The Church That Damns
From the Free Presbyterian Tract Society

The title, I trust, is self explanatory. There is a church that damns the souls of all who trust in it for their eternal welfare and there is, by comparison, a Christ who "is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him" (Hebrews 7:25.)

I might be wrong but I think that the vast majority of people who read these words have associated themselves with the church that damns. It doesn't really matter if you are Protestant or Catholic or Orthodox. This church goes beyond any denominational name. It would be unfair to single out one group.

The church that damns might even have a creed that is based on the the Bible and believe in the Trinity and other great truths. Oh that there were more churches where the Bible was taught in all its purity, uncorrupted by the teachings of men! But the orthodoxy of a church does not guarantee that all who belong will be saved from a lost eternity.

Perhaps these words confuse you. You are somewhat perplexed because you have always been taught that the church, with all its ceremonies and programs, can assure you a place in God's kingdom. You have thought, "As long as I faithfully attend and pay my dues and live a good life, then all will be well at the end. My dear reader, it is this kind of thinking that turns the church that should help you into the church that will eventually lead you to hell. Countless sinners have gone out into eternity trusting in this sacrament or in that ritual to save them. But the Bible nowhere points people to the church for salvation. Rather, it clearly states that we are not saved by our good works, (Ephesians 2:9.)

What the Bible does teach is that Jesus Christ alone can save. Listen to what the Apostle Peter preached in Acts 4:12 concerning Christ: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Don't make a Christ out of your church. Misplaced trust in so vital a matter as your eternal destiny will have devastating consequences. God has not pledged Himself to accept sincerity at the expense of truth.

To the contrary, He has spent considerable time in setting forth this great truth in the pages of His Word, that only by calling upon the name of the Lord can we be saved (Romans 10:13.) This is not the same as being baptized or taking Communion. It means that we trust in Jesus as our sin bearer. We look to Him who "suffered the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1Peter 3:18.) It means that we not only to actively and consciously abandon all attempts to save ourselves, but we must distinctly trust the finished work of Christ as the sole ground of our salvation. This is how you will become a Christian. This is how you will come into the knowledge, assurance, and joy of being born again.

In this paper I have spoken the truth in love. What will you do then with Jesus, who is called the Christ? What will it be: the Church that damns or the Christ who saves?

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand.

If you have any questions about what you have read, please contact us.

Lifeline Publications 1600 Neilson Road, Scarborough, Ontario Canada M1X 1S3