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EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH:
OBJECTIONS TO SALVATION ANSWERED
(A PDF Copy Of This File Is Available Here)
(A Word Perfect Copy Of This File Is Available Here)
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THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. THAT IS WHY HE IS GOD |
INDEX
| Introduction |
| Many times when we are
witnessing to lost sinners there are a number of common
objections raised by the lost sinner as to why they believe
they cannot be saved, do not need to be saved, or wish to
wait to be saved. This document is designed to scripturally
answer many of those objections. This document is not
specifically designed to directly deal with those objections
that many religious lost sinners raise as to why they
believe they are saved. Most of those arguments are based
upon some form of works based salvation that characterize
denominations such as Anglicans, Episcopalians, Orthodox
Churches, Seventh Day Adventists, Roman Catholics,
Lutherans, Methodists, Church of Christ, Assemblies of God,
Freewill Baptists, Unitarians, Jehovah Witnesses, and
Mormons. We do not consider the doctrines of Unitarians,
Jehovah Witnesses, and Mormons to be Christian in any sense
of the word. Any denomination that denies the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, adds works to salvation, says that works are necessary to keep salvation, or that say you can give your salvation back are in serious doctrinal error. Each of the denominational groups identified above have specific issues with the doctrine of salvation. The soul winner should be thoroughly familiar with those issues and know how to deal with them. That is no easy task. It requires a detailed study of each denominational group’s doctrine of salvation and how that doctrine lines up with the scriptures. Regardless of how doctrinally corrupt each of the denominations above are, we believe that there are saved folk in most if not all of them. However, we believe there is a very, very limited number of saved folk in some of them including the Unitarian, Jehovah Witness, and Mormon cults. Salvation is not in a church, a denomination, a baptismal pool, a creed, or the sacraments. Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Regardless of denomination, he that hath the Son hath life. We now answer some of the objections that are raised during salvation presentations. As we hear others we will update this document to reflect them. |
| 1. | AFRAID I CAN̓T HOLD OUT OR AFRAID I CANNOT LIVE IT – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Jude 24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; John 10:27-29; 1 Peter 1:5; Galatians 2:20, Philippians 1:6: |
| Jude 24 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 2 Timothy 1:12 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hebrews 7:25 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. John 10:27-29 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 1 Peter 1:5 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Galatians 2:20 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Philippians 1:6 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: |
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| The truth of our condition is that no one can live the Christian life if they do not have the Holy Ghost living in them. Unsaved folks do not have the Holy Ghost living in them. We Christians can live our Christian lives only to the extent that we allow the Holy Ghost to live it through us. Unsaved folks cannot live a life that is pleasing to God because without faith it is impossible to please God. Unsaved folks cannot live the Christian life because they have to try to do it strictly in the power of their flesh rather than in the power of God. If you are saved, you do not have to hold out because we are kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). |
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| 2. | ALWAYS HAVE BEEN A CHRISTIAN – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Psalm 51:5, John 1:12, John 3:3: |
| Psalm 51:5 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. John 1:12 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 3:3 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. |
| We are not born Christians. There are no hereditary Christians. We are born lost, hell bound sinners. The Bible says in Psalm 58:3: “ The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies”. David said he was conceived in sin. That was me and that was you. Just because our mothers and fathers may have been Christians does not make us a Christian just because we were born into their family. It is individuals that are born again and not families. We only become Christians by being born into the family of God by the Holy Ghost. |
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| 3. | AMUSEMENTS AND WORLDLY LUSTS – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 John 2:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:22: |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 John 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. |
| This is a very real impediment to those who would be Christians. Many more lost folks would “profess the Gospel” if they thought they did not have to give up their worldly entertainment. The Bible says that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). Most lost folks have the false idea that a Christian cannot be joyful and have fun. If you look closely at the verses above in the context where they appear, you will find that their primary application is to Christians. Worldly lusts and amusements quite frequently are hindrances to Christian service and to salvation of lost folks |
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| 4. | ANOTHER CHANCE AFTER DEATH – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Hebrews 9:27; Hebrews 2:3; Revelation 20:11-15: |
| Hebrews 9:27 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 2:3 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Revelation 20:11-15 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. |
| The whole idea of a second chance is rooted in wishful thinking that is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. You will either come to salvation on this side of eternity or spend an eternity in the lake of fire. The lost folks in the lake of fire will spend an eternity wishing that the doctrine of purgatory was true. First Peter 3:15 says that the longsuffering of the Lord is salvation. What that means is that he has given us chances piled upon chances in this life. He has suffered with our unbelief in his Son who died in the cross for every sinner that has ever lived, or ever will live. The first time he ever dealt with you about your salvation was your first chance. Most of us he has dealt with over and over again. |
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| 5. | BACKSLIDER – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: 1 John 1:7-9. 1 John 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11: |
| 1 John 1:7-9 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 2:1-2 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. |
