John MacArthur is embattled in an ongoing controversy concerning the efficacy of the LITERAL liquid blood of Jesus. MacArthur states: “It was not Jesus’ physical blood that saves us” (John MacArthur, D.D., "The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Hebrews," Moody, 1983, p. 237). In the May 1976 issue of the Grace to You family paper that is distributed to his church, MacArthur published an article titled "Not His Bleeding, but His Dying." In this, MacArthur plainly stated that it is not the blood of Christ that saves. Yet, somehow MacArthur maintains that he still views the blood of Christ as "precious." How can anyone view something as "precious" if they don't see it's literal value?
"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." —Hebrews 13:9
Kindly,
Pastor John F. MacArthur is a dangerous man doctrinally, and I believe a false
prophet. I respect MacArthur's hard work and brilliant teaching ability; yet
he is a bad Bible student in my opinion. Some people will argue that
Christians ought to be working together instead of against each other;
however, that mentality is exactly how the Devil succeeds at removing the old
landmarks. The $64,000 question is: Is MacArthur really a Christian? I don't
think so. I say that kindly. I do not believe that MacArthur is born-again
because he adds human effort to faith. Of course he denies doing so, but he is
clearly in denial, confusing in his teachings. Any man who says that eternal
life is a free gift, while at the same time also saying that our faith is not
valid unless we have works to authenticate it is confused...
“Don’t believe anyone who says it’s easy to become a Christian. Salvation for sinners cost God His own Son; it cost God’s Son His life, and it’ll cost you the same thing...”
SOURCE: Hard to Believe, page 93
Things are not always as they seem. Romans 16:17 states, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” MacArthur's teachings are certainly in conflict with the gift of eternal life and the simplicity of God's salvation. A gift cannot be earned. Salvation is received, not achieved.
Satan is relentlessly working within the church to destroy it. Don't believe it? Consider Revelation 2:13 concerning the church of Pergamos, “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is...” The founder of “Lucifer” Magazine Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891), and editor Annie Besant (1847-1933), along with other occultists believed that Christian churches were the key to introducing the doctrines of Lucifer to large masses of people. The 1904 annual report of the Theosophical Society stated:
“I believe it is through the Churches and not through the Theosophical Society that Theosophy [the worship of Lucifer]... must and should come to large bodies of people in the West.” (Transactions of the Theosophical Society, H. P. Blavatsky, Annie Besant, 1904, p. 377).
And then just eight years later the 1912 report of the Theosophical Society stated:
“Our Lodges continue their propaganda work....Outside the Lodges many of the members engage in what is really Theosophical work such as lecturing, talking on the principles we are trying to put forward, preaching and other activities in connection with the Christian Churches and other organizations....” (Theosophist Magazine, Annie Besant, 1912, p. 88).
Nineteenth century occult mystic Fenton Hort is perhaps best known for his part in the work of the corrupt bible revision committee of 1881. Speaking on the subject of creating a new eclectic New Testament text Hort stated:
“At present very many orthodox but rational men are being unawares acted upon by influences which will assuredly bear good fruit in due time, if the process is allowed to go on quietly;” (Life and letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort, Vol. 1, 1896, p. 400).
We are warned in 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 that Satan transforms himself into
an angel of light, and his false ministers transform themselves into
ministers of righteousness. Satan is a liar and a deceiver, and so
are his followers (John 8:44). Satan is not trying to corrupt the local
tavern, it's already corrupt; he's trying to corrupt the local New Testament
Church. Thus, Satan has infiltrated the modern church with numerous
false doctrines, primarily through the modern corrupted Bible versions, which are ultimately aimed at corrupting the simplicity of
the Gospel (i.e., God's simple plan of salvation) which is by grace through
faith alone in Jesus Christ.
There is Only One Gospel, Not Two!
