True Religion: Separating Fact from Fiction #fakereligion

           When watching television, reading the newspaper, or listening to the radio sometimes it is hard to separate fact from fiction.  Of course, the only way to do this is to analyze the facts and the source to ascertain if what is said is true.  The same is true four some people’s religion. Some people talk a good talk but do they have true religion. James deals with true religion and teaches us how to separate fact from fiction in James 1:26-27.

            The fictitious view of some people’s religion is clearly evident by their words.  There are many who believe they can be a faithful Christian and talk about others and still possess the religion of Christ.  James tells us this is false religion.  The Scripture says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless” (James 1:26 ESV).  James clearly teaches us that what we say and how we use our tongue is a direct indicator of our religion because it peers inside our souls to who we really are on the inside.  This is why James tells us we must bridle the tongue and  “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath” (James 1:19; James 3:1ff).

            True religion is also evident by a person’s character and actions.  The Holy Spirit says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27 NKJ).  How can we know we have “true” religion in our hearts. By our willingness to “do good unto all men especially those of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).  Do we really love our  neighbor as our self (Mark 12:30ff)?  Do we strive every day  to make our bodies a living sacrifice to God separated from the world and holy in God’s sight (Luke 9:23; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:17-18)? 

            As we think about these indicators of true religion, we must each examine our own lives and see if we have true religion or if we are just “playing church".

Are New Testament Miracles Occurring Today? - Ben Bailey

Are New Testament Miracles Occurring Today?

Herod had wanted to meet Jesus for a long time (Luke 9:7-9).  While initially this seems like a very good thing, we learn a little later in the New Testament why Herod wanted to meet Jesus.  Luke 23:8 records their encounter this way: “Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.”  Herod was indeed curious, but really, he just wanted to see a miracle.  Did you know a lot of people today still put the focus of Jesus and Christianity in that same light—They just want to see a miracle.  What does the Bible teach about New Testament Miracles occurring today?  Is that happening today like it did when Jesus walked the Earth?

The Bible teaches that miracles were to come to an end with the completion of God’s Revelation in the New Testament.  The purpose of miracles in the first century was to confirm the truth of God’s Word (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4).  Miracles were never for physical gratification alone.  For example, Paul had the power to heal Trophimus, yet he left him in Miletus sick because miracles were not for physical gratification alone (2 Tim. 4:20).  The premiere passage that teaches miracles have ended is 1 Cor. 13:8-10.  Paul states, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”  In this passage Paul teaches prophecies, tongue-speaking, and miraculous knowledge will come to an end when that which is perfect comes.  We must determine what the “perfect” is.  The word for perfect in the original language carries the idea of complete or absolute.  In the Bible there are only four things that are perfect: God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.  Of these four perfect items, God (Mt. 1:21), Christ (Jn. 1:1-4) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4ff) have already come by the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.  The only thing left to come is the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25).  Therefore, Paul is saying that when the perfect law of liberty is completed (perfected) that which is partial (prophecy, tongue-speaking and miraculous knowledge) will end.  Dear friend, the Bible does not teach miracles still exist today. 

                  Also, it is evident if you look around honestly today that there are no genuine miracles happening today like they did in the New Testament.  These are the kinds of miracles we read of in the Bible: a man is raised from the dead (Jn. 11), a lame man walks instantaneously (Acts 3), blind people are given their sight immediately (Mk. 10:49-52), a man’s ear is attached back to his head automatically (Lk. 22:50-51).  If we are honest, we must admit these kinds of miracles are not happening today.  Now please don’t mistake a miracle for the Power of Prayer.  We believe God can heal people through prayer and providence (James 5:13-15).  In His time and way God will heal people, but people no longer have the power to do biblical miracles.  Why is it that not one miracle worker can go down to the cemetery today and raise a dead person?  Because that power no longer exists for us!

                  Like Herod, we live in a day and age when lots of people focus on the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit.   Would we not be better of spiritually by turning our attention to the product of the Holy Spirit—The Word of God (John 16:13) and letting it lead our lives.  Instead of getting worked up about miracles today, Christians need to be fired up for the Words of the Holy Spirit (Jer. 20:9). 

