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Its not judging, or sending someone to hell. You did not send anyone, nor can you ever send anyone, to hell. The fact is that those that do not obey Gods call go to hell. Again, we are on a discussion board with those that are of like faith (for the most part), so our conversation here would not be the same as it would be towards those that lose a loved one. But when someone asks if Tyndale was saved or lost, all I can do is answer according to scripture, lest someone interpret my silence to say that there is another way to be saved.
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Again, this is a public board and you might be surprised at how many backsliders and non-Apostolics just might end up reading it.
I don’t believe in being silent. I tell them this is what the Bible teaches. And therefore if they want to be sure of anything they have to obey the Bible…and if they want to gamble with their immortal soul, they’re free to go down the road to the First Church of the Frozen Chosen. This keeps dialogue open and prevents provoking them to reject the gospel outright. It brings them to the place where they can safely consider what the Scripture is saying…without retorting verse for verse. If God’s not drawing them by his Spirit…they’re free to go their way, but the door is still open. I try to never burn that bridge or deeply offend unless I feel God specifically calling me to do so. And here’s an amazing thing…I’ve never yet felt God tell me to speak strongly against a person, doctrine, or sin where God didn’t leave a door of mercy wide open.
Here’s something that bothers me. We sing songs written by Trinitarians and we use books and materials by them. I’ve even heard preachers “modify” their sermons and preach ‘em. We even read and use bibles produced and translated by Trinitarians. I feel a bit uneasy offering blanket condemnations. We say there was always an Apostolic Church through the ages. Well…where were they? What Bible did they use? (I’d vote we still use it!) Where are their songs of worship? Where are their churches? When we hear of a group that may have been Modalist we rarely see them believing exactly like we do. We never seem to see Montanism and Modalism (with Jesus name baptism) combined in a single body. Many were even polygamous. I remember being told that the Cathars were Apostolics. Bro…I studied some of the writings and histories attributed to them. NO WAY. They were dualists believing that God and Satan were equals. If they existed, they left no evidence meaning they had no impact, and it could be argued that the gates of Hell prevailed. If their wasn’t an Apostolic Church…but God had no mercy for those in the traditional church, the gates of Hell prevailed. Either way Hell prevailed…unless God’s mercy was greater.
When I’m teaching a person and they ask me about church history, I’m uncomfortable telling them some of the things we typically attribute our movement to. Without solid evidence for a church like ourselves…I cannot say there was a significant church of any consequence that believed like we do. It’s about knowing that what I’m saying is true. There’s nothing worse than telling a person well steeped in church history and doctrine that we are associated with Montanists, Cathars, and theosophist Christians and they call you on it. Bro…it will destroy the truth’s testimony.
Here’s a final consideration, we make exceptions in other areas to account for God being a just judge. For example with children; I know ministers who have presided over funerals of 7 year old kids who were un-baptized and not filled with the Holy Ghost and he stated that he believed they were saved. They seem to forget that sin is a part of our nature that must be forgiven and atoned for…not merely what we’ve done. Also I taught Sunday school for 8 years. I’ve seen 6 year olds get the Holy Ghost and be water baptized after repenting of their sins. If there can to absolutely NO exceptions…the 7 year old in this example never made it to Heaven.
I’d much rather believe that we serve a just and merciful God and trust him to do the judging than assume I am qualified to judge based on my interpretation of the Word. I can be mistaken. God is never mistaken.
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