| In this case, the backslider is the lost sinner who uses backsliding or carnal Christianity as a cloak for living in sin in an unsaved condition. The reasoning goes something like this: “I do not habitually sin because I am lost: I habitually sin because I am backslidden or carnal”. This returns us to a dirty word for Laodicean Christianity, and that word is “repentance”. The real problem here is that they have never repented which manifests the fact that the Holy Ghost is not in them. They have never been born again. By their fruits ye shall know them. Repentance is the evidence that a person has saving faith. Repentance is the outward working of the indwelling Holy Ghost. We do not deny the existence of carnal Christians because that is the subject of First and Second Corinthians. |
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| 6. | BACKSLIDER WHO WILL NOT REPENT – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Galatians 6:7-8, Hebrews 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 11:30: |
| Galatians 6:7-8 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Hebrews 12:6-8 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 1 Corinthians 11:30 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. |
| If an individual who claims to be saved will not repent of their false claims of backsliding and is not chastened of the Lord , it is evidence that they are not a child of God. Hebrews 12:6-8 says: |
| Hebrews 12:6-8 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. |
| The person who lives in open sin without ever experiencing the chastening hand of the Lord had better examine themselves whether they be in the faith. The Bible calls them spiritual bastards because they are illegitimate children who do not have a heavenly Father. In other words, they have never been saved and the soul winner must deal with them as he would with any lost sinner. The salvation profession of the habitual backslider whispers while their conduct screams, “Hey I am going to hell”. |
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| 7. | BELIEVE EVERYBODY WILL BE SAVED – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Mark 16:16; Matthew 25:41, 46; John 3:36, John 5:28-29 ; Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:12: |
| Mark 16:16 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Matthew 25:41 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: John 3:36 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 5:28-29 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Acts 24:15 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Daniel 12:2 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thessalonians 2:12 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. |
| The theological term for this false concept is “universalism”. It comes about because of an almost total lack of knowledge of the character of God. The false concept that everyone will be saved comes into direct conflict with the prime attribute of God and that is his holiness. If everyone is going to be saved regardless of their sinful condition, it makes the cross of Calvary one of the most useless events in the history of the world. Universalism may be the ultimate in wishful thinking. Even on its surface, it displays either a total lack of knowledge of the Bible or a total denial of that which is plainly stated in the Bible. Everyone will not be saved. The 54 times that the word “hell” occurs in our King James Bibles proves that. If everyone was going to be saved, there would be no need for the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 10:11-15. If everyone was going to be saved, what would be the point of the torments of hell recorded in Luke 16:19-31? |
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| 8. | BELIEVE I AM GOOD ENOUGH – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Isaiah 64:6; John 3:3-5; John 3:18; John 8:24; Romans 6:23; Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:22-23: |
| Isaiah 64:6 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. John 3:3-5 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:18 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 8:24 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 3:10-12 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:22-23 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; |
| This is an excuse that many times is given by those who have very high moral standards who may even be squeaky clean. They are fine upstanding people who have been deceived by Satan into thinking that God will accept their works as their ticket into heaven. They are putting their works in the place of the finished works of the Lord Jesus Christ. Out of all the passages of Scripture just quoted, Isaiah 64:6 and Romans 3:10-12 are probably the most effective to deal with theses individuals. There is none righteous, no, not one. We are all unclean. |
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| 9. | THE BIBLE IS A BOOK WRITTEN BY MEN – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: 1 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13: |
| 2 Peter 1:21 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Timothy 3:16 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. |
| This is Satan’s old trick from the Garden of Eden. “Yea, hath God said”. Satan knows that if he can destroy the belief that the Bible is indeed the WORD OF GOD, then he can keep the seed from germinating in the mind of the unbeliever. The seed is the WORD OF GOD. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. A strong defense for the fact that the Bible is the word of God is the facts of fulled Bible Prophecy. For instance, there were at least 50 Messianic Bible prophecies that were fulfilled literally and accurately at the first advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of these prophecies were given between 400 and 800 years BEFORE they were fulfilled. The statistical probability of this happening by accident is 1 in 1 followed by 180 zeroes. That proves that it is statistically IMPOSSIBLE for the WORD OF GOD to be the mere words written by men. |
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| 10. | CANNOT BELIEVE – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: John 20:30-31, Hebrews 11:6, 1 John 3:23, Revelation 21:8, Proverbs 3:5-6: |
| John 20:30-31 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 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. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 1 John 3:23 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. Revelation 21:8 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. |
| This is not a case of “cannot believe”. It is a case of “will not believe”. The Gospel of John uses the word “believe” 81 different times. The man-ward theme of the Gospel of John is to believe. It is the only one of the four Gospels that states that “ye must be born again”. The book of John is the only Gospel that was written to BOTH Jew and Gentile. John 20:30-31 teaches that EVERYONE has the potential to believe. To state that one cannot believe is to make 1 John 3:23 of none effect. We are commanded by God to believe which by definition makes it possible. |
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| 11. | CANNOT FORGIVE OTHERS – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:33-35, Mark 11:25, 26; Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 4:20; Philippians 4:13: |
