OSAS= House Built on Sand

I have to tell you Slayer, and I mean NO condescension at all, that I am truly saddened for you. You have a marvelous testimony. And I think it can be used to heal those who might feel the condemnation of the enemy due to their straying.

But instead of proclaiming what Jesus has done for you, giving Him Glory and leading others to Him, through the joy and love of what He did, you have chosen to align yourself with this church that is the very epitome of the "loveless Church", at Ephesus. Ironic in that is one of the foundational Books establishing God's Sovereignty. Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Come out of that church, and go back to your 1st love. Forget about the predestination stuff. Although I'm mostly in line with it, there is VERY little Fruit getting fixated on it. God didn't draw you back for what you are doing. He loves you, and wants YOU to spread that love.

Let God worry about who is the Elect and who aren't. Cmon brother. Please pray on it.

After many years of careful Bible study, I arrived at the view that Calvin was right and Arminius got it wrong. They don't agree with each other, they are fundamentally opposed. They agree on some of the superficial points but they disagree on the main points.

Below is what we believe in the Reformed Baptist Church.

SUMMARY OF FAITH
For a fuller treatment please refer to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith

We believe that the Old and New Testament is the inspired and infallible Word of God, and the only authoritative rule for faith and practice.
• 2 Tim 3:15-17; Rom 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

We believe that the God of the Scriptures is the only true and living God. He is one God who co-exists in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Exodus 20:1-5; 1 Cor 8:4-6; 1 John 5:7-8; Matt 28:19.

We believe that in six days God created all things which exist and on the seventh He rested.
• Gen 1-2:2; Exodus 31:14.

We believe that God is sovereign in all things. In His infinite wisdom and power He directs the affairs of humanity.
• Ps 110:3; Prov 21:1; Is 45:7; Amos 3:6.

We believe that God created Adam and Eve without sin. He permitted sin to enter the world through a voluntary act of their disobedience.
• Gen 2:16,17; Rom 5:12.

We believe that God in eternity, before creation, determined to save His chosen people, to deliver them from the power and penalty of sin.
• Matt 25:34; Eph 1:4; Rom 8:29,30.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the mediator of God’s covenant. Being both fully God and fully man He was able to secure the redemption of God’s elect by dying on their behalf.
• Eph 1:22,23; 1 Tim 2:5,6; Heb 2:16-18; 4:14-16; 9:14,15.

We believe that the Church is made up of those who have exercised faith in Jesus Christ and repentance toward God.
• Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37; Acts 20:21.

We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances given by Christ to His Church.
• 1 Cor 11:23-31; Acts 20:7; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:31-34.

We believe that the mandate of the Church is to make disciples of all nations.
• Matt 28:19,20; 1 Cor 1:18-25; Col 1:28; 2 Tim 4:2.

We believe that God has appointed two offices in the Church, namely elders and deacons.
• Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.

We believe it is God’s will for Christians to assemble together in local congregations on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), to worship Him and encourage one another according to the Scriptural pattern.
• Is 58:13; Ecc 5:1,2; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Heb 10:24,25.

We believe that as the people of God we have a responsibility to show benevolence to all men, but especially to assist other Churches committed to the same Scriptural truths and principles.
• Acts 11:19-24; Gal 6:10; Phil 4:10,14.

We believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ at which time He will judge the nations. The redeemed will be with Him forever in the new heavens and the new earth, the ungodly cast into hell for eternity.
• Matt 25:31-46; Acts 1:11; 1Thes 4:18; 2 Peter 3:1-13

I have to tell you Slayer, and I mean NO condescension at all, that I am truly saddened for you. You have a marvelous testimony. And I think it can be used to heal those who might feel the condemnation of the enemy due to their straying.

But instead of proclaiming what Jesus has done for you, giving Him Glory and leading others to Him, through the joy and love of what He did, you have chosen to align yourself with this church that is the very epitome of the "loveless Church", at Ephesus. Ironic in that is one of the foundational Books establishing God's Sovereignty. Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Come out of that church, and go back to your 1st love. Forget about the predestination stuff. Although I'm mostly in line with it, there is VERY little Fruit getting fixated on it. God didn't draw you back for what you are doing. He loves you, and wants YOU to spread that love.

Let God worry about who is the Elect and who aren't. Cmon brother. Please pray on it.

