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If Baptist preachers were honest in their doctrine of "once saved, always
saved," they would soon put themselves out of business.
If that doctrine were true, then all Baptists would be like an acquaintance who said, "I was born a Baptist and will die a Baptist," but who has never darkened the door of a Baptist Church or given a penny to support it in about 30 years. Yet, according to Calvin's doctrine of "The Perseverance of The Saints," once so prominently touted by Baptist Churches, this person is saved and will go to heaven at last. If Baptist preachers were honest in that belief, they would advise Baptists to "get saved," then forget about religion because after one is saved he cannot be lost. But they won't do this because, 1) either they don't really believe it, or 2) they know it would be self-destructive to their livelihoods. Oh, for an honest Baptist preacher who will also preach the consequences of his false doctrine! But we can't expect them to bite the hand that feeds them by preaching the truth. Paul said false teachers "serve...their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:18). If Baptists practiced that nefarious, "once saved, always saved" doctrine it would make for a lot of empty bellies among their "clergy." |