| Mark 11:25-26 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 18:33-35 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Ephesians 4:32 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. 1 John 4:20 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? Philippians 4:13 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. |
| This is a problem that is common to both lost sinners and saved sinners. It is all rooted in rejecting or resisting the ministry of the Holy Ghost. It is true that in the power of our flesh that we cannot forgive others. Those that are lost reject the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the spirit of forgiveness. Honest Christians will tell you that at times they have problems forgiving others. That is because they resist the work of the Holy Ghost in their hearts |
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| 12. | CANNOT GIVE UP MY FRIENDS – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 6:14-18, Proverbs 24:1: |
| James 4:4 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 1 Corinthians 6:14-18 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. Proverbs 24:1 1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. |
| We should emphasize to these folks the necessity of both their friends and their family coming to salvation. Tell them that God can save their friends also. Don’t you think it is very revealing that even a lost person knows that God expects them to give up their ungodly friends when many Christians resist the Holy Ghost in this area of their lives? For the lost person, we would ask: “Would you trade your friends for an eternity in heaven?” or put another way: “Would you refuse to give up your friends for an eternity in hell?”. There is A FRIEND that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). The Lord Jesus Christ describes himself as that friend in John 15:13-15: |
| John 15:13-15 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. |
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| 13. | CANNOT PAY THE PRICE – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Mark 8:36; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 10:21: |
| Mark 8:36 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? James 4:4 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 1 John 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Romans 12:2 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 2 Corinthians 6:17 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 1 Corinthians 10:21 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. |
| When you hear this one, you should agree with them. It is a fact that none of us can pay the price. That is why the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross to pay the price for our sin. Emphasize to them that we cannot pay the price and neither do we have to because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us. Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe. Sin left a crimson stain, but Jesus can make it white as snow. While a lost person may think that they will not be able to handle the change that salvation brings, listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ says in Matthew 11:28-30: |
| Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. |
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| 14. | CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: 1 John 5:20, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, 2 Corinthians 4:3: |
| 1 John 5:20 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 Corinthians 2:14 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians 4:3 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: |
| The Bible says in 1 John 5:20 that the Son of God has come to give us understanding that we may know him and come to eternal life. Emphasize to them that God has made his offer of salvation so simple that even a child can understand it if they will receive it by faith. Admit to them that the Bible says that there are verses in the Bible that are hard to be understood even by Christians (2 Peter 3:15-16). Tell them that they do not have to understand the whole Bible to come to salvation. Assure them that following salvation that the Holy Ghost becomes their teacher as stated in John 14:26: |
| John 14:26 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. |
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| 15. | CATHOLICISM – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: John 3:3, John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5: |
| John 3:3 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1 Timothy 2:5 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; |
| Do not ask a Catholic if there was ever a time that they received the Lord Jesus Christ because they will tell you that they receive Jesus every time they partake of the mass. Ask them something like: “Has there ever been a time in your life when you humbled yourself before God and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to save you from the penalty for your sin?”. Remember, that like many religions, Roman Catholic salvation is belief plus works. Many Roman Catholics will tell you that they believe that salvation is by grace, but they will add their seven sacraments as channels to grace. The only channel to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is none other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved. No matter what work you name, that name will not get you into heaven. The sacraments will not get you into heaven. No form of human works are acceptable as a means to salvation. Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5 say: |
| Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Titus 3:5 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; |
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| 16. | CHURCH, DO NOT HAVE TO ATTEND – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:46, James 2:20: |
| Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Acts 2:46 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, James 2:20 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? |
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How many times have you heard it said by people that they do
not have to attend church because they have got Jesus in
their hearts. Of course Hebrews 10:24-25 puts this idea to
death. If the Jesus you claim to have in your heart is not
powerful enough to get you into church, then that Jesus is
not powerful enough to save you. That Jesus has given you
another gospel that is not the saving gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:6-9). If folks that claim to be
saved do not want to fellowship with God’s people, that is a
serious issue. It is an indication that they might not be
saved and they should be dealt with as if they are lost. |
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| 17. | COMMITTED THE UNPARDONABLE SIN – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Matthew 12:31-32, John 6:37; Romans 10:13-14; 2 Peter 3:9; John 6:40, 47: |
| Matthew 12:31-32 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. John 6:37 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Romans 10:13-14 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 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? 2 Peter 3:9 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. John 6:40,47 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. |
