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Christians or Hypocrites?
2 Peter 2:19-22 "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." The Greek word for "escaped" in this passage is apopheugo, which means, "to flee away from". The Greek word for "knowledge" and "known" is epignosko, which means, "to fully perceive, become acquainted with, observe, notice attentively, discern, or recognize". By the definitions of these words it is clear to see that those mentioned in this passage of scripture had fled from the sinful lifestyle, after they had fully perceived and experienced Gods salvation by grace, through faith. You cannot have this kind of experience without true repentance and faith in God unto salvation. We who are truly saved Christians should know that salvation could never be fully understood until it is first experienced through our day-to-day living for Christ and through a life of faith. But yet, it is after that point in their lives that these had turned away and gone back to the old life, because of deception or worldly desires. Verse 22 says, "But it happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is returned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” Calvinists will say that this scripture is talking about those who may have had a change of lifestyle, but never a true conversion unto salvation, and that beside that, God never referred to His people as dogs or pigs, but rather as sheep. They teach that because these people were always dogs and pigs, that they were never converted to become the sheep of Christ; therefore they will do what they do by their own nature, which in this case is returning to the sinfulness of their own nature. But we must not forget that most Christians were once of this nature compared to “dogs” or “pigs”. If we were to return to that old sinful nature, then we would fit this comparison as used by Peter. It is not impossible for a person who has truly “escape” corruption and been cleansed of sin, to only show a change of lifestyle, without having a change of heart. A person may experience change without receiving salvation, but they would never be able to have a full perception of salvation without actually being saved. No person can fully perceive what a true Christian has in Christ without partaking of it, which these people in this scripture obviously did. There had to first be a true conversion in this passage of scripture, because the previous scriptures tell us that they did not only leave the old life, they had also become partakers of Christ. They had escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of Christ. The Greek word for “Knowledge” here (as stated above) indicates a full perception of the salvation experience and of who Jesus is. It wasn’t empty head knowledge that they had, but a relationship with Christ through the act of knowing Him. But yet, at some point, they had returned to their sin, just as a dog would return to its vomit or a sow to its wallowing in the mire. This scripture is not calling or referring to anyone as being any kind of animal, which is ridiculous to suggest such a thing. It is simply a comparison as to what it is like for a true Christian to go back to the old ways of life, after having been born again. To infer that Peter would have spoke of sheep rather than dogs and pigs when speaking of Christians is an improper assumption. This was a proper use of a metaphor to say to that leaving the principles and the doctrine of Christ “is like” a dog returning to its vomit and a sow that was washed to the mire again. In its metaphoric use it is giving a proper example of what it is like for a true believe to return to sin. There could be no proper metaphor in saying that sheep have returned to anything at all. The Bible uses the metaphor of Christians as sheep to describe how we follow Christ as our shepherd, and how Christ as a shepherd protects us. The Bible use of these metaphors was intended to give an understanding to us of what it is “like” to follow Christ or to walk away from Christ. But they were never used to say Christians are “sheep”, or that sinners are “dogs” or “pigs”. Any person can be “like” any one of these metaphors. These scriptures are without a doubt talking about Christians. First the dog had returned to its vomit or the backslider to his sinful ways. Then the sow that was washed, or the sinner that was cleansed of his sins, had returned to wallowing in the mire or sins he was once bound by and had been delivered from. To be washed clean is to be saved by the blood of Christ, washing away our sins, and being born again. To go back to the mire is to return to sin and go back to the old ways, away from Christ and from salvation. Calvinists want to use the nature of sheep in every circumstance, but that is a misuse of the example in which Jesus and the Apostles used it. Sheep are by nature stupid and ignorant, defenseless animals. So is that to say that all Christians are stupid, ignorant and helpless? Of course not! That is a misuse of the illustration that the Bible uses. These illustrations are used to help mankind understand the relationship between God and men, or between men and sin. We are like sheep because we follow Christ, as sheep follow a shepherd, or even go astray as some might do. If we return to sin it is a much better description for our better understanding to say that we are “like” dogs or pigs that return to their uncleanliness. We are not literally any of these animals, but only “like” them, depending on how we act, live our lives, or by the decisions we make. We do not go from being a dog, to being a sheep, to being a pig, and then a sheep again. But we do tend to act out our lives like many different animals do at times. Peter is not calling anyone dogs or pigs. This scripture is saying that the sinner, who was cleansed and saved from sin, has returned to his sin again. It is also important to notice that he doesn’t mention sheep at all here when speaking of true Christians. He is only using these animals as an example of what it is like for a Christian to backslide, after they have “escaped the pollutions of the world”, just as Peter said in the previous chapter that all true Christians have done. 2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” This is a scripture that is talking about what God has done in and for us, using two of the same words or phrases as 2 Peter 2:20 and Hebrews 6:4. This shows that there was a definite