Call-In Classic Christianity Radio – Bob George P634 (05-14-21)
Synopsis
To grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is important that we do not rely on what a denominational persuasion says, whether Baptist, Catholic, or Presbyterian, or whatever else it might be. Nor should we rely on what the early church fathers said, what Polycarp, John Wesley or Martin Luther said. Nor do we blindly rely on People to People or whatever common ministry is out there today. If what someone says is in agreement with truth as revealed by the Spirit of God through the word of God, then certainly hold onto such truth, for that is revealed by the Spirit of God, who does not lie.
Ultimately, we need to study the word of God for ourselves, as Paul commended the people of Berea for doing, for they diligently studied the scriptures to see if what he said was so, and they only had the Old Testament scriptures available to them in their day. Now that the gift of prophecy has been given to the prophets as well as the apostles, and the divine revelation from God to men has been written down, by eyewitnesses of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the canon is closed. There are no new revelations today. There is no need for the gift of prophecy today. We now have the complete scriptures, what is now compiled into 66 books of what we call a bible today.
So as you listen today as Bob George explains various concepts, steering people from erroneous teaching to the truth, check out with the word of God, by the Spirit of God living in you, which you have if you are born again, to see if what he is saying is so. Read the epistles of Paul, such as Romans, Galatians, Corinthians. So if someone is a Seventh Day Adventist, what would you say is faulty thinking that Saturday is the only day of the week to worship God? What can you discern from reading the book of Hebrews, or what John the Baptist had said about his baptism in contrast to the baptism of the Holy Spirit? What would you say to him? What scriptures would you use to explain truth as revealed by the Spirit of God to you, as you read His word? What would you say to a Church of Christ person who says that to be saved you must be baptized in his church, by his pastor and in his waters? Can you guide deceived people to the truth? Can you explain to a person what salvation is, starting with 1 Corinthians 15? If someone believes in what is called baptismal regeneration or progressive sanctification, is that true according to the word of God? Listen as Bob addresses these matters to various callers who called in on the radio program.
As you read the scriptures, you will discover that salvation is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Revelation says that if anyone adds or subtracts from the revealed word of God, then the plagues recorded in the book will fall on you. You would not want that to happen? So it is important to know what God says is the means He provided for our salvation, which is faith alone in what He did, in what Christ Jesus accomplished for you by his death, burial and resurrection for you, that you might have life in His name. Read 1 Corinthians 15, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:11-13, and Acts 4:12. Read the book of Romans for a comprehensive study on this subject. Also read the book of Colossians, which is a shorter explanation of the gospel also, as a way of reminder to what the Colossians had come to believe.
You, as a child of God, a born again believer, having the Spirit of God living in you, will also grow in your understanding as you read God’s word, coming to understand your spiritual gift, unique to you for the benefit of the body of Christ, that you may be full of joy as you operate in the way God created you. As a child of God, you have spiritual gifts, whether giving, encouragement, teaching, or whatever it may be. You can read about these in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. Keep in mind that not all these gifts are in operation today, but they were in operation then. An example of that is the gift of prophecy, which ended after the last apostle, the apostle John, finished the book of Revelation in exile on the island of Patmos.
Now these spiritual gifts are not the fruit of the Spirit, as you can read about in Galatians 5:22-23, which is what God produces in and through you, as you depend on Him. As you are operating in your spiritual gift, relying on Him with the proper attitude of humility, then you will also observe God at work in you, and you will bear fruit. As people receive from God through you operating in your spiritual gift, they also will come to trust Christ, and so fruit will be the result in their hearts too, as they are receiving from God what He has worked out through you, expressing itself in gratitude to God, with all joy and peace. Again, the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Transcript
Scott from Colorado Springs, CO
Scott: I have a friend who is a Seventh Day Adventist. He has got some persuasive words on why to worship on Saturday rather than Sunday. But I am skeptical because of the fact I know there is salvation there. How they talk about salvation is completely off. What is your comments on that?
Bob: It says in Colossian 2:16, where it says to not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day, which is what they are doing.
Colossians 2:16
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
Bob: They judge you if you are eating meat or in regard to a Sabbath day. The reason they call themselves Seventh Day Adventist is because the only command they obey is going to church on Saturday. They do not talk about anything else except that. Their doctrine is based on a woman’s teaching, most of which was plagiarized from other people’s writings. Sweet people but they are terrifically deceived. They are legalistic as they can be, particularly on the day of the week they are worshipping God. But talking to another person, I would hate to think that the only time I worshipped Jesus is on Saturday or Sunday. You do not go to church to worship God. You are worshipping God by going to church. We have to realize that the New Moon, to let no one judge you by that. The Sabbath day is a shadow of things that were to come. The reality is found in Christ.
