June 6, 2004

Mural Worthey

Cawson Street Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia

Introduction

Our Gospel Meeting begins next Sunday. In view of that effort, this message concerning the lost is presented. In religion, there are several serious errors taught about the lost of the world. These seven do not cover all of the errors, but they do represent many of them.

One of the great differences between Judas and Paul is that Paul accepted the grace of God to forgive his persecutions and murders, but Judas did not accept God’s grace. Recall also the difference between Peter who denied the Lord and Judas who betrayed him. Both did grievous wrongs; but Peter sought after and accepted forgiveness. It is a tragic thing for a person to condemn himself when the Lord is ready to forgive him. Some seem to believe that they are beyond redemption, that they had done too much evil, or that they cannot turn back now. All such reasoning places too much emphasis upon self and does not depend upon God. What does God have to say about our sins—bad things, evil matters, and dark secrets?

The disciples asked Jesus once, Who then can be saved? He replied, "With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27.) It is wrong for a person to think that he deserves salvation because he has not done much wrong in his life. We have not killed anyone like Paul did, or deny the Lord like Peter did, or commit adultery and murder like David did. It is likewise wrong for a person to think that he has done more than God can forgive, or more than Jesus can bear to the cross. It is a serious error to think that God cannot or will not forgive our sins—all of our sins. Do not under-estimate the power of Jesus’ blood, the extent of the mercy of God, and the depth of the love of God. I like the song: "The Love of God," page 646, Praise For the Lord.

A religious body known as Universalist Unitarians believe that in the end everyone will be saved—thus the name Universalists. The term Unitarian reflects their denial of the Trinity. They reject the idea that Jesus is equal to God and thus divine. Thus, they have no Savior. This body openly fellowships homosexuals and another known sinners. This is a dangerous doctrine because it deceives people into thinking that they are saved while living a life of sin! The major doctrines of Christianity: the Virgin birth of Jesus, the resurrection from the dead and the divinity of Jesus are all rejected by the Universalists.

I am a universalist in the sense that Jesus died for every man and bore his sins to the cross. (Heb. 2:9.) Also, God desires the universal salvation of mankind. Paul wrote, "God, who would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." "(1 Tim. 2:4.) It is a great biblical truth that it is possible for everyone to be saved. He has made ample provisions for everyone. There is no demanding reason that any should be lost. It is unnecessary and tragic for anyone to be lost—boy or girl, man or woman, young or old. However, contrary to all these great truths, everyone will not be saved because they do not desire it or believe the Gospel.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. 7:13-14.)

This is a shocking doctrine for many of us; yet it is believed by several related religious bodies. Those who follow the teachings of Augustine and John Calvin readily embrace this view. They believe that among the lost are young children and even infants. Calvin taught that little infants, no longer than a hand’s breath, would be lost forever!

The doctrine that little children are lost is the consequence or logical conclusion of another false doctrine. It is true that since Adam and Eve sinned, sin has entered into our world with every person who is born. (Rom. 5:12.) It is true that every person born of Adam will sin. Because of this, some embrace the doctrine of hereditary total depravity. That is, we all sin and we do so because we have inherited a depraved nature from Adam. Some have gone to the opposite extreme and teach that we do not receive anything from Adam, but rather that each person sins and has his own fall. It is true that we all sin and we will be judged by what we have done, not by what Adam and Eve did.

We know that sin and death in our world is the result of the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Death has entered our world as a result of sin. (Rom. 5:12, 6:23.) Innocent children and people die because of this curse of death. But even so, we need not say that little children and infants have inherited Adam’s sin and will be lost forever unless they are baptized. Here are some biblical reasons for not believing that infants are lost without baptism. 1) Why do they need just baptism? Why not faith and repentance? 2) There is no example of any little children or infants being baptized (or sprinkled) in the Scriptures. In the Bible only adults are baptized. 3) Jesus taught that adults should be converted and become like little children. (Matt. 18:1-5.) 4) Little children cannot hear and understand the Gospel. But faith comes by hearing. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Rom. 10:17, Heb. 11:6.)

Another serious error concerning the lost is that unbaptized adults are saved. These are extreme and opposite doctrines—that unbaptized infants are hopelessly lost, but unbaptized adults are saved! There are many in the Protestant religious world that so believe.

In view of so many passages teaching the necessity of baptism for salvation, it is unusual, to say the least, to believe that adults are saved even though they are unbaptized. According to this view these "saved" adults are believers in the Lord. They have repented and changed their lives morally to follow the Lord. Since they are good people who believe in the resurrected Son of God, some believe that they must be saved.

