John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

I believe that little babies, and small children who have not yet reached the age of accountability go immediately to be with the dear Saviour when they die. While a little child has a disposition to evil with which he is born, yet he is not accountable to God as a recognized sinner until he is conscious of his sin. So I think that 1 Corinthians 15:22 would apply to such a child, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." The taint which is in our human nature, which we inherited from Adam and our parents, was paid for by Jesus Christ. One who is a known and deliberate sinner needs to repent of his sin and trust Christ for forgiveness. But an unaccountable infant is paid for by the blood of Christ, and I believe goes at once to Heaven. - John R. Rice

No, I do not believe that the moon or Mars or any other planets have human beings on them. The Scripture tells us that "Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." There are no human beings except those descended from Adam and Eve. The Bible also tells us plainly that the earth was made according to God's plan and evidently is the home for mankind, and then that the other planets, the sun, moon, and stars, were made for lights and seasons of this world. The other planets with which we are acquainted are not suitable in temperature, gravity, atmosphere, water, etc., to support human beings. - John R. Rice

I do not think it is wrong for men to fly nor for men to go into orbit around the world nor to otherwise develop rockets and even to try to reach the moon [this was published in 1962]. I believe that this was part of what God meant perhaps when He said that man should have dominion over the earth. However, I think that for government to go so far in debt is wrong, and that until we can pay cash for things like that, we ought not to spend the money on them. I think it is a sin for a government or an individual to keep on spending and making debts that it cannot pay. - John R. Rice

Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets" (Matt. 7:15). In Jude 3 we are plainly told it is necessary to "earnestly contend for the faith." One is not a better Christian for ignoring God's commands. If you would be true to Christ you must earnestly defend the faith and must beware and teach others to beware of false doctrine, false teachers. - John R. Rice

And now may God's people learn to love the Word of God and follow it with devotion and love for all God's people. And may God teach us charity and compassion for those who love the Lord Jesus, believe the Bible, but who go wrong on minor matters. And let us be bold and plain in opposing those doctrines which are antichristian and which damn souls. - John R. Rice

Jesus organized no denomination. The word "church" in the Bible never means denomination. It always means a local assembly or that general assembly including every person ever saved in all the ages who will be caught up to meet Christ in the air at the rapture. That group of all ages who are born again will be the body and bride of Christ in Heaven, and in that sense, those who are saved are in the true church. - John R. Rice

It was not until 1950 that it became official Catholic doctrine that the body of Mary was taken to Heaven. In doctrine and organization and practice, the Roman Catholic church has far departed from Bible Christianity. - John R. Rice