The Corrupt First Baptist Church Of Jacksonville

Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

Dear friend, I see churches across the United States swelling with rot. They are not growing! They are like dead corpses swelling with rot. As an example: The shameful hip-hop First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida is one of the largest and most influential churches in the country, yet they are Gospel perverts! If you go look at their Statement of Faith, they require FIVE THINGS to be saved! One of these things is to “Stop practicing the sin that is separating you from God.” What blasphemy! Dear friend, nowhere does the Bible require sinners to “Stop practicing the sin” to be saved.

While it is true that our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), it is the blood of Jesus Christ alone that brings us nigh to God. Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” The First Baptist Church Jacksonville is of the Devil, preaching another gospel of partial faith in Christ plus works, playing church without truth. Galatians 1:6-9 teaches that GOD'S CURSE is upon them. They sing their 7-11 (7 words repeated 11 times) sycophantic worship that nauseates God. I don't care how popular a church may be, or how loving the people may be, they are FAR AWAY FROM GOD when they talk about stopping your sins to be saved.

Here is their corrupt Statement of Faith on how to go to Heaven...

HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE? 

CONFESS

Acknowledge your sin. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 JOHN 1:9, NLT 

BELIEVE

God is able to make you holy through Jesus. And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. 1 JOHN 3:23, NLT 

TURN

Stop practicing the sin that is separating you from God. Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! EZEKIEL 18:30, NLT 

ASK

Express to God your desire to be forgiven and made sinless by Him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." ROMANS 10:13, NLT 

TRUST

God has given you eternal life. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 JOHN 5:11–12, NLT [emphasis added]

That is junk theology. Nowhere does the Bible command us to “love one another” to be saved. Nowhere does the Bible command us to “ask” God to save us. The Bible simply teaches to believe. Nowhere does the Bible make a distinction between believing and trusting. The plan of salvation presented by the First Baptist Church Of Jacksonville is utterly confusing. You don't have to trust in addition to believing. That makes no sense at all. Ezekiel 18:30 deals with Israel's sin as a nation, and not God's free gift of salvation. Whoever wrote this plan of salvation for the First Baptist Church Of Jacksonville is woefully ignorant of the Scriptures.

One of the main reasons why so many churches have been corrupted today are all the new Devil's corrupt Bible revisions...

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) - Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT) - Mark 1:15, “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Things that are different are not the same! Do you see what the wicked translators of the New Living Translation (NLT) did to corrupt the Word of God? They ADDED the words “of your sins” after the word repent. In so doing they have corrupted the true meaning of “repent,” which is a Greek verb here (metanoeo) meaning “to think differently.” Obviously thinking differently has nothing to do with the act of making an effort to stop from your sinning.

It makes me sad to see such a big church, with so many happy people, being led astray concerning the Gospel. Dear friend, I don't care how successful your church may be in this world, you are an enemy of the cross of Christ when you pervert the grace of God. All across America we've got a bunch of false teachers today proclaiming that salvation is still by God's grace, while at the same time insisting that you must exchange all that you are for all that Christ is (Dr. John MacArthur), turn away from your sins (Bob Jones University), faithfully run the race (Dr. Steve Pettit), and persevere until the end to receive eternal life (Evangelist Paul Washer). That is a false Gospel, which does not produce the new birth in Christ Jesus!!!

As I just showed you from their own website, the ungodly First Baptist Church Of Jacksonville teaches that the way you “believe” is to stop practicing sin. I am saddened and shocked that thousands of people are accepting this garbage as truth, and merely go along for the sake of fitting in with a group of knuckleheads. I can handle the electric guitars and drums in church. I can handle the women wearing pants in church. I can handle the worldliness in church, although I don't like or approve of it. But I cannot handle a false gospel. But as we see with the First Baptist Church Of Jacksonville, with corrupt doctrine comes corrupt living!

The Tragic Life And Death Of Gangster Al Capone

Psalms 7:11, “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.”  Psalms 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Psalms 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Psalms 11:5: The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalms 11:6, “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.” Psalms 28:4, “Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.” Psalms 32:10, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.” Psalms 34:21, “Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.” Psalms 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” Psalms 37:10, “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.”

Those are some powerful Scripture passages. Arguably, the most infamous gangster in history is Alphonse Gabriel Capone (January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947), sometimes known by the nickname "Scarface." Al Capone was an American Italian gangster and corrupt businessman, who attained notoriety during the Prohibition era (1920-1933) as the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit. His seven-year reign as a crime boss ended when he went to prison at the age of 33. Something about Al Capone's criminal life drew my curiosity right away—he was so young!

