False Teaching By Pastor Jack Hyles

2nd Timothy 2:15-16, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

I love Brother Jack Hyles (1926-2001). He is (and always will be) my hero, friend and mentor of the faith. I had the privilege of attending Hyles-Anderson College from 1985 to 1993, which institution was founded in 1973 to train young people to serve God in full-time service. By God's grace alone, I thankfully graduated in 1993 with honors.

Dr. Hyles taught us preacher boys to be loyal to truth and principles, and not to men or institutions. Over the past 24 years of my website ministry, I have spoken my mind. I do not bite my tongue, as some would say. When my heart hurts, feels grieved or someone hurts my feelings, I start writing to find solace in the matter. God has given me the gift of writing, for which I am forever grateful. Granted, I do not consider myself an eloquent writer, but I do get the point across quite effectively, which I humbly think is the most important thing.

That all being said, I was listening to a Bible study today by Pastor Hyles titled, “Justice - Part 14.” In this study (a little after 18 minutes) he makes some disturbing statements that bothered me, simply because what he says is not true. He is teaching against the sin of gossip. Dr. Hyles says that we should avoid talebearers, lest they contaminate us. I agree with that teaching, but then he makes these bizarre statements:

“The Bible, not one place in all this Bible, does it tell you to help the talebearer; not one place. Bible says help the drunkard. Bible says help the adulterer. Bible says help the thief. Bible says help the liar. Bible says help help the crooked, the dishonest. But not one place in this Bible; I dare you to show me one place in this Bible, where anybody is ever told to lift up the talebearer.”

Dear reader, that is heresy! That is false teaching! This is no better than Pastor Steven Anderson saying that homosexuals are beyond the hope of the gospel, and God hates them with a passion, so we ought not share the gospel with them. Well, thank God that someone didn't take Steven Anderson's horrible advice, or else Frank and Anita Worthen never would have been saved decades ago (who were both former homosexuals).

I know that Pastor Hyles was 100% sincere when he made these statements, but dear reader, what he is teaching is nowhere found in the inspired Holy Bible. I triple-dog dare anybody to show me where the Bible says we are supposed to help (lift up) drunkards, adulterers, thieves, liars, the crooked and dishonest, but not talebearers. You cannot. It is nonsense. It is false doctrine.

I find this in the Old Testament...

Ezekiel 34:4, “The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” 

Psalm 145:14, “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

I find this in the New Testament...

Luke 14:21-23, “So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

We read in the New Testament...

Galatians 6:1-3, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

Does this not include the ungodly talebearer? I don't find any Scripture passage that says to “lift up” the drunkard or the adulterer, unless Dr. Hyles meant to restore a fallen brother or sister in Christ as Galatians 6:1 teaches. But talebearers must be restored too. No? They are sinners too. No? I find no place in the inspired Word of God where we are told to restore fellow saints who go into sin, except the talebearer.

I am not trying to be mean, unkind, or show up Dr. Hyles in any way, I am just earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). If a man is right, he is right; If a man is wrong, he is wrong. What Pastor Hyles teaches in this Bible study about not lifting up the talebearer is strange doctrine.

The Bible teaches that by showing compassion toward people, in a world without love or compassion, we can make a difference for eternity. ...

Jude 1:22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

Among those who are alienated from God, the godly are taught in this Bible verse that we handle them gently with compassion in hope of winning lost sinners to Christ; and that others, who being near entering into the very flames of Hell, may be warned of their present danger as we endeavour to save them with the Gospel. Yet so, that we do it in such a way as to abhor the wickedness and dishonesty, lest we be corrupted by their influence.

When Jesus sat to eat with sinners, He did so only in an attempt to preach the Gospel unto them. Jesus did not march in homosexual Pride Parades! Jesus didn't hangout playing a game of pool at the local tavern. Jesus was a godly man who abhorred and abstained from all appearance of evil, as so also should we. Jesus was a friend to sinners, but not a partaker of their evil deeds. John 7:7, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

I love and respect Brother Hyles, but I was bothered when I heard him preach this nonsense today. The talebearer is in the same sinking boat as the adulterer, drunkard, thief, liar and crooked sinner. As far as restoring one in the Lord's family who has gone into sin, the Bible makes no distinction between classes of sinners. Right doctrine matters!

Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001)

Pastor Brad Strand Is Wrong To Call Eternal Security A “Secondary Doctrine”

1st Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

Before I get into my article, let me say that I have tremendous admiration for Pastor Brad Strand. Today, he has been faithfully pastoring a small country church in Texas for decades, a man after my own heart. Brother Strand was one of my favorite Bible professors at Hyles-Anderson College in the late 1980s. He was already laboring on his intriguing Bible commentary back then, which he told us about. He spent 30,000 hours over 33 years preparing his invaluable Bible commentary. I bought five copies (2 new and 3 used).

That being said, as a fundamentalist Bible preacher myself, I feel compelled to correct doctrinal issues when I humbly disagree with any preacher, regardless of who they are. I have corrected Pastor Jack Hyles (my hero of the Christian faith) when I thought he was wrong.

That being said, in his commentary for 1st Corinthians 13:12, Pastor Strand points out that the Bible concedes we see through a glass darkly for now, which means that no one has it all figured out. 1st Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” He uses this premise to teach that as believers we ought not be dogmatic or condescending toward our Christian brethren in secondary doctrines.

Here is Brother Strand's disturbing commentary for 1st Corinthians 13:12...

Paul admitted that we know “little” (For now we see through a glass, darkly) compared to what we shall know when CHRIST returns. If 1 Corinthians 13:12 emphasizes anything, it stresses that we ought to be slow to be dismissive (flippant and indifferent) and condescending toward others who may hold a different theological view concerning 

“secondary doctrines not related to salvation; such as: (1) when the rapture of the church is to occur (Lk 17:27); (2) eternal security” (Jn 10:28-29, Mt 13:44-45, Gal 5:16-17,21 and II Tim 1:12); (3) Calvinism (Mt 28:19a), predestination (Rom 8:29 and II Thes 2:13); (4) differences between the versions of the Bible (Lk 11:51, Acts 7:45 and Heb 10:39); (4) gap theory (Gen 1:2b, 28c); (6) music standards (Psa 47:7 and Eph 5:19); (7) personal standards (Rom 14:1, 22a and 1 Cor 6:12); (8) tongues (Mk 16:17a, Acts 2:3a, 4, 6, 7, 8, 13a, 17-18 & 10:44-46 & 19:6); (9) global warming (Gen 1:25, II Pet 3:7 and Jud 21:25); and (10) etc. (Rom 14:1b and Phil 1:17). According to Paul truth exists, but it is our process of acquiring it that is limited and imprecise (Deut 29:29). 

