“…The plain fact is, there are many false Christs, many antichrists, by whom the souls of men are deceived and damned. I want to be as charitable, kind, and gracious as I can; but charity, kindness, and grace will not allow me to be silent while immortal souls are deceived and God’s glory is trampled beneath the feet of men. If you trust a false Christ you cannot be saved any more than you could be saved by trusting a tadpole. We are called of God to trust, love, follow, and obey the true Christ and him only. Salvation is promised to none but those who trust the true Christ. Therefore, we are warned in our text to Take heed that no man deceive you.” We must take heed to the teachings of Holy Scripture, lest we be deceived by some false Christ.

We know about the Christ of the liberals. He was a social do-gooder. “Of course,” we are told, “he is not God.” The virgin birth, the incarnation, the resurrection, are all things that must be understood allegorically. In fact, the Christ of the liberals is considered by many to be a man of very questionable moral character. Any who are deceived by liberal theology and the Christ of the liberals are willingly deceived. We are not deceived by the Christ of the liberals. Only a prating fool would pretend to be a Christian while teaching what liberals do concerning Christ. The Christ of the liberals is a false Christ. All who trust the Christ of the liberals are lost.

We also know about the Christ of the various cults. He is represented to us as a good man, a prophet, a teacher of morality, the first and greatest creation of God, or even a sort of secondary god. But the Christ of the cults is never represented as the true and eternal God. Their Christ receives his existence from another god, one who is greater than he is. This, of course, is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by him. The Christ of the cults is a false Christ. All who trust the Christ of the cults are lost.

We know about the Christ of Roman Catholicism. The papists profess that Jesus Christ is God, that he came into the world as a man, that he suffered the wrath of God as a substitute for sinners, that he died, was buried, rose again the third day, ascended back to heaven, and that he is coming again. But the Christ of Romanism is not a complete Savior. The Christ of Rome cannot save sinners without their own good works, the intercessions of priests, and the sacraments of the church. The Christ of Rome is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by him. Though many are damned by the darkness of Roman Catholic idolatry, that is not a danger and deception by which any who read these lines are likely to be deceived. The Christ of the papists, we know, is a false Christ. All who trust the Christ of Rome are lost.

However, there is a false Christ much more dangerous than the antichrists of the liberals, the cults, and the papists. There is a false Christ by whom the souls of men have been deceived for years, by whom millions are being deceived today. In fact, I am compelled to say, the vast majority of those who profess faith in Christ are followers of this false Christ who will ultimately lead them to eternal ruin. This Christ, this antichrist, is such a dangerous and deceptive Christ, that our Lord tells us he would deceive the very elect, were it not impossible for God’s elect to be deceived (Matt. 24:24). He must be identified. The Christ I speak of is the Christ of Arminian, freewill, works religion.

Few think that I am uncharitable when I denounce the false Christs of liberals, cults, and papists as antichrists and warn men that following those false Christs will result in everlasting damnation. Yet, whenever I boldly assert that the Christ of Arminian, freewill, works religion is a false Christ and that all who trust him are lost, I am castigated as an evil man. Be that as it may, as a watchman upon the walls of Zion, I am responsible to warn you of the danger of this antichrist.

The Christ of Arminian, freewill, works religion is extremely dangerous because in many ways he appears to be the true Christ. The freewillers and workmongers of this age tell us that Christ is the true God, in every way equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They even assert that he saves by grace alone, without the works of man. They insist vehemently that good works play no part in their salvation. The devotees of this Christ will have nothing to do with the Christ of the liberals, the cults, or the papists. But “take heed that no man deceive you!” Do not be fooled. The Christ of Arminian, freewill, works religion is not the Christ of the Bible. He is a false Christ. All who trust this false Christ are lost, too.

Be sure you understand the issue. The issue is not what or how much does a person have to know to be saved. The issue is who. Who must I know? The answer to that question is plainly stated in John 17:3. We must know the true God and the true Christ. Let me make five comparisons of the false Christ of modern religion, the Christ of Arminian, freewill, works religion, with the Christ of the Bible. When you have considered these five comparisons in the light of Holy Scripture, I have no doubt that you will see the obvious distinctions between The False Christs and the True.

