This is the scariest verse in the bible for believers

[David Lamb]

So deaf people cannot be saved?

God does not show favoritism, so any communication method okay for one is okay for all.

Of course deaf people can be saved. They can still have the hearing of faith, even if their physical ears don't work. They "hear" the gospel through reading, or through sign language, or lip-reading. Grace Baptist Mission in the UK supports a missionary who works specifically with deaf people.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

That’s a very weak attempt at twisting Scripture. You know full well Romans 10:17 isn’t excluding the deaf, “hearing” in that verse simply means receiving the message. A deaf person “hears” through sign language or reading; the point is that the Gospel must be communicated in words, not just implied by good deeds.

Trying to play word games with “hearing” doesn’t change the obvious truth: the Gospel is a spoken/written message about Jesus’ death and resurrection. No amount of mowing lawns or smiling at people will ever communicate that.
Please be sensible in your posts.

I would ask you to be sensible as well. There is indeed a difference between what you want the bible to say, and what God actually expects of us.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Of course deaf people can be saved. They can still have the hearing of faith, even if their physical ears don't work. They "hear" the gospel through reading, or through sign language, or lip-reading. Grace Baptist Mission in the UK supports a missionary who works specifically with deaf people.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[1Tonne]

I would ask you to be sensible as well. There is indeed a difference between what you want the bible to say, and what God actually expects of us.

And do you believe the bible says that the Gospel can be told through our good deeds or is it an actual message that needs to be communicated?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

And do you believe the bible says that the Gospel can be told through our good deeds or is it an actual message that needs to be communicated?

The bible records Jesus saying "none come to the Father but through me." The bible records Jesus saying "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

Like most post reformation theology, the whole matter becomes about what we do, when it is the Holy Spirit that actually does the work.

I am saying that the way you are looking at it disregards the roles of the entire body, and the encounters they would need to have before even accepting the verbal message.

 

[fhansen]

There are a number of verses that people call the scariest in the Bible. But there’s one verse that many overlook, yet, when read from a believer’s perspective, it can be deeply unsettling.

Before I share that verse, let me set the scene.
If we look back to WW1, when a soldier was commanded to go over the parapet, if he refused because he was afraid, then there were consequences. He was court-martialled and then put to death for being a coward.
We, too, have been given a command: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15)
Yet a survey once conducted by Campus Crusade revealed that only about 2% of Christians regularly share the gospel. That’s shockingly low. And why? Because most believers are afraid. Even Paul admitted that he was afraid, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3). But Paul did not let fear silence him. He was bold. He was faithful. He was like those men who charged over the parapet; he was not cowardly.

Now here is the verse that makes me pause:
Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
We know who the unbelieving are. The abominable are those who are morally filthy; we know who the murderers are. The sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars, we know who they are. But who are the cowardly? Are they people who have been given a command and know what they should be doing, but instead, they choose not to do it because they let fear rule them?
I believe cowardice is when someone has a purpose to fulfil, and yet they refuse to do it because they let fear stop them. Fear itself is not sin; it’s natural. But when we let fear stop us from obeying God’s command, that’s cowardice. Just as those soldiers faced fear in the trenches yet pressed forward, we are called to press forward in sharing Christ.

And here’s where it becomes even more serious. If we believe in God, in heaven and hell, in judgment, and we know the Saviour, then it is wrong not to tell others about Him. It’s like seeing a house on fire with people inside and choosing to do nothing. You simply allow them to die. This would be morally outrageous. In human law, such deliberate inaction is called “Depraved Indifference.”
If human courts recognise this injustice, how much more would a holy and just God recognise the injustice of our not warning others about eternal death?
There is also a biblical example of Depraved Indifference in the Old Testament. God says to Ezekiel that if he does not warn the wicked of their deeds, their blood is on his hands. In Ezekiel 3:18-19, God says, "When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul."
So, failure to warn others of danger is condemned in Scripture, just as being cowardly is condemned.

