Truth Magazine

By Fred Holthouser

The wrath of God will be poured out on all false religious organizations, which includes the Jehovah’s Witnesses and all others that do not obey His word in all its revealed truth. Man often seeks a way to escape God’s judgment and this is why Witness doctrine denies the eternal torment of hell. If any one knows how we can miss the judgment of God, I wish they would tell me what the Scripture is that says we can. I will show it to others so they may also miss this judgment as no one likes to think that he or she is going to be judged for what we have done in this body. But I am afraid that the Scripture is missing that teaches this. In John 12:48 Jesus said, “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has one which judges him, the words that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

Witnesses vs Scripture On The Soul

In Revelation 6:9 John saw the souls of the saints. This would be enough to prove that the Witnesses are false teachers as they teach that man does not have a soul and that there is nothing inside man that goes on living after death. Now how could John tell us that he saw souls if they were not therefor him to see? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:50 that flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. So there must be an inner man that goes on living after the body dies. This inner man is what John saw by revelation. Paul. also says in 2 Corinthians 4:16 that though his outer man is perishing his inward man was renewed day by day. How can something be renewed unless it is in existence?

In Matthew 10:28 Jesus says, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Notice that the word “and” in this passage is a coordinating conjunction that connects two things of equal rank. So as long as we are in this life, one cannot exist without the other – that is, both inner man and outer man. As we find by looking as James 2:26, the point is that the body and soul are separate parts of man and as long as we are in this life they must go together. Or else, why did Jesus separate them? Why did James do the same thing? Why did Paul in writing the Thessalonians pray for their body, soul, and spirit (1 Thess. 5:23)? If the inner man cannot be separated from the body, why did Paul separate them as he did?

Jesus said in Matthew 25:41 to those on the left hand, “Depart from me into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Now does that sound like what is taught by the Witnesses – that hell is just annihilation? This lake of fire is for all false teachers and false prophets, the Jehovah’s Witnesses notwithstanding. Death is a separation, whether we speak of physical or spiritual death. One who lives a life of deceit and false teaching will deserve a fate as described in Revelation 20:10, that is to be separated from God throughout all of eternity. This spiritual death is a complete removal from light back into darkness with no rest or comfort. What a fate awaits the false teachers and false prophets who will not repent and come back to God on his terms before it is too late. Now is the time to obey God. Do not wait, for we know not when we will die (Heb. 9:27).

Just like the pope in Rome, the Witnesses claim that as soon as any and all of their literature leaves the sixth floor of the Bethel headquarters (where the printing plant is located), then that is what the Witnesses are to believe and teach regardless of what the Bible says. In other words, as one of the presidents of the Society said, it is to be believed as soon as it leaves the printing plant whether it be right or wrong as to the teachings of God’s word. This can be done because they hold such control over their people. Whatever the president and the editorial staff says is the truth, all loyal Witnesses are to believe that it is the truth without question. Most Witnesses go along with this because of the club that is held over their heads; if you create any trouble for them by asking too many questions, you will be disfellowshipped and put out of the organization. John 17:17 tells us that God’s word is truth and that is what we are to be judged by, not a group of men in the Witness organization. In this passage, Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth.” “Sanctify” means “to set apart or to call out of.” We are called out of a life of sin and that includes slavery to all the false, Satanic religious organizations of the world such as the Watchtower Society. We are to serve the Lord, not men.

This alone should be enough to prove to all honest hearts that the so-called New World Society is a false religious organization and that its slaves should come out of it just as I did and just the way God says from his word in Revelation 18:4.

Dismal Record of Broken Prophecies

In the next few paragraphs I would like to give you a list of the false predictions and the year in which they were predicted to let you see that there has not been even the first one to come true. That proves beyond any doubt that this organization is one that is false and should be avoided like one would avoid the plague.