Ray Comfort once kindly wrote to me, attempting to convince me that our doctrinal differences are a mere matter of semantics (i.e., wording the same belief differently). I told him that we do not agree at all on the issue of salvation, because he believes that a person cannot be saved and deliberately continue in sin; but I do believe that, because that is what the Word of God says. Eternal life is the gift of God (Romans 5:15; 6:23), having nothing to do with man's willingness to cease from committing sins (Romans 4:5-6). God makes the changes in a believer's heart.
The difference is much more than mere semantics, it is night and day...
- I believe that one's salvation is solely
based in Christ's righteousness and has absolutely nothing to do with
one's desire to depart from sin. Romans 4:5-6 plainly teaches that
salvation is without works of self-righteousness, and that we are saved
by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Salvation is of the Lord.
A changed life is the FRUIT of genuine repentance; and not a part of the
ROOT of saving faith. A person gives up their sins because they ARE a
Christian; and not to BECOME a Christian. The changed life comes AFTER a
person is saved, as a person grows in the milk of the Word (1st Peter
2:2).
- Ray Comfort on the other hand, believes that a person must stop deliberately committing sin to be saved. Mr. Comfort teaches that those who profess faith in Christ, but still continue in sin, are not saved because they have never given up their sins, which he teaches is necessary for salvation. Ray Comfort teaches that a changed life is part of the ROOT of saving faith. According to Mr. Comfort, a person must give up their sins to BECOME a Christian. In this false plan of salvation, a sinner must change in order to be saved.
Do you see the drastic difference between the two different Gospels? The latter is damnable heresy.
Ray Comfort is sincere, unquestionably; but he is doctrinally messed up from following John MacArthur. Biblically, a person who continues in sin is likely not saved (1st John 3:8); but it's not because they never gave up their sins as Ray Comfort errantly teaches. It's because they never genuinely believed on Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21; John 6:40).
That's where Ray Comfort goes astray in his theology. To teach that giving up one's sins is mandatory for salvation is a false Gospel of self-righteousness, which excludes everyone who is not willing to stop living in sin. Jesus said in John 6:37 that He would not turn away anyone who came to Him for salvation, and that includes the vilest sinner who isn't ready to give up his sins yet. All God requires is that a person acknowledge their guilt of sin (Romans 3:19), and believe on the Lord to be forgiven (Acts 10:43; Romans 10:13). Acts 16:30-31, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” That's the way to be saved, i.e., to believe on Jesus as the Christ.
Ray Comfort is an extremely popular evangelist, with his ministries THE WAY OF THE MASTER and LIVING WATERS. Unfortunately, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron teach the heresy of Lordship Salvation...
“Merely being sorry for your sins, or confessing them to God won't help you. You must turn from sin (repent).”
SOURCE: LIVING WATERS ministry, SAVE YOURSELF SOME PAIN
Heresy! That is self-righteousness! Adding even the slightest work of self-righteousness to the Gospel corrupts it into a false way, a false plan, a road to damnation.
There are hundreds of perversions of the Gospel nowadays. Every believer needs to be a watchman, a pit bull guard dog, that shines the Light of God's Word upon the darkness. That's the only way to expose the darkness, i.e., by shining the Lamp of God's Word upon it. Salvation is simple—we are SINNERS and Jesus is the SAVIOR.
If a person must forsake their sinful habits to
be saved, then salvation is extremely complicated. The hypocrisy of Ray
Comfort's and John MacArthur's Lordship Salvation heresy is that NO ONE can
give up all their sins. 1st John 1:10 says that we are calling God a liar if
we say we are without sin. Only Jesus is completely without sin (1st Peter
2:22).
The Deadly Doctrines of John MacArthur
Contradiction #1 on Eternal Security
In John MacArthur's sermons and books, he woefully contradicts himself at times concerning certain fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. One such area is that of Eternal Security. In his book, Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles, MacArthur states:
"No advocate of lordship salvation I am aware of teaches 'that every Christian will live a basically successful life until the end'" (p. 179)
MacArthur need look no further than his own mirror to find major contradictions in his teachings. In Faith Works, he states:
Any doctrine of eternal security that leaves out perseverance distorts the doctrine of salvation itself. Heaven without holiness ignores the whole purpose for which God chose and redeemed us. (pg. 182)
Peter is saying categorically that the essence of what it means to be a Christian is to love Jesus Christ. In fact, there may be no better way to describe the essential expression of the new nature than to say it is continual love for Christ. (p. 185)
See also pp. 109-121, 123-38, 139-55, 157-73, 175-92.