experience that they had, that brought salvation, before turning back to their sinful ways. These great promises of God are only given to true Christians! Many of those who were false teachers had the same experiences at one time in their lives that these Christians did. They all “escaped” the old life and were made “partakers” just the same. But they are those who were pulled away and deceive by the heresies of false teachers or had returned to a life of sin. Calvinists say that the false teachers were never saved to begin with. But the first part of this chapter declares that they were saved at one time. 2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction". Peter did not say that Christ merely died for them, but that He “bought” them. The Greek word for “bought” is agorazo (ag-or-ad'-zo); to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem: According to the definition of this word, Jesus had at one time purchased the false teachers here, just as we also have been bought. They had been redeemed! If to purchase or redeem signifies ownership and salvation, then these false teachers were saved at one time. But yet it is obvious that they are not saved any longer. They had been deceived into false doctrine and try to pull others away from the truth. So the fact that Christ bought us and owns us now, does not mean that our free will has been taken away from us in the process. Many people start out right, but many buy a lie and fall into deception or the desires of the flesh, in which all will bring swift destruction upon their selves. Many people are ignorant, not knowing the scriptures, and they listen to those who appear to know more than they do. And then as they listen to them, what they say seems to make sense, so they will follow them into something that is far from the truth, such as doctrines taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Way International, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism), or any other of the many cults in the world today. These groups have deceived many ignorant or young Christians into a lying heresy. Many of these people have never been saved to begin with, while a few were the ignorant young Christians that were pulled away and deceived. If they choose to stay in such lying heresies, because it appeals to their flesh, rather than listen to the Holy Spirit to get out of such a cult, then they are in danger of falling so far from Christ, they may never be able to return. This is true of those who turn to cults, but more common with those who return to sin, completely away from religion, unless another religion may ease their conscience of guilt, and appeals to the desires of their flesh.
Hebrews 6:4-6 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame".
This scripture is undoubtedly talking about those who had been saved by grace through faith, and had received all the blessings that come with the salvation experience. The writer was sure to include every part of the salvation experience in His description of what these people had in their lives, so there would be no doubt about the fact they had a true experience with Christ. But after experiencing the life we now know, they fell away. Even Charles Spurgeon who was a staunch believer in Eternal Security and is highly respected by most Calvinists taught and believed that this is speaking of Christians. But most Calvinists today will hold their ground regardless the obvious proof of scripture and will argue that it is not talking about Christians, even though they may have the highest respect for Spurgeon. Because to them to admit that this is speaking of true Christians would be to admit that one can lose their salvation, which they are not willing to do. But some do believe as Spurgeon did; teaching that if it is talking about Christians, then it is saying that if they do backslide, they cannot get saved again. In many cases this would be true, because of what backsliders have done to themselves in turning from God (which will be explained in a moment). But to accept that any Christian can lose salvation is to admit that salvation is not unconditional. So even though some Calvinists have accepted partially the truth in these scriptures, other will complete reject it, because they can see how this seriously damages their doctrine of unconditional Eternal Security. Pastor Don Cole, on his radio show “Open line”, made a comment on this scripture. He said that this is talking about those who never got saved, but had shown only an interest in Christianity at one time, and then fell far from it. He said that “these are people who become haters of Christianity and of Christ, and feel in their hearts that if they could have been there, that they wish they could have been the ones driving the nails in His hands”. But that is not what this scripture is saying at all. Pastor Cole, just as other Calvinists, ignores the true experience the Bible describes that these people had. The Greek word for “enlightened” is photizo, which means, "to bring to light". And the word for “partakers” is metochos, which means "fellow, partner or sharer". Someone who simply goes to Church services and is part of Church activities may be a partaker in Church, but they are not at all a partaker of the Holy Ghost, unless they receive the Holy Ghost as the early Church did in the book of Acts. Therefore it can only be a true Christian that is mentioned in this passage of scripture, having the full experience of salvation through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. This is not someone who only had an interest in Christianity. These had a complete experience with Christ. And this fall was not caused by some weakness of the flesh or an adulterous affair, in which a person might have the opportunity to repent. This sin was the rejection of Christ and all that was accomplished on the cross of Calvary. It is not talking about a mere fall, which can happen to any of us, but a falling away to the point of total rejection of the truth. This scripture is different from falling as other scriptures warn us about. One who falls will always have the opportunity to get up again. But to fall away is to fall away from grace, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and all that represents true Christianity. One who falls away may not ever be in a place where they will want to or possibly even have the opportunity to get up again. Especially not if they go to this extreme of rejecting Christ, after