Al Capone was born in 1899, the same year that Pastor Dwight L. Moody went to Heaven. Both of these men lived and made their mark on the world in the city of Chicago. That is very interesting! I remember as a boy watching The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre (full movie), which is a Hollywood enactment of one of the most brutal mass-assassinations in history in 1929. I watched the film each year, and never got tired of seeing it, because like so many people in the world I was intrigued by the gangs of the 1920's. Today in Chicago, literally, you'll see giant pictures of Al Capone painted on the side of tall buildings, and all kinds of tributes to Chicago's infamous gangsters of history. It is quite interesting.

St. Valentine's Day Massacre Movie (1967)

In the 1967 film, actor Jason Robards (1922-2000) starred as Al Capone, making him about age 45 at the time the movie was made. But in real life, in 1929 at the time of the massacre in Chicago, Capone was only 30 years old. So Al Capone was much younger in real life than the movie portrays him to be, as an older mob boss. In real life, Capone died in Florida at age 47. One thing that amazes me is the loyalty of Al Capone's wife Mae. She was an Irish Catholic. She stayed married to Al Capone despite his infamous life as a mob boss! Women and men back then in America still believed once married, always married, the way it should be!!! Today in 2020, 69% of American women initiate divorce, and 90% for college women. Shame!

Contrary to what many people think, Al Capone wasn't a senseless murderer, he almost always killed thugs who were hired to come kill him first. In a few cases he killed people who owed him a lot of money, or became informants for the police. Even though murder is murder, it is obvious that gangster killings were part of doing business. It is still wicked and brings the judgment of God, but I can understand why a gangster would want to knock someone off who is coming to do the same to him! Still, if Mr. Capone had not become a criminal in the first place, shaming his family, then he wouldn't have put himself into such a dire situation.

I am intrigued that Al Capone was so young during his reign as the mob boss of Chicago. He was only in his late 20's. That is remarkable! Jesus is the most famous figure in human history, Who only lived to be 33 years old. And yet look at all the wonderful things Jesus did during His short time on earth. I once heard Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) point out that most of our freedoms were paid for with teenage blood. That thought had never occurred to me before. Most of the tens of millions of soldiers who were killed by each other during World Wars I and II, were teenagers. That is a startling fact. My heart breaks when I stop and think that most of those 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 year olds never had a girlfriend, never knew the pleasure of marriage, never had the privilege of becoming a father, or the pride of being a grandpa. It is not fair! Life is not fair. Old men start wars, young men fight wars, and everybody in the middle loses! Truly Satan is the god of this world.

Al Capone was only 33 years old when he went to prison in 1932. When he arrived at the prison, medical doctors diagnosed him with gonorrhoea and syphilis, two deadly venereal diseases. 

Capone was sent to Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary in May 1932, aged 33. Upon his arrival at Atlanta, the 250-pound (110 kg) Capone was officially diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhoea. He was also suffering from withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction, the use of which had perforated his nasal septum. Capone was competent at his prison job of stitching soles on shoes for eight hours a day, but his letters were barely coherent.

SOURCE:  Al Capone

Al Capone was diseased from all the adultery he committed. Capone attempted to justify his evil business by saying that he simply gave people what they wanted. Ungodly people wanted booze! They wanted fornication and adultery! They wanted gambling! Capone gave it to them, and it made him filthy rich, with the emphasis on FILTHY! Think about how short his parade of wickedness was! Al Capone went to prison at age 33, and only served 6 of an 11 year sentence due to his failing health. At the time he was released from prison at just age 39, Capone's doctor documented that he had the mind of a 12 year old. Penicillin wasn't invented until 1942, but by then the damage to Capone's brain had been done. The diseases of syphilis ate him alive! 

Venereal diseases were rampant throughout the ancient world. Most theologians agree that king David suffered in his old age from venereal disease, from all his wives...

Psalms 38:3-7, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.”

There is no doubt that Solomon likely suffered this tragic ordeal too, considering that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. The Roman empire was infected was much venereal disease. During the American Civil War, a shocking 25% of the Confederate Army has STD's, which compelled the state of Tennessee (and other states) to legalize prostitution during the war. Oh how sin thrills and then it kills! Oh how sin fascinates and then it assassinates! Al Capone died a diseased, broken and wearied man, at only age 47. A life of sin never wins! There's a high price for low living!!! Capone's reign of crime over the Chicago underworld only pasted 7 years! Just 7 years of wine, women and song.

My father was a Skid Row preacher in Chicago. He directed the Chicago United Mission at 34 S. Displaines Ave. I grew up tagging along with my father to the various rescue missions, helping to feed, cloth and house the poor and homeless. I remember that right next to the mission there was still standing The Legion Hotel, with a big fancy outdoor balcony overhanging the front of the hotel. This is where Al Capone lived high during his sinful years! I watched years later when the wrecking crews came to tear down the hotel. They left the north wall standing, for concern that tearing down the wall would also destroy the mission's north wall. My father and I found an old soda pop machine in the abandoned Legion Hotel, which we brought over to the mission. Coke bottles were only 25 cents. My father ordered sodas regularly, and we enjoyed cold Coca-Colas. That was pretty cool.

