It is worth noting the contrast between the comments of Rowan Williams and the preaching of J C Ryle, the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool.
The full sermons of both individuals can be read:
Rowan Williams teaching the heresy of universalism.
J C Ryle teaching Biblical truth from Acts 4:12.
An extract from J C Ryle's sermon:
Let us make sure that we correctly understand what the Apostle Peter means. He says of Christ, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name in heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Now what is this? This is a very critical statement that we need to clearly understand. He means that no one can be saved from sin - from its guilt, power, and consequences - except by Jesus Christ.
He means that no one can have peace with God the Father - obtain forgiveness of sin in this world, and escape the wrath of God that is coming after death - except through the atoning death and mediation of Jesus Christ.
Only in Christ will we find God’s rich provision of salvation for sinners. Only in Christ will we find God’s abundant mercies coming down from Heaven to earth.
Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us; only the righteousness of Christ’s can clothe us; only the sacrifice of Christ can give us a title to heaven. Jews and Gentiles, educated and uneducated, rich and poor - everyone, no matter what their position or standing in life must either be saved by Jesus Christ or lost forever.
And the Apostle emphatically adds, There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. There is no other person commissioned, sealed, and appointed by God the Father to be the Saviour of sinners, except Christ. The keys of life and death are only found in His hand, and all who want to be saved must go to Him.
There was only one place of safety in the day when the flood came upon the earth, and that was Noah’s ark. All other places and things - mountains, towers, trees, rafts, boats—all were completely useless. Likewise, there is only one hiding place for sinners who want to escape the storm of God’s anger - they must hide their souls in Christ.
There was only one man to whom the Egyptians could go to in the time of famine, when they wanted food - they could only go to Joseph: it was a waste of time to go to anyone else. Likewise, there is only One to whom hungering souls must go, if they don’t want to perish forever - they must go to Christ.
… This doctrine is in perfect harmony with our Lord's own words in the Book of John: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
…I could cut short this part of the subject with one simple argument: “God says so.
The full sermons of both individuals can be read:
Rowan Williams teaching the heresy of universalism.
J C Ryle teaching Biblical truth from Acts 4:12.
An extract from J C Ryle's sermon:
Let us make sure that we correctly understand what the Apostle Peter means. He says of Christ, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name in heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Now what is this? This is a very critical statement that we need to clearly understand. He means that no one can be saved from sin - from its guilt, power, and consequences - except by Jesus Christ.
He means that no one can have peace with God the Father - obtain forgiveness of sin in this world, and escape the wrath of God that is coming after death - except through the atoning death and mediation of Jesus Christ.
Only in Christ will we find God’s rich provision of salvation for sinners. Only in Christ will we find God’s abundant mercies coming down from Heaven to earth.
Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us; only the righteousness of Christ’s can clothe us; only the sacrifice of Christ can give us a title to heaven. Jews and Gentiles, educated and uneducated, rich and poor - everyone, no matter what their position or standing in life must either be saved by Jesus Christ or lost forever.
And the Apostle emphatically adds, There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. There is no other person commissioned, sealed, and appointed by God the Father to be the Saviour of sinners, except Christ. The keys of life and death are only found in His hand, and all who want to be saved must go to Him.
There was only one place of safety in the day when the flood came upon the earth, and that was Noah’s ark. All other places and things - mountains, towers, trees, rafts, boats—all were completely useless. Likewise, there is only one hiding place for sinners who want to escape the storm of God’s anger - they must hide their souls in Christ.
There was only one man to whom the Egyptians could go to in the time of famine, when they wanted food - they could only go to Joseph: it was a waste of time to go to anyone else. Likewise, there is only One to whom hungering souls must go, if they don’t want to perish forever - they must go to Christ.
… This doctrine is in perfect harmony with our Lord's own words in the Book of John: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
…I could cut short this part of the subject with one simple argument: “God says so.
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