Why do Baptists believe in eternal security and the Methodist don’t?

Sincerely,
Pondering The Protestants

Dear Pondering The Protestants,

The idea of ‘eternal security’ is a doctrine accepted by many of today’s Protestant churches.  Eternal security is the teaching that once you are saved, you can never be lost.  It is based off of the teachings of John Calvin (read “Calvin And Sobs” for a more in-depth look at the doctrine of Calvinism).  Methodists don’t subscribe to that teaching, but the Baptists do.  Although, neither the Baptists nor the Methodists are God’s church, in this case, the Methodists are right.

God very clearly teaches that someone can lose their salvation.  Heb. 3:12 tells us to be watchfull, or we will fall away from the living God.  Heb 6:4-6 talks about those who crucify Christ again.  Even after someone has been enlightened and tasted the blessings of salvation, they can fall away.  You have the freedom to choose or reject God (Mk 7:9).  1^st Corinthians chapter five is an entire chapter dedicated to someone who had turned his back on God and had once again immersed himself in a life of sin.  Even the apostle Paul said that he himself had to live faithfully or face rejection (1 Cor 9:26-27).  We will only be eternally secure when we get to heaven; until then, continue to fight the good fight.  Live so that on your deathbed, you can say what Paul did – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:7-8)

Why are there so many churches on the earth today?  Shouldn’t we all be unified and agree on what Christ said we should do?

 

Sincerely,
Unity Matters

Dear Unity Matters,

There was only one church in the first century, and today there are well over 33,000 different denominations all professing to belong to Christ.  This is not only tragic, it’s wrong.  Christ died for one church, and He gave us one doctrine (Eph 4:4-6).  Christianity can only be preserved in the “unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3).  This means that the only way we can have unity is to use the standard the Holy Spirit has given us – the Bible.

All the denominations have their own creed books, statements of faith, organizational structures, and opinions.  Christ’s church has none of those.  It has one book, the Bible, as its rule and standard for all behavior.  It is our guide for all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).  It is the book that was handed down once and for all to the saints (Jude 3).  We cannot have faith without hearing this Word (Rom 10:17), and we cannot please God without obeying its commandments (Jhn 15:14).

The Catholics trust their Vatican leadership, the Protestants reform a broken system, and the community churches pledge loyalty to their communities and social programs.  The only solution to the religious confusion is a radical step… restoration of Bible-only principles.  Let us go back to the Bible for everything that we do, and if we cannot find Bible authority for something… we must refuse to practice it.  A church that finds its roadmap and structure in the Bible alone is the real solution to the division that exists in the religious world.  When the Bible speaks, let us speak – and when it is silent, let us be silent.

I have a question about being saved. I have heard so many things about the requirements to be saved, and I am really confused.  I think I have the basics, but I want to be 100% sure.  I know that some websites say that if you believe in Jesus, you will be saved.  I know that it does say that in the Bible, so it is true. Some people believe that this is all you have to do.  Others say that if you believe and try your best to repent and change your ways, you will be saved.  It seems like it depends on whom you ask.  This is what I “think” from all the research that I have done. I could be wrong, of course, but I think that if you do the following steps, you will be saved. Believe everything that Jesus said, believe that Jesus was “God in human form”, believe that Jesus rose from the dead and went to heaven, know that we can’t save ourselves and that Jesus died for us, believe Jesus never sinned, believe Jesus became sin for us, believe that we don't deserve and cannot save ourselves, ask for forgiveness, and then try to live by the ten commandments as best as you can until the day you die, if you slip up ask for forgiveness, and you need to be baptized. Do you think that I am on the right path?

Sincerely, Baby Steps

Dear Baby Steps,

The Bible outlines five things you must do to become a christian. The question, “What must I do to be saved?” is the most important question any human can ever ask. Plenty of groups will pick and choose what they want to focus on. Many groups say that all you must do is “believe in your heart” and you will be saved – unfortunately, this is cherry-picking out one requirement and leaving the rest behind. We must always remember that the sum of God’s Word provides the truth (Ps 119:160). Belief is obviously an important element to salvation, but it is not the only condition. The Bible outlines five separate requirements for salvation, and all of them are necessary.