NOTE: Outside of the doctrine of salvation (Gen 49:18, Exo 14:13, 30-31, Psa 74:12, Jonah 2:9, Hab 1:5, Mt 7:13-14, Lk 7:50, Jn 4:14 & 5:29 & 6:28-29, Rom 13:11, Titus 3:5a and Heb 6:1c), which came to us via great LIGHT (Gen 1:3b, Lk 2:30-32 & 18:34 and Jn 1:3-5), every other theological subject is, at best, clouded. Meaning: The Word of God can appear to us at times in dark speeches (1 Cor 13:12 and Num 12:7-8). —Pastor Brad Strand, The Strand Study Bible, p. 1902

Now, kindly said, I would agree with Pastor Strand that issues like global warming, music standards, gap theory and personal standards are non-essential “secondary doctrines” not worth fighting over in the churches. However, I strongly disagree with him that important issues such as eternal security, predestination, Calvinism and differences between the versions of the Bible are mere “secondary doctrines” that we shouldn't be dogmatic over.

Eternal Security Is NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

Brother Strand goes on in his commentary (on the same page for 1st Corinthians 13:12) to define “dogmatism” as: “the foolish art of deceiving one's self into seeing absolutes where they don't exist.” Huh? Say what? That is ridiculous when we're talking about the biblical doctrine of eternal security! I detect a level of contempt in Pastor Strand's words for those Christians who debate over these matters. That is not good.

Eternal Life and Eternal Security are NOT two separate Bible doctrines, they are one and the same teaching. If you have Eternal Life, you have Eternal Security! I am surprised that Brother Strand considers Eternal Security a non-essential doctrine. How can Pastor Strand glibly dismiss Eternal Security as being a mere “secondary doctrine” that we shouldn't be dogmatic to fuss over? How can he teach that Eternal Security is not an absolute truth? I couldn't disagree with him more, respectfully.

Dear reader, if you deny the great doctrine of Eternal Security, then you are saying that we must DO SOMETHING to remain saved. If you think you can lose it, then you clearly believe YOU must do something to keep it, and that is WORKS. Salvation is of the LORD, not man (Jonah 2:9). The only thing that you and I contribute to our own salvation is the sin that made it necessary. What do you mean that Eternal Security is a secondary doctrine? No Sir. No way!

The biblical truth of Eternal Security is just as important and worthy of fighting over to contend for the faith, as is the gospel itself.

Calvinism Is NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

Furthermore, Calvinism is of the Devil. John Calvin (1509-1564) is either burning in Hell now and forever, or else there are two different gospels. John Calvin emphasized that to get to Heaven, one must repent to turn from your sinning, have faith in Jesus Christ, and live according to God's commandments until death. This is NOT the gospel.

Perhaps the most notable Calvinist of our generation is Dr. Albert Mohler (president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) in Kentucky. Richard Albert Mohler Jr. (born 1959) has been the theologically incompetent President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Hillcrest, Kentucky since 1993. The man is a brilliant writer and loves to read many books. In that respect, he is a man after my own heart. I humbly think Dr. Mohler is a good man and sincere in his beliefs. That being said, he is unfortunately WRONG on God's simple plan of salvation. ...

“We don't affirm easy-believism.” —Dr. Albert Mohler Jr. 'Have We Really Misunderstood the Gospel for 2000 Years?' (23:47 time in YouTube video)

What a darn fool! Dr. Mohler is openly a 5-point Calvinist, an infidel, as is his mentor Dr. John MacArthur (1939-2025). These men are theologically dangerous, despite both being likable personalities and good men (as far as sinful humans go). Although I admire certain aspects of both men, I also loathe their corrupt view of God's simple plan of salvation.

How can Pastor Strand carelessly make light of the damnable false teachings of John Calvin, which are dooming millions of men's souls to everlasting fire, torment and damnation in Hell? There is no way that Albert Mohler is a born again believer when he openly teaches that as Calvinist's, “We don't affirm easy-believism.” Dear reader, if you think getting saved is hard, YOU ARE NOT SAVED! What do you mean you don't affirm Easy-Believism?

Was it not easy for 3,000 people to get saved on the Day of Pentecost? Sure it was easy, they gladly received the gospel which the Apostle Peter preached unto them (Acts 2:41).

Was it not easy for Cornelius and his companions to get saved? Sure it was, they simply believed the gospel truth which Peter preached unto them (Acts 10:43-44).

Jesus likened getting saved to looking at an object on a pole (John 3:14-16).

Jesus likened getting saved to drinking some water (John 4:13-15).

Jesus likened getting saved to eating some bread (John 6:48-58).

Jesus likened getting saved to walking through a door (John 10:1, 9).

Albert Mohler is a fool. It is very free, simple and yes, easy, to get to Heaven. You simply need to believe that Jesus did it all for you.

Therefore, I have to strongly disagree with Pastor Strand that Calvinism is merely a “secondary doctrine” that Christians should not be dogmatic to oppose and expose! This is not a matter that we are in the dark about. We can be absolutely certain that all five tenets of Calvinism are FALSE.

Calvinism teaches the heresy of Limited Atonement (i.e., that Christ only died for the redeemed, not all men). The very idea that we cannot know absolutely that Christ died for all men is absurd. 1st John 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Brother Strand is very wrong in this important matter. We can know of an absolute certainty that Calvinism is blatant heresy!

And the same argument can be made for predestination. It doesn't take a trained theologian to expose Calvinism as blatant theological fraud. If you'd like to learn more about the false teaching of predestination as taught by John Calvin (1509-1564), and the correct biblical teaching of predestination, I highly recommend reading this free book in .pdf format by Pastor Max D. Younce (1935-2023) titled: 'NOT CHOSEN TO SALVATION.'

RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

The Differences Between Bible Versions Are NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

I am appalled that Pastor Strand would glibly make light of the threat of Satan's corruptible seed. The corrupt modern Bible revisions change God's simple plan of salvation, by redefining what it mans to repent and believe.

The Greek verb for “repent” in Mark 1:15 in the King James Bible is metanoeo, which means, “to think differently.” It is a change of mind. It DOESN'T mean to “change your hearts and lives,” which is what the corrupt ERV says!!! . . .

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) — Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” [emphasis added]

EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) — Mark 1:15, “He said, “The right time is now here. God’s kingdom is very near. Change your hearts and lives, and believe the Good News!” [emphasis added]

That is wrong, wrong, wrong! You don't have to change your own life as a requirement to be saved. Rather, it is the indwelling Holy Spirit that comes into a person at the time of salvation that changes one's heart and life, over time as one grows in grace by nurturing on the milk of the Word (1st Peter 2:2).

To “repent” just means to think differently. The word itself doesn't even tell us what to change our mind about. For that, we need to examine a particular Scripture passages' content to determine what to change our mind about. In the case of Mark 1:15 the Bible plainly tells us. We need to think differently to believe the gospel to be saved.

Many foolish men have made a religion out of repentance. They have made a Christ out of repentance. Instead of repentance facilitating (to make possible) believing to be saved, wicked but sincere religious men have made it into an additional step to be saved. No one has ever been saved who didn't repent. That is, change their mind to admit two things: You are a guilty SINNER; and second, Jesus is the SAVIOR.

Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) said it well...

"Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership—the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word." —Pastor Harry Ironside, 'Except Ye Repent,' chapter 3

That is vastly different than being willing to forsake one's sinful bad habits to be saved, which is a false gospel commonly taught in most churches and religious institutions today.

