denomination

Five Things A Pastor Won’t Tell You 5

Note: In this material, the term “pastor” is used in its common usage; a leader of a denominational church. It is not used in the biblical sense as outlined and illustrated in the New Testament (Acts 20:17-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

5. Some Believers Will Burn In Hell

Not all believers are saved; shocking, but true.

The easy and obvious example is the demons. They believe in Jesus as the Holy One of God, but are doomed to eternal torment (Mk. 1:23, 24). Their failing is lack of submission to the Lord.

Other lost believers include those who work iniquity. Jesus said,

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (Matt. 7:21-23).

This means some who are religious, diligent in their labors, and believe in Jesus as Lord will not go to heaven. The Lord will reject them. Why? Because they worked “lawlessness.” That is, they did not do the will of the Father in heaven. They did not listen to Him. They did not follow His Word, where His will is found (1 Cor. 2:7-13). This includes people who use instrumental music in worship, practice the social gospel, or pervert the plan of salvation. The typical denominational pastor will not say a peep about this.

Other believers are identified by the Holy Spirit as falling short of the glory of God.

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (Jn. 12:42, 43).

To place the praise of men above the praise of God is sinful. Paul said if we seek to please men above pleasing Christ, we are not His servants (Gal. 1:10). If you are not a servant of Christ, you are not going to heaven. It is that simple. Still, pastors will not tell you this.

Another category of believers who will burn in hell include the immoral. Paul gives various lists of sins throughout his inspired writings. One such list is found in Galatians 5:19-21. Among the sins he enumerates are fornication, idolatry, sorcery, jealousies, envy, drunkenness and so on. Remember, he is writing the “churches of Galatia” (Gal. 1:2). He is not writing heathens. Thus, he said saints involved in the works of the flesh “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21). In other words, they will burn in hell.

Why will many denominational pastors not tell you this? One reason may be they are afraid of running people off. After all, it is a nice, easy message to teach people just to believe and everything will be all right. If their numbers fall, so will their popularity, prestige, and, often, pay check.

What can we learn from all of this?

First, we must not think that belief alone saves. It doesn’t. We are also to confess that believe before men (Rom. 10:9-13). We are to repent and be baptized to have the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

Second, once we are saved, we are not always saved. We can believe for a while and then fall away (Lk. 8:13). We may still believe Jesus is the Christ, but be lost.

Third, whether it is the demons or other believers, those who will burn in hell are those who do not submit to the will of God. They follow their own desires. They chafe under the gospel of Christ and want to live in the ways of the world.

The average denominational pastor will not deal with these issues. He is blinded by tradition and the doctrines of men. He is more of a hindrance than help.

It is up to each of us to examine what men say in light of the inspired, inerrant Word of God (Acts 17:11). If we do not, any faith we have is really not our own, but that borrowed from another. Therefore, let us diligently study God’s Word.

Five Things A Pastor Won’t Tell You 4

4. Faith Alone Will Not Save You.

There are certain standard passages a typical denominational pastor will employ to prove that salvation is by faith alone. They include, but are not limited to:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

At first glance many people are persuaded that these passages do, indeed, teach salvation by faith alone. However, when they are examined in light of other passages and in context, it is readily apparent that salvation by faith alone is a pernicious lie.

Whenever studying any subject, all scriptures relevant to the issue must be considered. For instance, if we were to take Galatians 6:10 by itself, we would think it mandatory to help every single person who asked for or needed help. However, when we also consider 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat,” we know the command to help others is limited. It is limited to those who cannot help themselves or are in temporary need. The one who can work but does not, is not to be helped at any time.

On the matter of salvation, we need to consider all that the New Testament teaches. Yes, faith is required. Without faith it is impossible to please God and any subsequent service is vain (Heb. 11:6). Yet, faith alone does not save.

James makes the point that faith must be coupled to action, or works. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas. 2:17). “Faith by itself” is faith alone. Hence, the inspired writer says that faith alone is a dead faith, not a living faith.

He continued to drive the point home in 2:24, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” The only thing the Bible says about “faith only” salvation is that it is “NOT by faith only.”

There are some examples of those who had faith in the Lord, but were not saved. First, the example James gives is the demons (Jas. 2:19). They believed in God, but were not saved. They even confessed Jesus as the Christ (Mk. 1:23, 24). They were not saved because their belief did not lead them to obedience. Rather, they lived in rebellion.