• 1877 “The end of the world is nearer than most men suppose.” See Three Worlds and The Harvest of This World, by Russell and Barbour, p. 17.
• 1886 “Marshaling of the host for the battle of the great day of God the Almighty, is in progress while the skirmishing is commencing.” See Zion’s Watchtower Reprints, Volume One, p. 817.
• 1889 “The battle of the great day of God Almighty, which will end in A.D. 1914, is already commenced.” See Time Is At Hand (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society), p. 101.
• 1894 “The skirmishing is already beginning all along the line. The end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” See Zion’s Watchtower Reprints, Volume Two (Jan. 1, 1894), p. 1605.
• 1904 “The stress of the great time of trouble will be on us soon, somewhere between 1910 and 1912 culminating in October of 1914.” See Studies of the Scriptures, by C.T. Russell (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society), Volume 6, p. 579.
• 1914 “The great crisis, the great clash is very near. Armageddon may begin next spring.” See Watchtower Reprints, Volume Two, p. 1677.
• 1915 “The battle of Armageddon, to which this war is leading.” See Watchtower Reprints, Volume 6 (Sept 1, 1914), p. 5450.
• 1915 “The present great war in Europe is the beginning of the Armageddon of the Scriptures.” See Watchtower Reprints, Volume 6 (April 1, 1915), p. 5659.
• 1917 “We anticipate that the earthquake will occur early in 1918, and that the fire will come int eh fall of 1920.” See The Finished Mystery (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society), p. 178.
• 1917 “Emphasis is on 1925, the old world is ending, we are standing at the very portals of that blessed time (golden age of the kingdom) deliverance.” See Millions Now Living Will Never Die, by J.F. Rutherford (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1920), p. 105.
• 1929 “God’s purpose must shortly dash to pieces the devil’s organization, Satan knows that shortly he must fight the Lord.” See Prophecy, by J.F. Rutherford (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1929), p. 266.
• 1930 “The Climax is at hand.” See Light, by J.F. Rutherford (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1930), Volume Two, p. 327.
• 1931 “His day of vengeance is here, and Armageddon is at hand. God’s judgment must shortly be executed.” See Vindication, by J.F. Rutherford (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1931), Volume One, p. 147.
• 1932 “The end is only a short time away.” See The Jehovah’s Witnesses, (Columbia University Press, 1945), p. 55.
• 1939 “The time for the battle of the great day of God Almighty is very near, the disaster of Armageddon is just ahead.” See Salvation, by J.F. Rutherford (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1939), pp. 310, 361.
• 1940 “The day for the final settlement is near at hand, the Witness work for the Theocracy appears to be about done.” See Watchtower Magazine of Sept. 1, 1940, p. 265.
• 1941 “Armageddon is surely near, soon within a few years.” See Children, by J.F. Rutherford (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1941), p. 366.
• 1942 “The new world is at the door, the time is short.” See The New World, (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1942), p. 10.
• 1943 “The beginning of the final war is dangerously near.” See The Truth Shall Make You Free, (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1943), p. 341.
• 1944 “The end o’ the world arrangement is now near.” See The Kingdom Is At Hand, (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1944), p. 342.
• 1946 “Armageddon should come sometime before 1971.” See They Have Found a Faith (Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1946), p. 34.
• 1946 “The final and draws near.” See They Have Found a Faith. (Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1946), p. 44.
• 1950 “Jehovah’s time has come to settle definitely the issue.” See This Means Everlasting Life, (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1950), p. 307.
• 1953 “1954 could well be the year.” See Jehovah’s Witnesses and What They Believe (Zondervan Publishing Co., 1967), p. 307.
• 1955 “The war of Armageddon is nearing its breaking-out point.” See You May Survive Armageddon into God’s New World, (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1955), p. 331.
• 1966 “A climax of man’s history is at the door.” See Awake Magazine, of October 8, 1966, p. 20.
• 1969 “There is only a short time left.” See Watchtower Magazine, of Jan. 15, 1969, p. 39.
• 1966 In their book Life Everlasting in the Freedom of the Sons of God, (pp. 29-33), they claim that the year of 1975 was to be the end of the world and to see the New World Society being established some time in the fall of the year.

