Is Peter the Rock or is Jesus? CATHOLIC HERESY EXPOSED! [podcast]
The catholic church prides itself on traditions.
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the TRADITIONS which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
When Paul spoke of “traditions” it was in direct reference to the divine truth he’d previously delivered to the believers at Thessalonica – which is now the written Word of God.
The catholic church, laced and laden with completely un-biblical traditions, vainly attempts to claim their basis for such based on this one verse above. Laughable. Catholic traditions completely contradict the final divine authority of Holy Scripture. For example, can anyone find a scapular, a rosary, a novena prayer, a prayer to Mary, purgatory, holy days of obligation, a mass, or a so-called “pope” in God’s Word? No. Not one.
Anybody who thinks that anything or anyone else but Jesus Christ is essential for eternal life is Anti-Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). This includes 100% of pagan roman catholic idolaters. Jesus is the only way and not just a way (John 14:6). There is no such thing in Christ’s kingdom, in the Bible, as a pope, purgatory, a scapular, a rosary, a novena, mass, etc. Repent now and follow Jesus or you are going to hell irrevocably and there is no such thing as purgatory which is just another lie.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:3-5
“I was born catholic and I will die catholic!” is a phrase all ex catholics have heard. These are people who were initiated into (sprinkling rites at 8 days old) and personally vowed, swore their eternal souls to this false religion.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Religion is Satan’s greatest tool and was Jesus’ worst enemy when He walked the earth (Matthew 23). No such thing as a catholic who is Heaven-bound! Idolatry is a soul damning abomination to the Almighty and if you need to repent right now for misleading catholics into thinking they’re save, please do so. Any catholic who gets saved IS coming out (Matthew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 10:21; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Revelation 18:4, etc.).
Does Matthew 16:18 Teach that Peter was the “First Pope”?
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Let’s take a closer look. As a Catholic, I was taught that Peter is the rock, not Jesus. This brainwashing begins from the beginning of the lives of those born into families that are Catholic. Regrettably, most Catholics just accept this teaching and never investigate it for themselves.
In using this passage to teach that Peter—the supposed “first pope”—is the rock, the Catholic church insidiously borrows from the credibility of the Bible while taking it out of the biblical context in which it is written. The Catholic church discourages its members from reading the Bible for themselves and when they do use the Bible, it’s usually out of its obvious context. More on this in a moment.
Catholicism seeks to rob Jesus Christ of His preeminence as the only divine LORD and only Savior. As we are now going to see by looking at the passage in context, they bait and switch here. They put the emphasis on Peter and not Jesus. So, they rob Christ of the glory due His Name alone and put that glory on a sinner named Peter. Then they teach the heresy that he was the first pope. First of all, there’s no such thing as a pope in the kingdom of Christ. There’s not one mention of a pope in the Bible and for that matter, no mention of a novena, a mass, a scapular, a rosary, or purgatory in God’s Word. It’s all made up Pagan mythology to mislead people away from the Savior.
WHO IS THE REAL ROCK?
“This rock” is not referring to Peter but rather the revelation of Jesus Christ Himself as the only Messiah. Let’s read this passage carefully. Peter had just told Jesus that HE, Jesus, is the prophesied Messiah, “the Son of the living God.” This is what was revealed to Peter by the heavenly Father. Then what was Jesus’ initial response? “This rock” is not referring to Peter but rather the revelation that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the only Savior who came to take away the sins of the world (Matthew 16:13-20). Note how the passage closes: – “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ” (Matthew 16:20). Notice Jesus didn’t say “Tell no man that Peter is the rock.” Hmmmmm …. this passage is about the Rock, Jesus Christ, and not Peter or the Catholic church. This is just another antichrist heresy peddled by the Roman church, seeking to steal the glory from the LORD Jesus Christ, the only LORD and Savior, the only Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Corinthians 10:4).
PETER CONFESSES JESUS AS THE CHRIST
Matthew 16:13 – When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 – And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 – He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:16 – And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17 – And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18 – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:19 – And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:20 – Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Interestingly, just after Jesus told Peter that He was going to build His church (called-out people) upon the rock of the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, He told Peter to “Get thee behind me Satan.” The catholic church teaches that their pope is infallible. Yet we know that Jesus told Peter, supposedly the “first pope” to “Get thee behind me Satan.” (Matthew 16:23) – IF THE “FIRST POPE” (who actually walked with Jesus in the flesh for 3.5 yrs) WASN’T PERFECT/INFALLIBLE, HOW COULD CURRENT ONES BE???
