Perfect – Teleios
Blameless – Amemptos
Innocent – Akeraios
Just – Endikos
Upright – Orthos
Godly – Eusebés
Holy – Hosios
Scripture tells us that prior to Jesus sacrifice on the cross there were people who were perfect, righteous, blameless, godly, upright, innocent, just and holy. The Bible does not say these people were “anamartetos” (sinless)
Scripture tells us that the reason these people were perfect, righteous, blameless, upright, just, innocent, godly or holy is because they obeyed Gods commandments and walked in His ways (Mark 6:17), (Luke 1:6), (Luke 2:25)
– but we also know from scripture that
their “righteousness” (obedience) alone could not and did not deserve eternal life. Their good works did not EARN them salvation.
Scripture tells us that only by FOLLOWING Jesus Christ and DOING THE WILL OF THE FATHER (obeying God) can we inherit eternal life (Matt7:21), (Matt 19:17), (John 15:10), (1 John 2:3-4), (Rom 2:6-8), (Rom 2:13).
Not because our obedience “deserves” eternal life, because Jesus blood on the cross reconciles us with God and makes it possible for all who FOLLOW Jesus Christ (obey Gods commands) to become heirs of eternal life IN Jesus Christ.
So you see JESUS alone merits eternal life and ALL who are IN Christ become heirs (beneficiaries) of Jesus atonement.
Following Jesus Christ means living as Jesus lived
(1 John 2:6).
Many people today claim to “follow” Jesus while not keeping the 10 Commandments. It is not possible to simultaneously walk in darkness and also walk in the light. We cannot walk both in darkness and in Jesus. We are either doing one or the other. We cannot serve 2 Masters.
Rom 6:16
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to OBEDIENCE WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS.
John 8:34
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Eph 5:5
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that 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.
From the very beginning obedience to God has always been necessary for salvation (Deut 7:8-9), (Eccl 12:13-14), . Jesus did not abolish Gods commandments. Jesus fully human nature fulfilled (fully obeyed) all of Gods commandments (John 15:10). Jesus was in fact Anamartétos (sinless).
To elaborate on this point, Jesus Christ is God incarnate (God become man), Jesus Christ is BOTH fully HUMAN and fully GOD.
Jesus has BOTH a fully DIVINE nature and a fully HUMAN nature. Scripture tells us that Jesus felt sadness, fear, doubt, pain, thirst, lonliness and that Jesus wept (John 11:35). The Bible also tells us that Jesus was tempted in the desert (Matt 4:1-11)
Jesus fully human nature also prayed to the Father. Jesus Divine nature is fully God and does not pray. God is perfect and does not experience sadness, fear, doubt or temptation and God does not pray.
That being said when Jesus experienced human emotions in the Bible and prayed it was His fully HUMAN nature (not His Divine nature) that did so, it was His fully HUMAN nature that did not give in to temptation and sin not His Divine nature (God cannot be tempted and God cannot sin)
Jesus fully human nature experienced the same emotions (including temptation) that we do but He did not sin. Jesus fully human nature FULFILLED the law. Jesus is our model. So we can be “perfect” (not sinless) by obeying Gods commands just as Jesus fully human nature became “perfect” through suffering and obedience to God. (Hebrew 5:8-9)
Jesus tells us to be “perfect” not sinless (Matt 5:48)
MANY people mistakenly confuse the words righteousness, blameless, godly, upright, perfect, innocent, just and holy with being “sinless”.
The Bible tells us that without holiness no one will see God.
Heb 12:14
Pursue peace with all men, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 1Be careful that no one falls short of the grace of God,
The “righteous”, “blameless”, “godly”, “upright”, “perfect”, “innocent”, “just” or “holy” are those who repent (turn away) from sin and obey Gods commandments. In accordance with the scriptures they do not “fall short of God’s grace”.
Psalm 11:7
For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; the UPRIGHT will see His face
Psalm 18:20-25
The Lord has dealt with me according to my RIGHTEOUSNESS according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me. For I have KEPT the ways of the Lord; I am NOT GUILTY of turning from my God. All His laws are before me; I HAVE NOT turned away from His decrees. I have been BLAMELESS before Him and have KEPT MYSELF FROM SIN.
There is a difference between NEVER having sinned (being sinless) and repenting and turning away from our sins and obeying Gods commands (being righteous, blameless, upright, godly, perfect, innocent, just or holy).
We know that every human being in the Bible who is “righteous” or “blameless” or “upright” or “godly” or “perfect” or “innocent” or “just” or “holy” has committed sins at some point in their lives.
The reason they are righteous, blameless, upright, godly, perfect, innocent, just or holy (according to scripture) is because they repented and turned from sin (darkness) and walked in the light – obedience to Gods commands.
Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but RIGHTEOUSNESS delivers from death
Proverbs 10:16
The wages of the RIGHTEOUS is LIFE but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
Proverbs 10:29
The way of the LORD is a refuge for the BLAMELESS, but it is the ruin of those who do evil
Proverbs 15:9
The Lord DETESTS the way of the wicked, but He LOVES those who pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS
Proverbs 15:10
Stern discipline awaits anyone who LEAVES THE PATH; the one who hates correction WILL DIE
Proverbs 15:29
The Lord is FAR from the wicked, but He Hears the prayer of the RIGHTEOUS
Psalm 19:13
Keep your servant also from WILLFULL sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be BLAMELESS, innocent of GREAT transgression.
Proverbs 21:15
When justice is done, it brings joy to the RIGHTEOUS but terror to evildoers
Isaiah 3:10-11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done
Isaiah 57:2
Those who WALK UPRIGHTLY enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death
Ezekiel 33:13
If I tell a righteous person that they will SURELY live, but then they TRUST in their righteousness and DO EVIL, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will DIE FOR THE EVIL THEY HAVE DONE.
Matt 10:41
…..”whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward”.
Luke 1:6
BOTH OF THEM WERE RIGHTEOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, OBSERVING ALL THE LORD’S COMMANDS AND DECREES BLAMELESSLY.
Luke 2:25
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was RIGHTEOUS and devout.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a RIGHTEOUS person is powerful and effective.
We see above in (Psalm 19:13) there is such a thing as “great transgression” or sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16)
Because (many) Christians today have been taught that ALL sins are the same in Gods eyes they have trouble understanding the biblical definition of “righteous”, “blameless, “upright”, “perfect”, “innocent”, “just”, “godly” and “holy”
Psalm 37:18
Day by day the Lord takes care of the INNOCENT, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
This false teaching that ALL sins are equal is not biblical and is a stumbling block for many to understanding Gods free gift of salvation paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself says that some sins are “greater” than others (John 19:11)
Jesus tells us to be “perfect” (Matt 5:48) not “sinless”
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Psalm 37:12
The wicked plot against the GODLY ; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.
Psalm 37:16-17
It is better to be GODLY and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the GODLY.
Psalm 10:3
The LORD does not let the RIGHTEOUS go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked
Psalm 50:22
Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the BLAMELESS I will show my salvation.”
Psalm 51:19
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the RIGHTEOUS, In burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar
Romans 2:13
For it is not those who hear the law who are RIGHTEOUS in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared RIGHTEOUS.
1 John 3:7
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. THE ONE WHO DOES WHAT IS RIGHT IS RIGHTEOUS, just as he is RIGHTEOUS.
1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brothers were RIGHTEOUS.
2 Peter 2:4-10
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but CAST THEM INTO HELL and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;…the Lord knows how to rescue the GODLY from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE
Rev 14:12
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS and keeping their faith in Jesus.
Jesus is only the source of eternal salvation for those who OBEY Him.
Heb 5:9
and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation FOR ALL WHO OBEY HIM
The blood of Jesus only cleanses the sins of those who WALK IN THE LIGHT.
1 John 1:7
But IF we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Key word “IF”. This is a conditional statement. IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT then Jesus blood cleanses us from ALL sin. If we walk in darkness (sin and disobedience) then we are not “IN” Jesus Christ and His blood does not cleanse us.
So it is Jesus blood that CLEANSES US OF ALL SIN (not our works) but Jesus blood only cleanses those who “WALK IN THE LIGHT” (do not commit sin that is “unto death” or deadly sin.
So you might ask, what are the sins that are “unto death”?
The 10 Commandments list all of the sins that are “unto death” so that we can know how to be perfect, upright, righteous, blameless, innocent, just, godly and holy.
The Bible tells us that God’s law is “perfect” (James 1:25). The Bible also warns us (1 Cor 10:12)
1 Cor 10:12
So the one who thinks he is standing firm SHOULD BE CAREFUL NOT TO FALL.
2 Peter 3:17
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be CARRIED AWAY BY THE ERROR OF THE LAWLESS and FALL FROM YOUR SECURE POSITION.
The Bible tells us,
1 Corp 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. But WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED HE WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP TO IT.
So again I ask you, which one of God’s commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you and what temptation is more powerful than God’s faithfulness?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Snooop1e
What I mean by pitting scripture against scripture (and you are not alone in doing so) is taking simple straight forward statements in scripture concerning receiving everlasting life and being justified by faith and mixing in passages of scripture that deal with how to live once everlasting life is received. You cannot take the word “saved” to always mean receiving everlasting life, there are things to be saved from once we are “saved” from the everlasting fire of Hell. I saved 15% on my car insurance; is that 15% going to Heaven? When we see the word save we need to ask save whom from what.
Paul, James John, in their letters to believers, are not telling them to work or keep commandments to receive everlasting life; the already have it. They are instructing believers how to grow to maturity, enjoy the blessing of having life, bear fruit towards inheritance, abide in Christ and be saved from the corruption of this present age.
James 2 is commonly pitted against Romans 4. First off James addresses his epistle to brothers begat in the word of truth (Jas 1:18) so his readers have everlasting life. But they needed to be saved from something that faith without works (dead faith) will not save them (Jas 2:14, 17). People want to say “see faith alone does not save” and they rush to Jas 2:24 to contradict Rom 4:2 but in Jas 2:24 “only’ modifies “justified by” it does not modify “faith”. It’s: Man is justified by works and man is by faith. It’s not: Man is justified by faith plus works and not faith alone. There are two justifications, one by faith before God and one by works before men. The salvation and justification James speaks of is not the same Paul speaks of in Romans 4. In keeping with the short hand terms I have been using Romans 4 concerns (A) truth and James 2 concerns (B) truth. The do not contradict.
If you are trying to be justified before God through your efforts to keep commandments and have never believed that everlasting life is a gift from God through Jesus Christ’s merits alone and not your merits plus His then you do not have everlasting life and you can moralize and “keep commandments” to the best of your ability but you will fall short in earning everlasting life. If you once believed in God’s promise of life through Christ and have turned to works and commandment keeping to further earn or keep justified in God’s sight then you have fallen from grace (Gal 5:4).
“If you are trying to be justified before God through your efforts to keep commandments”
James 2:24
You see that a man is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
Im sorry but according to scripture Justification (salvation) is not by “faith alone”. If you simply believe in God (so do the Demons) but serve sin (which leads to death)
Rev 14:12 says that the people of God “keep the commandments” and “keep faith in Jesus” it does not say the people of God are “saved by keeping the commandments”.
You keep stating salvation by works and then arguing against it. I have never said nor does the Bible ever say “salvation is by keeping the commandments” so I am not sure why you keep arguing this point?
Jesus atonement is the ONLY thing that MERITS eternal life, why do you think that (Matt 19:17) says keeping the commandments EARNS eternal life? It does not.