I. The Christ of modern, freewill, works religion loves everyone in the universe and wants to save them. We are told that Christ loves all men alike, desires the salvation of all men alike, and is gracious to all men alike. That makes the love, will, and grace of Christ helpless and useless. But that language cannot be applied to the Christ of the Bible. The true Christ, the Christ of the Bible, the saving Christ loves his people, wills and prays for the salvation of his people, and is gracious to his people, the people unconditionally chosen unto salvation from eternity, whom he came to save (Ps. 5:5; 7:11; 11:5; Matt. 1:21; 11:27; John 10:16; John 17:9-10; Acts 13:48; Rom. 9:21-24; Eph. 1:3-6).

II. The Christ of modern, freewill, works religion tries to save everyone. We are told that he offers salvation to every sinner and does everything he can to save them all; but that his offer is rejected and his work is frustrated by the will of those who refuse to come to him and be saved. The Christ of the Bible does not merely offer salvation. He performs it! Grace is not an offer. It is an operation! The Son of God effectually calls to himself all his elect, his sheep, and sovereignly works salvation in them by the irresistible power and grace of his Holy Spirit. Not one of them will be lost. Is this, or is it not the teaching of Holy Scripture? (Psa. 65:4; 110:3; Isa. 55:11; John 5:21; 6:37-40; 10:3, 25-30; 17:2; Phil. 2:13)

III. The false Christ of Arminianism cannot regenerate and save anyone who does not first choose to be saved by him. We are told that man has a freewill, but that Christ’s will is bound by and must wait upon man’s will because it would not be right for him to violate man’s will! The true, saving Christ does violate man’s imaginary freewill; and I am very thankful that he does. Had he not violated my freewill, I would be lost or in hell now! The same is true of you. He sovereignly regenerates and saves every chosen, redeemed sinner. His operations of grace are totally independent of the will and choice of the sinner. Apart from his work of grace in us, spiritually dead sinners never would or could believe on him and come to him in faith. Faith is not our contribution to the work of salvation. Our faith in him is the result, not the cause of God’s saving operations. “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (John 3:3-7; 6:44, 65; 15:16; Acts 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 9:16; Eph. 2:1-4, 8-10; Phil. 1:6, 29; Col. 2:12; Heb. 12:2).

IV. The false Christ of modern, Arminian, freewill, works, man-centered religion died on the cross for everyone in the world, to make it possible for everyone in the world to be saved, but actually secured no one’s salvation by his death. We are told that Christ by his death made it possible for all men to be redeemed, justified, and saved, but that his death has no efficacy and saving power for anyone until they believe on him. Thus, we are informed that the Son of God died in vain for all who perish in unbelief. Though he tried to save them, he failed! The Christ of God is not a frustrated failure! He died for God’s elect and effectually put away our sins by the sacrifice of himself. Having satisfied the justice of God for us, he obtained eternal salvation for us. We were and are forever pardoned, justified, and sanctified by his blood (Isa. 42:4; 53:8; Matt. 20:28; John 10:14-15, 26; Acts 20:28; Rom. 5:9-10; Eph. 5:25; Heb. 9:12; 10:10-14; I Peter 3:18; Rev. 5:9-10).

V. The false Christ of Arminianism loses many who have been saved by him because they do not hang on, hold out, or persevere to the end. Among the heretical Baptists of our day, some do grant that the sinner has what has come to be called “eternal security.” But it is not security based upon the will, work, and purpose of God in Christ. It is not security based upon the blood of Christ, or the operations of his Spirit. According to the freewiller, all these things are done for all people alike. So their doctrine of “eternal security” is a declaration of security based upon the choice and will of man, not the choice and will of God. The true Christ, the saving Christ, the Christ of the Bible preserves his chosen, redeemed, called ones by his almighty grace, so that they cannot fall away and perish at last. We are kept in life, grace, and faith by the immutability of his will, the power of his blood, the efficacy of his grace, the seal of his Spirit, and the perfection of his intercession (Mal.3:6;John 5:24;10:26-29;Rom.8:28-39;I Pet.1:2-5;Jude 24-25).