WAS PETER EVER IN ROME? READ ROMANS 16, WRITTEN FROM ROME BY PAUL. PAUL LISTS 27 PEOPLE. PETER WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED.
ABOUT 80-90 A.D. PETER WROTE TWO EPISTLES (NEAR THE END OF THE NEW TESTAMENT), A TOTAL OF 8 CHAPTERS AND NEVER MENTIONED ONE TIME THAT HE WAS A “POPE” OR THAT THERE WAS A “CATHOLIC CHURCH.” DID THE HOLY SPIRIT AND PETER FORGET TO TELL US SOMETHING IMPORTANT OR IS SUCH SIMPLY NOT TRUE???
Jesus did not appoint Peter to the headship of the apostles and forbade any such notion (Matthew 20:20-28; Luke 22:24-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11).
The only Church Jesus has is the born again Church He died to save. God’s Word tells us that Christ is the only HEAD of His one body! This alone means that the pope of Rome is the head of a false church. God has One Church with One Head – Jesus Christ, the nail-scarred risen LORD and only Savior (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 19).
Note: Nor is there any mention in Scripture, nor in history, that Peter ever was in Rome, much less that he was pope there for 25 years. Clement, 3rd bishop of Rome, remarks that “there is no real 1st century evidence that Peter ever was in Rome.”
To What Degree, How High does the Catholic Church Elevate the “Pope”?
Peter was not the first “pope.” There’s no such thing as a “pope” in Christ’s kingdom. The word or concept of a “pope” is found no where in Scripture other than the seat of antichrist which pretends to put itself in place of the LORD Jesus Christ. Anti in antichrist simply means “in place of.” (2 Thessalonians 2) Listen closely to the following passage and see if you can guess who the Holy Spirit is speaking of. Who fits this description?:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Now do we see why nearly all Christian leaders of past days called the pope of Rome “the seat of antichrist”?
The catholic church officially and blasphemously teaches that the costume-clad sinner on a man-made throne in Rome is “Jesus Christ Himself.” Listen to their own words:
“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, HE IS JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, hidden under the veil of flesh.” Catholic National July 1895. ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY!
“The Pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God…He is likewise the divine monarch and supreme emperor and king of kings. Hence the pope Is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions.” Ferraris EccI. Dictionary (Catholic) Article, Pope. ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY
“The pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man (…) he is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power.” -Lucius Ferraris, «Prompta Bibliotheca», 1763, Volume VI, ‘Papa II’, pp.25-29 ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SAYS: “The Pope has power to change times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ”. “The Pope has authority and has often exercised it, to dispense with the command of Christ.” This is from Decretal, de Tranlatic Episcop. Cap. THIS IS ANTICHRIST!
NOTE…this is only “one” definition of blasphemy. Another is claiming to have the power to “forgive sins” Case in point = Mark 2:7, which states, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” The “confessional” of the Roman Catholic Church is indeed yet another identifiable feature exposing the Vatican as Antichrist’s dwelling. They openly declare a mere MAN dressed as a priest has the power to FORGIVE SINS!
God alone can forgive a sinner, can forgive sins. Jesus says:
“the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins” Matthew 9:6
No sinner can forgive his own sins, much less the sins of another. The catholic church is a demonic pagan cult which pretends that its costume-clad unsaved “priests” can forgive sins. Hint: The catholic confessional booth was originate for espionage purposes – to find out and blackmail those who went there and confessed their sins to those God-less “priests”.
“Many believe that the Catholic Church or the Pope is the Antichrist. It is interesting that from their own church historians they have said, “The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of human flesh“(Catholic National Magazine, 1895). Pope Pius V was quoted as saying “The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth” (quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, Cities Petrus Bertanous). Can the Pope forgive sins? Consider this written record from Alphonsus de Liguori, in Dignity and Duties of the Priest, “To pardon a single sin requires all the omnipotence of God…The Jews justly said: ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But what only GOD can do by His omnipotence, the PRIEST can ALSO do by saying ‘Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis’ [I absolve you from your sin] (pages 34-35).” Unknown
It would be wise to ask your friends and family who are still catholic if they know that their “church” teaches this.
Why aren’t catholic priests and popes married? Peter, the supposed “first pope” was married.