Just because Jesus commands us to obey God as a requirement to have eternal life does not mean that our obedience EARNS salvation. You are the one creating this idea and then arguing against it. Jesus never said “if you keep the commandments you will deserve eternal life” He simply said if you want to enter life keep the commandments.
Paul never said (Eph 5:5) the moral and pure deserve inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Jesus never said those who do the will of the Father have earned the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus never said if you eat my body and drink my blood you deserve to be raised up on the last day.
James never said (James 2:24) that those who are justified by what they do and not by faith alone deserve salvation.
We can never DO anything to DESERVE salvation but we can reject God’s free gift by living in darkness and serving sin which leads to death. It’s really not that complicated. It is a false dichotomy that says
“If God requires us to love Him then salvation is by works”.
Or
“If God requires us to not fornicate, worship false gods, lie, steal, murder, cheat and commit adultery then salvation is by works and Jesus death was a waste”
This thinking is the result of disordered human reason. God can do whatever God wants and giving us 10 Commandments in no way nullifies or lessens Jesus atonement. On the contrary God in His loving kindness has given us 10 ways to KNOW for sure that we are LOVING GOD and LOVING NEIGHBOR. All of the law and the Prophets HANGS on these 2 great commands which are detailed in the 10 Commandments.
The 10 Commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3) they are a perfect gift from a loving God intended to bring us freedom (James 1:25) freedom from doubt and confusion. We do not have to wonder how to please our God (1 John 3:22)
It is a darkened and sinful heart that tells God His perfect gift is a burden that is impossible to bear.
1 Cor 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Phil 4:13
I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.
All things INCLUDES keeping God’s 10 Commandments.
Keeping God’s 10 commandments can never earn salvation and arguing that straw man issue is merely a distraction from the real question.
So again I ask you,
Which of God’s commandments is impossible for you to keep with Christ IN you? When is God unfaithful?
Rev 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
No snooop1e I am not confused about the Gospel or the terms used in the Bible. Good guess though, you do a lot of guessing about what you read. And I am not confused at what you say or where you stand, I understand your religion I just don’t think it is Biblical. The confusion lies is in your cut and paste exegeses and the circle of poor reasoning you use.
How does one proclaim the Gospel, teach God’s Word, exhort and rebuke others; maintain sound doctrine without understanding what the text says? And how does one come to understand what the text says without giving attention to reading with the detailed analysis that Paul instructed of Timothy? Your insistence on personal perfection from any student of God’s Word is absurd and a crutch to prop up your misunderstanding about the message of life.
You asked “Should I trust in God’s perfect Word in the Bible or should I trust in your personal, imperfect explanations of God’s perfect Word?” This is assuming that your explanation is not “personal” and therefore is less than imperfect. Either that or else you have no explanation of God’s Word. That’s the circle of faulty logic you are trapped in (and quite hypocritical –should I say Pharisaical) and it is where you continually steer the conversation.
I’m jumping off the merry-go-round snooop1e. Thanks for reminding me of what religious unbelief looks like. It’s clear that you lack understanding of the simplicity of the Gospel let alone having the desire to give the detailed attention to the text required to understand the meat of God’s Word. Of course this comes from an imperfect sinner who dares to explain the Gospel to you—and yes I am commanded to do so!
PS —Teaching that justification does not come from keeping the Law is Biblical it is in no way teaching lawlessness (logical fallacy). That was the argument of the Judaizers. Good luck at the Great White Throne if you insist on being judged by keeping commandments. If you are found to have done good Jesus says you will be resurrected to life. Praise God He has exempted me from that judgment because I have put my trust in Christ alone and not in my ability or desire to keep commandments. After all I am very flawed and am certain to fail in doing so perfectly. I know Who and how He gave me life. By the time of that judgment I will have already been resurrected to life for 1000 years—by no merit of my own, nothing I added.
“Your insistence on personal perfection from any student of God’s Word is absurd and a crutch to prop up your misunderstanding about the message of life.”
Jesus said (Matt 5:48) “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. Jesus said (Matt 7:21) only those who “do the will of the Father” will enter the kingdom.
Your argument is not with me it is with Jesus, you just don’t realize it.
You spend most of your time and energy arguing against the keeping of God’s commandments and then proudly question my understanding and my relationship with God (my salvation)
Your rejection of God’s commandments has darkened your understanding and your pride has gotten the best of you.
Thank you for making my point so clearly. You argue incessantly that salvation is by “faith alone” (James 2:24) and not according to any doctrines or works (Rom 2:6), (Rom 2:7) UNTIL you encounter someone who disagrees with you and then you declare they are not truly saved. So much for John 3:16 and Rom 4:14 huh.
You are doubleminded, you preach salvation by “faith alone” but then you question the salvation of anyone who rejects YOUR doctrines. So what you truly believe in is salvation by faith plus YOUR doctrines. You decide the “true meaning” of the Bible and anyone who disagrees with you is anathema and probably not saved.
So tell me teacher of God’s Word, I believe that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary and willingly suffered and died for my sins. I confess Jesus Christ is my LORD and Savior. I also utterly reject your unbiblical doctrines. Am I saved or not?
This creates another question,
If someone believes in Jesus but utterly rejects YOUR interpretation of the Bible and your doctrines are they not saved by “faith alone”?
Are we saved by believing in Jesus or by believing YOUR teachings/doctrines?
You cannot answer the questions,
1. Which of God’s commandments is impossible for you to keep with Christ IN you?
2. If 2 Christians gather together in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they come to the conclusion that your beliefs are not Biblical and that you are a false teacher and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
3. Are your interpretations of the Bible perfect and free from all error?
4. If someone believes in Jesus Christ but declares your beliefs unbiblical and declares you are not truly saved are they still saved by “faith alone”?
God Bless,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
So I ask you again,
1. Which of God’s commandments is impossible for you to keep with Christ IN you?
2. If 2 Christians gather together in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they come to the conclusion that your beliefs are not Biblical and you are a false teacher and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
3. Are your interpretations of the Bible perfect and free from all error?
God Bless,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
No again snooop1e, my argument is not with Jesus but is with the gospel you preach. The word “perfect” in Matt 5:48 is TELEIOS, which means to be complete or mature or full it does not mean flawless personal perfection as the Father in heaven is. You and I are not sinless and flawless. Jesus is talking about spiritual maturity, a quality in our spiritual life that is expected of believers by walking according to the Spirit and not the flesh but this in no way means personal perfection and has nothing to do with receiving eternal life but living the life that has been given.
You can keep going back to the “Sermon on the Mount” but Jesus is talking to believers who already have eternal life (except Judas if he was there) about spiritual maturity. The “Sermon on the Mount” was preached not long after the imprisonment of John the Baptist, which is noted in Matt 4:12. Before the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus had already begun to evangelize as evident from the statements made in 3:24 and 4:1-4 meaning that His disciples ( the ones at the wedding) had already believed (John 2:11) in Him and that the discourse with Nicodemus and the conversation with the Samaritan woman took place before Jesus had preached the Sermon on the Mount. The disciples, Nicodemus nor the Samaritan woman were not told of the need to keep commandments in order to be born again (John 3:5-18) and receive the gift of eternal life (John 4:10-14). Again you mix apples and oranges.
You said “You spend most of your time and energy arguing against the keeping of God’s commandments” this is plain false. My argument is that keeping God’s (and I would say Christ’s) commandments will not result in receiving eternal life. The gift is received by grace through faith, which leads to your next statement —“I believe that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary and willingly suffered and died for my sins. I confess Jesus Christ is my LORD and Savior. I also utterly reject your unbiblical doctrines. Am I saved or not? “—A: If you have never placed you trust in the FINISHED work of Christ alone and what He accomplished in your stead, and have forever been persuaded that eternal life depends on any kind of effort from yourself, then the content and object of you “faith” is not in Christ but is in works! If you at one time believed in the finished work of Christ for life without adding to it through keeping commandments and now believe different, I say what Paul says—you have fallen from grace.
Faith alone in Christ alone! The gospel you are preaching subtracts from faith by adding works—a little leaven leavens the whole lump. You keep harping about my “interpretation” yet you seemingly refuse to look at the text to see if these things be so. Justification by faith alone in Christ alone is not an interpretation it is scriptural and easy to see by simply reading the text in context without the religious baggage.
PS —Muslims believe in the virgin birth and they believe in works salvation. Demon’s believe Jesus is God and willingly died, but Jesus did not become an angel and die for angels, He did so for mankind not to help us be saved but to be Savior of those who believe in Him for the GIFT of eternal life.
“The word “perfect” in Matt 5:48 is TELEIOS, which means to be complete or mature…”
AMEN!!!
The same root word is used in 1John 2:3-6
1 John 2:3-6
And by this we know that we have come to know him, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. WHOEVER SAYS I KNOW HIM BUT DOES NOT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS IS A LIAR AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is truly PERFECTED. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him must walk in the same way in which he walked.
The Greek word used in verse 5 for “perfected” is telioo. Telioo is from the root word Telios.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Telioo
Word Origin from teleios
Definition
to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
Cognate: 5046 téleios (an adjective, derived from 5056 /télos, “consummated goal”) – mature (consummated) from going through the necessary stages to reach the end-goal, i.e. developed into a consummating completion [by fulfilling the necessary process (spiritual journey). See 5056 (telos).[This root (tel-) means “reaching the end aim”
“You and I are not sinless and flawless”
Amen!!!. That is why God became man and suffered and died for us. Why do you keep saying things that Jesus did not say and then attacking them as if Jesus said them? Makes no sense.
The Greek word for “sinless” is “anamartetos” not “teleios”. In Matt 5:48 Jesus did not say “be flawless and sinless” , those are YOUR words. Jesus said be perfect (Teleios)
When you put words in Jesus mouth you are bearing false witness and accusing Jesus of saying things He never said.
I notice you do this very consistently, you replace words in scripture with your own words – thereby changing the meaning of the passage and then you go about attacking the incorrect meaning of the passage that YOU just created. Jesus never said “be flawless and sinless” those are YOUR words.
For example you go on to say
“this in no way means personal perfection”
Again, Jesus did not say “personal perfection”, those are YOUR words. You make statements that Jesus that Jesus did not say and then you go about attacking YOUR own words. This is ludicrous.
“You can keep going back to the “Sermon on the Mount” but Jesus is talking to believers who already have eternal life”
Again, NO WHERE in the passage does Jesus EVER say “I am talking to believers who are already saved” Those are YOUR words and you are attributing them to Jesus. You are bearing false witness.
“You said “You spend most of your time and energy arguing against the keeping of God’s commandments” this is plain false”
You can lie to yourself but you cannot lie to God. Your entire argument (all of your posts) are about not keeping God’s commandments and trying to convince people that the Bible actually means the exact opposite of what it says i.e. (James 2:24), (Matt 19:17), (Matt 7:21), (Rom 2:5), (Rom 2:6), (Rom 2:7), (Rom 2:13), (Eph 5:5), (1 John 2:3), (1 John 5:3), (John 14:15), (John 14:21), (John 15:10), (2 John 1:6).
“My argument is that keeping God’s (and I would say Christ’s) commandments will not result in receiving eternal life.”
Yes I know, and you just contradicted yourself and validated my point. Once again you argue for NOT keeping God’s commandments.
Matt 19:17
If you want to enter life, keep the commandments
“The gift is received by grace through faith”
AMEN!!!
“If you have never placed you trust in the FINISHED work of Christ alone and what He accomplished in your stead, and have forever been persuaded that eternal life depends on any kind of effort from yourself, then the content and object of you “faith” is not in Christ but is in works!”
AMEN!!!
“If you at one time believed in the finished work of Christ for life without adding to it through keeping commandments and now believe different, I say what Paul says—you have fallen from grace.”
