Brief History:
[1] Way of the Master is a ministry based in the USA, started in 2002 by American actor Kirk Cameron and New Zealand-born evangelist Ray Comfort and American radio host Todd Friel.
The organization includes a TV show, radio broadcast, books, online school, small-group training courses, and a website. The ministry’s logo incorporates the letters, WDJD, standing for “What Did Jesus Do?” and a reference to Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The ministry is headquartered in Bellflower, California.
Controversial issues about Way of the Master.
Having contacted Ray, no response have been given on certain issues concerning way of the master, as Ray comfort has compromised with TBN, Joyce Meyer, my e-mail to ray was sent on Tuesday, 27 May, 2008 21:50
To: “Emeal Zwayne” <ez@livingwaters.com>
Dear Ray
I was surprised to find you personally on TBN, and especially on Joyce Mayor last year, would you consider her to be a Bible based woman of God and a Bible based teacher of the word, I was wondering what your intentions were, and if your motive was to try and reform TBN from the inside?
I would like to know also how you, Todd and Kirk view Paul and Jan Crouch do you believe they are good Godly people ?
Just wondering also if you believe that TBN is truly leading people to grow in God referring also to other programs.
I sincerely look forward to a response.
In His service
Miguel Hayworth
So far I have received no response this has led me to publicly expose what Ray is doing and has done in line with scripture.
Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
To have no fellowship means we do not have association with those who are sinning against God, this is what TBN does.
Ray advertises Kirk Cameron on “Praise the Lord” program on TBN [2] and Ray’s compromise with TBN’s very own Joyce Meyer:
Ray Comfort on Joyce Meyer’s Show
This is one of Rays compromises the scriptures teach us Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Joyce Meyer has made so many false teachings, it is always the false teachers that bring in division, it is never the people who stand for the word of God.
People may reason “Ray just wants to get the truth out no matter what.” but if truth is distorted by the very people who teach us distorted teaching, the truth will never come out it just leaves people as casualties, these people promote superficial theology.
According to the scriptures 1Ti 2:11-12 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. The reason why in 1 tim 2:11-12 states this was because of what God said in Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
This scripture amongst others concerning Gods clear underlined role of women was because of Gen 3:13 13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Eve admitted that she was deceived was the reason what in verse 16 of Genesis God instructed that a woman should be in submission to her husband, their is always clear guidelines simply because women are more susceptible to deceit as eve admitted in the garden, this is why a woman cannot be pastor.
Ray comfort indicates that he believes Joyce Meyer is a credible minister of the gospel when in fact Joyce Meyer is in rebellion to God Ray did not in anyway speak out against this wolf in sheep’s clothing.
What are some of the things that Joyce Meyer teaches, in her [3] 1991 booklet, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make, an evangelistic work aimed at nonbelievers, she resounds the Word-Faith view of Christ’s atonement:
“During that time He entered hell, where you and I deserved to go (legally) because of our sin. He paid the price there … no plan was too extreme … Jesus paid on the cross and in hell” (pg. 35, underlining in the original).
“God rose up from His throne and said to demon powers tormenting the sinless Son of God, ‘Let Him go.’ Then the resurrection power of Almighty God went through hell and filled Jesus … He was resurrected from the dead — the first born-again man” (pg. 36, underlining in the original).
“His spirit went to hell because that is where we deserved to go. Remember in the very beginning of this, I said, ‘When you die, only your body dies. The rest of you, your soul and spirit, goes either to heaven or hell’” (ibid.).
“There is no hope of anyone going to heaven unless they believe this truth I am presenting. You cannot go to heaven unless you believe with all your heart that Jesus took your place in hell” (ibid.).
“Jesus went to hell for you” (pg. 38, underlining in the original).
Meyer also declared on the tape that she no longer is a sinner:
“I’m going to tell you something folks, I didn’t stop sinning until I finally got it through my thick head I wasn’t a sinner anymore. And the religious world thinks that’s heresy and they want to hang you for it. But the Bible says that I’m righteous and I can’t be righteous and be a sinner at the same time … All I was ever taught to say was, ‘I’m a poor, miserable sinner.’ I am not poor, I am not miserable and I am not a sinner. That is a lie from the pit of hell. That is what I was and if I still am then Jesus died in vain. Amen?”