"Stop stealing from a thief!" - Joey Ferrell

What? Someone stealing from a thief? Well, sort of. But it may not be what you are thinking. This thief was not being robbed of valuables at gun point, pilfered through a bank account, or even burglarized at home…many people are still stealing from him, and its something that you might not be imagining just yet…keep reading.

Who is this thief - well, probably the most famous thief in the history of the world - the fella that hung next to Jesus on the cross on that dreaded day that my Lord was crucified.

Now that I have your attention, let’s take a minute to explore the thought of people stealing from this thief. Although his salvation can never be stolen, that is honestly what many people try to steal from him. The result - they steal not only the honor that he received of our Lord saying “today you will be with me in Paradise,” but also they try to steal the authority of Jesus, and possibly even the entire scheme of redemption from the thief…and you…and me!

Let’s explore a few thoughts.

• Premise one: This man has been said over and over to have not been baptized. That is a problem. It is a problem because not one person alive can prove that he was…or was not! Take a second to think about what he said to Jesus - “remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” What kingdom? This man is making a great confession here. One that many who try to steal this from him are not willing to make themselves. He is attesting that Jesus is definitely the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Daniel, and David. He knew that Jesus would be the head of a kingdom…not just any kingdom…but the one that was at hand!
  
  Where did he hear about this kingdom? Well, although there is no proof…could he have been on the scene of Matthew 3? Remember in Matthew 3 when Jesus was baptized? Matthew 3:1-3 tells us that John was baptizing in the wilderness, proclaiming that the “kingdom was at hand” and that the prophets had told of One that was coming to be in all power. Wonder if that thief was in that crowd? I do. I also wonder if maybe…just maybe…he could have been baptized under the baptism of John.

• Second premise: This man lived under the old covenant. His salvation was equal to the same salvation of Moses, Elijah, David, Joseph, John the immerser, and any other who lived prior to the death on the cross! Let that sink in a minute. Every person that had died righteous prior to Jesus’s blood being shed…received that same promise that the thief did that very day. That particular day, every righteous (obedient) person that had died even the day before or minutes before found themselves in Paradise with Jesus that very day. Every soul that had died outside of being obedient to God…well, they had that same day in the Hadean world, but it was not in Paradise. So, what if this man had been obedient in all things…yes, he was accused as a thief, or a rebel. What did he do? I am not sure. Historical accounts state that even slaves that may have committed a crime against their owner could be counted in this number. Maybe he was like Onesimus that we read about later in Colossians and Philemon. But, could he have kept all the statutes as best he could, made all the sacrifices required, possibly, as previously stated, been baptized for repentance…even of the very sins that he may have committed of that nailed him to the cross. Either way…he expressed his penitence on the cross that very day.

• Third premise: Why would someone doubt the deity of the Lord? John 1:1 says that the Word was in the beginning, with God and was God. The Word that became flesh in verse 14 is definitely Jesus as He is identified by John a little further in the text. So, if that be the case, then Jesus is God! I believe it. I suspect you do too. So why would anyone NOT believe that? Honestly, putting all other thoughts aside, this is the one that destroys any thought of the “non-baptism” of the thief and therefore a “loose step” in the plan of salvation including baptism for the remission of sins (c.f. Acts 2:38, 22:16, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, etc.) If Jesus is equal to God, then He had the authority to make people rise from death, walk from being lame, see from being blind...and be forgiven of sins! It is clearly an illogical argument when applying the weight of these truths to the question.

So….what about the thief on the cross? Well, what about him? He was in Paradise with Jesus on that very day because Jesus said he was. Nobody can ever argue that…and they usually will not, however, the claws of satan have reached out and caused confusion in this world through lies and deceit. No wonder it is said of the devil that he is the father of all lies! Look at how many souls he has captured in this treacherous lie!

Be patient with anyone that has this objection. They have most likely been taught to defend a handed down belief system that holds no weight in the totality of salvation. Jesus said it…that is what He meant. One MUST be baptized into His death for the forgiveness of sins in order to be saved! Don’t let your emotions get the best of you when in a discussion like this. Arguments can be won, but souls can be lost. Work to identify these three premises, or maybe you can even find others that identify that this idea and question is an illogical one and that as Jesus said “the truth shall make you free.”

At The Gospel of Christ, we have multiple videos, audio, and transcripts regarding the very important issue of salvation. If you or anyone you know needs or wants to study this through, please let us know how we can help!