AMEN!!!
But you are doubleminded. In an earlier post you stated belief in the doctrine of “once saved always saved” but now you say that a person can “once believe in the finished work of Christ for life” (be saved) but then “fall from grace” which is it?
“The gospel you are preaching subtracts from faith by adding works”
The Gospel you are preaching says that works “subtracts from faith” but the Bible says that faith without works is dead. (James 2:17)
I don’t preach the Gospel I simply post Bible verses. The only reason we are talking is because you reject the plain meaning of the verses that I have posted i.e. Matt 19:17. All of your “explanations” are you trying to convince people that the words in the Bible mean the opposite of what they actually say.
“Justification by faith alone in Christ alone is not an interpretation it is scriptural”
Sounds great, where in the Bible does it say “Justification by faith alone in Christian alone”????
Answer, NO WHERE which is why you MUST give YOUR “interpretation” of verses that do not say that.
Isn’t it odd that YOU claim to go by “scripture alone” yet none of your words or “interpretations” are actually found ANYWHERE in the Bible? Not only are they not found anywhere in the Bible but they are explicitly refuted!
James 2:17
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:22
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was perfected by his works
Again the Greek word used in verse 22 for “perfected” is is from the root word Teleios that YOU yourself have pointed out.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin from teleios
Definition
to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
James 2:24
You see that a person is justified by works and NOT by faith alone.
“PS —Muslims believe in the virgin birth and they believe in works salvation.”
Muslims DO NOT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS GOD so your point is ridiculous and quite sad.
“He did so for mankind not to help us be saved but to be Savior of those who believe in Him”
Amen and according to scripture (1 John 2:3), (1 John 2:4), (1 John 2:5) anyone who claims to “believe” in Jesus but does not keep the commandments is a LIAR and the truth is not in him. Their faith is not Teleios, it is not a true faith, it is “ou teleioó” incomplete.
According to the scriptures (James 2:17) a faith/belief that does not have works is dead.
The Greek word used in verse 17 for “dead” is nekros
3498 nekrós (an adjective, derived from nekys, “a corpse, a dead body”) – dead; literally, “what lacks life”; dead; (figuratively) not able to respond to impulses, or perform functions (“unable, ineffective, dead, powerless,” L & N, 1, 74.28); unresponsive to life-giving influences (opportunities); inoperative to the things of God
Where in the Bible does Jesus teach that true life saving faith is dead, lifeless, powerless, unresponsive and inoperative to God?
I ask you again,
1. Which of God’s commandments is impossible for you to keep with Christ IN you?
2. If 2 Christians gather together in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they come to the conclusion that your beliefs are not Biblical, that you are a false teacher and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
3. Are your interpretations of the Bible perfect and free from all error?
God Bless,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
No again (again) snooop1e. Circular reasoning will just leave you back where you started—which is comparing apples to oranges. Receiving everlasting life is by believing that Christ offers everlasting life through what He did on the Cross apart from our work. After receiving everlasting life the believer is to mature and produce fruit — live the life they have received. If they fail to mature and produce they will still not come into judgment and are eternally secure in Christ because faith is not the same as faithfulness.
Jas 2:26- “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” —Is James saying that a body without spirit ceases to be a body? No! So why do you have him saying that faith without works cease to be faith? He doesn’t. James is not telling his readers that they need to be saved from eternal punishment in hell.
1John 2:3-5 does not say “anyone who claims to “believe” in Jesus but does not keep the commandments is a LIAR and the truth is not in him! You changed “know” to “believe”. That’s an interpretation (I thought you didn’t do that) and a poor one at that because it doesn’t fit the context (fellowship 1Jn 1:3-7). “Know” (ginōskō—to learn to know) is not “believe” (pisteuō—to have faith, to think to be true, to be persuaded of). Jesus questioned Philip whether he knew Him (Jn14:9) after He pronounced all the disciples clean (except Judas-Jn 13:10-11). Would Jesus pronounce the unrighteous as clean? Knowing results in an intimate relationship so that faith can be perfected. Believing results in receiving everlasting life. Apples and oranges.
Rascott247,
“Jas 2:26- “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” —Is James saying that a body without spirit ceases to be a body? No! So why do you have him saying that faith without works cease to be faith? He doesn’t. James is not telling his readers that they need to be saved from eternal punishment in hell.”
I love that. I have always said that this doesn’t mean faith does not exist. And that it means that the faith one has is just not being seen. But, I love the way you put it.
Once saved, always saved!
Blessings:-} brother
Thanks Ed. The works salvation folk love to misrepresent James and 1 John. Keep fighting the good fight Ed much appreciated.
snooop1e says “I don’t preach the Gospel I simply post Bible verses.”
That’s what I am saying: His cut and paste gospel is not the message of life. Hey does Acts 10:42:43 mean that to preach the Gospel is a command? I guess he doesn’t keep that one! Oh but wait for that to be true the words “preach the Gospel” are probably required in snooop1e’s hermeneutical approach to God’s perfect word.
Folks salvation is by faith alone; it’s a gift not earned.
Rascott247,
Of that there is no doubt. Only idolaters say otherwise.
Blessings:-}
Jacob Jimmy Prasch attends both Assembly of God and Jewish Messianic congregations in England, as he himself has stated in one of his Youtube videos
Ben,
Regarding your purpose driven comment, Paul Smith (Chuck’s brother) has stated on video that when Peter Drucker was making his rounds to find interest from churches to develop his seeker friendly church model, Chuck Smith declined on behalf of Calvary Chapel. (This might be in the film Church of Tares).
What are you saying about Jacob Prasch? Prasch spoke out about the bad changes coming into Calvary Chapel.
Jacob Prasch is also a false teacher, as he does go into the direction of saying you need his “midrash” to understand the Bible. He also teaches a false gospel works for salvation in the form of “losing salvation”. Prasch also rails uncontrollably against anyone that even questions him. That is a cult of personality. Prasch is certainly a false teacher.
Amen Jess….and his attacks on the KJV are nothing less that slander, easily disprovable by anyone with even a minimal knowledge of the history of the Greek texts.
what is wrong with Jack Hibbs??
Isn’t it interesting about the changes that have occurred at Calvary Chapel since Pastor Chuck’s passing. Pastor’s Perspective now has Terrific Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday and so on. I know that’s not what they’re called but you get the point. Why didn’t these changes occur when Chuck was alive? Now I read that Chuck’s daughter and Kaye are suing CC. What is going on? Apparently a lot of Pastor’s and others had their eyes on Chuck and not The Lord! There shouldn’t be a lot of changes because of one man’s passing. Maybe changes in leadership but not in Doctrine. I left CC after 30 years and my wife and I couldn’t be happier. There are Churches out there that teach the Word of God.
Hello Larry, may I ask where you attend now? We are searching,,
thanks
Interesting post. How do you know if a church is “teaching the Bible”? Let me guess, you know that a church is teaching the Bible because you agree with the teaching right?
If you disagree with the Pastors teaching then that church is not “teaching the Bible.”
The CC you attended for 30 years taught the Bible until you disagreed with the church at which time that church stopped teaching the Bible and you searched for a church that you agreed with and VOILA that church teaches the Bible.
You will remain in your current church until you disagree with something and then VOILA your church is no longer teaching the Bible and a new search begins all over again. This cycle will continue indefinitely.
The question is, how do you know that the church you left is wrong and you are right? How do you know with any certainty that a church is or is not “teaching the Bible”? At the end of the day (whether you realize it or not) you are your own Pope and anyone you disagree with is not “spirit led” and is not “teaching the Bible”
snooop1e,
Amen to that!! Because unlike you, we are like the Bereans who “in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Acts17:11
We are not to believe it just because some man or group of men says it is so.
And yet there are over 40,000 different Protestant/Evangelical churches who believe that they are”spirit led” yet disagree with each other about what is and is not “essential” for salvation.
What happens when 2 Protestants gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they decide that using contraception is NOT acceptable to God but across town 2 other Protestants gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible decide that contraception IS acceptable to God? Which 2 are correct and who decides?
Oh wait, that already happened in 1932 when Protestants decided that contraception is no longer a salvation issue. Prior to 1932 not a single Protestant faith allowed contraception or divorce, now many Protestant churches allow abortion and gay marriage.
This is the fruit of the false doctrines of sola scriptura and sola fide. Martin Luther’s doctrine of sola fide is powerless to sin and solar scriptura allows every individual to decide what is and/or is not “essential” for salvation.
How many Protestants today know that prior to 1932 not a single Protestant church allowed contraception? The same will hold true for gay marriage, gay clergy and abortion. Within 100 years nobody will even remember (or care) that these sins were not allowed in Protestantism.
Lord Have Mercy
“if you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e,
In your write up you did not reference a single issue that is a salvation issue to Protestants. We consider them in-house debates.
Your “contraception” issue is a straw man. The only contraception before 1950 was abortion. And Protestants believe that abortion is murder. Always have. Always will.
However, we also believe that murder is forgivable. As is divorce for the truly repentant heart.
And there are others who have become much more liberal about homosexuality in their religion. For example;
May 20, 2015 – Pope Francis has appointed radically liberal, pro-homosexual Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe as a consultor for the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
And there is also this.
Pope Francis has reiterated his relatively tolerant stance towards LGBT people, offering new details about a 2013 incident where he responded to a question about gay priests by saying “who am I to judge?”
This does not justify a pro homosexual stance in any church. It just makes it clear that there is apostasy happening everywhere. And that is something this website is bringing to light.
You didnt answer the question. Which 2 Protestants are right? Many “spirit led” Protestants disagree with you about what is or is not “essential”.
P.S. Your assertion that contra-ception did not exist in 1932 when the Episcopalian church approved of it is simply ludicrous, if it did not exist they could not have approved of it. The birth control pill was created around 1950 but contraception (the act of intentionally preventing conception) has existed in many forms since the Old Testament.
Answer the question, when 2 Protestants gather in Jesus name but disagree with 2 other Protestsnts who gather in Jesus name which 2 are correct and who decides?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e,
Name one Protestant that does.
“They are being called out for teachings that are harmful. But, that does not necassarily mean they are not saved.”
The verse says “and you will SAVE YOURSELF”. Your method of “explaining” the scriptures is always to deny it’s meaning, deconstruct it and then tell people what the Holy Spirit meant to say. By what authority do you tell the Holy Spirit what He meant to say?
“If we believe something that directly contradicts the clear teaching of scripture, but it does not change who Jesus is or how we are saved, salvation is not in jeopardy”
This is double minded. You condemn Catholics for believing things that contradict the clear teaching of scripture but then declare that YOU can believe things that contradict the clear meaning of scripture and still be saved.
“But, whether Jesus is God or if someone believes that works + grace is required for salvation, that person is not saved. These are certainly salvation issues.”
But you just said that a person can believe something that directly contradicts the clear teaching of scripture and still be saved. Now you are saying if they contradict your interpretation of scripture they are not saved. So now we get to the heart of the matter, salvation is based on agreeing with you. The way that you know if a person is saved is if they share your beliefs.
“What is the final authority for the Christian? The Bible.”
Again, how can the Bible be your final authority when you can believe something that directly contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible and still be saved?
You are a mass of confusion and contradiction.
Also who decides what the “clear meaning of scripture” is? If it is so clear why are there over 40,000 “Bible Based” churches who are separated because they disagree about what is and is not “essential” for salvation?
There are Protestants in this forum who attend Bible Based churches who completely reject your beliefs and are positive you are not “saved” This forum exists because Protestants who attend Bible based churches disagree with Chuck Smiths teaching. Some believe he was a “false teacher” and an “apostate”
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Can you name for me the 40,000 “different” churches? I mean those with differences that would equate to being saved or not. No. Because that is a lie. I have seen those stats and the person gathering them is wrong. They even say so if it’s those I have looked at.