At first glance, the Christ of modern, Arminian, freewill, works religion may seem to closely resemble the true Christ, the Christ of Scripture. But he does not. The one is a false Christ, antichrist. The other is true, the Christ of God. One is weak and helpless, waiting upon and bowing to the will of man. The other is the sovereign Lord, who wills what he pleases and does what he will! The one is supposed to be able to save with your cooperation. The other is able to save without any cooperation on your part. His salvation produces your cooperation!

Those who believe on and serve the false Christ of freewill, works religion do not believe on and serve the Christ of the Bible. They are deceived. They are lost. And they shall forever perish under the wrath of God, unless they come to know and trust the Christ of God, who saves his people from their sins by himself. We must, as we fear God and care for the souls of men, have no fellowship with and give no credibility to Arminian, freewill, works religion (II Cor. 6:14-7:1; Rev. 18:4). We must, in these days of darkness, deception, and delusion, proclaim the Christ of God in all his saving fullness, grace, and glory. He alone is able to save (Rom. 1:15-17). Let us ever adore, praise, and extol the Lord Jesus Christ alone and completely as our great Savior (Isa. 59:16)

Don Fortner is pastor of
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, Ky.

(TLM Editorial note:  I have attended a Sovereign Grace church now for 11 years and would agree with what Don Fortner is saying here.  Although I do believe futurists who embrace the doctrines of grace are Christians, Don Fortner and others need to beware of the Christ of Futurism.  This Jesus is a failure as well in His plan of redeeming the church.  He was not able to accomplish redemption and salvation for the church within His contemporary generation (Mt. 24 and Luke 21).  Although the book of Hebrews portrays the Jesus of the Scriptures as not being able to lie and would keep His oath and promise to return in a “very little while” and would “NOT tarry,” the Jesus of futurism (ignorantly or not) fails to keep His promises made to Abraham (Heb. 7; 10:37; 13:14YLT; Rev. 22:20).  The Jesus of futurism makes the heart of God’s people “sick” (Proverbs 13:12).  The Jesus of futurism can be likened to a false prophet who claims through His inspired prophets and Apostles that His return was “at hand” in N.T. times (cf. 1Pet. 4:7), but in actuality it has been “delayed” and is “far off” (some 2,000 years and counting) (cf. Deut. 18:18-20; Ezk. 12:23-28).  The true Jesus of Scripture returned a “second time” in A.D. 70 at the end of the old covenant age and redeemed the church of her sin!  I have rejected the Jesus of Arminianism and the Jesus of futurism by the sovereign and free grace of God alone.  God’s sheep will CONTINUE to hear His voice!  Selah). 

 

T.U.L.I.P

BY:  DON FORTNER

TOTAL DEPRAVITY

One cardinal, fundamental, basic Bible doctrine believed and taught by all true christians throughout history is the doctrine of TOTAL DEPRAVITY, or ORIGINAL SIN. Essentially, the doctrine of total depravity asserts three things.

1. ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE FALLEN (Psa. 14:3; Rom. 5:12). Adam was by God’s appointment the federal head and representative of the whole human race. When he sinned, we all sinned in him. All who are born of Adam are born in a fallen, ruined condition.

2. ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE BY NATURE CORRUPT AND CONDEMNED (Rom. 3:10-23). The heart of man is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9). All the evil that is in the world is in the heart of every child of Adam (Matt. 15:18-20). We do not become sinners by what we do. We do what we do because we are sinners. We were all born with hearts full of enmity toward God (Rom. 8:7). Being sinners by imputation, birth, nature, and practice, all men are by nature in a state of condemnation before God (Gal. 3:10).

3. ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE BY NATURE SPIRITUALLY DEAD AND THUS TOTALLY INCAPABLE OF CHANGING THEIR CONDITION (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 1:1-4). Man is not a spiritual cripple, but a spiritual corpse. He cannot live spiritually, exercise faith in Christ, pray, or even seek the Lord until he is regenerated, born again, by the sovereign power of God the Holy Spirit. The new birth is nothing less than a resurrection from the dead!

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

Reprobate religious rebels call it “a doctrine of man”, or “a doctrine hatched in hell”, but the Word of God clearly and constantly teaches the doctrine of UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION (Matt. 22:14; John 15:16; Eph. 1:3-6; II Thess. 2:13; Rom. 9:11-16). All of God’s people, all true believers rejoice to hear the Lord say, “I have chosen you!” Read the passages cited above and you cannot fail to see what the Bible teaches about election. It is A WORK OF GRACE. It is an ETERNAL work of grace. It springs from the sovereign LOVE OF GOD. It is God’s IMMUTABLE CHOICE of some to everlasting salvation. Election is IN CHRIST. We were chosen to be CONFORMED TO CHRIST. And God’s election of some to salvation in Christ was AN UNCONDITIONAL WORK OF GRACE (II Tim. 1:9).

All who were chosen to be saved were chosen without consideration of their works, good or bad. Election is free! Because election is free and unconditional, and because God cannot change, either in his Person or his purpose, election is immutable (Mal. 3:6). It is not possible that any of God’s elect will ever perish under the wrath of God.

THE PROOF OF ELECTION IS FAITH IN CHRIST. All who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as he is revealed in Holy Scripture believe because God chose them unto salvation and gave them faith. Sinners make their calling and election sure by believing on the Son of God (II Pet. 1:10). Thank God for electing love! Without it no one would ever be saved!

LIMITED ATONEMENT

All who believe anything concerning the redemptive, sin-atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ place some limit upon the atonement made by Christ’s shed blood. Some limit the power, merit, and efficacy of Christ’s blood. Others limit the design, scope, and intent of the atonement. But all place some limit on the atonement.

THOSE WHO SAY THAT CHRIST DIED FOR ALL MEN ALIKE LIMIT THE MERIT, POWER, AND EFFICACY OF THE SAVIOR’S BLOOD. If the Lord Jesus Christ died for all men alike and some are not saved, then the blood of Christ alone is not sufficient, powerful, and effectual in the accomplishment of redemption. Something must be added to the blood of Christ to make it effectual. That something is always called “man’s part” in salvation – either his will, or his decision, or his works. Such doctrine both denies the glory of Christ in redemption and makes man his own savior. It must not be tolerated.

ALL WHO BELIEVE THE BIBLE, RECOGNIZING THE INFINITE POWER AND EFFICACY OF CHRIST’S SHED BLOOD, LIMIT THE DESIGN AND INTENT OF CHRIST’S ATONING WORK. We believe, according to the Scriptures, that Christ died for a specific people (Isa. 53:8; John 10:11, 15), and that all for whom the Son of God died are and must be redeemed (Gal. 3:13), justified (Rom. 3:24-26), and forgiven of all sin (Eph. 1:7). The faith of God’s elect does not make redemption effectual. Rather, our faith in Christ is the result of his effectual redemption (Isa. 53:10-11).

