Baptists/difference

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Expert: - 8/24/2005


Question
I grew up a southern baptist and it was not until now that I really understood the religon.  I was wondering though waht is the differnece in the free will baptist and the southern baptist?

Answer
Hi Beth,
  Please forgive me for being so slow, but I have been really busy which has delayed my response.
  The basic difference is that the Free Will Baptist are what we call Arminiam in doctrine.  That means they believe that man has a part in obtaining his salvation by the exercise of his free will.   They also teach that a man can lose his salvation if he does not remain faithful to the Lord.   Thus the Free Will Baptist teach a works salvation which is false.   They will preach hard on sin and many who hear their messages are greatly impressed by their piety.   But the truth is  they are not really teaching godly living by a person who has received Jesus Christ as their Savior by faith, but rather are teaching how to receive salvation and keep it by their good works and faithfuliness.  They believe a person can lost their salvation which shows their teaching is a works salvation which God condemns.  I have an article on my web site at http://bible-truth.org/assuran2.html...titled Can a person know for sure they are saved and going to heaven when they die?    It explains the biblical truth of the security of the believer and that a person once saved will not be lost.

    The doctrine of the Free Will Baptists is false and in truth they are not really biblical or traditional Baptists who believe God's word and teach salvation by God grace alone as the gift of God and works that follow.  See Ephesians 2:8-10.
    Most Southern Baptists are doctrinally sound and biblical and reject this false teaching of a works salvation.
    If you have further questions please write.
Cooper Abrams
Bible-truth.org  

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Cooper P. Abrams III

Expertise

Independent Fundamental Baptist missionary and pastor, ThB, MBS. I began pastoring in 1981, and have taught in churches, a Bible college, and a Bible Institute. I have written numerous articles on various subjects from a biblical perspective and many are posted on my web site Bible Truth ( http://www.bible-truth.org ). Bible Truth receives over sixty thousand visits per month. Since 1998 I have answered Bible related questions via e-mail. My answers are straight forward and biblical. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -----DO NOT ASK A QUESTION AND THEN NOT READ THE ANSWER! ABOUT FOUR IN TEN QUESTIONS ASKED ARE NEVER READ. I FREELY GIVE MY TIME TO GIVE HELPFUL ANSWERS. OFTEN THE ANSWER WILL REQUIRE AS MUCH AS A HOUR OR MORE TO RESEARCH AND THEN TO FORMULATE THE REPLY. IF YOU SEND A QUESTION PLEASE BE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. MOST PEOPLE DO...BUT ALL SHOULD. THANKS

Experience

I have been a pastor since 1981 and a Independent Baptist missionary church planter since 1986. I have seen the Lord establish four Bible believing churches in Utah. My web site Bible Truth ( http:\\bible-truth.org ) continues to grow presently over 60,000 visits per month. The materials on the web site are mostly written by myself and contain sermons, Bible commentaries, articles on various biblical subjects.

Publications
- Appeared on Grizzly Adams DVD documentary "End Times: How Close Are We?" (http://www.grizzlyadams.com/Public/ChristianDVDs/index.cfm?productID=49). - Article "Are Mormons Christians" "O Timothy Magazine" Way of Life Literature (http://www.wayoflife.org/files/9959c77e05b303248173195e72476459-60.html)

Education/Credentials
ThB and MBS from Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC

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