The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-I, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 11."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1980. All Rights Reserved.

Question

My half-brother is a Unitarian minister, and he’s been a Unitarian minister for many years. How do I witness to him? He knows more about the Bible than I do.

Answer

No, he knows less about the Bible than you do. Much less, because, if he is not a Christian, then he has no way to comprehend the Bible. He can use the Bible to articulate his false system, but he does not know the Bible. But, the key thing, you see, people never become Christians until they have a deep felt need, and you can’t create that need. That need has to be created in his heart through circumstances that are brought into his life by God himself. Therefore, the best thing you can do for him is pray for him. Pray that God will somehow create an utter dissatisfaction in his life with everything he’s involved in. You see, we say that these people know the Bible, but, the fact is, they do not know the Bible. They simply know how to use the Bible, by misinterpreting it, misapplying it, and arranging it in a way that teaches error. So don’t be intimidated by it. You cannot argue a person into becoming a Christian. There’s no way. A man convinced against his will is unconvinced still. What has to happen is a desperation in his life, a dissatisfaction that drives him to look for something other than what he has. And, you see, in order to do that, he’s going to have to deny things he’s been teaching all his life. He’s going to have to step down from his position, which is a big blow to his ego and all of those kinds of things. That’s why it’s so difficult when someone is in [an apostate] system to get them out.

Question (continued)

I understand they don’t believe in the deity of Jesus Christ.

Answer (continued)

They do not believe in the deity of Christ. They do not believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit. They do not believe in the trinity. And anybody who comes and preaches any other Christ than the Christ of deity of the New Testament is accursed. You know, there are other groups that do that. There’s a thing now called “Jesus Only,” and it’s a branch of Pentecostalism. I think it’s the United Pentecostal Church. Is that right, Dick? I think it is. United Pentecostal Church, and they are “Jesus Only.” They don’t believe in the trinity. Well, you can’t have the true gospel if you don’t believe in the trinity. But they talk about Jesus and that’s the subtlety of it.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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