Colossians 2:17
17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Bob: Today in Christ Jesus there is no more Sabbath day. We are supposed to enter the Sabbath rest, which is every day, resting from our works just as he did from his. How can you be resting in a Sabbath rest and still be working in order to find acceptance in the sight of God? It does not make sense, does it?
Hebrews 4:9-10
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Scott: No, not Really.
Bob: No. So the issue is, I personally just have to say that I do not believe a person who attaches anything to salvation except the finished work of Christ Jesus can be saved. You cannot add belonging to a Baptist church, belonging to People to People, or any organization to salvation, for then you are in a cult.
Scott: They actually add the seventh day worship to salvation?
Bob: If they didn’t, why do they talk about and why would their name be Seventh Day Adventist? The issue is that is their focus of everything. They do not realize you are freed from the law. They teach the law. They teach the ten commandments. You are not under the ten commandments. If you are, you are under a curse.
Romans 6:14
14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Galatians 3:10
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Bob: If you are born again, you are indwelt by the Spirit of God and now the Spirit of God is to lead us instead of the law, which is written on stone, and that can only condemn you. You are led by the Spirit of God that gives you life. Paul’s writings are all around that.
Romans 8:14
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Galatians 5:18
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Bob: They twist those writings unbelievably. It is not a place I would recommend someone to run their life, by trying to do, where there is no way for them to do. The one thing they can do is go to church on Saturday. That is why they emphasize everything they do. The bible is very clear. Do not let anyone judge you by a Sabbath day. It is not a reality. It is a foreshadowing. The reality is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now we are told to enter into the Sabbath rest. Be careful that none of you have fallen short of that Sabbath rest, where we rest from our works just as He did from His.
Hebrews 4:1
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
Hebrews 4:9-11
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Bob: That is an everyday deal, Scott.
Scott: Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
Bob: That is every day a week, making your body available to Christ Jesus. It is a disgrace to place that much emphasis on one day of a week, when Christ says the Sabbath is now every day of the week. Christ is Lord of the Sabbath. Christ lives in you, not one day a week, but every day of the week. So rest from your works just as He did from His, and allow Christ to live His life in and through you. There is the Christian life. Okay?
Luke 6:3-6
3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Scott: Alright.
Bob: God bless you, my friend.
Scott: God bless you too. Thanks.
John from Davenport, IO
John: I have a friend in Davenport, Iowa, that I have had since the 80s. He loves the Lord and studies the bible but he is stuck on this baptism for the remission of sins. I do not know how to get through his thick skull. He is so stubborn. He wants to go back and visit that thing.
Bob: Do you know why he is stubborn?
John: No.
1 Corinthians 2:14
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
Bob: Because he is a natural man. He cannot understand spiritual things. It is foolishness to him. He is a natural man. He cannot understand salvation by faith. He thinks there is something he has to do to get involved in it. Do not tell me you love the Lord and tell me you are saved by getting baptized. The scripture clearly declares that it is the gospel that saves. There is nothing in the gospel about baptism or tongues or anything else. It is the death, the burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus. There is nothing to add to that. There is nothing to subtract from it. You cannot have the death and burial and no resurrection. You cannot have the resurrection and no death. It is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Bob: That is the gospel that saves. So, we have to understand the truth of that. By this, it says, the gospel you are saved.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
Bob: He is not holding firmly to this. He is adding to it. Otherwise, it says you believed in vain. So do not tell me you are saved, when Paul says you believed in vain if you do not hold firmly to the gospel that saves you. And this is the gospel that saves, the death, burial and resurrection.
John: He is taking his doctrine out of the book of Acts.
Acts 2:38
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Bob: But that is not a proper translation. That Greek word is εἰς, or eis, because of the forgiveness of sins. Repent, change your mind, be baptized by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:5
5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Bob: Chapter 2 is just a few days later. Repent and be baptized. What kind of baptism? By the Holy Spirit. John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit. So every one of you be baptized by the Holy Spirit, because of your forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the Spirit. Today, again, if you take a look at what salvation is today. All of that is a one time act. You receive the Holy Spirit of God. That is receiving the life of Christ.
Ephesians 1:7
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Bob: In Him, you have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. In order to do that, you have to change your mind. You have to be baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. That is all done by God. We do not have anything to do with it.
