Paul Washer’s Sucker Punch
“Who then can be saved?” – The Twelve
Harry Houdini
Even Harry Houdini could not escape the “sucker punch”.
According to our new global encyclopedia – the encyclopedia of the village – you know, Wikipedia - Harry Houdini died of peritonitis secondary to a ruptured appendix. It has been speculated that Houdini was killed by a McGill University student, J. Gordon Whitehead, who delivered multiple blows to Houdini’s abdomen while he was in Montreal.
The eyewitnesses were students named Jacques Price and Sam Smilovitz (sometimes called Jack Price and Sam Smiley). Their accounts generally agreed. The following is according to Price’s description of events. Houdini was reclining on his couch after his performance, having an art student sketch him. When Whitehead came in and asked if it was true that Houdini could take any blow to the stomach, Houdini replied in the affirmative. In this instance, he was hit three times, before Houdini protested. Whitehead reportedly continued hitting Houdini several times afterwards, and Houdini acted as though he were in some pain. Price recounted that Houdini stated that if he had had time to prepare himself properly, he would have been in a better position to take the blows.[27] Although in serious pain, Houdini nonetheless continued to travel without seeking medical attention. – Wikipedia
Paul Washer would have us believe – for he comes to us as “a dead man, speaking to dead men”. He is earnest, he has a compelling and emotional delivery of his message – and he has an easy target – American Christianity.
I certainly can’t argue with many of his most damning observations about the American church system and its adherents – however, having an easy target does not, in itself, lend enough authenticity to his claims of standing in the office of truth and understanding concerning the Holy Scriptures, and the salvation of mankind; that we should fail take a closer look at what he is saying, and why he is saying it.
“The bringing in of a better hope did.”
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” – The Preacher of Jerusalem 9:11
There is some dispute among scholars as to the authorship of the Book of Hebrews. Many surmise that there was only one individual in antiquity sufficiently schooled and of deep enough understanding to write it – the Apostle Paul – the murderer of Tarsus.
Others for what ever reason, regard the subject and style as somewhat detached from Paul’s other writings – so some attribute this epistle to Apollos. “According to Acts 18:24-28, he was a well-read Hellenistic Jew from Alexander in Egypt. Martin Luther guessed that he wrote it.” (from the Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible – Spiros Zodhiates, Th. D.)
One thing that is not disputed is that the epistle was probably written before A.D. 70, and to the Jewish believers to confirm to them that their salvation in Jesus was sure.
In the book of Hebrews the writer deals with the new priesthood, the fulfillment and abandonment of the law, and the power of an high priest who lives forever to intercede for those that believe and trust in him – Jesus Christ, made Intercessor, Saviour, and King – and set down at the right hand of God.
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. 10:1 – For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 7:18, 19
Paul Washer wants your sacrifices to be acceptable – isn’t that what the Lord required of Abel, and Cain his brother, an acceptable sacrifice. Certainly both of these men knew God, for both were sacrificing to him, and the Bible records that the Lord spoke directly to Cain – but to Cain’s sacrifice, God had no respect. Why?
Because the sacrifice that God required was a blood sacrifice, not the works of his own hands.
And who is to judge what the sacrifice of an humble and contrite heart is?
To say that if you have bowed your head to Jesus Christ, and in humility and faith, you have asked Jesus into your heart of hearts – and confessed your sin, and confessed Him as your Lord and Saviour – that there is still more for you to do – and that to believe you are saved at that point of your surrender to Him – (regardless of your present condition or circumstances – however prosperous you are “in the faith” – or whether you are backslidden); is heresy – is the heresy of the Sadducees and the Concision.
It is easy to be zealous, and decide that we, in all our goodness and righteousness – are fair judges of the thoughts and deeds of others. However, God may see it differently.
“You gotta be a baby to go to heaven.”
I came across a gospel tract that really caught my attention – they called it “the baby tract”.
Here is the message from it. “Salvation is simple. All you have to do is receive Jesus, God’s Son as your Saviour by asking Him into your heart. You can do it right now if you want God’s answers to all your problems. Just say this simple prayer. Dear Jesus, I believe you are God’s Son and my Saviour. Please come into my heart, and forgive me for all my sins, and give me everlasting life.”
This, says Paul Washer – is heresy. I believe he calls it “the Roman Road to Hell”.
I think the problem arises in equating good works, his kind of works – with righteousness. You say you will be pure in His sight, but when and how can you be good enough? Is there some point of sinless perfection that I may obtain to assure me that my salvation is genuine?
And what of my last sensual thought? If it is sinful, will I be lost?
To think of touching, feeling, love’s caress (or am I fooled and my love is merely lust?), the beauty of a loved ones eyes, their smile, the sound of their voice – surely these would not be sin. But what if these I loved are lost – held prisoner in the pits of Hell – then would be sin to think of them – or would it not?
And who could tell? – so then when ‘ere I come to stand at death’s door – there to meet eternal fate – who would absolve me, and pardon all my wayward thoughts and ways? Would not I need a priest to mediate?
This question then I ask you son, Paul Washer – will you be there for me? – or send your representative?