John MacArthur clearly teaches that every believer is NOT assured a home in Heaven. According to MacArthur, one's salvation is DEPENDENT upon the life he or she lives. MacArthur speaks double-talk, as do the religious cults, professing that salvation is the free gift of God, while simultaneously teaching that it cannot be easily received. This is a total contradiction. How can a gift be difficult to obtain? How can eternal life be free while at the same time costing us our life as MacArthur claims?
Heretical statements made by MacArthur...
"The Greek word translated 'belief' is not referring merely to intellectual attainment or mental acquiescence but a wholehearted acceptance of everything that is implied in the claims of Christ. You need to believe that Jesus is God and that He died for your sins, committing your whole life to Him in sacrifice and serving Him as Lord." (Assurance of Victory--1 John 5, Moody Press, p.12).
"Submission to the will of God, to Christ’s lordship, and to the guiding of the Spirit is an essential, not an optional, part of saving faith" (EPHESIANS, p. 249).
"Saving faith is a placing of oneself totally in submission to the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1-8, p. 205).
“Don’t believe anyone who says it’s easy to become a Christian. Salvation for sinners cost God His own Son; it cost God’s Son His life, and it’ll cost you the same thing...” (
Hard to Believe, page 93).SOURCE: Dr. John MacArthur
This is the damnable heresy of Lordship Salvation! Mr. MacArthur is of the Devil. From examining the two preceding statements made by John MacArthur, it can only be concluded that although MacArthur obviously doesn't think a believer can live a sinless life; a believer must nevertheless persevere in faith 'til the end of life to be saved. The big question, then is, how much does a believer have to "persevere" to make it to Heaven? Is this not the same heresy which Islam teaches? Yes, it most certainly is! Muslims believe that Allah is capricious, i.e., he is unpredictable. In Islam, a Muslim's salvation is dependent upon the life he lives—you basically do your best and hope you make it.
In Christianity, a believer's salvation is rooted in the love and mercy of an awesome God, who offers salvation as a free gift paid for by Jesus' precious blood (1st Peter 1:18,19); BUT in Islam, a Muslim's salvation is rooted in self-righteousness to appease Allah's wrath. John MacArthur has perverted the simplicity of the Gospel, by requiring a holy life as a final step to complete salvation. MacArthur has effectively turned salvation into a lifelong process. How is this not works salvation? There is no simpler picture of salvation than a gift. Romans 5:15 even calls salvation a "free gift."
If I offered you a gift, but then required you to do something for years to come to obtain it, would that truly be a gift? No way! As simple as this truth is, tens-of-millions of people all across the world have been deceived by Satan into thinking that one's eternal salvation is CONDITIONED upon the life that they live. Shame on Mr. MacArthur! And shame on you foolish preachers who unquestioningly support him. I realize that John MacArthur has produced some excellent study materials on various issues, such as the evils of alcohol, the Charismatic Movement, et cetera; however, the Jehovah's Witness cult also produces some of the best literature exposing the sinful world that I've ever read. This does not justify their hellish religion! And neither does John MacArthur's good teachings qualify his damnable heresies. There is no matter any more critical than the issue of salvation.
If you get the first button wrong while buttoning a shirt, then all the buttons will also be wrong! If a man is wrong on repentance, salvation and the blood of Jesus, then he's going to be messed-up on everything to some degree.
Again, John MacArthur deceitfully claims that he believes in the Eternal Security of a believer, while simultaneously teaching that only those who continue living holy lives will go to heaven. Mr. MacArthur states...
