1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Are you a false convert? If so click here.

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by evangelist6589, Aug 15, 2014.

  1. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Are you a false convert? If so click here.

    --
    The most terrifying words Christians could Which kind of faith do you have? Would you be
    ever hear would be if Jesus Christ said to
    them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). On judgment day, those horrifying words will be heard by many who called Jesus “Lord” but never repented of their iniquities. How can this be? How can someone who declares Jesus is Lord and performs religious activities be cast into hell? Are you sure this will not happen to you? You might comfort yourself by saying, “It can’t be referring to me, because I believe in Jesus.”
    Two Kinds of Faith
    “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe, and shudder” (James 2:19). So the issue is not your “faith in God”, but the kind of faith you have. There are two types of “faith” described in the Bible. One is a dead faith that originates in man as he gives mental assent to certain truths about God, but it produces no evidence of a new life in Christ (James 2:17). The other is a God-given faith which includes being born again as a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is a living faith that is coupled with repentance (Acts 11:18). It flows out of a new heart that desires to bear fruit for God’s Glory (Ezekiel 36:26; John 15:8).
    Two Responses to the Gospel
    The only response unto salvation is to "repent and believe the Gospel" (Mark 1:15). Jesus declared, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). God is commanding “all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Repen- tance and faith produces “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Assurance should not be based on a past decision, but on a present reality. Yet, some believe they are Christians because they responded to an altar call, or asked Jesus into their heart, or made a one-time decision to follow Christ, or repeated a sinner’s prayer or were water baptized for salvation. These responses are not found in the Word of God.
    Two Types of Converts
    True converts have been born again and have passed from spiritual death to eternal life in Christ (John 3:3; Ephesians 2:5). Godly sorrow for their sins produced a repentance that led to salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone (2 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 2:8-9). Once slaves to sin, they have become obedient from the heart to God’s Word (Romans 6:17). They have been sealed by the Holy Spirit who guarantees their eternal inheritance
    willing to look to Scripture to test your faith?
    (2 Corinthians 13:5). John wrote his first epistle so you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13). If you truly are a Christian, this will give you greater assurance of salvation (2 Peter 1:10). However, what if you fail the test and discover you are not a true Christian? By God’s grace, you must obey his command to believe the Gospel before you perish forever (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
    Two Ways to Eternity
    The Lord Jesus said we must “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14). The narrow way is hard, and only a few find it, because you must diligently search the Scriptures to find it. You must enter with humility and contrition, confessing your sins before God (James 4:6; 1 John 1:9). Jesus warned that false prophets will try to mislead you (Matthew 7:15). They will point people to the broad way with a distorted gospel of works, religious rituals, and self-righteousness (Galatians 1:6-9). The broad way is easy because there is no call to repentance (Acts 26:18).Ephesians 1:13). They prove to be the Lord’s disciples by abiding in His Word and being led by the Spirit (John 8:31-32; Romans 8:14). As ambas- sadors for Christ, they desire to see others recon- ciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
    False converts are not aware of their perilous condition. They remain dead in their sins because they do not have the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). They love themselves and the world more than they love God and His children (1 John 2:15; 1 John 3:14). Being ignorant of God's perfect righteous- ness, they rely on their own filthy rags of righteous- ness which will never qualify them for heaven (Romans 10:3; Isaiah 64:6). These people deceive themselves when they call Jesus “Lord” and hear His Word, but do not do what He says (1 John 2:4; James 1:22). They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him (Titus 1:16). They desire Jesus as a priest to pardon their sins, but not as a prophet to instruct them, or a king to rule over them. The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things keep them from abiding in God’s Word (Mark 4:19). When affliction or persecution arises because of the Word, they fall away because they were never born again (Matthew 13:21).
    What will you do?
    Some will reject this warning and continue to walk in darkness and deception. Others will test their faith in light of God’s Word and realize they have never been born again (1 John). May God grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the true Gospel that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised on the third day in accor- dance with the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4;
    2 Timothy 2:24-26).
     
  2. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I'm a false convert according to your assessment. You have a view that there are two kinds of faith:
    1) mental assent to facts
    2) mental assent to facts, plus works

    Whereas scripture presents only one kind of faith:
    Fully assured, totally persuaded, utterly convinced, that Christ's death in my place is my only hope of eternal life. My hope is fixed on Christ, and not a shred less (or more)

    Faith is not knowing facts, and facts + works in no way approaches biblical faith.