Some smart alec will say that you have to turn “from” something in order to turn “to” something. Well, then the answer is very obvious, the opposite of belief is unbelief. The truth is that you must change your mind from whatever has been hindering you from coming to the light of the truth of the GOOD NEWS (Jesus' crucified, buried and risen) to be saved. So, if a man has believed, has HAS repented. It is a false teaching to question whether or not someone has “repented” who has already put their childlike faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Initially, getting saved does not change a person one bit, except that now you have the gift of Christ's Holy Spirit living inside your body (Romans 8:9; 1st Corinthians 3:16-17; 1st John 3:24, 4:4). It is the Lord's Holy Spirit working in us that changes our life, but this is not a requirement to be saved. You see, the ERV is teaching doctrines of devils, requiring people to change their own life (which is human effort) as a requirement to be saved. This is reformation, not repentance, which does not bring regeneration (the new birth).

So, as you can clearly see for yourself, the issue of exposing the Devil's different Bible versions is not a mere “secondary doctrine” that we cannot be dogmatic over. We certainly can! I am absolutely certain that the Devil's Bible revisions are dangerous!!! All of Satan's apples have worms! All of Satan's Bible revisions attack the deity of Jesus, remove the Godhead, and water-down the truth of God's eternally inspired Words.

Calvinism, Denying Eternal Security and False Bibles Are Absolute False Teaching's We Must Divide Over

Although I agree that Christian believers ought not fuss and needlessly divide over secondary doctrines; such as, the timing of the Rapture, age of the earth, Zionism, standards of dress, music styles and tithing; I full disagree that critical issues; such as, eternal security, Calvinism (limited atonement, predestination, perseverance of the saints, et cetera) and differences between the Bible versions are mere secondary doctrines that ought not divide us.

So, kindly said, if you follow Pastor Brad Strand's advice for his commentary on 1st Corinthians 13:12, then you will wickedly support Pastor John MacArthur's and Dr. Albert Mohler's damnable Calvinist heresies. Calvinism is anything but a secondary doctrine! It is major false teaching! That is an absolute fact!!!

And any false teacher who denies eternal security (e.g., Dan Corner, Seventh-Day Adventists, Catholics and many Protestants) has been inspired by demons. Of that I am certain! This is not a mere secondary doctrine that we ought not be dogmatic over. Eternal Security is Eternal Life, and you cannot separate these two biblical doctrines. To deny the eternal security of a believer is to deny a free grace gospel, which is the simplicity that is in Christ. Catholics deny eternal security because they teach that works (avoiding mortal sins) are required to stay saved. That is a major damnable false teaching, not a “secondary doctrine.”

That all being said, I appreciate Pastor Strand's Bible commentary. It is truly a masterpiece of English literature, and I sincerely mean that praise. I cherish The Strand Study Bible, which you can purchase on Amazon. I bought some used ones from Abe's Books and eBay. Buy one while you still can, because I don't think they are still in print. I have learned so much truth from Brother Strand. I love the guy for his labors for Christ! To God alone be all the glory.

Pastor Matthew Stuckey's Foolish Heresy On 1st John

1st John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Kindly said, Pastor Matthew Stuckey gets the epistle of 1st John very wrong. He plainly says in the video below that the Epistle of 1st John was only written so that believers can have joy. 1st John 1:4, “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” So, yes, in part, John did pen his Epistle led (by the inspiration of the Spirit of God) so that our joy could be full as believers. 

But then Pastor Stuckey horribly denies that his epistle was also written so that believers can KNOW we have eternal life, which blatantly contradicts the plain statement of John. 1st John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Clearly the Epistle of 1st John was written to show us how to KNOW we are saved so that our joy can be full. Stuckey left off 1st John 5:13.

For Pastor Stuckey to deny that the Epistle of 1st John was written for the purpose of helping believers KNOW that we are saved is to blatantly contradict the plain teaching of 1st John 5:13. It's no different than Pastor Anderson teaching that Jesus burned in the fires of Hell for three days, when Luke 23:43 plainly teaches that He and the repentant thief went to PARADISE the very same day they died. Steven Anderson is grossly incompetent in his theology, elevating his Andersonology over the inspired Word of God.

The Epistle of 1st John was not just written to give believer's joy, but also to help us individually determine whether we are saved. Here is Pastor Matthew Stuckey making a total fool of himself, denying that the Epistle of 1st John was given to us by God so that we can “KNOW” we are saved. Stuckey says the epistle was only intended to give us Christian joy. ...

IFB Book Review | Evidences of Salvation by Jack Trieber

I am just going by Pastor Stuckey's exact words, he states: "It's not a book written to show to us whether or not we are saved." Those are his exact words! The guy is incompetent as a wannabe theologian. 1st John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Pastor Stuckey conveniently left off mentioning this Bible verse in his video, because it contradicts his perverted view of 1st John. I don't see how Steven Anderson can defend him, but he foolishly does, to his utter shame. Pastor Stuckey is WRONG and so are you if you agree with him! Shame on Steven Anderson and Matthew.

I humbly think the epistle's key verse is 1st John 3:24, “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” The acid test is whether or not we have the indwelling Holy Spirit; and that is what 1st John helps us determine, individually—if we have the Holy Spirit.

If we hate a Christian without cause, we may not have the Holy Spirit, and thus are not saved (1st John 2:9-11). If we can sin without any conviction whatsoever from the Holy Spirit, then something is very wrong, and we may not have the Holy Spirit, and are not saved (Hebrews 12:6-8). John is NOT saying that we are unsaved if our life is filled with sin; but rather, if we can live like the Devil without being chastised by God, then we may not have the indwelling Holy Spirit. God is not an absent parent. Hebrews 12:6-8 plainly calls someone a "bastard" who is never scourged and chastised by God for our sin. Anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Spirit of Christ) is unsaved (Romans 8:9; 1st John 3:24).

We have to be very careful when interpreting the Scripture to rightly divide it. Many people read 1st John 2:4 that you are not saved if you don't keep God's commandments. They assume that this means keeping all of God's commandments, but John plainly writes in 1st John 3:23, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

So, you are not saved if you don't believe on Christ. That is God's commandment. We know from umpteen other Scripture passages that works are not allowed or necessary to get to Heaven (John 6:28-29; Romans 3:20; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 5:4). So, we know that John is not teaching that you must keep God's law to be saved. The ONLY commandment that you must keep to be saved is to BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, which the dear Savior Himself confirmed in John 6:28-29. Many Bible students get 1st John wrong.

1st John 3:9 simply means that the indwelling Holy Spirit cannot sin. The Bible does not say that we won't practice sinning as the new corrupt Bible versions read, it says the man who walks in the Spirit "cannot sin." It means when we sin, we do so in the flesh. When we walk in the Spirit we cannot sin (Galatians 5:16). But we all walk in the flesh every day by default, because we are all carnal sinners by old nature. I reject the heresy that when a person gets saved, they only have a new nature and the old nature is gone. No, we still have the old flesh to contend with. The Apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 7:14-25.

This is mostly an excellent and needful video by Pastor Stuckey, but he is wrong that 1st John was ~not~ written so that believers can KNOW we are saved.

The day I got saved, the preacher said that if you can commit sin without any conviction whatsoever from the Holy Spirit, you are not saved. I knew that I didn't have the Holy Spirit, because I had never felt bad about my sinning. When I look back now in my mind, before I got saved at age 13 there is only a blank in my mind concerning God. I was spiritually dead. But from the day I got saved until today I have felt the presence of God's blessed Holy Spirit in my life: convicting, comforting, guiding, rebuking and teaching me as His child.

