According to Evangelical Leaders Jesus Could Never Be A True Evangelical

Did you know that, according to some evangelical leaders, Jesus Christ could never be a true evangelical ? John Stott, while not as well known in the mainstream as Billy Graham, is described by Christianity Today magazine (January 8, 1996, page 25), as having an influence among evangelicals that is "of international proportions."   He was "The key framer of the historic Lausanne Covenant (1974), which serves almost as an evangelical apostles' creed in many Third World settings."   Some have even called him "An evangelical thought leader" and an "evangelical Solomon." In the past, Mr. Stott has made certain statements that would force one to conclude that Jesus Christ, Himself, would not be open-minded enough to be a true evangelical.   In the same issue of Christianity Today (pg. 28) he defines "the true evangelical" in the following way: "The fundamentalist is like A CAGED BIRD, unable to escape at all.   To me, THE TRUE EVANGELICAL IS LIKE A KITE, which flies high but at the same time is always tethered.   This demands a particularly UNUSUAL COMBINATION of loyalty to the past and CREATIVITY FOR THE FUTURE." Mr. John Stott's reference to exercising "CREATIVITY FOR THE FUTURE" is another way of saying that evangelicals should be open-minded, willing to accept new ideas. However, the fundamentalist (Jesus was considered one in His time) is "like A CAGED BIRD."   People like Jesus are trapped, stagnated by their own dogmatism.   They're too rigid and can't "grow" or become more "enlightened."   In fact, the Bible admits that: "Jesus Christ THE SAME yesterday, and to day, and for ever."   Heb. 13:8 In the same article, Mr. Stott is asked about his opinion concerning the existence of a literal Hell.   He goes on to say: "I would prefer to call myself AGNOSTIC ON THIS ISSUE, as are a number of New Testament scholars I know.   In my view, THE BIBLICAL TEACHING IS NOT PLAIN ENOUGH TO WARRANT DOGMATISM.   The hallmark of an AUTHENTIC EVANGEL- ICALISM is not the uncritical REPETITION of old traditions [Such as Hell's existence?] but THE WILLINGNESS to submit every tradition, however ancient, to FRESH BIBLI- CAL SCRUTINY and, if necessary, REFORM."

Apparently, in order to characterize "The hallmark of an AUTHENTIC EVANGELICALISM" (and thus be a true evangelical), Jesus would have to "grow" and become a lot more open-minded than He is now.   He would have to possess "THE WILLINGNESS to submit every tradition, however ancient, to FRESH biblical scrutiny and, if necessary, REFORM." Evangelicals feel it's reasonable to compromise traditional Bible doctrines in light of societal changes.   Take Hell for example: evangelicals feel that society is too "sophisticated" to accept the fact that there is a literal Hell.   Plus, Hell is not a popular subject to preach since, in the public's opinion, preaching it can be downright offensive.   That's why, Mr. Stott compromises by saying: "We must not set secular fashion and the Holy Spirit over AGAINST each other.   PUBLIC OPINION ISN'T ALWAYS WRONG." However, the Bible teaches that "secular fashion" (public opinion) will always stand AGAINST the Holy Spirit.   Society, as a whole is not interested in hearing about sin, Hell and the need for repentance.   Instead, people want their "spiritual leaders" to, "Prophesy [PREACH] not unto us right things, SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS, prophesy deceits" (Isa. 30:10).   "For the time will come when they WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves TEACHERS [NOT PREACHERS!], having itching ears" (2 Tim. 4:3).   Jesus Christ could never be a true evangelical because He'd never be willing to "REFORM" His own words in order to accommodate public opinion.   Jesus said: "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."   Matthew 5:18 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."   Matthew 24:35 On the other hand, Billy Graham, for example, is a true evangelical in that his open-mindedness allows him to "grow."   A side article in a November 15, 1993, issue of Time magazine states that: "SOME 30 YEARS AGO, Billy Graham, 70, turned down the offer of a star on Hollywood Boulevard because he thought it would be TOO SELF - AGGRANDIZING.   But last week the evangelist, who has ministered to 100 million people around the world, RECONSIDERED.   ‘I hope it will identify me with the Gospel that I preach,’ he said.   His will be the 1,900th star on the famed sidewalk, near those of Julie Andrews and WAYNE NEWTON." Compared to Billy Graham, Jesus would be a lousy evangelical because He is incapable of changing His personal convictions.   In fact, the Bible says: "For I am the LORD, I CHANGE NOT..." Malachi 3:6

Friend, in all seriousness, let's stop right here and ask: Are YOU adhering to the compromising practices of the evangelical movement instead of taking the same unwavering stand that Jesus Christ took?   Maybe you've assumed all along that you were in the same movement that Christ would join if He were on earth today.   But apparently, Jesus would be too rigid and set in His ways to be considered an evangelical.   He might even be considered an embarrassment to the movement.   But Jesus said: "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."   Luke 9:26 "...   And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?   He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."   John 8:46-47 Friend, does the possibility that you are not on Jesus' side seem far-fetched?   Does the implication that you can be an evangelical and still be lost sound absurd to you?   It shouldn't, because Jesus warned that: "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 [PREACHED] 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."   Mat. 7:21-23 Please read the previous verse again and if you don't think that the group mentioned includes evangelicals, then you tell me: WHO IS JESUS REFERRING TO?   In the end, it is Jesus Christ whom you will stand before in judgment, so take heed to His warning: "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."   John 12:48 Please consider everything you've just read and realize that the evangelical movement tends to compromise and "receiveth not" everything that Christ said.   Don't assume your eternity- bound soul is on the right path simply because you're an evangelical.   Jesus, in His day, confronted people who also thought they were on the right path.   And Jesus said to them: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."   Luke 13:3 (Please take the time to read God's plan of salvation on the back [below].)

IF you were to die today, are you 100% SURE you would go to Heaven?   The Bible says YOU CAN BE SURE (1 John 5:13). BUT FIRST, you must realize that what keeps you from going to Heaven are your sins, because: "...your iniquities [sins] have separated between you and your God," Isa. 59:2. In fact, in God's eyes YOU ARE A SINNER: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Rom. 3:23. And Jesus, referring to sinners, said that He: "shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity [sinners]; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."   Mat. 13:41-42 SECONDLY, you must realize that there is NOTHING you can do to save yourself and earn Heaven: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."   Eph. 2:8-9   Baptism, good deeds, church membership, self-righteousness are all examples of good works that cannot save you, because: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he [Christ] saved us," Titus 3:5. THE ONLY WAY you can get saved is through Jesus Christ.   He said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)   THAT'S WHY: "...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8-9)   THEREFORE: You must REPENT (change your mind); admit that you are a Hell deserving sinner and can't save yourself.   And call upon Christ, and Him alone, to save you. "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [REPENT], and shalt believe in thine heart [TRUST] that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."   Rom. 10:9 SEND THE LIGHT P.O. Box 815   Fargo, ND 58107

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