In Love for Christ,

Joey

Miracles - A Study of the Supernatural - Amy Lawrence - Women's Studies

Women’s studies

Amy Lawrence

July 3, 2023

Miracles

A Study of The Supernatural

I stood on my front porch one evening during a thunderstorm and watched bolts of lightning, one after the other, strike at random. Just as I decided to go back inside, a bolt struck so close to my house that it nearly knocked me back, blinding me with light. I immediately thought to myself, “It’s a miracle that didn’t hit something!!!” I didn’t think anything of it until I saw a video on Facebook of a bolt of lightning striking a tree and causing it to explode. The tree stood by itself in an open field. I thought, “It’s a miracle that bolt of lightning hit the only tree in that field!” That’s when I decided to put Google to the test and see if I could learn something about lightning. As it turned out, everything I saw was absolutely natural and explainable by natural laws. That led to my investigation into miracles.

The first step to understanding the miraculous is to understand its source. When one does not have a healthy knowledge of God from the standard He has provided (scripture), then one cannot properly see the supernatural and how it is used in God’s dealings with mankind. Some dedicate themselves to learning and come to a knowledge of the truth through patience and understanding. This is a hurdle that the majority of people refuse to jump. They want to skip ahead and get to the part where the Almighty, Supernatural Being they know little about will grant them whatever they ask - whether it be proof by a sign (Mt. 12:38), deliverance (Mt. 27:42), or fulfillment of selfish desires (James 4:3). If the first step hasn’t been taken, your study into the miraculous needs to begin in a study of the Godhead. Once one understands the Godhead - three Beings completely united, each with their own responsibilities concerning mankind - one has the foundation upon which an understanding of the miraculous can stand. If one does not

understand this fundamental necessity, one cannot come to an accurate knowledge of the miraculous and therefore cannot know what a miracle is - and what it isn’t.

We all suffer the human condition; we limit our view within a box of what we can understand with our own senses and our own perception. Sometimes this is curable. Most times it is of epidemic proportions. It all depends upon the mind and how well-trained it is to see truth, Heb. 5:14.

The definition of miraculous, as described in scripture, is “an event in the external world brought about by the immediate agency or the simple volition of God, operating without the use of means capable of being discerned by the senses, and designed to authenticate the divine commission of a religious teacher and the truth of his message. It is an occurrence at once above nature and above man. It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind, a power interrupting the fixed laws which govern their movements, a supernatural power.” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) Many use the term “miracle” in the English language in a much broader sense than it is depicted in scripture. English speakers use this word to express amazement, awe, or to explain happenings we struggle to explain only by what we see on the surface. We often call the birth of a child or the spring season miraculous, but it doesn’t meet the criteria given by scripture of what constitutes a miracle. (Even the birth of Jesus of Nazareth was a natural birth, Lk. 2:6. It was His conception that was miraculous, Is. 7:14.) So this begs the question: we call so many things “miracles”…but are they? The only way to answer this question is to compare what we call miraculous today with what the Holy Spirit called miraculous in scripture.

The word “miracle” was Anglicized from the Latin words “mirus”, “mirari”, and “miraculum”, (“wonderful”, “to wonder”, “object of wonder”). The miraculous in scripture is not described in this singular sense. It is a multi-faceted concept. The original context of scripture uses “sign”, “work”, “mighty work”, and “wonder” as descriptive words of the varying aspects of the miraculous, each with it’s own properties. Let’s look at each one.

“Sign”

Old Testament: תוֹא - ‘ot

New Testement: σημεῖον - semeion

“Sign” is used both as an object or daily activity that has been acted upon by supernatural means to direct the audience toward God. The ten plagues of Egypt were signs, Ex. 10:1, Neh. 9:10. God gave Moses two signs to prove he was the messenger of God, Ex. 4:1-9, and one to Isaiah to prove that his message to Hezekiah was from God, 2 Kings 20:8-11. Jesus Himself was a sign, Lk. 2:12.

“Wonder”

Old Testament: תֵפוֹמ - mopheth

New Testament: τέρας - teras (from which we get our English word “terror”)

This word is often coupled with “sign”, Ex. 7:3, Deut. 13:1-2, Jn. 4:48, Heb. 2:4. It is defined as a special manifestation of God’s power as a supernatural activity and as something unusual that causes the beholder to marvel. As “sign” relates to the understanding, “wonder” relates to the imagination. “Signs and wonders” are used both in reference to God’s activity (Acts 7:36) as well as the work of Satan through human instruments (Mt. 24:24).

