Eternal Security - Yes Or No? ~ Thoughts From 2010

CAN A BORN-AGAIN CHILD OF GOD do anything to cause him/her to lose salvation?  Can a born-again child of God give away or discard his salvation? 

Those questions bring to mind the discussion between Jesus and the Pharisee Nicodemus in the John 3:

John 3:3-8, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' 

Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?'

Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Just as a child which has been born from its mother's womb cannot decide to go back and not be born - a person who has truly been born-again and become a child of God, (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1-2) and adopted into His family (Ephesians 1:5-6, Galatians 4:5) - cannot be unborn again of God.  We have His promise that no matter what we do - we cannot be snatched out of His hands or the Father's hands (John 10:28-29).

So, what happens when a truly born-again Christian does, in times of weakness or stress, commit a very bad sin? 

That was the subject of a discussion I began in 2010 on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, in response to a question from a new forum member, Mike.  And I also shared it in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter.  This is my original post, which I have updated in this writing:

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ETERNAL SECURITY - YES OR NO?  ~  Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:24

Hi Mike,

First, let me say that regardless of whether believers are Calvinist, Arminians, or stand in between the two as I do - we are all forgiven sinners and belong to the Family of God.  While I wave the Christian flag more than the Baptist flag - I am a Baptist.  And, I find that most Baptists, at least the ones with whom I have been associating for the last twenty-two years (now thirty years), tend to also stand in the middle ground between these two extremes. 

Unfortunately, the Southern Baptist Convention, over the past several decades, has had an influx of Calvinist teachings in many of their seminaries.  For that reason, if I were to seriously look at joining a Southern Baptist church fellowship - I would first ask where that local congregation stands on Calvinism.

I also tend to lean more toward the philosophy of the Baptist General Conference (BGC) in dealing with church membership.  In a BGC church, a person who regularly attends church and displays the fruit of Christian salvation is welcomed as a member if he/she so desires.  If that person displays the fruit of a Christian walk and wants to participate in our Christian fellowship; we welcome him/her. 

If at a later time, he/she displays a lifestyle not in accordance with the Christian life an elder, or the pastor, or both, will approach this person and seek to bring him/her back into step with what is expected of a Christian in the fellowship.  If the person will not change that action or lifestyle which reflects negatively upon the person of Jesus Christ and refuses all pastoral/elder counseling - he/she will be asked to leave the fellowship.  This is in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17.

Footnote:  The denomination I refer to as the BGC was first called the Swedish Baptist General Conference in 1875 - then Baptist General Conference in 1945 - then Converge Worldwide in 2008 - and in 2015 it was shortened to just Converge.  Since during most of the years I was in those churches, it was BGC, I still think of them in that light.

On the other hand, most Southern Baptist churches have more stringent requirements and rules for becoming a member of the local church.  But, this depends upon each local church.

Mike, you tell us, "Two very good books on the subject of the possibility of apostasy are; 'Grace, Faith, Free Will' by Robert Picirilli and 'Understanding Assurance & Salvation' by Picirilli.  Both of these books can be previewed or ordered via Randall House Publications, out of Nashville, Tennessee."

On most issues, these are most likely very good books.  However, since Dr. Picirilli teaches at a Free Will Baptist seminary and professes to follow the Arminian theology; I would have to discount that part of his books.

On the other hand, a very good book which stays in the middle ground is "How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity With God," written by Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor of The Moody Church.

You say, "On a personal note, I do not believe in the 'once saved, always saved' view.  I do not believe that just because a person has been baptized they are saved.  I do believe that a person who is truly saved can reach a point in their life where they can lose their salvation.  Where is that point?  I have no idea.  As a Free Will Baptist, we take the Arminian view of salvation."

Your first statement, "On a personal note, I do not believe in the 'once saved, always saved' view" reminds me of a Bible study we had about six years ago.  One of the teenage girls in our Bible study invited her friend from school.  The father, rightfully so, came with his daughter to see what was being taught in our Bible study.  I commend him for this. 

As the study proceeded, we began to discuss salvation.  The man, who we found to be a strict Calvinist, spoke up saying that only those elected by God before the creation would have salvation.  Our pastor and I discussed this issue with him for a few minutes.  Then, I asked the man, "Do you believe God gave man free will?"  And, he said emphatically, "No." 

At this point, rather than let the Bible study go off on a tangent, we moved back into the mainstream of the study.  There was no way we were going to convince this man - and, we most certainly did not want our people being taught Calvinism.  So, we moved on.

Then, you say, "I do not believe that just because a person has been baptized they are saved."

I agree completely with that statement; for no one is saved through baptism.   Baptism is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior.  Our baptism by immersion is symbolic of that:  the believer's death to sin is symbolic of His death - the believer's burial of the old life is symbolic of His burial - and the believer's resurrection (or rising from the water of baptism) to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus is symbolic of His resurrection. 

That statement, or description of baptism, was paraphrased from the SBC web site and it is my belief.  Baptism is a sign that we have salvation; not the means of our salvation.

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. …It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.  (http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/basicbeliefs.asp)

Next, you say, "I do believe that a person who is truly saved can reach a point in their life where they can lose their salvation.  Where is that point?  I have no idea."

How do you relate this to John 3:16, "For God so loved the world (all people), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (or whosoever in the King James, both mean "any person who") believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

And, to John 6:47, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."

Is Jesus wrong?  Or, is Jesus lying?   Or was Jacobus Arminius wrong?  In whom will you place your faith - Jesus Christ or Jacobus Arminius?

You declare, "As a Free Will Baptist, we take the Arminian view of salvation."

And, you offer this explanation:

Jacobus Arminius' teaching: "No one, not even a believer, can rest in His eternal security - for everyone will always be wondering if and when they will lose their salvation - or, if they ever had it."  As a rule of thumb, we do not hold to that particular statement.  We believe that a Christian is secure in their salvation - until they reach a point in their life, by personal choice, to abandon the faith.

