Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 8
December 13, 1956
NUMBER 32, PAGE 11-12

Billy Graham And The Bible

Earl Fly, Valley Station, Kentucky

The Bible commands Christians to "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world," (1 John 4:1.) Jude says to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3.) The Son of God commended Christians at Ephesus for proving some to be liars who claimed to be apostles. (Rev. 2:2.) It is our purpose to "try the spirits whether they are of God" by comparing what they say with what the Bible says. This is "righteous judgment" which God approves.

The gospel of Christ is designed to save sinners. (Rom. 1:16.) A perverted gospel cannot save. (Gal. 1:6-9.) Billy Graham says many good things but he does not tell sinners what the gospel of Christ tells them to do to be saved. He has perverted the gospel of Christ by promising salvation to sinners short of full obedience to God's requirements. He does not preach the gospel that Christ commanded the apostles to preach. He does not preach the gospel that the apostles preached. Therefore, he is convicted as a false teacher. Here is the indisputable proof from the Bible

Graham Versus God Concerning Salvation

Graham - "The Bible says, 'If any man is in Christ (by believing) he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold all things are become new." (MY ANSWER, 9-23-54.)

God - - - "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3.)

Graham - "...Those who surrender their lives to Him and receive Him into their hearts. It is this act which makes you a Christian."

(My Answer, 9-15-55.)

God - - - "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" "For ye are all the children of God by faith IN Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized INTO Christ have put on Christ." (Luke 6:46; Gal. 3:26, 27.)

Graham - "We are told, 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.' This means that eternal life begins the moment we accept Christ as Saviour and Lord." (MY ANSWER, 8-9-56.)

God - - - "But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead? . . . Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only? . . . For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:20, 24, 26.) ". . . He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Heb. 5:9.)

Graham - "Men have now learned again that there must be a spiritual dynamic and this comes solely through the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men, enabling them to believe in and accept Christ. Christ called this the new birth."

(My Answer, 8-8-56.)

God - - - "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5.) "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16.)

Graham - "Right where you are now you can say 'yes' to Christ. You say, 'What do I have to do?' All you have to do is at this instant submit your will to Him and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour." (Tract on FEAR.)

God - - - "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37, 38.)

Graham - "Many are routes that lead to God . . . Every one goes his own way from God and then every one must find his own way back." (MY ANSWER, 3-9-54.)

God - - - ". . . . Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life . . ." (Matt. 7:14.)

(Note that he says way, not ways.)

Concerning Unity and Division

Graham - "Join the church of your choice and glorify

God." (MY ANSWER, 12-15-55.)

God - - - "There is one body . . . there is but one body . . which is the church . . . unto him be glory in the church." (Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:20; Col. 1:24; Eph. 3:21.)

Graham - "Real competition serves purpose, even in religion . . If they were all united into one congregation and under one organization, they might not reach as many people or put as many people to effective work for Christ." (MY ANSWER., 3-12-54.)

God - - - "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John +17:20, 21.)

Graham - "Whenever anyone points a critical finger and demands to know why there have to be so many different churches all serving the same God, I am always tempted to point out how many different styles of hats have to be designed for both American men and women. We all belong to the same human race, but we all have enough physical differences to make it impossible for us to wear the same style of hat with equal satisfaction." (PEACE WITH GOD, Pg. 193.)

God - - - "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment . . . Is Christ divided?" (1 Cor. 1:10, 13.)

Billy Graham endorses and defends division, whereas God condemns it. God says, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these . . , factions, divisions, parties . . . of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:19-21-American Standard Version.) Mr. Graham promises salvation in division; God promises condemnation. Who is right?

God's Answer

1. How many churches did Christ build? "There is one body ..." (Eph. 4:4.)

2. Can one glorify God in other churches? "Unto him be glory in the church." (Eph. 3:21.)

3. What will happen to other churches? "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (Matt. 15:13.)

4. Can one choose his own way of worship? "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24.)

5. What does it mean to worship in truth? "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17.) We must follow the Bible pattern of worship.

6. Suppose one does worship according to the doctrines of men-what then? "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. 15:9.)

7. Does one have a right to the faith of his choice? "Go . . . preach the gospel . . . he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15, 16.)

8. Will preachers be saved who preach another gospel? "But though we. or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you. let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8, 9.)

9. What about those who follow false teachers? "If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matt. 15:14.)

10. "... What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17.) ". . . The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God. and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction . . ." (2 Thess. 1:7-9.)

11. Is obedience absolutely essential to salvation? "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21.)

12. Can one be saved by faith only? "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only?" (James 2:24.)

13. Must one believe to be saved'? "... For if ye believe Not that I am he ye shall die in your sins." (John 8 :24.)

14. Must one repent to be saved? "I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3.)

15. Must one confess Christ to be saved? "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 10:32.)

16. Must one be baptized to be saved? "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16.) "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . .." (Acts 2:38.)

17. Can one be born again and enter God's kingdom without being born of water? "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5.)

18. Is Bible baptism a sprinkling, pouring or burial? "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death .....(Rom. 6:4.) "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God . .." (Col. 2:12.)

Conclusion Our love and concern for eternity bound souls motivates us to write and distribute this tract by every available means in an effort to reach as many as possible with the truth. "The truth shall make you free." (John 8:32.) This action is in perfect accord with our constitutional freedoms and the Scriptures of God. We offer no apology for it and stand ready to defend it privately or publicly under the proper conditions. We would be happy to arrange a public discussion with Billy Graham or any other representative man on these vital issues which affect the salvation of souls.

Reader, your hope of heaven depends on believing and obeying the gospel of Christ. (Mark 16:15, 16; Heb. 5:9; 1 Peter 4:17; 2 Thess. 1:7-9.) To believe and worship according to the doctrine of men is to be eternally condemned! (Matt. 15:9; 2 Thess. 2:10-12.) We urge you to give serious consideration to this matter. We plead that you consider the brevity and uncertainty of life, the surety of death, the coming judgment and the difference between heaven and hell. Study, believe and obey the Bible! Reject all doctrines of men! This is the only way of salvation for all men!