I believe that I will trust in Him who gave his life that I might live and be forgiven of my sin. I’ll trust Him now, even though the war of flesh and spirit dwells in me – for his salvation – given free by grace will be all the power that I need to transcend and obtain the gift of everlasting life and an eternal entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“God is married to the backslider.”
And here is another question that I have, O’ Paul Washer – who is this backslider in heart that is the wife of God? “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you:” Jeremiah the Prophet Is this Judah and Israel? – the Prophet seems to indicate that he is seeing this happening at a time when the Lord is setting up His kingdom on Earth. Is God breaking His own rules by giving them salvation? Is Jeremiah talking about the literal inhabitants of a tiny piece of land in the Middle East at the end of days? How come they get to be married to God, even though backslidden? Who are they? Is it because their ancestors have a great history of backsliding and rebellion against God that He is saving them – for how else can they be married to Him unless they are saved?
Will all of us real good and righteous Christians have to share Heaven with these sinners, who God Himself describes as having “through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.”?
I sure hope we don’t have to share Heaven with a bunch of sinners? – or do we?
1 Corinthians 3
O’ Paul Washer – how long does it take to build a building?
And which of the artisans is the most important – is it he who builds the arches, or the stonemason, or the finishers in wood? And exactly when is the building completed? – for we are talking about the building of our life and our eternal existence, and you preach a more sure understanding of our vocation and our profession.
We have a corner stone – sure and true – and we may build thereupon, we are entreated to do so – but our failure to build has nothing to do with the setting of the cornerstone in our lives.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” – Paul the Murderer
Defending salvation by grace.
Does it surprise you that we are again called upon to defend salvation by grace? It is important to remember the words of Jesus.
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” – John the Beloved Disciple
Paul Washer, Paul Washer – “why persecutest thou me?”
Like the man said, “I know that Jesus is in my heart – because I was here when he moved in.”
The purpose of the New Inquisition
In order for the church of Jesus Christ to be included in the public square – then certain compromises must be made. A politically correct version of Christianity – one based on rules and laws, much like the Muslim or the Buddhist faith – needs to dominate. A religion like this is not a threat to the State – or its inhabitants. Those that attend such a church are forever under the control of the high priests of that religion.
This is the way it was for the Romans, and the Russian Communists, even Hitler.
Most of the churches in Russia became public property. In fact, if you have had the privilege of riding the Moscow subway – you will be treated to one of the most amazing museums of what these churches contained within their walls – for they were dismantled and the interiors were used to build the subway stations. They are truly beautiful platforms – but now so far under ground, so removed from the light of day.
Not all the church buildings suffered this fate of course – for within the very walls of the Kremlin are 9 churches, including the beautiful the ancient Church of the Savior-in-the-Forest, or Cathedral of the Transfiguration.
And the Russian Orthodox Church as an organization or a religious persuasion? Under the Communists, obviously some churches and their members were spared in the interest of the State – while others were demolished, and their members were mocked, persecuted, tortured, sent to prison camps and mental institutions, even killed.
Which ones do you think the Revolution allowed, and which ones do you think it persecuted? Believe me when I say that the priests of the orthodoxy soon become the inquisitors of the non-conformists and the independent.
A Christian faith based on the grace of God, on the individual’s free access to the high priest Jesus Christ – on the blessed assurance of salvation by grace without any need to keep anyone else’s standards of adherence, is a religious faith that cannot be controlled.
Today, real Christianity is being backed into a corner. Anyone with fundamental beliefs in the grace and mercy of God has become suspect – akin to terrorists. Real Christianity is dangerous – because it not only frees men from the confines and shackles of their sins, but real Christianity frees them from the bondage of serving Mammon – the System!
“For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them… in the latter days ye shall consider it.” – Jeremiah the Harbinger
If you will receive the doctrine that the prayer you prayed to receive Jesus as your Saviour was not enough to save you, then you will need another Gospel in order to go forward –a politically correct Gospel and a politically correct Christianity – the Christianity of the Concision.
Beware the Concision (the butchers)
In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle admonishes the true brethren, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
Who were the Concision? “(Peter) he started hobnobbing with certain pious Jewish brethren who said, “To be saved, yes, you must believe in Jesus, but you must also keep the Jewish Law!” SO ONCE AGAIN TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION & REPROACH & EMBARRASSMENT, PETER FLOWED WITH THE CURRENT, THE TIDE OF THE LEGALISTS! They were called the Concision, which means “with the cut”, & the other name was the Circumcision. They believed that all the new disciples had to get circumcised & had to become good Jews. Paul said, “This is ridiculous, it’s not so! They don’t have to keep any Jewish Law or any Mosaic Law at all, much less circumcision! You’re saved by grace, just by Jesus, just by faith!” – IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, THE CONCISION, AS THESE COMPROMISERS WERE CALLED, WERE THOSE JEWS WHO WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT JESUS as the Messiah, but were not willing to forsake their synagogues, traditions, laws of men and of Moses, or their own self-righteous works.” DBB
But if we are to believe Paul Washer, then righteous works are the order of the day. And works are manifest; they can be observed – even listed.
O’ Paul, Paul, Paul …..please give me the complete list – so that I might be saved. Like my brother says, “maybe we could just buy it from you – how much does it cost?”