You say that you do not hold to this statement; yet, you then say that a person CAN lose his salvation, or choose to not be a Christian.  How can such a person truly have any degree of eternal security - if he/she knows that, at some point in their life they could lose their salvation or be lured away from Christ?

Yet, Jesus Christ tells us, in John 10:27-30, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  I and the Father are one."

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. . ."  ~ This tells me that these people, His sheep, are believers who have come to saving grace through and in Jesus Christ.

". . .and I give eternal life to them,"  ~ This tells me that this is an ironclad guaranty, one that no one can break.  If Jesus gives a gift -  there is no way He is going to take it back.  And eternal does mean "never ending."  If He gives us eternal "never ending" life and it can end, regardless of who ends it - how can it be eternal?

". . .and no one will snatch them out of My hand.. . . no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand"  ~  If this is not eternal security, how else could one find security?  It says we are held tightly in the hands of both Jesus Christ and God the Father!  That is ETERNAL SECURITY!

For a Christian believer to lose his/her salvation or to have him leave salvation - would mean that Satan has pulled or lured this person away out of the hands of Jesus Christ and God the Father.  Do you really believe this is possible?  The Bible teaches that is not possible.

Finally, Mike, you say, "Many people have the misconception that people who hold this view are saved, lost, saved, lost, etc..  THIS IS NOT what we believe.  As a personal example, if I commit a sin am I going to heaven?  Yes, we believe that I will go to heaven.  The question or problem becomes, 'What if a person, "who was once enlightened" continues to make a practice of a sinful life and turns away from the teachings of Christ?'  Sorry to ramble, but I do hope this helps some."

I wondered how long it would take someone in this discussion to bring in Hebrews 6.  But, rather than reinvent the wheel, I will share with you what Pastor Chuck Smith, late founder and senior pastor of Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, a non-denominational church movement, has written in his commentary on Hebrews 6:

Hebrews 6:1-3, "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.  And this we will do, if God permits."

Let's leave these basic principles, i.e., doctrines of salvation and redemption.  Let's go (further) on into maturity.  Let's go on into a mature experience with God.  Let's develop in our walk with the Lord.  Let's mature.  Let's grow up.

For years in my ministry I sought to be a preacher.  I was a preacher.  And I sought to be an evangelist.  Just about every message that I preached was evangelistic, because within the denomination where I was serving, evangelism was the big thing.  First thing on my report (to the denomination headquarters), I had to put how many people were saved - and if you don't have some in that box, then you're not going to look good to the bishop.  So I sought to be an evangelist.

I preached the gospel.  But I came to the realization, after years of frustration, that preaching is for the unconverted.  What the converted needs is teaching.

God had called me to be a teacher - but I was seeking to be a preacher.  As I preached, the church never developed.  It never matured.  The people didn't mature.  I kept them in a state of spiritual arrested development.  All they knew was the doctrine of salvation.  They knew it well.  They knew they had to be born again.  They knew they had to repent from their sins.  They knew they had to be baptized, because that is all they ever heard.

And we never took them beyond that state of spiritual infancy - until we began to teach the Word of God.  Leaving these first principles, the doctrine of Christ, going on into the full maturity, not going back, over and over again, the foundations of faith - but building on that foundation the whole knowledge of God through the Word (through expositional teaching). 

The author (of Hebrews) says something here that is difficult to understand.

Hebrews 6:4-6, "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come - and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, (not to salvation, but to repentance) since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame."

I know that this is a passage of Scripture that Satan loves to use.  Satan loves to use Scripture.  He came to Eve with Scripture, "Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"  He came to Jesus with Scripture, "It is written He will give His angels charge over Thee to carry Thee in all Thy ways lest at any time You dash Your foot against a stone."  He came to Jesus with Scripture, but what Jesus then did was balance Scripture with Scripture.  Taking Scripture out of its context, you can make it mean something else.  Taking Scripture and isolating it, you can make it mean something else.  We must compare Scripture with Scripture.

What do we know that the Scripture teaches?  That a man may fail, that a man may even blaspheme, and still find forgiveness.  For we remember that Jesus said to Peter, "Before the cock crows, you are going to deny Me three times."  Peter said, "If they would kill me, I would never deny You."  After the cock crowed twice, Jesus turned over and looked at Peter, and Peter realized he had denied Him three times.  The last time was blasphemy, saying, "I don't know the man." 

And he went out and he wept bitterly.   But Peter found forgiveness.  He found restoration and he became one of the pillars of the early church, an apostle, a leader of men.  So it doesn't mean that if I falter, or if I fall or I fail - that I'm out, (it does not mean) that God puts me out and I have no hope of redemption.  (It doesn't mean that) it's impossible that I might be renewed unto repentance.

We know that God is gracious.  We know that God is merciful.  We know that God is long-suffering.  We know that He is patient and (that) He has not rewarded us according to our iniquities.  But as high as the heaven is above the earth, so high are the mercies of God towards those who fear Him.  Satan often uses these verses (Hebrews 6:4-6) to a person who has backslidden . He says, "Man, you are out.  Do you see what it says here in Hebrews?  You've had it.  That was the unpardonable sin that you committed and there is no way to renew you to repentance.  You are out of the game."

This is one of those scriptures that we have to deal with often as a pastor.  When people come, you can tell it - you can see it in their eyes, and they say, "I think I've committed the unpardonable sin."  We even have them calling on the phone long distance, "I believe I've committed the unpardonable sin."

And I always tell them, "I know you have not."

"Well, how do you know?"

"Because you asked.  Because you called."   If you (had) committed the unpardonable sin, you wouldn't care.  The Holy Spirit wouldn't be dealing with you at all.  You'd be so cold, callous, and indifferent - that you wouldn't even care if you had.  The fact that you are concerned and care - is the sign that you haven't.  God's Spirit is still dealing with you.