“Work”

Old Testament: הֶשֲׂעַמ - ma’aseh New Testament: ἔργον - ergon

This means exactly what it appears - any deed, action, duty, office, or charge of business. When used in reference to God’s works, it is something done outside of physical laws as proof of God and therefore miraculous, Josh. 24:31, Jn. 10:22-42.

“Mighty work”

Old Testament: הרָוּבְגּ - gbuwrah New Testament: δύναμις - dynamis

“Might” and “power” are the common translated words used through the Old and New Testaments for this aspect of the miraculous. The strength of God is unmistakeable. One cannot take something natural and confuse it with the might God puts into the miraculous, into the evidence that supersedes the natural, Deut. 3:24, Mark 6:2. If it is natural, it is therefore by default not miraculous.

Now that we’ve covered “what” a miracle is, it’s time to talk about “why”. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty right away. No human being living today has ever seen a bonafide miracle. Yes,

that’s a bold statement and one that is printed in full confidence of its truth. Let me point out three very important pillars of this truth.

#1: Miracles were not vague. In Acts 4, there is a debate among the rulers of the Jews concerning what they should do about Peter and John teaching Christ. The Jews’ attempts at stopping the teachings of Christ were being thwarted by what scripture called a “notable miracle” (γνωστὸν σημεῖον - gnoston semeion, “known sign”) that was seen by all who lived in Jerusalem, vs. 16. You will also see in that same verse that the miracle was undeniable, even by the men that “could say nothing against it”, vss. 13-14. No matter how badly they wanted to deny that it was indeed a miracle done by Peter and John in the name of Jesus, they couldn’t!

#2: Miracles had a purpose. John 11 records the death of Jesus’ close friend, Lazarus. Jesus did something in this chapter that his apostles found odd; he purposely let Lazarus die. Jesus loved this family dearly, vss. 3,5. So why, having the power to heal Lazarus of his sickness, would the Lord let his friend die? The answer is found in verses 4, 14-15, and 40. The purpose of miracles was to confirm the message of Christ, Heb. 2:1-4, Jn. 20:30-31.

#3: Miracles had a time limit. There is a lot to be said concerning this pillar, so please bear with me. I will be as succinct as possible.

Miracles were like postage stamps. They were necessary to deliver a message. Once that message was delivered, the delivery system was no longer necessary. The envelope and stamp could be discarded. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians draws this out in 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 13:

-The delivery system-

1 Corinthians 12 gives the list of nine miraculous categories and how unity is required in order to use them properly. Each miraculous category was a part of the whole. No category on its own accomplished complete delivery of the message. In order for the message to be both delivered and understood, the cooperation of all nine categories was required. Having this nugget of knowledge will make understanding 1 Cor. 13:9-10 a little easier. “In part” refers to each individual category. “Perfect” (this word means “whole” or “complete”) can refer to both the cooperation of all nine miraculous categories and complete delivery of the entire message.

-The delivered message-

1 Corinthians 13 is commonly known as the chapter of love (the glue required for successful unity), but what many do not know is that this chapter also gives the expiration date of miracles.

Verse 8 tells us that miraculous prophecies will fail, miraculous speaking in tongues will cease, and miraculous knowledge will vanish away. When? “When that which is perfect has come”, vs.

10. The message will be completely delivered, Jude 3, and the miracles that confirmed the message will no longer be necessary. One must also understand that miraculous gifts could only be imparted to another through the laying on of an apostle’s hands, Acts 8:14-18, 2 Tim. 1:6. Once death claimed all of the apostles, there was no more imparting of spiritual gifts. Once death claimed all upon whom these spiritual gifts had already been imparted, there were no more spiritual gifts…which is why, through the grace and providence of God, they recorded these truths in the written word, Jn. 20:30-31, Rom. 15:4, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

So…if God is capable of miraculously forcing everyone on the planet to know who He is and what He can do (Rom. 14:11-12), then why use something that seems prosaic to our human eyes to persuade us of the Truth? Why does He need to persuade us of anything He can simply force us to know? The answer is LOVE. Anyone who understands love knows that it is something that cannot be forced. God does not want what we are unwilling to give, Ex. 25:1-2. What He wants from us is our complete and undivided attention, Mt. 22:37, the kind of attention that can see Him without needing miracles, Jn. 20:29.