Clear contradiction- “There is no rapture of the church.” = Still saved. Some Christians divide over this issue. Some like me don’t. Why? Because it is not an issue salvation is dependent upon.
Clear contradiction- “We are saved by works + faith.” = Not saved. Those who teach that works + faith save you have made faith void. Without faith we can not be saved. Because as you well know, Eph.2:8,9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.”
And Titus3:4-6 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us (past tense) abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”
Again you build a straw man based on a false dichotomy. The fact that we are not saved by faith alone does not mean we are saved by works alone. The Bible says the Saints (those who are saved) keep God’s commandments and keep faith in Jesus. Salvation is by obeying God and believing in Jesus Christ. Salvation is by BOTH faith and obedience.
Rev 14:12
This calls for the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus is only the source of eternal life for those who OBEY Him (Heb 5:9)
It’s not EITHER/OR its BOTH/AND. It’s not EITHER faith OR works it’s BOTH faith AND works.
James 2:24
You see that a man is justified by works and NOT by faith alone.
Rev 14:12
This calls for the perseverance of the saints, THOSE WHO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
Matt 7:21
Not everyone who calls me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven but ONLY THE ONE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
I’ll do even better. The Protestant churches below reject your theology and believe you are not truly saved.
Church of Christ
Seventh Day Adventist
Assemblies of God
Oneness Pentecostal
Sabbath Keepers.
This blog is proof that Protestants absolutely believe that fellow Protestants are “false teachers” , “apostate” and “not truly saved”.
You still have not answered the question. When 2 Protestants gather in Jesus name and agree that your doctrines are false and you are no truly saved who is correct and who decides? You cannot answer the question.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
This is a stupid question. I don’t follow man’s doctrines, I only follow biblical doctrines.
By the way you like to end your comments by saying,” if thou wilt enter into life, keep my commandments.”
This was part of the conversation Jesus had with the young ruler in Matthew 19:16-26
You took a snippet of what Jesus said and presented it as fact. All the false teachers do that. Let me tell you, you are a tool of the devil, misleading people by using snippets out of the Bible, just like your father the devil did to Eve in the garden.
My suggestion to you is, stop what you are doing and repent and ask God to give you biblical wisdom. You yourself may have good intentions, but your mind is tainted by the false teachings of the Roman Catholic church. Leave that church, find yourself a solid Bible teaching church. Ask God to lead you to one. The way you are going,is not to heaven. ( I read most of the comments you made.)
Jesus says in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father, but by Me. SOLO CHRISTO; ” CHRIST ALONE.”
Funny how you insist that salvation is by faith alone UNTIL you encounter someone who disagrees with your DOCTRINES and then you declare they are a tool of Satan and not truly saved. So much for John 3:16 huh?
1 John 5:1
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God
You still have not answered the questions,
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible come to the conclusion that you believe false doctrines and are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s 10 Commandments are impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Let me shock you snooopie, if we claim to be Protestant , it does not mean that we are saved. There are many people that sit in Protestant churches that think they are saved,
Now to the question you keep on asking, about the 2 Christians. I don’t understand the question.
Good morning snoop1e,
The Bible is pretty self-explanatory. There is no “magical way” to read it or understand it. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament point to one person: Jesus the Christ.
If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and decide one is not teaching correctly it is because they read the Scripture and the teaching does not align with the Scripture.
Example: You say Jesus said we are to keep the commandments if we want to enter life. In Matthew He says the greatest commandment is:
Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, soul and strength.
The second is:
Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
So how hard is it to keep those commandments. From the “tone” of your writings you certainly are not keeping the second commandment. Your writing is rather acidic.
If we must “do” things to attain salvation then, I ask you:
Why did Jesus come and suffer the awful punishment and spill His blood?
This is not a “doctrinal” belief or question it is a fact. It is in the Bible.
The works that Peter writes about are the works given us by God as written in Eph 2:10 – “…created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
The key words here: WHICH GOD PREPARED. Not works that WE feel will put us in good stead with God.
So if you align this with what Peter said about works, then you have a complete picture.
You keep complaining that “doctrinal view” causes issues yet you continue spouting RCC doctrinal views. A bit of hypocrisy there. Eh?
Col 2:8 says: Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
The key words here: “…according to the tradition of men…”. RCC has, a few years ago, stated (the pope) the RC TRADITION is equal to the Bible.
Man’s tradition is equal to God’s word? Truly?
Nope. When Bible believers turn away from a teacher it is because he has turned away from Scripture and has started teaching his own views.
Jesus told the apostles when he sent them out: “And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” Luke 9:5
Yet there are the RCC terror tactics of the Spanish, French and Italian Inquisitions. Were they based on Scripture?
One last thought.
Romans 10:9-1 say:
“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Now, unless you have found a book of Holy Caveats, these verses make it very clear that Salvation comes from/through Jesus only.
Does that mean we go on sinning? Nope. Romans 6 says(in the first two verses no less!):
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
So, again, the Scripture is very clear on Salvation.
It is easier for man, because of his ego, to say that we must do something to get something. Nothing is free. We have been saying it since the garden. Adam, instead of slapping the fruit from Eve’s hand and scolding her, thought it might not be a bad idea to know as much as God.
So here we are. A sinful, fallen world that rejects God at every turn and denies the truth and completeness of His word and design.
I was once RCC. Went to parochial school, attended daily mass, was a alter boy, was a page and squire for the KOC, attended catechism classes from the time I was 7-years old and even contemplated the priesthood.
Then I read the TRUTH.
I am no longer bound by man’s fallacy (protestant or RC).
I am bound by the Word of God.
God bless you and yours in all you do
Hello Lupe,
“The Bible is pretty self-explanatory.”
And yet there are over 40,000 different “Bible based” churches who do not agree about what is and is not “essential” for salvation and many of them think that your beliefs are unbiblical and you are not truly saved. Your claim that the Bible is “self explanatory” is not grounded in reality.
“Both the Old Testament and the New Testament point to one person: Jesus the Christ.”
Amen
“If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and decide one is not teaching correctly it is because they read the Scripture and the teaching does not align with the Scripture.”
You prove my point very succinctly and you have not answered the question. In your mind (and in the minds of those who disagree with you) anyone who rejects your interpretation/teachings “does not align with scripture”
“You say Jesus said we are to keep the commandments if we want to enter life.”
I don’t say anything, what I say is irrelevant, Jesus said,
Matt 19:17
If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
I have no reason to question my Lord Jesus. If there is tension between your doctrines and Jesus words I suggest prayer and fasting and I mean that sincerely.
“In Matthew He says the greatest commandment is:
Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, soul and strength.
The second is: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
When God gave Moses the 10 Commandments they were written on 2 stone tablets. The first stone tablet contains the Commandments that tell us HOW to “love God” the second stone tablet contains the Commandments that tell us HOW to “love our neighbor”. So if you think that you can somehow fulfill the 2 great commands WITHOUT using some means other than the mode that God gave you to do so you are kidding yourself.
“So how hard is it to keep those commandments.”
By our own strength it is impossible (Mark 10:27), (Phil 4:13) but God is faithful and with God ALL things are possible. Where is your faith brother?
1 Corp 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Luke 1:6
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, obeying ALL of the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
“Your writing is rather acidic.”
Do my words make you want to pick up stones? The people tortured, humiliated and murdered Jesus simply because He told them to repent and obey the Gospel. Jesus told them the path to destruction is wide and easy and many are on it but narrow and difficult is the path to eternal life and few are on it. Do you find Jesus words “acidic”? Should I just tell people what they want to hear? That is why many “churches” today now allow gay clergy and gay marriage and abortion, because they don’t want to offend anyone. My intent is not to upset anyone but the world hates the truth. The world murdered the Truth.
“If we must “do” things to attain salvation then, I ask you:
Why did Jesus come and suffer the awful punishment and spill His blood?”
Because only an unblemished lamb could atone for sins against a perfect God.
“created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Amen
“The key words here:”
Where in the passage does it ever say “the key words here”? Answer, no where. By what authority do you presume to tall anyone which Words of God are and are not “keys”? If got a “key” word for you.
Matt 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
“Not works that WE feel will put us in good stead with God.”
You mean like rejecting the 10 Commandments and coming up with your own alternative, man made way of pleasing God that does not include loving God and loving your neighbor? That is rich. You consistently put aside the Commandments of God (Mark 7:9) and then lecture me on devising my own set of works to please God. I have news for you, the good works that God prepared for us to do (Eph 2:10) are explicitly spelled out in His 10 Commandments. Wake up.
“So if you align this with what Peter said about works, then you have a complete picture.”
No what we have is you defining scripture according to your doctrines instead of defining your doctrines according to the scriptures.
“You keep complaining that “doctrinal view” causes issues yet you continue spouting RCC doctrinal views.”
I never said “doctrinal view causes issues”. Again those are your words describing what you believe about me. What I have said is it is doubleminded to insist that salvation is by “faith alone” and not according to doctrines/works and then spend time condemning fellow believers because of their doctrines and works. That makes no sense at all. By doing so you (unknowingly) undermine your own first principle and it just makes you seem confused.
“A bit of hypocrisy there. Eh?”
No kidding
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit”
I quote you scripture and somehow in your mind that is philosophy and deceit.
“according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
You mean like telling people what tickles their ears? That the way to eternal life is to put aside God’s commands and live according to the flesh?
“The key words here”
Who taught you that the doctrines of sola fide, sola scriptura and eternal security (once saved always saved) that were invented by Martin Luther and John Calvin over 1500 years after the last Apostle died are not traditions of men?
“Man’s tradition is equal to God’s word? Truly?”
You seem to be suggesting that I reject everything you have written in this forum and go by scripture alone yes/no? Funny how that works isn’t it? You see you don’t have a problem with tradition you just have a problem with tradition you disagree with. I’ve got news for you, their is a reason that Martin Luther had to declare that justification was by “faith alone”, he had to declare it because it did not exist yet. If it did there would be no need to announce it.
“When Bible believers turn away from a teacher it is because he has turned away from Scripture and has started teaching his own views.”
You don’t say? And let me guess, your views are “Biblical” and anyone who disagrees with you has “turned away from scripture”, isn’t that right?
“Yet there are the RCC terror tactics of the Spanish, French and Italian Inquisitions. Were they based on Scripture?”
You just look foolish. The myths of the “Spanish Inquisition” were debunked a very long time ago. Protestant scholars wince whenever people like you say things like that. Please educate yourself so that we can have a substantive, facts based discussion. Seriously, the Muslim comment was bad enough.
https://youtu.be/CY-pS6iLFuc
“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Indeed and yet you have spent days in here suggesting that Christians who reject your doctrines are not truly saved. You really do seem very confused.
“these verses make it very clear that Salvation comes from/through Jesus only.”
Amen. Just because God commands that we not rape and murder does not mean that Salvation comes through not raping and murdering. Your reason is darkened.
“Does that mean we go on sinning?”
Certainly not! How shall we who have died to sin live any longer in it?”
“So, again, the Scripture is very clear on Salvation.”
Amen!
“So here we are. A sinful, fallen world that rejects God at every turn and denies the truth and completeness of His word and design.”
I’m sorry but their is something odd about someone who has spent so much time and energy arguing for not obeying God’s commandments writing about “rejecting God and denying the truth and completeness of His word” Forgive me for not shedding a tear but I am laughing too hard.
“I am no longer bound by man’s fallacy (protestant or RC).”
