By Earl Robertson
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall,” wrote the apostle Paul (1 Cor. 10:12). However, the authors of the creeds of men either know nothing of this passage or care nothing for it as their writings testify. This verse plainly says one can fall. Human theology has made such an effort to make man’s salvation wholly God’s action that no allowance is made for any action on man’s part to the saving of his soul. The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints stems from this religious concept. They allow that God saved man from his sins without any doing on man’s part and that God will keep him saved without any doing as a child of God. The old Philadelphia Confession of Faith, adopted by the Baptist Association in Philadelphia, September 25, 1742, says, “God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and, although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure; and, in that condition, they have not usually the light of his countenance restored unto them until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.”
So, the justified in Christ Jesus can never fall from the state of justification! The creed admits that they have sins but declares such will not interfere with the salvation of their souls. It seems to me if these sins do not affect the soul, the ones committed earlier would not affect it either. If forgiveness of sins is essential for salvation, then how is it possible for the child of God to live with sins on his soul without falling from the state of justification? Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians telling those who were making an effort to go back to the law of Moses for a way of life “ye are fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). The grace of God revealed through Christ was of no benefit to them in such an effort. Those addressed were “all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26). Yes, they were children of God in Christ Jesus, but they had fallen from grace.
It is obvious that both the New Testament and the Confession of Faith cannot be right. They both are not teaching the truth. No person can be right before God and accept both. The two documents are diametrically opposed. The New Testament is right. It came from. God and is dedicated with the blood of Christ. The creed is a lie. Reject it.
Truth Magazine XXIII: 48, p. 780
December 6, 1979