James 4:17 says: “Anyone who knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
We know the good we ought to do. If we truly believe eternity is at stake, then failing to warn and to share the hope of Christ is not just neglect, it’s sin.

Now, I want to be very clear: I am not promoting a works-based salvation. I am not saying that you must go and tell people the Gospel in order to be saved. Salvation comes by faith in Christ alone, through His grace.
What I am saying is this: true faith naturally produces action. If you genuinely believe in the reality of God, heaven, hell, judgment, and the salvation offered through Jesus, that belief will move you. It will compel you to act, to speak, to warn, to love, and to share the hope you have. Faith without action may still be faith, but genuine belief shows itself in obedience and courage. Our actions flow out of our convictions; they are the evidence of a heart transformed by God.

So, ask yourself: Who are the cowardly in Revelation 21:8? Has your faith truly transformed your heart so that you are willing to obey God’s command to share the Gospel, or are you, like many believers, remaining silent out of fear?

"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." Matt 10:32-33

"Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God." John 12:41-43

 

[1Tonne]

I am saying that the way you are looking at it disregards the roles of the entire body, and the encounters they would need to have before even accepting the verbal message.

Yes, the Holy Spirit does the work of saving; no one denies that. But the Spirit works through the proclamation of the Gospel. That’s why Paul said, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). We even see in Acts 1:8 that those who receive the Holy Spirit will be His witnesses. Then, in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit first came down, the people spoke. They spoke with such clarity that even people from other nations understood them. And there are also many other verses that say when people received the Holy Spirit, they spoke.
When we speak the Gospel in its fullness with the Bad News and the Good News, the Spirit convicts the listener, but we are commanded to communicate. Good deeds, hospitality, and the witness of our lives may help prepare the soil, but the seed itself is the spoken/written Gospel of Christ crucified and risen. Without the message, there’s nothing for the Spirit to apply.
This isn’t “post-reformation theology.” It’s New Testament Christianity. Read Acts; the apostles didn’t just live nicely and hope people noticed; they opened their mouths and proclaimed Christ. That’s the pattern.

So, let’s be clear: the Gospel is not good deeds. The Gospel is good news. And news must be told.

 

[1Tonne]

Actually this is the scariest verse in the Bible.

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

Luke 6:37

Just saw this. It may give you a better understanding. It's a good vid

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Yes, the Holy Spirit does the work of saving; no one denies that. But the Spirit works through the proclamation of the Gospel. That’s why Paul said, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). We even see in Acts 1:8 that those who receive the Holy Spirit will be His witnesses. Then, in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit first came down, the people spoke. They spoke with such clarity that even people from other nations understood them. And there are also many other verses that say when people received the Holy Spirit, they spoke.
When we speak the Gospel in its fullness with the Bad News and the Good News, the Spirit convicts the listener, but we are commanded to communicate. Good deeds, hospitality, and the witness of our lives may help prepare the soil, but the seed itself is the spoken/written Gospel of Christ crucified and risen. Without the message, there’s nothing for the Spirit to apply.
This isn’t “post-reformation theology.” It’s New Testament Christianity. Read Acts; the apostles didn’t just live nicely and hope people noticed; they opened their mouths and proclaimed Christ. That’s the pattern.

So, let’s be clear: the Gospel is not good deeds. The Gospel is good news. And news must be told.

I just challenged you so your message sounded more balanced.

God bless.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Because without the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to communicate the message with boldness anyway.

 

[1Tonne]

I just challenged you so your message sounded more balanced.

If by “balanced” you mean softening or twisting what Scripture plainly says, then I don’t believe my first post did that. My original post was already balanced because it quoted God’s Word directly and explained what the verses meant. What you’ve been doing is sidestepping with word games instead of dealing with the text.
The Gospel is a spoken (or written) message. Good deeds are good, but they are not the message. Scripture doesn’t need us to “balance” it by watering it down, it needs us to believe it and obey it.
How do you feel it was unbalanced?

Because without the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to communicate the message with boldness anyway.

