Protestantism is Unbiblical
by David J. Stewart
"Let God be true, but every man a liar" -Romans 3:5
Dr. Ian R.K. Paisley is one of the most respected men in protestant circles. Dr. Paisley has written many impressive works exposing the hellish Catholic religion, and I commend him for that. However, the protestant faith has become a cult in itself. Show me in the Word of God where we're supposed to be "protestants." We're supposed to follow Christ, not a group of people who have come out of the Great Whore of Catholicism.
Few protestants are willing to admit that they ARE "harlots" of the Great Mother Whore. The Whore has many children; such as, the Lutherans, Episcopalians, the Westminster Confession, United Methodist, etc. One false religion has begat another. And in the case of Presbyterians, not a false religion; but, they adhere to several false Romanism doctrines. The Lutheran religion is found to be a damnable atrocity when placed under the piercing Truth of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). Although Mr. Paisley is not as bad as the Lutherans, he still promotes false doctrines which are not found in the Scriptures.
Baptism is NOT a Sacrament!
In his book, A Concise Guide to Bible Christianity and Romanism, Paisley makes the following statement concerning baptism...
48. What is Baptism?
'Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing with water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our engrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace and our engagement to be the Lord's.' -SOURCE
Show me that in the Bible! Show me where baptism is a sacrament! The word "sacrament" is NOT even found in the Bible. The dictionary defines sacrament as, "a formal religious act conferring a specific grace on those who receive it." What "grace" is conferred upon us by being baptized? Clearly, the word "sacrament" is a dangerous and unscriptural word. There is NO grace bestowed upon anyone by being baptized. Getting baptized will just get you wet!
Baptism does NOT Seal Us!
Show me in the Word of God where baptism "seals" us. In contrast to Dr, Paisley's teaching, the Bible states in 2nd Corinthians 1:21,22 and Ephesians 1:13...
"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit of God seals us, not baptism. It is wrong to teach doctrines that are not put forth in the Word of God. I have noticed in my 27 years as a born again believer that MOST religious people expect to be baptized, and will not attend a church that doesn't elevate baptism or magnify it in some way. But this is religion, not Biblical teaching. I believe this is why so many false religions, and some Christian denominations, practice this false doctrine. In contrast, the Bible does not elevate Baptism; but, rather, simply puts forth baptism as the Biblical method for a new believer to make a public profession in Christ.
Many churches separate Baptism from the believer's profession of faith; but, baptism IS supposed to be our profession of faith (an outward picture of our inward faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ--Romans 6:5,6). There is NO saving power, nor any power for that matter, bestowed at baptism. Romans 1:16 states that the only POWER for salvation is in the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Although Mr. Paisley does not believe in baptismal regeneration, he does wrongly believe that certain graces are bestowed upon us during baptism.
In an article, Baptism as a Seal, by Alan D. Strange, he states...
"The sacraments are defined in the Reformed and Presbyterian standards as being signs and seals of the covenant. In fact, the Belgic Confession (Articles 33–34), the Heidelberg Catechism (Questions 66, 94), the Second Helvetic Confession (Chapters 19–20), and the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), Larger Catechism (LC), and Shorter Catechism (SC) all speak of baptism and the Lord’s Supper as signs and seals."
Carefully notice, the Word of God is NOT mentioned. These heresies come from heretics, and not the Word of God. Who cares what the Belgic Confession has to say! Who cares about the Heidelberg Catechism!
We are NOT Supposed to be Protestants!
Mr. Paisley's entire website is committed to "promote, defend, and maintain Bible Protestantism." Protestantism is defined as, "The theological system of any of the churches of Western Christendom that separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation." Where does it say in the Bible that we are supposed to be protestants? Why would anyone want to promote the children of Roman Catholicism? Like it or not, that is exactly what Protestantism is. The PROOF is the sacramental teachings of all protestants. I never came out of the Catholic religion. I am NOT a protestant, and neither are you if you've never been a Catholic.