“Eternal security is a great spiritual truth, but it should never be presented merely as a matter of being once saved, always saved—with no regard for what you believe or do. The writer of Hebrews 12:14 states frankly that only those who continue living holy lives will enter the Lord's presence. [emphasis added]
SOURCE: Kingdom Living Here and Now (pg. 150)
Mr. MacArthur horribly perverts Hebrews 12:14, by alleging that the Author of Hebrews was teaching that a believer must continue in holy living in order to go to Heaven. LIES! The Word of God is adamantly clear in Romans 4:5... "But to him that WORKETH NOT, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." What are you talking about Mr. MacArthur?
Hebrews 12:14 is speaking about our influence upon other people. If we don't pursue peace with others, and live holy lives, then lost sinners WON'T see the Lord in us. You are the only Jesus someone knows. That person may go to Hell if they don't see the Lord in you. As believers, we are supposed to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Jesus said in Matthew 5:13... "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?..." Do you know what salt does to people? It makes them THIRSTY! Christians are supposed to be the salt of this sinful world, that cause lost sinners to thirst for God. Have you lost your saltiness, i.e., savor? This is what Hebrews 12:14 means.
In sharp contrast, John MacArthur corrupts Hebrews 12:14, claiming that a person cannot see God unless they continue in holy living. Mr. MacArthur perverts this Scripture to mean that one's salvation is dependent upon holy living. Clearly, John MacArthur is a false prophet, who doesn't understand the Word of God. He is an unsaved heretic, a Modernist who pretends to be a Christian. See also, John MacArthur's heresy on the blood of Jesus.
Dr. MacArthur confuses repentance with the fruits of repentance, and confuses faith with that which faith ought to produce. He confuses saving faith (which takes place in a moment of time—Genesis 15:6; Ephesians 1:13) with discipleship (which is a lifelong process).
As Miles Stanford has correctly said:
"Lordship salvation is not the childlike faith of John 3:16. It rightly insists upon repentance but wrongly includes a change of behavior IN ORDER TO BE SAVED. No one questions that there must be a sincere change of mind, a turning from oneself to the Saviour, but Lordship advocates attempt to make behavior and fruit essential ingredients of, rather than evidence of, saving faith."
SOURCE: (Miles Stanford, in his review of The Gospel According to Jesus)
Tragically, churches all across America have
been duped by this wolf in sheep's clothing. Examples of MacArthur contradicting himself could be
multiplied. It seems that deep within he recognizes that what
he is saying is Biblically and practically flawed and so he knowingly or
unknowingly contradicts himself.
Contradiction #2 on Salvation
Romans 4:5 is so plain and simple that it is incontrovertible (i.e., it cannot be denied)... "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." It almost appears as if a ghostwriter (i.e., another author) wrote the commentary for Romans 4:5 in MacArthur's Revised and Updated "Study Bible," because it is accurate for a change:
"If salvation were on the basis of one's own effort, God would owe salvation as a debt—but salvation is always a sovereignly given gift of God's grace (3:24; Eph, 2:8,9) to those who believe."
SOURCE: The Revised and Updated edition of The MacArthur Study Bible, Thomas Nelson publishers, page 1699
The preceding commentary is 100% accurate. It certainly appears that Mr. MacArthur doesn't believe in Lordship Salvation, right? Wrong! Take a look at what he says on page 93 of his book, Hard To Believe:
Don’t believe anyone who says it’s easy to become a Christian. Salvation for sinners cost God His own Son; it cost God’s Son His life, and it’ll cost you the same thing. Salvation isn’t gained by reciting mere words. Saving faith transforms the heart, and that in turn transforms behavior. Faith’s fruit is seen in actions, not intentions. There’s no room for passive spectators: words without actions are empty and futile. Remember that what John saw in his vision of judgment was a Book of Life, not a book of Words or Book of Intellectual Musings. The life we live, not the words we speak, reveals whether our faith is authentic. [emphasis added]
SOURCE: Dr. John MacArthur, Grace To You, an updated quote from his book 'Hard To Believe', page 93
You've just read the same dangerous type of forked-tongue, double-talk, deception, that all the false Christian cults use.
