On July 4, 2009, Rick Warren addressed the Islamic Society of North America. His speech included absolutely nothing offensive to Muslims. He did not rebuke them for their unbelief or even assert that they should take a hard look at Jesus as the Christ. Rather, he talked about Christians and Muslims working together on social causes. The impression he left with them is they are perfectly fine to reject the Christ and continue in their false religion.

I wrote an article about this that appeared in the September 2009 issue of Truth Magazine. One of the readers of the article sent it on to Rick Warren at Saddleback church. His Chief of Staff, David Chrzan, wrote a reply. You can find a review of one paragraph here. Another paragraph needs attention too because the preposterous claim to biblical purity is made by Chrzan on behalf of Saddleback and Warren.

The paragraph states:

Pastor Rick is Southern Baptist. While Saddleback Church may not look Southern Baptist to most casual observers, we are down the middle Southern Baptist in our theology and doctrinal statements. We are totally committed to reaching the unchurched and contemporary in our worship style, while remaining biblically pure.

“Southern Baptist” is something that cannot be found in the Bible. Never does the New Testament mention a “Southern Baptist” person or congregation. So, how can that be biblically pure?

We can read where the people of God, Christians, were referred to as the “church of God” (1 Cor. 1:2), the “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16), the “churches of Galatia” or “church of the Thessalonians” (Gal. 1:2; 1 Thes. 1:1). The latter designations describe churches by their geographical location. The other two describe the church with reference to ownership or headship—God and Christ. Other terms are found in the Bible to describe God’s people, both collectively and individually, but you will never find “Southern Baptist.” Again, we submit, it is impossible to be “biblically pure” and “Southern Baptist.”

Further, Warren and Saddleback are not just “Southern Baptist,” but “down the middle Southern Baptist.” That screams “moderate!” In other words, they are not conservative Sothern Baptist, but among those who are compromisers. From our perspective Saddleback is misrepresenting itself here. Since they compromise with Christ-denying Muslims, they are extremely liberal Southern Baptists, not “down the middle.”

On Saddleback’s web site, under the “What We Believe” section, it professes multiple things that are biblically impure.

This is what they say about salvation and baptism: “Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith,” and “baptism does not save you.” The Bible plainly teaches that faith alone does not save you. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). It also says baptism does save you. “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism…” (1 Peter 3:21). Rick Warren and Saddleback say baptism does not save you. The Holy Spirit and Peter say it does. Which is biblically pure?

Saddleback’s site also says, “…the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.” The Bible says we must take heed lest we fall (1 Cor. 10:12). Why the warning if it is impossible to fall? The fact is a Christian can fall from grace, as the Galatians did. “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). Too, Paul said, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). Saddleback and Warren say you cannot lose your salvation and there is nothing you can do to keep it. The Bible teaches you can fall from grace and you must put forth effort to secure your final salvation. Who do you think is biblically pure; Warren and Saddleback or Paul and the Holy Spirit?

It is ridiculous for anyone to claim biblical purity while at the same time teaching and practicing the doctrines and commandments of men (Matt. 15:7-9). Sadly, many will not examine Warren’s teaching because of his popularity and the messages he presents are so non-offensive. This is the devil at work, getting people to drop their guard and accept error. Let us not be in that number (Acts 17:11; 1 Thes. 5:21).

The September 2009 issue of Truth Magazine carried one of my In The News articles titled, “Megachurch ‘Pastor’ Rick Warren Abandons The Savior.” It detailed how Rick Warren, author of Purpose Driven Life and many other books, spoke to the Islamic Society of North America. In his speech he said Christians and Muslims must work together to combat stereotypes, promote peace and freedom and solve global problems. Not one word about the need to believe in Jesus as the Savior or lose their souls.

One of Truth Magazine’s readers sent the article to “Pastor Rick” and received a response from his chief of staff, David Chrzan (yes, that is the spelling of his name). You can find the entire reply at here.

One of the paragraph’s stands out above the rest.

Except for his own church, Pastor Rick does very little speaking to Christian groups of believers. Instead, he invests his time speaking to groups of unbelievers that most pastors don’t have the opportunity to share with. He carefully considers the opportunities that God has given him to address these audiences. These folks that Jesus died for, but would never enter a church to hear the Good News. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Luke 5:31 (NIV) Rick believes strongly that if you want to actively demonstrate the love of Christ to others as He commands us to, then you have to reach out to a variety of audiences. No one is ever convinced of God’s love by labeling, condemnation, or anger. Rick strongly believes that if we want to behave in a Christ-like example, we must not waste any time judging others (Jesus didn’t), but instead, do everything we can to build relationships of love and respect and trust with others.