| The so-called “unpardonable sin” is giving credit to the Devil for that which the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished under the power of God the Holy Ghost. Put another way, it is accusing the Lord Jesus Christ of performing his miracles under the power of Satan rather than under the power of the Holy Ghost. The Bible calls the “unpardonable sin” blasphemy against the Holy Ghost”. It is a sin that cannot be committed in this dispensation because the Lord Jesus Christ is not physically present on this earth now. The only truly unpardonable sin in this dispensation is that of refusing to put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repenting of your sin. |
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| 18. | DEATH ENDS EVERYTHING – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:19-24, Revelation 20:11-15: |
| Hebrews 9:27 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Luke 16:19-24 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Revelation 20:11-15 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. |
| This line of fallacious reasoning that death ends everything is similar to the false doctrine of annihilation held to by the Jehovah Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventists that states that there is no eternally burning hell because lost people are either totally destroyed or are burnt up after the judgment. The King James Bible specifically calls out a place called hell 54 different times. Taking into account the 54 mentions of hell, the doctrine of everlasting punishment is mentioned at least 88 times in our Bibles. The first mention of hell both in the Old Testament and the New Testament is connected to fire. The Lord Jesus Christ preached much more on hell than he ever did on heaven. |
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| 19. | FEELING, DO NOT FEEL READY – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 6:37, 1 John 5:11-12: |
| Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. John 6:37 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 1 John 5:11-12 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. |
| Salvation is not about feelings. If an individual states that they do not feel ready, then if Satan has it his way, they will never feel ready. You may not have the time to get to the point where you feel ready. People, whether saved or lost, are not guaranteed their next breath. They could drop dead in the time it takes a penny to fall from their hand to the ground. Proverbs 27:1 and James 4:14 state |
| Proverbs 27:1 1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. James 4:14 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. |
| While salvation is not about feelings, it will produce feelings in those who come to salvation. It is a CHANGE that brings tears to some, great joy to some, great relief to some, and all three of these emotions to others. For some there will not be an outward emotional display of what has taken place in the heart. We also know there is joy in heaven over the salvation of a lost sinner because the Bible says: “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth”. We believe that part of that joy is coming from God Himself. Zephaniah 3:17 says: |
| Zephaniah 3:17 17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. |
| That is an amazing thought if you think about. Hallelujah! |
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| 20. | GOD’S EXISTENCE – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 19.1, 1 Timothy 3:16: |
| Romans 1:19-20 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Psalm 19:1 1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 1 Timothy 3:16 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
| What we have here is a lost person who claims to be either an atheist, or an agnostic. The atheist has a stated belief that “there is no God” while the agnostic states that he can “neither prove or disprove the existence of God”. The Bible makes no argument for the existence of God. In its opening verse it assumes the existence of God. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The different names for God occur at least 11,880 times in the Bible. If someone insists that they are an atheist or an agnostic, ask them if they would seriously consider challenging God to prove to them that He does exist. While the Bible says that the fool hath said in his heart there is no God, that is not the best approach to use when dealing with most lost folks. It will typically be received as your calling them a fool. The Christian’s approach to dealing with lost folks should put us in the position of being “as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). |
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| 21. | GOD WILL NOT CONDEMN ANYONE OR GOD IS TO GOOD TO DAMN ANYONE – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Mark 16:16, Luke 13:3; John 3:36; Romans 2:4,5; 2 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Peter 2:4,6, 9; John 3:18: |
| Mark 16:16 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Luke 13:3 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. John 3:36 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Romans 2:4-5 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 2 Peter 2:4,6,9 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: John 3:18 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. |
| This is wishful thinking at best. The Satanic deception that God will not condemn anyone walks hand in hand with the Satanic deception that God will not send anyone to hell. Those who carry either position to the grave end up in an everlasting Lake of fire. We have already stated that the King James Bible specifically calls out a place called hell 54 different times. Taking into account the 54 mentions of hell, the doctrine of everlasting punishment is mentioned at least 88 times in our Bibles. The first mention of hell both in the Old Testament and the New Testament is connected to fire. The Lord Jesus Christ preached much more on hell than he ever did on heaven. Revelation 20:15 puts to death any false concept that God will not condemn anyone or send them to hell. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”. This paragraph also applies to item 22 below. |
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| 22. | GOD WILL NOT SEND ANYONE TO HELL – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:19-24, Revelation 20:11-15: |
| Hebrews 9:27 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Luke 16:19-24 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Revelation 20:11-15 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. |
| See the discussion for item 21 above: God Will Not Condemn Anyone . |
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| 23. | HOW DO WE KNOW THERE IS A HEAVEN? – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Matthew 6:9, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Revelation 21:1-4: |
| Matthew 6:9 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 2 Corinthians 5:1 1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Revelation 21:1-4 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. |
| We know there is a heaven because the Bible says so. The Bible is the final authority. Including the verses quoted above, the word “heaven” is used 275 times in the New Testament. The phrase “in heaven” is used 78 times in the New Testament. The phrase “from heaven” is used 63 times. When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. What a day that will be! When my Jesus I shall see! |