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

The assertion that the grace of God is irresistible does not imply that men do not resist the saving operations of God the Holy Spirit. All men do resist him (Rom.8:7). Neither does this blessed doctrine imply, as men foolishly assert, that God forces people to be saved whether they want to be or not. The doctrine of Holy Scripture is this – “THY PEOPLE SHALL BE WILLING IN THE DAY OF THY POWER” (Psa. 110:3). “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOM THOU CHOOSEST AND CAUSEST TO APPROACH UNTO THEE” (Psa. 65:4). Thank God, there are some sinners in this world from whom God the Holy Spirit will not take “no” for an answer! By the blessed violence of sovereign grace he stops every chosen, redeemed sinner in his mad rush for hell, invades his heart, gives him life, and translates the sinner from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Revealing the beauty, glory, goodness, and grace of God in the face of Jesus Christ, he graciously causes chosen sinners to trust the Savior. He does not force men to be saved against their will. He simply gives them a new will. He does not force people who do not want Christ to come to him. He causes chosen sinners to want Christ. EVERY SAVED SINNER ASSERTS THIS GOSPEL TRUTH, AVOWING THAT HE TRUSTS CHRIST BECAUSE HE FINDS THE LOVE AND GRACE OF GOD IN CHRIST IRRESISTIBLE. That is the work of God the Holy Spirit. That is irresistible grace. Like a woman who has found the love of a man irresistible, every sinner who has experienced the irresistible love and grace of God in Christ rejoices in it.

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

Over the years a good many people have asked me, “Do you believe once saved always saved?” My answer is, “That depends on one thing – Who does the saving? If salvation is in any way dependent upon, or determined by fickle, fallen, sinful man, no, I cannot believe once saved always saved. However, if we believe, as the Word of God universally teaches, that `SALVATION IS OF THE LORD’, then we must also believe once saved always saved, because the Bible declares, `WHATSOEVER GOD DOETH, IT SHALL BE FOREVER: NOTHING CAN BE PUT TO IT, NOR ANYTHING TAKEN FROM IT: AND GOD DOETH IT, THAT MEN SHOULD FEAR BEFORE HIM’ (Eccles. 3:14).”

Many profess to be saved, think they are saved, and appear to everyone else to be saved, who do fall away and depart from Christ. But they never were saved by God. If God had saved them, they would be “KEPT by the power of God through faith” “UNTO SALVATION” (I Pet. 1:5). There is a difference between professing grace and possessing grace, between being saved and thinking you are saved, between acting like a Christian and being a Christian. BUT OF THIS YOU MAY BE SURE – Every sinner saved by the grace of God is saved forever and can never perish. The believer cannot be condemned (Rom. 8:1) for any reason (Rom. 8:33-34) because God will not charge his own with sin (Rom. 4:8). He charged our sins to Christ and will never charge them to us! GOD’S ELECT ARE INFALLIBLY SAVED AND SECURE BECAUSE NEITHER THE PURPOSE OF GOD THE FATHER, THE PURCHASE OF GOD THE SON, NOR THE POWER OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVER BE FRUSTRATED.

Don Fortner, Pastor
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, Ky.

THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

BY: DON FORTNER

Because he was a man devoted to the gospel, zealous for the glory of Christ, and concerned about the souls of men, the apostle Paul clearly identified men in the early church who were “the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippines 3:18). Sometimes, he even called them by name!

Those enemies of the cross were preachers and teachers who came in the name of Christ, professing to be followers of Christ, and pretending to preach the gospel of Christ. But they were offended by the cross of Christ. The fact that Christ died on the cross did not offend them; but the doctrine of the cross they could not and would not endure. Because of their great hatred for Paul’s message, the doctrine of the cross, they sought to destroy his ministry by raising smoke screens and clouds of dust around it, falsely accusing him of many hideous things. Some said, “Paul is not a true apostle.” Others said, “Paul is an antinomian.” Another raised the cry, “Paul is a preacher of licentiousness.” And some said, “Paul is lording over God’s church.” By these things, the false preachers and teachers in the early church tried to discredit Paul’s ministry, and sought to excuse their rebellion and enmity toward the doctrine of the cross.

We have such men in the church today. Some are preachers, some are teachers, some are deacons, and some are in the pews. They falsely accuse God’s faithful servants of many evil things. They raise many false issues in an attempt to hide the one real issue. They are “the enemies of the cross of Christ.” What is the source and cause of their anger, wrath, and hostility toward those who faithfully preach the gospel? What are the real issues?

