Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
The whole pith and marrow of the religion of Christianity lies in the doctrine of “substitution,” and I do not hesitate to affirm my conviction that a very large proportion of “Christians” are not Christians at all, for they do not understand the fundamental doctrine of the Christian creed; and, alas, there are preachers who do not preach, or even believe this cardinal truth.
Herein is some serious straight talk for the soul. Do not personalize the words in a condemnatory way but rather take them in as loving guidance.
The Christians in Thessalonica were urged to adhere to what they had been taught. This passage can furnish no authority for holding the teachings which have come down from church leaders. No one should ever refer to themselves as a Calvinist, an Arminian, a Lutheran, a Wesleyan, and so on. You're either a Christian or you are not.
God, out of the richness of his mercy and his great love, has made you alive, though you were dead in your sins. This is all due to His mercy and your faith and is not a result of any works of your own; although, any works you have are evidence of your faith.
This shows that there is no such doctrine as ‘Once saved, always saved.’ After we accept Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer and dedicating our lives to God, we have only entered the path to salvation, not finished the race.
The Holy Spirit gives true genuine Christians positive assurance that they are saved, born-again Christians. Yes, but how? We get insight into this from the apostle Paul when he wrote to the “holy ones” in the Christian congregation in Rome, wherein he described...
"No one is beyond the scope or power of God to save and recreate into his likeness. God is extravagant in his love and mercy. He has shown mercy to all of us, because all are sinners. We become the exhibit piece of God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness to those we live with and meet along life’s way." - Knute Larson
For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then [after that] have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance
The disciples asked that question of Jesus. Who then can be saved? The Bible answers the question very fully and very plainly. The Bible tells us that there are some people who cannot be saved and that there are some people who can be saved.
“Where art thou?”—Gen. 3:9 My subject is the first question that God ever asked of man. You will find that question in Gen. 3:9, “Where art thou?” God asked the question of Adam. Adam had sinned, and on the evening of that awful day of the first sin, the voice of God in its majesty... Continue Reading →