“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.” Matthew 8:14
Notice that if Jesus healed Peter “WIFE’S mother,” the apostle Peter was married.
GOD NEVER TOLD YOU THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS OF HIM, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TOLD YOU THIS.
ISN’T IT INTERESTING that in the 27 books of the New Testament Scriptures, Mary is not once mentioned after the 6th book? There are 27 books in the divinely inspired New Testament canon of Holy Scripture and Mary is not even mentioned in 21 of those books. Further, the supposed “first pope” (Peter) never mentioned Mary one time in the 8 chapters he penned which are at the end of the New Testament canon. Also, Peter never referred to himself as a “pope.” He was an apostle. A telling fact for certain! God never placed the emphasis on Mary that the Roman religion does. Which will you serve? Jesus says, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
True Christians follow Jesus Christ and His words (John 8:31-31,47). Only an idolater (barred from Heaven Ephesians 5:3-7) would follow some robe-wearing earthly “pope” or Mary.
FACT: THERE IS NO PROOF PETER WAS THE FIRST “POPE”…THE OFFICE OF “POPE” WASN’T EVEN INVENTED TILL SEVERAL CENTURIES AFTER CHRIST AND PETER HAD LEFT THE EARTH.
If Peter was the first “pope” then why didn’t he say so? Why didn’t the APOSTLE (not pope) Peter simply tell us if in fact he was the first “pope”? Because the fairy tale “pope” is a myth and has nothing to do with New Testament Christianity or the true people of God.
“Holy Father”?
The catholic church calls their pope “holy father.” There’s nothing holy about the pope because there is no pope in Christ’s kingdom. He’s a mere man, nothing more than a sinner dressed in a religious costume. If the Son of God was speaking about the Catholic pope, why did Jesus not tell us he would be based in Rome, that he would be wearing a long robe (that Jesus forbid in Luke 20:46), and be called “holy father” which Christ also forbid? (Matthew 23:9) Why, O Why? Did the Almighty forget to tell us something we needed to know?
Is the pope a mere “man”? Jesus commanded – “And call NO MAN your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9).
Jesus warned against long robes. Look up Luke 20:46. He gave us a clue as to who was false.
According to the Son of God “Damnation” is where the robe-wearing priests and pope are headed – “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation” (Luke 20:46-47).
What happens when you put a robe on a sinner? Simple: you then have a sinner dressed in a religious costume.
Catholics have been misled. This is obvious because they only tout and defend mere men and an organization of mere sinful men. Their defense and praise is not about worshiping Jesus Christ who is the only nail-scarred risen LORD and Savior. “There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
THERE’S NO HOPE IN THE POPE – JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
Peter was a Jewish man who was an apostle, not a pope—no such thing as a pope in God’s economy, otherwise He would have told us in His Word. The word or concept of a “pope” is nowhere to be found in God’s Word, the Bible.
Catholicism is based upon a mere sinful man, peter (pebble), while true Christianity and the object of worship for true believers is the sinless ONE with the nail-scarred hands who died for the sins of all the world.
“HOLY FATHER” is the Catholic term for their phony “pope” and yet it is a title God Almighty claims for Himself alone in the Bible (John 17:11). This title occurs only once in the Bible (John 17:11) when Jesus addresses His Heavenly Father in His great prayer before His betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. It is blasphemy for any man to claim this title for himself. It belongs only to God, the Father.
WHERE JESUS IS, THERE IS THE TRUE CHURCH. WHERE THE POPE IS, THERE IS THE FALSE CHURCH. ALL POPES ARE MERE SINFUL MEN. JESUS IS GOD.
Can the pope save anyone’s soul from eternal damnation? No, the pope is a mere sinner too. The long robe and title changes nothing. God will judge. Concerning the dead popes, perhaps we should consider the words of our precious LORD: “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60).
Friend be not deceived, no true Christian honors the rotting bones of a mere sinful man (like pope John Paul II) because the One who saved the true believer with His precious blood has arisen and is alive forever more. Amen.
JESUS TOLD US HE IS THE ONLY WAY. WHO’S LYING? “It is necessary to salvation that every man should submit to the Pope.” (Boniface VIII Unum Sanctum, 1303.) ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOESN’T WANT ITS MEMBERS READING GOD’S WORD FOR THEMSELVES
The Catholic church did not want the Bible to be translated into English because if the people read it then they would find out the errors in their church.
