At the web page of "The Christian Universalist Association" we have these words:
"God does not decide to condemn some people to hell because they sinned too much or they chose the wrong religious beliefs." (HERE)
Do you agree with this my Hardshell brethren? Or at least the last part? False religious beliefs are no deciding factor in final and eternal condemnation in the day of judgment? Is this not what you believe, my Hardshell brothers? Don't you teach that a man may be a heathen in faith and still be saved? Are you not then Universalists, or at least, nearly so?
Do you agree with Paul that those who obey not the gospel will suffer "everlasting destruction"? (II Thess. 1: 8,9) Do you agree with John who said that all the "unbelieving" will "have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone"? (Rev. 21: 8)
The "primitive" Baptist will affirm that belief is not instrumental in one's eternal salvation, but only an evidence of it. Likewise they will affirm that un-belief is not instrumental in one's eternal condemnation, but only an evidence of it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand you are affirming what the bible affirms...
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
True brother. However, you rarely hear them talk about Hell and eternal punishment. After all, they only "comfort" sinners in their preaching! Further, if they preach Hell, how do they relate this to their audience, or to an audience of sinners? Do they ever warn those who are lost about the coming judgment? Do they, like the first Baptist, warn the lost to "flee from the wrath to come"? And, do they call upon the vipers to repent? Do they tell them that the judgment is already written, as John testified, saying - "Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." What if one does not bear fruit? Will he be thrown into the fire or not?
ReplyDeleteYes, a few preach on Hell and eternal punishment, but when they do, they have no idea how to relate it to sinners and have any advice to offer them. They never end up counseling repentance to escape the coming judgment, as did the first Baptist.
They teach that only a few are going to Hell, so everyone's chances are good.