Paul Washer

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Paul Washer
Nationality	American
Occupation	Evangelist, Preacher
Website HeartCry Missionary Society

Paul Washer is founder of the HeartCry Missionary Society. He has devoted his life to the study of biblical soteriology (Biblical Salvation). Washer is not-far-removed from the "lost" preaching of many preachers of the past - who taught the Holiness of God and true salvation evidenced by repentance from a sin towards a changed life full of the fruits of the Spirit. He was invited to speak at the 2002 Youth Evangelism Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, USA, in which he addressed what he considered to be some errors in American Evangelicalism, his message was resisted by some and caused many to become angry - but many have been greatly encouraged to seek the Lord for the true assurance of biblical salvation (by a changed life and increased passion for the things of God).

Contents 1 Background 2 Beliefs 3 External links 4 References

[edit] Background

"Brother Paul," as he is commonly referred to both by friends and himself, professed faith in Jesus while enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. Following graduation, Paul attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Master of Divinity degree.^[1]

Washer began his post-seminary ministry in Peru, where he served as a missionary for 10 years. It was in his time there that he founded the HeartCry Missionary Society to assist in Church planting in Peru. ^[2]

[edit] Beliefs

Often known for his fiery preaching and convicting sermons, Washer is received differently within different Christian circles. His method is that of a revivalist preacher. The teaching that perhaps is most divisive and also perhaps most definitive of Washer's ministry is his view on "saying the prayer" to receive salvation. He was once quoted as saying:

"The greatest heresy in the American evangelical and Protestant church is that if you pray and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart, He will definitely come in."^[3]

He said he holds this stance because of a strong view that there should be an evidence of salvation, and that Jesus said "By their fruits ye shall know them," in Matthew 7:20 in the New Testament.^[4] This indicates that Washer holds a standard evangelical belief that a genuine calling upon the name of the Lord is required. However this calling will be clearly evident to others and does not come about by a superficial formula or uttering a few words, but by a turning away (repentance) from and emotional brokenness over sin.^[5] Washer said a true believer's life is characterized not by a blameless life or a life without sin, but by a life of pursuing after God, as well as the work of the Lord in a believer's life of conforming them into the image of Christ.^{[citation needed]}

In one of Washer's messages, the approximately one-hour sermon he delivered at the 2002 Youth Evangelism Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, USA, Washer received applause addressing what he considers to be errors in American Evangelicalism. He responded:

"I don't know why you're clapping. I'm talking about you. I didn't come to get amens. I didn't come here to get applauded. I'm talking about you."^[6]

Washer preaches occasionally at his home church, First Baptist Church at Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He also continues his work with HeartCry Missionary Society as the director.^[7]

[edit] External links

• Heart Cry Missionary Society
• Paul Washer on YouTube

[edit] References