This makes twenty-eight different predictions on the same Bible prophecy. Not one of them has come true. Just like the boy that cried wold once too often, they have missed the prophecies that they have made so often that I do not see how they can expect anyone to believe them about anything they do or teach.

Let me beg anyone that is connected with any false religious organization to take their Bibles and study the word of God by itself and then obey what it says for us to do. If you take the Baptist creed book plus the Bible, you will make one a Baptist. Take the Catholic Catechism plus the Bible, and you will make one a Catholic. The same could be said about any other false religious organization. But if you take the Bible by itself without these creed books, it will make one a Christian, a child of God. That is what we all should want to be, nothing else.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 4, pp. 120-121
February 17, 1983

By Randy Blackaby

Fear is one of those dichotomies of scriptural teaching. We are told, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). But we also are told, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28).

There are at least two kinds of fear. One is that feeling that extends from stark terror to reverence and can be either good or bad, depending upon the circumstances; and the other is better defined as cowardice, always condemned in the Scriptures.

The primary interest of the Christian, however, is in the command to “fear God.” There is a tendency among Christians to either misunderstand or minimize this command.

Why Should We Fear God?

Any student of the Bible recognizes the awesome power of God. He is the very creator of life, having formed man from the dust of the ground. Such power, when fully realized;.is cause for fear. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). God’s omniscience is compelling reason for fear as well. Imagine the power possessed by one who can read every inner thought of a man.

God’s righteousness, the fact He never errs in judgment, compared to our frequent errors, is yet another cause for fear. We often use the word “reverence” to describe this feeling, but its basis is in fear of anyone so superior.

Perhaps the most often cited cause for fearing God is the Bible teaching concerning His judgment. The writer of Hebrews, in describing the plight of those willfully sinning after receipt of the truth, says of the future: “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and bath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, said the Lord …. It is a fearful thing to fall unto the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:27-31).

That each of us will be held individually accountable (2 Cor. 5:10-11) and that God is “no respecter of persons” (1 Peter 1:17) builds that fear in light of the impossibility of anyone escaping that answering to God. The punishment promised to the wicked is no slap on the wrist for Romans 6:25 says “the wages of sin is death.” God has created a place of punishment called hell, where “the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:44). The very description of that burning place of torment sends an involuntary shudder through the believer. Beyond that, the bottom line of God’s punishment for sin is eternal separation from Him, a situation not even faced by the vilest sinner as he lives in this world today.

Judgment and punishment are sufficient causes for fear but the love of God likewise compels us to fear. Paul describes God’s love by saying, “He that spared not his own son, but delivered him for us all. . .” (Rom. 8:32). God’s own son was the sacrifice for our sins. Imagining a man, much less our creator, offering his only son for savage abuse and tortured death certainly commands reverential fear in the face of such love. On the other hand, to ignore that sacrifice and its purpose is justification for stark terror of His judgment as righteousness is vindicated.

What Fear Accomplishes In The Life Of A Christian

Fear of the Lord brings obedience. We have in Noah an example of this incentive nature of fear. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house. . .” (Heb. 11:7). God has always warned His people. He has threatened punishment and given the opportunity for fear to accomplish obedience in the hearts of those who believe Him.

Fear also serves to keep the obedient holy. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, the Apostle Paul put it this way: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Explained yet another way, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” (Heb. 4:1).

Knowledge is a by-product of godly fear. The writer of the Psalms said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” and Proverbs 8:13 explains, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” Summed in these passages are the elements of true knowledge, philosophy and life goals.

Fear Exemplified In Father/Son Relationship

Often Christians find difficulty understanding how they should fear a loving God. Attempts are made to explain this relationship by substituting for the word “fear” the words “respect” and “reverence.” This, however, really is unnecessary for in our own relationships as parents to children we can see how fear operates in the heart of “a child of God.”

My sons fear my power. While short of stature, I still loom twice the size of any of them, am capable of delivering a spanking, lifting them off the ground and any number of other acts based on size and age that show the differential in physical strength. The difference in knowledge plays a role in this fear in the mind of a child as well.

