Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

The one-step/three-step (among many others over the years) has made me ask this question.

Do we serve a "Gotchya!" God?

A godly man who was officially saved as a young teen and led a godly life, raised a godly family, always attended church and gave selflessly, strong and gentle in his demeanor, quick to forgive and slow to anger, and someone who has effected countless lives for the better.

Now, at age 60, he is driving home from the hardware store (he IS a practiced handy man after all) and someone cuts him off. He is in a hurry and says a curse word (in his head only since he won't actually utter it). 3 seconds later, another car broadsides him and he enters eternity within minutes as a result of the trauma.

Many who proclaim themselves to be strict "three steppers" would proclaim this a great tragedy since he is now roasting in Hell in endless torment since he died with unrepentant sin in his life. (I single out three steppers since I have found over the years that their view point tends to more often than not, lead to this idea of needing to die sinless in order to be truly saved.)

Another man comes to the breaking point in his life and cries out to God for forgiveness and "salvation". He has heard about baptism but doesn't understand its importance. All he knows is that everyone seems to be rushing him to have it done the very night he cried at the alter. The next evening, he too is in a car accident.

The funeral is not a joyous event as a great sadness lingers and many shake their heads knowing that he is now in torment due to having been killed prior to being baptized. (The fact that he has not spoken in tongues to their knowledge only adds to the sorrow of the situation.)
His story will be told for years to come to ALL new converts as a lesson of what can happen if you withhold being baptized.

So what God DO we serve?

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

This is the verse that comes to mind:


But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. - Psalm 86:15

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

Thank you.

There are MANY such verses that can be applied.... but are not lest it upset the apple cart of doctrine. Many cannot lead others or themselves lest it be based on fear.

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

I am a 3-stepper, and as for the man in your first example, he would not go to hell, I believe that the blood of JESUS covers our sin and does a work of changing us and bringing us to perfection. Should I die before I am perfected will I be lost? Not as long as I was moving in the right direction.

As for the second example- I don't believe that is possible. GOD would not allow someone to die before being able to be baptized in JESUS' name. HE kept my sister alive for over a year before she could get baptized, and she is still with us and serving the LORD at the age of 16!

-Bro. Alex

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

Why does your logic in the second example not apply to the first? Is baptism more important to God than perfection?

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

Yes. Baptism is the entrance into the Covenant (along with HG infilling). Some will not reach perfection, but Christ will bring them along the rest of the way thru. But should you not obey the first commands of Repent and be baptized, and if you don't receive the promise of the HG, then you're not even within the boundaries of the Covenant.

-Bro. Alex

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

This is where I bring up the other example that many think anyone who cried out to God to save them on 9/11 when their planes were going down were not saved. -Since there was no baptism pool available and no minister who could shake their head heard enough to make "tongues like" sounds come out.

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

what's that mean?

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

Scoff all you want, it will not change the sobering fact of the matter that souls that were in that predicament had no chance at salvation.

I have Methodist grandparents that I tell to get saved now while they can, lest they be on their deathbed, unable to get to water to be baptized, realize the Truth they passed up, and have their last moments on Earth be like the hell that they will enter into, as they realize it is too late for them and salvation passed them by. Mark 16:16 is very clear, when it comes to baptism and HG infilling (John 3:5) do it, obey it and walk right before GOD all the rest of the days of your life, giving HIM glory and keeping HIS commandments and working towards perfection.

-Bro. Alex

Re: Do we serve a "gotchya!" God?
 

You've never been at an alter and seen the pastor or minister shake someones head so hard and shout so loud while doing it, that a few "unintelligible" words came out, at which it was loudly proclaimed that "They got it!"?