Luke 13:22-24, “And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”
Tragically, a counterfeit Gospel is being preached from nearly every pulpit today. The following helpful words exposing the false gospel of Billy Graham (1918-2018) were penned by Michael P. Bowen in his excellent book titled, "I Never Knew You" ...
Billy says that we must repent of our sins and attempts to provide examples from the bible that suggest we are supposed to repent of our sins in order to be born again; however, his examples are weak and hold no truth at all because the bible “never” tells us to quit sinning in order to be saved; in fact, the phrase “repent of sin” does not even occur in the bible. Billy often refers to the Greek word for repent which is metanoia, which he erroneously defines as turning away from our sins, to feel sorry for our sins, that we should change our minds about sin and walk away from it altogether as a “requirement” for our being born again. Very often, as a way of telling us that we have to quit willfully and deliberately sinning in order to be born again, he will refer to where Jesus said in Luke 13:3 that we must repent or perish, yet in the original Greek manuscript, the word for repent means to change your mind and has nothing at all to do with turning from sins. —Michael P. Bowen, “I Never Knew You,” p. 137
Billy Graham was a lying false prophet, whom I think sadly didn't go to Heaven. You cannot be born-again by turning from your sinful bad habits, you must wholly lean on Jesus' name. ...
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
The only way to be saved is to put your complete trust in the Lamb of God, Jesus. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Simply receive Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that He was buried, and then physically resurrected after three days from the dead. This is “the gospel” according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4. Believe it, Oh sinner, and you are saved!
But be forewarned, Jesus plus anything equals damnation!
It's not faith in Christ plus water baptism.
It's not faith in Christ plus turning away from your sinful bad habits.
It's not faith in Christ plus keeping the sacraments.
It's not faith in Christ plus following and obeying God's will for your life.
It's not faith in Christ plus speaking in tongues.
It's not faith in Christ plus church membership.
It's not faith in Christ plus praying the Rosary.
It's not faith in Christ plus religion.
It's not faith in Christ plus desiring not to live a lifestyle of sin anymore.
It's not faith in Christ plus public confession with your mouth.
It's not faith in Christ plus receiving Jesus as “Lord” of your life.
You may do all those things and yet never be born again at all. John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
With these Bible truths in mind, it is not difficult to understand why Jesus said only a few people will be able to enter into Heaven's pearly gates. Tragically, a counterfeit plan of salvation is being preached from nearly every pulpit today!
Here are some damnable false teachers today who pervert the Gospel of grace:
I haven't even touched upon damnable false religions; namely, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutherans, Church of God, Church of Christ, Roman Catholicism, Seventh-Day Adventists, Christian Science, Buddhism, Rastafarianism, Islam, Hinduism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, et cetera. These are all hellbound unbelievers who embellish, corrupt and add to the Gospel, or they flat out deny it.
Sadly, 99% of the religious world are going to Hell someday. There are 4,200 religions in the world and not one of them can get you to Heaven. My father used to say religion is the worst thing that ever happened to this world. Dad was right! Religion says “This is the way,” but Jesus said “I am the way.” John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The Bible way of salvation is through childlike trust in Jesus Christ alone, apart from all works. 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.” That means you don't have to forsake a lifestyle of sinning to get to Heaven. Amen. That means you don't have to get dunked in a baptistery to be saved. That means you don't have to become a Christ follower to get your sins washed away. That means you don't have to forsake the old sinful ways to become a child of God.
Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15-18, 6:23). Ephesians 5:18, “Therefore as by the offence of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Jesus] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Did you get that? The Bible says that eternal life is a FREE GIFT!!! That means you don't have to forsake a lifestyle of sinning to get the free gift. Amen. That means you don't have to get dunked in a baptistery to get the free gift. That means you don't have to become a Christ follower to get the free gift. That means you don't have to forsake the old sinful ways to get the free gift. IT'S A GIFT! Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.
