I have my reasons for so "dubbing" this tract. Those who aren't of the "honest and good hearted" variety of whom Jesus spoke in the parable of the "sower," recorded both in (Luke 8 and Matthew 13), may take offense to the things I have written here. Jesus said of some whom the disciples may come across-"Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend (tear ket) you" (Matthew 7:6 KJV).
Was Jesus Advising Them To "Judge" Their Prospects?
That seems to be exactly what He is telling them. If that was His advice for first century disciples, is it any less essential for us today? I think not. The only person whom one may teach and convert to Christ, is one who is honest and either seeking to know more about Jesus and His truth, or who can be stirred up by our approach so he becomes a seeker after truth. I confess that I do not always know when to "shake the dust from my feet" and go on to another, as I attempt to share Christ's truth with my fellow man. Some who seem to be the most unlikely prospects for conversion, are the very ones who "gladly receive His word."
Some whom we would think to be prime prospects for conversion to Christ, are the least apt to
accept any truths that are at odds with their traditional beliefs and or preconceived ideas about
religion.
If You've Read This Far, Read On.....
In this lesson we will set forth in clear readable language what the Bible says regarding who is a "Christian" and when this conversion from a child of Satan to a child of God takes place. It is obvious from what Jesus says will take place come judgement day, that there will be many who led very "spiritual lives," to whom He will say "...I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity (Greek ANOMIA) (Matthew 7:23)."
Preceding this statement in fact He said-"Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (the Lord's church kt); but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say unto Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Thy name, and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name do many mighty works? And I will profess unto them, "I never knew you...(Matthew 7:21-23)." Jesus is only the Savior of such as accept His "Lordship" over their lives. He asked some of His day, "And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say (Luke 6:46)?" There are multitudes who claim to be "Christians" who have yet to submit their will to the will of Christ as found in the "Great Commission" recorded in (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:44-49).
In lawlessness (ANOMIA), they have bought into the Protestant idea that one is saved the moment one accepts Jesus as one's personal Savior, apart from obeying the gospel and without membership in Christ's blood bought church. In my "Crusade Edition" of Billy Graham's New Testament under the heading of "How To Become A Christian?" Mr. Graham wrote, "Eternal life is yours the moment you believe (Pg.8)." In Hiscox "Standard Manual For Baptist Churches" (Southern Baptist that is, ket), Mr. Hiscox wrote on page 62 concerning "Justification" the following:
Never mind that Mr. Hiscox had previously written on the preceding page, "..salvation of sinners is wholly of grace.." (Pg. 61 IV The Way of Salvation). If this wasn't sufficiently tainted with Calvinism, let us read what he said about "regeneration" in yet another place in this same Manual.
Did you catch that? One is "regenerated" first, then one repents and believes according to the
Southern Baptist Church Manual). John Calvin couldn't have agreed more! Christ disagrees. So
do I! Saved before faith or repentance? So say the doctrines of uninspired men.
What Happens to The Great Commission?
We cited the "Great Commission" passages above which call upon men to do something before they are forgiven. None of them suggest that man is depraved so as to need a direct operation of the Holy Spirit before one can hear, believe, and obey Christ's instructions. What does the Southern Baptist Manual say about baptism as taught in these commission passages? It says they do not mean what they say. What do they say?
.."He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16)."
"...Repentance and remission of sins..(Luke 24:47).
"...baptized in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
Now that you have read those, next read the following: (Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47; Acts 8:12-13; Acts 9:1-6; 22:16; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Hebrews 10:22; Ephesians 5:26; Acts 8:26-39; Acts 16:22-34).
Now read what Mr. Hiscox wrote and what every Baptist preacher or member with whom I have ever discussed this matter, has to say to the contrary!
Until what? Until you remember that they often run to the penitent thief on the cross as "proof" that one can go to heaven without ever being baptized! If salvation is "wholly by grace" (Ibid pg. 61), and "solely through faith"-a flat contradiction ket (Ibid pg. 62), then of course baptism plays no part in one's salvation from alien sins. But notice some conclusions from this premise:
I have often heard Baptist preachers say concerning salvation: "No church." No works." Nothing but faith in Jesus Christ is essential to one's soul's salvation." Think about this: One cannot become a Baptist without being baptized by immersion by an ordained Baptist "Pastor" into some local Baptist fellowship! This leads my brethren and me to conclude the following:
The church of Christ was "planned from eternity" by God and shows His wisdom according to Paul's inspired epistle to the Ephesian brethren (Ephesians 3:1-21). God is glorified through Christ in this one body. Out of this body one is yet to be "reconciled unto God..by the cross" (Ephesians 2:16). All spiritual blessings are "in Christ" (Ephesians 1;3). The spiritual sphere of being "in Christ" and of being "in the church of Christ" are identical spheres or relationships, entered into by the same process of conversion. This occurs when one hears, believes, repents, confesses one's faith in Jesus and is immersed into His death for the forgiveness of sins by His blood. Baptism is the final act of the "birth of water and of the Spirit" which changes one's state or relationship from out of,"into Christ and into His church" (John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:22; Romans 6:16-18; Colossians 2:12; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:22-38, 41, 47).
The sphere of being "in Christ" and being in the church of Christ are identical spheres or
relationships, entered into by the same process called conversion. This occurs when one hears,
believes, repents, confesses one's faith in Jesus and is immersed (baptized) into His death for the
forgiveness of sins by Christ's blood. This is why we teach that "baptism is the final act of the new
birth of water and of the Spirit" which changes one's state or relationship from "out of," "into
Christ and into His church" (John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:22; Romans 6:3-6;16-18; Colossians 1:13-14;
2:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47).
Are You A Member of Christ's Blood Bought New Testament Church? That Is To Say Have You
Been "Born Again of Water and of The Spirit" "Into Christ" and Into This Relationship?
Paul shows clearly when this takes place. He wrote to the Romans, saying, "Know ye not, that to
whom ye present yourselves as servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of
sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were
the servants of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." The "form of doctrine"
they obeyed was in keeping with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, was their own death to
the intent to continue in sin when their faith lead them to repent and be immersed into the death of
Christ to be raised to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-6; 16-18). If you haven't done the
same, you are still "out of Christ" and "out of His blood bought church."