FUEL & Most Baptists
The following is a chart showing the major differences between what FUEL believes and what most Baptist churches and seminaries (particular Southern Baptists) teach. We should say that we LOVE our Baptist brothers and sisters, and would NEVER wish to call into question anyone's love for Jesus! This just expresses some major differences in theology--that's all!
BAPTISTS |
FUEL |
| Salvation: Many Baptists believe that one is saved ONLY by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, by His atoning work on the cross of Calvary. And that Christ's work on the cross is applied to a sinner upon a ONE-TIME prayer of faith--that once a sinner has prayed this prayer, he is eternally saved and can never again be lost (a.k.a. accepting Jesus as personal Lord and Savior). | Salvation: FUEL
believes that one is saved ONLY by God's grace, through faith
in Jesus Christ, by His atoning work on the cross of Calvary.
Faith that is not accompanied by repentance, however, is dead.
Therefore, in order for one to continue to be saved, he or she
must possess and utilize a repentance-filled (living) faith
in Jesus Christ until the end of life. |
| Election: The Baptist Faith and Message says that election (or predestination) is the reason (or purpose) for God's grace. That is, God has already made up His mind about who is saved and who is damned--there is truly nothing anyone can do about it, sinner's prayer or no sinner's prayer. | Election: FUEL believes that each individual person is willed by God to be saved. That is, God WANTS everyone to be saved. However, God knows who will choose to obey Him and who will not, then elects individuals accordingly. |
| Calvinism: Much of The Baptist Faith and Message and other Baptist Faith Statements are based upon the Westminster Confession (the Presbyterian confession of faith), and thus, the five points of Calvinism: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of Saints. It should be noted here that most good Baptist folks don't know or acknowledge that their denomination's theology is partially derived from Calvinism. | Calvinism: FUEL opposes, anathematizes, and contends against all forms of Calvinism. Jean Calvin demonstrated, by his own actions as a ruler in Geneva, all but Christian uprightness, and is utterly and eternally disqualified to be a genuine theologian. His teachings are utterly and eternally heretical philosophy, and not to be esteemed as reliable or theology at all. |
| Eternal Security: The majority of Baptist theology teaches that once a person is saved (has accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior), through praying a sinner's prayer, that he or she can NEVER AGAIN be lost. Baptists tend to fall into 2 categories: 1) those who believe if you fall into sin after you're saved, you'll lose your heavenly rewards, but not your salvation; and 2) those who believe if you fall into sin after you're saved, you were never really saved to begin with. These two categories also apply to most adherents to the fifth point of Calvinism. | Eternal Security: FUEL believes the Scriptures very clearly state that to be saved, repentance must enable the believer's faith in Jesus Christ. Since faith is to be continuous, so repentance is to be continuous. Therefore, if a believer ceases to believe (no faith), he also forfeits his salvation. Additionally, if a genuine believer falls into sin and fails to repent, his salvation is in jeapardy. While it is certainly possible most "decisions" for Christ in this age are false decisions, that is not to say that a genuine believer can never "fall away." If free will is required to obtain salvation, so free will is required to maintain it. This is NOT salvation by works, however, faith without works is dead. |
| Cessationism: Many Baptist ministers teach that God's perfect revelation of Himself to man, the Bible, marked the end of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as tongues and prophecy. They cite 1 Corinthians 13:8 as their proof text for the "cessation" of tongues (in particular) and the other spiritual gifts (in general). | Cessationism: FUEL cannot subscribe to the denial of God's ability to continue to move and speak in this present age, simply because of the closed canon of the Scriptures. While we hold to the idea of "Sola Scriptura" (Scriptures Alone) for the development of any doctrines we subscribe to, we believe God is still speaking and still moving, and that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in operation today, and will be until Jesus comes. |
| Exegesis: Most Baptists believe in the complete veracity and inerrancy of the Scriptures. However, many Baptist ministers' exegesis (interpretation) of several passages (such as their proof texts of eternal security, election, and cessationism) seem to be questionable. This is especially true with regard to what is taught in the most prestigious Baptist seminaries. Unfortunately, many Baptist doctrinal statements appear to be incongruous with the Word of God and self-contradictory. | Exegesis: FUEL most definitely believes in the complete veracity, inerrancy, and inspiration of the Scriptures. Our exegesis is based upon a consistent, literal approach to the Bible. We do our very best not to be guided by philosophies, but by the Scriptures, themselves, in the development of doctrines and confessions. Since we have no "distinctives" to uphold and prove, we simply take the Bible according to its correct context, cultural perspective, and linguistic application. |
| Holiness: Most Baptist preaching makes little mention of a life of holiness to the Lord, but, instead, focuses on an individual's "accepting Jesus as personal Lord and Savior." If they mention holiness, it is generally regarded as a discussion of "rewards" in heaven, not as a salvation issue. | Holiness: FUEL believes when the Word of God declares, "without holiness, no man will see the Lord," and "be separate," and still, "come out from among them," that each individual is to pursue holiness to the Lord, and that this is a salvation issue. Since true repentance is to turn from one's sin and obey God, one is not understood to have repented who is not currently pursuing holiness. Therefore, holiness is not an option, not an issue of heavenly rewards, and not extra. "Without holiness, no man will see the Lord." |
| Ordinances: Generally, Baptists believe in two ordinances (commands of Christ) of the Church: believer's baptism (by immersion) and the Lord's Supper (communion). Originally called "sacraments," these ordinances are believed to be enjoined upon believers by Jesus Christ, until He comes. | Ordinances: FUEL believes wholeheartedly in believer's baptism by immersion in water and the Lord's Supper. However, we contend these are not "ordinances," since they are not required for salvation, and that they are not "sacraments," since they do not in and of themselves bring any special grace to the life of the believer. Instead, Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper are Celebrations of the New Covenant, entitled to every Believer in Jesus Christ. |