The Apostle John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). It is Christ’s righteousness imparted to us, not ours, that makes us righteous.
In spite all that she teaches Ray Comfort ignores this, Rays intentions maybe good but Ray has this problem he taints what he does, “Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
(Titus 1:15 – 16)
Ray Comfort goes into the temple of Gods and Goddesses, for some one who claims to present the uncompromising gospel he is doing the very thing that King Solomon did in the Bible, Ray Comfort may believe that the opportunity to minister outweighed the risk and that he fully intends to speak whatever God wants him to say.
This is sinning against God, Solomon did a little compromise here and their, some times we all need to be reminded not to make the same mistake.
Stephen warns in acts 7:43.
“Yea, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star
of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship
them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.”
[4] TBN is deep rooted in babylonian Mystersism this should be enough to keep away and especially over their association with Todd Bentley amongst others.
Here are photos of pagan idols from inside the TBN Studio, images are added with permission from Dr. Joseph Chambers, Paw Creek Ministries. [5]
TBN is by far a proponent for the New Age movement and Paganism mixed in to the Christian mindset, [6] Kenneth Copeland Interview “Praise-a-Thon” program on TBN [April 1988]
* Kenneth Copeland: “I was shocked when I found out who the biggest failure in the Bible actually is.”
* Paul Crouch: “Okay.”
* Kenneth Copeland: “You know everybody you ask, you say, ‘Who’s the biggest failure?’ They say, ‘Judas’ Somebody else will say, ‘No,! believe it was Adam.’ Well, how about the devil?”
* Paul Crouch: (Sound of amazement)
* Kenneth Copeland “He’s the most consistent failure.., but he’s not the biggest in terms of material failure and so forth. The biggest in the whole Bible is God.. . . Wait, wait. Don’t you turn that set off. You listen to us. I told you… . Now, you sit still a minute. You know me well enough to know I wouldn’t tell something I can’t prove by the Bible.
Other known issues was [7] Dr. Martin had contacted Copeland by mail confronting him on this issue, but unfortunately his responses to Dr. Martin “were not kind or receptive.”
A short time after this statement was made here a conversation ensued with Paul Crouch (on TBN) on this very subject of Copeland’s prophecy. “Were still questioning what was said about that prophecy, that prophecy never mentions the Son of God, it never said anything about the Son of God. “ (Crouch) What did it say? “It said I did not claim to be God!” that’s all it said.” (Crouch) “In other words in so many words your right nowhere in the New Testament did he literally get up and (Copeland interjects “preach and say I am God), say I AM God did he. Now I stand corrected.” (Ed. Note- It doesn’t matter what Copeland thinks he did, but what did Jesus think he did.)
Knowing that TBN has made heretical teachings, false prophecies, compromised with Ecumenism (please see image of Paul Crouch and the Pope), [8], Islam and on other issues.
In 2005, 2007 and 2008 [9] at winning in Life confrence ran by Ray Comforts friend [10] the Y2K False Prophet Robb Thompson who is the senior pastor of Family Harvest Church, Robb Thompson are friends with John Bevere and his wife lisa. [11] Robb Thompson’s ministry sent out invitations for speakers for the 2005 confrence, which [12] one of the speakers was Ray Comfort, Ray had shared the platform with heretical and apostate false teachers John Avanzini, Mike Murdock, Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland and Jesse Duplantis.
In 2007 Ray Comfort Shared the Platform with false heretical teachers [13] Rick Renner, Jesse Duplantis, John Avanzini abd Mike Murdock.
In 2008 at an Inspiring Excellence Conference, [Backup image, 14] Ray Comfort again shared the platform with John Avanzini, Jesse Duplantis, Mike Murdock and Rod Parsley.
In August 2009 Ray Comfort has associated him self with false prophet and ecumenist false teacher Pat Robertson.
As seen from the video above Way of the Master has unrepentantly joined hands with TBN and heretical teachers, I would encourage anyone reading this to discontinue their involvement with Ray Comfort and the Way of the Master.