I just wrote this blog to emphasize the worthlessness of living in sin. It's just not worth it dear friend. This earthly life is so short. Look at Eddie Van Halen's miserable life of sin. All that horrible noise, called rock music. They ran with the Devil, as their song titled boasted, but now where is Eddie? He died in 2020? Catholics don't go to Heaven according to the Bible (Mark 7:6-13; Galatians 1:6-9; 1st Corinthians 15:1-4). The Bible does not teach keeping Seven Sacraments to get to Heaven. It is a counterfeit plan of salvation. I also read today that Al Capone was a devout Roman Catholic in his youth, but strayed from his roots. Kindly said, Catholicism is a prisonhouse of religion! There is no salvation in the Catholic religion, only rituals, phony priests, pedophiles and manmade traditions which cannot produce the new birth. Religion is the worst thing that ever happened to this world!

Al Capone was only in his 20's when he murdered 30 people (and that's just the killings that authorities are aware of). And then there were 3 more murders in his early 30's. When the Prohibition era ended in 1933, so did Capone! Al Capone's motive for all the evil things he did was the love of money. Money is the same motive for Hollywood's filth, Netflix's filth, street gangs selling drugs across America, Mexican drug cartels, and a thousand other evils! They that live by the sword die by the sword. Chicago has a notorious history, even still today, of having a strong criminal underground. Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” 

“Listen if you're politically correct, you're Biblically perverted (and vise versa). It cannot be both! ...You know why we don't accept change? 'Cause we believe in something! We've got something to believe in.” —Pastor Danny Castle, a quote from the sermon titled: “THE HARVEST IS PAST, THE SUMMER IS ENDED, AND WE ARE NOT SAVED!!!”

You Cannot Prove You're Saved By Doing Good Works

Romans 4:1-5, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

I visited the website for 'The Church At Rockypeak' in Chatsworth, California today. When I look at a church, the first thing I always do is head for their Statement of Faith, particularly their view of salvation. Here is what I sadly found...

Salvation

Believers are eternally safe and secure in Jesus and give evidence of genuine faith by a life of good works. (John 3:16, John 10:27-29, Romans 8:38-39, James 2:14-17) [emphasis added]

SOURCE: https://www.rockypeak.org/about/what-we-believe/

I have a big problem with the preceding statement. I think the preacher John Bunyan (1628-1688) said it best...

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” [emphasis added] —Evangelist John Bunyan

Kindly said, the pastors and people of 'The Church At Rockypeak' in Chatsworth, California are corrupting the Word of God, and casting stumbling blocks before the people. They are preaching another Gospel which is rooted in the errors of Calvinism. As I just quoted to you, 'The Church At Rockypeak' heretically says: “Believers are eternally safe and secure in Jesus and give evidence of genuine faith by a life of good works” [emphasis added]. The first part of the statement is okay, but the last part corrupts the Gospel. To help you better understand where I am going, please read what Dr. Steve Pettit (president of Bob Jones University since 2014) also heretical says, which is the same junk theology:

“For the real reality of the genuineness of your faith is that you are faithful to run the race!” —Dr. Steve Pettit (“What Does It Mean To Run 'The Race'?” - 22:44)

No, the reality of the genuineness of my faith is MY FAITH ITSELF! Dr. Steve Pettit teaches the same Lordship Salvation trash that 'The Church At Rockypeak' teaches, which is NOT the Gospel of free grace! They are teaching the deadly falsehood of Lordship Salvation. The idea that you must prove the genuineness of your faith by living the Christian life is a false gospel. 

The proponents of Lordship Salvation are hypocritical to say you are not saved by works, but then say that if you don't have works you're not saved! That is a manipulative backdoor approach to Lordship Salvation!!! Front-loading the Gospel is when you require meritorious works of a person BEFORE they are saved. Rear-loading the Gospel is when you require meritorious works of a person AFTER they are saved. Either way, preachers are perverting the Gospel when they ADD to it! Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

It is not necessary for believers to “give evidence of genuine faith by a life of good works” to know that they are saved. But didn't the Apostle James say works without faith is dead? James chapter 2 is one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. ...

James 2:14-20, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

Where so many people go horribly wrong is that they assume “works” here means doing good deeds and turning away from sin, but please notice what “WORKS” Jesus said you have to do to go to Heaven...