There will always be those that refuse to be convinced no matter how much evidence is presented. Judas was such a person. He was one of the Twelve, Mt. 26:47. He not only saw miracles, but performed miracles in the name of Christ, Mk. 6:7-13. Neither the message nor the Messenger could convince him. When the rich man begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers, Abraham’s answer rang all too true to this fact, Lk. 16:27-31.

The miracles in scripture were simply the bell that brought attention to the message Christ spoke and the signature of God that was attached. The Message has plenty of attention now.

According to Guinness World Records, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. In the 21st century, Bibles are printed at a rate of about 80 million per year. If you want to know the message that was formerly confirmed by signs, wonders, and mighty works, then pick up a copy of the Holy Scriptures and read. All the evidence you will need to see God is there in black and white and red, 1 Jn. 1:1-4.

"Where two or three are gathered...." - Joey Ferrell

Oftentimes, we hear this particular statement relating to assembling to worship together. Unfortunately, it has also been used to alleviate the idea that we need to worship TOGETHER as a group of like-minded individuals as the church. So…was Jesus wrong in stating this? Well, we must look at the context of the verse to see why it really doesn’t mean what some may think that it means! Study along…

““Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.””

(Matthew 18:15–20)

The context of the passage can be seen by backing up a few verses…as well as moving forward a few verses. Now don’t get me wrong…I am not stating that the idea that Jesus is not in the midst of us when we gather together with 2, 3, or 900 is not accurate. But, what I am saying is that sometimes, our society has used this verse to say that they can go to the lake on Sunday with their family to worship together, or substitute worship with a live-stream in the comforts of their own home instead of attending with the saints if unhindered in as such to keep them from being able to attend together. This is definitely NOT what Jesus is referring to here, as you can see.

In the Old Testament, any “charge” of wrong doing required two or three witnesses that agreed. (Deuteronomy 17; c.f 2 Corinthians 13:1). This was to ensure that the truth was told and that no false accusations would be made that resulted in punishment undeserved.

It is interesting that Jesus would use this in the form of discipline, as He has in Matthew 18, considering that when He is under trial in the days of the crucifixion, they were not able to establish the witness that was needed; yet, He still was wrongly accused and sentenced.

Matthew 18 is a prime example of how sometimes we can misunderstand scripture and we really need to establish the context prior to being “set” on a meaning. “Where two or three are gathered” lends more to the idea of discipline…than to assembly.

With these things said, the crux of this article is to encourage us all to remember what is said in Hebrews 10:24-25 specifically. We are told by the Hebrew writer that we should not forsake the assembly. What does that mean? Purposely missing an assembly would be forsaking. Not health reasons, not impairments that are otherwise impending travel, and so on, but purposed missing - “I don’t feel like going today; We have to go to a ballgame; We are on vacation…”. The list could go on.
To understand more about WHY this is important, make sure to keep the context of Hebrews 10:19-25 in mind. Jesus is the new Veil, He is the new and living way to enter “the temple,” He has sacrificed His blood so that we might be able to meet together…and finally, for the sake that is mentioned in verse 24…to lift one another up together!

Maybe some of us have lost sight of the importance of assembling together. Maybe we need to do more self-study into why we feel that it is okay to miss the assembly, or to watch on a computer screen/phone/tv when we are not hindered from attending in the body. Maybe we can all look at the context of Matthew 18 a little differently and realize how important it is to not only find the context, but also…another article would be needed, but to understand the concept of correction?

Let us think on these things, edify one another, praise God in the highest, and love Jesus like He loves us!

Joey

"Prophecy as proof of inspiration" - Ben Bailey

Prophecy As Proof of Inspiration

In our world, the Bible is often laughed at, mocked, and ridiculed. In our schools, children are taught that evolution is correct and Genesis 1:1 is only a myth. Even among many preachers, the validity and authenticity of the Bible is in doubt. However, the Bible claims that it is fully inspired. Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16). Peter also said, “No prophecy is of any private interpretation…but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:20-21). If a man says the Bible is not inspired, and God says it is, whom shall we believe? Can we trust the Bible? Can we prove that it is inspired? We must be able to prove the Bible is inspired to please God and to answer the critics (1 Thes. 5:21). I want to share with you one way we can know the Word of God is absolutely inspired.