Protestantism has literally evolved into a "cult," a system of religious beliefs that ALL (without fail) included baptism and the Lord's supper as SACRAMENTS!!! The Bible does NOT teach sacraments. It's time for professed "protestants" to break away from the HARLOTS of the Great Catholic monstrosity, and follow the Word of God alone. Ironically, scholars like Ian Paisley claim to follow the Bible alone; but, their sacramental teachings contradict their claims.
I am not saying that Mr. Paisley is not a Christian, I am saying that he is misguided in his "protestant" views. Protestants have ALL failed to totally eradicate Catholicism's poisons from their doctrine. The only way to be completely free is to break away from Catholicism's roots altogether. Martin Luther was a damnable heretic, teaching people that they needed to be baptized to go to Heaven. Lutheranism is of the Devil. Although the Presbyterian church doesn't mandate baptism for salvation, they do teach the heresy of sacramental baptism. They also practice unscriptural infant baptism.
I am contending for the faith. I appreciate all the hard work which Mr. Paisley has done to expose the damnable Catholic religion; but, now he needs to separate from the unbiblical protestant movement as well. It came as no surprise to me that Paisley is also a staunch Calvinist. John Calvin was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Here again, he is identifying himself with a man, and NOT with the Word of God.
Here are some things you should know about the Presbyterian Church.
The Lord's Supper is NOT a Sacrament!
In his book, A Concise Guide to Bible Christianity and Romanism, Ian R.K. Paisley makes the following statement concerning the Lord's supper...
55. What is the Lord's Supper?
'The Lord's Supper is a Sacrament wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ's appointment, His death is showed forth, and the worthy receivers are not after a corporal or carnal manner but by faith made partakers of His Body and Blood with all His benefits to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.' The bread remains bread and the wine remains wine, and the command of Christ is: 'Do this in remembrance of Me.' -SOURCE
Again, the teaching of sacraments is no where found in the Word of God. There is no special grace conferred by partaking of the Lord's supper, it is only symbolic ... done is REMEMBRANCE of Christ's crucifixion and blood atonement (Luke 22:19).
Calvinism is of the Devil
I am saddened that so many believers have adopted the heresies of John Calvin, a heretic, and a monster. All 5 points of Calvinism are Satanic lies. Even some Baptists have fallen into these lies. The Word of God should be our Final Authority; NOT, John Calvin, or Arminius for that matter. Protestantism shouldn't be followed either, because the men who constructed the doctrinal foundation of this movement were corrupted themselves.
This is clearly seen in the abundance of heretical teachings which are NOT taught in the Bible. One of the main reasons why there is so much debate nowadays is because people follow men instead of the Word of God (Psalm 118:8). Ian Paisley is a staunch Calvinist. The Westminster Confession is greatly revered and followed by the Presbyterian church; BUT, it is Calvinistic and heretical in it's teachings. The Westminster Confession teaches sacramental baptism, as well as infant baptism ... BOTH unscriptural practices!
All Protestants need to break away from the teachings of MEN, which they idolize, and look exclusively to the precious and inerrant Word of God for such things, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2nd Timothy 3:16). The Bible is sufficient in Itself to meet our doctrinal needs. All too often, we look to the teachings of respected men to live by, when we should COMPARE what they are teaching with the Word of God.
Calvinism teaches "Limited Atonement," that Christ only dies for the saved. John 3:16 and 1st John 2:2 contradict such nonsense. Calvinists also believe that a person cannot come to Christ for salvation unless he is chosen by God. 2nd Peter 3:9 plainly teaches that "God is not willing for ANY to perish." Now why would God say He is not willing for anyone to perish if it is in His power to CHOOSE who gets saved or not? That would make no sense. Proverb 11:30 states, "...He that winneth souls is wise."
If God chooses who gets saved or not, then why would we be "wise" to attempt to win souls to Christ. If Calvinism is true, then we cannot win souls to Christ. The damnable teachings of Calvinism spawn an entire hellish arsenal of demonic lies. I have received umpteen letters from upset Calvinists, who insist that God does NOT love the people who are cast into the Lake of Fire (Hell). I just don't understand how any professed Christian could fail to understand the love of God. 1st John 3:16 should be clear enough to anyone, that Christ dies for all men. Titus 2:11 states, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
1st Timothy 2:4, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." How could anyone claim that God doesn't love all men? How could anyone claim that God doesn't want ALL MEN to be saved. Romans 10:13 is profoundly simple, "For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Whosoever means anybody!