The Council of Trent (1545-1564) placed the Bible on its list of PROHIBITED BOOKS and forbade any person to read the Bible without a license from a Roman Catholic bishop or inquisitor. The Council added these words: “That if any one shall dare to read or keep in his possession that book, without such a license, he shall not receive absolution till he has given it up to his ordinary.”
The Pope put the Bible on the Index of forbidden books in the 12th century.
Why did the pope forbid God’s Word being known by the common man? It’s simple, the Roman religion doesn’t want the light of Scripture to shine on their darkness. They want to keep their prey in slavery.
Dear Catholic friend, why do you think Rome prohibited Catholics, and others, from reading the Bible? Why do you think they killed over 50 million people and called them heretics for reading and believing the Holy Scriptures? Why did Pope Pius VII say that the Bible causes men more harm than benefit? Why would God’s Word cause harm?
Why is the true gospel of salvation through Christ alone and by unmerited divine grace never preached in the Catholic mass? This fact alone clearly shows the falsity of this religion of mere men and shows how infinitely distant it is from the LORD Jesus.
Historical List of Atrocities of the Popes | The Catholic Church Exposed |
There is no salvation without regeneration. “Ye MUST be born again.” John 3:3, 7
I also ask them to show Bible Scriptures demonstrating how the scapular, rosary, purgatory, etc. are biblical. Laughable. Not one of these are ever mentioned in the Bible and are totally pagan.
Making Peace with God Now – Before it’s too late. | The Catholic Church Exposed
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VIDEO Mission Mexico Update January 2026 [video]
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
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Abiding
The Prayer Life of Jesus [podcast]
Prayer is communion, communing with God. Those who earnestly seek God in prayer, who earnestly seek to know Him and to fulfill His will for their temporary lives in this world…. will glorify Him here and to be with Him eternally.
What do we learn from the prayer life of our LORD Jesus?
“Luke 5:16 PRAYERS OF JESUS. Luke stresses more than the other gospels the place of prayer in the life and work of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the Jordan, He was ‘praying’ (3:21), at times He withdrew from the multitudes ‘and prayed (5:16); ‘and He continued all night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples (6:12). He was ‘alone praying’ before He asked His disciples an important question (9:18); at His transfiguration He climbed the mountain ‘to pray’ (9:28); the actual transfiguration occurred while ‘he prayed’ (9:29); and He ‘was praying’ just before He taught the disciple’s the Lord’s Prayer (11:1). In Gethsemane He ‘prayed more earnestly’ (22:44); on the cross He prayed for others (23:34); and His last words uttered before His death were a prayer (23:46). Luke also mentions that He prayed after His resurrection (24:30).
In examining the life of Jesus in the other Gospels, we note that He prayed before extending the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour …’ (Mat. 11:25-28); He prayed at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:41-42), for Peter (Luke 22:32), and during the institution of the Lord’s Supper (John 17).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23
“14:23 PRAY ALONE. While on earth, Jesus often sought time to be alone with God (cf. Mark 1:35; 6:46; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 22:41-42; Heb. 5:7). Time alone with God is essential to the spiritual well-being of every believer. We must continually remember that the lack of desire for solitary prayer to our heavenly Father is an unmistakable sign that the spiritual life within us is in a process of decline. If this is happening, we must turn from all that offends the Lord and renew our commitment to persevere in seeking God and His saving grace.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Luke 18:1
“18:1 MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY. Jesus was frequently concerned that His followers pray continually in order to accomplish God’s will for their lives. From this parable of the widow who persevered we learn several things; (1) We must persevere in prayer with regard to all matters until Jesus returns (vv 7-8; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). (2) In this life we have an adversary (v. 3), Satan (1 Pet. 5:8). Prayer can protect us from the evil one (Mat. 6:13). (3) In our prayers we should cry out against sin and for justice (v 7). (4) Persistent prayer is counted as faith (v. 8). (5) In the final days before the return of Christ, there will be increased diabolical opposition to the prayers of the faithful (1 Tim. 4:1). Because of Satan and the pleasures of the world many will cease having a persistent prayer life (8:14; Mat. 13:22; Mark 4:19).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
SUMMATION you might ask?
Following Jesus by living a life of prayer with the Father and Himself – living your life in complete submission to and dependency upon the LORD …. daily declaring with John the Baptist that “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30).