Prophecy is undeniable proof the Word of God is Inspired. Prophecy is properly defined as the ability to predict a future event with exacting accuracy and minute detail so as to necessarily require divine guidance. The Bible is full of this kind of prophecy. Notice a few of these. (1). Jeremiah predicted that God’s people would go into a 70-year period of captivity by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 25:9-12, 29:10-11). This was fulfilled completely and is recorded in history and the Bible (2 Chron. 36:20-21). How did Jeremiah know who would do this and for how long it would be? The only answer is God told him. (2). Isaiah predicted that a virgin would give birth to a son and His name would be called Immanuel (Isa. 7:14). This prophecy was spoken 750 years before Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Immanuel (Matt. 1:21-23). But how was Isaiah able to look 750 years into the future and predict not only an event but an event that had never happened before? Because God told him this would happen. (3). The Psalmist predicted the Lord’s death with exacting detail. In Pslam 22, he predicted that He would be mocked (Ps. 22:6-8), his hands and feet would be pierced (Ps. 22:16), his clothes would be divided (Ps. 22:18), and he would become very thirsty (Ps. 22:15). As you read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, all of these events in Psalm 22 are recorded as happening. Again, how could the Psalmist have known 1000 years before the cross that Jesus would die this way? How could he tell such minute things as Jesus' hands and feet being pierced and His clothes being divided? The only logical answer is that God inspired him to say those things. Likewise, God inspired the New Testament writers to say exactly what He wanted to say. Truly, the Bible is God’s word. The Psalmist expressed it so beautifully when he said, “The entirety of Your word is truth” (Ps. 119:160). Let’s believe that the Bible is God’s word and that its message applies to us today.

"Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft..." - Joey Ferrell

In today’s society, we often hear things that are not customary to scripture. There is violence that is condoned, gender confusion, sexual deviation, dishonesty and this list could go on and on regarding the immorality of our world. But what about God’s people? Those whom have done what God has commanded to do…but, they take it upon themselves to make a decision or simply take the seat of God in judgment to say that “it is okay, God wants me happy?”

Well, God DOES want you happy…but He wants you happy in His ways, in life, and in eternity. More importantly than being happy in this life, He wants you RIGHT so that you may inherit the kingdom in eternity. Over and over, it never fails, this phrase comes up in discussion of subjects such as marriage, divorce and remarriage; negligence to the church assembly; and even drunkenness and “recreational” drug use. But, is there a standard that we must hold to?

Absolutely!

I want to take you to the thoughts that are outlined in 1 Samuel 15. You may recall that the people demanded a king instead of the way that God had chosen to rule His people. Even after warnings of what was to come, the people still wanted…and received a king. Saul was anointed by Samuel by the direction of God to be the first king. Oh boy….Saul didn’t really know what was in store…or did he?

Over time, there would come many decisions for Saul to make. One of these didn’t turn out so well. In 1 Samuel 15, God told Saul to utterly destroy the Amelekites for the pain and suffering they had caused to the children of Israel. Saul did not hesitate. He loaded up the armies, great in number, and he went to do just that…but…look what happened:

“But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.” (1 Samuel 15:9)

Saul made a very distinct and direct devastating choice. He chose to disobey God! God had told him to destroy all things…and to kill King Agag. Saul, Saul…oh the pain in that decision. God was not happy. Samuel goes on to tell Saul of God’s displeasure with him and it was severe. The consequences would be great.

Follow the dialogue of what happens when Saul disobeys God:

““I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night. So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal.” Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”” (1 Samuel 15:11–15)

Saul had “thought” it would be okay to do this thing. He “thought” he would please God and man at the same time. He “thought” that it would not matter…as long as they were all happy with their spoils and a substitute sacrifice to God.

The pain of the words of Samuel continue:

“Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak on.” So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel? Now the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the Lord?” And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.” (1 Samuel 15:16–20)

This wasn’t completely true though. And Samuel knew it, Saul knew it, but most importantly, God knew it. Saul did exactly what we might find happening in our society today in the next thing he says:

“But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”” (1 Samuel 15:21)

He blamed someone else! He blamed their motives! He did NOT accept responsibility as their King, nore his actions as King.

