A New Name Added

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The New York-based Pentecostal preacher preached his selected sermon for an Easter Sunday as most other preachers did on the day concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was well-presented and doctrinally sound with a bit of Pentecostal “fire” that brands most Pentecostal sermons.   However, the “fire” was extinguished when he added how there can be a new name written down in heaven “if” one did this or that and accepted the sacrifice of Jesus for the propitiation of sins.

 

So, I ponder.  Did Paul not write, “chosen before the foundation of the world?”  Certainly, that was not just “wishful” pondering by Paul. Since we are scripturally astute of Isaiah 46:10, then how could a new name be written down if the Sovereign God of the Bible already knew it was there because He chose some before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)?  Does the Pentecostal preacher not understand or deny the Omniscience of God?  According to scripture God knows everything, so He already know whose names are written because He wrote them!  And, does the Pentecostal preacher not understand or deny the Omnipotence of God like so many contemporary preachers who think God wants to save someone but cannot?

 

The Sovereign God of the Bible is not in competition with the stubbornness of sinful man.  He chose some before the foundation of the world. People will be regenerated because their names are already written down.  Jesus Christ said twice in Luke 13, “Repent or perish.”  And how or why does someone repent?  Titus 3:5 tells us that we are saved “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”  Repentance can only follow regeneration, never precede it. Since the Book of Life is already written, does the Pentecostal preacher, et al., think that they are adding another list of names to the already finished Book?

 

Sadly, some churches still sing the song, “A New Name in Glory.”  Scripture clearly states that there are no new names written down.  God’s list is finished and complete.

 

God is Sovereign, not man.

 

Hallelujah!!