Bob: It is just the fact that there are people, denominations, that teach baptismal regeneration. Quite frankly, I do not care how much scripture they think they know. They may know what it says but they do not know what it means. They are saved by the gospel. By this gospel you are saved, and there is nothing in there about baptism. It is about Jesus. How do we come to Jesus? Only one way, by faith and by faith alone. If you are adding to that, do not tell me you are saved. Jesus says, “Sorry I would love to save you. But I will save you, not on your terms, but My terms. My terms is I took away your sins when I died on a cross. I died and the Old Covenant has been fulfilled and I am ready to usher in a New Covenant of grace through My life. By the resurrection, I offer you a solution to death by giving you My life. On that basis, you are saved, period.
Acts 4:12
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
John 1:11-13
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
John: Amen. Absolutely profound clarity. I hope I can get it across to this poor guy.
Bob: Get a tape of the broadcast and sit down and make him listen to it, or ask him to listen to it.
John: I plan to do that. I cannot wait for him to listen to this. You cut right to the heart of the matter. He was stuck on the word “remission of sins”.
Bob: It is all the same thing. This is not a Church of Christ deal I am teaching or a Baptist thing I am teaching or a Catholic thing I am teaching. This is not denominational. I am teaching what the bible says. People need to get off what denomination teaches, for that could be error. They need to ask, “Is that true?” It is obvious that this is the gospel that saves. I want to remind you of this gospel, which you take your stand, and by this gospel you are saved, and it is the death, burial and resurrection, period.
John: I appreciate your time. You clarified it for me. I will get a copy and play it back to him.
Bob: Okay, brother? Good for you, John. Good to talk to you.
John: The rest of it will be up to God from there.
Bob: Absolutely. It is up to God. If a person wants to stand in his arrogance, thinking they have something to do with their salvation, so be it, but do not say you are saved. Someone can say they are saved, but are not. Remember when Jesus said to the Jews who came to Him saying they believed in His name, and saw the miracles He did, but He said to them that He does not entrust Himself to them, for He knows all men and does not need the testimony of man concerning man. You can say you believe in Jesus but Jesus does not believe in you until you come to Him on His terms. His terms are by faith and faith alone.
John 2:23-25
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
John: We love him and hope this opens up his heart.
Bob: I hope so too. Keep us posted. Bye. Bye now.
David from Vancouver, British Columbia
David: I love you guys.
Bob: Thank you, David. I appreciate that.
David: I called a couple of weeks ago. I was just distraught. You sent me your book, Classic Christianity. Boy, does it make a difference in my life!
Bob: Thank you, David. I am glad that was a benefit to you. As you grab a hold of those truths, you realize you have God bigger than your problems. It does change your thinking.
David: I have a question, though, but I think I got an answer already because of your common sense teaching. I have a question about gifts. Churches might teach us to raise the dead and heal the sick. My thought as reading the word, that the gifts that were given are gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, (those things listed in Galatians 5:22-23). Is that correct Bob?
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Bob: That is called the fruit of the Spirit. When you are talking about love, joy, peace, .., that is called the fruit (singular) of the Spirit. Gifts are spiritual gifts. Those are gifts of teaching and gifts of encouragement. You have gifts mentioned in Corinthians and also in Romans.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Romans 12:4-8
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Bob: Those are gifts given to the body of Christ for the purpose of building the body. There is no spiritual gift given to a person for their own self edification. We are not given gifts to sit there and enjoy ourselves. It is for the benefit of the body of Christ. If a gift is not used that is benefitting the body, it ceases to be a spiritual gift. So, there is a difference between your gifts and the fruit.
David: For instance, your gift would be teaching. Say my gift is something I have yet to discover.
Bob: That is correct and you will discover as you begin to use it. You will find yourself leaning toward a certain desire to give, as an example. I wish more people had the gift of giving. There are many, many people who have a terrific gift of giving. They love to give to the work of the Lord. It is the most enjoyment they get out of any activity they get in. There are people who love to encourage people.
David: As far as gifts, I was also wondering about the nine gifts of the Spirit. Those things frighten me. I know God heals and I know He does all the things He does because He does not change.
Bob: But He does not need a healer to heal.
David: That is what I thought. He can heal anyone wherever they are.
Bob: If someone has a gift of healing, then he ought to be in the hospital.
David: You just confirmed everything I was thinking. That is wonderful. I was caught up on some things where people have a gift of this or that, of prophecy or whatever it may be.
Bob: There is no need for a gift of prophecy. The gift of prophecy was there until the final word of God was completed, the canon was completed. To anyone who adds or subtracts from it, let him be accursed. This is the revelation of God, not from man. That is what He said.