Samuel gave Saul the absolute best answer and advice:

“So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

We could certainly heed that statement as powerfully today as when it was said thousands of years ago. God sets the standards. God desires His people to be obedient. While He does require sacrifice in our own lives today - much different than the sacrifice of old - He wants us to obey what He says in all accounts.

Saul’s chastisement was rough. Look at what Samuel said:

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”” (1 Samuel 15:23)

Can you imagine how Saul must have felt? Well, we don’t have to use much imagination as the text goes on to reveal many things about Saul, his feelings about this situation, and how things ended for him. In the remainder of the chapter, Saul realizes his sin and the consequence that would be forthcoming. Samuel spells out how God was displeased with him and turns away from Saul in rejection…because God rejected him. Later on in the chapter, and in Chapter 16, we see that Saul was removed from the throne as King and replaced by a man after God’s own heart as he is called.

What is our application today?

• God wants obedience over happiness - but, with obedience should come happiness in pleasing God

• God rejects those who sin against Him

• God desires his people to separate from sinful things

• God expects disfellowship when those who are disobedient in sin continue in sin

• God expects repentance

• God’s people should mourn when there is “sin in the camp” no matter how close of family, friend, and so on that sin lives within.

• God loves you and wants you happy…with Him…in eternity.

Have you pained God with a desire for happiness? If so, friend, it is time to turn back to God and lament much like Saul did and worship God. Make that lifestyle or decision change to the betterment of your life to make God happy. In turn, your life can be blessed greatly in this life as it will be in eternity. Galatians 6 tells us that we are to bear one another’s burdens. If you are burdened with sin, there are those that are waiting to help! The decision to please God is ours.

The Folly of “Following Your Heart” - Chase Green

“It’s my life and I’ll do what I want!” Perhaps the tune reverberates through your mind as you recall the 1965 song recorded by the Animals, or several newer renditions covered by various bands. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the much newer “The Heart Wants What it Wants” by Selena Gomez? But do these hit singles really reflect the truth?

“Follow your heart.” “Let your conscience be your guide.” These overused Disneyesque clichés have become mainstay philosophy for much of the masses. But are these thoughts Biblical?

Let me start by saying that only if one guides his heart with the Bible do the statements “follow your heart” and “let your conscience be your guide” become acceptable. Again, that’s a tremendous qualifier to the statement – one must only follow his heart (or conscience) if his heart and conscience are properly trained by the Word of God. Ezra 7:10 says that Ezra “prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (emphasis mine throughout). First Timothy 1:5, 1:19, and 3:9 emphasize the importance of a “pure heart,” a “good conscience,” and “sincere faith.” First Timothy 4:2 says that the conscience can be “seared with a hot iron,” Titus 1:15 indicates that the conscience can be “defiled,” and Hebrews 9:14 tells us that the blood of Christ purges our consciences from dead works toward serving the living God.

To use the expression, none of this comes “through osmosis.” One must dedicate himself to diligent study of God’s Word in order to discover God’s eternal truths that, when applied, will make one accepted in God’s sight.

The fact of the matter is that most individual’s hearts, if followed, will lead them down the path of destruction. The Bible says in Prov. 4:23 that we are to keep our hearts with all diligence, because out of our hearts spring the issues of life. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 10:23 says, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

Even a cursory reading of the book of Jeremiah surely impresses upon the reader that the human heart, left to its own devices, only brings sin and sorrow. Proverbs 29:15 similarly shows that “a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Children must be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4) if they are to have hearts molded by Scripture.

While it is true that young people have free will, thus, the ability to choose their own path, it is also true that rearing children with knowledge of God’s will for their lives greatly increases the likelihood of spiritual success (Deut. 6:1-9; Prov. 22:6). The bottom line, though, is this – we must ensure that young people understand that “following your heart,” generally-speaking and without molding one’s heart by the Word of God, only leads to disaster because the human heart left to its own devices is desperately wicked. Who can know it?