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| 24. | HOW DO WE KNOW THERE IS A HELL? – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Luke 16:19-24, Matthew 25.41, Luke 12:5: |
| Luke 16:19-24 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Matthew 25:41 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Luke 12:5 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. |
| We know there is a hell because the Bible says so. Once again, the Bible is the final authority. We have already stated that the King James Bible specifically calls out a place called hell 54 different times. Taking into account the 54 mentions of hell, the doctrine of everlasting punishment is mentioned at least 88 times in our Bibles. The denial of a literal, burning hell does not make it any less of a Biblical reality. Hell is the place at the end of a Christ rejecting life. |
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| 25. | I AM A CHURCH MEMBER - THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Matthew 7:21-23, John 3:3; John 14:6, Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:16; 1 John 5:11-12: |
| Matthew 7:21-23 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. John 3:3 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Galatians 2:16 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 2 Timothy 1:9 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, Titus 1:16 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 1 John 5:11-12 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. |
| Over the centuries there have been a number of churches that have claimed that there is no salvation outside of their churches. That doctrine does not line up with the Bible. It is a Satanic heresy that is designed by unscriptural churches to keep their members in bondage. Salvation is not in a church, a baptismal pool, a particular religious creed, the Lord’s Supper (also called communion and the mass), or any other sacrament or church ordinance. Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ and him alone. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life”. Being a member of a particular church will not get you into heaven. Tragically, today most church members will end up going to hell. |
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| 26. | I AM TOO GREAT A SINNER – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 6:37; Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 1:7: |
| Luke 19:10 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 1 Timothy 1:15 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. John 6:37 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Hebrews 7:25 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 1 John 1:7 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. |
| The apostle Paul said that he was the “chief sinner”. In the eyes of God, he was guilty of the murder of many professing Christians including Stephen. David was guilty of murdering Uriah the Hittite. Both of these men are with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven now. Toward man, is there any greater sin than murder? We think not. There is nothing that a person has done that will keep them from being saved if they will put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin. The Lord Jesus Christ saves sinners from the uttermost to the guttermost. He will in no wise cast out any sinner that cometh to him for salvation. |
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| 27. | I AM DOING THE BEST I CAN – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Romans 3:19-20; Romans 3:24; Galatians 2:16: |
| Romans 3:19-20 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:24 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Galatians 2:16 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. |
| The best that you can do is based upon your works. The best that we can do will not get us into heaven. The Bible says that the only works that God will accept for your salvation is the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot be saved by our works (Galatians 3:16, Ephesians 2:9, Titus 3:5, Romans 3:27-28, Romans 4:1-5, and so forth). |
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| 28. | I PRAY EVERY DAY – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: John 3:3, John 1:12, Revelation 3:20: |
| John 3:3 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 1:12 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Revelation 3:20 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. |
| The prayer of an unsaved person is at best a religious work. It has no saving power in it. Isaiah 59:1-2 says: |
| Isaiah 59:1-2 1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. |
| Until our sin is taken away by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God says that “he will not hear” our prayers. The value of empty, religious prayers is illustrated in Luke 18:9-14. The fruit of the publican’s repentant prayer was that he went down to his house justified (saved), but the pompous religious prayers of the unsaved Pharisee were all for nought. |
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| 29. | JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: John 3:3, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 5:21: |
| John 3:3 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 1 John 5:20 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. |
| There is not a greater emphasis put on salvation by works than that of the Jehovah Witnesses. The do not believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh. Since in their eyes the Lord Jesus Christ is not God, tragically they rely on hell’s rewards (their works) for their salvation. Not believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh is defined in 1 John as having the spirit of antichrist. An effective way to deal with a Jehovah Witness is to use the following 6 step process: (1) Ask them if they can tell you who the Alpha and Omega is? (The answer will be “Jehovah”.) (2) Once they give you an answer point them to Revelation 1:11 and read: “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last” (3) Then ask them: “Who is the ‘first and the last’?” and ask them: “Who is speaking?” Every Jehovah Witness (or Jewish person even slightly familiar with scripture) will say, “Jehovah”, based on Old Testament verses such as Isaiah 44:6 or Isaiah 48:12 which state, “I am the first, and I am the last...” “I am he...” (4) Next point them to Revelation 1:18 and read: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,” (5) Next ask them: “When was Jehovah dead?”. (6) At this point they may realize that the Lord Jesus Christ is “God manifest in the flesh.” Read to them 1 Timothy 3:16: |
| 1 Timothy 3:16 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
| Quietly pray within yourself that the Holy Ghost will open their eyes. Some may come to saving knowledge as soon as they realize that the Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. Others you will have to take through a Scriptural presentation of salvation and ask them if they are ready to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. |
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| 30. | JEWISH PEOPLE – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Isaiah 52:13-Isaiah 53:12, John 3:3, John 3:14-18: |