But Satan loves to use this as a club over people's head and he beats them to death with it.

I have been meaning to write something on Hebrews 6 for a while.  But, Pastor Chuck's explanation is very clear, down to earth, and right on target.  No, a born-again Christian believer cannot lose his salvation.  A person once saved - HAS the firm promise of Jesus Christ that NO ONE can snatch him/her out of His hands - the firm promise that he who believes HAS Eternal Life in Christ.

In closing let's examine the writings of one other recognized and acknowledged Christian teacher and theologian, Dr. J. Vernon McGee:
 

From J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible Series 

From "Hebrews Chapters 1-7," by Dr. J. Vernon McGee, pages 109-110

First of all, let me call to your attention that the writer is not discussing the question of salvation in this passage (Hebrews 6:1-6).  I believe he is describing saved people.  They have been enlightened, they have tasted of the heavenly gift, they have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and they have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come.

The whole tenor of the text reveals that he is speaking of rewards which are the result of salvation.  In verse 6 he says, "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance" - not to salvation, but to repentance.

Mike, since I have not seen you on the Religion Forum before - let me say, "Welcome!"   I welcome another Christian brother to the TimesDaily Religion Forum.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

 

PreTrib or PostTrib? ~ Is There Time In Heaven?

Today on the Facebook group page named "YE3C-Eschatology" (Young Earth Christian Creationist Coalition), a member, Nathanael, posted this dialogue starter:

"Last night I heard Pastor Jon Courson of the Calvary Chapel Movement confirm a prime argument for Post-Trib - and he is a Dispensationalist! Using Revelation 20:4-6, 2nd Corinthians 15:51-54 (B.G Note: should be 1 Corinthians 15:50-53), and 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 - he said the resurrection and rapture all seem to be at the same time - the beginning of the Millennium.  So, he had to find a way that the rapture could be 7 years earlier and this instant return could both be true.

He (Jon Courson) enlisted the assumption (that) Heaven has no time, which is an easily disprovable assumption.  He said since God is light, and in Relativity time stops at light speed - then Heaven is outside of time as we know it.  Consider Revelation 8:1, though, (KJV) "And when He (Jesus) had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."

You cannot have silence for a half-hour unless there is time, and very comparable to our time down here.  Therefore, this very stupid argument to reconcile Pre-Trib with clear teachings of Scripture is a failure.  I am very glad to have my position confirmed by a hostile witness; always a pleasure to know I am believing Scripture without assumptions!"    

Nathanael, first let me say that I did not hear that particular teaching of Jon Courson, but I am quite sure from all his past teachings that he is a PreTrib Rapture and Premillennial Second Coming of Christ believer.  So, let's break down your first paragraph.

We know that 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 is describing the condition of our mortal bodies as being undeniably corrupt which cannot be accepted in heaven - and we know that believers will be changed from this corrupt mortal body into a heavenly immortal body when resurrected from the grave or snatched up at the Rapture.

And we know that 1 Thessalonians 14:13-18 is speaking of the Rapture, when Jesus Christ will come in the clouds to take His promised bride, the church, into heaven, i.e., the Rapture.

So, what is Revelation 20:4-6 telling us? 

Revelation 20:4, "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.  Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.  And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."

(1)  ~  "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them." 

From the commentary on Revelation 20 by David Guzik:

a. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them:  Who sits on these thrones?  Perhaps the twenty-four elders representing the church (Revelation 4:4), or the apostles (Matthew 19:28), or the company of saints as a whole (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

i. And judgment was committed to them:  Perhaps this is the "judging of angels" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, but it is more likely that these are the saints ruling on and over the earth.

(2)  ~  "Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands."

This has to be speaking of the Tribulation believers, for only during the Tribulation will the "Mark of the Beast" be introduced.

From the commentary on Revelation 20 by David Guzik (Blue Letter Bible web site):

c. Who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus .  .  . who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark: All those who overcome in Jesus will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 2:26-28, 3:12,22, 1 Corinthians 6:2-3).  Why does John only mention the Tribulation saints?

i. They are specifically mentioned so as to encourage them, while not implying others will be left out.  This is special vindication for Tribulation saints.  They suffered under Antichrist who had said, "I will rule the earth" - now they are in authority and Antichrist is destroyed.  So, these martyrs are literal, but also representative of all that (who) give their lives in faithfulness to Jesus.

ii. Beheaded is actually broader word than it seems; the ancient Greek word really means "executed."

(3)  ~  "And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."

This is the blessed promise for all believers from time eternal, i.e., Old Testament saints, New Testament saints (the church),  Tribulation saints, and Millennial saints.

Revelation 20:5,  "But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.  This is the first resurrection.

The rest of the dead is referring to all non-believers, i.e, those who have been waiting in Hades/Torment (Luke 16:19-31) for their final judgment.  They will be raised from Hades/Torment at the end of the Millennial Kingdom to stand in punishment before Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment.

From the commentary on Revelation 20 by David Guzik:

a. This is the first resurrection:  This first resurrection is the granting of resurrection life in resurrection bodies to all those who are dead in Jesus.
 
b. The rest of the dead:  Those who do not have part in the first resurrection are as cursed - as those who do have part in it are blessed. They are not blessed, they are under the power of the second death, and they are without privilege.

i. In John 5:28-29, Jesus described two resurrections:  "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurrection of life - and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."
 
ii. The two events are separated by this 1,000 year period, because the rest of the dead are not given their resurrection bodies until the thousand years were finished.

Revelation 20:6,  "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.  Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

Nathanael, this is where I believer your confusion comes into play.  I believe Jon Courson was reflecting upon this teaching of David Guzik, where he, in his commentary, is comparing the view of PostTrib believers, i.e., the "first resurrection" is one single event - versus - the view of those of us who believe in the PreTrib Rapture, i.e., that the "first resurrection" is speaking of a time which began with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and ends with the resurrection (rapture) of the church and the Tribulation saints.