Having felt the sting of a spanking, they fear what violation of certain rules can bring, especially when punishment is promised. This is a proper situation, as evidenced by Hebrews 12:5-9, which says, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” The Scriptures very clearly make analogy between the fear and discipline an earthly father commands and exerts and that of our “heavenly Father.”

Even deeper often times than the fear of daddy’s spanking power is the simple fear of offending. Dad’s displeasure is often worse than the spanking. What parent hasn’t wrinkled his forehead in a frown of displeasure with a child’s act only to receive a tearburst before any discussion of punishment is voiced. We call that respect.

Love is involved in this latter aspect of a child’s fear of his parent. It is a desire to please and a fear to displease. Again, this sums up the duty of a child and the role of fear in shaping acceptable behavior. The person who doesn’t fear doesn’t love. This is evident in the current lack of respect (fear) of authority in our society. It reflects the absence of any fear of offending others, a basic component of love.

Godly fear is modified as we mature. The fear I once had of my father’s hand on my posterior is replaced today with a fear of displeasing him. My fear, or respect, or love, has matured. So it is with the maturing Christian. Initial obedience to the will of God often is response to the dread of eternal hell, the fear of punishment. As the Christian matures, however, obedience is based on a deeper concern than fear of punishment. It is based on a commitment to do nothing that would offend our Father in heaven, who created us, redeemed us and has prepared a place for us. Fear has become love.

That fear alone is not enough to save is evidenced in the fact that the “devils believe and tremble.” Yet fear when blended with love brings obedience and obedience salvation.

Conclusion

Fear is a motivator. Because of fear we don’t step in front of speeding cars, or jump from a top high building or place our hands in a fire. Our fear of pain and death constrains us. The Bible utilizes fear in the same mode, commanding us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” and threatening everlasting punishment to all those unwilling to obey the will of God.

We can fear the wrong things. Fear of men, their ridicule, of being an outsider or different, or even of being harmed or killed, is discouraged by the teaching of Scripture. Yet we are commanded to fear God. The latter fear, as it develops, chokes out the first fear. First century Christians were beaten, castigated, even fed to hungry lions but refused to renounce their loyalty to the God of heaven.

Fear and love often are spoken of as if they exist at opposite ends of a spectrum. In fact, neither exists without the other.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 4, pp. 118-119
February 17, 1983

By A. C. Grider

During the last several years, I have met Baptist preachers in public debate more than twenty-five times. I feel like I know about as much as anybody about the Baptist Church and its teachings. I have decided to set forth some of the things I consider to be wrong with this religious organization.

The Baptist Church Is Unknown To The Word Of God

The first thing that strikes me when writing concerning the Baptist Church is that the Bible knows nothing about it and says nothing about it. That’s right, the Bible doesn’t mention the Baptist Church. You cannot find, in the Bible, how to become a member of the Baptist Church. You have to go onward and abide not in the doctrine of Christ to find anything about the Baptist Church. You have to transgress the doctrine of Christ to find out how to become a member of the Baptist Church. That, of course, is the first thing wrong with it.

Jesus said, in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church…” Thus we have no trouble finding the New Testament church and the founder thereof in the Bible. But history (even Baptist History) records that the first Baptist Church of record was formed by John Smythe, who had been a clergyman in the Church of England, in 1607 (Benedict’s History of The Baptists, p. 304). The first Baptist Church in America was founded by Roger Williams at Providence, Rhode Island in 1639 A.D. We can see that the Baptist Church was founded by the wrong man to be the New Testament Church. And of course, since the New Testament Church was to be built in Jerusalem, (Isa. 2:2-4; Luke 24:46-49; Zech. 1:16; Acts 2), the Baptist Church was founded at the wrong place to be the New Testament Church. And since the first Baptist Church was founded in 1607 it was founded at the wrong time to be the New Testament church since it was founded in A.D. 33. How can a church founded by the wrong man at the wrong place and at the wrong time bear any resemblance to the New Testament Church? It cannot!