Look what MacArthur says on page 1973 in his Revised and Updated "Study Bible" concerning 1st John 5:13, the phrase, "that you may know that you have eternal life":
"The false brethren's departure left John's congregations shaken (2:19). He assured those who remained that since they adhered to the fundamentals of the faith (a proper view of Christ, obedience, love), their salvation was sure.
SOURCE: The Revised and Updated edition of The MacArthur Study Bible, Thomas Nelson publishers, page 1973
Here MacArthur gives the impression through his comments that a believer's salvation is dependent upon the life he lives. Again on page 1439 of MacArthur's Revised and Updated "Study Bible," concerning Matthew 24:13, the phrase "endures to the end... be saved," he states:
"To say that God secures our perseverance is not to say that we are passive in the process..."
SOURCE: The Revised and Updated edition of The MacArthur Study Bible, Thomas Nelson publishers, page 1439
Scripturally, a believer has absolutely nothing to do with keeping one's salvation. The term "perseverance" is a bad term when speaking of salvation, because a believer DOESN'T have to persevere in the faith to remain saved. A person who has no faith in the Lord today, but claims to have once been a Christian, is a liar. The second birth (i.e., being born again) is as irreversible as the first birth. Many people adopt the philosophy of Christianity, but never actually repent, turning in belief to the Savior for forgiveness of sins. The "Perseverance of the faithful" is a false doctrine, popularized by the heretic John Calvin (i.e., Calvinism).
Which is it Mr. MacArthur? Your commentary on Romans 4:5 is diametrically opposed to your comments elsewhere concerning salvation. It certainly appears that MacArthur is trying to appease both sides of the theological spectrum.
There is a fine line between the
turning from sin that genuine repentance brings; verses the turning from sin
that false prophets require for people to get saved.
Contradiction #3 on the Blood of Jesus
In John MacArthur's sermons and books, he woefully contradicts himself at times concerning certain fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. Another such area is that of the Blood of Jesus. I've had several web visitors write to me, and tell me to look at the following web link, featuring a letter written by John MacArthur to his constituents in 1988, where he attempts to defend his heresy on the blood...
Ironically, the very letter that John MacArthur uses to justify his heresy on the blood, condemns him! Here are the very words of John MacArthur, from the above article (close to the bottom of his own letter):
"It is not the actual liquid that cleanses us from our sins, but the work of redemption Christ accomplished in pouring it out." -Dr. John MacArthur
What blasphemy!!! John MacArthur accuses Bob Jones university of starting a smear campaign against him; however, MacArthur's own words stand in testimony against him. This has nothing to do with Bob Jones, or anyone else. This has to do with the heresy which John MacArthur, himself, teaches concerning the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The Word of God clearly states in 1st Peter 1:18-19 that it is the blood of Jesus Christ which saves us (see also 1st John 1:7; Colossians 1:14 and Hebrews 9:12 in the King James Bible).
The Lord told Moses in Exodus 12:13 that he was going to look for the lamb's BLOOD when He came through Egypt (i.e., the Passover)...
"...and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." —Exodus 12:13
The sacrificed lamb WASN'T sufficient enough! God wasn't looking for the dead lamb; He was looking for THE BLOOD! John MacArthur states in a letter written to his constituents in 1988, "I Believe in the Precious Blood"; BUT then totally contradicts himself by stating that the PHYSICAL blood of Jesus has no significance. Blasphemy! Hebrews 9:12 calls Mr. MacArthur a dirty, rotten, big liar...
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but BY HIS OWN BLOOD he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." —Hebrews 9:12
It seems that deep within John MacArthur recognizes that what he is saying is Biblically and practically flawed and so he knowingly or unknowingly contradicts himself. Either way, MacArthur is teaching damnable doctrines and needs to be exposed for the false teacher he is...
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." —Jude 1:3