From the commentary on Revelation 20 by David Guzik:

c. If the first resurrection is a singular event, it argues well for a post-tribulation rapture - because it implies that all saints receive their resurrection bodies at the same time, immediately before the rule and reign of Jesus Christ.

d. If the first resurrection is an "order" or "class" encompassing previously dead believers (who are at once with the Lord), the raptured church (already in heaven) and saints from the Great Tribulation - then the idea fits in a pre-tribulation framework.

i. Donald Barnhouse says of the phrase first resurrection: "It must be especially emphasized that our phrase in the Apocalypse covering this resurrection is a retrospect that looks back over all three phases (of resurrection)."

ii. "'The 'first resurrection' is not an event - but an order of resurrection including all the righteous who are raised from the dead before the millennial kingdom begins."  (Walvoord)

Nathanael, let's look at the second part of your original post.  You tell us:

He (Jon Courson) enlisted the assumption (that) Heaven has no time, which is an easily disprovable assumption.  He said since God is light, and in Relativity time stops at light speed - then Heaven is outside of time as we know it.  Consider Revelation 8:1, though, (KJV) "And when He (Jesus) had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."

You cannot have silence for a half-hour unless there is time, and very comparable to our time down here.  Therefore, this very stupid argument to reconcile Pre-Trib with clear teachings of Scripture is a failure.  I am very glad to have my position confirmed by a hostile witness; always a pleasure to know I am believing Scripture without assumptions!"                     

We live in an a four dimensional world, i.e,. height, width, length, time.    The Bible clearly teaches there is no time in heaven, for heaven is eternal.  The dimension of linear time (counting from year one progressively, until eternity for all believers begins) was a part of the Creation for mankind.  God has no need for a calendar nor for a watch.

I believe this excerpt from "What is God's relationship to time?" from GotQuestions.org explains that well:

We live in a physical world with its four known space-time dimensions of length, width, height (or depth) and time.  However, God dwells in a different dimension - the spirit realm - beyond the perception of our physical senses.  It’s not that God isn’t real; it’s a matter of His not being limited by the physical laws and dimensions that govern our world (Isaiah 57:15).  Knowing that “God is spirit” (John 4:24), what is His relationship to time? .  .  .

In a sense, the marking of time is irrelevant to God because He transcends it. .  .  .   God sees all of eternity’s past and eternity’s future.  The time that passes on earth is of no consequence from God’s timeless perspective.  A second is no different from an eon; a billion years pass like seconds to the eternal God.

Though we cannot possibly comprehend this idea of eternity, or the timelessness of God, we in our finite minds try to confine an infinite God to our time schedule. .  .  .

Again, because of our finite minds, we can only grasp the concept of God’s timeless existence in part.  And in so doing, we describe Him as a God without a beginning or end, eternal, infinite, everlasting, etc.  Psalm 90:2 declares, “From everlasting to everlasting You are God” (see also Psalm 93:2).  He always was and always will be.

Nathanael,  I pray this clear up any confusion.   And I am firmly convinced that our Bible does teach a PreTrib Rapture of the church and a Premillennial Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Christmas, A Time Of Reflection ~ Three Influences In Our Christian Lives And Churches!

DURING THIS SEASON, as we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is also a good time to reflect upon our blessings - and to reflect upon our Christian walk during the past year.   We can reflect upon those times when we were strong in our Christian faith - and we can reflect upon those times when, in moments of weakness or stress, Satan's demonic spirits were gleefully working to convince us that God had given up on us.

It is a good time to remind ourselves that we will continue to be harassed by our sin nature as long as we are in these mortal bodies.  With that thought in mind, let me revisit a blog that I posted on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, in my Facebook Notes, and in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter in February 2014.  It is titled "Three Influences In Our Christian Lives And Churches!"

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A while back, a Friend in Alabama wrote to me with questions which I believe virtually all of us have asked, at least to ourselves, since we became Christian believers.  At times, when problems occur and it seems our world becomes too heavy to bear - don't we all have some degree of doubt creep into our hearts?  Not necessarily doubting God or Jesus Christ; but doubting ourselves?  This is why, even though I began this writing to respond only to that Friend, I believe these questions are so insightful and so universal among Christian believers - that I want to share these thoughts with all my Friends.

My Friend wrote to me:

Bill, I respect your Bible knowledge, and I know you can direct me to some helpful Scriptures.  For 10 years I turned my back on God and His teachings.  But I finally came to my senses in 2009, and with God's help turned my life back in the right direction.  It was interesting that, after this happened, my entire life seemed to be turned upside down with multiple challenges at every turn, which might cause a person to give up and become bitter.  I have not given up.

According to your understanding of Scripture, to what extent do you think these trials are:  (1) an attack from Satan or (2) God trying to build my faith or, (3) random acts of misfortune and experience that all humans must endure on the earth?  I welcome your wisdom in this matter.  Thank you so much for your time.

First, let me apologize for taking so long to respond.   Two reasons for the delay.  First, I have been a wee bit under the weather, physically and spiritually, for the past few weeks, also facing worldly interference, and have not accomplished very much in the writing department.  Second, most often I can write an article or response fairly quickly.  But, I feel that a personal request such as yours deserves more than just a knee-jerk response.  So, if you will forgive my delayed response, I will move on and attempt to give you my best Biblical response.

Actually, I believe what happens, especially for Christian believers, is that all three influences you mentioned are affecting our lives.   Before we became Christian believers - Satan had no real incentive to attack us, for as ruler of this world (Ephesians 2:2, John 13:31, 16:11), we already belonged to him.  Some folks get upset when I say this; but if we do not belong to God, as His children (John 1:12) - we, by default belong to Satan, for he is the ruler of this world at this time (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2).