The Plan Of Salvation

Not only was the Baptist Church started by the wrong man at the wrong place and at the wrong time, but the plan of salvation espoused and propagated by the Baptist Church is also wrong. Actually, it would be difficult to put down the exact position of the Baptist Church on becoming a child of God. Some say one may be saved by praying. Others say one is saved by faith without further acts of obedience. Others say salvation is by grace alone. But all Baptists deny that salvation comes through obedience to Christ, which puts them in opposition to the Bible.

Hebrews 5:8-9 records that Christ, through His sufferings, became the author of salvation to all them that obey Him. This is plain enough to be understood by all. But further, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 records that those who do not obey the gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction. Thus, God has said He will save the obedient and will punish the disobedient.

Salvation is by faith and it cannot be denied. Many passages could be cited to substantiate that fact. John 3:16, Acts 10:43, Ephesians 2:8-9, and a host of other verses attest to salvation by faith. But the word “faith” is a comprehensive term many times when used in the Bible. The three passages cited are cases in point. The people on the Day of Pentecost heard the word preached, believed it, repented and were baptized. Yet they are described as people who believed (Acts 2:44; 4:32). The Philippian Jailor was told that he could be saved by believing. He heard the word and rendered obedience unto it, including being baptized the same hour of the night. Then he is described as a believer (Acts 16:30-34). So it took obedience to constitute the kind of believing that is indicated. The people at the house of Cornelius were told that they had to fear God and work righteousness to be accepted with God. Then they were told that they could have remission of sins through faith (belief) in God (Acts 10:43). Then they were commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:47).

The Divine Order

In 1 Chronicles 13, 14, and 15 we have the incident of the moving of the ark of God from one place to another. The record says they carried the ark in a new cart. God had said many years earlier, that they should not touch any holy thing lest they die. When they came to a certain place, the oxen stumbled and the -ark was in danger of being thrown out of the cart; so Uzza put his hands on the ark. The anger of the Lord was kindled against him and He smote him that he died.

David was concerned about the matter and began to consider what caused the tragedy. He concluded that God had made the breach upon them because they “sought him not after the due order” (I Chron. 15:13). God was concerned that He be sought after the due order. When we look at the New Testament concerning baptism and salvation, we find that the due (divine) order is baptism then salvation every time they are mentioned together. I will reproduce the Scriptures that mention baptism and salvation (or its equivalent) together so we may see what the “divine order” really is:

Mark 1:4 – “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Baptism then remission.

Luke 3:3 – “And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Baptism then remission.

Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. But he that believeth not shall be damned.” Baptism then salvation.

Acts 2:38 – “Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Baptism then remission.

Acts 22:16 – “And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Baptism then sins washed away.

1 Peter 3:21 – “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscious toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Baptism then salvation.

Thus the unmistakable divine order is baptism then salvation. But the Baptist Church comes along and decides that the divine order is wrong every time and that it should be salvation then baptism. Would God reverse the correct order every time it is mentioned in His word? The only conclusion to be drawn here is that the Baptist Church is wrong in its approach to this matter.

Why Should One Be Baptized In The Bible?

Jesus said teach and baptize the people (Matt. 28:19); Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16); baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); baptism is to wash away sins (Acts 22:16); people justify God when they are baptized (Luke 7:29); people reject the counsel of God when they refuse to be baptized (Luke 7:30); to be baptized is to be born of water (John 3:5); to be baptized is to put on Christ (Gal. 3:27); to be baptized is to get into Christ (Rom. 6:3); baptism is a part of regeneration (Titus 3:5); baptism puts one into the one body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13); God operates on one in baptism (Col. 2:12); baptism is a command (Acts 10:48); we are baptized so as to walk a new life (Rom. 6:4); and baptism is a part of believing in Christ (Acts 19:1-5).

Why, in the light of the foregoing would the Baptist Church come along and say baptism has nothing whatsoever to do with being saved? Why? Because the Baptist Church is wrong about the matter. We should be willing to take exactly what the Bible says about these matters if we expect to go to heaven when we die.

