Featured John MacArthur takes on some of Arminianism's teachings

I whole-heartedly agree with Scripture and John MacArthur's assessment on this. Many Arminians teach this load of bunk -- 'Say a prayer, go to heaven, Jesus can't lie!!!' To top it off some say it doesn't matter what you do afterwards, and that there is no evidence or fruits of salvation necessary. Easy believism/Arminianistic error.

 

Those who deny Jesus Lordship...do not have him as Saviour.:thumbs:

 

You draw a caricature and straw man argument of Biblical salvation with your above accusation. Sadly, many in the church do what you've done.

 

Agreed. The gospel being preached today is a licentious gospel allowing and approving lawless behavior because the person 'prayed a prayer'.

 

Of course. They proof text 'believe' and skip repentance and sanctification. The clientele say when they hear all they have to do is believe 'Is that all I have to do?' 'Yep, and you're guaranteed Heaven!!!' "

Well ain't that grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then there is also the problem with the notion that started years ago with 'When they believed they repented!'

:sleep:

 

They don't miss verses, they miss context and rightly handling of the Word.

I've seen too many preachers assure too many persons that they need to remember the prayer they said at such and such a date -- then the prospect will go without church for several weeks, months or so, and come back to do the whole dance over again.

'Don't let anyone make you doubt you're saved! Including God's Word!'

:type:

 

Amen to that, sir. Gamaliel's counsel (Acts 5:34-39) should give us all pause.

 

No one has missed Luke 13:5, but I think you do not understand what Jesus is saying. Look again...

Luk 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Notice in verse 1 it tells us there were persons present with Jesus who told him of certain persons Pilate had put to death.

Next, notice very carefully that Jesus asks these persons who gave him this report, "Suppose ye that these Galilaieans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Is Jesus telling these persons they must stop sinning to be saved? NO, he is telling them that they must realize that they too are sinners or they will likewise perish. No man will come to Jesus for forgiveness unless he first realizes and understands he is a lost sinner.

We see the same thing in verses 4 and 5, Jesus asks them of the 18 men upon whom a tower fell, "Think ye they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

The Jews in particular were under the mistaken view that if something bad or evil happened to someone, this was proof they were very evil and not in God's favor. They also falsely believed that if things went very well for some men, especially if they were rich, this was proof God was very pleased with these persons. This is why the Jews were shocked when Jesus said how hardly will a rich man enter heaven. That is why they asked, "Who then can be saved?".

Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Do you see how Jesus's disciples were exceedingly amazed when Jesus told them it was almost impossible for a rich man to enter heaven? This is because they falsely believed being rich was an indication of God's favor.

So, Jesus was not telling these persons they must stop sinning to be saved, he was telling them that they must repent of the idea that they are in God's favor simply because nothing bad has happened to them.

These persons were holding a false belief, this is what Jesus told them they must turn or repent from. They must realize they are sinners in need of forgiveness, otherwise they shall perish. No man will come to Jesus for forgiveness unless he first realizes he is lost.

Do you get that?

But if a man must completely stop sinning to be saved, then we are all in big trouble, because no man has ever completely stopped sinning.

Have you completely stopped sinning?

 

So is Zane Hodges, Ryrie, Ironside, Schafer, etc. Hodges doesn't believe you have to say a prayer. If I posted a link to an article or two would you read them at least? I once thought the same things you did. I can't stand the phrases "easy belivism, and cheap grace". It was easy for me to believe I was a wretched sinner and that Jesus Christ died for my sins. And he absolutely is Lord and Savior to me.

 

I don't know why they call it "Easy Believism" when you tell folks all they have to do is trust Jesus to save them, it seems to be the most difficult thing for persons to believe.

There is nothing "easy" about Easy Believism, nearly all men want to add to what Jesus did on the cross, they feel they need to help Jesus out. It is not enough that Jesus died and paid for all our sins, we must stop sinning as well they believe. Good luck with that.

Look how easy Jesus made it for the woman at the well...

Jhn 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Did Jesus tell the woman at the well she must stop sinning to be saved? Did Jesus tell her she must leave the man she was living out of wedlock with to be saved?

NO, Jesus told her she must simply ASK, and he would give her living water, which is the Holy Spirit.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Has anyone ever noticed that if you take the first letters of "ask", "seek", and "knock", that it spells the word ASK?

Ask
Seek
Knock

Wow, amazing, if you take the first letter of these words in Greek they do not spell anything, but if you take the first letter of these words in English they spell ASK. Isn't that something? It is almost as if Jesus knew these scriptures would be written in the English language someday.

Wow, what a chance coincidence.