Another example is found in John 12:42, 43.

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

That these men believed cannot be denied; the Spirit says they believed. That they were lost cannot be denied either. No man can place the praise of men above the praise of God and be saved. When this happens, a man is not the servant of Christ (Gal. 1:10). Who will argue that one can be a servant of Christ while seeking to please men above Him?

Salvation, then, requires more than belief in Jesus.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter established Jesus as the Christ (Acts 2:16-36). Many in the audience were convicted and asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter’s response was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). If all humanity were standing before Peter that day, would he have given a different command? No. We know, therefore, that all believers are to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins; for salvation.

We also know from the New Testament that we must confess Jesus as the Christ.

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Rom. 10:9-13).

Jesus will not confess us before the Father if we do not confess Him before men (Lk. 12:8, 9). Yes, there is a certain aspect of this confession that involves daily living. However, as in Romans 10 there is a verbal confession that is made with the mouth. An example of this being done is in the conversion of the Ethiopian. After Philip preached Jesus to him, they came to some water (Acts 8:35, 36). The Eunuch asked Philip what hindered him from being baptized. Philip told him he had to believe in Jesus. At this, the Eunuch confessed Jesus as the Christ and was promptly baptized (Acts 8:37, 38). This is a biblical example of belief, confession, and baptism.

The Bible also records the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and drag them back to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1, 2). The Lord appeared to him on the road (Acts 9:3-9). In the conversation it is apparent that Saul believed Jesus is the Christ. He said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:6). Will anyone deny Saul believed in Jesus at this point?

When Saul went into Damascus, he was penitent and praying (Acts 9:9, 11). No doubt, he was deeply grieved over the knowledge he had been fighting the Lord and persecuting the true children of God. We have no record of his prayers in this period, but it does not seem a far stretch to imagine his humility and petitioning of mercy before God’s throne. Nevertheless, at this point he was a believing, penitent, praying man.

Later in his life Paul recalls the events of the day when Ananias came to him. When Ananias arrived, he said to Paul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). A believing, penitent, praying man was told to get up and be baptized to have his sins washed away. This does not fit the mold of denominational preaching. Pastors will not tell a man to do this. The typical pastor of today would have told Paul that he was saved on the road when he believed and could rejoice because his sins were already forgiven. The Lord’s chosen messenger, however, told him to get up and have his sins washed away in baptism.

We see, then, that salvation is not by faith only. The average pastor will claim it is. He would never tell you salvation is NOT by faith only. Yet, that is exactly what the Holy Spirit revealed in many passages and specifically so stated in James 2:24. To whom shall we listen?

Five Things A Pastor Won’t Tell You 3

3. Denominations Are Not The New Testament Church of Christ.

Have you ever heard a pastor admit this? Fact is, he probably doesn’t understand the concept very well. He may think his church is a “New Testament” church. He sees himself as a Christian, not Jew or something else. He would emphatically claim allegiance to Christ. However, when examined in light of the New Testament, the church he leads will fall far short of the Church of Christ.

Name. Most churches have names that are not found in the New Testament. Men chosen different ways of describing themselves, to distinguish themselves from others. For instance, those who followed Marin Luther called themselves Lutherans to distinguish themselves from Roman Catholics and let people know what they believed. Baptist called themselves such to let all know that baptism was integral to being a member of their church; namely adult baptism as opposed to those who sprinkled infants. Presbyterians are named after their form of church government, which distinguishes them from Methodists. All of these names and designations for the church are not found in the New Testament. They are extra-biblical; the doctrines of men (Matt. 15:7-9).

The Church in the New Testament is described in various ways, any of which is scriptural to use today. God’s people are collectively (universally and congregationally) known as the church (Acts 2:47; Matt. 18:17), the church of God (1 Cor. 1:2), the church(es) of Christ (Rom. 16:16), the body of Christ (Eph. 4:17), the kingdom (Col. 1:13, 18; Matt. 13:13), the house of God (1 Tim. 3:15). Each of these names describes a different relationship the church maintains. The church is merely those called out of the world, when attached to God or Christ it shows to whom the church belongs. The body describes a needed relationship between the various parts of the body and also submission to the Head’s direction (Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:4). The kingdom shows a governmental organization, a monarchy specifically, with rights for its citizens. House tells us the church is a family too with God as the Father and Jesus as the elder Brother (Heb. 2:11-14).