1. Hear the Word. Faith comes through hearing, and hearing comes through the Word of God (Rom 10:17). Until someone hears God’s Word, they are incapable of obeying it.
2. Believe the Word. It is impossible for someone to become a christian unless they believe that Jesus is the Savior and Son of God (Jhn 20:31, Acts 16:31, Jhn 3:16).
3. Repent of your sins. ‘Repent’ means to ‘change your mind’. That change of mind always involves a change of action as well. Repentance is when we change our mind about what is important and submit ourselves to Jesus and His Word. Repentance is a necessity of salvation (Mk 6:12, Lk 13:5, Lk 15:7).
4. Confess Jesus to others. If we have sworn our allegiance to Jesus, we must be prepared to publicly confess Him as our Lord. If we won’t confess Jesus before men, He won’t confess us before God (Matt 10:32-33, Lk 12:8-9).
5. Be baptized in the name of Jesus for salvation. Many groups baptize people, but very few baptize people for the right reasons. Baptism isn’t merely an “outward showing of an inward faith” or “for membership”. Baptism is what saves us (1 Pet 3:21). Baptism is the point where someone goes from being lost to saved because they are buried and resurrected with Christ (Rom 6:4-5). Baptism is the final requirement to become a christian (Acts 2:37-38, Mk 16:16, Acts 2:41). There is not a single example of someone becoming a christian without baptism. Baptism is just as necessary as the other four requirements.

After that, there remains nothing else but to find a faithful congregation to assemble with (Heb 10:24) that teaches God’s Word and God’s Word only (see “Finding a Church” for more details) and to continue to grow in knowledge and practice of God’s Word (1 Pet 2:2).

I was baptized at age twelve (Baptist Church), but my husband was sprinkled in his Methodist Church when he was a baby.  He is wondering, should he be baptized as an adult?

Sincerely, Sprinkled, Poured or Plunged

Dear Sprinkled, Poured or Plunged,

There are two important elements to baptism:

1. Why you are baptized
2. How you are baptized

God requires that we be baptized for the right reasons. Baptism should be for salvation (Mk 16:16, 1 Pet 3:21). When we are baptized, we must be baptized under Jesus’ authority and for His reasons. Being baptized for membership into a church, as “an outward sign of an inward grace”, for public recognition, as an infant, etc. are not Biblical baptisms. An easy way to find out why you were baptized is to ask your preacher why your congregation baptizes people. Even Paul re-baptized people who hadn’t been baptized under Christ’s authority (Acts 19:3-5). The great preacher Apollos was also re-baptized when he found out he hadn’t been baptized for salvation (Acts 18:24-26). We must be baptized for the right reasons, or we are just getting wet.

We must also be baptized in the right way. This wasn’t much of a problem for the first century christians because they understood what the word ‘baptize’ meant. The only reason we have trouble today is because many religious groups have twisted and altered the Scriptures. ‘Baptize’ comes from a Greek word that means ‘to immerse’; it is the same word that the Greeks used for a ship when it had sunk. Baptism has nothing to do with sprinkling or pouring water on someone. Baptism is a full immersion under water; that is why John baptized where there was “much water” (Jhn 3:23). The whole symbolism of baptism as a burial would make no sense if baptism were sprinkling (Rom 6:4). Biblical baptism is full immersion in water for the remission of sins.

I have recently moved from one state to another.  I am a member of Grace Baptist Church (which is an independent fundamental Bible-believing Baptist church).  I am looking for a new church in my new area and want to ask the right questions of the pastor, so I am sure to find the right church.  Any ideas?

Signed, Searching for God's church

Dear Searching for God’s church,

We answered a question similar to this one entitled Finding A Church, but let me add some more details that will be useful when talking to any preacher or elder. Here are some important questions to ask the church leadership:

1. What do I need to do to be saved? The Bible teaches that you need to hear God’s Word (Rom 10:17), believe (Jhn 3:16), repent of your sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ as Savior (Matt 10:32-33), and be baptized to have your sins forgiven (Acts 2:38, Mk 16:16, 1 Pet 3:21)… only then are you a christian. Any congregation you attend needs to teach these things.
2. Do you believe there is only one church? Jesus taught that there was only one church He paid for with His blood (Acts 20:28). Paul taught the singularity of the church and the need for unity amongst God’s people (Eph 4:3-6). He also warned against denominationalism and people who would warp God’s Word (Gal 1:6-8).
3. Where do you get the authority for your congregation’s practices? God’s church requires Bible authority for every decision they make. They shouldn’t add to God’s Word by doing things God doesn’t talk about or take away from God’s Word by ignoring any commandments He has made (Rev 22:18-19). Everything a congregation of God’s people does should have book, chapter, and verse behind it.
4. Are you born in sin? The false teaching of ‘original sin’ is very common in today’s society. If a congregation teaches that you are born in sin, they are false teachers. Sin is a choice we make in life (Isa 7:15-16), and all humans are born upright and good (Eccl 7:29).

After answering those four questions, you will very quickly be able to see their attitude towards the Bible and whether they are a God's church or man's.