The day I got saved was like a light switch being turned on in my soul. For the first time in my life I heard an inaudible small voice in my soul convicting me about sassing my mother. I started reading my King James Bible in Genesis through Leviticus, and then I jumped to the New Testament like most believers do...lol. There was a change in my life. I remember my mother saying to me one evening, "You've changed." In hindsight, that is a beautiful confirmation of God's Holy Spirit in my life. I had been born again!

To clarify, I do not believe in Lordship Salvation. I do NOT believe that a changed life proves anything, because the false prophets in Matthew 7:21-23 lived a changed life, doing many wonderful works and they followed Jesus while calling Him: "Lord, Lord," yet they were hellbound sinners. They were living the Christian life without ever having been born again. That is Satan's favorite weapon!

There is only one thing that the unsaved person cannot have, and that is the blessed indwelling Holy Spirit, and that is why 1st John was written, to give us the joy of knowing that we are truly saved.

I have heard Benny Hinn preach different plans of salvation to various audiences. When he was in Colorado speaking to Catholics, Hinn praised the Virgin Mary and presented a Catholic plan of salvation. When in Israel, he preached a different gospel. But when I heard him preach in Tennessee, he preached a free grace gospel, which confused me. I had to give it some thought but eventually figured out what he was doing. Benny Hinn is a chameleon, changing colors to appease different crowds to get their money (2nd Peter 2:1-3).

Even though I heard Benny Hinn preach a free grace gospel, I realized that he doesn't believe a word of what he is saying. So, to me, that helps understand why God gave us the Epistle of 1st John.

Pastor Jack Trieber is definitely wrong in his errant views put forth in his book; but this video also needs to be corrected, because the Apostle John did write his epistle to help the Christian KNOW that we are saved according to 1st John 5:13. 1st John 3:24 plainly teaches that we KNOW we are saved by the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, by which we were "sealed" the moment we trusted Christ to be saved (Ephesians 5:13-14).

One of the reasons for which God gives us His indwelling Spirit is “𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻” (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭:𝟭𝟰𝗯). The Holy Spirit is God's downpayment on His child. No preacher is perfect. I didn't post these comments to shed a bad light on Pastor Stuckey; but rather, to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3b).

Romans Chapter Ten Does Not Refer To The Salvation Of Physical Israel

Romans 10:9-11, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

There is a horrible false teaching circulating on the internet and in many churches today, which errantly teaches that Romans chapter 10 has nothing to do with the spiritual salvation of the Jews (and the Gentiles too for that matter). This Zionist heresy claims that Romans chapter 10 only refers to the future physical salvation of the nation of Israel, and not to individual Jews. I couldn't disagree more, for several reason:

1. Paul was not writing to Israel, but to believers. The Epistle of Romans according to Romans 1:7 was written "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul was not writing to Israel, but to believers. Paul makes his appeal to them to preach the Gospel to the unsaved Jews:

   Romans 10:14-15, "How then shall they [the Jews] call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

   Clearly, Paul is recruiting soulwinners from Rome to preach the Gospel to Israel. Certainly, Romans 10 is about eternal salvation. The only salvation which God offers to blind Israel today is to be graffed back into to their olive tree by faith. Romans 11:23, "And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again." But all Jews who refuse to believe on Jesus Christ will go to burn in Hell forever, without hope. There has always been only ONE plan of salvation, which is through faith in Christ. Acts 10:43, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." People in the Old Testament (both Jews and Gentiles) were saved by faith alone (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4).
2. The entire chapter of Romans 10 is definitely about spiritual salvation. I strongly disagree with those who think Romans 10 has nothing to do with being born-again. The first few verses of Romans 10 plainly reveal that the author is absolutely talking about salvation. Romans 10:1-4, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." The apostle Paul is saying that Judaism (keeping the Mosaic law) is a false plan of salvation. Paul addresses this same falsehood of Judaism in the Epistle of Galatians (Galatians 3:1-3; 5:4). Paul asserts in Romans 10:4, "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 4:5, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Paul's earnest desire was for those Jews who were trying to merit Heaven through works (keeping the Mosaic law), to repent (change their mind) and come to Christ by faith alone to be saved. This is very clearly the message of Romans 10. Paul's desire was for Judaizers to get saved. Romans 10:5-10 contrasts the righteousness which comes from keeping the law (which no man has ever achieved because NO ONE can perfectly keep the law), versus the righteousness of God which is by faith alone in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). Salvation is a matter of the heart, to "BELIEVE ON HIM" (John 6:28-29, 40). John 6:47, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."
3. Those who claim that Romans 10 only applies to the physical salvation of the nation of Israel are basing an entire doctrine on a single passage of Scripture. I like what Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) said: "A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one." Romans 10:9-10 is an obscure passage. That is, it raises questions and can be interpreted different ways. The Gospel of John according to John 20:31 is God's Gospel tract, "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." Nowhere in the Gospel of John is the reader taught to confess, call, pray, repent of sins, invite Christ into our life, get water baptized, run the race, follow Christ as "Lord," nor anything else, except to "BELIEVE ON HIM" (Jesus Christ). In chapter's 19 and 20 we read about Christ's death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection, which is "the Gospel" according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4, by which all who believe are saved. Thus, we can logically conclude that in Romans 10:9-10 Paul was simply saying that a believer confesses with their mouth as a result of having believed in their heart. Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Out of the heart the mouth speaketh. That is all that I believe Paul is simply saying in Romans 10:9-10. We must be careful not to add words to what the Bible plainly says (Proverbs 30:5-6). Romans 10:4 and Romans 10:10 are clear and plain that a person is saved by BELIEVING IN THEIR HEART on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31). The proponents of the heresy that Romans 10 only refers to the future salvation of the NATION of Israel, claim that since confession is required to be saved here, that this passage cannot refer to spiritual salvation by faith alone in Christ. However, as I have just shown you from the Bible, Paul wasn't requiring confession with your mouth to be saved; but rather, he was simply saying that we confess Christ audibly as saints because of the faith in our heart. Not one verse in Romans chapter 10, nor anywhere else in the Bible that I can find, teaches that Jews will need to publicly confess Christ in the future for their physical nation to be saved. That is a strange doctrine!!! Jesus said that out of the abundance of a man's heart the mouth speaketh. Again, a good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one.
4. God is not a respecter of person. In my humble opinion, it is a mistake to say that Romans 10 only applies to Israel. Romans 10:12-13, "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Clearly, God is no respecter of persons and does not differentiate between Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 3:28-29). God desires for all men to be saved, and will save WHOSOEVER believes (relies upon) the "Good News" (Gospel) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, the Apostle Paul didn't write his epistle of Romans to Israel, but to all the saints in Rome (Romans 1:7). In Romans 10:1 Paul said, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." Notice that Paul didn't use the pronoun “ye,” but “they.” He is grammatically writing in the third person here, speaking about the Jews, not to the Jews. Paul desires for Israel to be spiritually saved.
5. God will restore the physical nation of Israel when Jesus Christ returns after the 7-year Tribulation. God raised up Babylon to destroy Jerusalem in 586 BC, ending the kingdom of Israel. We learn in Hosea 3:4-5 that God will someday in the future restore the physical nation of Israel, when a remnant of Jews turn toward God through faith in Jesus Christ. God destroyed the physical nation of Israel because of His people's spiritual harlotry with idols. First with the destruction of the northern kingdom by Assyria in 722 BC; and then in 586 BC by Babylon. But God is not done with the nation of Israel, He will restore the physical nation someday. However, only born-again Jews and Gentile (who are all ONE in Christ the Bible says in Galatians 3:28-29) will inhabit the rebuilt nation of Israel. No Christ-rejecting Jew will ever enter into God's Kingdom, nor enter into Heaven, nor enter into the Promised Land in the future; but rather, they will be cast by the angels into the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). Jews do NOT have a separate or different plan of salvation than do the Gentiles. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through  his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” ALL the prophets testified of salvation through faith in the coming Messiah.
6. To say that Romans 10 only applies to the future salvation of Israel is to say that there are two Gospels. This doctrine is strange indeed. Proponents of the lie that Romans 10 has nothing to do with spiritual salvation, believe that future Jews will be required by God to audibly and publicly CONFESS with their mouth Jesus Christ to facilitate the salvation of the NATION of Israel. But the Bible does NOT teach that at all. Hosea 3:4-5, “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.” God will restore the true nation of Israel when the Jews repent of their unbelief and BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ. They will not have a different plan of salvation than Gentiles or Jews do presently. There has always been only one plan of salvation, which is through faith in Christ (Acts 10:43; Romans 4:4-7).
   