Wow! Can you believe Warren actually pretends to be a Christian, let alone a “pastor”?

There is no problem that a person would choose to speak to non-Christians as opposed to Christians. Peter labored among the Jews while Paul focused on the Gentiles (Gal. 2:8). The problem is with everything else.

To say that Muslims or anyone else “would never enter a church to hear the Good News” is just false. Congregations all over the world have non-believers visit services. Paul admonished the Corinthians to conduct their worship decently and in order so that the non-believing visitors would not think they were crazy (1 Cor. 14:20-25, 40).

“Pastor Rick’s” chief of staff is a deceiver for sure—or is totally deceived himself. Jesus did not say, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” He said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31, NIV). You see, the former quote by Chrzan is false, the latter true. If Warren actually believed what Jesus said, he would have called on the Muslims to repent of their sin of false religion, believing a false prophet, and following false scripture. However, Warren did not do that. Rather, he served up nothingness to the Islamic Society of North America (transcript available online¹).

“No one is ever convinced of God’s love by labeling, condemnation, or anger.” Really? If that is true, the every parent, employer, commanding officer, teacher, and preacher needs to quit right now.

Jesus Christ on labeling: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!…Serpents, brood of vipers…” (Matt. 23:29, 33).

Jesus Christ on condemnation: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you” (Lk. 10:13, 14).

Jesus Christ on anger: “When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables” (Jn. 2:15).

Labeling, condemnation, and anger all have their place in the religion of Christ and life of a true Christian. Error must be clearly identified, exposed, rebuked, and condemned (Rom. 16:17, 18; Eph. 5:11; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; 1 Tim. 1:3; Titus 1:10-13). People will not always like it, but our charge is to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2).

It is because of love that they are labeled, condemned, and righteous anger is stirred. God chastens those whom He loves (Heb. 12:5, 6). The same emotions and similar actions are taken by every parent, employer, commanding officer, teacher, and preacher who loves those in their charge. Can you imagine a military commander not being angry and condemning a member of his unit who endangered the lives of all others or in rebellion endangered his own life?

Jesus did judge others. He judged all of mankind to be in sin and headed to hell unless He gave Himself on the cross. He judged the Jewish leaders to be in sin and headed to hell (Matt. 15:1-14). Because of this judgment, He warned His disciples not to follow them (Matt. 16:5-12). For anyone to claim that Jesus did not judge is either extremely ignorant of God’s word or willfully deceitful to push an anti-biblical agenda. Whichever it is, doom awaits.

“Pastor Rick” is a pathetic excuse for a preacher. He does not have the conviction or courage to “convict the [Muslims] of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jn. 16:8). He is the blind leading the blind. Men and women with respect for the Lord will not follow “Pastor Rick.” Rather, they will follow the great Shepherd of our souls, Jesus Christ—and rebuke and reprove all who do not.

¹Rick Warren’s Speech To Muslims Transcript

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The fact is they cannot.

Various churches teach contradictory doctrines and practice things that are sometimes polar opposites. Sadly, the vast majority of churches teach and practice error. That is not just my opinion, it is taught in Scripture. Jesus said

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7:13, 14).

In the same sermon, the Sermon On The Mount, Jesus said even those who acknowledge Him as Lord will be lost because they do not do the “will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). There are religious people, those who believe in Jesus as the Savior, who live outside the boundary of His Law, the gospel. He said these “practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23).

Are you part of a religious group that practices lawlessness? No doubt, you do not want to be, but might be by mistake. It may be you grew up not knowing any better or accepted the invitation of a friend to go to church or have just been searching yet not found the truth yet.

Do not take my word or any other person’s word for truth.

The only way you will know what is right and what is wrong is by going to the one-and-only standard, God’s word. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). It is the word by which we will be judged one day (Jn. 12:48). You will not be judged by my word or the pope’s word or your preacher’s word or your parent’s word. We shall stand before Christ and give an account according to His word.

Whenever someone tells you something concerning your soul, test it by the Bible (Acts 17:11).

So, are you convinced that your current religious practices are according to the Bible, God’s word?

Here is a little test to see. This does not cover everything, but might raise some “red flags” that you need to look at closer.

Can you find the name of your church in the Bible?

Can you find the denomination (religious group) of which you are a part in the Bible?

Think about how your church is organized and who has control and/or authority. Is this in the New Testament?
(Church headquarters, hierarchy, priesthood, etc.)

The things your church does when it gathers to worship, are they in the Bible?
(Instrumental music, baptizing babies, entertainment, etc.)

What type of work is your church involved in? Is it in the New Testament?
(pizza parties, craft classes, rummage sales, car washes, etc.)

