When Doctrinal Error Is Put Into Practice

There is a doctrine held by some of our Protestant friends which teaches that once a person is saved, he may not commit sins leading to being lost eternally thereafter. This particular doctrine is one of the parts of the T.U.L.I.P doctrine popularized by John Calvin, the "fiery reformer" from France. The T=Total Hereditary Depravity. Meaning one is born a child of the Devil. U=Unconditional salvation. Meaning there is nothing for man to do to save himself, it is a "better felt than told experience." L=Limited Atonement. Meaning that Christ died only for the elect and others have no chance whatsoever. I=Irresistible Grace. Meaning you will receive this "experience of grace" if you are counted among the elect whether you desire it or not! P=Perseverance of Saints." Meaning "once in grace, always in grace," Or the impossibility of being eternally lost once "saved." This doctrine is sometimes called, "eternal security." Both the Presbyterians and most Baptist and some others, hold to at least parts of the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine as expressed in their Articles of faith, Constitution, Manuals or Catechisms. I deny every letter in the acrostic T.U.L.I.P. as being gross error that will cause the loss of every precious soul who accepts them.

Another terrible thing about Baptist and Presbyterian doctrine is the fact that they teach salvation at the point of faith before and without obeying the commands of Christ as given in the "Great Commission" of (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15- 16; Luke 24:45-57). They likewise deny that believing and doing as Peter told believers on Pentecost as the Great Commission was put into practivce is essential to salvation (Acts 2:22-38,40-41). So they tell folks who mistakenly believe themselves to be saved when they are not, that they can't lose their salvation which they never had to begin with. I have often referred this situation to being given a "double whammy" of error. Those who may remember Al Capp's Little Abner comic stip of years ago will understand my illustration clearly. In fact without understanding it you too get the point I'm sure, assuming you are too young to remember Al Capp and Little Abner.

In order that you may see this human logic, non Biblical uninspired doctrine for what it really is, I shall quote it from at least two sources already named:

"They whom God has accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved" (Chapter XVII Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, Pg. 79 1906 edition).

"We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and perish, but will endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (Standard Manual For Baptist Churches By Edward T. Hiscox, D.D. Pg. 67 XI).

Mr. Sam Morris, a Baptist preacher in a tract titled, "Do A Christian's Sins Damn His Soul?" made the following statement: "We take the position that a Christian's sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatsoever to do with the salvation of his soul. Later in the same tract he said; "...all the sins a Christian may commit from idolatry to murder would not put his soul in any danger!"

While most of the folks making up the denominations whose creed books teach this ungodly doctrine are good folks who would not think of putting into practice the doctrinal teachings of "their churches," one can readily see what would be the result if they should.

We Have Witnessed The Doctrine In Practice

In our society, one may see what has happened when men in high governmental circles and positions of influence, did indeed put their "Baptist doctrine into practice!" Those men being Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Jessie Jackson, all of whom claim membership in the Baptist denomination. We have witnessed the hypocrisy of Jessie Jackson who wears the title of "Reverend" without Bible authority, who, while counselling and praying for Bill Clinton due to his ungodly sexual escapades, was himself likewise involved and fathered a child out of wedlock. Al Gore is widely known as a liar. Even his Democratic opponent , Bill Bradley, doubted the veracity of Al Gore asking which time he was telling the truth since he had been on both sides of the same issue.

Bill Clinton is known to have lied even under oath to the grand jury. He was impeached for his ungodly conduct and unsavory behavior, though not thrown out of office. Both men favor giving women the right to kill their unborn unwanted baby. Al Gore kind of hedged about "partial birth abortion," but Bill signed in into law and defended the practice. Both men cater to the Homosexual and Lesbians and refuse to denounce their lifestyles. Bill Clinton is a known fornicator in addition to being a known liar. Al Gore so far as we know isn't a fornicator, but he has defended Bill Clinton to the hilt as being one of the greatest presidents this country has ever known. The Bible teaches that 1. Liars. 2. Fornicators. 3. Homosexuals, unless they give up such lifestyles and are converted to Christ, not only should not be accepted while practicing such, but cannot go to heaven when they die (Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

What is worse than all of the above as I view it, is the popularity of the men I have mentioned by folks who admit to all of their ungodly and illegal activities, especially when those giving them such high marks and defending them are members of the body of Christ. Such folks need to read anew what Paul said: "For this reason (forgetting God ket) God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing in themselves what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting: Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness;...who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:26-32). Approval of those practicing these things makes one as guilty before God as are those who actually are engaged in such lifestyles. See (Ephesians 5:11; 2 John 11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). You may not be a bank robber but if you drive the get away car, you are at the least an accessory to the fact and will be judged as guilty in our courts.

I am not thinking in political terms at all. I am dealing with morality as taught in the word of Christ. I know we will never have a president or a vice president in all likelihood who is a faithful New Testament Christian. Even if we should be so fortunate, being human, he would not live above sin. That isn't the point of this study. We aren't expecting sinless perfection from any of our political leaders, but we do have the right to expect them not to be immoral liars, fornicators, thieves and perverts! If they are found to be such, we certainly should no longer back them in their errors regardless of the political party to which they belong. Christians are "bought with a price" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20;Revelation 1:5b, and we are slaves to no one but Christ Himself, or at least that's the way it is supposed to be (Romans 6:16-23; Romans 12:1-2; Luke 6:46; Colossians 3:1-10). Rome had a corrupt government but Christians were still told to obey their rule insofar as they were not involved in sin or error by so doing (Romans 13:1-3; Matthew 22:21-22; Acts 5:29). What about you my brother/sister in Christ? Do you allow your politics to over ride your responsibilities to Christ and thereby condone error? Think about it please.

Sincerely, Kenneth E. Thomas

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