It breaks my heart daily to see Baptist preachers and evangelical preachers everywhere perverting the Gospel of free grace. I thank God for doctrinally sound preachers like Pastor Jack Hyles, who had this to say about the perversions of the gospel we hear nowadays:
“I never thought, I'd see a day when Baptist preachers would not preach the true Gospel. Tonight, all across this nation, Baptist preachers have succumbed to the heresy of John MacArthur. I said the heresy of John MacArthur! I said the heresy of John MacArthur! And somebody that's got several thousand people to hear 'em, who can go across this country, has got to alert Baptists that we have false teachers in our midst who are no longer teaching and preaching salvation by grace through faith plus nothing. Folks, we're fighting for our lives tonight!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “A Vote For Preaching”
It is no coincidence that the heretical pastors who are guilty of preaching wrong repentance and Lordship Salvation today, never talk about the need to be BORN AGAIN. Think about that. I triple dog dare you to go to their websites—all these neo-evangelical infidels today who are preaching another gospel—and check to see if they mention Jesus' requirement that a sinner must be born-again to enter into the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). They likely don't. That is because they don't view salvation as an instantaneous new birth; but rather, as a process in which you must prove that you are really saved by performing WORKS.
My favorite preacher quote is from Pilgrim's Progress author, John Bunyan, who said:
John Bunyan nailed it! He just indicted the Devil's fallacy of Lordship Salvation, and the heresy that you must turn from your sinful ways to get to Heaven (which is self-righteous reformation, not true Bible repentance). Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) explains true Bible repentance accurately, who states:“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.” —John Bunyan (1628-1688)
"Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership—the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word."This is vastly different than forsaking ones sinful bad habits to be saved, which is a false gospel of works. Pastor Ironside is correct—repentance is simply realizing that one is a guilty sinner in the sight of our holy God. This is why we need a Savior, to redeem us from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23), which is to burn in the fires of Hell forever (Revelation 21:8). Thankfully, Jesus paid the price of our sins with His precious blood (1st Peter 1:18,19; Hebrews 9:12, 22-24). 1st Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
SOURCE: 'Except Ye Repent,' by Dr. Harry Ironside, chapter 3
Only A Few Sinners Will Enter Into Heaven
Jesus warned that MANY people will seek to enter into the gates of the heavenly city, but only a small FEW will be allowed to enter. If you understand the truths I have just shared with you, then you should not be surprised about this. My hero of the faith, Dr. Jack Hyles (1926-2001), made these tremendous truthful statements...
“More people will die and burn in Hell, because they're trusting too much!”—Pastor Jack Hyles, “Yea, Yea, And Nay, Nay!”
If you ask any hellbound Roman Catholic, Mormon or Jehovah's Witness if they believe the Gospel, they will affirm that they do. They will all admit to being a guilty sinner in need of the Savior. They will all believe that Jesus is the Christ—the sinless Lamb of God who died on a cross for our sins, was buried and then three days later He miraculously resurrected physically from the dead. All of the pseudo-Christian cults believe these basic facts. BUT, they all distort the simplicity that is in Christ (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4) by ADDING works to it!
Catholics are required by their religion to keep the Seven Sacraments to get to Heaven. Mormons are required to be water baptized and turn away from their sinful behavior to get to Heaven. Jehovah's Witnesses also require water baptism and turning away from your sinful ways to get to Heaven.
Lordship Salvation (in layman's terms) is the teaching that a person must try really hard to stop sinning as a part of saving-faith. This is Satan's gospel. In the biblical Gospel of free-grace, the burden rests completely upon Christ Jesus Who bore our sins upon Himself on the cross.
Mormons Also Errantly Teach You Must Turn From Sin To Be Saved
In the perverted gospel of Lordship Salvation (which John MacArthur, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron and Paul Washer teach), the burden is unjustly placed upon the sinner (who is told that he or she cannot continue living in sin and be saved). You don't have to take my word for it, you can read these heretic's words for yourself. Here is the garbage theology of Dr. John MacArthur, who says:
“Don’t believe anyone who says it’s easy to become a Christian. Salvation for sinners cost God His own Son; it cost God’s Son His life, and it’ll cost you the same thing. Salvation isn’t gained by reciting mere words. Saving faith transforms the heart, and that in turn transforms behavior. Faith’s fruit is seen in actions, not intentions. There’s no room for passive spectators: words without actions are empty and futile.” [emphasis added]Now read what Mormons believe about repentance...
SOURCE: Dr. John MacArthur, 'Grace To You,' an updated quote from his poisonous book, 'Hard To Believe', page 93
"To repent we need to recognize and feel sorry for what we’ve done wrong, do whatever is possible to repair the damage it may have caused, and to leave our sinful behavior behind. Repentance can be difficult and requires a lot of honesty, but the joy and freedom we feel when we turn away from our sins are well worth the effort. Because Christ suffered for our sins, we can be forgiven when we repent. That’s why the Atonement is so important to all of us." [emphasis added]Notice that Mormons say “repentance can be difficult,” just as John MacArthur's book titled “HARD TO BELIEVE.” In sharp contrast, the Bible teaches in 2nd Corinthians 11:3, “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.” The Bible teaches that salvation is simple in Christ. Mormons preach ANOTHER JESUS, ANOTHER GOSPEL AND ANOTHER SPIRIT that are all of the Devil. So does John MacArthur preach another gospel.
