First Baptist Church of Hammond Removes Their Pastor

Fundamental News
August 1, 2012

http://www.fundamentalnews.com/first-baptist-church-of-hammond-removes-their-pastor/

The Baptist church made popular by Jack Hyles has removed Jack Schaap, the pastor that replaced Hyles after his death. They have removed him for an improper relationship with a girl:

"Hammond, IN–At this time, we deeply regret the need to announce that First Baptist Church has dismissed our pastor, Dr. Jack Schaap, due to a sin that has caused him to forfeit his right to be our pastor. First Baptist Church is in full cooperation with our local authorities in their investigation of this matter. Our church grieves over the need to take this action and the impact it will have on our people. We ask that everyone pray for the families involved and pray that the situation will be handled in a Christ honoring manner. We look forward to the days ahead as we continue to service the needs of our surrounding community and the Chicago area…."

(http://www.fbchammond.com/news/pr/2012/07/first-baptist-church-pastor-dismissed)

Dr. Schaap already had some doctrinal controversies over his refusal to see the King James Bible as inspired. He was also part of a movement in Christian churches that teaches grace without any accountability after death. Love is a great motivation for serving God, and many live fruitful lives with only this motivation. But God in His wisdom also gives warnings to His children. In 2003, Pastor Joey Faust authored, 'The Rod: Will God Spare It"?. This book called modern Christians to a greater fear of God. It showed that judgment must begin at the "house of God," and that although true believers are saved by God's grace through faith alone, and are eternally secure, they can still be punished temporarily when Jesus returns if they do not live right. He included, not only the Biblical warnings to Christians, but hundreds of quotes from earlier believers, warning that the day will arise when accountability and the fear of God will be lacking in Christian churches. Although some Christian leaders rejoiced at the truth this book helped restore, many attacked any idea of punishment for Christians as heresy! As an increasing number of Christian leaders fall, perhaps the time has come when some Christian leaders will reconsider the Biblical warnings to Christians that Faust attempted to restore (2 Corinthians 5:9-11, Luke 12:47-48, etc.). Should we expect unbelievers to respond to the warnings in the Bible addressed to them, while Christians ignore their own warnings?