A Denominational Preacher Responds To My Article Of 8-2009 “Why Are You a Baptist, etc. (part 2)
by Perry Sexton
Denominational people rely on a “heartfelt religion,” rather than book, chapter and verse properly used. I say again that the denominational preacher who wrote in about my article did not cite one verse that proves his accusations. He made several statements asserting several things about the mind of God and Christ without verses to prove it. However, he does refer to his “own heartfelt feelings” and similar statements as well.
This surely is a great part of the great confusion and division of the denominations. It is like one finds in Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” There is certainly a King in Heaven ruling His subjects through His Word today, but the denominations are not submitting themselves to Him. If they all would truly submit to the King, there would be no denominations, period!!! Proof: name one denomination Jesus established; find one approved in the Bible! And study Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4 “one body” which body is the church (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18). And there is to be no division in the body or church of Christ (1 Cor. 1:10-13).
Would the denominational preacher like to hear what God says about “my own heartfelt feelings” and will he accept it? Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” I will give two examples:
Naaman the leper “thought” (heartfelt feelings) what should be done, but he was very wrong (2 Kings 5:11). Amazingly, this was “thought” after God’s Word on the matter had been given!!! Does that remind you of anyone? It should if one is not willingly blind. We have God’s complete will for us today (2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3). Why should we not believe all of it?
Saul was very religious, but was very wrong religiously. He also “thought” (heartfelt feelings) when he should have been hearing, believing and obeying. “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). Ironically, the denominations think they are doing many things that are well pleasing to God, and that God will save them. But they are in fact enemies of Christ and His Father, because of the errors and man-made institutions they have made contrary to God’s will (cp. John 17:20, 21; 1 Cor. 1:10-13; Matt. 15:8-14; 7:13-27). Saul, in his errors, even had a “good conscience” (Acts 23:1), but was lost in his sins and at the time did not know it (cp. Matt. 7:21-23). Does that remind you of anyone? Please read Isaiah 65:2.
Can you imagine the religious division when everyone does that which is right in his own heart??? You do not have to imagine it, just look around at all the denominational confusion, division and errors!!! You can have your “heartfelt religion,” I will take God’s Word for everything I believe, obey and teach.
The denominational preacher scolds me, “Putting other people down in the way they worship will not gain you a better standing with God.” Sir, where is book, chapter and verse to prove your point? You seem to be very ignorant (willingly, I am sure) of the many Bible examples of God’s faithful preachers, and His own Son speaking out against religious error. From Genesis through Revelation do we not see such? I have already given verses for such. He calls it “Putting … down,” does he think the same of Jesus? Was Jesus mean spirited whenever He pointed out error (cp. Matt. 23, etc.)? We rebuke and correct error from a heart of love. The truth is: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). I know of no denomination that does so, and indeed they cannot for they are not even in Christ.
Furthermore, denominational doctrine is not of Christ (cp. 2 John 9). For example: do they partake of the Lord’s Supper according to the Scriptures? Do they partake every Sunday (Acts 20:7)? Of baptism: is it sprinkling, pouring or immersion (cp. Rom. 6:4)? Do they baptize for the remission of sins (cp. Acts 2:38)? They are divided on these and many other matters as if God has not spoken on such things! Yet they “think” they are all right! Simply amazing!
The misguided preacher further says “You should love people and do your best to lead them to Christ.” I ask: did Christ love those whom He rebuked (cp. Rev. 3:19)? On earth, who was the best friend king David had; those who helped to cover his sins or the one (Nathan) who rebuked him severely for those sins (2 Sam. 12:1ff)? If we truly love people, will we not strive to correct them of their errors which will cause them to be lost? Was Peter unloving, harsh, etc. to Simon in Acts 8:20-23? Furthermore, to love God is to keep His commandments (John 14:15). You can have your denominational love, I will take and follow God’s true love.
The preacher of a man-made church said “My Bible says, ‘Search the Scriptures, for in them you may find eternal life.’” The KJV says: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” ( John 5:39 ). Please compare to the incorrect “thinkers” above. Yes, many “think” they are saved, but “thinking” and “feeling” is no proof whatsoever! Dear Sir and all, please read and study carefully all the Scriptures of this article and the ones in times past concerning the denominations and salvation. For true love of your souls, I strive to stir you up to search the Scriptures with all honesty and desire to serve God faithfully (Acts 17:11). Your soul is dependent upon it! In times past this gentleman has written, but he has never answered and dealt with all of my statements. He picks and chooses what he will answer of my questions such as on baptism. It is clear he wants a part truth and I am very sorry for that. He is not willing to accept all of God’s Word (cp. John 12:48; 6:63, 68; Rev. 20:12, 13).
Let us search the Scriptures in answer to one more thing he said: “Jesus Christ and what he did at the cross saves.” Of course salvation was made possible for all people through that wonderful sacrifice on the cross (cp. 1 John 2:2; John 3:15,16, et al). But this by no means is to say all people will be saved (cp. Matt. 7:13, 14), nor even all who are religious and who believe that Jesus is the Son of God (vs. 21-23). On the next page of this bulletin you can see Scriptures showing what the Savior taught concerning what man must do in order to be saved by His precious blood shed upon the cross. You can also see the faithful preachers of God (all of the church of Christ—not one denomination) telling the people these same things in the book of Acts, and the people obeying that same gospel. Why would any honest, seeker and lover of God not want to do the same thing today (cp. Luke 8:15; Acts 2:41)? Is God’s way offensive to you?
I warn all denominational preachers: it is a very serious thing to tamper with God’s Word and teach error! The blood of those in error whom you justify will be on your hands: cp. Eze. 3:18; Acts 20:26, 27. ♥