This could be the case. Maybe most believers do not have the Holy Spirit, or if they do, they suppress Him. Sin in a person will always quench the Spirit. If a church is full of worldliness and compromise, then we shouldn’t be surprised that there is little boldness or power. The Spirit does not manifest in a life that is clinging to sin; He convicts of sin. If that conviction is ignored, then His power will be absent.
That’s not a problem with the Gospel. That’s a problem with the people.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

If by “balanced” you mean softening or twisting what Scripture plainly says, then I don’t believe my first post did that. My original post was already balanced because it quoted God’s Word directly and explained what the verses meant. What you’ve been doing is sidestepping with word games instead of dealing with the text.
The Gospel is a spoken (or written) message. Good deeds are good, but they are not the message. Scripture doesn’t need us to “balance” it by watering it down, it needs us to believe it and obey it.
How do you feel it was unbalanced?

This could be the case. Maybe most believers do not have the Holy Spirit, or if they do, they suppress Him. Sin in a person will always quench the Spirit. If a church is full of worldliness and compromise, then we shouldn’t be surprised that there is little boldness or power. The Spirit does not manifest in a life that is clinging to sin; He convicts of sin. If that conviction is ignored, then His power will be absent.
That’s not a problem with the Gospel. That’s a problem with the people.

It was more of a matter of telling people what to do, but giving no idea how. It sounded more balanced as soon as the Holy Spirit's role was revealed as part of the discussion.

If people are cowardly, lustful, malicious, prideful, etc by nature, it may be something they have learned to accept about themselves.

 

[1Tonne]

It was more of a matter of telling people what to do, but giving no idea how. It sounded more balanced as soon as the Holy Spirit's role was revealed as part of the discussion.

If people are cowardly, lustful, malicious, prideful, etc by nature, it may be something they have learned to accept about themselves.

You’re missing the point. Nobody is denying the Spirit’s role, but the Spirit always works through the Word. The apostles didn’t sit back and wait for people to ‘encounter’ good deeds; they preached Christ crucified. That’s how the Spirit convicts and saves.
As for people ‘accepting’ cowardice, lust, or pride, that’s exactly the problem. Sin quenches the Spirit. But the solution isn’t to shrug and say ‘well, that’s just human nature.’ The solution is repentance and obedience. Excuses don’t make the Gospel clearer; they make it weaker. The Spirit empowers boldness when people actually step out in faith and speak the message.
Blessings

 

[Gregory Thompson]

You’re missing the point. Nobody is denying the Spirit’s role, but the Spirit always works through the Word. The apostles didn’t sit back and wait for people to ‘encounter’ good deeds; they preached Christ crucified. That’s how the Spirit convicts and saves.
As for people ‘accepting’ cowardice, lust, or pride, that’s exactly the problem. Sin quenches the Spirit. But the solution isn’t to shrug and say ‘well, that’s just human nature.’ The solution is repentance and obedience. Excuses don’t make the Gospel clearer; they make it weaker. The Spirit empowers boldness when people actually step out in faith and speak the message.
Blessings

Some people don't know when their sin is sin. Even bible interpretations can be sinful, and devotion can become an obsession or idol. Overcoming these things comes from maturity. Since God meets us where we are at, people accept that and move from there.

Everyone is a work in progress.

 

[Carl Emerson]

There are a number of verses that people call the scariest in the Bible. But there’s one verse that many overlook, yet, when read from a believer’s perspective, it can be deeply unsettling.

Before I share that verse, let me set the scene.
If we look back to WW1, when a soldier was commanded to go over the parapet, if he refused because he was afraid, then there were consequences. He was court-martialled and then put to death for being a coward.
We, too, have been given a command: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15)
Yet a survey once conducted by Campus Crusade revealed that only about 2% of Christians regularly share the gospel. That’s shockingly low. And why? Because most believers are afraid. Even Paul admitted that he was afraid, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3). But Paul did not let fear silence him. He was bold. He was faithful. He was like those men who charged over the parapet; he was not cowardly.