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Be persistent. Be relentless – in praying, communing with your God!
Read aloud, begin to memorize and live out:
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
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IS DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION ALWAYS A BAD THING? [podcast]
Making Sure We are Truly Saved While We Still Can
Obviously, the assurance of salvation should concern each and every one of us.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Notice “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Note that those who honestly assess and amend their ways in the LORD will not be judged with the wicked. Those who don’t, will be. They will fall away and not endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.).
Are you judging yourself, testing and discerning your life against Holy Scripture?
“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5
Counterfeits refuse to judge their actual fruit, their lives. They want the assurance of eternal glory with no responsibility of actual repentance and an abiding, obedient relationship with the Savior they claim. They want the crown without the cross. They do not wish to be bothered with truly engaging in an abiding relationship with Jesus on His stated terms but rather seek to use Him to get them out of hell. Jesus tells all who’ve been saved that abiding, remaining in Him to the end of their lives is essential to eternity with Him (John 15:6, etc.).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Is believing the biblical truth that a saved person can backslide, fall away, and forfeit their place with God (lose salvation) a bad thing? No. It’s only a bad thing in the minds of those who want to live on their own depraved, self-serving terms while deluding themselves into thinking they are going to God’s holy Heaven.
WHY are we so afraid of doubting if we are truly saved – born again AND presently abiding in Christ? (John 15:1-6). It will be too late when we die which could be today. Think about this. NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) and so today is the day to honestly examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 13:5). Please read the LORD’s book of Ezekiel. You will discover many divine treasures in this magnificent volume. Share this message if you wish to help others.
“A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” Austin Phelps
“LORD Jesus, please grant me the Holy Fear of God!” should be the daily prayer of every true saint.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11
I told someone recently that I love listening to a preacher or reading Scripture that can make me doubt my salvation because it further quickens my spirit in the fear of God to scamper to the feet of Jesus afresh.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:19-21
As we see in the passage above, assurance of salvation fills the hearts of all born again believers are who working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
There are conditions the LORD requires to procure and walk in His blessings.
Assurance of salvation is biblical. Eternal security is not. The idea that one is eternally secure no matter what they do after being saved, is a lie from hell. Jesus told us that among those He saves, any who don’t abide, continue with Him, will be cast into the fire (John 15:6).
The lack of a clear conscience, the lack of assurance in one’s heart, is due to the lack of present abiding, obedience. All who are Christ’s and presently abiding, are filled with the assurance of His salvation. Read John 15.
Wolves among us, when addressing assurance, nearly never speak of the personal responsibility God gives to all He saves – to obey Him (John 14:15, 21-23, etc.). When one lacks assurance, it’s only because they have chosen to lack obeying the Savior (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Jude 3-4).
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
WHAT ABOUT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE DOUBTS THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED?
When a true believer in Jesus Christ questions someone’s salvation, it is in no way to be rude, but rather out of godly concern. Jesus told us to “know” (discern) people “by their fruit” (Matt. 7:16, 20). Good “fruit” (produce) can only come forth from the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus. Good fruit comes forth from a real relationship with Christ (John 15). One must know Him and that begins at the moment of true repentance and faith (Acts 20:21).
If the overall fruit of someone’s life is not that which the Bible teaches is consistent with truly knowing Jesus and having been regenerated, then there should be concern.
There are some among us who violently object to doubting someone’s salvation, Yet, based on the biblical mandate to “know” (discern) others “by their fruits,” this will happen at times (Matthew 7:16, 20). When a professing Christian’s salvation is doubted based upon lack of good fruit to prove it, some become irate with a “How dare you doubt my/that person’s salvation! Just who are you to do such a thing!?” But wait a minute – didn’t Jesus instruct us to “know” others based on their “fruits”? (Matthew 7:16, 20). And if there are no counterfeits who pose as Christ’s people, why did Jesus say that there are chaff among the wheat? (Matthew 13). Yes He did and so why are we surprised if some of those around us are found to be lost even though they think they are saved? And yes the chaff are going to be separated by the angels in the end but for now Jesus told us to discern (to distinguish between) or to “know” them “by their fruits” and that’s done by fruit inspection.
One man said that he believed that over 90% of church goers in America have never been genuinely born again as we “must be” in order to be brought into God’s kingdom (John 3:3, 7).
Repentance is where and when regeneration happens. In the modern church world, such a foundational biblical doctrine is rarely mentioned much less preached or correctly taught to define what it is and bring conviction to the hearers. In the vast majority of churches today, salvation is never or seldom presented. So how can the sinner respond in repentance and be saved? Is it any wonder so few are saved? People are rarely if ever called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ today as they were publicly called to do by the apostles of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
There are some people who hang around with the Christian body that I just never got a peace about. There doesn’t seem to be the presence of the divine Person of the Holy Spirit and therefore the fruit He alone can produce is absent (Galatians 5:22-23). One must be born again and given a new nature by the LORD or we are not His. When this conversion takes place, there will be good fruit (Matthew 3:7-10).
Should we float people all the way into hell instead of helping make sure they have truly repented and been born again? Is that love or hatred?
If someone questions our salvation, how should we react? How about this way: “Well, thank you for being concerned about my eternal soul. I am open and willing to investigate (biblically) the possibility that I may not have truly repented (laid down my life) and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Or, since He saved me in the past, perhaps I have backslidden and no longer know Him due to allowing sin in my life.”
HONEST CONCERN VERSUS CRUEL CONDEMNATION
There are going to be children of the enemy that will come in and attempt to confuse and to derail you by doubting that you are saved. They do this to bring “confusion and every evil work” instead of “godly edifying” (James 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:4).
David, the man after God’s own heart, was often persecuted by the wicked, his place with God being the central attack of the enemy.
“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? … As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” Psalms 42:3, 10
Those who are His have the “witness” of His Spirit in them:
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16
Why are you bothered when someone else doubts your salvation? Do you have the bearing witness of the Holy Spirit as a witness in your heart? (Romans 8:16). If you are assured by God (not self or mere man) of your salvation, why would you be concerned if someone else doubted it? Can you say with Paul “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”? (2 Timothy 1:12). Did God not say that we who have and are believing the record He gave of His Son have HIS “witness” within us?
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:9-13
David told us that our “sentence” comes from the LORD Himself not man:
“Let my sentence (verdict) come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2
The Hebrew word that is translated “sentence” here means: act of deciding a case, decision, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable), sentence of formal decree.
By reason of creation, God Himself is the only One who can determine judicially that one is righteous or unrighteous, just or unjust, justified or not justified. The Almighty is the only One qualified to sentence any individual to Heaven or hell. Either He approves of us or He disapproves of us (Ezekiel 18:4).
“STRONG CONFIDENCE”
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
The key to having “strong confidence” and escaping “the snares of death,” is fearing God.
God’s Word tells us that “The fear of the Lord is clean” (Psalms 19:9). The heart that truly fears God is made “clean” from any doubt and has full and “strong confidence” or assurance and strength of conviction.
The key is being with Jesus – being in Christ. Jesus told us that those who are “with” Him are His and all others are “against” Him (Matthew 12:30). The whole of Holy Scripture is the very testimony of God and we can plainly observe that being presently and truly “in Christ” is the determining factor.
The Father spoke from Heaven audibly, declaring of Christ, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). ALL who are presently in Christ, are well pleasing to God – justified, sentenced and declared righteous. Justification, to be declared righteous by God, is always “by faith” (Romans 3:21-5:17; Hebrews 11:4-7).
Ultimately, your “sentence” or sentencing comes forth from God alone who is the only Judge of your eternal soul. In light of this, Paul writes:
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
According to the whole counsel of God’s Word, believers in Jesus Christ – those who genuinely turn to God in repentance, placing their faith in Jesus Christ – have been shown mercy by God. This gift of eternal life was made possible through the finished and perfect work of the One sinless, perfect Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who bled on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead. He is “the Son of God with power.”
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4
Being rooted and grounded in God’s love is so very important to being “sound in the faith,” having a “sound heart” and a “sound mind” (Proverbs 14:30; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 1:13). This all comes from learning and believing “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9; 2:1).
GOING DEEP
Heeding the apostle Paul’s exhortation to all those whom the LORD has saved, is essential to an ever-deepening, abiding, assured place with the LORD.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
Only going on to perfection (spiritual maturity) by learning and obeying the truth of God can make one free from doubting that He is God’s child (Hebrews 5:11-6:3).
“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:30-32, 36
As the born again disciple of Christ continues to walk in the light of truth with Jesus, He is kept in Christ and assured of salvation.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7
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