Romans 10 makes it clear that a man is saved by believing the Gospel in his heart. We know that public confession is not necessary to be saved, because among the chief rulers "many believed on Him" to be saved in John 12:42-43, "but they did not confess Him" for fear of persecution from the religious Pharisees. The Bible says they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God, but they were still saved, because they believed on Christ. One proponent of the Romans 10 Israel heresy, insisted to me that those chief rulers didn't really get saved in John 12:42-43. Dear reader, that is preposterous! The Bible says many believed on Him. If you don't think they got saved, then what would be the purpose of John telling us they BELIEVED? Yes, they most certainly did get saved. And if you don't believe they got saved, maybe you're not saved, because the only thing which God requires to get to Heaven is simple childlike faith in the Good News of Christ crucified, buried and risen the third day. Dear friend, one big thing that I have learned in my 42 years of being a born-again believer is that the Bible is very simple. Anytime that someone starts complicating the Word of God, you know that they have got it WRONG!!!

We can only logically conclude that "confess with thy mouth" in Romans 10:9-10 refers to confessing Jesus because we have believed in our heart. In other words, we don't confess Christ audibly to be saved; but rather, because we are saved. This is NOT required to be saved; but rather, it is simply a natural thing that many people choose to do. What if a person was mute, and couldn't speak? Does that mean they cannot be saved? Does that mean God makes an exception for them? That would be silly. There is and always has been, and always will be, only ONE GOSPEL. Galatians 1:6, “ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” As we just read, there is only ONE GOSPEL. If people had been saved differently in the Old Testament, then the Bible would have said so, but it doesn't. If people will be saved differently in the future, then the Bible would have said so, but it doesn't. It is ridiculous to separate the future physical restoration of Israel, from the saving Gospel of grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. God will not save any unbelieving Jews! They will be utterly destroyed and cast into Hell forever. Romans 2:28-29 is very clear that only born-again Jews are true Jews in God's sight:

Romans 2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Unbelieving Jews are mere sinners bound for Hell. Saved Jews are of the spiritual seed of Abraham, and so are ALL Gentiles of the Spiritual seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:29, “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Beware of Zionist heresy (both political and theological) that idolizes manmade Israel since 1948. God promised to restore the nation of future Israel when the Jews repent toward God, which hasn't happened yet, and won't happen until Christ's Second Coming (Hosea 3:4-5).
No unsaved Jew will ever go to Heaven, nor see the Promised Land in the future. Romans 10:9-10 refers to being born-again, by simply trusting Jesus Christ as one's Savior, believing that He died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and then miraculously resurrected three days later. This is the Gospel, the Good News, or Glad Tidings, by which all who BELIEVE IT are immediately, irrevocably and permanently saved (1st Corinthians 15:1-4).

Just because the Apostle Paul mentions, that those who believe on Christ to be saved make a public declaration of their faith with their mouth, doesn't in any way contradict or change God's simple plan of salvation. I agree with Pastor Max Younce's interpretation of this passage. The Jews had been warned by the wicked unsaved religious Pharisees, that anyone who confessed Christ would be kicked out of the synagogue (John 12:42-43). So Paul in Romans 10:9-10 is countering that evil rule, simply saying that it is normal for a person to confess with their mouth, their faith in Christ after they've been saved, and Paul encourages them TO DO SO. Every child of God should confess publicly our faith in Jesus Christ. But if we don't, we are still secure and safe in God's promise of eternal life, which is a free gift (Romans 5:15-18).

Paul wasn't adding a new requirement to the Gospel just for the Jews, nor was he referring to the physical salvation of the future nation of Israel, which is absurd. It is very clear from Romans 10:1-4 that Paul is absolutely speaking about getting saved here, individually. It is bizarre to me, that anyone would totally ignore this beautiful passage of Scripture in Romans 10:1-4, to say that verses 9 and 10 have nothing to do with being born-again.

The apostle goes on in versus 10 through 15 to say that a lost sinner ultimately cannot be saved unless they have a preacher. Lost sinners need THE GOSPEL!!! Again, how in the world can anyone ignore all this truth and claim that Romans 10 only applies to the physical salvation in the nation of Israel? Zionism rots the brain! Please run from the retarded Zionist garbage circulating on the internet, religious colleges and in many churches today. Jews are no better than Gentiles, nor does God have a more earnest desire in His heart for Jews to be saved than Gentiles. The inhabitants of Heaven rejoice just as loud and exuberantly when an African American gets saved than some Jewish rabbi. God is no respecter of persons!

What about Romans 10:12-13, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” When I got saved at age 13, I called upon the Lord in my soul. That is, I asked Jesus to save me, and He gratefully did. Now, I was saved before I even cried out to Christ, because I already believed on Him just seconds before. The word “call” here doesn't mean to pray. In old English it was standard for businesses to say: “Please call again!” That simply meant that they hoped you would return and give them the privilege to serve you.

God wants to save all sinners (2nd Peter 3:9), even the vilest of mass-murdering criminals. Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6-9). That means He died for you too! It would be God's privilege to save even the worst sinner upon the face of the earth. But the only way anyone can be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Romans 10:13-17 simply reinforces the truth in Romans 10:9-10, that in order for a person to come to Christ, they must believe in their heart. You don't get saved when you call, but when you believe. However, it is a normal response to hearing the Gospel that someone would be compelled to call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. But truthfully, they got saved the first moment that they BELIEVED, which is exactly what the entire Gospel of John teaches (John 6:28-29; 40).

Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Those 3,000 sinners were instantly saved simply when they GLADY RECEIVED HIS WORD. What word? Well of course, THE GOSPEL which the Apostle Peter preached unto them on the Day of Pentecost. Galatians 3:2, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” I love that verse! I love it! I love it! I love it!!! The Apostle Paul in his epistle to the churches of Galatian, just wanted to know one thing from them—How did you get saved? Paul asked them how they received the indwelling Holy Spirit (i.e., how did they get saved). Was it by the KEEPING OF THE LAW (aka, “turn away from your sins to be saved” lie); or was it by the HEARING OF FAITH? Boy, I sure love the simplicity of the Gospel. What Paul means is that a sinner gets saved by simply placing their faith in the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ when we hear it preached.

What saith the Scripture? Hebrews 4:1-2, “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. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” For 40 long years the Jews heard the Gospel preached unto them by Moses, but they didn't have any faith in what they heard, so they perished in the Wilderness and sadly went to Hell. I love these simple passages of Scripture, which show us how easy it is to be saved to go to Heaven. Can anyone actually claim that Romans chapter 10 has nothing to do with God's gift of eternal life? Romans 10:4 plainly says, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” This Bible verse applies to every human being that has ever been born!!!

Romans 10:14b asks the$64,000 question: “and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:15a, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Oh, what a responsibility we have as God's redeemed children to preach the Gospel. We are Christ's ambassadors to this evil world (2nd Corinthians 5:20-21). Literally, we represent the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Paul is recruiter soulwinners in Rome. Paul is stirring up the saints at Rome, to go preach the Gospel to Israel, so they may be saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ, who is the end of the law to them that BELIEVE. I am frustrated by those heretics who totally disregard Roman chapter 10, claiming that it only applies to the physical salvation of the nation of Israel, and not getting people saved. They simply cannot back up their false claims with the inspired King James Bible...

Romans 10:16-21, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.”

As we just read, the prophet Isaiah boldly reached out in love to the Jews ALL DAY LONG with the truth, but they were disobedient and gainsaying (they challenged and disputed everything Isaiah preached to them). Here is the Old Testament passage which is quoted by Paul:

Isaiah 65:2-3, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;”

The Israelites were sinfully practicing idol worship. They were a rebellious people. They rejected the Gospel. They all went to Hell, those who did not trust in Christ. As you can clearly see for yourself, Romans chapter 10 is all about spiritual salvation, and not the salvation of a physical nation. There is no physical salvation except to those who accept God's spiritual salvation first, which is only obtained through childlike faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-4; Philippians 3:9). Amen and amen!

I see this happen so often, where people who don't understand the Word of God, wrest it to fit their own flawed understanding. Since Romans 10:9-13 seems to present a different Gospel than the Gospel of John, some Bible students errantly conclude that this must be a different plan of salvation for future Israel. Folks, that is bad Bible interpretation. If Romans 10 were only applicable to the future salvation of the physical nation of Israel, then the Bible would have plainly told us so, but it doesn't! You have to wrest, stretch, bend and pervert the Holy Bible in order to conclude that Romans chapter 10 is not about being born-again through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) is so right:  "A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one."

Although I tremendously admire Pastor Peter S. Ruckman (1921-2016), he was very wrong in some of his theology. Most notably, his teaching that people were saved by faith plus works in the Old Testament. Nothing could be any further from the truth! Acts 10:43 plainly teaches that ALL THE PROPHETS give witness to remission of sins through faith alone in Christ. Romans 4:4 is very clear that if salvation at any time in human civilization has, or ever will be, by works, then God would OWE that person salvation (which means it could not be by grace). Well, we know that salvation has always been, and always will be, solely by God's wondrous mercy (not giving us what we deserve) and grace (giving us what we don't deserve).

Furthermore, Romans 10:13 cannot be used for the Gospel. The Bible plainly teaches in verse 14 that people are saved the moment they BELIEVE, not when they call or pray. You call upon the name of the Lord because of your faith, which means you are already saved when you call. So, clearly prayer is not necessary to be saved, because the Bible repeatedly teaches that we are saved by faith alone without works. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

So, if you understand this foundational truth (that future Jews during the Tribulation period will be saved THE SAME way that all saints have been throughout history), then it makes no sense why anyone would claim Romans 10 is not about the same salvation. Thank you for reading my blogs. I sincerely love you in Christ, whoever you may be. Jesus is precious!!!

False Prophet John Hagee: Zionism Is A False Doctrine Of The Devil

Refuting A Strange Doctrine By Pastor Steven Anderson

Hebrews 13:9, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”

Jude 1:3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

My ministry friend Onorato Diamante uploaded the following helpful YouTube video today to contend for the faith. I fully agree with Onorato's refutation of a heresy being preached by Pastor Steven Anderson, which denies that Jesus was omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent while upon the earth 2,000 years ago. See and hear it for yourself...

Steve Anderson: God in the Flesh — NOT Omnipotent, Omniscient, or Omnipresent (While On This Earth)

I wrote my own refutation today against Pastor Anderson's strange doctrine. I can tell you with all biblical confidence dear friend that Jesus while upon earth was still omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Jesus was 100% a man, and also 100% God. There is no way that He couldn't have had all the same powers of God the Father while walking this earth 2,000 years ago. Jesus chose not to use those powers most of the time, but He did sometimes use them. 

For example: When Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilea and calmed the roaring storm and the raging waves, He was showing omnipotence. Philippians 3:20-21, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” No mortal man could command the weather as Jesus did. This was omnipotence!

Jesus Was Omnipotent, Omniscient And Omnipresent On Earth

I love and respect Pastor Steven Anderson, but I strongly disagree with his strange doctrine that Jesus was not omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent while upon the earth 2,000 years ago. In His mortal body, Jesus possessed “ALL THE FULNESS” of the Godhead according to Colossians 2:9. Jesus forgave men's sins as only God can do. The Lord defied the laws of physics while on earth, which can only be attributed to His omnipotent power. Jesus raised up the dead, including Brother Lazarus, which only an omnipotent Savior could do.

I love and respect Pastor Steven Anderson as a soulwinning preacher, but he says some unbiblical things at times. I am shocked that he is denying that Jesus was omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent while upon the earth.

Nathanael was seven miles away when Jesus saw him praying under a fig tree. Only an omnipresent Savior could have known that fact. Jesus forgave men's sins as only an omnipotent God can do. He walked through an angry mob of people who tried to force Him off a steep cliff, again showing His omnipotence.

Jesus could have commanded twelve legions (72,000) of angels to rescue Him if so desired. He raised the dead back to life, healed the sick, caused the blind to see, made the lame to walk again and the deaf to hear, as only God can do. Jesus walked on water and calmed the raging sea, commanding the fierce storm to dissipate into a peaceful breeze. Don't anyone dare tell me that our majestic Savior didn't still posses the attributes of almighty God on earth!

Why “Asking Jesus Into Your Heart” Won't Save You

John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

by Bill Perkins

September 6, 2017

This truth is a shocker to a lot of people!

If you have the opportunity to witness to someone and God convicts them of their sin and need for a savior, what do you tell them to do to become a Christian?

Many people will tell a non-believer that they need to pray the sinner's prayer and "Ask Jesus into their heart."

Where is THAT in the Bible?

It's not. There is no place in the Bible that non-believers are instructed to ask Jesus into their heart to save them.