I have news for you, you are…. a man
God Bless you and yours as well
.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
I ask you,
1. Which of God’s commandments is impossible for you to keep with Christ IN you?
2. If 2 Christians gather together in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they come to the conclusion that your beliefs are not Biblical, that you are a false teacher and that you are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
3. Are your interpretations of the Bible perfect and free from all error?
God Bless,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
“And yet there are over 40,000 different “Bible based” churches who do not agree about what is and is not “essential” for salvation and many of them think that your beliefs are unbiblical and you are not truly saved. Your claim that the Bible is “self explanatory” is not grounded in reality.”
That is a lie.
Sorry should have said,
So if you think that you can somehow fulfill the 2 great commands using some means other than the means that God gave you then you are kidding yourself.
Also didn’t mean to call you a man. Lost track of who I was responding to. My point is you are still tied to a human fallacy it’s just a fallacy you have chosen to be tied to. In other words you haven’t rejected tradition you have simply chosen one tradition over another. That or you have created your own.
God Bless
Hey, don’t even accuse Brian Broderson of going Costa Meccan rogue! Follow the money for every one of the CC franchises! The deceptive reason ALL Calvary Chapel pastors deny the “movement” is a denomination is because real denominations HAVE built-in financial accountability measures and would risk reputational embarrassment for fiscal mismanagement and malfeasance .Thus Calvary Chapel “monsignor” pastors do not provide financial transparency (salaries, expenditures, property holdings, nepotistic and family dynastic succession appointments, etc.) to their flocks. A real LUPINE tactic, not to mention a carryover from the shady dealings of the Pentecostal wheelers and dealers throughout the 20th century. They hire and fire their boards, staff, elders at their whims. This is the real legacy in pastoral theology that they all inherited from “Moses” Chuck. (A lot like Trump, you think?) And of course most of the flocks are ex-Catholics who all their lives were never schooled in the Protestant ecclesiastical democracy of annual church meetings where the financials were all spelled out, argued and then voted on, where the pastor is ultimately employed AT THE PLEASURE OF THE CONGREGATION!!! I dare anyone to take a survey to see how many CC “pastors” (they don’t hold the title of “reverend”) have as much as a B.A. degree from a secular college. Forget the anathema of seminary training–Bible college is a big accomplishment , if at all. Don’t dare give them a biblical language oral reading test in Hebrew and Greek because most are illiterate in these. I used to cringe listening to Pope Chuck mispronounce Hebrew and Greek words (eg., Tie-cheek-us=Tychicus) !! Any regenerate believer with a high school graduate reading level and a competent study Bible has as much “food” for himself as what he is going to be fed from a CC pulpit–and the children’s menu never changes! Time will tell whether our Lord keeps or removes the Calvary Chapel “candlesticks.” from his protective presence. (In pure business terms-the dove will have flown the coop!)
I used to attend the “flagship” CC in NJ in the 90s until the anticipation of Y2K got the leadership on some of the most immature diversions from the Word of God and with the above abuses in play decided it was time to bail out.
Thank you for making my point Dan. While I am a former Protestant/Evangelical (over 30 years) now Catholic I agree with much of what you have stated.
In this forum there are many who defend Chuck Smith and Cavalry Chapel and just as many who reject and condemn Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel.
Again, when 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that a Pastor is wrong and not truly saved but 2 other Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that the same Pastor is right and is truly saved who is correct and who decides?
According to the doctrine of scripture alone BOTH are correct which is an impossibility.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Reading through much of this “non-essential” argument, I have to say that I will be praying for you. This is the essential that is as clear as crystal (if it is not to you, there is a great bible study tool called “Precept Upon Precept” it really is an in-depth study of each line of the scriptures):
Romans 5:8-11 ” 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified [a]by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [b]by His life. 11 And not only this, [c]but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” AND…
Ephesian’s 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”
…(It is THE GIFT OF GOD) gift implies that our salvation is given to us freely as a gift we don’t deserve or did nothing to deserve(example like when someone gives a gift at christmas time, you didn’t do something special for that gift, it was given to you undeserving because that person loves you), not something we’ve earned!
Works= the obedience because of our faith in Christ to live by the word of God, doing His will. Not continuing on in our old way of life when we were dead in our sins…
Ephesians 4:22-24 “22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
It is my understanding that neither Chuck Smith nor Greg Laurie- two of the biggies -received/s salaries from church donations. Like the apostle Paul, they work/ed regular jobs for their living.
So, while they could have taken millions from the church coffers, they only taught the scriptures as they understood them. I’m pretty sure the same can be said of most of the apostles. Including their lack of formal education.
Seems to me that Christians would have figured out by now that it is the Holy Spirit that makes the truth known and not a seminary. Since Paul made it abundantly clear when he said in 1Cor.1:17-29;
“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: NOT WITH THE WISDOM OF WORDS, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
WHERE IS THE WISE? WHERE IS THE SCRIBE? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God THE WORLD BY WISDOM KNEW NOT GOD, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and THE GREEKS SEEK AFTER WISDOM:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD IS WISER THAN MEN; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that NOT MANY WISE AFTER THE FLESH, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world TO CONFOUND THE WISE; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
AND BASE THINGS OF THE WORLD, AND THINGS WHICH ARE DESPISED, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence THAT NO FLESH SHOULD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE.”
When you make a case like the one you did here you sound more like the rcc that forbad laymen from reading and teaching the scriptures, than Paul who preached the simple message of Christ and Him crucified.
I’m not saying there are not problems, as have been clearly laid out here at Berean Research, with some of the CC teachers. But, to blame it on a lack of formal education is not Biblical.
Blessings:-}
Please do tell what outside job Greg Laurie has had, he us quite wealthy, where did he get his wealth
Sounds like he was right all along! So many times taking a stance is not the popular stance. God bless him!
Interesting how you believe that salvation is by faith alone and not by any doctrines or works but then you all condemn any Pastors who deviate from what you believe are correct doctrines and works.
So Edwitness is Greg Laurie saved by believing in Jesus or by sharing your doctrines and beliefs? Now that you disagree with Greg Laurie does that mean he is no longer “saved”? Was he ever truly saved to begin with? How is it possible for wrong preaching to save someone?
Lastly why would you leave a church whose Pastor is saved simply because you disagree with some of his beliefs/doctrines? If he is saved and is saving others what is the problem? Why would you let doctrinal differences divide Christ’s Body? That is not Biblical. Paul commanded that we put aside divisions and be ONE.
“if you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
I think that 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 would apply in these situations.
Amen John:-D
Blessings:-}
I think you evaded the question.
If salvation is by faith alone and not according to doctrines or works why condemn a fellow believer because of their doctrines and works?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
What does “not according to doctrines” mean?
Not according to doctrines or works means that our doctrines and how we live our life has no affect on our salvation if we believe in Jesus Christ.
So my question was/is, if our doctrines and works have nothing to do with salvation why are people in this forum condemning others according to (because of) their doctrines and works?
P.S. the Bible refutes the teaching that our life and our doctrines have nothing to do with our salvation.
1 Tim 4:16
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
P.S.S. The Bible refutes the teaching of salvation by faith alone
James 2:24
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e,
They are being called out for teachings that are harmful. But, that does not necassarily mean they are not saved. Even though it could depending on the issue.
If we believe something that directly contradicts the clear teaching of scripture, but it does not change who Jesus is or how we are saved, salvation is not in jeopardy. Like when the rapture is or who the AC is.
But, whether Jesus is God or if someone believes that works + grace is required for salvation, that person is not saved. These are certainly salvation issues.
What is the final authority for the Christian? The Bible. For everyone else man’s wisdom is all they look to.
snooop1e,
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus said to His Israelite disciples who were under the law
P.S.
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Note: Jesus tells the Apostles to teach ALL NATIONS to OBEY ALL OF HIS COMMANDMENTS.
If you wont listen to Jesus, will you at least listen to Paul?
Eph 5:5
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that 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
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e,
You said, “Note: Jesus tells the Apostles to teach ALL NATIONS to OBEY ALL OF HIS COMMANDMENTS.”
Paul was not among them when Jesus told them this. And Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles. Those listening to Jesus when He said that are not.
Paul called the message he was given for the Gentiles from Jesus “my gospel”. Rom.6:12
And in Gal.1:12 he makes it clear he was not taught it by any man.
Nice try though.
You clealrly are missing the point. What did Jesus tell the Apostles to do?
I’ll help you, Jesus told the Apostles to,
“go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and TEACH them TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.
ALL NATIONS means EVERYONE, both Jew and Gentile, Greek and Roman, Male and Female, Slave and Free. ALL NATIONS.
Jesus said this AFTER His resurrection. So what if Paul was commissioned to preach to the Gentiles, it has no bearing on this passage. Jesus last command to the Apostles was to Baptize ALL NATIONS and teach them to OBEY EVERYTHING He commanded. Everything includes Matt 19:17.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
The others were not sent to the Gentiles the way Paul was. Even the other apostles knew this. Gal.2:7-9; “But contrariwise, WHEN THEY SAW THAT THE GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION WAS COMMITTED UNTO ME, AS THE GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION WAS UNTO PETER;(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was GIVEN UNTO ME, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, AND THEY UNTO THE CIRCUMCISION.”
Please note these are two different presentations of the gospel. One Paul called the gospel OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION, and the other the gospel OF THE CIRCUMCISION. They both lead to Jesus, but through different presentations.
There is Paul’s message, the “mystery”. Which is Christ in you. Col.1:25-27; “Whereof I AM MADE A MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, to fulfil the word of God;
Even the MYSTERY which hath been HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS , but now is made manifest to his saints:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY AMONG THE GENTILES; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
And there is the other apostle’s message. The one Jesus Spoke to the Young man with great possessions who was an Israelite under the law, that you have referred to quoting, “But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments”. The one laid out in detail in the letter to the Hebrews especially, (no surprise there) and of course their epistles. This gospel makes the connection for Israelites between the law and Jesus’ salvation.
Which for the Gentile was and is not necassary. Because the Gentile has never been under the law. Rom.2:14, “For when the Gentiles, WHICH DO NOT HAVE THE LAW, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:” By their nature? There’s a message in there.
And therefore the Gentile has never been responsible for keeping them. As Paul said in Rom.4:15, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, THERE IS NO TRANSGRESSION.” And 5:13, “For until the law sin was in the world: but SIN IS NOT IMPUTED when there is no law.”
“The others were not sent to the Gentiles the way Paul was. Even the other apostles knew this.”
Your points are utterly irrelevant. Paul is very clear,
Eph 5:5
For OF THIS YOU CAN BE SURE: NO IMMORAL, IMPURE, or GREEDY person (that is, an idolater), HAS ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND OF GOD.
NOTE: The Immoral, The Impure and the Greedy do not have ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Paul goes on to say,
Eph 5:6
LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU WITH EMPTY WORDS for because of such things GOD’S WRATH COMES ON THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT.
By perverting Paul’s letters to teach disobedience salvation you fulfill the prophecy of scripture (2 Peter 3:16) and your unrepentant heart is storing up wrath for the day of your judgement (Rom 2:5).
2 Peter 3:16
He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard not to be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
There are tens of thousands of “Bible based” Protestant churches who utterly reject your “dual covenant” disobedience salvation gospel. You are like a gong clanging in the wind and you still have not answered the question.
When 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and agree with your interpretation of the Bible but 2 other Christians gather in Jesus name and completely reject your interpretation of the Bible which 2 Christians are correct and who decides? You cannot answer this question.