On the 27th May 2014 it was brought to my attention this startling quote from Ray Comfort
quoting Charles Spurgeon on discernment below on the right this is hypocritical of Ray Comfort as he has no discernment with regards to ecumenism but is compromised.
Ray Comfort Quoted “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” Charles Spurgeon
Why does Ray Comfort not apply this to himself??????
Ray Comfort is confounding the situation here is a history of where Ray is compromising.
Ray Comfort Says “For our partnership with the Salvation Army”
Published on 7 May 2012
Ray Comfort & Stuart Scott are in Hollywood with The Salvation Army open air preaching on the corner of Hollywood and Vine.
A British Christian, Ecumenical and known for supporting roles and advocates in the pro-homosexual community [see info…] reports “Commissioner Betty Matear of the Salvation Army and the Presidents of the ecumenical grouping Churches Together in England, have welcomed Pope Benedict XVI’s visit“
Commissioner John Matear, the Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army, hoped that the Papal visit would help the churches to “…together proclaim the good news of the Kingdom in word and deed”.
Action of Churches Together Scotland reports: Lieut – Colonel Alan Burns, Scotland Secretary for the Salvation Army says, ‘On behalf of Salvationists in Scotland I’m pleased to welcome Pope Benedict XV1. His visit, coinciding with the feast of St Ninian, will give Christians throughout the nation opportunity to collectively celebrate the life and work of the Churches throughout the ages.
Statement from Scottish Christian: Salvation Army Commissioner Betty Matear, said they hoped Pope Benedict XVI’s visit would be a source of encouragement to all of England’s churches.
Commissioner Betty Matear of the Salvation Army: After the visit of the Pope to Westminster Abbey for the celebration of evening prayer, I was privileged to be invited to participate in a dinner and discussion hosted by our Government, involving Roman Catholic cardinals and bishops.
(Comment: No Commissioner Betty Matear the Church of Rome and the ecumenical movement do not share the same Gospel, the Church of Rome and the Pope is an abomination before God).
Together as the Body of Christ we work to express and understand the common faith we share and how we might live out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(Comment: No Commissioner Betty Matear Common Faith with the Pope is not something we should share.)
I want to confirm that our Salvation Army is at the heart of all of this.
In recent days we took time to ask every division to share where we were working ecumenically and, to date, the responses stretch to a 28-page listing! There are no exceptions; in every division there is involvement at every level.
The words of 1 Corinthians 12 regarding the Body of Christ describe our interconnectedness, our roles and God’s desire and design for unity.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Tents for the local needy children.
19th March 2009 the Worshipful Master presented the Salvation Army with a cheque, which was organised by Wor. Bro. Dawson, to assist them in the purchase of two new tents.
These are for the use of their ‘Guarding And Legions Activities’ group who hold regular camps to give the local underprivileged children experience of the great outdoors. This group is open for any child between the ages of 5 – 17 with many coming from poor socio-economic situations. This donation was greatly helped by the Board of Benevolence through their ‘Dollar for Dollar’ subsidy.
Buckinghamshire Provincial Grand Lodge
Provincial Grand Chaplain
A committed member of the Salvation Army and became a Full-time Minister.
ISSUE 21, April 2007 MQ Magazine.
http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-21/p-29.php
http://apprising.org/2014/05/30/ray-comfort-and-franklin-graham-on-tbns-praise-the-lord-tonight/
RAY COMFORT AND FRANKLIN GRAHAM ON TBN’S PRAISE THE LORD TONIGHT
A couple of weeks ago here at Apprising Ministries I showed that Franklin Graham was hosting TBN’S Praise the Lord program. At the time, it was part of a series of three such Praise the Lord (PtL) programs.
The question then has to be asked is why is Ray Comfort compromising with the Graham’s ???
It also asks the question is Comforts Ministry simply a Business?
Considering he charges extortionate amounts of money for gospel materials, you can get them cheaper else where or for no cost at all.
A friend told me “THERE COMES A TIME… WHEN ABSCISSION IS THE ONLY OPTION…
[TBN is in reality The Trinity Blasphemy Network, and Christians need to avoid it, not lend credibility to it, as Ray Comfort etc. does here…]
I do not trust Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
He, as does his dad Billy Graham, believe Mormons are Christians.
Billy Graham believes people can be saved outside of Christ Jesus:
This lie is clear here: 1:32 min: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCgpUPHkgc8
That means to me that they are pure unadulterated heretics –
and false prophets by biblical definition..
They are not true Christians as according to Scripture.
They will not enter heaven unless they repent of their aberrant ways.
They do not know nor preach the Jesus of the Bible.
End of story..
We also know that other liberal and ecumenists have supported Ray Comforts ministry.
Such as the AFA, Franklin Graham, Ravi Zacharias, John MacArthur, David Jeremiah, Dr. Norman Geisler, Bill Gothard, David Wilkerson, Joni Eareckson Tada, and many other Christian leaders. He has written for Billy Graham’s Decision magazine and Bill Bright’s Worldwide Challenge.
in the next statement Ray demonstrates his lack of dicernment.
When people call and ask where I stand on the charismatic issue, prophecy, predestination, etc., I tell them that I don’t have an opinion because I don’t want to divide the Body of Christ. (www.livingwaters.com/helps/faq.shtml#14, hard copies of all documentation)
“Merely being sorry for your sins, or confessing them to God won’t help you. You must turn from sin (repent).”
Ray Comfort even attempts to use Matthew 7:21-23 to prove his Lordship Salvation heresy; thus corrupting the Scriptures…
On page 1197 of THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, Ray Comfort comments on Matthew 7:22,23…
“These are perhaps the most frightening verses in the Bible. Vast multitudes of professing Christians fit into the category spoken of here. They call Jesus ‘Lord,’ but they practice lawlessness. They profess faith in Jesus, but have no regard for the divine law. hey tell ‘fibs’ or ‘white’ lies, take things that belong to others, have a roaming eye for the opposite sex, etc. They are liars, thieves, and adulterers at heart, who will be cast from the gates of heaven into the jaws of hell.”
SOURCE: THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, by Ray Comfort, pg. 1197; 2003, Bridge-Logos Publishers, Orlando, Florida
Ladies and gentleman, Ray Comfort is teaching works salvation! According to what we just read by Ray Comfort, every believer who is still living in deliberate sin won’t be allowed into Heaven.
The correct interpretation of Matthew 7:22,23 must include verse 21…
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
What is “the will of the Father”? The answer is found in 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.”
The group in Matthew 7:21-23 were unsaved because they refused to do God’s will concerning salvation. It wasn’t because they still had personal sins in their life. Every believer still has sin in their life! We all sin every day. That’s not to say that we have God’s approval to sin, God forbid (Romans 3:31). It just means that even the best of Christians are still sinners. Ray Comfort wrestles the Scriptures to his own destruction, and sadly for those who follow his false teachings.
It was actually Billy Graham that made the doctrine popular. Billy will usually tell his audience that salvation is, again, a free gift that cannot be earned no matter what we do. It is, by far, Graham’s terse persona that captivates and influences an audience rather than the Holy Spirit of God. Hypothetically speaking, how would you feel if you were in a car with someone the likes of whom I am about to describe? Imagine you are trying to get somewhere that you’ve never been before and the person next to you says this:
“Okay, take a left, and then take a right, and then stop, back up, take another right. Wait. Take another left. My map is correct! Trust me! Stop. Go right again, then turn left. Can’t you go any faster? Okay, turn right here. Stop. Take a left, then take another left. Wait. Go back. Can’t you do anything right? Start over. Go right, then left, go sharply right now. Stop! Can’t you follow my directions? Back up and take another right. Wait, go left. Trust me, I know where I’m taking you!” That, reader, is the sad yet accurate equivalent of the plan of salvation according to Billy Graham. It will get you nowhere. “There is an increasing number of ‘evangelicals’ today who are preaching that in order for a man to be saved he must not only receive Christ as his Savior, but also must make Him absolute Lord and Master of his life. This doctrine has been termed “Lordship salvation” and has absolutely no support from the Word of God. It is, in fact, another subtle way Satan has invented to get Bible-believing men to add works to salvation without, perhaps, their realizing it, and to do it in such a way that it sounds spiritual and good” (Stanford, 87-88).
To further explain what Lordship Salvation is I will give a short summery
I do not accept that the works of holiness are a means test of salvation, it is my belief that faith must produce works, not the other way around, God does not depend us to live a holy life, but he works holiness in us through the holy spirit convicting us to do his work, this enables us to live a life acceptable to God, Lordship Salvation also refuse a person to practice the biblical law of liberty Romans 14 I am not advocating antinomian views “a person can live apart from God’s moral laws” obedience is a result and response of faith, not because of it but not a measure of salvation..
It complicates the Gospel
Lordship places unnecessary burdens on people to meet an high expectation that can destroy a persons faith in Christ, the Bible teaches us it is our faith that perfects us and not the works of righteousness at the same time this does not mean we are free to sin as we like.
It is a form of legalism by a persons demonstration of his ” Christian life ” you can determinate if a person is in the faith and decide from that weather a person is really saved this is contrary to John 5 where Jesus Christ is the only one who can judge that.
It produces a self righteous attitude and does not teach humility, grace and compassion.
The Bible says “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” —Romans 4:5
This explanation came from David J Stewart
They’re is a raging battle in theological circles today over the issue of LORDSHIP SALVATION, i.e., the false teaching that a sinner MUST cease from living a sinful lifestyle to be saved.
Nothing could be further from the truth. No such false doctrine is taught in the Word of God. Proponents of this heresy pervert the Biblical meaning of the Word “repent.” Jesus exclaimed in Mark 1:15, “…repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The Greek word for “repent” here is METANOEO, which means, “to change one’s mind.” This is irrefutable evidence against the heresy of Lordship Salvation, which perverts the meaning of “repentance” to mean “a changed lifestyle.” A changed life is the FRUIT of genuine repentance; and not a part of the ROOT of saving-faith.
Biblical repentance is a change of one’s mind about sin and the Savior, which causes that person to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. It is utter self-righteous hypocrisy for the proponents of Lordship Salvation, to demand that a person cease from sinning to be saved.
Lordship Salvationists, in a futile attempt to support their false doctrine, paint an ugly picture of their opponents. They allege that we believe people can happily indulge in open sin with no remorse whatsoever. That is simply not the case at all. God doesn’t give anyone permission to sin (Romans 3:31).
Please remember that Biblical repentance IS A CHANGE OF MIND. A person who is genuinely saved now has a different attitude. If a man is a true Christian, he won’t have the haughty attitude that he can continue in open sin with no consequences. Each believer has the Spirit of Christ living within (Romans 8:9). This is the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 12:8 makes clear that God will CHASTISE His children. The Holy Spirit always convicts the believer of unrepentant sin. In sharp contrast, the heathen unsaved world knows not God, and sins with no remorse or concern for the things of God.
Lordship Salvationists are wrong! They attack Bible-believing Christians with shallow accusations which simply CANNOT be substantiated with the Scriptures. A person who has been genuinely saved has repented concerning their sins, i.e., they acknowledged their GUILT of sin and believed on Christ for forgiveness.
The heresies that Lordship Salvationists teach are not found anywhere in the Scriptures. They mandate repentance FROM sins to be saved, but this is not Scriptural. Biblically, we are to repent OF our sins, i.e., our sinful condition. God says we are all sinners (Romans 3:10,19-23).
Repentance from sin is an entirely different matter. Just because a person believes upon Christ as Savior doesn’t automatically mean that their life is cleaned up. It takes time for a new believer to grow in the Lord (1st Peter 2:2). A new believer doesn’t instantly stop drinking, smoking, cursing, et cetera. It takes time to grow in grace.
Lordship Salvationists are hypocrites because they expect a sinner to change instantly in order to get saved. Lordship Salvation prohibits anyone from coming to Christ for salvation who isn’t willing to forsake their sins. So then how can anyone be saved? No one can forsake ALL their sins, otherwise they’d be perfect, and only Jesus Christ is without sin (2nd Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15).
“But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew… But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.” —Mark 14:68,71
The above passage of Scripture is speaking about the Apostle Peter. Peter sinned by denying Jesus. Yet, Peter was a born-again believer. King David was a Christian; yet he conspired to have a man killed, to cover up an unwanted pregnancy, from an adulterous affair with that man’s wife. Abraham and Sara doubted God. Moses was a murderer. Samson went with a harlot. Jacob was a thief. Jonah ran from God. Noah got drunk. Isaiah was a man of unclean lips. These were God’s best and brightest.
Lot was a worldly believer. Yet, 2nd Peter 2:7 calls Lot a “just” man. The Lordship Salvation crowd would have considered all of these men unsaved. Yet, we see they were saved.
This subject needs to preached about on a regular basis, because the damnable heresy of LORDSHIP SALVATION has infiltrated our churches, and is leading multitudes into Hell.
What is “Lordship Salvation?” Lordship Salvation is the unbiblical teaching that a person MUST cease from a sinful lifestyle to be saved. Lordship Salvationists pervert the true meaning of the word “REPENT” in the Word of God. Whereas Biblical repentance means that a person recognizes their guilt of sin (Romans 3:19); Lordship Salvationists corrupt the meaning of the word, teaching that a person must cease from living a sinful lifestyle to be saved. God does not ask us to give up anything to be saved. Eternal life is the gift of God (Romans 6:23). Salvation is receiving, not giving. God gave us His only begotten Son, Jesus, to pay our debt of sin. All we have to do to be saved is to acknowledge our guilt of sin, coming to God on that basis; believing on Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, to forgive our sins (Acts 10:43).
In 2nd Peter 3:9 we read, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” The Greek word for “repentance” here is “METANOIA” and literally means “a change of mind.” Not a change of lifestyle; BUT, a change of mind. The changed life should follow afterwards; but the Bible is filled with examples of saints who continued to live in rebellion and sin, such as Solomon and Samson.
The Distinctives of Lordship Salvation (taken from Grace Community Church’s website) With comments (in Bold) by John Hayworth.
There are many articles of faith that are fundamental to all evangelical teaching. For example, there is agreement among all believers on the following truths: (1) Christ’s death purchased eternal salvation; (2) the saved are justified by grace through faith in Christ alone; (3) sinners cannot earn divine favor; (4) God requires no preparatory works or pre-salvation reformation; (5) eternal life is a gift of God; (6) believers are saved before their faith ever produces any righteous works; and (7) Christians can and do sin, sometimes horribly.
What, then, are the distinctives of lordship salvation? What does Scripture teach that is embraced by those who affirm lordship salvation but rejected by proponents of “easy-believism”? The following are nine distinctives of a biblical understanding of salvation and the gospel.
First, Scripture teaches that the gospel calls sinners to faith joined in oneness with repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30;20:21; 2 Pet. 3:9). Repentance is a turning from sin (Acts 3:19; Luke 24:47) that consists not of a human work but of a divinely bestowed grace (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25). It is a change of heart, but genuine repentance will effect a change of behavior as well (Luke 3:8; Acts 26:18-20). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that repentance is simply a synonym for faith and that no turning from sin is required for salvation.
(Comment) Repentence Greek Metanoia means a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done. Biblical repentance involves a change of one’s thinking, a change of mind, as the scripture states:
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:25)
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Hebrews 6:1).
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
(Acts 16:31)
According to Grace Fellowship Paul and Silas would be teaching “easy-Believism” by telling this man that in order to be saved all that was necessary was for him to believe! Paul declared:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Biblical Repentance is about changing one’s attitude towards the Lord Jesus:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31)
Second, Scripture teaches that salvation is all God’s work. Those who believe are saved utterly apart from any effort on their own (Titus 3:5). Even faith is a gift of God, not a work of man (Eph. 2:1-5,8). Real faith therefore cannot be defective or short-lived but endures forever (Phil. 1:6; cf. Heb. 11). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that faith might not last and that a true Christian can completely cease believing.
(Comment) Paul, in writing to the Gentiles believers in Rome warned them about the possibility of them being “cut off”:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:21-22)
The writer to the Hebrews also speaks thus:
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (Hebrews 3:14-15).
These scriptures are written to believers, to people who profess Christ and have faith. The Holy Spirit speaks of God dealing out to people the “measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)
Third, Scripture teaches that the object of faith is Christ Himself, not a creed or a promise (John 3:16). Faith therefore involves personal commitment to Christ (2 Cor. 5:15). In other words, all true believers follow Jesus (John 10:27-28). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that saving faith is simply being convinced or giving credence to the truth of the gospel and does not include a personal commitment to the person of Christ.
(Comment) The scriptures point out that there will be those that are weak and who struggle. The message is clear:
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1)
…comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:13)
Fourth, Scripture teaches that real faith inevitably produces a changed life (2 Cor. 5:17). Salvation includes a transformation of the inner person (Gal. 2:20). The nature of the Christian is new and different (Rom. 6:6). The unbroken pattern of sin and enmity with God will not continue when a person is born again (1 John 3:9-10). Those with genuine faith follow Christ (John 10:27), love their brothers (1 John 3:14), obey God’s commandments (1 John 2:3; John 15:14), do the will of God (Matt. 12:50), abide in God’s Word (John 8:31), keep God’s Word (John 17:6), do good works (Eph. 2:10), and continue in the faith (Col. 1:21-23; Heb. 3:14). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that although some spiritual fruit is inevitable, that fruit might not be visible to others and Christians can even lapse into a state of permanent spiritual barrenness.
(Comment) A person who is born of God will have a changed life. They will no longer be unbelievers and their life will begin to show evidence of this. Whereas before they did not desire Christ, now they do desire Him. The problem here is that people are not being encouraged to continue in Grace, a whole heap of other things is being piled on their shoulders. Rather than encourage believers to grow and trust Christ this encourages people to doubt whether they are really saved! It gives people the idea that unless they are sinlessly perfect they are not really saved!
I have met some dear people who came away from meetings led by proponents of Lordship Salvation doubting whether or not they were truly saved!
If fruit is present in their lives this means that they are saved. The parable of the sower shows us that the seed that fell on good soil bears fruit but that no two plants will bear the same amount of fruit:
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. (Matthew 13:8 & Mark 4:20)
Some people’s lives will be more fruitful than others! Being less fruitful is no indication of lacking salvation.
Fifth, Scripture teaches that God’s gift of eternal life includes all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3;Rom. 8:32), not just a ticket to heaven. In contrast, according to easy-believism, only the judicial aspects of salvation (e.g., justification, adoption, and positional sanctification) are guaranteed for believers in this life; practical sanctification and growth in grace require a post-conversion act of dedication.
(Comment) When a person first becomes a believer, born again by faith in Jesus Christ, they are NOT fully mature in the faith. Personal Sanctification and growth in Grace can only come “post-conversion”! When a person is born again of the Spirit of God they have been perfected but sanctification (or Holiness as it is also called) is a continual process:
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
In other translations we are given to understand that being sanctified is a continual process:
those who are being sanctified. (NKJV), those who are being made holy. (NIV), those who are being sanctified. (HNV).
The Greek text uses the term ἁγιαζομένους (hagiazoumenous) which gives the sense of the sanctification being pronounce upon people. Just as the Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us, so the sanctification is a work of God.
Sixth, Scripture teaches that Jesus is Lord of all, and the faith He demands involves unconditional surrender (Rom. 6:17-18; 10:9-10). In other words, Christ does not bestow eternal life on those whose hearts remain set against Him (James 4:6). Surrender to Jesus’ lordship is not an addendum to the biblical terms of salvation; the summons to submission is at the heart of the gospel invitation throughout Scripture. In contrast, easy-believism teaches that submission to Christ’s supreme authority is not germane to the saving transaction.
(Comment) Whenever the Gospel was preached in the scriptures we do not read anywhere where people were exhorted to submit to the Lordship of Christ. They were exhorted to believe in the Son of God. (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; 1John 5:13; John 1:12-13; Romans 4:13-25; Romans 5:1-2;
Seventh, Scripture teaches that those who truly believe will love Christ (1 Pet. 1:8-9; Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 16:22). They will therefore long to obey Him (John 14:15, 23). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that Christians may fall into a state of lifelong carnality.
(Comment) We cannot fault the scriptures! Yet when reading this seventh distinctive do we not automatically begin to question, “Do I love Jesus?” Will we ever love Him enough?
Eighth, Scripture teaches that behavior is an important test of faith. Obedience is evidence that one’s faith is real (1 John 2:3). On the other hand, the person who remains utterly unwilling to obey Christ does not evidence true faith (1 John 2:4). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that disobedience and prolonged sin are no reason to doubt the reality of one’s faith.
(Comment) The commandments we have been given to follow are to Love God above all else and love everyone else as ourselves.
Ninth, Scripture teaches that genuine believers may stumble and fall, but they will persevere in the faith (1 Cor. 1:8). Those who later turn completely away from the Lord show that they were never truly born again (1 John 2:19). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that a true believer may utterly forsake Christ and come to the point of not believing.
(Comment) When Paul was writing to the believers in Galatia it was obvious from his letter that he considered them to have been believers because he addresses them as “brethren”. (Galatians 6:1) He speaks of them as being “known of God”. (Galatians 4:9) Paul writes to them in order to warn them of false teachers that had come amongst them. Judas Iscariot was an Apostle of Christ, when he was sent out he had the power of God to heal the sick just as the other 11 Apostles could!
Most Christians recognize that these nine distinctives are not new or radical ideas. The preponderance of Bible-believing Christians over the centuries have held these to be basic tenets of orthodoxy. In fact, no major orthodox movement in the history of Christianity has ever taught that sinners can spurn the lordship of Christ yet lay claim to Him as Savior.
This issue is not a trivial one. In fact, how could any issue be more important? The gospel that is presented to unbelievers has eternal ramifications. If it is the true gospel, it can direct men and women into the everlasting kingdom. If it is a corrupted message, it can give unsaved people false hope while consigning them to eternal damnation. This is not merely a matter for theologians to discuss and debate and speculate about. This is an issue that every single pastor and layperson must understand in order that the gospel may be rightly proclaimed to all the nations.
(Comment) On the surface LS may seem Biblical however it lends itself to self-righteous judging of weak believers. Many believers struggle with the flesh, as Paul wrote:
…we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:14-25)
LS leaves so many under condemnation as they judge themselves as not living up to the measure of sinless perfection that this doctrine implies!
LS is a divisive doctrine. Church leaders will tell their charges to have nothing to do with other believers who do not hold to the Lordship position.
Teachers of LS deny that they teach a works-based Salvation, however the very nature of LS proves otherwise. We are not saved on the basis of anything other than faith. It is our faith that justifies us, the fact that we believe on Christ, and nothing more:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:5-8)
LS implies that anyone who does not agree with this doctrine is teaching Antinomianism or “easy-believism” as they call it! This accusation was also leveled against Paul:
(as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. (Romans 3:8)
For some good questions that every adherent of LS needs to answer:
http://www.gracelife.org/resources/gracenotes/?id=11
Refs
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_of_the_Master
[2] http://www.tbn.org/about/newsletter/index.php/263.html
[3] http://www.pfo.org/wan-star.htm
[4] http://theredskywarning.blogspot.com/2008/05/todd-bentleys-angel-emma-birthed-god-tv_21.html
[5] http://www.pawcreek.org/
[6] http://www.cuttingedge.org/NEWS/n1841.cfm
[7] http://www.letusreason.org/Wf26.htm
[8] TBN Paul Crouch and the Pope
[9] http://www.winninginlife.org/index.html
[10] http://apprising.org/2008/07/24/word-faith-wolf-robb-thompson-%E2%80%9Cmy-friend-ray-comfort/
[11] http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/beverequotes.html
[12] http://www.winninginlife.org/archives/ie05.htm
[13] http://www.winninginlife.org/archives/speakers/2007.htm
[14] Inspiring Excellence Conference Backup image.
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