Satan's influence:

Some years ago, I read a satirical story about Satan and his demonic angels/spirits at their annual convention, discussing how to proceed in their mission to destroy Christianity.  Satan tells them, "Don't worry about those in the bars and night clubs.  We already have them.  You should spend your time with Christians, in Christian homes, and in Christian churches - causing dissension and instilling doubt in them."

Although that story is fictional satire, there is so much truth in it.  I have a good Friend living in another state who is a Christian believer.  He and I have been in worship services and Bible studies together for at least 25 years.  I know he is a Christian believer.  But last year a pastor in a Bible study he attends asked him, "Are you sure you are a believer?  Are you sure you are saved?"   And, this began to make him doubt himself.  Even though I am sure this pastor had good intentions, I believe Satan's demonic spirits caused him to instill this doubt in my Friend.

I am convinced that Satan's greatest efforts are done inside our churches.  Otherwise, why would we have so many different denominations?  And even within a given denomination, why so many different teachings?  In the Baptist family alone - there are hundreds of Baptist denominations.  We have Southern Baptist, General Baptist, American Baptist, Reform Baptist, Conservative Baptist, Independent Baptist, Cooperative Baptist. etc. - hundreds of Baptist denominations.  Put that together with all the other split denominations and the number is mind boggling.

Why many denominations?

Why do we have so many different denominations?  Dissension within the ranks leads some to split from a fellowship.  Then people have split from those new fellowships, and so on, and on, and on, over the years - some forming non-denominational fellowships, others actually forming new denominations.

What is this dissension which divides the family of God?  It could be differences in methods of worship, it could be differences in choices of worship music or the desire for no music in worship, it could be differences in styles of church leadership.  But, most often, it comes from differences in Scripture interpretation and how one views the Bible.

Let me give an example.  Personally, I can never be a Calvinist, for I do not believe I can find the Calvinist teaching of Predestination in Scripture.  I can never be an Arminian, for I cannot find their teaching that a true believer can lose his salvation in Scripture.  So, where do I stand?  Somewhere in the middle between those two extremes.  If one wants to apply labels, what Christian label (if such should even exist) can I wear?  Someone has come up with a new theology term:  Calminianism.

"The term 'Calminianism' is a combination of the terms 'Calvinism' and 'Arminianism.'  It is a term that has been invented to describe the many different viewpoints that fall somewhere between full Calvinism and full Arminianism."   (http://www.blogos.org/gotquestions/calminianism.html)

For me personally, I know that I was saved by grace through faith, plus nothing else.  This is affirmed in Ephesians 2:8-9.  But, even here the water gets muddy.  In the past year I have become familiar with the Free Grace Movement which, at times, seemed to fit me pretty well.  But, when I have asked anyone in that movement to explain what exactly is meant by "Free Grace" - the silence has been deafening.

In my own digging, to the best of my knowledge, they believe that we are saved by faith alone.  Okay, I buy that.  However, they deny that "repentance" plays any part in our salvation.  Other groups, denominations, or movements declare we are saved by faith alone, but say we should "repent and be saved."   Repentance?  Yes, or no?  Faith without repentance?  Yes, or no?  Or, is this only splitting hairs?

Faith without repentance?

Once again, my personal view is that repentance is not an act of work, but is an attitude.  When we seek Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the first thing we do is to start emptying our minds and hearts of worldly desires - and start filling them with eternal desires.  In other words, "our attitude" toward worldly desires lessens and "our attitude" toward spiritual and eternal desires grows.

When I fell in love with my wife and we married, my desire was only for her - not other women, no matter how attractive they might appear.  That was my change in "attitude" - heart attitude and mental attitude - desiring my wife over all other women of the world.  When Jesus Christ became my Lord and Savior, I did the same.  Spiritually and mentally I did a 180 degree "attitude" turn toward Jesus Christ.  To me that is repentance. 

And, that is something one must do if he/she is to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.   That is something which has to happen when one is saved.  Okay, we can split hairs - and say, "I was saved first - and then a few seconds later I changed my attitude, i.e., repented"  But can one really change their attitude toward Jesus Christ and even want to be saved - if that attitude toward Christ has not first changed?  Would I have wanted to marry my wife if my desire to love her had not come first?  I see the attitude change and receiving Jesus Christ as one action, leading to eternal life.

The original Christian church:

The Christian faith began on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD with one Christian church, i.e., one fellowship with 120 members - those 120 who had waited and prayed for ten days in the Upper Room as Jesus instructed them when He ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:1-11).  Then, the Holy Spirit came upon them on that Day of Pentecost 33 AD, and they were the first Christians, the first people to be eternally indwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30).  Later that same day, and in the following few days, that number grew to over 5000 believers - and they were all unified.

Acts 2:41-44, "So then, those who had received his (Peter's) word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.  And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common."

Acts 4:1-4, "As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.  But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand."

That first Christian church, within a week of the Day of Pentecost, was over 5000 believers and they were unified, "devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. . . and had all things in common."

What went wrong?

Satan's demonic spirits, working through Judaizers and others who wanted to kill this new sect, which they called the "way" - imbedded themselves into the first Christian church and later its daughter churches, spreading dissension.   And, over the millennia, many splits have occurred.  Yet, just because those splits over doctrine have occurred - does this mean that all those who split away are not saved?  No.

No, for although many believers and churches split over non-essential Christian doctrines, teachings, and practices - most retain the essential Christian beliefs which define a Christian believer and a Christian fellowship.

Christian fellowships began to believe and teach differing Biblical understandings, i.e., interpretations of non-essential Christian teachings and beliefs - those Scripture passages which teach us, encourages us - but do not affect our salvation.  An example would be fellowships disagreeing over methods of baptism, or disagreeing over worship music, or those who differ on prophetic eschatological teachings.  We can agree to disagree on such issues and still be the family of God.