Read the article posted in his other thread. It links to the whole article and after reading it you will likely see that his pastor is not a hard edged as this young protégé has portrayed him.

Nothing there about not wanting the world to come into their church to visit.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

But according to you you are always correct!! It is obvious that you have no understanding of the different views of scripture.

The Apostles Creed was created to be the definition of what a Christian must believe. All other issues are agree to disagree. There are many issues that are in that are in that category. They existed when the Apostles Creed was written. That is the reason we have so many denominations. It becomes obvious you can't handle this.

Well your interpretation of showing benevolence to all men is to call them filthy sinners correct?

I have to tell you Slayer, and I mean NO condescension at all, that I am truly saddened for you. You have a marvelous testimony. And I think it can be used to heal those who might feel the condemnation of the enemy due to their straying.

But instead of proclaiming what Jesus has done for you, giving Him Glory and leading others to Him, through the joy and love of what He did, you have chosen to align yourself with this church that is the very epitome of the "loveless Church", at Ephesus. Ironic in that is one of the foundational Books establishing God's Sovereignty. Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Come out of that church, and go back to your 1st love. Forget about the predestination stuff. Although I'm mostly in line with it, there is VERY little Fruit getting fixated on it. God didn't draw you back for what you are doing. He loves you, and wants YOU to spread that love.

Let God worry about who is the Elect and who aren't. Cmon brother. Please pray on it.

S...,

Reprobates?.......aren't they just un-repented sinners ...as you and I once were? Perhaps that is a reprobate.

The Bible says......the sick need a doctor...not the well. While we are not encouraged to socialize with them...we must invite them into G-d's house and be prayerful that something a witness or the minister says will get their attention.

I am thankful that there was no effort to stop me from coming into church where I repented of my sins..decades ago...otherwise I may not have made it to Christ from the outside...alone.

I urge further thought to the points here because, not only are we in church to worship G-d we are also there to witness for our Lord and Savior...Jesus Christ. If there is no sinner there we would not be able to witness for Him.

Reprobates have no chance of being saved, they are sealed for destruction but we don't know who they are. Only God knows who the reprobates are, we welcome everyone to visit our Church but they must be willing to conform to all of our Church's requirements for membership.

You guys are crazy if you think we should accommodate such vile and willful sinners as homosexuals, drug users, those living together outside of marriage, divorced people who's spouse is still alive, adulterers and any other sinful lifestyles.

People must be willing to repent and stop living in sin, if they want us to consider their application for membership. We don't want reprobates in our congregation.

Our members must contribute money

Reprobates have no chance of being saved, they are sealed for destruction but we don't know who they are......

Do you have to show earnings statements so your "pastor" can determine that you have contributed your proper "share" of your earnings?

I've heard from people who have gone to churches that go to these lengths so they can be sure the congregants are not living in "sin" by hiding $$$ from God.

Do you have to show earnings statements so your "pastor" can determine that you have contributed your proper "share" of your earnings?

I've heard from people who have gone to churches that go to these lengths so they can be sure the congregants are not living in "sin" by hiding $$$ from God.

We don't go to that extent but we are urged to give as much as we can, in a sacrificial way. We are reminded that we will all receive different rewards in heaven, those who gave generously and sacrificially will receive a much greater reward than those who gave sparingly.

We are regularly reminded that we should give sacrificially so that our reward will be great in heaven, God doesn't like stingy Christians. Remember the parable of the talents speaks about this, God expects us to use all of our gifts to make as much money as possible and then give Him as much as possible.

We don't accept excuses like, I don't have any money left over after paying my bills. Giving should be among the top priorities, we should deny ourselves any luxuries and only eat as much as we need to and buy things in bulk to save where ever possible so we can contribute as much as possible to God.

Considering some of the outlandish things Slayer has stated, like his pastor saying he is always right and his veins popping out of his neck when he preaches on sin, I really think we have been had.

we should deny ourselves any luxuries and only eat as much as we need to and buy things in bulk to save where ever possible so we can contribute as much as possible to God.

Wow that is sad!

Are you serious? I hope your leaders are leading the charge by being as giving as they require you to be.

I have yet to see any Pastors doing this.


All their money comes from the people, who work hard for it.


You never hear any testimonies of a Pastor who gave money they worked for [not offerings from people] and received a hundred fold return.


I never hear any testimonies of Pastors who are living by their own example.


Shameful.



JPT