John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

Dear friend, the only “works” that you must do to get to Heaven is to BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!!! Listen, if you have to look at your life to prove that you're saved, it proves that you're not! That is the fatal mistake that the people made in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” 

They looked at their life in an attempt to prove that they were saved. They boasted of doing “many wonderful works” in Jesus' name. They also boasted of having “prophesied” (peached) in Jesus' name. They even bragged that they had “cast our devils” in Jesus' name. And here is the granddaddy fatal error of all, they followed Jesus as their “Lord” instead of trusting Him as their personal Savior. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born-again. They said, “Lord, Lord,” but Jesus replied with these horrifying words: “I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.”

Dear reader, you don't get to Heaven by surrendering to Jesus as “Lord” of your life. Nor do you get saved by faithfully “running the race,” enduring unto the end. Nor do you get to Heaven by “living a lifestyle that proves the reality of your repentance” (as Ray Comfort's falsely teaches). You don't receive the new birth by giving “evidence of genuine faith by a life of good works” (as the 'The Church At Rockypeak' foolishly teaches). Nor do you have to “turn away from your sin” (as Bob Jones University errantly teaches). You get saved by ceasing from your own self-righteous works, and simply resting in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:10-11, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

These damnable heretics that I've mentioned by name, all pervert God's grace. When you attack the grace of God, you attack the God of grace! These wicked false prophets tell you that you cannot merely say you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, and that's it, you're on your way to Heaven! They add to the Gospel, teaching that you must persevere in living the Christian life, to prove the genuineness of your faith. The big problem with their warped teachings is that you can never have the sweet assurance that you are 100% saved. 

Read again what they teach at 'The Church At Rockypeak' in Chatsworth, California...

Salvation

Believers are eternally safe and secure in Jesus and give evidence of genuine faith by a life of good works. (John 3:16, John 10:27-29, Romans 8:38-39, James 2:14-17) [emphasis added]

SOURCE: https://www.rockypeak.org/about/what-we-believe/

How can you be safe and secure in Jesus if you don't live a life of good works, since they say it is the EVIDENCE that your faith is genuine? Clearly you cannot! They are heretically teaching that if you're still living a lifestyle of willful sinning, your faith is not genuine, and you were never saved to begin with. That is the Devil's lie of Lordship Salvation. They teach that if you are not fully surrendered to Jesus as the absolute Lord of your life, your faith is not real. So effectively, you have to do GOOD WORKS for your faith to be valid. Folks, that is blatant works-based plan of salvation. This is the garbage that the Harvest Baptist Church of Guam teaches. This is the junk theology taught by Dr. Marty Herron at the Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa. Read what Dr. Steve Pettit false teaches:

“You can't just speak about getting saved, and you accepted Christ, and then that's it! There is a justification; There is a sanctification; There's ultimately a glorification, and though there are three parts, they are all part of the whole, and you cannot separate them. In order for you to qualify for the award, you have to get into the race, you have to stay in the race, and you have to finish the race. If you want to win, you have to run to the end; and winning in the Christian life is everything, because if you lose—if you don't finish—you lose everything—you lose your SOUL. And so, the Christian race is the life of faith that begins, is run, and is finished when we cross over into Heaven!” [emphasis added]—Dr. Steve Pettit (“What Does It Mean To Run 'The Race'?” - 11:34)

Do you see how they corrupt the Gospel of free grace? The new birth is a free gift. It is instantaneous and permanent. Once you are born-again by the Word of God (1st Peter 1:23), a miracle wrought by the Holy Spirit of God in response to one's faith (John 1:12-13), there ain't no turning back partner! You be saved, saved, saved!!!

I truly feel sorry for the Paul Washer crowd. I feel sorry for the followers of Ray Comfort. I feel sorry for the John MacArthur cult. I feel sorry for the Bob Jones University cult. I feel sorry for the Pacific Garden Mission 'UNSHACKLED' radio crowd. I feel sorry for the followers of R.C. Sproul. I feel sorry for anyone who adheres to the Satanic deception of Lordship Salvation (i.e., Calvinism), because these people can never have the sweet blessed assurance that they are guaranteed, 100%, no shadow of a doubt, SAVED!!! If you are required to live the Christian life as evidence that your faith in Christ is real, then the only way you can KNOW you are saved is by continued works. 

The King James Bible teaches something very different. You simply come to God as a guilty sinner (Romans 3:19-23). You simply put your trust (reliance) in Jesus' death on the cross for your sins, His burial, and His bodily resurrection three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Anyone who receives Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for their sins is saved. Nothing else is required. You can 100% KNOW that you are saved right now this moment. Yes, you certainly CAN speak about salvation and confidently say, “I just accepted Christ.”

Did Old Testament Saints Have Assurance Of Salvation?

Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” Job 19:25, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Jonah 2:9, “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”

Did the Old Testament saints have assurance of salvation? Yes, absolutely! The Bible clearly evidences that the Old Testament saints were fully confident of their redemption, not lingering in doubt and fear. God's promises stand sure! Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” There has always been only ONE plan of salvation, which is by faith alone in Christ. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” People in the Old Testament were saved by looking to Christ. Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Please notice that this promise was not just for the Jews, but was extended to “all the ends of the earth.” Jews and Gentiles alike have always been saved by LOOKING TO CHRIST.

