The "re-saved" phenomon

I never counselled a person into salvation. They told me when they thought they were saved. They told me when they were ready for baptism. I may very well ask pertinent questions, but did not coerce their answers.

I think far too many are led to make the right decision, especially youth, and it often goes wrong eventually.

Do we push baptism for our own benefit? We want numbers.

Cheers,

Jim

 

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

I do not mean to sound "snotty", "snippy", "rude" or any such thing, but the "re-saved" are just a bunch of misguided people. We are to "die to self" everyday, by crucifying our flesh, but we don't "die", meaning, we must be "re-born" into Christ. I live amongst some real God-fearing CHRISTians who believe in a "backslide"/"fall from Grace", and when these churches do an "altar call", they are calling for those who have "backslidden", also. I just don't see anywhere in scripture where somone/anyone can become "un-saved'. I am just like Apostle Paul: "I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!" I can't keep that which I can't keep. Meaning I am kept by the power of God, and not by my own power!! Praise His sweet name!! Jesus told Nicodemus "ye must be born again", not again, and again, and again.......

i am I am's!!

Willis

 

One the one hand, I never try to convince a person that they are saved. And I never call a person forward or coerce a response. I'd rather have no response than an illegitimate one. But on the other hand, the Bible admonishes us to make our calling and election sure, and that we may know that we have eternal life. So some counseling is necessary. "Why do you say you are unsaved?" is a great question. If we had to be "re-saved" everytime we doubted our salvation over some fear or some sin or something, then goodness......

But if we doubt because we doubt the validity of our committment to Christ, then that's another matter. We need a sound doctrine of salvation. It's true that the altar call, easy believism, praying a sinner's prayer, and all the rest of that junk has caused this mess. And it's sad that I can name some pastors who have been heralded for being great evangelists due to their churches having large numbers of baptisms. But I can name people at the church who have been baptised several times over, been "saved" several times over. This teaches us that we cannot have assurance, that if there's a scintilla of doubt EVER, we must not be saved. Satan loves this, since if we doubt our salvation, we'll never be fruitful. We have to go round the bases. We can't just run to first, back to home, then repeat.

Okay, let's sing the doxology and conclude my rant

 

Until a year ago, I thought I was saved since I "accepted" Jesus at the age of 11. It was all emotion and not a bit of understanding.

A year ago, without benefit of a church or pastor, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I can tell you that there is a huge difference. I know now. I didn't know before.

If people are on a salvation merry-go-round, they need more understanding. I would guess that they aren't getting that understanding from the church they are at.

When I have doubts and questions, I seek the answers through prayer and reading. I good Christian friend who is well versed in the Bible helps a lot as well.

 

Its simple really.

1. An improper presentation of the Gospel in the first place.

2. Followed by no discipleship or real teaching. That is instead of moving on to meat, they are just handed another bottle of milk.

3. Constant guilt trips. People are being taught that if your a "real" Christian that you must be perfect. If you make a mistake, then your not really saved. Or if your not some sort of super Christian that tithes 10% plus and goes on missions and participates in every Church activity then your not "authentic".

4. When you fail to live up to number 3 then you feel guilty and walk the isle again just to be sure and "try again".

5. rinse, wash and repeat.

This is just an observation I've made in quite a few Churches locally here. Conditions and situations may vary.

 

God, I am soooo glad you admitted it. Every July & August, the parade of baptism's, mostly coerced & has become a circus event.

 

No joke, dude. It's like "if we get them with all their other emotional/hormonal friends, play some crappy music, and cry a lot, we can get everyone saved."

Get real.

 

I don't think this is new. We've been seeing it in churches for ages - especially during a revival. I remember one man (who will remain nameless) who came to our church when the boys were little and convinced huge numbers that they had never been saved. I don't remember what he said, but I struggled staying in the pew myself - even assured of my salvation.

 

This phenomon comes from the easy doctrine of "come as you are". If I had come as I was I wasn't fit to be a child of God. But thanks be to the God of all glory He called me and I heeded his call.

Like mcdirector said this "resaved" business is nothing new. As it is written in scripture:
Eccleasiates 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.