| Isaiah 52:13-53:12 13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: 15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. John 3:3 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:14-18 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. |
| The above method for the Jehovah Witnesses is sometimes effective to open the door to present the gospel to Jewish people. The verses in Isaiah 52 and 53 can also be effective. Many of the Jews have been taught how to resist the gospel because they are well versed in the Satanic Babylonian Talmud. Talmudic, rabbinic Judaism is but one of the strongholds that Satan has constructed against the Jewish people. The Jews are among some of the most difficult to bring to salvation, but we are not to give up on them. |
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| 31. | MORMONISM – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: John 3:3, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16: |
| The Mormons are another special case that is difficult to deal with concerning salvation because they, like the Jehovah Witnesses, are so wrapped up in works based salvation. The Mormons are a modern day gnostic cult that is anything but Christian. The Mormons are also much tied into the Masons because their Mormon Temple initiation rites are straight out of Masonry. Masonry is yet another false religious cult whose leaders above the 30TH level are taught that Lucifer is God. There are Satanists, turned Mormons, who are now saved Christians after coming out of Mormonism that will tell you that the Mormon Temple rights are also straight out of Satanism. There are a number of resources available for dealing with the salvation of Mormons. We are reviewing a number of documents relative to witnessing to Mormons and at some time in the future we will include some materials in this document that will help in dealing with Mormons. |
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| 32. | MUST GET BETTER FIRST – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Isaiah 1:18, John 6:37, Luke 18:13-14: |
| Isaiah 1:18 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. John 6:37 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Luke 18:13-14 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. |
| This one is a variation of “I need to clean up my act before I can get saved”. It is yet another version of works based salvation. You can never get cleaned up enough to merit being saved. The Lord Jesus Christ only saves those who allow him to clean them up. The Pharisee in Luke 18 had improved himself to the point that he had the very best that false religion had to offer, but it had not earned him justification in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pharisee was still lost. |
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| 33. | NOT NOW, SOME OTHER TIME – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Genesis 6:3, 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:15; Proverbs 27:1; Luke 12:19-20 |
| Genesis 6:3 3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 2 Corinthians 6:2 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Hebrews 3:15 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Luke 12:19-20 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? |
| Many times there is never a tomorrow for salvation. We are not promised our next breath. We could drop dead in mid breath or mid stride and go into eternity lost and in hell forever. We would add James 4:14 to the above verses which states: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away”. If you are not saved today, today can and should be your day of salvation. |
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| 34. | NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP MY SIN – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Galatians 6:7-8, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, James 1:15: |
| Galatians 6:7-8 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. James 1:15 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. |
| It is amazing how lost folks know that God expects them to give up their sin when you consider that saved folks resist this Biblical doctrine of holiness and sanctification. For the lost person, there are eternal consequences for holding onto their sin. It is known as Hell and the Lake of fire. Out of all the excuses given in this document for rejecting God’s plea to come to salvation this would have to be one of the top ones that is based in reality. It is true that all of us have set up our sins and desires as the idol in place of God in our hearts. There is a season for enjoying the pleasures of sin. It is difficult for the lost to forsake the pleasures of sin without the indwelling Holy Ghost. This is the crux of the matter for all lost sinners. They reject salvation because they are unwilling to give up their sins. The Holy Ghost tells them that they will have to repent as the result of salvation and they are unwilling to do that. |
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| 35. | PERSECUTION, FEAR OF – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Matthew 5:11-12, Romans 8:18, 2 Timothy 2:12: |
| Matthew 5:11-12 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Romans 8:18 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 Timothy 2:12 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: |
| Not all saved folks will suffer persecution for the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ, but it is better for them to suffer persecution here on earth than to spend an eternity in hell where there is no relief from the pain, suffering, and torment of hell and the lake of fire. The apostle Paul who suffered much persecution had this to say in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: |
| 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. |
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| 36. | SELF-RIGHTEOUS – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Luke 18:9-14, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5: |
| Luke 18:9-14 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Titus 3:5 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; |
| Those that are self-righteous usually are very religious as was the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12. One of the most difficult individuals to deal with about salvation are the unsaved religious zealots found in many of our fundamentalists churches who have been scrubbed clean on the outside, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones. They are whited sepulchres. The paint brush that has been used to whitewash them with is that of strict church standards and religious works that are vainly brushed upon unsaved sinners. What you end up with is a herd of unsaved goats that fight the pastor every step of the way. Many Independent Baptist churches have been guilty of trying to clean the fish before the Holy Ghost catches them. Many of our unsaved “converts” are convinced by the Devil that their religion will get them into heaven. The strongest condemnation against unsaved religious zealots came from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 23:15-28 where it is written: |
| Matthew 23:15-28 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. |