Look Further At A Deadly Contrast

Mark 16:16 God’s way: Believe – Baptize – Saved

Man’s way: Believe – Saved – Baptism

Acts 2:38 God’s way: Repent – Baptized – Remission

Man’s way: Repent – Remission – Baptism

Acts 22:16 God’s way: away sins

Man’s way: Baptized

Rom. 6:2-4 God’s way: Die to sin – Baptized – Arise to new life

Man’s way: Die to sin – Arise to new life – Baptized

Gal. 3:27 God’s way: As many as – Baptized – Put on Christ

Man’s way: As many as – Put on Christ Baptized

1 Cor. 12:13 God’s way: By one Spirit – Baptized Into one body

Man’s way: By one Spirit – Into one body – Baptized

Col. 2:12 God’s way: Dead – Baptized – Risen with Him

Man’s way: Dead – Risen with Christ Baptized

Matt. 28:19 God’s way: Teach – Baptize – Teach

Man’s way: Teach – Teach – Baptize

John 3:5 God’s way: Water – Spirit – Enter kingdom

Man’s way: Spirit – Enter kingdom Water (baptism)

Titus 3:5 God’s way: Saved us – Washing Renewing of Holy Ghost

Man’s way: Saved us – Renewing of Holy Ghost -Washing

Rom. 6:17-18 God’s way: In sins – Obeyed – Then free

Man’s way: In sins – Then free – Obeyed

Once again we can see that the Bible is wrong every time it mentions these matters, or the Baptist Church is wrong every time they mention them. So it becomes a matter of whom we shall believe. Wouldn’t it be good if people would be willing just to take what God’s Word says?

The Final Security Of The Believer

There is another thing on which the Baptist Church is wrong. They teach once in grace always in grace, or final security for the believer. On this subject the Baptist Church makes three fatal mistakes. They fail to recognize that we can nulify that by which we are saved; they fail to recognize that salvation is conditional; and they fail to recognize what a child-of God can do. Let us notice these three things:

Nullifying That By Which We Are Saved

We are saved by faith but some may depart from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1).

We are saved by grace but some may fail of the grace of God (Heb. 12:15).

We are saved by hope but some may be moved away from the hope (Col. 1:23).

We are saved by blood but some may count the blood unholy (Heb. 10:29).

We are saved by Lord but some may deny the Lord (2 Pet. 2:1).

We are saved by truth but some may err from the truth (Jas. 5:19).

We are saved by love but some may not keep in the love (Jude 21).

We are saved by gospel but some may believe it in vain (1 Cor. 15:1-2).

We are saved by promise but some may come short of it (Heb. 4:1).

We are saved by God but some may depart from God (Heb. 3:12).

We are saved by Spirit but some may do despite unto it (Heb. 10:29).

We are saved by enduring but some may not endure (Matt. 10:22).

It is easy to see that the love of God, the truth of God, the grace of God, the promise of God, and all the other things that enter into our salvation depend altogether upon what disposition we make of these blessings.

Salvation Is Conditional

We are saved if we keep in memory . . . (1 Cor. 15:2).

We are the Lord’s house if we hold fast (Heb. 3:6).

We are holy if we continue in the faith (Col. 1:23).

We are cleansed if we walk in the light (1 John 1:7).

We shall never fall if we do these things (2 Pet. 1:10).

We are disciples indeed if we continue in the word (John 8:31).

The Father will honor us if we serve Christ (John 12:26).

We shall reap if we faint not (Gal. 6:9).

It doesn’t take a Solomon to see that these blessings are based upon what we do about them. Meet the conditions and you can’t fail. Fail to meet them and you already have fallen!

Things A Child Of God Can Do

He can fail of the grace of God (Heb. 12:15).

He can be led away with error of the wicked (2 Pet. 3:17).

He can err from the truth (Jas. 5:19).

He can turn aside after Satan (1 Tim. 5:15).

He can fall from his steadfastness (2 Pet. 3:17).

He can perish if he is weak (1 Cor. 8:11).