Do you think Jesus would be comfortable at one of the church’s youth gatherings?

There are many other issues to consider, but think about these for a little while.

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.

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).

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?

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).

2. Jesus Will Not Rule On Earth For 1,000 Years. The overwhelming majority of denominations teach that Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth and reign for 1,000 years. The typical pastor will tell you at some point in the future there will be a rapture in which the righteous will be taken to heaven. Following this, there will be seven years of tribulation on earth when people get a second chance to receive Christ. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus will return with the righteous taken in the rapture, gather them with the tribulation saints, and establish His throne in Jerusalem. This is called Premillennialism and it has only one problem. It is utterly false.

There is too much in Premillennialism to answer in just one article. Thus, we will stick to some of the bigger points.

Neither the word nor the concept of the “rapture” is in the Bible. It is true the saints, both living and dead, will be taken with Jesus to heaven when He returns (1 Thes. 4:13-17). Note that these will remain with Him in heaven forever (1 Thes. 4:17). There will not be any returns to earth seven years later. Too, when the righteous are raised, the dead will be too; Jesus said the same hour. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice, and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (Jn. 5:28, 29). It also seems anti-biblical to teach that saints will go to heaven for seven years then return to earth for 1,000, and then go back to heaven for eternity. Something is wrong with that picture.

Connected to the Premillennial concept of the rapture and tribulation is that Jesus’ return will be invisible, but there will be signs indicating it is near. The return of Christ will be both visible and audible (Acts 1:11; 1 Thes. 4:16). A text used in support of “signs” of His return is Matthew 24. There the disciples commented to Jesus about the temple and He told them it would be destroyed (Matt. 24:1, 2). A little later they asked Him about it. They thought they were asking one question, when they were actually asking two. They said, “[1] When will these things be? And [2] what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3). They could not conceive of the temple being destroyed unless it was the end of the world and Judgment.

In answering these questions, Jesus explained there will two different events. First, there would be the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24:4-35). He warned them to watch for signs leading up to this so they could escape the tribulation of those days (Matt. 24:15-21). This tribulation is not worldwide, but tied to Judea. “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matt. 24:16). If it was worldwide, no escape would be possible. They are also told to pray that their escape is not on the Sabbath. Why? Because the gates of Jerusalem would be shut on the Sabbath.

Some raise the issue of Jesus coming on the clouds in verse 30. This is similar to the language in Isaiah 19:1, when God is described as judging Egypt. It is prophetic language. In Matthew 24:4-35, Jesus is talking about God judging Israel generally and Jerusalem specifically.

In Matthew 24:36, Jesus makes it clear that no one knows when “that day” will occur; only God. This is where He answers the question about the end of the age, the Judgment. It will be like in the days of Noah when there were no signs (Matt. 24:37-39). The only warning people were given was that a judgment, the flood, was coming. This is all the warning we are given. We are to simply be ready at all times, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44). How can Jesus speak of the same event by saying watch for the signs (Matt. 24:15) and there is no way to tell when it will happen (Matt. 24:36)? He is either contradicting Himself (which He is not), or He is speaking of two different occasions (which He is).

As for one being taken and the other left, Premillennial pastors say that is the rapture, when people will all of a sudden disappear and those left on earth will wonder what happened (Matt. 24:40, 41). This actually fits right in with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. When Jesus comes back in final judgment, only the righteous will be “taken up” with Him to heaven. The unrighteous will be banished to hell. There is a separation on the last day. That is all Matthew 24:40, 41 is describing.

Finally, Jesus has already established His kingdom. Peter preached that when Jesus was raised, He was raised to sit on David’s throne (Acts 2:22-31). He is now “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He is “King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:15). There are citizens in the kingdom, having been conveyed there by God (Col. 1:13).

There is no way Jesus will have an earthly kingdom, reigning on David’s literal throne in the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah prophesied no more descendents of Coniah would sit on David’s throne in Jerusalem (Jer. 22:30). Jesus is a descending of Coniah, also known as Jeconiah (Matt. 1:11). Hence, He cannot rule on David’s throne in Jerusalem without breaking Jeremiah’s inspired prophecy.

When Pilate asked Jesus about being a king, He said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (Jn. 18:36). Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual, not physical. The battle fought by and for Him is not carnal, but spiritual (2 Cor. 10:3-5). It is a cheap perversion of the Son’s kingdom to say it will be on earth; physical, carnal, worldly. If that is what He wanted, He would have done it the first time.

Much, much more could be said about the errors of Premillennialism. Pastors push it and people believe it. It contradicts the Word of God. Therefore, we must reject it.

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).

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.