Recently in another thread, someone who professes to be a pastor or preacher of some sort began to publically denounce the salvation of others simply did not agree with his doctrine.
We have gotten past that and moved on so bringing it up again is no profit. I just read this and I will do my best to keep the conversation more Christ like in manner. Anger is a natural emotion though:
5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
While this thread is not to debate or discuss that doctrine, others who share that doctrine started jumping on the boat saying that if you don't have the faith to believe this way then you do not have the faith to be saved. - The funny thing is that anyone could have just as easily turned their own point around on them and said that if they did not have the faith to believe that God could save someone and work in their despite the fact that these people do not believe the same way as they do, this lack of faith could be a sign they do not have the faith to be saved as well. However, seeing as I neither believe that or want to sound self righteous as they do by making such claims, we'll put an end to that accusation now.
I think we all believe that each other are saved. Now can the tribulation effect your salvation? I believe it can.
Anyhow, my first question to you is:
If someone truly believes in Christ for their salvation, that Christ came to this earth to die on a cross for our sins and that in order to be saved we must believe in him and him alone for our salvation, what gives you the right to proclaim that anyone else is unsaved?
I think it was said in the heat of the moment by someone. Should we hold them to this saying or keep bringing it up if he has repented?
My second question, by criticisizing and alienating those who believe very simular to you yet may disagree on a few small points, do you not realize or even care that you are possibly doing more damage to the Body of Christ as a whole thus you could be percieved by God and others as "a worker of iniquity"?
You could be perceived by God as a worker of iniquity for this very thread. I doubt it though. We are very passionate about the word of God. We have posted many scriptures to keep each other in check, whether those things were so. Is that a worker of iniquity, when all the nasty stuff is going on in the world? Did Christ speak empty words when He spoke so much of these last days? As few words as we got from Christ I don't think He wasted one word, for He foretold us all things. I've seen alot of those that post in here post in that very thread saying basically "I don't care" Is that what Christ taught? No he said take heed do you take heed or do you not care?
5And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Do you care about the parable of the ten virgins?
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Do some of them lose their salvation?
He commanded us to learn the the parable of the fig tree, should we not learn it?
He commanded us to watch, should we sleep?
He commanded us to take heed, should we care?
I know this is not you but others say we shouldn't concern ourselves with such things.
My third question, do you not realize that by insisting that no one can be saved unless they believe as you do, that others may begin to look at you not as loving christians but as heretical and dangerous cult such as Jahova's Witnesses and Mormons have been viewed as over the last several centuries?
This is a quite the exaggeration. We have gotten a little heated over there, but to say this is not accurate.
I will do my best to keep it more civilized and not so harsh, I apologize to all those whom it offended, we will try harder to be more loving.
I believe all those that post on the rapture thread truly love Christ.
I'm going to ask admin to change the name of the thread so it doesn't seem quite as hostile.
Peace unto you in Jesus Christ