Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: June 12, 2005
DAMNABLE DENOMINATIONAL DOCTRINE
Ben Justice
Whenever there is a multiplicity of plans of salvation taught throughout the
religious landscape, the rational and honest person knows that somebody is
wrong. One could look in the yellow pages and begin calling the various religious
bodies in town and ask the preacher, “What Must I Do To Be Saved,” and it is a
guarantee that many different and conflicting answers would be given. This is truly
one of the great curses of denominationalism.
Recently, I read this about a man who had succumbed to denominational doctrine
relative to salvation(?). The story went like this:
Two weeks ago my wife’s brother, who was my age, died. His name was Jerry.
He and my wife were very close and he was dear to me as well. Over the
years, we had left tracts at her parents’ house, but were not able to discuss
Biblical teaching because her Daddy told us when we first married that there
were two things they DIDN'T’t discuss — religion and politics. My wife is
the only member of her family who is a Christian.
At the funeral, my wife’s cousin (who is an Assembly of God preacher) related
the story of Jerry’s “salvation.” When he was 12 years old, he told his
mother and father that he was lost and asked them to pray for him and they
did so in their kitchen. My heart broke to hear that story and it could be
multiplied thousands of times over.
The above story serves as a perfect example of the devastating effects of
denominational doctrine with respect to salvation. I want to focus upon two
important aspects of the above story.
1.) What was related above is so characteristic of much of the teaching of the
religious world when it comes to what a person must do to be saved. As was the
case with the 12 year old boy, many accept the doctrine that one receives salvation
when he prays to God. My friend, this is nowhere to be taught in the NT! There is
not one single example of an alien sinner praying to God to receive salvation. We
challenge anyone to find a scripture in the book of Acts (or anywhere in the NT)
where an alien sinner was commanded to pray through for salvation. We challenge
anyone to find an example of an alien sinner who prayed to God to receive
salvation. We challenge anyone to find an implication of prayer salvation.
The account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus forever settles the question of
prayer being for salvation. In Acts 9, we have the first of three accounts of Saul’s
conversion recorded in the book of Acts (see also Acts 22, 26). Jesus appeared to
Saul on the Damascus road. Saul was not saved on the Damascus road, as many
erroneously claim today. When Saul asked Jesus, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to
do?” Jesus answered him by saying, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told
thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). In v. 10-16, Jesus appeared to Ananias and
instructed Ananias to “inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus.”
Then the inspired record says this concerning Saul: “for, behold, he prayeth” (v. 11).
When Ananias would find Saul, he would be praying. If there ever was a time when
prayer salvation was true, it would certainly have to be here. However, it is not!
Later, in v. 18, Saul was baptized. In the parallel account given in Acts 22:16,
Ananias said to Saul, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash
away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Saul was still in his sins before being
baptized. Hence, his praying could not accomplish the washing away of Saul’s
sins. In other words, Saul did not receive salvation as a result of his praying.
How sad it is that many teach something that is found nowhere in the Scriptures.
What do we find? Without exception, people heard God’s word (Acts 2:37; Rom. 10:
14, 17), believed God’s word (Mark 16:16; John 8:24), repented of sins (Luke 13:3;
Acts 17:30), confessed Jesus to be God’s Son (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10), and was
baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16).
2.) Another thing that we learn from the above story is that there are untold
multitudes of people laboring under the illusion that they are saved when in fact
they are still lost. There are many sincere folk who honestly believe that based
upon their prayer for salvation that they are in a saved relationship with God.
What a curse denominational doctrine is upon mankind! As Jesus said, “Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in
thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew
you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23). Here are some people that
Jesus described as being “surprised” come judgment day. He also described these
individuals as being sincere. They labored under the illusion that they were saved
and they would be able to enjoy the eternal bliss of heaven — but they were lost.
Why? Because they didn’t do “the will of the Father” (v. 21).
Denominational doctrine is a curse upon mankind. It gives a false hope. Those
who love the truth and hate every false way (Psalm 119:104) will surely see the
need to oppose religious error. It saddens me and even angers me to hear
members of the church express displeasure when the preacher (or anyone) exposes
denominational error. Such people do not really realize what denominational
doctrine does. Those who expose false doctrine do not do so just to be cranky.
They realize that it is a battle for the souls of people. Those members of the
church who have family and dear friends in denominational error are, sadly, some
of the very ones who become upset when someone exposes the error of
denominations. Of all people, they ought to want to see it exposed as much as
possible! Paul clearly stated, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove (lit. expose) them” (Eph. 5:11).