No denomination should be surprised that her young pastors consider those who do not have the same theological perspective as themselves unintelligent when the president of the seminary they attended, through attitude and statements made, lead students to believe that only those who think as they do are intelligent, right thinking, theologians.

Perhaps the SBC would be wise to evaluate the levels of pride and exclusivity that are exhibited publicly by those they place in leadership.

It is sad that we have to resort to nicknames in order to identify our doctrinal beliefs; yet at the same time I believe it is necessary. The reason is that there is a definite, and a very important, difference between "Calvinists, Arminians, Pelagianists, etc." Doctrine is not an option; for it reveals what are our beliefs with respect to the Gospel and the Word of God in general. Yet, I'm afraid that today's pastors are derelict in their responsibilities to teach God's people doctrine; esp. since 1 Timothy tells pastors to "take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." Another Scriptures tell pastors they are to perfect "the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The means, of course, is via doctrinal teaching. I know, by personal experience, that even before even I knew what was a Calvinist, God was teaching me the Doctrines of Grace simply by studying the Holy Scriptures. In fact, I was even called a "Calvinist" before I had known what was "Calvinism." Also, I found out by personal research that the Southern Baptist Convention was "Calvinistic" at its beginning. Why should there be any opposition to it if that is our roots from the beginning? There is only one reason: Because proud and carnal man "hates" God's Sovereignty in the salvation of carnal and natural man. If it wasn't because of God's Free and Sovereign Grace, there would be no sinner saved at all. That should humble ALL of us if we have experience God's Grace in our salvation; otherwise, we will oppose it. Amen.

Romans 8 and even John 10, but they are always taken out of context and I believe it hurts the body in a grave way. It makes the world believe that we are merely puppets. That once we give our lives to HIM we can just let Him take over and be on autopilot, and that our sin no longer has any consequence or accountability. Let me set the record straight because Jesus had alot to say about this very subject as well.

First of all the Romans 8:38-39 scripture says that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. I think you would agree that this is speaking of those that are saved yes? But this does not say anything to the thought or fact of having free will, being able to walk away on your own, and in fact it backs up the notion that as long as we are “IN CHRIST JESUS.” But God’s love was there before we were saved and is there no matter what, so His love for us is not based on our actions or non actions. But our salvation, now that’s different. We must accept Jesus Christ and “REMAIN IN HIM” Since these verses do not speak to salvation, but instead to the Love of God we have to look at other scriptures to understand. Yes “because” of God’s love he offers us salvation but it is not one in the same thing.

2 Peter 2:20 “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.”
This scripture talks of a saved soul that “got entangled once again”. Meaning lost, walked away. This soul it says “escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” SAVED! Then it goes on to say that they are “AGAIN ENTANGLED and OVERCOME” FALLEN FROM GRACE.

James 5:19-20 -19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Again this soul “wandered from the truth.” This means they were saved at one point. After they wandered and lost salvation a brother or sister brought them back and saved them from death. If they did not lose their salvation they would not need to be saved from death and this scripture would be null and void along with the rest of the scriptures I will present here.

This next scripture is Jesus’ words and teaching. Don’t miss this one.

John 15:1-6 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. Jesus says to “REMAIN IN HIM” otherwise you cannot produce any fruit. If you remain in Him, He will remain in you. If you do not remain in HIm, you are thrown away, withered, and thrown into the fire. This is black and white. Jesus says remain in HIM. You cannot remain in HIm if you do not know Him, and you cannot stop remaining in Him if you were not in Him at one point. This is Jesus saying that it is possible to be saved and then turn from Him and be thrown in the fire. How can anyone say anything different. If you believe in Him then you believe HIS WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To “abide or remain” in HIM. Means you’re already there.

Collosians 1:22-23 – “If” You remain.
John 8:31-32 – “If” you continue or hold to.
1 John 2:24-25 – “If” what you have heard “abides or remains” in you, then the promise.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 – “If” you hold firmly, otherwise you believed in vain.
Philippians 2:12 – “Continue” to work out your salvation. Is a progressive salvation, meaning there needs to be a building up and maintaining of our relationship with God through Christ. If it is not maintained constantly it is cast into the fire as Jesus taught in John 15.
Romans 11:22 – Sternness to those who fall. You can only fall from where you were, meaning you had salvation at one point. Kindness to you “PROVIDED” you continue in HIS kindness.
Hebrew 3:12-14 – An unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Galations 5:1 – Stand firm and do not be “again” burdened by a yoke of slavery.
Revelation 2:4-5 – Forsaken your first love (God) Consider how far you have fallen, repent , if you do not I will remove your lampstand.

I know the most important thing is to be saved anyway, but as i said at the beginning of this teaching, It’s important that we be clear on the scriptures and what they pertain to so as to not confuse others. Have a great day and God bless.