And no place in the Bible says that if you do ask Jesus into your heart you will be saved. But, unfortunately, this non-Biblical tactic has grown to be the norm.

That's a shocker to a lot of people. So what does the Bible say? Let's look at some verses.

The Philippian jailer asked Paul, "What must I do to be saved?"

Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." (Acts 16:30-31)

The key word in Paul's answer is "believe."

In the original Greek, the word "believe" (pisteuo) means to have faith in / to trust in." It's in the aorist tense in the Greek which means it doesn't require future action, just a single decision.

The late Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer said in his book, "Salvation: God's Marvelous Work of Grace, (p.33) "This one word 'believe' represents all a sinner can do and all a sinner must do to be saved."

Chafer's statement is Biblically consistent. Consider:

"...whoever believes in Him..." John 3:16

"He who believes in the Son..." John 3:36

"... he who hears My word and believes..." John 5:24

"...he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35

"...everyone who ... believes in Him, ..." John 6:40

"...he who believes has eternal life." John 6:47

"...unless you believe..." John 8:24

"...he who believes in Me..." John 11:25

"...everyone who ... believes in Me..." John 11:26

"... that (by) believing you may have life..." John 20:31

You don't have to pray a prayer or ask Jesus into your heart to be saved. You just have to believe that you are a sinner, incapable of saving yourself, and that God sent His only fathered Son to the earth to shed his blood, die for your sins and be resurrected, defeating death. You are, by faith alone, trusting God and His written Word to be true.

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" 1st Corinthians 15:1-4

The "gospel" or "good news" that you must "believe" centers on Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again. The gospel does not include "praying for Jesus to come into your heart."

It is, of course, possible that someone "walked the aisle" or prayed the infamous "sinner's prayer" and did understand the gospel-- thereby being saved. But it was their belief in the gospel that saved them, not their walking the aisle, praying a prayer or asking Jesus into their heart.

And it is just as possible that there are many who have a false salvation security based on praying a prayer for Jesus to come into their heart without understanding the gospel!

But what about the verses about God living in us?

"...Which is Christ in you..." Colossians 1:27

"...Christ lives in me..." Galatians 2:20

"And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts..." Galatians 4:6

Yes, every Believer has Jesus living in their heart.

But how did He get there? God came into our hearts at salvation, the exact moment we, by faith, believed the gospel. We don't ask Him to come in, He comes in because we believe.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," John 1:12

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise," Ephesians 1:13

First we believe, then God sends His spirit into our hearts.

To tell someone to "ask Jesus into your heart" is blatantly skipping the scripturally necessary "believing in" / "trusting in" the gospel.

Dennis Rosker said it best in his book "Seven Reasons Not To Ask Jesus Into Your Heart." He stated, "We have confused the means of salvation with the results of salvation."

But what about Revelation 3:20?

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

Notably absent from this verse are the words "ask," "Jesus," and "your heart."

If this verse is written to Believers, the context is about Jesus desiring to be number one in the lives of the believers as they had confused earthly success with spiritual maturity. Jesus desired the Laodiceans to make Him not only Savior, but also be predominate in their lives.

Many have misunderstood the phrase "I will come into him" to mean "come into their heart."

Michael Cocoris discusses the Greek words used in Revelation 3:20 in his book, "Evangelism, A Biblical Approach." He says "Christ will come 'in to' (two different Greek words), not 'into' (one Greek word). The verse is saying that Christ will come in the church to the person, not that Christ will come into the person."

Cocoris later adds, "Christ is speaking of fellowship, not salvation."

Jesus wants a moment by moment fellowship with Believers.

"... taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2nd Corinthians 10:5

However, if this verse is written to non-Believers, as John MacArthur contends, the term "standing at the door" is not the door of your heart, but rather the door of the Laodicean Church. MacArthur states in his Commentary on the Book of Revelation, page 140:

"The door on which Christ is knocking is not the door to a single human heart, but to the Laodicean Church."

MacArthur believes these people held to their own form of Godliness but were denying the power of the Holy Spirit (2nd Timothy 3:5).

Therefore, regardless of whether Revelation 3:20 was addressing Believers or non-Believers, it is not a verse instructing us that we need to ask Jesus into our hearts to be saved. It's just not there.

Two quotes from Charles Ryrie from his book, "So Great Salvation."

"...it seems to me that those who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible ought to be especially concerned with accuracy in communicating the truth."

"Just as words were the means God used to record the Gospel in the Scriptures, so words are the means we use to explain the Gospel to others. Therefore, a correct choice of words is important, even essential, in stating the Gospel well."

There may be someone reading this who prayed a prayer and your faith of salvation is in the fact you prayed the prayer. Or you may have walked to the front of a meeting and your faith is in the fact you walked forward.

If there is any doubt that you are a Christian, simply believe by faith in the true gospel of salvation -- that God sent His Son Jesus to die for your personal sins, and rose from the dead defeating death so you can have eternal life with God.

Salvation has zero to do with what you did in the past--or will do in the future--and everything to do with what Jesus did on the cross 2000 years ago. When you believe you are forever assured of eternal life with Jesus. Because once He comes into your life, He's there forever. PTL!

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc.

Pastor Steven Anderson Is Wrong That Praying Is The Bible Method To Be Saved

Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Can a person simply come to God as a needy sinner, and put their faith in Jesus Christ without praying a prayer and still be saved? Yes, absolutely, you don't have to pray to be saved. Now, Pastor Steven Anderson believes that too, but he errantly believes and teaches that it is God's way to lead lost sinners to pray a Sinner's Prayer to be saved. That is false! It is NOT the Bible way to get saved to pray, call, confess or ask. We are saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

When we trust in Jesus as our personal Savior, we are saved on the basis of his death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection. Salvation comes as we gladly receive the 'Good News' (Gospel) that Christ has paid the debt of sin we owed, so that salvation itself is the free gift of God. As the Apostle Peter preached the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost, the Bible says that 3,000 hearers gladly received his words and were immediately saved. Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” They were water baptized AFTER they got saved, as a public profession of their new faith in the Gospel. Baptism symbolizes Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Nobody prayer a Sinner's Prayer in Acts chapter two, they simply gladly received the Good News and were born-again.

In the Gospel of John (which is God's Gospel tract according to John 20;31), we find the word "believe" mentioned 88 times in the inspired King James Bible. But there is no mention of praying for God to save you. There is no mention of turning away from your past sinful ways to be saved. John 6;47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” Jesus simply said to BELIEVE ON HIM!!!

Anybody who teaches that you cannot get to Heaven without calling, asking or praying is a liar. They are preaching another gospel. God is already freely offering eternal life as a gift to all humanity, which is received through faith alone in the GOOD NEWS (Gospel) of Jesus' crucifixtion, burial and resurrection. If you read Acts 2;41 and Acts 10;41-43, you will plainly see that people got saved simply by BELIEVING. They didn't have to ask, call or pray, they simply heard the Gospel being preached and they believed what they heard.