I am tired of hearing woefully ignorant preachers say that there were multiple plans of salvation in the Bible. Dr. Peter S. Ruckman (1921-2016) comes to mind. Sadly, Dr. Ruckman has a cult following of ignorant men, who teach that people were saved by faith plus works in the Old Testament. Some of these men are; namely, Robert Breaker, Gene Kim, Chett Hensley, Bryan Denlinger and William P. Grady. These are but a few of Ruckman's deceived followers. The very notion that anyone has ever been saved by anything more than faith alone in the Messiah directly contradicts the plainest teachings of the Holy Bible. Romans 4:4, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”

The Bible says that Abram (later changed to Abraham) was saved by faith alone:

Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:1-5, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Peter Ruckman and his deceived followers claim that God changed His plan of salvation under Mosaic law. What saith the Scripture? I just quoted to you Acts 10:43 which says “ALL THE PROPHETS” gave witness to salvation through faith alone in Christ, but Moses himself preached THE GOSPEL (i.e., THE GOOD NEWS)  to the Jews...

Hebrews 4:1-2, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” ...Hebrews 4:10-11, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

I do not think the Bible could be any plainer. Hebrews 4:10 clearly teaches that we are saved by ceasing from works, as God did from His works after 6 days of creating, and resting completely in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. There is not one mentioned anywhere in the Bible about a different plan of salvation for Old Testament Jews under the Mosaic law. If it had been so, then the Bible surely would have made this clear, but it doesn't even hint to it. We have plain Bible verses in Acts 10:43 and Romans 4:4 which teach that salvation has always been by faith, not by works.

The Old Testament saints had the sweet assurance of salvation, just as believers do today. If you don't have that sweet assurance as a believer, it is only because you lack Scriptural knowledge dear friend. To help those struggling, I wrote this helpful 42 chapter book to help titled: “SALVATION.” You CAN know 100% that you are saved beyond any shadow of a doubt, because eternal life is a PROMISE, not a trade, exchange or process. Titus 1:2 says God made the PROMISE of eternal life before the world began.

Moses understood that eternal life was secure. Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” Job said that He KNOWS His Redeemer liveth. Job spoke with absolute assurance in Job 19:25, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” That is assurance of salvation dear reader! The prophet Jonah proclaimed in the dark belly of a whale that he knew SALVATION IS OF THE LORD, not by works. Jonah 2:9, “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” The prophet Habakkuk confidently proclaimed that THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH. Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Clearly, all these saints had the full sweet assurance of God's salvation, otherwise they never could have made these bold statements of faith.

Proponents Of Lordship Salvation Add To God's Words

Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Romans 3:4, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”

We've got a bunch of liars in the church pulpit today. Romans 3:4 plainly teaches that if what I say, or what you say, agrees with The Holy Bible, then our sayings (or writings) will be justified on judgment day when we stand before God almighty. Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” I don't care who you are, one day in eternity you will stand before your Creator and be held accountable for your thoughts (Proverbs 24:12), deeds (Ecclesiastes 12:14) and words (Matthew 12:36). Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

We've got a bunch of lying Bible professors today. When a Bible professor from Hyles-Anderson College says that the King James Bible is not inspired, he is a liar. When a Bible professor from Bob Jones University says that you must turn away from your sin to be saved, he is a liar. The Bible does not agree with either of those liars. We have an inspired Bible according to Psalms 12:6-7 and 2nd Timothy 3:16-17. I am so sick and tired of hearing 97% of Bible colleges today say that God inspired only the original texts, and then He preserved those sacred texts for today; but they clearly DON'T believe that God's Word are inspired anymore. They have to believe that way in order to justify having more than one Bible version today, because the different revisions disagree, sometimes drastically.

Dear reader, it doesn't require being a learned theologian to see that God promised in Psalms 12:6-7 to keep and preserve His PURE WORDS. The whole point of keeping and preserving God's Words is to maintain their PURITY. Psalms 119:139-140, “My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” David said he loved God's Words because they were VERY PURE! How do you think David would have felt about the hundreds of English Bible revisions available today on the market to purchase? I'll tell you, because I feel the same way, David would have hated and rejected all of them except the King James Bible. Only the King James Bible says that people “worshipped” Jesus. All of the Devil's revisions change it to a mere “knelt” or “bowed.”

Psalms 12:6, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Clearly, the whole purpose for God keeping and preserving His words is to ensure that they stay VERY PURE. It would be ridiculous to say that God gave His PERFECT inspired Words to mankind, but then preserved them in an IMPERFECT non-inspired manner. Does that make any sense to you friend? If you don't think we have a perfect, inerrant and inspired Bible today, then I say to you: “O ye of little faith!”