Now here is the verse that makes me pause:
Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
We know who the unbelieving are. The abominable are those who are morally filthy; we know who the murderers are. The sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars, we know who they are. But who are the cowardly? Are they people who have been given a command and know what they should be doing, but instead, they choose not to do it because they let fear rule them?
I believe cowardice is when someone has a purpose to fulfil, and yet they refuse to do it because they let fear stop them. Fear itself is not sin; it’s natural. But when we let fear stop us from obeying God’s command, that’s cowardice. Just as those soldiers faced fear in the trenches yet pressed forward, we are called to press forward in sharing Christ.

And here’s where it becomes even more serious. If we believe in God, in heaven and hell, in judgment, and we know the Saviour, then it is wrong not to tell others about Him. It’s like seeing a house on fire with people inside and choosing to do nothing. You simply allow them to die. This would be morally outrageous. In human law, such deliberate inaction is called “Depraved Indifference.”
If human courts recognise this injustice, how much more would a holy and just God recognise the injustice of our not warning others about eternal death?
There is also a biblical example of Depraved Indifference in the Old Testament. God says to Ezekiel that if he does not warn the wicked of their deeds, their blood is on his hands. In Ezekiel 3:18-19, God says, "When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul."
So, failure to warn others of danger is condemned in Scripture, just as being cowardly is condemned.

James 4:17 says: “Anyone who knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
We know the good we ought to do. If we truly believe eternity is at stake, then failing to warn and to share the hope of Christ is not just neglect, it’s sin.

Now, I want to be very clear: I am not promoting a works-based salvation. I am not saying that you must go and tell people the Gospel in order to be saved. Salvation comes by faith in Christ alone, through His grace.
What I am saying is this: true faith naturally produces action. If you genuinely believe in the reality of God, heaven, hell, judgment, and the salvation offered through Jesus, that belief will move you. It will compel you to act, to speak, to warn, to love, and to share the hope you have. Faith without action may still be faith, but genuine belief shows itself in obedience and courage. Our actions flow out of our convictions; they are the evidence of a heart transformed by God.

So, ask yourself: Who are the cowardly in Revelation 21:8? Has your faith truly transformed your heart so that you are willing to obey God’s command to share the Gospel, or are you, like many believers, remaining silent out of fear?

Yes we should be ready to give an account of our faith.

As to evangelism - in deliberately going out to preach - a fruitful ministry will need the support of others who may not themselves be 'going out'

I have a little experience in this area - we used to always have folks back at base praying in behind.

We also would always break bread together before departing.

Often there would come 'word of knowledge' about the persons we would meet who were ripe for the gospel.

There was nothing scary about it - in fact the peace of Christ is often what attracts the unsaved.

We used to call it Guerrilla evangelism.

 

[1Tonne]

Some people don't know when their sin is sin. Even bible interpretations can be sinful, and devotion can become an obsession or idol. Overcoming these things comes from maturity. Since God meets us where we are at, people accept that and move from there.

Everyone is a work in progress.

I agree that many don’t even realise their sin until God’s law exposes it, that’s why evangelism often starts with the law, so people see their need for Christ.
And yes, we are all a work in progress. But being a ‘work in progress’ doesn’t excuse silence. Look at the woman at the well: she had no theological training, no years of maturity, and she was still living in sin, yet she immediately went and told others about the Messiah.
So, I do find it strange that many who’ve been Christians for years rarely share the Gospel. That doesn’t look like ‘progress’ at all; it looks like neglect. The Spirit doesn’t wait until we’re perfect to use us, He uses those who are willing to obey and open their mouths. That willingness includes turning from sin, responding to His conviction, and trusting Him to work through our weakness.

Yes we should be ready to give an account of our faith.

As to evangelism - in deliberately going out to preach - a fruitful ministry will need the support of others who may not themselves be 'going out'

I have a little experience in this area - we used to always have folks back at base praying in behind.

We also would always break bread together before departing.