SOURCE: Jesus Christ | Mormon.org
Look at what Mormons teach on their official website, which is verbatim what is being taught at Pensacola Christian College today...
I love you dear friend with God's unconditional love. I want you to have the same constant joy, peace and satisfaction that I do as a child of God, KNOWING that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life in Heaven. Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” You CAN KNOW 100% beyond any shadow of a doubt that you are born-again. You simply need to understand God's plan of salvation. It is called “the gospel” (i.e., the “GOOD NEWS” of what Jesus did through Calvary's cross to pay our debt of sin). What saith the Scripture? ...
“Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.” [emphasis added]That is 100% Lordship Salvation! That is exactly what Harvest Baptist Church on Guam and Bob Jones University are sinfully preaching these days, for which God's curse is upon them! Galatians 1:8, “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.”
SOURCE: The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints - Repentance
And if you doubt what I say, please consider that Brigham Young University (BYU) requires their students to read John MacArthur's book, “Faith Works” (Mr. MacArthur could have just as easily named it, “You Need Faith Plus Works To Get To Heaven.” In his YouTube video sermon titled, “Is Faith + Works a False Gospel?,” Pastor John MacArthur says:
“Recently I had an interesting meeting. I had a meeting with the two leading theologians of Mormonism. They came down under the authority of the Seven Apostles of Mormonism from BYU [Brigham Young University]. Their trip was funded by BYU to meet with me. And the reason they wanted to meet with me, is they had been reading my books, and they find many things in my books that intrigue them, that help them understand the Bible, and with which they agree. Well, I was really kind of peaked about this meeting and I thought it's pretty curious to have the Mormons come and meet with you, and say they agree with your theology! ...They came and they said, 'We want to tell you, we've read your books, and we've even taken one of your books—Faith Works (The most definitive work that I've ever written on the issue of salvation)—And we've made it a text at BYU.' And I was pretty shocked by all of this, and so we began to talk a little bit, and they told me about all the things they agree with and the LORDSHIP OF CHRIST!...” [emphasis added]If you listen to the entire sermon, you'll hear Mr. MacArthur say that he told these two leading Mormon theologians that they differ on three major issues: They have another God, another Christ, and another Gospel. Yes, that is true! However, Mr. MacArthur himself also has “another Gospel,” which is why the Mormons agree with his false views on the role of the Lordship of Christ in salvation. These are damnable gospels, not biblically sound teachings. In sharp contrast to the demonic teachings of MacArthur and Mormonism, the inspired Word of God teaches that salvation is IMMEDIATE. The Bible teaches that salvation is a new birth, a spiritual birth, a second birth; not an ongoing process that requires your faithfulness to serve God in order to know for sure that you are going to Heaven.
SOURCE: Dr. John MacArthur; “Is Faith + Works a False Gospel?”
Here Is The Gospel
1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
The Gospel is comprised of THREE things:
- Jesus DIED on a cross.
- He was BURIED.
- Christ RESURRECTED three days later.
Jesus is the virgin-born only begotten (biological) Son of God, the Christ. He lived a perfect sinless life on earth. Christ suffered for your sins and mine, paying a debt that He didn't owe. What a great Savior!!! You and I are guilty sinners! We deserve to pay for our sins in the fires of Hell. All that God asks of you to be saved friend, is to BELIEVE Jesus did it all for you! Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.
Here is the Gospel: God says that we are sinners and that no amount of good works or behavioral changes on our part could ever make us holy enough to enter Heaven. God sent His only begotten Son to pay for all of our sins. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay. Jesus paid for our crimes by dying on the cross for us all (Romans 5:6-9). Christ's dead body was buried in a grave. On the third day, Jesus arose from the dead. The instant that you believe this, He knows it and He saves you. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”
The “free gift” (Romans 5:18) of eternal life is based solely upon your trust in what Jesus did for you through Calvary's cross, and has absolutely nothing at all to do with what you do for Him. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Dear reader, please ponder and memorize this passage of Scripture. I memorized this verse over 40 years ago as a teenager. If there is one verse in the inspired Holy Bible that you ought to remember, this is it friend!!! Please don't delay in getting saved, if you've never been born-again.
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