The intent of this page is to explore various teachings that have been, and are being taught today as being the truth. We must keep in mind that the scripture tells us about doctrines of devils. So we can't accept everything that we hear and as being true. We will explore different doctrines from time to time. If you have a doctrinal question please send an email to: egpreachnc@yahoo.com
Of all the teachings, we must keep in mind that in one way or another they all relate to sin.
Baptism is one doctrine in particular that has been the source of much controversy. Let us consider some teachings concerning baptism.
1) Baptism for the remission of sins, or in other words getting baptize takes away or removes sin. This teaching is derived from Acts 2:38. " Then Peter said them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Let's take into account all that Peter said to those that were 'pricked' to the heart. when they asked him "..what shall we do?" The first word out of Peter's mouth was REPENT. First repent, this is consistant with John the Baptist when he would not baptize the Pharisees and Sadducees until they brought forth FRUITS MEETS FOR REPENTANCE! In other words, I will not baptize you until you first repent.
Repent means 'to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of ones life'. So when we consider the question that was asked to Peter and his response we will see this, they asked 'what shall we do?' he answered, turn from sin and dedicate your life to God.
Peter told them Repent AND be baptized for the remission of sins. First of all baptism is an outward sign of an inward work. Just like when a leper was healed of their disease they were to go to show themsevles to the priest so that the priest could declare them clean, then the leper was to wash themselves in water. Lev. 14. The purpose of washing was so that the people would know that the leper was now clean.
Salvation or the removal of sin is a direct result of believing in Jesus Christ and asking for forgiveness. See Rom. 10: 9-10. Also see Mark 16:16 He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be saved. Infants are not capable of believing therefore they should not be baptized. Since baptism does not remove sin, why bother to baptize a baby????????
Baptism requires the assistance of another person, one cannot baptize themself. So if baptism was the means in which sins were removed then a person could not be saved until they found someone willing to baptize them. The Bible teaches no such thing that baptism removes sin. We must however be baptize in obedience to the word of God. Mark 16: 16
The doctrinal teaching of eternal security or once saved always saved, has to be the worst of all the false doctrines on earth. To teach that a person retains their salvation regardless of how they live is a tragedy of the worst kind .
Why make such a statement? First let us consider the doctrinal teaching. The basis for this doctrine can be found in John 6:37 'All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' Also, John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.' Their claim is that once you are born into the family of God, you will always be a child of God, just as with your natural family. A person DOES NOT choose their natural family. Spritual birth is a choice.
Is Jesus teaching eternal security or eternal salvation? Eternal security would in fact mean that once saved always, eternal salvation would mean that Jesus will never cast you away and that no external force can take it away from you or take you away from God. Jesus is letting us know that we can be confident that upon accepting salvation we can rest in the fact the it will stand up to whatever and He will always be there for us. '...I will in no wise cast out...' There is no time limit as to how long a person can stay with Christ, you can stay as long as you keep the commandments! '...And no man is able to pluck them out my father's hand. As long as a person keeps the word of God there is no outside force that will take their salvation away!
If Jesus taught eternal security He certainly would have told that to the believers right? Did He? John chapter 8:30-31 'As he spake these words, MANY BELIEVED on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which BELIEVED on him, IF ye CONTINUE in my word, THEN are ye my disciples indeed; If salvation is an automatic guaranteed of heaven why would Jesus tell the BELIEVERS of the condition of CONTINUING IN HIS WORD?
Does the Scripture give us examples of those who lost salvation after having received it?
2 Peter 2;20- 22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happen unto them according to the true proverb, THE DOG IS TURN TO HIS OWN VOMIT AGAIN; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Acts 1:25 ... which Judas BY TRANSGRESSION FELL...' Hebrews 6:4-6, Ezek chapters 18, and 33, Rom. ch. 11
Those who proclaim such falseness state that, once a person obtains salvation, that their salvation is secure. So according to their teaching even if a person DECIDES NOT TO BE SAVED ANY LONGER, God will keep them saved against their will.
Let the word of God be true.
Lets deal with the basic Bible teaching of Salvation. As stated in the opening paragragh, that all doctrines have to do with sin. Lets keep in mind when deal with doctrine that sin is the issue.
Purpose for Jesus coming; Matt. 1: 21 'And she shall bring forth a son, and thou call his name JESUS and for shall save his people from their sins.' This verse alone sets the stage to let us know that the condition of man was sinful. Jesus came into a sinful world. Ecc 7:20 'For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.' Also Romans 3 : 10 bears this same thought. ' AS IT IS WRITTEN, there is none righteous, no not one' Romans 3:23 'For all HAVE sinned and come short of the glory of God.'
Through these passages it is clear that Jesus came into a world that was laden with sin. And certainly all men weresinners that is why according to, 1John 1:8 'If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.' No one can say that they were without sin, and therefore they have no need of salvation.
Salvation is obtain thourgh Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 Neither is there savaltion in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' NONE OTHER NAME, this includes Allah, Jehovah, Joseph Smith, etc. etc. Salvation is not obtain by merely sitting on a mourners bench!
When a person obtains or receives salvation the sin stops! John 1:12 ' But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:' Think about it this, a sinning son of God? Romans 10:9-10' That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteouness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'
Believe in Jesus and thou shalt be saved. What does Jesus have to say to the believers? John 8:30-32 'As he spake these words many BELIEVED on him. Then said Jesus to those jews that BELIEVED on him, IF ye continue in my word , then are ye my disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. Free from what? SIN of course. Continue in his word, no way one can continue in the word of God and sin. 1 John 3:9 ' Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.'
Think about if Jesus came here to this sinful world to save us from sin, and we still sin AFTER believing, what did He accomplish? 1Cor 5:17