| Note from Matthew 23:15 above that not only are the self-righteous Pharisees children of hell, but their unsaved proselytes are made twofold more children of hell than themselves. That is why it is much easier to lead an unsaved sinner to the Lord Jesus Christ who has never been a part of any church. They have not become immune or resistant to the Gospel because they have not been inoculated with religion or a false gospel. Note that the Lord Jesus Christ told the religionists that they put the cart before the horse when they tried to clean up the outside of the man before the inside of the man was cleaned. That inward man can only be cleaned up by the Holy Ghost. When that inward man is cleaned up, the Lord Jesus Christ emphasized that it would show up on the outside of the man. That is true repentance. We believe that church standards, holiness, and sanctification are required of Christians, but they cannot be substituted for salvation. Repentance is both a gift and a work of the Holy Ghost who manifests his presence in the believer through the believer’s works. In Acts 5:31, repentance is given by the Lord Jesus Christ to Israel. In Acts 11:18, repentance is granted unto the Gentiles. In 2 Timothy 2:25, God is said to be prepared to give repentance to those who deny the truth. By definition a gift is something that is given or granted. |
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| 37. | SINCERITY IS ALL THAT MATTERS – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Proverbs 14:12, John 14:6, John 1:12: |
| Proverbs 14:12 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 1:12 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: |
| There are so many false religions in the world today. I do not know how many times I have heard heretics and apostates say that all God is looking for is a sincere belief. The question is, what are they believing? A dedicated Satanist or Luciferian sincerely believes that what he or she is doing is right. Rabid Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims sincerely believe that their religion will get them to heaven. Most of the religionists in the world today are sincerely wrong and will end up in the eternally burning fires of hell because they did not sincerely believe the Biblical Gospel. The Bible requires sincere belief, but that sincere belief must be in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone. Sincere religion will damn billions of its practitioners to hell. As a reminder, the devils sincerely believe and tremble, but their eternal abode will be the lake of fire. |
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| 38. | SPIRITISM – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 21:8, Leviticus 20:6: |
| Galatians 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Revelation 21:8 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Leviticus 20:6 6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. |
| Many folks believe that they will end up in heaven because they are “spiritual”. The problem with them being “spiritual” is that they have the wrong spirit and that spirit is the spirit of antichrist. This is such a broad ranging topic that it would take a huge volume just to deal with the basic ramifications of it. The New Age movement is “spiritually” rotten to its very core. Our churches and public schools are chock full of New Agers. We have Baptist churches that are practicing and promoting yoga which is pure Hinduism. The “spiritist” movement includes psychologists, psychiatrists, evolutionists, New Agers, spiritual mediums, fortune tellers, palm readers, Harry Potterites, witchcraft, wizardry, Satanists, Luciferians, Theosophists, Yoga, Mormon Temple rites, Satanists within the Roman Catholic Curia, Muslims, apostate and heretical “Christians”, and so forth. Make no mistake about it, all of those just identified are VERY spiritual, VERY ungodly, and VERY unsaved. They need the Lord Jesus Christ. When you deal with any of these folks, you are dealing with the spirit of Satan who is the promoter of all false religions and the spirits associated with them. These spirits manifested themselves throughout the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were sent by Satan to resist the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are 116 references in 105 verses to the Devil or his devils in the King James Bible. It is a topic that most Baptists and “fundamentalists” avoid. If you are going to have an effective soul winning ministry, you are going to have to be prepared to deal with them. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, these kind will only come out by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:14-21 and Mark 9:20-29 state: |
| Matthew 17:14-21 14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:20-29 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. |
| Many Baptists and “fundamentalists” refuse to deal with the issue of devil possession as it relates to soul winning. It is the greatest challenge we face as soul winners. Like it or not, if a person is unsaved, they are of their father the Devil. Given the right circumstances, they will do the work of the Devil too. Our society is consumed with the doctrines and works of the Devil, his devils, and unclean spirits. Notice the unchecked proliferation of television and movie shows, secular music, and Contemporary “Christian” Music promoting the works and doctrines of devils. Over the last forty years there has been an endless parade of Satanic television shows and Satanic movies coming from the Hollywood cesspool promoting the spiritism of the paranormal. We also have documented cases of devil possessed children walking up walls backwards. |
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| 39. | TOO MANY HYPOCRITES IN CHURCH – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:12; Romans 2:1-3; Colossians 3:23-25, John 21:22: |
| Matthew 23:10 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. Romans 14:12 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 2:1-3 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Colossians 3:23-25 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. John 21:22 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. |
| Agree with a person when they make the statement that “there are too many hypocrites in the church” because that is a fact. If there is one hypocrite in a church, that is too many hypocrites. There are 20 different verses in the New Testament that deal with hypocrites. Tell them that the strongest rebuke in the New Testament came when the Lord Jesus Christ was rebuking the Pharisees for being hypocrites. God does not like hypocrites and He will deal with them in his own time. The Bible says that God is not a respecter of persons. God will deal with hypocrisy, but it would be a shame for anyone to go to hell blaming some Christian’s hypocrisy. There are at least 13 verses in the Bible that deal with the idea that God is not a respecter of persons. These are Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 1:17, Deuteronomy 16:19, 2 Samuel 14:14, 2 Chronicles 19:17, Proverbs 28:21, Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, James 2:1, James 2:9, and 1 Peter 1:17. Colossians 3:25 says: |
| Colossians 3:25 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. |
