Mr. Tallman has shortgospel

Mr. Tallman has not responded to my emails. However, he has done us a very great service. He has now admitted publicly to believing and promoting a gospel contrary to God's Gospel. You can find his admission here.

What is marvelously thought provoking is that Mr. Tallman claims that I "won" the debate yesterday by a small margin. This is not a game. These are weighty matters that cannot be broken down to a simple contest of my view vs. his. We are talking about which Gospel saves--not who is a better debater. Also, he claims that after our conversation at approximately 5:30 yesterday evening he was driven to study Scripture on this issue for the "next day or so". He now admits to being committed to a Gospel that goes like this:

1. Faith + Baptism = Salvation/Justification
*in other words we are not justified until after we are baptized.

He admitted with me on the show on Monday that he "used" to believe we are saved when we put our faith in Christ but, now he believes we must also be baptized before we receive salvation. So it is faith and then a work of obedience that saves--according to Andrew Tallman.

I will deal with his deadly gospel soon. I have to prepare for a funeral service. But, let me whet your appetite with a quote from an article by Hank Hanegraaff (Bible Answer Man)the president of the Christian Research Institute. Now, I know, Scripture Alone is our only infallible authority. But, I do think that it is peculiar that Hank's show is broadcast the hour before Andrew's. If you listen to Hank you will hear one Gospel and if you listen to Andrew you will hear another. Here is the quote:

The most critical mistake one can make with regard to baptism is to believe that it is necessary for salvation. Several aberrant or cultic movements, such as the International Churches of Christ (Boston movement), teach that belief is not suffi­cient for salvation — baptism is also required. In concert with other cultic groups, they distort passages such as Acts 2:38 to defend this deadly doctrine.

Acts 2:38 climaxes Peter’s powerful proclamation of the gospel on the day of Pentecost. Those impacted by his message cried out, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Groups that believe baptism is necessary for salvation mistakenly regard Peter’s words, “Repent and be baptized” as evidence that belief plus baptism results in salvation. Scripture, however, does not support this view.

First, the Book of Acts itself demonstrates that baptism is the sign of conversion, not the means of conversion. Acts 10:47, for example, describes believers who were indwelt by the Holy Spirit (and therefore saved — see Rom. 8:9) prior to being baptized.

Furthermore, the Bible as a whole clearly communicates that we are saved by faith and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9). As Paul pointed out in Romans, our righteous standing before God is “by faith from first to last” (Rom. 1:17). When the jailer asked the apostle Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31).

Although baptism is not the means by which we are saved, it is the means by which we are set apart. By baptism, we testify that we are no longer our own — we have been bought by Christ’s blood and have been brought into the community of faith. This is the significance of Peters command in Acts 2:38. He was not telling them that they could not be saved without baptism. He was telling them that their genuine repentance, which by the grace of God accompanies salvation, would be evidenced by their baptism.

Mr. Tallman, what do you say about discussing this issue live on your show? You run a program that is on the same station as men like R.C. Sproul, Hank Hanegraaff, Dr. John Macarthur, Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. Michael Youssef, Greg Laurie, Alistair Begg, etc... And yet, you have now publicly stated to believe a gospel that is in conflict with ALL of these men. Whom do I believe? If I listen at 4, I can be saved by grace through faith alone(like Abraham and the thief on the cross). If I tune in at 5, I can come by faith, confession and baptism which will then lead me to attain salvation. I wonder if Mr. Tallman also believes you can lose your salvation? Hmmmnnnnn.... Yes, Mr. Tallman this is no small matter (Galatians 1, 2 Cor. 11:4, 2 John 9). I am calling you to account Mr. Tallman. I am hopeful that you will see the truth of God regarding the Gospel and that you will publicly renounce your promotion of a false-gospel.

I would love a reply from you Andrew. God says:

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. 1 Peter 3:15

*I encourage all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to write or call the radio station and notify them of the confusion brought on by Mr. Tallman's gospel. God's Word says:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17
*note, this is in the glorious book where Paul taught a doctrine on justification that Andrew Tallman is publicly denying. It is the responsibility of God's people to refute those who contradict (Titus 1:9).

Jeff Durbin
President
Apologia

--Here are the links for the statements of faith for a few of the men who share the radio waves with Andrew Tallman on 1360AM. None of them would agree with Mr. Tallman's view of the Gospel. All of them, preach one which is contrary to his.

Dr. John Macarthur--Here
Dr. R.C. Sproul--Here
Hank Hanegraaff--Here
Dr. Charles Stanley--Here
Greg Laurie--Here
Dr. Michael Youssef--Here
Alistair Begg--Here
Dr. James MacDonald--Here
Dr. J. Vernon McGee--Here
Dr. Paul Sheppard--Here