Yet, there are other churches which have gone to the extreme, denying the deity of Christ, or denying the Trinity, or denying the Bible, or all of the above - and have become cult churches.

Consequently, where first we had the Day of Pentecost church which was built upon a unified Holy Spirit foundation and people within that church knew they had eternal life in Christ - dissension eventually began to wear at the unity and groups began to split off.

Some became convinced they could lose their salvation (Arminianism).  And others began to believe that, before the Creation, God chose just a small number of people, the Elect, and only those will be saved - while all the rest, the Reprobate, will spend eternity in hell without ever having a chance to believe and be saved (Calvinism).

And, we have all sort of beliefs within these parenthetical extremes.   Yet, all of us who still hold to the essential Christian beliefs are in the family of God and are saved.  Even if some do not know it.

Compromise raises its head!

Some church fellowships hold to a more liberal theology which seeks to find a compromise with the world, science, and society.   To accomplish this compromise, they began to view God's Bible as merely a book of symbolism, allegories, and myths.  Their view is that the Bible is only meant to be a good book, a guideline for Christian living - but, NOT God's Written Word to be read, understood, and followed literally.

Among those in these liberal theology fellowships are some who refuse to believe the prophecies found in the Bible, even though one third of the Bible is prophecy.

Yet, these folks, and their churches, are still Christian if they believe and teach the basic or essential Christian teachings:  (1) The Bible is God's inspired and Written Word - (2) God is a Triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, all equally God, all equally sharing the same attributes of deity - (3) Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is preexisting deity - (4) the Gospel, that Christ who is God incarnate, died on the cross, resurrected, and ascended into heaven that we might choose to have eternal life in Him, that His resurrection assures our resurrection - (5) that we are saved by grace through faith, and - (6) heaven and hell are real places and are the only two eternal destinations for all mankind.

People and churches who believe and teach these essential Christian beliefs, regardless of their denomination, are our Christian brothers and sisters and will join us in heaven.  Many will most likely be shocked when we are all raptured.  But they will be with us in the Rapture.

God allows trials and tribulations:

Back to my Friend's original question:  Yes, God does allow us to go through trials and tribulations in this life.  Just as fire makes iron into steel; tribulations make Christians stronger.

Why are there times when God seems silent/absent in a believer's life?
http://www.gotquestions.org/God-silent-absent.html

In our walk as born-again believers, it may seem that God is silent, but God is never silent.  What looks like silence and inactivity to us is God allowing us the opportunity to listen to "the still small voice" and to see the provisions that He has made for us by faith.  God is involved in every area of a believer's life - the very hairs on our heads are numbered (Mark 10:30; Luke 12:7).  However, there are times when we have to walk in obedience to the light that God has given us, before He sheds more light on our path.  Because in this age of grace God speaks to us through His Word (the Bible).

Therefore, when God seems silent to us as born-again believers, it may mean that we have stopped listening to His voice, we have allowed the cares of this world to plug our spiritual ears, or we have neglected His Word.  God does not speak to us today in signs, wonders, fire, or wind. His Spirit speaks to us through the Word, and in that Word we have the "words of life."

Paul explains Christian tribulation very well in Romans:

Romans 5:1-6, 8, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . .  (8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

For me, the blessed hope (which comes through tribulation, perseverance, and proven character) is knowing that Jesus Christ will come again to take His church out of this world (the Rapture) and that, at His Second Coming in glory, He will establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth.  During that 1000 year kingdom, He will rule the earth, the perfect theocracy, in glory and justice as He prepares us to follow Him into eternity.

How would you define the Christian hope?  As the following excerpt explains, Christian hope is part of the foundation of our Christian faith.  You might want to read this full article for more thoughts on our blessed hope:

Question: "What is the Christian's hope?"
http://www.gotquestions.org/hope-Bible.html

Answer:  Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in "I hope something will happen."  This is not what the Bible means by hope.  The biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation."   Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1, 7).  Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous (Proverbs 23:18).

Random acts of misfortune and experience that all humans must endure on the earth?

You betcha!  When the creation fell due to Adam's act of disobedience, sin and death entered all the creation.  Death entered in two forms: spiritual death and physical death.  Spiritual death, separation from God, happened to Adam immediately and is inherited by all his descendants at birth.   Physical death was pronounced, but physical death began, not as immediate death, but as a process of deterioration.

Because of our sin nature inherited from Adam, the moment we are born we inherit his sin nature, and we begin the process of physical death.  In our youth, too often we tend to ignore the concept of spiritual and physical death.  Hey, we are young, healthy, and enjoying life.  What more do we need?  Yet, as we age, we tend to recognize the spiritual separation from God, that we really do need Him.  That is the beginning of our spiritual healing.  For some this spiritual healing happens early in life; for others it is often much later.  For me, it happened when I was fifty years old.

And, as we get older, we begin to notice the physical process of deterioration more acutely.  What we could do physically at age 20 - becomes a wee bit more difficult at age 40.  And, to some degree it is downhill from there.

But, praise God, when we do become spiritually healed as Christian believers - we have His promise of physical perfection also.  However, that physical perfection comes later, at the Rapture.

1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.  We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."

This Scripture verse is full of assurance for Christian believers.  First, it tells us that, as believers, we are "children of God" - we are members of His Family!  Wow!  Imagine that, we have been adopted into the Family of God the Creator!

And, second, when Jesus Christ appears again, when He comes to Rapture His church out of this world - we will be like Him.

Basically, that Scripture verse highlights the process of our salvation.  When we, by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior - things happen.

What happens in salvation?

First, at the moment we, by grace through faith, believe and receive Christ - we ARE saved; we have Justification and Regeneration. 