We know the names found in the New Testament are scriptural and pleasing to God, for He gave them. Those invented and used by men are without divine inspiration. They assume a place of authority that God has not given. A pastor will not teach this.

Note: Sometimes a church is designated by its location and/or those who are part of it (1 Thes. 1:1; Col. 4:16; Rev. 2:1; 3:14). This is never intended to be an official name where people in Rome would call themselves the church of Ephesus.

Organization/leadership. Generally, denominations have one man leading the local church. This is true even if their national or international organization is headed by a council. The typical leader in a church is a “pastor.” He is the minister and overseer of the work. There may be boards, but everyone knows who leads the church.

The Bible reveals something dramatically different. In the New Testament there is always a plurality of leaders in a local congregation. These men are variously described as elders (presbyter), bishops (overseers), or pastors (shepherds). There were “elders” at the church in Ephesus who were to “shepherd” (pastor) the flock of God among them (Acts 20:17, 28). These men who were elders had to meet certain qualifications to serve in the office and were also known as bishops (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim. 3:1-7). Again, there was always a plurality (2 or more) serving in local churches (Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:17). These terms were never used as titles, but merely descriptions of their duties or sphere of labor.

Today, men serve as the “Pastor.” Many love the important sounding titles, which are contrary to Jesus’ teaching (Matt. 23:2-12). They often lack the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9). Many are single men, when the Bible says they must be married with believing children. When they serve as the leader, they violate the scriptural principle of multiple leaders.

Also worthy of notice is the fact that an elder/pastor is distinct from a preacher/evangelist (Eph. 4:11). They are two different duties. One oversees the local church, the other serves as a teacher. Some of their labors may overlap, but nevertheless, they are different “offices.” Your average pastor will not acknowledge this.

Worship. Nearly all churches have forgotten worship is directed by God. He has revealed His will on the matter and not left it to man. The Holy Spirit guided the apostles and prophets into all truth (Jn. 16:13). There was not a truth they did not receive in New Testament times that we do not have today, and vice versa. Since the close of the New Testament near 100 AD, there has been no new revelation. Hence, all we know about God’s will for worship is in the New Testament of Jesus Christ; recorded and preserved for all generations.

The gospel reveals the saints engaged in five activities in their assemblies. They studied revelation, gave of their material possessions, observed the Lord’s supper, prayed, and sang songs (Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19). Let’s break it down. The “apostles’ doctrine” of Acts 2:42 is the teaching/studying done by the congregation. This is the preaching part of the worship (Acts 20:7). The “fellowship” of Acts 2 is the giving on the first day of the week, which was often used to help saints in need (1 Cor. 16:1, 2; Acts 4:32-37; 6:1-6). The churches also commemorated the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection with the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (Matt. 26:17, 26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). They did this on the first day of the week in the assembly (Acts 20:7). They prayed frequently (Acts 12:5). Saints also sang in the assembly (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). This was a simultaneous, reciprocal activity—a congregational activity, not a choir activity. They taught and admonished one another in this manner.

The typical pastor will go beyond what is revealed and direct a church in using instrumental music and incorporating multiple forms of entertainment into a worship service. He is leading the church outside the doctrine of Christ, and is therefore corrupting their worship (2 Jn. 9; Matt. 15:7-9).

If the typical church is not following the New Testament teaching of what a church is in name, organization, or worship, then it is not a New Testament church. It does not belong to Christ. Rather, it is a product of the traditions of men. Pastor help perpetuate this, leading people beyond and away from the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9). Such ought to be rejected; embracing the New Testament as the sole guide for the church (2 Jn. 10, 11; Col. 3:17).

Five Things A Pastor Won’t Tell You 1

1. Baptism Is Essential For Salvation.

Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). Pastors want to quibble about this and say that the only condition for condemnation is non-belief. Fundamentally, this reasoning is flawed because if you do not believe you will not be scripturally baptized. Too, the two conditions given for salvation are belief and baptism.

