Bible Question: I have a 17 year old son who is so filled with the spirt. I am so proud of him. He goes to church and he volunteers daily at a inner city mission. The problem is that his "Friend" is telling him he is spiritualy dead. WHY? because I was raised a mennonite, and now attend a baptist church. I am not comfortable raising my hand and shouting and singing loudly and dancing. That is not how I worship. The "friend" tells me that is in direct conflict with wha the bible says and untill I start, I am going to hell. Any comments? |
Bible Answer: rjcbp: If you are a Baptist, you know that Baptists don't teach a works-based soteriology -- and neither does Scripture! Perhaps it's time to invite your son's friend in for a Bible lesson on what salvation is and how it comes about. (I gather that your son's friend is also in his teens?) Read Ephesians 2:8-10 to him. Explain to him that God's plan of salvation is based from start to finish on grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Works have nothing to do with it. It matters not how much shouting one does, how loudly he sings, or how fast he dances around the pulpit. Whether one shouts loudly enough to vibrate the roof off the church house or sits still as a mouse in the church pew makes not an iota of difference in his salvation. How did Paul and Silas answer the Philippian jailor (Acts 16:30,31) who asked them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Did Paul and Silas say to him, "Well, the best way we know of is to sing and shout to the top of your voice, jump up and down, dance around, and act as if you had a severe disorder of the central nervous system." You know better than that, and so should your son's friend. Here's what Paul and Silas said to the jailor: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." I believe that while I was at it, I'd also reprimand your son's friend for his pertness, presumption, and his patently false teaching about salvation. Sounds to me like he needs his ears pinned back and perhaps an attitude adjustment to go along with it. My patience wears thin with misguided and ill-informed self-proclaimed know-it-alls who delight in passing judgment on others. --Hank |