But it gets much worse dear friend, ALL of the Devil's modern Bible revisions completely remove God's promise from Psalms 12:6-7, changing it to God protects the saints instead of His Word. What liars!!! Why would they change this passage? The reason is obvious, because if God has indeed kept His solemn promise to preserve His very pure Words forever, then there can only be ONE accurate translation in any particular language. Think about that! If you think that God has preserved His very pure words in hundreds of English Bible revisions, then you are very foolish, ignorant, deceived and far from the truth friend. God only authored ONE BOOK, and I believe we have it in the inspired, inerrant and infallible King James Bible today.

It would be ludicrous to say that God gave men His absolutely accurate words, but then only preserved those words in hundreds of less than perfect, flawed Bible translations. It not only makes no sense, it blatantly contradicts God's promise. God didn't promise to preserve His Words, He promised to preserve His PURE WORDS. The fact that modern Bible publishers have corrupted Psalms 12:6-7 proves that they are deceivers and liars, who lack the faith that God can give us a perfect Bible for today.

Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Take a look at what the corrupt Literal Standard Version (LSV), which was published in 2020, does to change Proverbs 30:5, “Every saying of God [is] tried, || He [is] a shield to those trusting in Him.” Every saying of God is tried? That is not what the King James Bible says. The Bible says EVERY WORD OF GOD IS PURE!!! They have no right to change “words” to “sayings,” corrupting the Scripture. “Things That Are Different Are Not The Same” (a wonderful MP3 sermon by Pastor Curtis Hutson, 1934-1995).

Having said that, some of the most ungodly pastors I have known are the shameful men who lead the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam. Dr. Marty Herron is a servant of Satan. I say that kindly. Pastor's Jared Baldwin and Joe Hanson have no business working in any ministry, because the truth means nothing to them. The Apostle Paul called heretics by name, as I am doing. 1st Timothy 1:19-20, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Paul mentioned the names of these men who were corrupt. Likewise, the Bob Jones crowd have moved away from the hope of the Gospel. 

Pastor Gary Walton of the Harvest Baptist Church of Guam (HBC) and the aforementioned men, are all pulling on the same rope as the Devil. These men masquerade as pastors, but they are ministers of unrighteousness (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15). They are apostates, Neo-evangelicals, uncaring and indifferent toward truth. The Bob Jones University (BJU) alumni which I have met on Guam are indifferent, shallow, uncaring and don't stand for anything. Consequently, they sanction the Devil's Bibles. This Bible, that Bible, it doesn't matter to them! HBC and BJU sanction Dr. John MacArthur and his damnable Lordship Salvation heresy. 

Sadly, there is a growing trend in independent Baptist churches today to accept the heresies of John Calvin (aka, “Calvinism”). Calvinism teaches the Devil's lie that you must “turn away from sin” to be saved. They merge sanctification with justification, so that if you aren't living the Christian life they consider you still unsaved. That is “another Gospel” accursed by God (Galatians 1:6-8). The competent preacher absolutely MUST put a clear separation between outward justification wrought by faith alone in the Savior Jesus Christ, versus the inward sanctification wrought by the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ. To combine sanctification with justification is the heresy of Lordship Salvation, which does not produce the new birth.

Anyone who professes faith in Christ but lives in open willful sin is said to still be lost. That is not the free grace Gospel. The whole Bob Jones' crowd is on their way to Hell with the deceived people in Matthew 7:21-23. They called Jesus “Lord, Lord,” but they were not saved at all. Like the Bob Jones crowd, they performed “many wonderful works” in Jesus' name, but they weren't wholly trusting Him. They prophesied (preached) in Jesus' name, but Jesus said He did not know them. If you are trying to prove you are saved by the way you live, you are not saved at all. Dear friend, Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again.

Please beware of the Bob Jones University crowd. Don't let them take you to Hell with their faith plus turning from your sin heresy. Evangelist Michael P. Bowen wrote an excellent book called: “I NEVER KNEW YOU,” which greatly offended the pastors at Harvest Baptist Church on Guam. The book exposes some of the biggest names in mainstream evangelicalism today; namely, Ray Comfort, Charles Stanley, Joel Osteen, Pat Roberson, John Hagee, James Dobson, Rick Warren, Billy Graham, Beth Moore, Franklin Graham and Jimmy Swaggart. The pastors of Harvest Baptist Church on Guam bid Godspeed to many of these men, and preach the same phony Lordship Salvation trash. Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

It is no small matter to add to God's Word. To be saved, there's nothing in the Bible about turning from sin, committing your life to Christ, surrendering to Christ as “Lord,” nor following Jesus no matter what the cost. These are all proper in their place, but none of these comprise the Gospel. You may do all these things, plus faith, and never have been saved at all. The only way to get to Heaven is by FAITH ALONE.