Justification is our legal pardon:

"Justification is the act of God in which the sinner, hitherto condemned on account of his sin, upon condition of faith in Christ, is forgiven and received into the divine favor"  ("Christian Doctrine," Walter T. Conner, B.D., Ph.D. D.D., late Professor of Systematic Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, page 207).

In other words, Justification is when God legally declares the sinner just, forgiven, and eternally secure in Christ Jesus.  Some like to explain Justification as being "just as if I had never sinned."   In other words, God declares us "not guilty" - not because of our own merit, but based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (John 19:30).

Regeneration is a "rebirth" - to be "born again" - as we see in John 3:3.  To be "born again" differs from our first birth when we were conceived and born in sin.  The new birth, the regeneration, is a spiritual birth whereby we have been made alive in a spiritual sense.  Our spiritual connection to God, which we lost when Adam fell, is now reestablished.  We now have a direct prayer line into the throne room of God, where no prayer goes unnoticed, nor unanswered.

Sanctification is the next phase of our salvation.  Sanctification is a process which begins the moment we are saved via that one time event of justification and regeneration - and sanctification continues throughout this mortal life.  When we are first saved, we are "babes in Christ" - typically having very little Biblical and spiritual knowledge.  As "babes in Christ" we take our first steps toward maturity when we join in fellowship with other believers, worship with them, study God's Word with them.  That spiritual growth, sanctification, continues and accelerates as we begin to attend regular Bible studies and Sunday School classes where we learn and grow in our knowledge of God's Word.   Sanctification is a lifetime process.

Basically, to be sanctified means to be "set apart."   At our physical birth we are "set apart" for our earthly parents, in their care.  We began as "babes" and begin to learn, first to walk, then talk, and to love.  Throughout our lives our education continues, as we build our worldly knowledge.

The same happens at our spiritual birth.  We are "set apart" for God, in His care.  Typically, we begin as "babes in Christ" and through fellowship, worship, Bible study, etc., we begin to grow in our knowledge of God and His Word - and that education, sanctification, continues throughout our mortal life.

That is sanctification:  We are born-again, then we begin to stretch our spiritual muscles causing them to grow and mature.  All this is aimed toward our future glorification.

And then comes the Rapture!

Glorification  is the third step in our salvation.  When we are saved, Justified and Regenerated, we begin our life of Sanctification.  When we die, or are Raptured, we will take that final step in our salvation, Glorification - when we will receive our glorified bodies and become like Jesus Christ, glorified and immortal:

1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."

We will not be deity.  But we will have a glorified, immortal body like His.  And we will be in heaven with Him.

Shortly after the Rapture, the seven year Tribulation will begin.  This is a time of "refiner's fire" (Malachi 3:3 nkjv) for the nation Israel.  This is the time when God will redeem His remnant of Israel, His chosen people.  Although the Tribulation is set aside as a time of purification for the nation Israel, many Gentiles will also be saved during that horrible seven years.   Revelation 7:9 tells us that ". . . a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes. . ."    These are the Tribulation saints, those who believed in Christ during the Tribulation and were martyred for their faith.  The number too great to count.

The church, the worldwide body of Christian believers, will be in heaven during the seven year Tribulation.  A number of things happen during that seven years.  First, when we are raptured we receive our glorified immortal bodies - for mortal flesh cannot enter heaven (1 Corinthians 15:50).  We will be changed in the twinkling of an eye from our perishable mortal flesh and given our glorified immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

Next will come the Believers' Judgment (Bema Seat Judgment) when all believers will stand before Christ in judgment; not a judgment of punishment - but a judgment of rewards, or lack of rewards, depending upon what we have done in the name of Christ during our mortal lives (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).  Yet, our greatest reward is that we are in heaven at that time, we already are experiencing eternal life in Christ.

Another very important aspect of the Believers' Judgment (one that is most often overlooked) is that the church, the Bride of Christ, will finally receive our own robes of righteousness.  From the time we are Justified, i.e., saved, we are covered by the righteousness of Christ (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:21-22, Philippians 3:8-9).  At the Believers' Judgment we are told of the Bride of Christ:  "It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints"  (Revelation 19:8).

The Bride of Christ now has her wedding gown, "fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."  Now the Bride of Christ can stand before God the Father in her own robe of righteousness, her Wedding Gown.  She is ready for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9).

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the final act left to be accomplished in heaven during the seven year Tribulation.  Then Christ will return to earth with His bride and His army of Old Testament saints, Tribulation saints, and His angelic army - to establish His 1000 year Millennial Kingdom on earth.

After His 1000 Millennial Reign on earth, those non-believers who died still denying Christ and who have been waiting in Hades/Torment (Luke 16:19-31, specifically verse 23) will be resurrected into their immortal bodies (Revelation 20:5) to stand before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment.   This will be a judgment of punishment.  There will be no rewards at this judgment seat. 

Even though the condemned will be able to see their many sins written in the books of judgment, the only reason that each is standing in this judgment of condemnation - is because they died still denying Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  He died to offer them life.  They refused His gift of eternal life.  And with that final act of defiance, have condemned themselves to eternal destruction, hell.

In closing, let me refresh the question which brought us to this point:  "According to your understanding of Scripture, to what extent do you think these trials are:  (1) an attack from Satan or (2) God trying to build my faith or, (3) random acts of misfortune and experience that all humans must endure on the earth?"

We can only conclude that all three comprise what Paul had in mind when he wrote that through our tribulations, perseverance, character, and hope - we exult in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-8).

I want to thank my Friend for asking his question.  For through thinking, studying, and meditating upon how to answer his question, I have learned so much myself.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill  

 

 

Christmas In His Presence 2017 ~ International Bible Baptist Church Choir

On Saturday evening, December 16, 2017, our amazing International Bible Baptist Church (IBBC-Riverside) Choir presented our Christmas Cantata titled "Christmas In His Presence, The Timeless Story Of His Coming" and they gave a magnificent performance.  Actually it was a combined choir from both our Riverside and Glendale church campuses. 

