Grace in Focus Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Why Does GES Hold that Paul Washer Preaches A False Gospel When He Says What Jesus Said?
Host(s): Bob Wilkin & Sam Marr
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Length: 13 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode addresses a listener’s challenge regarding the Grace Evangelical Society’s (GES) critique of Paul Washer, a prominent Lordship Salvation preacher. Host Bob Wilkin and guest Sam Marr respond to the claim that Paul Washer’s teachings are faithful to what Jesus said, and they clarify why GES believes Washer’s gospel presentation is actually “a false gospel.” The discussion explores the vital distinction between justification (eternal salvation) and sanctification (Christian living), focusing on passages about repentance, belief, and assurance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Paul Washer Question

• Listener's Objection: Why does GES claim Paul Washer preaches a false gospel if he uses the words of Jesus?

  • Paul Washer is described as "an extreme lordship salvation preacher, stronger than someone like Dr. John MacArthur."
  • Washer insists on repentance, turning from all known sins, and ongoing commitment as necessary proof of genuine salvation.
  • [01:09-01:41]

• Sam’s Clarification:

  • Using Jesus’ words out of context doesn’t guarantee doctrinal accuracy.
  • Cites an analogy (“the dictionary has every word”) to illustrate that simply using biblical vocabulary doesn’t ensure the intended biblical meaning is preserved.
  • [02:01-02:59]

2. The Synoptic Gospels: Repentance and the Kingdom

• Listener’s Point: Washer quotes verses like Matthew 4:17 (“repent, for the kingdom is at hand”) and Luke 5:32 (“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”), suggesting these show Jesus linking repentance to salvation.
  • Bob’s Response:
    • These calls to repentance are about national restoration (Israel’s deliverance and the coming kingdom), not individual justification or eternal life.
    • When Jesus evangelized individuals, He emphasized belief in Himself for everlasting life (e.g., John 3:16)—not repentance as a condition.
    • [03:21-04:19]
  • Memorable Explanation:
    • Bob uses Luke 15’s parables (lost sheep, lost coin, prodigal son) to illustrate that “repentance” there concerns restoring fellowship, not earning or securing eternal life.
    • "If we are walking in life of sin, we are calling for our own premature death, and it's only if we turn from that wayward lifestyle that we're going to stop the deadly consequences of our sinful behavior." (Bob, [05:00])

3. The Gospel of John: What Does 'Believe' Mean?

• Listener’s Argument:

  • Even if John is the “evangelistic” gospel, as GES claims, “believing” in Jesus is explained in John 3 as involving repentance and commitment.
  • [05:32-05:56]

• Bob’s Rebuttal:

  • In John, Jesus repeatedly invites people to “believe in Him” for everlasting life—without references to turning from sin or pledging obedience.
  • Examples:
    • John 3 (Nicodemus): No mention of repentance.
    • John 4 (Woman at the well): No requirement of turning from sin/reform as a precondition for eternal life.
    • [05:56-06:23]

• John 3:19-21 Discussion:

  • These verses encourage believers to come into the light (publicly confess faith), NOT make further commitments to “prove” faith.
  • [06:58-09:40]
  • Quote:
    • “Nicodemus is an example of someone who's not coming to the light. He comes in the darkness because he doesn't want his fellow members of the Sanhedrin to know what he's doing. But John the Baptist is an example of one who does come to the light.” (Bob, [09:01])

• On Assurance:

  • Raising the “commitment bar” makes assurance impossible.
  • “If you say the goal is always higher and higher, you have to be Paul or John the Baptist or Peter. People are not going to feel confident in the salvation that they already have.” (Sam, [10:23])

4. Defining 'Belief' Versus ‘Commitment’

• Core Distinction:

  • Washer (and others) redefine “to believe” as “to commit, surrender, and turn from sin.”
  • GES points out that when Jesus asks Martha (John 11:26), “Do you believe this?”, He makes no reference to her behavior, commitment, or repentance.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • “‘Do you believe that I'm the resurrection and the life... Do you believe this, Martha?’ She says yes. She just said, yes, I believe.” (Bob, [11:41])

• Final Warning:

  • Mixing messages about how one is born again (faith alone) and how to live the Christian life (sanctification, good works) leads to confusion and false assurance.
  • “The Bible teaches truth about how we're born again and truth about how we please God in our daily living. And those are two separate things. And unfortunately, Paul Washer mixes those two together.” (Bob, [11:51])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:09] “Paul Washer is an extreme lordship salvation preacher, stronger than someone like Dr. John MacArthur...You should be questioning your own salvation unless you see the fruits that would be expected of a person who has repented and committed." — Bob Wilkin

• [02:01] "The dictionary has every word. And you can find repentance in the preaching of Jesus... but what Randy's trying to say is that Paul Washer is correct when he says, you must turn from your sins... to have eternal life. That last part is the part that's confusing." — Bob Wilkin

• [05:00] “Believer or unbeliever, if we are walking in life of sin, we are calling for our own premature death... only if we turn from that wayward lifestyle are we going to stop the deadly consequences of our sinful behavior.” — Bob Wilkin

• [10:23] "If you say the goal is always higher and higher, you have to be Paul or John the Baptist or Peter. People are not going to feel confident in the salvation that they already have." — Sam Marr

• [11:41] “She just said, yes, I believe.” — Sam Marr, reflecting on Martha’s answer in John 11:27

• [11:51] “Mixing apples and oranges...the Bible teaches truth about how we're born again and truth about how we please God in our daily living. And those are two separate things. And unfortunately, Paul Washer mixes those two together.” — Bob Wilkin

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:56] — Introduction of the listener’s question
• [01:09-02:59] — Defining Lordship Salvation, Paul Washer’s approach, and the initial critique
• [03:21-05:32] — Discussion of repentance in the Synoptic Gospels vs. the Gospel of John
• [05:32-06:23] — Does “belief” in John mean commitment and repentance?
• [06:58-09:40] — John 3:17-21 and examples of Nicodemus vs. John the Baptist
• [10:23-11:51] — Assurance, definitions of belief, and the danger of raising assurance requirements
• [11:51-12:50] — Final thoughts on gospel clarity, assurance, and the grace message

Summary & Conclusion

Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr defend the GES position: Using Jesus’ words in lordship contexts does not legitimize Paul Washer’s teaching as the biblical gospel. Instead, they argue, true assurance and justification come through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by repenting of sins or committing one’s life as conditions for eternal life. The episode makes a clear distinction between how a person is saved and how a Christian should live, warning against confusing the two. Assurance, the hosts maintain, is anchored solely in Christ’s promise, not in human effort or fruit.