Why do people believe such a thing in view of the clear passages of the Bible on salvation including baptism? They so believe because: 1) they classify baptism as a work of men, instead of an act of obedience, 2) they cannot harmonize justification by faith and the requirement of baptism, 3) and because there are many devoted, unbaptized believers, and 4) they view baptism as simply something physical without any spiritual meaning related to salvation.

I offer the following as good reasons for adults accepting baptism as necessary for salvation. 1) Many clear passages connect baptism and salvation, (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Luke 7:29-30, Rom. 6:17-18.) 2) Luke recorded that the Pharisees who rejected John’s baptism also rejected the counsel of God against themselves (7:29-20), and 3) the new birth includes immersion in water (John 3:3-5). 4) Many adult believers have received immersion even though they claim it was unnecessary.

It is a serious matter to think that God has foreordained who will be lost and saved. Some things that we believe do not carry such serious consequences, but this one does. If one thinks that God has already determined one’s destiny, one will not be as ready to search and study to know what to do to become a Christian. Those who believe such will have a fatalistic view of life and eternity. There is nothing that one can do about one’s own salvation.

Listen to these words: "That Christ did not die for all men, but only for the elect; that God created the greater part of mankind for eternal damnation, and wills not that the greater part should be converted and live; that the elected and regenerated can not lose faith and the Holy Spirit, or be damned, though they commit great sins and crimes of every kind; that those who are not elect are necessarily damned, and cannot arrive at salvation, though they be baptized a thousand times and receive the Eucharist every day and lead as blameless a life as ever can be led." (The Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 3, Philip Schaff, 189.)

As we have asked with each of these errors, so do we again. Why would people believe that God has determined the number of the saved and lost so that it cannot be increased nor diminished? (Schaff, 609.) It is taught and believed because of an extreme view of the sovereignty of God, and a denial of the freewill of man. That is, if God is all-powerful and rules as a King in the heavens, then surely nothing happens except that he wills it to be so. Therefore, some conclude that God chooses who will be saved, but man does not have that right.

Here are some good reasons for not believing this doctrine of foreordination and predestination: 1) The Bible says that God desires or wills all men to be saved. (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4.) 2) The Bible describes God as no respecter of persons. If God loves all men and he does, then why would he choose to condemn some and save others? 3) God in his sovereignty can choose to allow men to choose to follow Jesus or not. 4) Unless we are deluded, it appears that we are making decisions for good or evil. That is our experience. 5) Scriptures encourage and urge men to choose life and salvation. (Deut. 30:15, 19, Rev. 22:17.)

Some seemingly have convinced themselves that even if they are lost the consequences will not be severe. Those who disregard Scripture have become accustomed to marking out and changing whatever they desire. Deits, like Thomas Jefferson, do not hesitate to disregard all miraculous elements in Scripture. Others, who do not like the biblical teaching about eternal punishment for evil doers, likewise blot out that doctrine from God’s Word. Sinners have convinced themselves that there is little to no consequence for disobedience to God.

All such thinking stands in bold contrast with the teaching of the Bible. Prophets, preachers, apostles and our Lord all with one voice declared that there is serious and eternal consequence if one is lost in sin. Sin is always serious. It harms, hurts, and destroys. It causes both physical and spiritual death. (Rom. 6:23.)

We need to remember these biblical statements: 1) Jesus said, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal." (Matt. 25:46.) 2) "And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. He cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame." (Luke 16:22-24.) 3) "The Son of man goes as it is written of him. But woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born." (Matt. 26:24.) Jesus said these things concerning Judas who betrayed him. 4) "He that despised Moses’ Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite the spirit of grace?" (Heb. 10:28-29.)

Most people admit that all humans being are flawed, in one way or another. Some do not admit, however, that such flaws are sins and evil. They deny that such broad categories as the saved and lost exist. Yet this is exactly the terminology of the Bible.

"Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Heb. 5:8-9.)

"Eight souls were saved by water, the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us." (1 Peter 3:21.) "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost." (2 Cor. 4:3.)

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor. 1:18.)

Christians are not perfect, but they are saved in Christ, by his grace and mercy. If one believes in the resurrected Christ, submits his life by faith to him and follows Him, he is differ from one who rejects Jesus Christ, does not obey the Gospel, and does not follow Him. A Christian is not better than a non-Christian, but he is in a differ state spiritually from one who is not a Christian.