Posted on 06/24/2005 6:52:11 PM PDT by RaceBannon
Problems of Ecumenical Evangelism
Is Billy Graham Right or Wrong?
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
For years the evangelistic campaigns of Billy Graham have drawn worldwide attention. Repeatedly he has been named the "Man of the Year" in the area of religion. It has been said that Dr. Graham has preached to more people than any other man in history. His influence is significant:
As a stone cast into a pool produces concentric waves which ripple their way to the banks, so often the thoughts of one man influence a whole generation. It is no exaggeration to say that no man has more influence with evangelicals today than Billy Graham. He is immensely popular. [Erroll Hulse, Billy GrahamThe Pastors Dilemma, p.34]
We all recognize Billy Graham as a gifted speaker. As he has proclaimed the Bible message of salvation, we cannot deny that many have come to a saving knowledge of Christ, and for this we thank the Lord. I can remember as a new believer being greatly encouraged listening to Billy Graham preach on a televised crusade. At that time my heart was warmed by his preaching and blessed by his ministry.
I take no delight, therefore, in being critical of the ministry of Dr. Billy Graham. From time to time people have questions about Billy Graham and they have difficulty understanding why we do not attend his crusades and why we do not commend and support his type of evangelistic efforts.
Unsaved people in general see Billy Graham as the representative of Bible-believing Christianity. The evangelical world has esteemed him as its hero and champion. What he says and does, therefore, demands examination. "Prove all things [test all things by the Word of God] and hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). Numbers of Bible-believing people have been discerning and honest enough to recognize serious problems involved in Billy Grahams ecumenical approach to evangelism. May we prayerfully and carefully consider these problems in the light of Gods Word. This is a delicate and difficult subject. May the Lord help us as we proceed.
"It is by faith and faith alone that we are saved"
I don't disagree that faith is important to salvation. However, your statement that I have listed above is not Biblical. Please offer Scriptural support for this statement.
How many verses will it take to satisfy you?
I suspect you will not accept just one, so I'll pass on giving it to you. Suffice it to say that there is no record of Abraham doing anything other than believing God and that was counted unto him as righteousness. No confession, no baptism, no nothing. Just believing. John 3:16. Not by works.
Abraham was not under the New Covenant, so confession and baptism were not required for his salvation.
I said I will accept one verse and that is what I meant. All I was saying is that I have not yet found the verse that teaches faith alone saves without contradicting other passages of Scripture. If you have found that one, please show it to me.
So salvation through faith alone by grace alone through Christ alone is the OLD Covenant?
Then what is the Gospel?
How can something be through faith alone, and also by grace alone, and also through Christ alone? That is impossible. You have listed 3 things through which we receive salvation, which are all true, and yet you claim they are each the only thing that is needed by attaching the word "alone".
I totally agree that we receive salvation by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8). I also agree that it is only because Christ died, was buried, and rose on the third day that we have the opportunity to become a child of God. However, our acceptance doesn't end with simply believing that to be true. We must also repent of our sins, confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and be baptized for the remission of our sins.
Sorry about that.
You are still inserting the word "alone" which is nowhere in the text. It is not even implied. The faith that is taught in the Bible is an obedient faith. Please answer this question. Must one confess Christ in order to be saved?
Confession of Christ is evidence of faith. Faith is the belief which brings about the confession. By the time you move your lips, you are saved, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Are we having a deja vu moment or am I just having a senior moment?
Indeed it is flash in the past. I hope you are having a great day. I enjoyed the Matthew lesson.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Then please explain what is meant by Romans 10:10
for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Nothing I have ever said cancels out God's grace or the free gift of salvation. That is your opinion, but it is not based in Scripture.
Acts 22:16 teaches that baptism washes away sin. Do you agree or disagree with that? If you disagree, please tell me what it does teach.
Hmmmmm. Nothing in there about baptism. Nothing in there about Sabbaths. Nothing in there about anything other than believing in your heart and cofessing (or acknowledging) with your mouth and then you SHALL be saved.
But since you only speak what comes out of your heart, the movement of your lips is not what saves you, but it is evidence that you have been saved. In both verses it is belief which is the trigger for salvation. Confession is the evidence that the trigger has been pulled.
I never said it mentioned baptism. I am only talking about confession in this verse. The verse clearly teaches that confession comes before salvation. You claim otherwise.
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