The following video featuring Pastor Steven Anderson is false doctrine. He calls it the "dumbest doctrine I've ever heard" of, to say that you don't have to call, pray, confess or ask to be saved. Well, like it or not, dumb as it may seem, it is 100% Biblical that you don't need to ask, pray, confess or call to be saved. I am actually surprised that Pastor Anderson has made such a big fuss over this doctrinal matter, knowing that the Church of Christ religious cult requires publicly confessing Christ to be saved (which is another gospel).

Sadly, there are false prophets who teach that faith is not enough to be saved. In fact, Evangelist Billy Graham is one of them! In the preceding article you can read the interaction between a young college student and Billy Graham. The young student says that he wants to trust Jesus to be saved, but he is asking if he has to tell the other students, because he doesn't want to be persecuted for his faith. Billy Graham shamefully lies to the young man, telling him that God will not save him unless he is willing to publicly profess the name of Jesus. We know that Mr. Graham is a liar based upon John 12:42-43, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Also, Joseph of Arimathea in the Bible was “a disciple of Jesus, but secretly” (John 19:38b). Billy Graham has the blood of that young student on his hands if he perishes into Hell. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

In the following disturbing video, numerous "New IFB" (New Independent Fundamental Baptist) movement pastors horribly gang up on Evangelist Norm Diamante. Albeit, I 100% defend and support Brother Norm in this important matter of not having to pray to be saved...

New IFB Pastors Wrongly Attack Evangelist 'Norm Diamante'

Kindly said, I love Pastor Steven Anderson and support his ministry, but he is doctrinally wrong in the preceding video. Pastor Norm Diamante is 100% correct that you DON'T have to call, pray or ask God to be saved. God is already freely offering everyone His gift of eternal life. Why would you ask God for something that He is already offering you? That would make no sense. The so-called "new IFB" movement is really the Pastor Steven Anderson's movement (i.e., a group of young pastors who are parroting Brother Anderson's doctrines and methods). Pastor Bruce Mejia is one of them. Whatever Pastor Anderson preaches, they all follow along in unison.

To no surprise, Pastor Mejia also attacks Pastor Norm Diamante for rightly preaching that you DON'T have to call, pray or ask God to get to Heaven, you simply need to BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (Acts 16:30-31). Anyone who comes to God as a guilty needy sinner, and receives Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for their sins, believing that after being buried He bodily resurrected from the dead three days later, that person is saved (1st Corinthians 15:1-6).

In the preceding heretical video, Pastor Mejia takes Romans 10:13 out of context to bolster up his strawman heresy (I like Pastor Mejia and also support his ministry, but he is wrong in this doctrinal matter) of calling on the Lord to be saved. You can just BELIEVE to be saved. ...

Romans 10:13-16, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”

Do you see the progression? First the light of the truth of the Gospel is preached. Lost sinners hear the Gospel. They BELIEVE the GOOD NEWS and are saved. They call (go to the Lord) because of their faith. But do they really need to call, ask or pray to be saved? No. They are saved the moment that they believe the GOOD NEWS!!! Proof of what I say is found in the Gospel of John. As I mentioned earlier, in the Gospel of John (which is God's Gospel tract according to John 20;31), we find the word "believe" mentioned 88 times in the inspired King James Bible. Yet you won't find even one verse in the Gospel of John that teaches to ask, call or pray to have eternal life.

I know I am making enemies here, but what saith the Scripture? Romans 3:4, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” The inspired Holy Bible does not agree with Pastors' Steven Anderson, Bruce Mejia and Roger Jimenez in this matter of praying to be saved.

I love these truthful quotes from Onorato Diamante...

“To assert that man is not saved until he calls, knowing that believing precedes (or comes before calling) is to assert that man is not saved the moment he believes.” —Evangelist Onorato Diamante

“The conversion of Cornelius and his household completely contradicts the notion that faith must be coupled with prayer in order to result in salvation. Acts 10:43, 'To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.' 'While Peter yet spake these words...' Don't miss that! 'While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.' Notice, 'WHILE PETER YET SPAKE THESE WORDS, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.' Why? Because their hearing was mixed with faith. These men were saved while the preacher was still speaking.” —Evangelist Onorato Diamante

To clarify, I heard Pastor Anderson say that a person CAN be saved by just believing without praying. So he is correct on the Gospel. However, he is wrong that praying to be saved is the Bible way, because it is not the Bible way. If it were the Bible way, than Jesus would have said in John 6;47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” If praying is required then John 6:47 would have read: John 6;47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me and asks me to save them hath everlasting life.” Ladies and gentlemen, it is a serious thing to ADD words to what God has said. Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

In the preceding sermon video by Pastor Mejia, he says that “only wicked people remove things from the Bible.” Yet, Pastor Mejia wickedly adds words to the Bible. Pastors Anderson and Mejia base their heresy mainly on Romans 10:9-10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” They emphasize the last part of verse 10—CONFESSION IS MADE WITH THE MOUTH. But I like what Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) rightly said: “A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one.” That is the mistake that Pastors' Anderson and Mejia are making, using an obscure passage of Scripture in Romans 10:9-10, while totally ignoring the entire Gospel of John.

The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU. YOU don't have to pray to be saved. We must stay true to the simplicity of the Gospel!! Childlike trust in the GOOD NEWS of Christ crucified, buried and risen is enough to be saved. We must earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). There are false prophets going around teaching that faith is not enough to be saved, you must also call upon the name of the Lord.

Respectfully, Pastor Anderson calls the matter a “stupid issue,” and he wrongly calls people like me an “idiot” because I preach that you don't need to ask, confess, call or pray to be saved. I need to preach this truth because there are heretics who claim that you cannot get to Heaven without confessing the name of Jesus publicly, asking to be saved, praying or calling upon the Lord to be saved. Humbly, I do not think this is a stupid matter. I am not an idiot for defending the simplicity that is in Christ (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4). I am being faithful to contend for the faith.

Pastor Anderson's  reasoning is flawed. He argues that it is natural for a person who believes on Christ to also call upon Him. Whether this is true or not is not the question. The $64,000 question is can a person put their faith in Jesus Christ without praying a prayer and still be saved? The Bible answer is a resounding yes, yes, yes!!! I agree with Pastor Anderson that it is natural for people to want to pray and call upon the Lord to accompany their faith; however, that doesn't make it mandatory to pray.

At the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona, Pastor Anderson teaches his people to lead lost sinners to pray a Sinner's Prayer to be saved. That is fine, just so long as they explain that you don't get saved by praying, you get saved by God's grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. The inherent danger of leading lost sinners to pray a prayer of salvation is that they may misunderstand what God requires of them to be saved.

I know Christians who struggled with the assurance of God's gift of salvation for decades, because they kept focusing on the content of their prayer, wondering if they left something out or missed something. Since they could not remember exactly what they said when they prayed, they lived in needless fear, tears and discouragement, worrying that perhaps they weren't really really saved. But when they finally learned THE TRUTH that believing on Jesus as the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is enough to be saved, and you don't need to pray at all, they finally found the perfect peace that solidified their salvation beliefs.

Dear friend, I encourage you to read two free books online (search online and you'll find them right away):

1. I Never Knew You (by Evangelist Michael P. Bowen)
2. Salvation And The Public Invitation (by Pastor Max D. Younce)

Those two insightful books are 100% Bible based and will help you immensely to settle the important matter of salvation if you haven't found that peace yet.