having the full experience. So this scripture is not saying that it is impossible to backslide, fall from grace, and then be renewed unto salvation. It is saying that there is a point of no return, and if the backslider is not careful they could reach this point in their lives if they reject Christ after having the complete salvation experience. If this were not true, he would not have given the warning. The scriptures warn us of falling from grace and of losing our salvation. But this scripture in Hebrews is talking about the step that could come next if we refuse to repent and change after the Holy Spirit has been dealing with us. The reason it is “impossible” for these to come to repentance is because they are (in the present tense) “crucifying the Son of God afresh”. If they could turn from their ways there is always a place of repentance, since God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Calvinists will insist that this scripture is talking about those who were never saved to begin with, no matter what proof is given. They believe that theses are all just hypocrites; in which scripture does not support. Their most popular verse to quote for this situation would have to be 1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” But it is obvious that this scripture is talking about those who were not saved to begin with, because they were not “of” them, ever. These are people who may have come in for a short season, but then left, since they never got saved. Verse 18 makes it clear that John is talking about “anti-Christ’s”, not backsliders. An anti-Christ is a person who opposes God in every way. Such a person would have to be one who was never saved to begin with. The fact that he said “they would have no doubt continued with us” does not prove that a true Christian cannot backslide and fall from grace. He is just saying that if they were truly saved, then they would have bore good fruit in their lives and grown with the others in the body of Christ. An anti-Christ can never bear such fruit, whereas a backslider would have. But backsliders are not in view in this scripture at all. There is no mention here that any of these who left ever had a true conversion or experience such as those in Hebrews 6. These mentioned did not backslide because they were never saved to begin with. But, in the last part of this scripture he said that “they were not all of us”, which is to say that some could have been of them. A few may have backslid and were deceived by a lie, but most were never saved to begin with. The main topic of discussion in these scriptures is still antichrists, and not backsliders. But just in case someone might insist that this scripture refers to all who fall away, this shows that they were not all the same. If according to this phrase “they were not all of us”, then that must leave at least “some” who were of them. He is talking about a certain group of people (anti-Christ’s), and not all who have left. Now those in Hebrews 6 were surely saved at some point. There is a distinct difference between the scriptures that are talking about those false prophets and teachers or hypocrites that were never saved, and those who were saved, but backslid. The scriptures clearly state whether these different people were saved or not, as they tell of the experiences that they had in their lives at some time before they fell. (They were sanctified, bought, partakers, etc.) Being part of the fellowship of believers would not qualify them as Christians, as is does not today either. The scriptures tell us that they once bore evidence of true salvation by telling what they once had in Christ. We do not read any scriptures where they will say that they had these experiences and that they were never saved, all in the same scripture. That is because there are different types of people the Bible talks about that many Christians cannot see the difference between in scripture. This distinction is obvious by the experience of those who were once saved, but fell away. Some teachers have tried to use Judas Iscariot or Simon the Sorcerer as examples that would fit the description of these verses; saying that this is an example of men who claim to be right with God, but were never saved to begin with. They had experiences, but yet were never saved. They will use verses such as Mark 3:14-15 “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” In this they will say that even Judas healed the sick and cast out devils, but he wasn’t saved. But there is no evidence that he was not saved at first. If anything, he bore the fruits of a true follower in Christ at this point in his life. Judas was also recognized as an Apostle, which is the highest leadership position given in the Church. Luke 6:13-16 “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.” Most people have assumed that the disciples were not made Apostles until after Pentecost. But we can see here that Jesus made them all Apostles, including Judas, long before that time. To have an Apostle who is in such a high calling, as well as walking and talking with Jesus daily, and to say that he was never saved to begin with, does not make sense. These men all sacrificed everything they had to follow Jesus. Judas is an example of a Christian who start off with all the right reasons, walking and talking with Jesus, but eventually winds up falling into sin, greed, selfishness, etc. The evidence is in the scriptures that Judas was indeed just as saved as the other Apostles. But in order to puncture another hole in the Eternal Security doctrine, Calvinists must completely refuse to accept this as fact. It is obvious that the Apostle Judas Iscariot went to Hell after betraying Jesus and committing suicide: Mark 14:21 says, "Woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born". Because of this fact, the eternal security proponents are left with no alternative but to dogmatically insist that Judas was never really saved to begin with or forfeit their belief in eternal security, something which very few of them are willing to do. Jesus said that you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:20-23 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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 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.” Who will we know by their fruits? Those who are not truly saved! These scriptures are talking about false prophets who had never been saved, but were prophesying and casting out