The real issue is this— Who is God? Is he totally, absolutely, and universally sovereign; or is he not? The Word of God says that he is; and the natural man hates that fact (Isa. 46:10; Dan. 4:35-37; Rom. 9:11-23). God is sovereign in all things: creation, providence, and salvation. God does what he will, when he will, with whom he will, in the way he will, and gives account of his actions to no one. Either God is absolutely sovereign, or he is not God.

The real issue is this— What is man? Is man good, or is he vile? Is man weak; or is he depraved? Is man sick, or is he dead? What does the Bible say? You do not have to read much to find out (Rom. 3:9-19; 5:12; Eph. 2: 1-3). These things are true concerning all men by nature, no matter what their age, their race, or their condition in life: All men are spiritually dead, without life toward God. All men are morally depraved. Their hearts are evil, vile, wretched, and incapable of doing that which is good in the sight of God (Mt. 15:19). There is nothing you can or will do, of yourself, by your own power, of your own accord, to change your nature. And all men are justly condemned. Unless God Almighty intervenes and does for you what you cannot do for yourself, you are going to wind up in hell. And if you do, it will be right and just, you have well earned it.

The real issue is this— How is salvation accomplished? Man will accept any method of salvation which allows him some part in the work. And he naturally rebels against any method of salvation which denies him all pride and dignity. The scriptures are clear – “Salvation is of the Lord.” “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvation is not an offer; it is a free gift. Salvation is not accomplished by the gentle persuasion of the Holy Spirit, never invading the territory of the sinner’s free-will; but it is accomplished by the sovereign power of God the Holy Spirit, irresistibly drawing sinners to Christ and creating faith in their hearts. Salvation does not come by the decision of man, but by the revelation of God. Salvation is not walking down an aisle; it is bowing to Christ the King. The new birth is nothing less than an effectual awakening of dead sinners by God the Holy Spirit. It is God giving life to the dead. It is a spiritual resurrection.

The real issue is this—Who is Jesus Christ? Modem day preachers have made a conscience-soothing, fire-escape from hell and named it “Jesus.” The modem preacher has made Jesus a pathetic, helpless beggar at the sinner’s heart’s door. The preacher of easybelievism and decisionism has made the will of Christ, the work of Christ, and the glory of Christ subject to the sinner’s will. He has put the Son of God into the sinner’s power, saying, “What will you do with Jesus? “Will you accept the Lord? Won’t you let Jesus come into your heart? Let him have his way with you.” It’s all a lie, a blasphemous delusion, a snare of hell.

My friend, Jesus Christ is God, the sovereign Lord and King (John 17:2). He has you in his hands. You don’t have him in your hands. The question is not, “Will you receive Jesus?; but “will Jesus receive you?” The question is not, “Will you accept the Lord?”; but “Will the Lord accept you?” He has the authority, the right, and the power to save you or to damn you. The one thing you can and must do is bow down to him. Bow down before the great King and sue for mercy “Lord, if you will, you can make me whole.”

The real issue is this—What did Jesus Christ do? Did the Son of God die to make salvation a possibility for all men, or did he make an infinite satisfaction to divine justice, accomplishing the eternal redemption of his people. The modem theory of the atonement is this-the Lord Jesus Christ died at Calvary to make it possible for all the people of the world to be saved, though he did not actually secure and make certain the salvation of any. And when any sinner believes on Christ, the blood of Christ becomes powerful and effectual to save him. This notion makes the blood of Christ a dormant and useless thing until the sinner’s faith makes it meritorious and effectual. But what does the Word of God say? If there is anything plainly taught in the Bible, it is this – the Lord Jesus Christ did actually put away the sins of his people, and did actually obtain eternal redemption for us when he poured out his life’s blood unto death at Calvary (Rom. 3:24-26; II Cor. 5:21 Heb. 9:12,26).

Though the doctrine of the cross offends unbelieving men and stirs up their wrath. I must go on preaching it with boldness. This is the only hope of my soul. And, though you may not know it, is your only hope too.

Don Fortner, Pastor
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, Ky.