Questions & Answers

     [EGW editor's preface, Jan. 20, 2017:  This article was first posted online in 2002, some years before Billy Graham's retirement in 2005 which was about 58 years after beginning his Billy Graham Crusades in 1947.  His preaching style and "Crusade" meetings are strikingly similar to the preaching style and revival meetings used by Billy Sunday during the early 1900's.  Graham's son William Franklin Graham, known as Franklin Graham, is the current president & CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), effectively carrying on the family business.  In my opinion, much of what I've noted below about Billy Graham's teachings applies equally well to the BGEA and to Franklin Graham.]


“What do you think about Billy Graham?”
by David Churchill

    This question is one that I get asked a lot.  Like any honest and sincere question, it needs an answer that is both thoughtful and truthful.
     Before I agree or disagree with someone in religious matters, I try to know at least three things:  1) something about that person;  2) what he is teaching or claiming;  3) the significance of that teaching or claim.  Then I examine that teaching or claim using God’s Bible as my standard — I agree with it only as far as it agrees with the Bible, no more and no less.

     Billy Graham has been well-known to most Americans for many years.  His popularity is steadily growing overseas as well as here in the United States.  His audiences often number in the tens of thousands.  I truly believe the key to his success is his ability to assess a situation, to determine what the people want to hear, and then to use his excellent speaking skills to deliver his message to his listeners.
     Sometimes he uses Scripture to teach people.  Often he speaks from his heart to reach the hearts of his listeners.  Billy Graham almost always extends two very emotional requests at the end of his lessons.
     One request is for his listeners to send money so that he can continue the efforts of his ministry.  Often a copy of one of his books is provided in exchange for a listener’s offering.  Usually, he pleads that, in spite of the high and rising financial costs of spreading the gospel he preaches, he does not want to miss any opportunities of helping people receive that gospel.
     His other request is for people to become Christians, to enter into a right relationship with God.  His instructions on how to become a “genuine Christian” go something like this:

   Step 1)  You have to repent of your sins and to really want to do God’s will.
   Step 2)  Pray {either silently or out loud} to God for forgiveness of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart as your Lord and Savior.
   Step 3)  Now that you are a Christian, go and confess Jesus to someone who is not a Christian {OR go and tell another Christian that you have become a Christian, too}.
   Step 4)  Join a church that follows Jesus {AND/OR the Bible} and start ministering for God.  Also, Billy Graham would like to hear that you have become a Christian.

     The word “Christian” has a couple of different meanings that depend upon how the word is used.  As an adjective, the word means “Christ-like” or “belonging to Christ”, i.e. the “Christian” virtues are “Christ-like” virtues.  As a noun, the word means “citizen of Christ and His kingdom”.
     What defines citizenship?  Well, to be an American requires moving into America and dwelling there in obedience to its laws.  To lose your rights as an American, you either live there breaking its laws eventually being removed by force from its law-abiding society or else you move to another country.  Likewise, to be a Christian requires “moving” into Christ, i.e. His kingdom, and dwelling there in obedience to His laws.  To lose your rights as a Christian, … well, you get the general idea.
     Read the following passages carefully.  Think about what they mean.

     “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1
     “
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17
     “
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15
     “
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.”  Romans 10:1-3
     “
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
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Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  1 John 4:1

     As you read through these six passages, what are your thoughts and feelings?  The words are clear and plain.  What impressions do they make upon you?
     Here are my impressions from these passages.  Salvation (freedom from the condemnation for sin) is found in Christ, and nowhere outside of Christ.  To receive this salvation, it is important that I find out how to enter into Christ.  God gave me His Scriptures so that I may know how to enter into Christ.  Therefore, I need to study God’s Scriptures and to be careful to understand them correctly.  Likewise, enthusiasm for God will fail me if I still lack the knowledge of what it takes to be right with God.  Because of the serious nature of salvation, I must be on guard against those who would preach falsely to me about salvation.
     Salvation and being in a right relationship with God are very important to me.  Are they to you?  We need to know and obey the correct way to enter into Christ if we are really going to become Christians.  Billy Graham offers one way to become a Christian.  It’s up to you and me to see if it matches God’s way to become a Christian.

     Here is a brief list of passages describing God’s way to become a Christian.  You may remember some of them from your own studying of the Bible. 

“What must I do to be saved?”
• 1. Hear the word of God:

     
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Romans 10:17
• 2. Believe in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God:
     
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.  John 6:28-29
     
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  John 6:40
     
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  Mark 16:16
• 3. Repent from disobeying God and turn to following God:
     
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.  Acts 17:30
     
And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 2:38  [Author's note: Gr. word here for “for” literally means “into”, i.e. “baptized ... into the remission of sins.”]
• 4. Confess Jesus as your Lord and seek to obey Him as your Lord:
    
 Therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 10:32
     
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Matthew 7:21
• 5. Be baptized into Christ:
     
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.  Acts 22:16
     
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Romans 6:3
     
Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  Colossians 2:12
     
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Galatians 3:27
     
There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.  1 Peter 3:21-22
• 6. Persist in obeying God through Jesus:
     
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:  “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.  Hebrews 10:23-27,35-39
     
Do not fear … Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.  Revelation 2:10

     Compare this list to Billy Graham’s instructions, and you will see a distinct difference.  What Mr. Graham fails to mention and what God clearly states is this:  baptism is the point where a person enters into Christ, obtains forgiveness of sins, and enters into the kingdom of heaven.  In other words, if you were not baptized into Christ, then you are not a Christian and are still lost in your sins.
     You may be thinking, “but baptism without a believing faith can’t make a Christian,” and you would be right – belief must come before baptism.  Still, if we re-read Mark 16:16 carefully, we know that trying to believe in Jesus without being baptized is simply not believing Jesus enough to take Him at His word.
     Let’s review the facts.  Billy Graham fails to tell people God’s requirements about being baptized into Christ.  Therefore, he fails to tell people how to become Christians.  On the other hand, he says he is instructing people on how to become Christians.  What do you think?  In light of God’s word, is he presenting an honest version of the Gospel message?  No.  Is he leading people to Christ?  No.  Is he actually leading them away from Christ?  Yes, he’s leading them in the wrong direction.
     How important is the salvation in Christ to you?  How willing are you to be led astray about God’s plan of salvation?  How eager are you to be misled about your relationship with your Creator?


[EGW editor’s note: For a related article on this subject, see A “Sinner’s Prayer” or a “Sinful Prayer”?]



      © David G. Churchill; used by permission. rev:020000-041004-200309; editor preface added Jan. 20, 2017
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