Bob Jones University Speaks With A Forked Tongue

Galatians 1:6-8, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Bob Jones University is the most dangerous theological institution in America today! I am going to show you how they say one thing, but then teach another. Here is BJU's statement of faith concerning salvation:

With regard to the doctrine of Soteriology:

We believe Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph. 2:4–10; Rom. 3:21–26; Titus 3:5) and apart from any human work of righteousness (Phil. 3:9). [emphasis added]

SOURCE: https://www.bju.edu/about/positions.php

Now read what the Roman Catholic Vatican similarly says:

For there is no distinction: since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus. [emphasis added]

SOURCE: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c3a2.htm 

That is from the Vatican's website!!! God night, what deceivers! Now look what the Vatican says elsewhere:

1129 - The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation. (Cf. Council of Trent (1547): DS 1604.) 

[emphasis added]

SOURCE: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P33.HTM

Huh? So much for being justified by God's grace! According to the headquarters of the biggest religious cult in the world, Roman Catholicism, you must keep the Seven Sacraments to get to Heaven. That cancels grace! Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Could the Bible be any plainer? I think not. Either salvation is completely free, as God's gift by grace through faith alone, or else you have to do something else to have it! I have plainly showed you the hypocrisy of the Catholic church, and how they preach “ANOTHER GOSPEL” (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 1:6-9).

Likewise, Bob Jones University are deceivers, preaching “ANOTHER GOSPEL.” 

With regard to the doctrine of Soteriology:

We believe Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph. 2:4–10; Rom. 3:21–26; Titus 3:5) and apart from any human work of righteousness (Phil. 3:9). [emphasis added]

SOURCE: https://www.bju.edu/about/positions.php

Now look what BJU says elsewhere that negates grace:

God offers this salvation freely to all men who are willing to repent and turn from their sins (Acts 3:19, 17:30) [emphasis added]

SOURCE: https://www.bju.edu/about/positions.php

What lying deceivers! The heretics at Bob Jones University are just as guilty as the Roman Catholics, adding something to the Gospel which God does not require. When I got saved at age 13, I knew I was a sinner, but I wasn't willing to start turning from my sins until after I was saved, because the Holy Spirit started convicting me. The process of sanctification began as a result of salvation, NOT as a requirement of salvation. That is where BJU goes horribly wrong! The former is sound Bible doctrine, but the latter is damnable heresy. Bob Jones University is teaching damnable heresy! Dr. Steve Pettit is an unsaved false teacher, propagating the same damnable heresy as Pastor John MacArthur.

Let me make clear that after I got saved, the Holy Spirit started convicting me about my sins, but I never gave up all my sins. Nor did I try to give up my sins to prove that I was saved, which would be adding works to grace. That thought never even crossed my mind. Sanctification has absolutely NOTHING to do with getting saved. The Bible is full of sinful saints. Anyone who attempts to connect the way you choose to live with getting saved is a false teacher. The famous preacher John Bunyan (1628-1688) got it 100% correct...

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” [emphasis added] —Evangelist John Bunyan

I love that beautiful quote! You cannot show me anywhere in the Bible where it says to repent “of your sins” to be saved. Quite the contrary, we read in Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Carefully notice that repentance is “TOWARD GOD,” and not turning away from anything. But don't you have to turn from something to turn to something. Yes, you are turning from your unbelief. 

What saith the Scripture? Matthew 21:32, “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” You see, repentance is turning to Christ by faith to be saved, not committing yourself to clean up your life as a requirement to be saved. God the Father asks nothing from us to receive His gift of eternal life, but our faith in His only begotten Son! John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” We are saved simply by believing.

Kindly said, Bob Jones University, and the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam who support them, are wrong on the Gospel. They are pulling on the same rope as the Devil. The Gospel of John is God's Gospel tract according to John 20:31, which I just quoted to you. The word “believe” is mentioned 85 times in John, but the word “repent” is not mention even once. That is because repentance is automatic. It would be like me asking you to get up out of your seat, and then please walk 50 feet, to go get something out of my car for me. Do I really need to say all that? No, I could just ask you to please go get something out of my car, and hand you the keys. That is how repentance works. No one has ever believed on Christ who didn't repent, but repentance is simply a change of mind. The man who repents has done so by believing on Christ 

A  lot of preachers who are ignorant get mad at the thought that repentance is merely a change of mind. That is what the Greek noun for “repent,” metanoia, means in the Bible. It is simply “a change of mind.” The verb form is metanoeo which means “to think differently.” Repentance does NOT mean “to turn from your sins,” which would be works added to faith. In their woeful ignorance, these fake preachers cannot understand how a person can be saved and continue living in willful sin. Dear friend, every Christian still lives in willful sin! If you don't pray without ceasing for everyone in your life, you are sinning (1st Samuel 12:23). We are all wretched sinners, even the best Christian among us (Romans 7:14-25).