He can forsake the right way (2 Pet. 2:14-15).

He can turn from the holy commandment (2 Pet. 2:21).

He can fall into condemnation (Jas. 5:12).

He can be a castaway (1 Cor. 9:27).

He can be cast forth as a branch and be burned (John 15:1-6).

He can become neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:14-18).

He can be spoiled through deceit (Col. 2:8).

He can be moved away from the hope (Col. 1:23).

He can deny the Lord that bought him (2 Pet. 2:1).

He can do despite unto the Spirit if grace (Heb. 10:29).

He can depart from the living God (Heb. 3:12).

He can come short of the promise of God (Heb. 4:1).

He can believe the gospel in vain (1 Cor. 15:1-3).

He can count the blood of the covenant unholy (Heb. 10:29).

He can depart from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1).

He can fall after the same example of unbelief (Heb. 4:11).

If one should do all of these things would he still be saved? If he did part of these things would he be saved? If he did only one of these things would he still be saved?

Conclusion

The Baptist Church was started by the wrong person, at the wrong time, and at the wrong place to be the New Testament church. The Baptist Church teaches a plan of salvation unknown to the word of God. You can do everything in the New Testament and you still won’t be a Baptist. The Baptist Church does not seek God after the due (divine) order. They change the order every time. The Baptist Church rejects every word the Bible says about being baptized. The Baptist Church perverts every thing the New Testament says in the “Deadly Contrast” which I have drawn. The Baptist Church misinterprets and misapplies every word the Bible says in their teaching concerning the final security of the believer. The Baptist Church nullifies every thing the New Testament says about what we may do with the things by which we are saved. The Baptist Church fails to take into consideration that salvation is conditional and depends upon what we do about the matter. The Baptist Church ignores every thing the Bible says about what a child of God can do.

In short, the Baptist Church teaches you don’t do anything to be saved and then that you can’t do anything to be lost. They are wrong on both ends.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 4, pp. 114-116
February 17, 1983

By Lynn R. Wessel

The doctrine of Perseverance of Saints is familiarly identified with the Baptist church. While it is not accepted by Free-Will Baptists and perhaps some others, the teaching of “once in grace, always in grace” is characteristic to most Baptist churches. Some try to make a distinction between “perseverance” and “security,” but the end result is the same. The basic concept is that once an individual is in a saved state, it is impossible to sin so as to be eternally lost.

Historical Background

This doctrine is an inseparable part of the “package” of Calvinism. As one author stated, “For he (the Christian) can know that if he really has put his trust in Jesus as his Savior, then he can never slip away and be lost, whether because of his own sinful weakness and tendency to unbelief, or because of the wiles of the Devil. This . . . hangs or falls together with the other four points (of Calvinism) . . .”(1) This system of doctrine was named after John Calvin (1509-1563), a leader in the Reformation Movement. The five points which summarize Calvinism are: (1) Total Hereditary Depravity, (2) Unconditional Election, (3) Limited Atonement, (4) Irresistible Grace, and (5) Perseverance of Saints. As you see, the subject of this article is the fifth point in this system. In spite of their human origin and destructive effect upon faith in God’s word, these things are taught by many churches as a part of their denominational doctrine. The Baptist church is in this group.

Calvinism has had a strong influence on the Baptist church almost from its beginning. The earliest Baptist church (1607), and some to follow, were known as General Baptist churches. In 1633, under John Spilsbury, the first Particular Baptist church was formed in London with the primary difference being that Particulars held to the teaching of John Calvin. Since that time, Baptists have drawn up many Confessions of Faith with varying degrees of Calvinism. Among the more notable is the Philadelphia Confession of Faith (1742) which is strongly Calvinistic in content. It had such a strong influence on the early Baptist movement in this country that one historian said it “. . . had been recognized as the standard of orthodoxy by most of the Associations . . .”(2) The influence of this and other Calvinist confessions of faith account for the “once saved, always saved” doctrine~of many Baptist churches.

