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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 01/19/2003 8:59:51 PM PST by Jael
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Getting saved is simple — the Bible tells us that we need only: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,"
And ends something like this:
After that we should proceed to tell them the importance of attending a Bible-believing Baptist church.
Same old story: "Believe and you're saved!" It's that simple.
But when you read the "fine print", there's always more to it. You have to read the Bible, attend and make financial contributions to a church, not just any church mind you, a particular one (in this case it's Baptist, but it could just as well be Methodist or Episcopalian.)
I'm sorry, but there is something deceitful about this "bait and switch" approach to proselytizing.
Why tell people that they are "saved," then turn around and ask them to attend/contribute to your church, as if their salvation were conditional on their actions?
Phl 1:6 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:
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
He chose you and called you and He will keep you . He is the author and finisher of your faith
Hbr 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Most Born again people remember their "baby steps " very well and they know that solid teaching is important as it is the word of God that is the meat that puts substance to out faith and builds us up
So I would advise a new believer to read the word. have a "study " plan and also read for meditation so that God can speak to your heart. Find a church that loves the word of God.. (As a Baptist I have a bias on that :) But there are fine Bible churches out there..you need the food and fellowship ..and be blessed
No where in that article does Dr. Smith say you MUST attend or join any church to be saved. He does not attach salvation to church attendence.
He does not ask anyone to attend his church or give money to him or his church. This study is provided FREE to anyone who asks for it.
You couldn't attend his church anyway, it's in China. He's been a missionary there for 8 years.
You are a liar.
When I saw Gloryland, I thought it was a theme park with maybe some new rides I had missed. I wore out my index finger scrolling for it.
As far as what of the content says: I'll try to take my place among the saints of the Church who spent their life becoming more aware of their sinfulness before God. It is called repentance, and it is an ongoing thing. Not walking the aisle.
There is none of this "mature" Christian nonsense known in the Church. It is a human and western invention to make the narrow way palatable to us worldlings.
Sorry to hear about your problem. Sounds to me like a case of quick-to-judge-itis. I recommend a small dose of Christian love, along with some deep breathing exercises to help you relax.
No where in that article does Dr. Smith say you MUST attend or join any church to be saved.
You're right. It is not stated explicitly. It never is.
He does not attach salvation to church attendence.
Good for him. Then why bother to mention church attendance, Bible study, etc. at all? He could have stopped after the first two lines. If we are saved by belief alone, the rest is inconsequential.
You couldn't attend his church anyway, it's in China.
Guess who's lying now?
I travel to China quite frequently. And I pray that someday the Chinese people will be allowed to hear the word of God freely. I hope Dr. Smith realizes that what he is doing is illegal in China right now. He and his parishioners could be thrown in jael for attending church--quite a risk for doing something that is irrelevant to salvation! Nevertheless, I admire his bravery and tenacity. May the Lord bless him.
Yep, and ignore all the other scriptures that talk about what one must do in order to be saved.
Or read the Bible in such a manner that says you can't do anything to effect your salvation.
It's is all so very easy.
I think a lot of people believe that there is more to being a Christian than a one-time declaration of one's faith.
But the "just believe and you're saved" philosophy is an easy sell. It requires no commitment, no responsibility, no strings attached.
What I'm saying is that we should be more upfront with new converts. Let them know what they are getting into from the beginning. Being a "real" Christian takes effort and commitment--and I would assume that the benefits or "blessings" of being an active participant in Christianity would outweigh those of being a passive believer only.
Unfortunately, passive, belief-only Christianity is what sells to the masses. But at some point, people come to the realization that there is more to it than that.
Please forgive the factual observation, but you did knowingly attribute a false statement to the author of the article. By any rational definition that is a lie.
You're right. It is not stated explicitly. It never is.
Since you cannot possibly know the thoughts of the author unless you have spoken to him (have you?), if you have not, it begs the question of just who has the case of "quick-to-judge-itis.
Good for him. Then why bother to mention church attendance, Bible study, etc. at all? He could have stopped after the first two lines. If we are saved by belief alone, the rest is inconsequential.
13)For whoever 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?
15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
Not quite inconsequential. If the man takes his faith seriously, then he obeys the God that he serves.
I travel to China quite frequently. And I pray that someday the Chinese people will be allowed to hear the word of God freely. I hope Dr. Smith realizes that what he is doing is illegal in China right now. He and his parishioners could be thrown in jael for attending church--quite a risk for doing something that is irrelevant to salvation! Nevertheless, I admire his bravery and tenacity. May the Lord bless him.
It is generally the rule rather than the exception that preaching Christ and Him crucified has been illegal. The history of Christianity bears witness to this. We spit on the sacrifice of those who have gone before us if we value our safety or comfort rather than the God we serve. i personally would hope and pray that i would have the courage to stand up and say with my betters in the faith..."Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19f-20 KJV).
I think I'm beginning to get it.
Salvation is a free gift.
"Being a good Christian" is a process that takes time and effort, but it has nothing to do with our salvation.
Someone needs to do a better job of explaining this to new converts. We can be saved regardless of what we do. However, our behaviour demonstrates whether or not we are "good Christians".
When faced with the choice of "being saved" or "being a good Christian," it is no wonder that people generally choose the former.
You're right about attributing a false statement to the author as being a lie. Now that you mention it, I can see how my statements could have been misunderstood by some. Perhaps I was not as clear as I could have been. I was speaking in general terms and did not mean to imply that the author said something he didn't. Here is my statement again in full context, with explanation:
Why is it that Christian proselytizing always begins like this:
Getting saved is simple — the Bible tells us that we need only: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," (Italics in original indicated that these were the author's words.)
And ends something like [this signals that an example is coming] this:
After that we should proceed to tell them the importance of attending a Bible-believing Baptist church.
I was decrying the (what I consider) deceitful practice of proselytizing that is so commonly used among Christians.
Same old story: "Believe and you're saved!" It's that simple.(My words, not the author's.)
I'm still speaking in general terms here, not attributing anything to the author:
But when you read the "fine print" [in any such proselytizing by Christians], there's always more to it. You have to read the Bible, attend and make financial contributions to a church, not just any church mind you, a particular one (in this case [example] it's Baptist, but it could just as well be Methodist or Episcopalian.)
I'm sorry, but there is something deceitful about this "bait and switch" approach to proselytizing.
Why [should anyone] [no mention of the author is made] tell people that they are "saved," then turn around and ask them to attend/contribute to your church, as if their salvation were conditional on their actions?
My apologies if I was misunderstood. I did not mean to imply that the author had said anything other than what I directly quoted him as saying.
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