 | Pete Dominguez
has been preaching since November 1976. He earned a B.A. Degree in Religious Studies from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., in 1983. He has pastored five churches during this time and has spent seven years as a full-time evangelist preaching in nine states and Japan. He is currently pastor of South City Southern Baptist Church where he has been since August 1997. You may contact Pastor Dominguez by writing him at: Pastor Pete Dominguez, South City Southern Baptist Church, P.O.Box 16242, Wichita, KS 67216, or by phone at (316) 524-8886, or by e-mail at Socitybc@aol.com |
Religion
2001-07-01 15:14:00
Is ‘Hell’ for real?
Question: We're in our mid-50's. It seems as though when we were younger, we heard a lot about 'hell' and eternal damnation. We don't see or hear much that much anymore. Is there still such a place or have the experts decided that it is 'old hat?'
Answer: It is true that the subject of "Hell and Eternal Damnation" used to be preached on more frequently in years past. At least it was the hot topic of a lot of religious discussion. There may be several reasons as to why the subject has lost its appeal in religious pulpits:
1) A lot of pastors have bought into the political correctness movement of our day and age and choose to avoid the subject altogether;
2) Many parishioners have become politically correct themselves and put pressure on the pastors and their messages;
3) Another reason may be that some religious leaders have chosen to disregard Hell itself, as if the place no longer exists.
I believe that the Bible is very clear on the subject of Hell, and I choose to believe ALL of the Bible and not just some of it. Here are some of the Bible passages regarding the subject of Hell and Eternal Damnation.
1. A place prepared for the devil and his angels - Matthew 25:41.
2. A place of everlasting punishment - Matthew 25:46.
3. A lake of fire and a devouring fire - Revelations 20:15; Isaiah 33:14.
4. It is described as a place of torment and the inhabitants do not want their loved ones to come there - Luke 16:23,28.
5. It is also described as a place of fire where the unsaved spend eternity separated from God - Revelations 19:20.
In my 24 years of preaching, I have pastored five churches and been a full-time evangelist. I have preached on the subject of "Hell and Eternal Damnation" many times. I have many pastor and evangelist friends who also preach on this subject. This is what I believe the Bible teaches about eternity:
1) If a person repents of their sin and trusts in the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse them of their sin, they will be saved and have eternal life in Heaven. This is a decision based on a persons faith and the grace of God alone (Ephesians 2:8-9);
2) If a person refuses to believe in Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness, they will reject God, His Son, His messengers, His church, and spend eternity in a place prepared for the devil and his angels. This is a decision based on their own freewill. God's Word tells us that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (I Peter 3:9).).