Clarifying The Issue

An examination of this doctrine requires that we have the issue clearly before us. This can be done by first eliminating any dispute over the power of God. Missionary Baptist debater Oscar Hill said, “I’m affirming tonight that the child of God, one that has been saved by the blood of Jesus, that it is impossible for him to die and go to hell, because he is kept by the power of God . . .”(3) Such teaching implies that to deny absolute perseverance or security of saints is to impugn God’s keeping power. This is not the issue! There is no question about God’s ability to protect saints from temptations and adversities (John 10:27-29; Jude 24-25).

Rather, the issue concerns the power of man to choose and God’s reaction to the choice man makes. Can a Christian choose to sin and depart from God? If we exercise volition to leave Satan and turn to God, it stands to reason that we can choose to leave God and return to Satan. If not, when is our free moral agency taken away? If a Christian chooses to go back into sin and remains impenitent, will God react to usher him and his sin into heaven against his stubborn will? If so, the doctrine of perseverance stands; if not, it fails.

What The Bible Teaches

When we accept only what the Bible teaches, the Baptist’s unconditional perseverance falls. A child of God will persevere by faithfulness in making his “calling and election sure”; but, he can sin so as to fall away from the grace of God and be lost. Biblical evidence is in the following forms:

(1) Conditional promises. Promises pertaining to eternal life are conditioned upon “if’s.” Paul told the Colossians they would be saved “if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Col. 1:22-23; cf. 2 Pet. 1:10-11). This implies the possibility of not continuing and falling away from the hope of the gospel.

(2) Warnings. The saved are warned, “Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God” (Heb. 3:12). At the close of Revelation, Jesus said, “If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city …” (22:19). The fact that a Christian’s part in the tree of life can be taken away and his name blotted out of the book of life shows he can be cast into Hell (Rev. 3:5; 20:15).

(3) Exhortations to restore. (Gal. 6:1; II Tim. 2:24-26). These have meaning only if erring Christians are in a dangerous condition. This is confirmed in James 5:19-20: “My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.” When an erring saint is restored, a soul is saved from death! Such a one was “once saved,” but not “always.”

(4) Definitive statements. (a) John 15:1-6. If a branch (disciple) doesn’t bear fruit, “he is cast forth …and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (b) Romans 11:22. God’s goodness “grafted” the Gentiles into His family while His severity cut the unbelieving Jews off. Gentiles (along with believing Jews) must now continue in the goodness of God through an obedient faith or “otherwise thou also shall be cut off.” (c) Hebrews 6:4-6. A child of God can fall away by rejecting Christ and His atonement. As long as this is done, “It is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (cf Heb. 10:26-31). If these statements aren’t teaching that a child of God can be lost, what would have to be said?

(5) Actual cases. (a) Simon the Sorcerer, (Acts 8:13, 18-24). He “also” (as did the others) believed and was baptized; yet, he sinned and needed to repent and pray for forgiveness to avoid perishing. (b) Certain false teachers (2 Pet. 2:18-24). They had turned back from the holy commandment and their “entangled again” state was worse than their former lost state. The “true proverb” explains how “it has happened unto them.” (c) The Galatians (Gal. 1:6; 5:2-4). Some of the Galatians were removing themselves from God by going to the law of Moses for salvation. Paul informed them, “Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace” (5:4). How much more definite could the Word of God be than to illustrate the truth with actual cases of those “once saved” falling into the snare of the devil (2 Tim. 2:26)?

Conclusion

The truth is revealed with undeniable clarity. We either have to accept the Baptist doctrine of perseverance of saints with its roots in Calvinism or accept the Bible. We can’t have both! May we all humbly accept only what the Bible teaches.

Endnotes

1. Edwin H. Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism, p. 59, as quoted from Calvinism In The Light Of God’s Word, by C.A. Feenstra, p. 10.

2. A.H. Newman, A History Of The Baptist Churches In The United States, p. 490.

3. Ramsey – Hill Debate, p. 55, published by Star Bible and Tract Corporation.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 4, pp. 112-113
February 17, 1983