In this playlist I have included our Saturday evening Christmas Cantata and three short videos from our Sunday worship service.   I am constantly amazed at the quality of musical talent (voice and instrument) God has raised up in these two relatively small congregations.  

Our Christmas Cantata guest speaker was Pastor Brian Dunlop, senior pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church of La Verne, California.

Pastor Brian Dunlop has been senior pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church since 1994.  But his influence extends beyond their local ministry.  He is a frequent speaker across the nation in revival meetings, marriage/family conferences, creation seminars, and youth camps.  His numerous mission trips (including Chile, Fiji, Mexico, Armenia, Cambodia, and others) have given him a unique global perspective for the Gospel.

With a special burden for the next generation of preachers and Christian servants, Pastor Brian has been used of God in the Bible College ministry.  He was instrumental in the founding of Pacific Baptist College in 1998 and served as the Chairman of the Co-operating Council from 1998-2015.  He currently serves as the school’s President while retaining his teaching ministry with the students.  Courses he teaches include Apologetics, World Religions, Youth Programs, Ethics, and Cults.

His message at our Christmas Cantata was very relevant.  He spoke on Matthew 1, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, and showed us how even though He is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and second person in the Holy Trinity - His genealogy contains a lot flawed people.  Why was this God's plan? 

Hebrews 2:17, "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."

Jesus Christ came as the Incarnate God to save a flawed people.  And, although Jesus was sinless - His genealogy found in Matthew contained women (which was not done in Jewish genealogies), prostitutes, and Gentiles.  His genealogy contained flawed people, a number with great flaws.  This was to show us that no matter how flawed we are, no matter how far we have fallen - we can still meet Him at the cross, believe and receive His "paid in full" pardon - and receive His gift of eternal life.  Even though He came as the Jewish Messiah - having Gentiles in His genealogy shows that He came to save, not just the Jews, but all people who will, by grace through faith, believe (John 3:16, John 1:12).

The genealogy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 1 is typical of Jewish family trees in the time of Christ, it begins with Abraham and traces His family line forward through Joseph, the step-father of Jesus.. 

Matthew 1:1-2, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers."

Matthew 1:16, "And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ."

While His genealogy found in Luke 3 starts with Jesus, in typical Gentile fashion, and looks backward all the way through Adam to God.

Luke 3:23, 37-38, "Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God."

Pastor Brian was so impressed with the IBBC Choir that he has invited them to sing at the Pacific Baptist College graduation ceremony next Spring.

As you will see in this short "IBBC CHRISTMAS SEASON 2017" playlist our Christmas Season began with our Saturday evening Christmas Cantata - and carried over into our Sunday worship service the next day.

And, for our Friends who missed our Christmas Cantata last Saturday - it will be repeated at our IBBC-Glendale (Pasadena) campus this coming Sunday, December 24, 2017. 

Date and Time:   December 24, 2017 at 9:30 AM

Place:  IBBC-Glendale, 777 Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California 91101

We look forward to sharing our "Christmas In His Presence, The Timeless Story of his Coming" Cantata with you, along with great Bible teaching and fellowship.

To all my Friends who do not have a home church, those who have not yet received Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, or those of you who would just love to hear great Christian music and hear solid Christian Bible teaching - along with loving and Godly Christian fellowship - we invite you to join us any Sunday.

YOU ARE INVITED to visit our "International Bible Baptist Church - Riverside"  where you will find a fellowship which is warm, friendly, and full of God's love.

We are located at:  10094 Cypress Ave, Riverside, CA  92503 - between Tyler Street and Van Buren Boulevard.

Our Sunday School is in the sanctuary and starts at 1:30 PM  ~  Fun for all as we study God's Word together.

Our worship service starts at 2:30 PM  ~  A time of Worship in Music, Prayer, Biblical Teaching, and Christian Fellowship.

Now, just sit back, turn on your audio, relax, and enjoy the IBBC Choir's Christmas Season Music.

IBBC CHRISTMAS SEASON 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lBN9zOu3bw&list=PL_YT3RttutrgkeIXw3QlTfDyTPh4rfPMI

God bless, have a wonderful and MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Bill 

How Is Your Life Bible Reading Today?

THE VIDEO BELOW MAKES MY HEART SING! ~ And this shows that you can reach out to folks in many ways.  This tarmac worker is reaching those young children with dance - no words spoken, just love flowing from one to the other, though the glass and across the distance.

We can share our Christian faith the same way - just by reaching out, just by letting our Christian walk speak volumes to those we might not see - but who see us.

I have often heard the old maxim:  "Your Christian life may be the only Bible some will ever see.  How does it read?"  How is your life Bible reading today to those around you?

One evening years ago, Dory and I were coming home from a Bible study and I needed to stop at the Stater Brothers market in Tustin, California.  As I was standing in one of the aisles looking for a product, the lady (in an Hispanic couple) said to me, "You sure are happy!"  Surprised, I asked, "Why?"  And she told me, "You are singing."

While looking at the products on the shelf, I was unconsciously singing to myself a Christian song from our Bible study.  And the lady noticed my happiness.  That gave me a chance to tell her that I had been in a Bible study - and to share a Christian tract with her.

I once read a story of a pastor who was surprised when a lady told him, "Pastor, thank you for leading me to the Lord."    Somewhat embarrassed, the pastor told her, "I am sorry, but I don't remember meeting you."

She told him, "Several years ago, your mother was in the same hospital room with me. The privacy curtain was drawn, but as you read the Bible and prayed with her - I could hear you. And as you prayed with her - I also prayed to receive Jesus Christ.  Thank you so much!"

Dallas Airport Working Dancing With Children https://www.facebook.com/FoxNews/videos/10156432499881336/

How is your "Christian Life Bible" reading today?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill