CULTS,
SECTS, AND DOGMATISM
Acts
28:22
When
men cannot refute our doctrine, or choose not to pay the price of being
decidedly committed to the message of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ,
their only weapon by which to defend their rebellion is the slander of gospel
truth and those who love it. One of the surest ways to raise suspicions about a
preacher, a church, or a religious group is to refer to it as a “sect,” or a
“cult.” That immediately congers up images of horror. This has been one of Satan’s
ploys since the beginning. When the Jews came to visit Paul in prison, they
said, “Concerning this sect, we know that
it is every where spoken against.”
Do not allow such slanders
to scare you or make you feel uneasy in standing firm against the tide of human
opinion. Let men call me sectarian, cultic, and dogmatic, or scandalize my name
if they must. I rejoice to walk in the company of a great multitude, though
scandalized and always in the minority in their day. Yet, I am not, in the
least, daunted by the fear of standing alone against all the opinions of men.
Here are three things I
affirm with every fiber of my being. They are not rash, youthful, novice
opinions, but the deliberate statements of thoughtful judgment and
consideration.
First,
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS THE MESSAGE OF
SALVATION PURPOSED BY GOD THE FATHER, PURCHASED BY GOD THE SON, AND PERFORMED
IN CHOSEN, REDEEMED SINNERS BY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (Eph. 1:3-14). I do not
care for the nickname, but that which men call “Calvinism” is neither more nor less than the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The biblical doctrines of Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited
Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints are not merely
logical points of theology, but vital gospel doctrines, clearly revealed in
Holy Scripture (Rom. 3:9-19; 5:12; Eph. 1:4-6; Heb. 9:12; Psa. 65:4; John
10:28). To deny these blessed, gospel doctrines is to deny the faith of Jesus
Christ.
Second, ARMINIAN, FREEWILL, WORKS RELIGION IS NOT CHRISTIAN, BUT ANTICHRIST
RELIGION. This is not my opinion, but that which the Holy Spirit has
clearly revealed in Holy Scripture (Gal. 1:6-9; 5:2, 4; Col. 2:23). Those who
deny the accomplishment of redemption and the certain salvation of the redeemed
deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. “This is a deceiver or and an antichrist” (2 John 7). If
Arminianism is embraced as Christianity, then Mormonism, Campbellites
Russellites, and Romanists must also be embraced. In that case, the reformation
was a horrendous mistake, our forefathers died for nothing, and the sooner we
all unite with Rome the better!
Third, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL WHO BELIEVE THE GOSPEL TO DO WHAT WE
CAN IN THESE DARK DAYS TO MAKE IT KNOWN TO ALL MEN. Confess the faith of
Christ before men. Let those who preach, preach it with boldness, clarity, and
distinctiveness. The souls of men, the glory of God, and the truth of God are
at stake. Let us be found faithful! God requires no more and we can give no
less than faithfulness.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #714
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net