Arminianism is Literally from the Pit of Hell

Scripture records only one conversation which took place in hell (only one party of the dialog being in hell), and from it we can get a glimpse into the beliefs which are prevalent in that dreadful place. The discussion took place between Abraham and a rich man and is recorded in the following passage.

Luk 16:19-31 – There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. 

Notice a few things about this verbal exchange.

First, the rich man in hell displays no repentance for his sins that put him there, but only a desire to be delivered from the punishment he is enduring.

Second, he shows no remorse for how he treated the beggar Lazarus who afore laid at his gate in misery and hunger, but still views him as his inferior, asking that he be sent to relieve his suffering.

Third, the rich man thinks people can be delivered from going to hell by hearing a message of warning about it.

Fourth, the word of God gives sufficient warning to men so that they are without excuse and are not in need of further witnesses.

Fifth, those in hell do not believe in the efficacy of the testimony of the word of God.

Sixth, even after suffering extreme punishment in hell, the wicked still think they are right and know better than the righteous.

Seventh, the wicked need a sign (Mat 12:39) to convince them to believe the testimony of God.

Eighth, if a man does not believe the Bible, he would not believe if God resurrected a dead man and sent him unto him with a message from heaven.

These observations are all interesting, but one is particularly intriguing. In the exchange, the rich man revealed that he believed that eternal salvation is dependent on hearing a message and presumably acting on it in some way. He clearly believed that if his brethren on earth would have been visited from one who had died and gone to heaven, they would have been spared from going to hell. The implication is that if they heard the message, believed it, and changed their ways, they would be saved from the wrath to come.

In other words, those in hell adhere to the doctrine of freewill salvation and decisional regeneration, or, to attach a well-known label to it, Arminianism. Contrarily, those in heaven, like Abraham, know that eternal salvation is “not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2Ti 1:9), and it is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit 3:5). The redeemed in glory sing praises to the Lord Jesus Christ and ascribe their salvation entirely to Him and His shed blood on the cross for their sins.

Rev 5:9 – And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

Thus, Arminianism literally comes from the pit of hell. The fact that freewill salvation is believed, advocated, and advanced by those in hell should cause professing Christians who hold to the same idea to reconsider their beliefs in light of the teaching of Holy Scripture.