Beth-El Baptist Church

05/16/2010

Greg Tomlinson


(OPEN) Failing the Grace of God, Purgatory, Fallen Angels waiting place, Faith and Love


This was an open session with multiple questions coming from those in attendance.


  1. What does it mean to “fail the grace of God” in Hebrews 12:15?

Hebrews 12:1-24 2 Corinthians 6:1

Deuteronomy 29:18 John 14:6; 6:37, 44; 16:7-11


The context of Hebrews 12 is highly focused on the issue of discipline. It is especially looking at the discipline that comes from God. The author of Hebrews is asserting that discipline from God is ultimately a good thing since it indicates being a legitimate child of God rather then being illegitimate. Failing the grace of God then takes on the idea of rejecting the discipline of God to bring you to repentance and thus ultimately a rejection of God and His Gospel in Jesus Christ. As Christians we need to be willing to help others through their struggles in live and to help them learn to deal with sin in their lives so that they recognize and embrace the grace of God. It is also a great reminder that the only way into the eternal heaven is through Christ which is a joint work of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.


  1. Isn't Roman Catholic Purgatory the same as the “place of silence”?

Luke 16:17-31 Luke 23:40-43

2 Corinthians 12:1-5 Revelation 2:7

2 Corinthians 5:8 Hebrews 7:24-27

John 3:36 Revelation 21:8

Revelation 20:12-15 Psalm 94:17-18

Psalm 115:17-18


Immediately upon death, the believer is ushered into the presence of God as Lazarus was brought into the bosom of Abraham. It was Paul to stated that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and it was the thief on the cross next to Jesus who was told that 'today you will be with me in paradise' and paradise is clearly indicated as being the “third heaven” or the eternal heavenly realm in the presence with the Father. The concept of the place of “silence” in the Psalms is the same idea as the Hebrew word Sheol in the Old Testament. Sheol can mean grave, death, dead, or place of eternal condemnation. In the New Testament, the word Hades is used for Sheol. In the book of Revelation, “death and hades” will be cast into the lake of fire. If the place of “silence” is the place of purgatory, then they are in Sheol or Hades which will be cast into the eternal lake of fire. Purgatory then is not a place for purging of sins until cleansed, but it is ultimately the place of eternal condemnation.


  1. Aren't there some angelic beings being held now awaiting eternal judgment?

2 Peter 2:4-5


Just as fallen humanity is awaiting the final judgment by which they will be found guilty and then cast into the eternal fire, some angelic beings are currently waiting in Hades having been bound in chains for the day of judgment.


  1. Why is love considered to be greater than faith?

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 James 2:20-26


When all is said and done, it is faith that brings about salvation but it is love that demonstrates the reality, the activity, and the transforming power of that faith. It is James who states that “faith without works is dead”. This is in agreement with Paul who argues that faith by itself, being without love, is ultimately effectively worthless. Is there true saving faith without it being lived out in love?