    Satan does not have faith, and there isn't one single verse to support such a view that he does. He believes there is one God. That's not faith, because he has no hope fixed on God.
     
  3. prophet

    prophet Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 8, 2010
    Messages:
    1,037
    Likes Received:
    2
    I accept a God who cannot lie, at His Word.

    He made a promise, I took the free gift.

    He has been perfecting me since.

    I believed God, and it was accounted unto me for righteousness.
     
  4. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Amen :) Praise the Lord.
     
  5. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Only God knows the elect. Bye the way did you keep the book The Gospel According to Jesus? I suggest you read James 2.
     
  6. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    So if you honestly believe that only God knows the elect, where do you find grounds to label someone a false convert? But, you've followed after those who have woefully misunderstood election in the first place.

    Also, you've followed after those who have seriously misunderstood James 2.


    As long as your faith depends on the opinions of men, others might rightly make a case for you being a false convert.
     
  7. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Bye the way did you keep the book The Gospel According to Jesus? Oh and by the way I have never intentionally labeled someone a false convert as I do not know who is and who is not saved.
     
  8. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I did not keep the book. The only ones I kept were reference materials, but not even all of those.

    John, I think there is a part of you that believes you can spot a false convert a mile away. Many people feel that way. D.L. Moody thought he could ask a few questions and make an easy determination.

    I used to feel just as strongly that way, and used to try based on looking at works evidence.

    The problem is, a view that works are the true evidence of conversion fails the test of scripture. It makes men unsatisfied to leave the results to God.

    And James 2 absolutely does not support any notion of "true" faith versus false faith. James was speaking of those who would be judged by the law of liberty. Brethren. Real believers with real faith.

    If you understand where he was coming from, starting with 2:12 and going thru 3:1, it's easy to see what he meant by "dead" faith, the devil believing there is One God, being justified by works, showing your faith by your works, the whole nine yards.

    But if you start reading at verse 14, and import a faulty understanding of dead, and saved, and justified,, you've missed everything he was saying
     
  9. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Okay James have it your way. There is such a thing as an atheist Christian whom at one time said the prayer. There are also New Age Christians whom believe the facts about Jesus, said the prayer, but live just like the world.
     
  10. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Sorry, John. That line doesn't work here. If I had my way, I would have earned my place with God through doing my best. I tried that, too.

    And I reached a point that trying to have it my way left me devoid of peace and assurance. If only I could have purchased salvation for a price. If only I could have made enough promises. If only I could have been sincere enough that God would pat me on the back and say I'd fulfilled all He required.

    But scripture made a train wreck in my brain. It went against my way 100%



    What, pray tell, are you talking about "said the prayer" ???

    What prayer? There isn't a prayer ever contrived which will access the grace of God. Maybe there's a reason for those who "said the prayer" and lived just like the world.....

    They never believed upon Christ. Maybe they thought they could say some magic prayer to guarantee themselves a place in heaven, and never had anyone tell them that their place in heaven is in the hands of Christ.


    But the bottom line is that you think "being good" is required for someone to enter the Pearly Gates. That's what Mac preaches.

    You can try to mask it with "fruit" and "evidence" jargon all you want, but the end is still the same for you. If you don't obey God, you won't go to heaven.

    It's the same works doctrine that comes from those Arminians you're always railing against.

    One says you endure to the end or you'll lose what you started with.
    The other says endure to the end, or you'll prove you never started at all.

    But where do they both see this person who hasn't done enough?

    It turns the grace of Christ into a side note. Works become the primary concern, just as they have for Mac.

    But scripture says But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.


    And believe me, John. This is not "my way"

    I would much rather have stayed in the comfort of my way, just like the Jews were comfortable under the Law
     
  11. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,375
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Wow....you just proved to me you understand......I am impressed:thumbs:
     
  12. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Thanks, brother.
     
  13. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
  14. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,375
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Nope...I cant get through it. Sounds like Winman wrote it.:laugh:
     
  15. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    52,624
    Likes Received:
    2,742
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Are you back to saying that the Lordship salvation view is the pnly correct one, that is the one that really grants salvation then?
     
Loading...