Pauls explicitly refutes your dual covenant disobedience salvation theology in (Eph 5:5), (1 Cor 6:9), (Gal 5:19-21), (Rom 2:6-13), (Heb 5:9) and (Hebrew 10:26).
Below is a link to a Protestant website that utterly refutes your unbiblical “dual covenant” theology using scripture alone.
goo.gl/Urkw97
You cannot answer the question. When 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the scriptures agree that your beliefs are not biblical who is correct and who decides? You still have not answered the question.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e,
You said, “Your points are utterly irrelevant.”
Then I guess it’s, Good day.
You cannot answer the questions.
If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you believe false doctrines and are not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
Which of God’s commandments are impossible for you to obey with Christ in you?
P.S.
Paul wrote the following to the “Gentile” Christians at Ephesus,
Eph 5:5
For OF THIS YOU CAN BE SURE: NO IMMORAL, IMPURE or GREEDY person (such a person is an idolator) has ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND OF GOD.
Eph 5:6
LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU WITH EMPTY WORDS for BECAUSE OF SUCH THINGS, GOD’S GODS WRATH COMES ON THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT.
I pray you stop perverting the Grace of God into a license for immorality.
1 Jude 4
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed — ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Repent and obey the Gospel before it’s too late for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
“If I had not come and spoken to them they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin”
-Jesus
snooop1e, do you keep the commandments?
Luke 1:6
Both of them were righteous in the eyes of God obeying all of His commands and decrees blamelessly.
You still have not answered my questions.
If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading example Bible they agree that you believe unbiblical doctrines and are not saved who is correct and who decides?
Which of God’s 10 commandments are impossible for you to obey with Christ in you?
You cannot answer the questions, if you could you would.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
I think that two covenants is okay. The only place it matters is revelation. I think its a form of universalism. I believe the book is over the psalms of korah and that apocrypha psuedopocrypha and extrabiblical reasources are valid. Your looking for people who act like the essenes. But universalism takes shape as prophets are moved. I want to bring catholicism and calvary chapel closer.
Huh? What you say is impossible.
The Old Covenant is conditional. The New Covenant is unconditional. It is impossible to be under both at the same time. Because if you try to observe both at the same time the one that is conditional will cancel out the one that is not. That is why Paul wrote; “FOR IF THEY WHICH ARE OF THE LAW BE HEIRS, FAITH IS MADE VOID, AND THE PROMISE OF NONE EFFECT.”
Rom.4:14
And rcc is not Christian because of this.
Many Calvary Chapels also got involved in Politics to the point it seemed like IDOLATRY esp. when it came to Trump. Jack Hibbs comes to mind.
There is no doubt in my mind that the seperation will continue as we head to the final chapter of the great apostasy. You will see more denominations falter as they jettison their last vestiges of Jesus Christ and embrace an open apostate position. Clearly foretold in the bible.
Who decides what is and is not an “apostate position”? Let me guess, you do….
Nope, your pope.
Your sarcasm is just evading the question.
It’s a serious question, In the Protestant body of Christ who decides what is or is not “apostate”?
King James Bible
Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Something tells me the irony escapes you? Today there are over 40,000 “Bible based” Protestant churches who do not worship together as one body because they disagree about the correct meaning of the Bible and what is and is not essential for salvation.
Surely you see how silly it is for a Protestant to lecture anyone about division and disagreement. You don’t even agree with each other. As a matter of fact it seems like the only time that Protestants agree is when they are attacking Catholics. Remove the Catholic from the room and you turn on each other.
In the Protestant body of Christ who decides the correct meaning of the verse you just posted? In the Protestant body of Christ who decides the correct meaning of the Bible? In the Protestant body of Christmas who decides which Bible is the correct Bible to use?
Many Bible based Christians will say that you have misinterpreted the verse that you posted? Who is right you or the Protestants who disagree with you and who decides? That is the confusion/division that results from Martin Luthers unbiblical doctrine of “Scripture Alone” (aka Sola Scriptura)
CAVEAT:
Your belief that the Bible alone is your only authority is an merely an illusion for the Bible does not tell you the MEANING of each passage in the Bible. YOU tell the Bible the meaning of the words in the Bible and the Bible just lays there silently and agrees with your interpretation of it AND if you change your mind and decide that a passage of the Bible actually means the exact opposite of what you previously thought it meant the Bible will immediately agree with your new interpretation of it. No matter how many times you change your interpretation of the Bible the Bible will lay there silently and instantly agree with your NEW interpretation of it.
This is why there are Protestant churches today who allow female clergy, allow gay clergy and allow gay marriage. The Bible didn’t change and God didn’t change, the ONLY thing that changed was their interpretation of the Bible.
You refuse to answer the question because the truth is, in Protestantism every individual decides for themselves what the Bible says what is and is not “essential” for salvation.
When 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and agree that your interpretation of the Bible is incorrect who is right and who decides? You cannot answer the question. The answer is you are BOTH right…which is why there are over 40,000 different Protestant churches.
Ironically this division and disagreement in Protestatism is not Biblical.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
what took them so long.
Good for them to do this. But, Chuck Smith was also a false teacher. Chuck Smith taught all his life the lie that catholicism is Christian. So I’m not sure why people don’t recognize that. He said it in teachings, in books, and on the radio.
Jess,
Chuck always disagreed doctrinally with much of what defines RC doctrine. His position was that their wrong theology was not a disqualifyer because they believe that Jesus is God and died for the sin of the world. Chuck was wrong in my view but, was very much a Christian that believed and taught “sola fide”.
Blessings:-}
Chuck taught that salvation you had to be born again through faith to obtain salvation. If you read the Catholic creed there is a lot of correct stuff in it. There are Catholics who have been born again and there are people sitting at Calvary who have not. The church is universal of all who have been saved. Chuck when he got to the passages that brought it up repudiated transubstantiation, immaculate conception, praying to the saints, Mary being co redemptress and mediator of grace, confession to a priest, Peter as the 1st Pope and on down the line every time Catholic doctrine departed from scripture Chuck was on it.
Who decides what is and is not an “apostate position”? Let me guess, you do….
The Catholics and Calvary chapelists are both wrong on this subject.
Eph. 2:8 For BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
We are saved by God’s Grace. God graced us, He has chosen you for salvation.(2Thess. 2:13).We have nothing to do with that. Just like we have nothing to do with our natural birth. We have nothing to do with our spiritual birth, it is all of God’s work.
We all like the verse John 3:16 That is not all of the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus. My suggestion to you is meditate on John 3:7,8 ; John 3:14,15. You will have a whole new understanding of John 3:16 Not the way you have been taught at Calvary Chapel.
Calvinist huh?
Calvin erred in that his doctrine of “irresistible grace” denies free will. If “we have nothing to do with our rebirth” then we have no free will. The beautiful thing about God’s grace is we can CHOOSE to accept or reject it. God does not force us to accept His grace.
“if you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
snooop1e,
“if you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus speaking to Israelites for Israelites
@snooopie Your little comment is full of fallacies, you need to join a solid Bible teaching church. I can’t tackle all of the fallacies, but first and many stumble over this and that is ” free will”. You can’t show me one verse were these two words appear together in the Bible. Yes man is born with a will, but it is not free. Romans 6:20 says man is a slave of sin. Man’s will is geared on nothing but evil. The Bible says in Mark 7:21-23 Mans heart is evil. And in Jer. 17:9 Mans heart is sick. In Romans 3:10-12 man does not seek for God. In 1 Cor. 2:14 Man cannot understand spiritual things. After I gave all these verses out of the Bible and there are more, where it says man’s heart is evil and sick, and does not seek for God and cannot understand God. My question to you is after all these verses how is man able to believe in Jesus if God does not give him the ability to believe. God must take out the heart of stone and give him a heart of flesh. In other words God makes him born again, it is all God’s work. And please supply me with Bible verses to prove your point.
Amen to that Marinus L. What a blessing it is to read something so clearly Biblical. Thank you 😀
Blessings:-}
http://www.bible.ca/cal-I-refutation.htm
http://churchfight.com/church-fight-home-page/calvinism
http://www.johnstonfamilyministry.com/article/refuting-what-calvinists-believe-what-calvinists-know
These are just a few random sites, there are literally tens of thousands…
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Reblogged on: https://1way2yahweh.wordpress.com
maybe im missing something?? false teaching and fale doctrines taught from calvary??? I thought they were a bible reading ,walking thru, in context fellowhip…..please send me any articles or inks on that
Not all Calvary’s, but more and more. Reading through the Histories in the bible has opened my eyes to our own “high places” within Calvary Chapels, or worshiping the true God in false or lazy ways. The devil has always worked to maintain footholds within the church just as with Israel and Judah. The most insidious and subtle ways have been worship music (especially Vineyard, Hillsong, and the worship of the Holy Spirit out of context with what scripture teaches and doesn’t teach) Children’s Ministry (I myself have been guilty of being less than vigilant there – ordering materials from a Oneness Pentecostal and having to tweak and add to the lessons due to problems within the curriculum), and Women’s Ministry. False worship of the true God is the same in God’s eyes as idolatry (avodah zerah). All Calvary’s have these problems, but some have gone into Rick Warrens Global Peace Plan, Hybel’s seeker sensitive mush, and the push for unity of anything that can slap “Jesus” on their bumper sticker.
Kawika, consider the following:
– Chuck set dates for the Rapture in his 1978 books, “End Times” and “Future Survival.” He predicted a date of May 1981. When that didn’t happen, he allowed for some leeway and – according to David Hocking – had gathered with many of his people on New Years Eve 1981, awaiting the Rapture. When that didn’t happened, he changed it to 2000.
– In his book, “Answers For Today” (1993), he wrote that Catholics are just another Christian denomination and part of the Body of Christ.
– In “Charisma vs. Charismania,” Chuck taught that the Holy Spirit can cause people to experience various sensations, such as “ten thousand volts of electricity…,” “a warm sensation,” “waves of glory,” “a tingling sensation…,” “uncontrollable weeping,” “a violent shaking.”
– In “Charisma vs. Charismania,” Chuck turns to psychologist Maslow to describe man and how he functions. Chuck says, “Down in the deepest part of man, in the area of his spirit, there is also a very strong thirst or drive. This is the thirst of man’s spirit for a meaningful relationship with God.”
– Chuck Smith taught for over 50 years that God does not redeem the body, but that our resurrection will be only a spiritual one. On Sept. 22, 1998, he said, “God does not redeem the body.” This is the same heresy he taught for decades. He never changed his teaching on this.
– Chuck Smith taught for decades that after Christ’s death on the cross, He was, AND IS, existing apart from the Trinity. Chuck said, in the evening service of May 18, 1997, that in the future “Jesus will once again take His place in the Triune Godhead.” Until then, Chuck says, Jesus is still a little lower than the angels; in the future, He will once again take up His place in Deity.
These are just a few problems with Chuck Smith. Not all CC pastors teach or believe the same as Chuck, but many do and, of those who don’t, they rarely have spoken up or left the denomination. Chuck got a “pass” because he was “Papa Chuck;” he was the nice guy and our spiritual father, so we don’t question him.
Berlorac, you better repent, you are such a liar, about all the things you said about what Pastor Chuck thought, I was under his teaching for 42 years. ( and worked for his ministry for over 28 years, and I never heard those things you are saying) may our Lord open your eyes,
Christa, do you have Chuck’s books? Perhaps you could re-read them. Do you have access to his sermons? Perhaps you could re-listen to the ones given on the dates I’ve listed above. Unless those books have been reprinted without those quotes, and unless those sermons have been removed or edited, you can read/hear for yourself.