demons. Therefore, Jesus “never knew them”. This was evident by the fruits they bore. But on the other hand, we will also know those who really are saved by the fruits that they bare as well. Jesus Knew Judas! I do not believe that the Bible gives any evidence that Judas did not start off right. But somewhere through time he got a bit greedy and began to steal money from the treasury of Jesus and the disciples. His greed led him to a backslidden condition where he eventually became possessed by Satan to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He then showed great remorse for what he had done and acted it out by hanging himself. Judas was not a false prophet or a false teacher. He was a backslider! Jesus had breathed the Spirit into him and commissioned him to preach, cast out devils, and heal the sick. And he most likely did do these things. Jesus would not have given such an anointing to a hypocrite, false prophet, or sinner, even though He knew that he would betray him and become as such later on. What kind of name would He have given Himself, the Father, or the Church by anointing a wicked person? That would have been hypocritical of Jesus to do such a thing after preaching against such lifestyles in the way He did. Jesus called Judas and anointed Him because He was right with God in the beginning, and followed Jesus as the others did. He would not hold back from a man who is presently right just because He knows in the future he will fall. Judas will be judged at the Great White Throne judgment for those things he did; not things he would have done if he lived a full life. The reason Jesus did not keep from calling him, anointing him, and sending him, was so judgment on that day will be righteous judgment; for those things done in the body (2 Corinth. 5:10). Jesus could not tell Judas that He never knew him, because He obviously did. There is a distinct difference between backsliders, and the false prophets and teachers that were never saved to begin with. Even though both may have cast out demons and healed the sick; the main difference is that the backslider was saved and many of the others were never saved. The false teachers and false prophets think they are doing good things and will attempt to bring these things to Jesus in their own defense on the Day of Judgment, and Jesus will say to most them “I never knew you”. But most backsliders, such as Judas, know that they are not right with God and would not attempt such things. When they stand before Jesus they will know they are not right because of all that they did learn when they served him, and Jesus will say to them “I do not know you”. According to Acts 8:13, Simon the Sorcerer believed in Jesus and was baptized, and then continued with Philip. It was several days, possibly even weeks later that the other Apostles came to pray for them to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Simon saw this happen by the laying on of the disciple’s hands and wanted to pay money to have the same ability. He was then rebuked and told of the curse that would be brought on him for asking to pay for the power of God. But then he asked that they would pray for him that he be not judged for his wrong. This shows that he realized his wrong and desired to repent. There is no evidence that he was refused salvation after his repentance, but scripture declares that all one needs to do in such a case is to repent in order to be restored in their walk with Christ. So neither Judas nor Simon fits the description of a hypocrite that the Calvinists claim that Hebrews 6 is talking about. Here again, the problem Calvinists make in their interpretation of the scriptures is in understanding when the Bible is talking about backsliders and when it is talking about false professors of Christianity that were never saved to begin with. They can’t seem to make the distinction unless it supports their doctrine. But that is twisting the Word of God to fit your own understanding. We need to see the scriptures as they are, and not how we want to see them: since we know that it is only through the Truth that we can be set free. We all need to be careful of that! I know a man who is heavily involved with the use of oils and crystals and other things for the purpose of healing those who suffer from various problems or diseases. He claims to be a doctor, although he is not. He is a licensed minister with an organization, so therefore he also claims to be a minister of Christ. But yet at the same time he admits that he knows little about the Bible. His ignorance of the truth written in the scriptures is obvious. Any one who knows anything about crystal power knows that their power is not natural, but demonic. They are used much in the occult to contact demon spirits. This man claims to have the gift of tongues as well. He supposedly gave an interpretation of Tongues to a woman that was coming to my Church, that she has cancer and only had about four months to live; and that she needs to get things in order preparing for her death. The devil always has a counterfeit to deceive people; whether it is a spiritual gift, a convincing teacher, or other supernatural experiences. What this man did is so unscriptural, as God always speaks hope and healing, words of encouragement and good things through the gifts. But this man is a self-proclaiming minister of Christ, prophet and healer. He will claim that he has done great things in the name of Christ, but he is not even saved! Nor does he even understand what true salvation really is! It is people like this that Jesus speaks of when he says, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” But all they have done was only through the use of His name, never for His glory, for His purpose, or out of a true love for Him. They never had a relationship with Him at all. Therefore, the scripture will apply to them when Jesus will say, “… I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22,23 These scriptures do not speak of backslidden Christians, while others certainly do! There are many more people in the world just like this man I described than most people realize; and some are even worse. Unlike any other generation, the time we live in is full of false teachers, false prophets, and anti-Christ’s. Many of them will use many different methods of witchcraft, all in the name of Christ. These are the ones Jesus spoke of that He never knew: not the backslider
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Calvinism