(from 2004) Introduction Several years ago, I had an exchange with a man who believed in the “Faith Only” doctrine and touted the Sinner’s Prayer as the means to be saved. An exchange is similar to a debate except it is usually in written form between the two individuals. I tried to tell him that baptism was just as essential as belief and he couldn’t fathom it. Below is his final post and I then wrote some remarks to it as he was finished with me. Here’s his final post: Keith wrote: If baptism is required for salvation, then Jesus lied, and the thief on the cross is in Hell. What if one receives Christ as Savior, but dies on the way to their baptism? What of all the people who have received Christ as Savior on their deathbeds? I certainly hope there was a Pastor there with a bowl of Holy water, or by your standards, they're in Hell too. The concept of salvation you hold is not only blasphemous, it's foolish and dangerous. If you believe y...

(from 2004) Introduction         This is a question that most people would rather ignore that to answer: If you were to die tonight, where would you go? Some might instantly say, “Heaven” while others might flippantly, or even proudly say, “Hell”. But what if I told you that, according to scripture, you would not go to neither place when you die? When You Die…         Contrary to what most religious people will tell you, Heaven or Hell is not the next stop after you pass from this mortal realm. They are the places of eternity as stated by Jesus in Mt. 25:46, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Eternity is your “final reward” but there is a location that every soul will venture into after leaving here. It’s what I’ve referred to as the Giant Waiting Room. Welcome to Hades         If you’...

(from 2004)     Introduction People throughout the ages were and are fascinated with speaking to a loved one from beyond the grave. Many will pay a hefty sum of money to have a Medium conduct a séance to contact people from the “other side.” According to scripture, that is impossible.   In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31), the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to his brothers to speak to him of their fate. Abraham refused saying that if they would hear Moses and the Prophets; they surely won’t listen to a ghost.   Even Mediums in the Old Testament were frauds.   In the scenario to follow, however, God makes one of the Mediums the real thing for a short time. Burning Bridges There’s an old saying, “Don’t burn your bridges behind you.” This is especially noted in the workforce. Meaning always leave yourself a place to return to if you new job doesn’t work out. King Saul was one of these people.   Th...