Again I repeat, do or did people have their eyes on Chuck or The Lord? Personally I think that Chuck was one of the greatest teachers I had ever heard but… if what berlorac says is true, then I have to rethink my position. At least I feel I’m open minded enough to do so. There’s also another person in the past that seems to be be misinterpreted. Three years before his death, this person wrote a book called, “The Jews And Their Lies”. A quote from that book reads: What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews? I shall give you my sincere advice: First to set fire to their synagogues in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians”. As a Jew who loves Yeshua, I am greatly offended by these words! It gets even worse in this book. By the way the author was Martin Luther!
I forgot to mention that this so called book was one of the cornerstones of the Third Reich Movement. That’s not an opinion but history. Check it out.
Thanks for sharing. Most people are easily mislead ! That’s why “teachers ” will face a harsher judgement. Amen.
Christa, I too went to Calvary Chapel since 1979, and I too worked for Calvary Chapel for many years, and I have heard and read Pastor Chuck teach all those things that Belorac pointed out I have that very cassette tape by David Hocking, I have all those books and other tapes of those very teaching. I will mail them all to you if you would like to see and hear for yourself
Berlorac is correct, and has spoken truthfully. It’s a shame that some people treat Chuck Smith with cult-like zeal. He was just a man, and he was wrong on a lot of things.
Belorac speaks the truth.
Also, In 2011 Chuck Smith (may God rest his soul) shocked many 9f his listeners when a pregnant woman called into his radio show asking if she should abort her conjoined twins and Chuck Smith advised her that she could abort them and God would forgive her. Chuck Smith was a sincere man and I think he meant well but you know what they say, the road to he’ll is paved with good intentions. What surprises me is how many people are completely loyal to Chuck Smith but actually know very little about him or his history. Everything Belorac posted is factual.
Lastly Calvary Chapels are run according to the “Moses principle”. Unlike other churches where the board of Elders choose/elect the Pastor, in Calvary Chapel churches the PASTOR appoints ALL of the Elders and he can fire any/all of them at any time and for any reason. In other words Calvary Chapel Pastors have immense power and control EVERYTHING in their churches and not even the board of Elders can fire the Pastor.
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7064816215.html
A lot of talk from someone who certainly does not have facts to back up their attack on Pastor Chuck. You clearly show a bias against the man in attacking his theological understanding. Shame on you!
JB, so when has truth become “biased” and “attacking”. That is not making any sense.
Lies, don’t know what your motivation is. Went thru the Bible with Pastor Chuck several times from 1970 to his move to Heaven. He never taught these things.
You can read the bible, but also at the same time misinterpret it.
There is irony in this story I believe should be pointed out.
Dwight Douville said –
“I was told that the real reason for my recent removal from leadership in Wisconsin following the release of my March letters isn’t related to how I asked pertinent questions about the direction of CCs, it’s that I asked at all… ”
Many individuals and families have been ostracized and lost relationships with family, friends, work and business acquaintances because they also asked simple “pertinent” questions or pointed out something the CC “senior” pastor of a local church didn’t like or felt challenged his authority or power.
Now, ironically, a CC pastor is getting the same treatment.
I’m not saying that Douville treated people this way but this has been a problem with individual Calvary Chapel’s for decades. It’s inherent with the type of church polity Chuck Smith taught and propagated.
Hopefully there is a lesson here for the CC pastors who are being treated this way and that is this this has been happening to non-member members for a long time and they also only had one and the same option, “to vote with their feet”, and leave.
Except there is a difference, it cost the Individuals and families much much much more, they not only lost their affiliation but their church and sometimes family, friends, etc., all in one blow. If they tried to talk to someone, which is hard to find, they were only “causing division”. Sound familiar?
Perhaps if these peoples questions (many of them more than legitimate) were handled in a godly manner CC wouldn’t be facing the issues in this article, but they weren’t, the questions were dismissed and then those who asked them were shunned.
There were problems long before Dwight Douville or Roger Oakland became aware of them. Seems they didn’t notice until it happened to them.
Q, good point. I was one of those who dared leave the “one true Body.” And, mind you, they were not speaking of the Body of Christ that exists the world over. They weren’t even narrowing it CC, in general, although we certainly heard many times that there is no real truth outside of CC. No, they actually taught that the local CC was the Body and that if you left it, you would flounder. You couldn’t have a life outside of the local CC, either.
When I tried to get together with some CC friends after I left there, the only time those friends were allowed to associate with me is if they made a pitch to get me to come back to the true Body. Unbelievable.
Berlorac,
Never once in all the years I have gone too Calvary Chapels around the country have I ever heard anything like what you say you experienced. In fact the opposite would be closer to the teaching at these churches. As far as I have seen they do not practice nor encourage shunning.
It’s the (self elect) Calvinist’s who love to attack Chuck Smith, or any church that does not bow down to false idol Worship of heritics such as the gnostic influenced Catholic founder Augustine and his clone John Calvin that hate to accept that man does have a free will and that all will be individually accountable for their actions on judgement day.
JB. The word “free” and the word “will” are never used in combination in the Bible like “free will”. Show me one verse. Calvinist never say that man does not have a will, in fact we say that all are born with a will, but after Adam’s fall or will is tainted, and the unregenerate man has a will, but it is not free, he is a slave to sin, when you are a slave to sin you are not free.
The Bible says in Mark 7:21-23 Mans heart is evil, Romans 6:20 Man is a slave to sin, Rom. 3:10-12 He does not seek for God, 1Cor. 2:14 He cannot understand spiritual things. How can an unregenerate man in this kind of condition choose God, he can not unless God first touches his heart, take out the heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh. We all like to say we love You Jesus, but You first loved us. We like to pray for our prodical’s, but do we really mean it when we say, Jesus save our sons our daughters.
We don’t choose God, He choose us. And we accept His offer of salvation.
He choose us first, we accept.
You don’t have to walk to the altar. You can, no matter where you are, if God speaks to your heart, say these few words and really mean it from the bottom of your heart,” Lord, have mercy on me a sinner, I am in need of a Savior, please save me.” If you really mean it, He will save you. How will you know wether you mean it. Jesus says if you love Me you keep my commandments, the apostle Paul says you are a new creation, that means you will abandon your old lifestyle.
I was at CC from 89 to 2002 when I married a Baptist. One thing I know is this, being taught all along free will- well when I was lost in my sin, I was a meth addict for 4 yrs in the 80’s, I never choose God. In fact, my picker was broken. God found me! My CC pastor came and knocked on my door!!! He reached out in my darkness and sent someone to my house to share the gospel with ME. I didn’t seek him out. I understand that more and more today- 27 yrs out. That glorious GRACE!
“Not perfect doctrinally. But, still for the most part in line with scripture…”
Who decides if someone is “perfect doctrinally” and/or “in line with scripture”?
Let me guess, you do and anyone who disagrees with you is not “in line with scripture”…
Here is a question for you
If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that your beliefs/doctrines are not “in line with scripture” and that you and anyone who agrees with you is not truly saved who is correct? You or them and how do you know?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
“JB. The word “free” and the word “will” are never used in combination in the Bible like “free will”
Thank you for pointing out that the Bible NEVER says that man does not have free will.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Hey snoopie Jesus said ,” Don’t throw your pearls before swine,” Why don’t you find out what this means.
It means that non believers are not to receive Jesus body and blood in the sanctuary.
In 1 Corinthians 10:16-21, Paul says the following:
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the BLOOD of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the BODY of Christ? Because there is ONE bread, we who are many are one body, for WE ALL PARTAKE OF THE ONE BREAD”
This is Prophesied in Isaiah 62:8-9. Only God’s people (true believers) shall eat and drink the bread and wine in God’s sanctuary.
Isaiah 62:8-9
The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink your wine
for which you have labored;
9but those who garner it shall eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.”
Non believers are like Jesus disciples in John 6:66 who rejected Him and walked away when He said His body is REAL (not symbolic) food and His blood is REAL (not symbolic) drink and everyone must eat His body and drink His blood. The reason the people walked away is because they knew Jesus was speaking literally as I will point out later.
St. Paul speaks about the reality of Jesus’ body and blood which Jesus revealed to him.
1 Corp 11:23-30
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you…27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner WILL BE GUILTY OF SINNING AGAINST THE BODY AND THE BLOOD OF THE LORD.
Lest anyone try to pervert the true meaning of his words Paul goes on to clarify,
1 Cor 11:29
“For any one who eats and drinks WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THE BODY eats and drinks CONDEMNATION upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and sick, and some of you have died.”
In the Gospels whenever Jesus is speaking literally He begins with “Very, truly” or “Truly, truly”. Jesus does this to let His followers know that what He is about to say is not a parable or a metaphor.
John 6:53
“Very, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is REAL food and my blood is REAL drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood ABIDES IN ME, AND I IN HIM. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who EATS ME will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread WILL LIVE FOREVER”
Repent and OBEY the Gospel (Jesus teachings), the kingdom of God is at hand.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
See, I knew you would come up with another example of a belief the Bible nowhere teaches that disqualifies someone from salvation. Your reply to Marinus L about your definition of what pearls before swine means is a perfect example!
“a belief the Bible nowhere teaches that disqualifies someone from salvation”
So much for John 3:16 huh?
On the one hand you insist that the ONLY thing necessary for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ but then you declare people who believe in Jesus “disqualified from salvation” simply because they disagree with YOUR teachings.
Are we saved by agreeing with you or by belief in Jesus Christ?
You still have not answered the questions. You cannot, and so you attack and declare people “disqualified from salvation”. You are a mess.
1. If 2 Christians gather in Jesus name and after reading the Bible they agree that you are incorrect, not truly Christian and not truly saved who is correct and who decides?
2. Which of God’s Commandments is impossible for you to obey with Christ IN you?
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments”
-Jesus
Nope. I was clear that the Bible teaches who God is and if we say he is not the only God or that there is another way to heaven, etc… then we are nat saved.
John14:6- “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
There are clubs that disagree with Jesus’ statement here. they are not Christian.
Oh, shunning at CC does indeed exist. It was time for my wife and myself to leave CC as we felt that was what the Lord wanted us to do. As it turns out it was the right decision. My Brother-In-Law was and is the Pastor there. That was 2 years ago and we haven’t heard a word from them since or from anyone else there. We have reached out to them and others with no response. Like I said, we made the right decision! We weren’t in sin when we left but even if we were, whatever happened to Matthew 18?
I can only speak from personal experience. Though I have some major issues with my pastor and his style of leadership and ecclesiology, and he is well aware of them, I have never been shunned. He is very gracious towards me (as are the elders) we just regard the other to be in error. I don’t see this as a cause for unity, though, when doctrine slides and ecumenism rises. But do you think their might be a possibility that blood, being thicker than water, has tainted your fellowship with your brother? It certainly seems to be the case in the macrocosm of Calvary Chapel Association.
I have to ask you which one. I think you are lying. Sorry…
I have to ask you which one.
Thank God you got out…
Edwitness is right, the polar opposite seems to be the fever now. I d, however, remember that there was a feeling to me, just a feeling, hearing the fellowship chatter, when I first started attending that this church thought they had “it”. “It” being sold doctrine, the move of the Holy Spirit, yada yada. Now though it’s anything but exclusive… NAR, Catholicism, Mormons, etc.
Edwitness and Jared,
I can’t speak for all CCs, only the one I left due to doctrinal disagreement. If someone leaves only because he is moving to a new location, then there isn’t a problem. In fact, the pastor will give you info about the CCs in your new location. But I’m not the only one who has been treated poorly for asking doctrinal questions and then leaving. I’ve heard the accounts of many people who have had horrendous cult-like experiences.