The most damnable of Calvin's teachings was the "Perseverance of the Saints." This is the teaching that it's not enough to simply trust in Christ alone for salvation; BUT, the believer must continue in the faith or else all hope is lost. This is the Lordship Salvation crowd, who teach that one must turn from their sins if they are to experience true repentance. The problem with this crowd is that they confuse God's salvation with man's obedience.
Salvation is of the Lord, period. We trust, Christ saves! The life we live AFTER we trust Christ is a matter of obedience, not salvation. There are many miserable Christians in this world, because they are saved; but, living in sin (Hebrews 12:6-8). No Christian has a license to sin (Romans 3:31); however, we must not in our self-righteousness, ADD the work of holy living to faith alone in Christ. When I see professed Christians living in sin, I also tend to question their salvation (which is human nature); BUT, we must never forget 1st Samuel 16:7--that man looketh on the outward appearance; but God looketh upon the heart.
There's no way of knowing whether someone is saved or not by simply looking at their lifestyle, you must talk with them to find out. Calvinism REQUIRES holy living in their salvation, or perseverance 'til the end. The Word of God teaches that either you're saved now and always will be, or you aren't now and never were!
Protestantism is Nothing Less than Diet Catholicism
Again, why call ourselves "protestants?" What is the benefit of such a tradition? Few Protestants realize that Martin Luther's protests against the Roman Catholic Church did NOT constitute being saved. Martin Luther nailed his 95 complaints to the Catholic Churches' front door; but, that didn't mean he became a Christian. I had heard the story over and over while growing up about Martin Luther, how he read in the Bible one day that "the just shall live by faith." I was convinced that Martin Luther was a Christian because of what I had been taught. What I hadn't been told is that Martin Luther believed in baptismal regeneration, which is clearly stated in his catechisms.
Martin Luther stated in plain words, that baptism gives the forgiveness of sins (which is a hellish lie). Trusting in baptism for the forgiveness of sins is a GUARANTEED road straight to Hell. I've witnessed to many Lutherans who are in denial of Luther's apostate condition. Most Lutherans will claim that salvation is by faith alone; but, then they call themselves "Lutherans," refusing to recognize that Luther taught something entirely different. Martin Luther's Gospel REQUIRES being baptized and partaking of the "holy communion" (as he called it) to be saved.
In addition, Lutheran ministers arrogantly believe that they have the power to forgive people's sin (which is a lie according to Mark 2:7 and 1st Timothy 2:5). ONLY Jesus Christ can forgive sin!
ALL Protestants believe in sacramental baptism and a sacramental Lord's supper, which are heresies not taught in the Bible. I believe that many Protestants are born again Christians, such as the Presbyterians; but, I believe that MOST Protestants are NOT saved, such as the Lutherans who trust upon the damnable doctrines of Martin Luther. If you'll look at the doctrines of the Episcopalians, the United Methodist Church, and the Church of Christ, you'll find that they all ADD baptism to faith in Christ. Anyone who adds anything to faith alone in Jesus Christ for salvation is a liar.
Even the church which requires a person to come down to the front of the church to be saved has ADDED a work to faith alone in Christ. Walking down to the front of the church is a "work." People can be saved right in their seat, so why force them to do something which God does not require them to do to be saved. The only invitation which God ever gave to man was in Acts 16:31, "Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." Protestantism is bad news, having more religion than truth, and Churchianity without Christianity.
Let's get back to being independent Christians and New Testament churches, without following the Confessions, synods, and doctrinal teachings of men. God is not against godly Christians writing books and sharing their views of the Bible to help others; BUT, what is wrong, is for us to adhere to the teachings of men more than the precious and incorruptible Word of God (1st Peter 1:23).
Note that there is a difference between a "sacrament" and an "ordinance". A sacrament is a work that contributes to or necessary for salvation, whereas an ordinance is merely an outward expression of something that has already taken place internally and spiritually.
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