By inspiration Peter told believers on Pentecost to “repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Again, pastors will explain this away by saying “for” in this verse means “because of.” The exact same language is used in Matthew 26:28 where Jesus said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” The “for” in this verse cannot be “because of,” otherwise Jesus shed His blood after men had their sins forgiven.

When Ananias spoke to Saul for the first time, he said, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). This was said to Saul after he spent three days in repentance and prayer (Acts 9:9, 11). No pastor can honestly contradict this. Saul believed on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:6), but he was told three days later to have his sins washed away in baptism.

All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3). In Him we are chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven (Eph. 1:4-7). The Bible teaches the way into Christ, into those spiritual blessings, is through immersion in water.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3, 4).

We put on Christ in baptism based on our faith in Him, repenting of our sins, and confessing Him with our mouth (Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26, 27). Denominational pastors do not teach this.

Paul wrote that sins are cut off and cast away in baptism (Col. 2:11, 12). It is not through an individual’s efforts that God is somehow indebted to him. Rather, being baptized for salvation is a matter of humble submission to our Lord’s commands. Notice, Paul says we are “raised with Him through faith in the working of God.” He did not say that being immersed in the water and raised again had anything to do with faith in the working of man. It is faith in the working of God. God does the forgiving through the blood of His Son. It is simply our part to believe in this as we obey the command. Pastors will not preach it, to their eternal shame.

Future Subjects On Five Things A Pastor Won’t Tell You

2. Jesus Will Not Rule On Earth For 1,000 Years.

3. Denominations Are Not The New Testament Church of Christ.

4. Faith Alone Will Not Save You.

5. Some Believers Will Burn In Hell.

Episcopals Split

We all saw it coming years ago and it has now finally happened. The Episcopal Church is officially split with the founding of the Anglican Church in North American (AP report).

One of the main issues that drove a wedge in the Anglican fellowship was homosexuality. In 2003 the Episcopal Church ordained an avowed homosexual as a bishop. Conservatives in the church were very upset, with some churches and dioceses pulling away as time went by without change. The new Anglican Church in North American claims to represent true Anglican beliefs.

There are some lessons in all of this.

Lesson 1: Homosexuals are pushing their agenda, trying to force others to not only tolerate their “lifestyle,” but also approve it. They have been very successful at this for many years now. Just think, 10 years ago hardly anyone would have thought states would legalize same-sex marriages. Yet, we have it and it will soon be nationwide.

Lesson 2: Homosexuality is still a sin (1 Cor. 6:9, 10). Just because a major religious body or several of them or state governments approve and promote it does not make it right. Paul described homosexuality as “vile,” “against nature,” “shameful,” and “debased” (Rom. 1:26-28). Every person who believes the Bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God agrees and does not approve homosexuality.

Lesson 3: The Episcopal Church is in error. It is a false religion. Not only does it accept and approve homosexuals, but it is fundamentally contrary to God’s will. When you search the New Testament, you will never find anything like the Episcopal Church. It is an outgrowth of Roman Catholicism via the Church of England. In fact, it was the Church of England in this nation until the Revolution (anything “England” wasn’t popular then). Anyway, its establishment, organization, worship, and doctrine are not in harmony with the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9-11).

Lesson 4: The new Anglican Church in North America is fundamentally wrong too. Yes, it is good that they took a stand against ordaining homosexuals, but they have much further to go to be right with God. The Anglican Church is not in the New Testament. We suspect it will be organized essentially the same as the Episcopal Church, have the same basic worship, and nearly identical doctrines (save homosexuality and a few other things). Instead of representing “true Anglican beliefs” they should strive to represent “true New Testament” beliefs (Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11).

Lesson 5: The Episcopal Church was not established one year and began ordaining homosexuals the next. Rather, the moral degradation of the church took many decades, perhaps a century or more. When they were founded on unbiblical principles and continued to drift away from the truth of the Gospel, it was inevitable that they corrupt themselves in every facet of religion (2 Tim. 3:13). The Bible warns us to take heed lest we drift (Heb. 2:1, 2). We need to be very careful about the steps we take, because in years to come we may not recognize the church anymore.

No doubt, this is not the last we will hear of the split in American Anglicanism, nor is it the last religious body that will be affected by the homosexual agenda. Our duty is to stick to the New Testament, never compromise, and strive to teach our neighbors the truth.