Now, this was under a pastor who had been with Chuck since the mid-70s, so he was loyal to Chuck to the core. I do see a difference in some of the younger CC pastors. They are not so exclusivist and loyal to Chuck.
And, now, as Jerod has pointed out, it seems like “anything goes.” Now, we see many CC pastors bringing in all kinds of heresy and linking up with other ministries that would have been frowned upon back in the day.
Hey berlorac , I posted twice to try to remove that “lying” comment since that was rude. I apologize. It just sounds odd and I would have thought the CCOF board would have been all over that.
Jerod, no problem…
I know it sounds unbelievable, but that’s the way that particular CC viewed it. We were given the illustration of a tent with tent pegs. That little CC was the tent – the body – and each of us “members” was a tent peg. We were told that if you didn’t perform the tasks that you were assigned, the tent would be unstable. But if you were to leave the fellowship (under less than ideal terms), the tent would collapse. You would cause harm to the body and you better pray that God help you once you leave. Such was the guilt trip laid on those who ever questioned anything.
There was no recognition on the part of that CC that there was a larger Body to which we all belonged. For them, it was all about their tent. There were exceptions made for those who were moving and planned on attending another CC, but for those who were leaving CC altogether, it could be brutal.
I know many people who stayed only because they were made to feel guilty for thinking about leaving. One person I know, who had come to CC after leaving a Foursquare church, began to question things when I spoke out. I ended up leaving, but that person stayed because of the guilt. And there are many others.
Other CCs operate differently, I know. Some are worse, some are better. Aside from the one I attended for two years, I’ve visited 4 other CCs while out on the road as a missionary. Only one of those was truly welcoming. At the same time, I’ve visited many Baptist and other churches in my travels and was showered with love every time. The worse experience I ever had was in a CC in ___ . Well, I won’t say the state because that would narrow it down too much… The point is, I’m not lying 🙂
This is exactly how chuck smith and brian broderson treat the ones that follow the apostles teachings about the doctrine of Grace ( you call Calvinism, it makes it sound like that John Calvin that started this doctrine. John Calvin and the Reformers made everybody aware what the apostles teachings from the Bible was,and they pointed out the heresy that was taught in the Catholic Church.
It would CC Pastors some good if they sincerely try to understand what the apostles taught about the doctrines of Grace. There would not so much false teachings, let me correct it there would not be so many ignorant teaching going on, because these pastors just learn by hear-say. They never try to study it.
Brian Broderson is so uninformed about the doctrine of Grace. And he is the one that says that Catholics are Christians. This makes me believe that he does not know what a Christian is. Brian broderson has to ask The Lord to give him the understanding of the doctrine of Grace.
Kinda going through some cognitive dissonance in my own CC right now… :-/
Hey Jerod, see my post above. I just replied to you there. I’m sorry to hear about your troubles. I’m praying for you, brother. Be led by the Spirit…
Thanks for your graciousness. God bless you
I was thinking the exact same thing as I read the article. I have witnessed this firsthand and have met with many who have experienced the same thing over several years. I was an eldee and ordained by the CC I was a part of and yet when my wife and friends raised questions about certain practices, we found ourselves on the outside looking in and people were told they were not permitted to talk to us.
I myself was blind to this practice until it happened to me and my family. Once my eyes were opened, I became painfully aware of this being a “normal” practice.
Mike, I’m sorry to hear that you and your wife have gone through this. I know for me it was a time of growth. I turned to the Lord and dug into His Word more than before. He uses adversity to grow us if we yield to Him. I hope that this is what He has done for you, too.
Our identity is in Christ. When we suffer, we count it all joy.
I’ve been involved with several Calvary plants and established Churches and NEVER heard such things happening to those who chose to leave. I don’t want to say that this has never happened to someone, but it is NOT the norm from the 28 years I have been in the movement. I know we may be further removed from the California movement, but in the two states and 6 plus fellowships we’ve been associated with including the one my husband planted, we loved and continued to love those who left our fellowships. I have found that most who do leave are the ones who chose to talk and try to cause division. It happens with any church. It is not unique to Calvary. People leave fellowships for different reasons. We just recently had someone leave who was upset about our position on the pre-trib rapture and teaching from the NKJ version of the Bible. They tried to make a case with several in the body who thankfully knew why they believed what they believed and weren’t swayed. Generally, if you don’t like what someone is teaching, then leave. What is the problem with that? If I don’t like what the pentecostals are teaching, then do I stay and try to get them to my side, or leave? If something is a sin issue, then you take the matter to the elders and then the church. But if it isn’t a sin issue, then it is best to leave the matter with the Lord. I have watched a Calvary go through a sin issue with the pastor and it was a long drawn out matter, but God eventually worked it out. Yes, sheep were hurt, but that is what happens when people sin. I don’t think this is unique to Calvary and to single out this movement is sin in my eyes. I really think you need to reconsider whether it is sin and gossip to continue to cast accusations on a movement that has brought the exposition of the Word of God back to the sheep.
I appreciate your remarks and I’m sure are true. But as stated before, I have seen first hand where Matthew 18 is not practiced. I’m not slamming CC but it’s true. In fact, I still go to a Thurs. morning CC study. If a question was asked, depending on the question (CC philosophies ) for example, you better start looking for a new Church. A very close friend of mine was sent a text from their friend stating that because they no longer attended CC that they couldn’t have that fellowship anymore. What kind of Christianity is that? In fact my own family went to visit a CC and won’t go back because of the unfriendliness. Not all CC are like that but EVERY CC or any other churches should set the example. It all starts with the Pastor!
I’m not sure that is true. When I read what had transpired with Roger I remember being more than a little surprised he was just running into this, it almost seemed like he thought it wasn’t there until he took his stands and wrote those two books.
Dwight Douville seems to have had issues after working on things he sees wrong since Chuck’s death.
Some CC Pastors were doing their own thing and running over people long before Chuck even became ill, long before.
Many times Chuck was aware of problems but spiritualized them, leaving it to God to reprove or remove, sometimes he stepped in.
Surely you can see the seeds of what is happening were in the ground almost from the beginning.
Can anyone really make a biblical case for the polity that Chuck taught? Justin tried with a paper he wrote but it doesn’t pass the discernment test.
How true! I’ve seen from first hand experience that when you leave CC, either on your own or asked to leave, you are pretty much ex-communicated. Matthew 18:15-17 is taught but not practiced.
Yes, I agree with this. Had a new pastor come and clear out the church members saying maybe you would be happier somewhere else. It felt like he just wanted our building. He really hurt a lot of members. On the positive side, he is teaching the word and broke the church off from Big Calvary.
I have been listening to chucks 3000 serise i am currently in Hebrews having gone straight threw. I have attended the past 3 east coast pastors conferences. I know little about Broderson. I have never heard any of this. I tend not to believe it. I am not saying there are not issues.
berlorac I have read chucks books and read his devotional. I heave never hear him say the stuff you are quoting. In fact usually the opposite.
I hope people due there research and don’t buy all this. Calvary’s are doing a lot of good. We as the Church don’t need more division.
Berlorac is correct. Chuck Smith was ecumenical and was wrong on a lot of things.
Foo4ever, do you still have Chuck’s books? Perhaps you could re-read them. Do you have access to his sermons? Perhaps you could re-listen to the ones given on the dates I’ve listed above. Unless those books have been reprinted without those quotes, and unless those sermons have been removed or edited, you can read/hear for yourself.
As far as CCs “doing a lot of good,” who cares? There are hundreds of churches and organizations “doing a lot of good.” There are atheists who do “good works,” the Mormons do “good works,” the Masons do “good works.” What you should be concerned about is the doctrine.
Division is necessary. I think we should say we are dividing. If God can remove his presence from a congregation then we are simply being removed by His hand. The question is From whom are you dividing? God or hirelings?
Jerod – you nailed it. Paul challenged Peter PUBLICLY when the truth of the gospel was at stake. We must do the same in order to protect the precious flock. We must never protect men from their own words. Only the scriptures are true.
Thank you! TRUTH
Amen, now that Chich is gone the wolves are attacking!
JB, I and many others came to see Chuck’s doctrinal errors long before he died, but what’s alarming about your comment is that you are saying anyone who disagrees with Chuck is a wolf — that is, an unbeliever. May God have mercy on you, JB.
It’s true. I talked to Chuck’s brother when he was trying to keep this stuff out of Calvary and Broderson fired him when Broaderson made the resolution in a board meeting. Chuck Jr. and Chris Fromm are also emergent.
This is the 1978 book Berlorac was referencing:
https://www.amazon.com/End-Times-Report-Future-Survival/dp/0893370118
Catholics are the original Christians. History shows that, and the only Christian church that has been around for 2,000 years.
What’s happening at Calvary Chapel is predictable because it is based on a cult of personality, and the death of the leader means disintegration. Rick Warren’s church will eventually splinter too. That is the history and modus operandi of Protestantism.
Not so the Catholic Church, the Church that Jesus founded she He said to Peter, “you are Peter (rock) and on this rock I will build MY church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
Come home separated brothers and sisters!
Come out of her Maris.
Catholicism didn’t exist for over 300 years after Jesus. Catholicism is a cult that leads to eternal torment in the lake of fire, because it teaches works for salvation, which cannot save (Galatians 1:6-9). True salvation cannot include any works (Romans 4:5). So you are wrong, Maris.
Catholicism is a religion made up by man, and it is a cult of the popes, and every pope is a false prophet.
Roman Catholicism is a false teaching. The Reformation happened because the Roman Catholic Church is filth! I’m certain that people can become born again if they are attending a Roman Catholic Church, but I think they have to wade through all the garbage first.
When Jesus stated “upon this rock I will build my church” He was referring to Himself, not Peter. Jesus is our foundation, not Peter or anyone else.
Come out of the Harlot church of Revelation 17.
As far as Matt Chandler goes, what is wrong with what he preaches?
If it wasn’t for John Calvin and the Reformers we all would be Roman Catholics. Thank God for the Reformers
Maris, you’re deluded. If you honestly want to know the foundation of Romanism, don’t look to Peter. Look to Constantinople and Augustine………Romanism had its roots in the Roman Empire, not in the primitive church. Like I said, if you honestly want to find out for yourself, with no bias, there is plenty of material for you to research. The problem with most RC is that the brainwashing starts at an early age, and if not for the grace of God it’s almost impossible to come out of that system.
Catholicism is the continuation of the original post-Noah satanism, started by Noah’s grandson Nimrod and his wife Semiramis. Nimrod is represented bybthe sun which is all over catholic architecture, dress and in the mass(the monstrance and host). After Nimrod died Semiramis alleges that she had a virgin son, Tammuz, who was allegedly Nimrod reincarnated. The statutes of Mary holding baby “Jesus” is really Semiramis holding Tammuz, and the higher level catholics know it. The giant Obelisks in DC and Rome represent the phallice of Nimrod, while the domes across from them )US capital building, St. Peters) represent the pregnant womb of Semiramis.
The catholics hate people who read the Bible and have murdered tens of thousands of Bible translators and readers over the centuries. They worship men, women and Lucifer…not Jesus Christ. They reinstitute the law Jesus abolished in his body on the cross, and they deny the Bible with their rules. They have also brilliantly destroyed the Bibles almost all americans read from the inside.
Sola Sceiptura,
An amazing accounting for the true underpinnings of the Roman whore. Thank you for the enlightening information. If only they could break through the chains that have them bound to the lie that is Catholicism.
Blessings to you for telling them :-}
The Fuel Project, in their YouTube series “Know Your Enemy,” went into a lot of this history. It is a series of 77 segments you can watch online. It was eye opening to watch.