Revelation 22:18-19
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
Hebrews 1:1-2
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Bob: In days past, God spoke in sundry ways, in dreams, in visions, and in all kinds of strange ways. I think He spoke through a donkey one time. Some of the people I hear on television, I wonder if they are not donkeys. The issue is it says, “but”. In these last days, He has spoken through His Son. God’s Son is the final revelation. There is no need for prophecy. All prophecy God wants to give to us has been revealed in the word of God.
David: The reason I ask is because of the church I went to last week. I am looking for a church right now. They were praying for God to give me the gift of prophecy and giving dreams. I have been having dreams and they have been frightening.
Bob: You do not pray for someone for a gift from God. That does not make sense to pray for someone to get a gift from God. If God wants to give a gift, He will just give it. He does not need someone praying for it.
David: I learned through your book and my bible, that the greatest gift has been given to me. I wake up smiling every day now.
Bob: Hang onto that, David. Do not let people take you down a primrose path. Do not go to places that are teaching deception. People in there are trying to be spiritual, trying to prophesy. That is into very false teaching.
David: That is frightening.
Bob: It is frightening because you know it is not from God.
David: The bible says fear has to do with punishment.
Bob: That is right. You keep that discernment God has given you. That also is a gift, a gift of discernment to discern what is truth and what is error. That also is a very special gift God gives us. You hang onto those and do not let anyone deceive you.
David: I love you guys. You will be given a donation.
Bob: Thank you, David. We appreciate that. We appreciate all the people across the country who joined our financial team to help us get this message out, and hopefully teaching the word of God without compromise, and also not adding to it. There is nothing to join. We are there to communicate the good news of the gospel. I am grateful it is doing what God says it will do, changing lives.
David: Truth is what sets you free, and error is what binds you. That is a wonderful lesson to learn.
Bob: God bless you, David. I appreciate your call and encouragement. You call any time. Any time you have a question, give us a call.
David: We love you for being there.
Bob: Thanks. Love you too, David.
Brendon from McClang, VA
Brendon: I have a question about what they used to call a higher sanctification, or the term John Wesley used to use, where sanctification comes in different stages, with initial, entire and final sanctification. Do you have any comment on the soundness of that type of doctrine? I understand that once we get saved we receive the Spirit. But is there ever a second level we can attain to?
Bob: No. In scripture, it talks about that we were justified, we were sanctified, and we were glorified. It uses the past tense. In the 6th chapter of 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Bob: You were washed. You were sanctified. I do not keep on getting washed. You were sanctified. If it was ongoing, it would say you are continually being sanctified. You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our Lord.
Bob: Look at that. We were cleansed of all our unrighteousness, once and for all. We were set apart once and for all. We were justified once and for all. You do not have progressive justification. You do not have progressive cleansing. And you do not have progressive sanctification. You are set apart by the word of God. So when we are saved, brother, we are saved. As a result of that, saved by the word of God, and what separates you and me from the world, Brendon, is the word of God that lives in us. When we speak truth, that separates us from the world. That is what sanctification means. To be set apart. It is not one of those things that is ongoing at all. I do not know how that doctrine ever got perpetuated. People need to forget about Luther said or what Cobb said or another person said, and study the bible. They will find that those things are not true.
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Bob: We are set apart. Inasmuch as God has set us apart, then we should be set apart. Work out your own salvation. What God has worked in you, work it out. “If I have set you apart to be used by Me for the divine purpose for which I created you, be set apart.” That is not progressive. I think they confuse that with growing in grace. We are continually growing in our knowledge of the grace of God. But we are not continually being set apart. We are set apart as far as we will ever get.
2 Peter 3:17-18
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Brendon: Sometimes in the Christian life, I will stumble along, then I will pause and think to wait a minute. The things of the world grow strangely dim. I wonder sometimes when that happens to people. I have somehow obtained a new level. I think maybe it might be part of the process.
Bob: I think that kind of teaching really appeals to the flesh, that I attained a little higher level than you have. That is nonsense. When you are a child of God. We are not satisfied with just being a child. I want to be God’s special child. That is part of what pride does to us. I do not want to just be a child. I want to be His favorite. That is what that progressive sanctification gets into. That is nonsense. The issue is when God saved us and He set us apart by the word of God. We have been set apart by the word of God means we are different from the world. That is not meant to be used to compare ourselves with others. Paul even addressed that. He who compares himself with others is not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12
12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
Bob: That is not to be used to see if one of us is more sanctified. It means we are to be set apart from the world. We are not better than the world. We are just better off than the world.
Brendon: Thank you for sharing your thoughts on that.
Bob: Thank you, Brendon. Bye. Bye now.
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