When you get saved, God indwells you with His Holy Spirit (1st Corinthians 3:16-17). That is the beginning of sanctification, and it takes a lifetime. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us (i.e., makes us more like Jesus) with the inspired and infallible Word of God (John 17:17). We have an inspired and infallible Bible today in the King James Bible. All modern Bible revisions have been corrupted by Satan. You cannot trust the new versions!!! BJU and their alumni (which includes HBC on Guam) have been corrupted by the Devil's perverted Bible revisions. Sadly, they don't care. As a true friend, I have warned Marty Herron, Gary Walton and the other pastors of Harvest Baptist Church of Guam, but they are sinfully indifferent and arrogant in their doctrinal error. 

In typical false prophet fashion they insist that salvation is solely by grace, while at the same time unbiblically telling people that God won't save them unless they are willing to turn away from their sinful bad habits. Dear friend, you don't have to be willing to stop getting high on illegal drugs to get saved. You don't have to stop shacking-up with your girlfriend in fornication to receive God's free gift. You don't have to stop lying, cheating or lusting to have eternal life. It is a free gift! A gift is a take proposition, not a give proposition. You simply take it and you give nothing in return. Salvation is not a trade, it is not an exchange of sorts as John MacArthur sinfully calls it; salvation is a gift (Romans 5:15-18, 23; Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have to try to give up your sinning to be saved, then it is a reward, not a gift.

Bob Jones University talks out of both sides of their mouth, as do the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, Church of Christ and Roman Catholics. bidding Godspeed to heretic John MacArthur. Dear reader, DO NOT TRUST any pastor, church or Bible college that bids Godspeed to damnable false prophet John MacArthur. Moody Bible Institute in Chicago is of the Devil today, because they invite, honor and publish Dr. MacArthur's books. MacArthur's false plan of salvation is so complicated that he teaches little children cannot be saved. It is apostasy when pastors support this kind of Satanic teaching in church's today. 

Kindly said with Christ's love, Harvest Baptist Church of Guam, Bob Jones University, Moody Bible Institute, Pacific Garden Mission (UNSHACKLED), and anyone else who sanctions Lordship Salvation has BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS! And they sure do have a lot of blood on their hands (Galatians 1:8). The man who repents has done so by believing on Christ (Acts 16:30-31). If you think you are going to Heaven because you are following Jesus as the “Lord” of your life, you are not saved (Matthew 7:21-23).

But Whom Say Ye That I Am?

Matthew 16:13-17, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

Jesus was testing His disciples in our text passage of Scripture. The Lord asked them whom the people say that He is. The disciples responded by saying that some of the people think he is Elijah the prophet. Others said that He is Jeremiah the prophet. Still other said He is John the Baptist. But the Lord asked them the $64,000 question: “BUT WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?” I love how impetuous Peter was, speaking right up to say: “THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD”! Boy, I love that! And I 100% agree with Peter. Jesus is the promised Christ that should come, to save us from our sins. Jesus is the only begotten Son of the living God. Jesus “is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1st Timothy 4:10).

Oh dear friend, do you believe? John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” Carefully notice that Jesus didn't ask the disciples in Matthew 16:13-17 if they had “repented and turned away from their sins.” This is a popular damnable heresy which has crept into most Baptist churches today, called Calvinism (aka, Lordship Salvation). The Gospel set forth in the Scriptures is intentionally kept very easy, simple and free, so that even a small child can be saved, simply by believing upon the name of the Lord. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. He was buried. Three days later He physically resurrected from the dead. This is the Gospel (or Good News) according to John 19-20 and 1st Corinthians 15:1-4. Believe it oh sinner and you have eternal life!

The inspired Word of God is so simple. Men complicate everything, don't they? Yes, men make salvation hard. If you don't believe it, read what Pastor John MacArthur teaches, even using the word “HARD” concerning salvation. No my friend, getting saved is not hard at all, it is very simple according to the Bible. 2nd Corinthians 11:3-4, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 

So I ask you friend, whom do you say that Jesus is? If you think Jesus was a mere historical figure—a man who once existed, but died like any other man, then you are not saved. If you merely think that Jesus was a prophet, as did George Harrison of The Beatles, then you are not saved. If you think Jesus was a remarkable man, who spoke some great enlightening words, but was elevated by men to the status of deity, then you are not saved. Ah, but if you accept what the Holy Bible teaches—that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16), the crucified, buried and risen Christ (John 20:31), and you receive His sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins—you have eternal life. Whom say ye that Jesus is?