Quote:
Originally Posted by MarieA27
As far as I know, Billy Graham is lost, and is sadly going to hell. He knew about the gospel, knew how to be saved, and rejected it. I find it troublesome to spend that many years, supposedly living a life for Christ and bringing others to do the same, and then to be lost. All due to you not wanting to give up the fame, prestige, and caring more for the cares of this world, than for a true bible salvation.
When Bishop S.C. Johnson was alive, I remember several messages of him preaching regarding Billy Graham. Talked about the letters regarding biblical teachings, that they wrote back and forth on. Bishop Johnson said that he would tell Billy Graham about being baptized and receiving the holy ghost, and going on to perfection, and ask Billy where in the Bible did it teach the “Hour of Decision”. Billy Graham said that he didn’t believe what he taught about salvation, with Bishop Johnson responding back that what he taught was in the Bible, so what didn't he agree with?
So he knew about having to be baptized in Jesus name, receiving the Holy Ghost, living a holy, repentive and sanctified life in Christ, and said he didn’t believe it, or see things that way.
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2 Corinthians 4:3-4 King James Version (KJV)
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
I'm hesitant to receive such reports. I remember hearing of a man claiming to have baptized Bin Laden's family or something back in the day. lol
But... let's assume this IS indeed true...
If so, I sadly, I concur with you that we most likely will not see Graham in Heaven. But what is at issue here is the notion of allowing God to be judge.
This is where my position is also rather valuable. Let's say that as we look over Billy Graham's experience, faith, and understanding we determine that Graham was lost. Now, let's take into an account that Billy was beloved by millions around the world, perhaps even billions. I have no doubt that Satan is licking his chops just waiting on Apostolics to condemn Graham as being a Hell bound false teacher. Why? Because Satan can use that to marginalize the truth even more before a lost world that truly doesn't know their right hand from their left.
In my position, you and I can both agree that Graham is lost. However, when dealing with the issue publically before this lost world, we can simply profess that Graham will be judged by God and God alone. What we must focus on is what the Scriptures teach, which is the fullness of
Acts 2:38. I sometimes think the deaths of these "great men" are setups to bring the Apostolics out of the wood work, to discredit our message.
In this respect, it becomes more of an attitude of approach. Not a definitive teaching or doctrine. We give all souls to God to judge, especially those who profess to be Christians. But we are constrained to preach the fullness of New Testament Salvation. In doing this, we side step the trap of the devil.
He that winneth souls is wise.
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