Often there would come 'word of knowledge' about the persons we would meet who were ripe for the gospel.

There was nothing scary about it - in fact the peace of Christ is often what attracts the unsaved.

We used to call it Guerrilla evangelism.

Absolutely, supporting those who go out to preach is important, and prayer, fellowship, and intercession are vital parts of evangelism. That said, supporting others doesn’t excuse staying completely silent about the Gospel.
Every believer has the responsibility to share in some way, even if it’s just with those they already know. Not everyone is called to street preaching or full-time missions, but everyone can speak a word of hope, encouragement, or the good news of Christ to someone in their sphere of influence.
So yes, support is valuable, but it’s not a replacement for personal obedience to Christ’s command to make disciples. Being “in the background” shouldn’t mean never opening your mouth. I feel that some believers may hide behind the guise of 'support' or 'prayer', and some may even hide behind the guise of the pulpit.

"We need to pray for our nation like never before, and then put legs to our prayers and preach the gospel. To pray for the lost and at the same time ignore that command to preach the gospel to every creature, is nothing but empty hypocrisy. It is to honour God with our lips and have cold hearts that are far from Him. May He give us a love that moves us from the pews into the streets, and from our homes into our universities. God save us from the cozy comfort of lukewarm contemporary Christianity." Ray Comfort

 

[Carl Emerson]

So yes, support is valuable, but it’s not a replacement for personal obedience to Christ’s command to make disciples.

Making disciples is much more than introducing folks to Christ - it is a much greater commitment to encourage growth long term. This is a 'body' ministry actually.

 

[jacks]

Just saw this. It may give you a better understanding. It's a good vid

Since this the second time you've quoted my post, it most be something that is making you think. I have no desire to condemn your evangelical work and in fact I applaud it. All I am suggesting is that perhaps you consider, that it isn't the path for everyone. Please pray before you respond; this isn't an argument you need to "win", just hoping you may consider that the body has many unique talents and needs. Again let me say that the work you do spreading the word of our Lord is commendable and a valuable addition to the body of Christ. I mean you no disrespect or feel it is something that should divide us. God Bless.

 

[1Tonne]

Making disciples is much more than introducing folks to Christ - it is a much greater commitment to encourage growth long term. This is a 'body' ministry actually.

Absolutely, making disciples does include long-term growth, encouragement, and shepherding. That’s why the “body” ministry is so important. But the first step is still introducing people to Christ. Without that, there is no disciple to nurture.
So yes, some are gifted to teach, mentor, and disciple over time, but every believer still has a responsibility to share the Gospel in some form. Being part of the “body” doesn’t exempt anyone from the call to speak the message of salvation to those who don’t know Christ.

Since this the second time you've quoted my post, it most be something that is making you think. I have no desire to condemn your evangelical work and in fact I applaud it. All I am suggesting is that perhaps you consider, that it isn't the path for everyone. Please pray before you respond; this isn't an argument you need to "win", just hoping you may consider that the body has many unique talents and needs. Again let me say that the work you do spreading the word of our Lord is commendable and a valuable addition to the body of Christ. I mean you no disrespect or feel it is something that should divide us. God Bless.

Thank you for your thoughtful and humble reply. I appreciate the spirit in which you’re engaging. I also agree that the body of Christ has many unique talents and needs, and each person’s role is valuable.
At the same time, I believe the call to share the Gospel is universal, not limited to certain gifts or roles. Everyone has a sphere of influence, and everyone can speak a word of hope, encouragement, or the message of salvation to those around them. Some will be gifted as teachers, evangelists, or missionaries, but that doesn’t exempt the rest of us from obedience to Christ’s command: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
So while we can and should honour the diversity of gifts in the body, that reality does not remove the responsibility for every believer to share the Good News in some way. Blessings

 

[Carl Emerson]

Being part of the “body” doesn’t exempt anyone from the call to speak the message of salvation to those who don’t know Christ.

Do you mean they should all wander up the street and tap on shoulders ?