| Even though it is a detestable sin, saved folk will not go to hell for their hypocrisy. However, unsaved folk who use a Christian’s hypocrisy as an excuse for not getting saved will go to hell. Why would you let someone else’s hypocrisy send you to hell? Even though I believe that Christians should be held to a higher standard than lost folks, I believe that lost folks are guilty of being hypocrites themselves when they use a Christian’s hypocrisy as an excuse not to get saved. Why do I believe that? I believe that because when the unsaved do that they are holding the Christian to a higher standard than they hold themselves to. We as Christians should guard our testimonies so that it cannot be said of us by the unsaved that we are hypocrites. We are not sinless and perfect, but we are saved. Our lives and our testimonies should reflect that. |
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| 40. | TOO MUCH TO GIVE UP – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Mark 8:36-37, Matthew 6:33, 1 John 2:15-17: |
| Mark 8:36-37 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 6:33 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 1 John 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. |
| These folks are very closely akin to those who are not willing to give up their sin (See item 34 above). Many people sell their souls to the Devil in pursuit of the treasures of this world. We can work all of our lives to amass great fortunes that we will not be able to take to hell with us. Many people trade their worldly fortunes for an eternity in hell. One second in hell is not worth all the riches in the world. God is not opposed to us having worldly possessions, but we should seek the heavenly treasures of the Kingdom of God first and God will bless us with many of the things of the world also. This is a good place to apply the teaching of 1 Timothy 6:6-11: |
| 1 Timothy 6:6-11 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. |
| There is an application here to both the unsaved and the saved. If you are an unsaved rich person, do not allow your riches to drown you in destruction and perdition. That destruction and perdition ends in a place called hell. If you are a saved person, do not allow any riches that you have to be a hindrance to the ministry that God has called you to. |
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| 41. | TRYING TO GO TO HEAVEN – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16: |
| John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Galatians 2:16 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. |
| This is yet another works based plan of salvation that depends on the efforts of man to get someone into heaven. All of our efforts to get into heaven are at best vanity. Item 44, Works Will Take Me To Heaven, deals with the whole corrupt concept of works based salvation. |
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| 42. | WHEN GOD WANTS ME SAVED, HE WILL LET ME KNOW – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: 2 Corinthians 6:2, Isaiah 1:18, Jeremiah 17:9-10: |
| 2 Corinthians 6:2 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Isaiah 1:18 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Jeremiah 17:9-10 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. |
| You should tell them that the reason you are talking to them is that God is trying to let them know today that he wants them to be saved. Today is the accepted time for salvation. God says in Genesis 6:3 that his spirit will not always strive with men. That means that there will come a time when God quits dealing with men about their salvation and will turn them over to a reprobate mind. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 13:5: |
| 2 Corinthians 13:5 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? |
| Once God turns an individual over to a reprobate mind they cannot be saved. |
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| 43. | WHERE I SPEND ETERNITY IS UP TO GOD – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: John 1:12, Joshua 24:15, Proverbs 14:12: |
| John 1:12 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Joshua 24:15 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Proverbs 14:12 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. |
| That is a fact. Where you will spend eternity is up to God. God makes his decision on where you will spend your eternity based upon your decision to either receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour or to reject the Lord Jesus Christ. That option is entirely up to. All those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity in heaven. All those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity in hell. Even if you do nothing to actively reject the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will still spend an eternity in hell. There is no neutral ground in this decision of decisions. The Holy Ghost said in John 3:18: |
| John 3:18 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. |
| If you take no action to believe, then you choose condemnation to eternal damnation. |
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| 44. | WORKS WILL TAKE ME TO HEAVEN – THE BIBLE ANSWER IS: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Galatians 2:16: |
| Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Titus 3:5 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Galatians 2:16 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. |
| While good works are commendable, any attempt to use them to get into heaven is an attempt to set aside the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Salvation has never been by works. Outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, all of the good works of lost men and women burn up in hell and the lake of fire. In John 14:6 the Lord Jesus Christ said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. You cannot go to the Father which is in heaven through your good works. You can only go through the Lord Jesus Christ because he is THE ONLY DOOR into heaven (John 10:9). In the parade of faith in Hebrews chapter 11, it uses the phrase “by faith” fifteen different times, but the phrase “by works” never appears. There are at least twelve passages of Scripture in the New Testament that specifically state that salvation is not by works. These include Romans 3:27-28, Romans 4:1-6, Romans 9:30-32, Romans 11:5, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:1-11, Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 4:8-10, Hebrews 6:1, and Hebrews 9:14; all quoted here: |
| Romans 3:27-28 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 4:1-6 1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Romans 9:30-32 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; Romans 11:5 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Galatians 2:16 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2 Timothy 1:9 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, Titus 3:5 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Hebrews 4:8-10 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Hebrews 6:1 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Hebrews 9:14 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? |
| Those twelve passages should settle the issue for those who are depending on their works to get them into heaven. The greatest weapon that Satan has in his arsenal that drives people into hell is the belief in works based religion. |
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