Once Saved, Always Saved? - Ben Bailey

Once Saved Always Saved

Ben Bailey

One of the most destructive doctrines to the Bible and Christian character is the man-made teaching that once a person has been saved he can never loose his salvation.  This doctrine is destructive to the Bible because it twists the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16).  But, it is also destructive to Christian character because it provides a license for sin.  Does the Bible really teach that once a person is saved he can never again be lost?  Let us consider two passages of Scripture.

Galatians 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”   The teaching of Galatians 5:4 absolutely repudiates the idea of “Once Saved Always Saved.”  In the letter to the Galatians, Paul is writing to “the churches of Galatia” (Gal. 1:2), which represents all those who have already been saved.  This is very significant because some have tried to say that these people really weren’t saved in the first place.  By saying this, they are saying that Paul, an inspired man of God, didn’t really know who was and who wasn’t in the church.  Friend, Galatians 5:4 clearly teaches that some were at one point saved and in the church and then they later fell out of grace with God.  Others have objected to this verse by saying that these people had not fallen out of grace, they had merely fallen from within the center of God’s grace.  First, what difference is there?  Both are without God’s richest grace.  Secondly, the Greek Testament will not accept this rendering.  The literal word for fallen from is the Greek preposition that means “out of”.  Paul is not only saying they have just fallen from God’s grace, but that they have literally fallen out of the realm of God’s grace.  Friend, the Bible does not teach once saved always saved, it clearly refutes it!

Acts 8:20 “But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”  If Galatians 5:4 teaches by principle that the doctrine of once saved always saved is false, then Acts 8:20 teaches it is false by case example.  Here is a man who has been converted to the gospel by inspired teacher.  He then tries to buy the gift of miracles and is found in sin.  Then, Peter says to him “That’s okay you’re once saved always saved.”  NOT SO!  Peter told Simon that his money was would perish with him.  Peter told Simon he was about to perish spiritually.  Remember, here is a man who has just become a Christian and then Peter told him he was about to be lost.  There could be no more convincing example than this that a person can become a Christian and shortly after that be lost.  Friend, the Bible does not teach once saved always saved, it clearly refutes it!

Dear reader, please do not be deceived.  Once saved always saved is not taught at all in the Bible.  In fact, it is clearly refuted.   Please do not let yourself get caught in the modern teachings of men, but return to the Bible.

The doctrine of once saved, always saved teaches that a Christian can never so sin as to be completely lost for all eternity.  Regardless of how bad your sin is or how evil you act, you cannot be lost once you are saved.  No doubt, this is a very comforting teaching but it is not taught anywhere in the Bible.  In fact, it is explicitly condemned in Galatians 5:4.  Let us notice two other passages in the Bible that teach once saved always saved is not biblical.

1 Corinthians 10:12  “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  In this passage Paul clearly teaches that the Corinthian Christians could fall away from God.  Corinth was a very wicked city and the church was becoming wicked in some ways as well.  They had division, idolatry, immorality, adultery and other problems that were about to cause them to be lost.  However, some might object to this passage by saying “fall doesn’t mean to be lost forever.”  Let’s let the context determine the meaning.  Those whom Paul is speaking about were involved in the following sins: lust, sexual immorality, idolatry, tempting Christ, and complaining (1 Cor. 10:1-11).  Can anyone with these sins in their life go to Heaven?  No!  In fact, the context defines  “fall” as “being destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:10).  When Paul says fall he means to be lost for all eternity from God. Truly, these Christians were about to be destroyed spiritually by God and so can we if we are not careful.

2 Peter 1:10  “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall.”  Once again, Peter tells Christians they can so sin as to be lost.  Why must a Christian make sure he stays saved if he can never be lost to begin with?  Once saved always saved is in total contradiction with this passage of Scripture.  There is no need to make sure if you are eternally secure.  But, someone might object by saying “These people were never saved in the first place.”  Are we willing to say Peter didn’t know who his “brothers” (2 Pet 1:10) were?  Peter knew who was and wasn’t a child of God and he also knew that they could be lost if they were not careful.  Truly, this passage teaches that the possibility exists for Christians to be lost and fall from grace.

After considering these passages, as well as last week’s, one wonders why those who claim to believe the whole Bible teach this doctrine.  Could it be because of the comfort it brings?  Possibly, but it is a pseudo-comfort.  Could it be because it is what we have always heard?  Very likely, but we will not be judged by what we have heard but by God’s Word (Jn. 12:48).  Could it be because we have not studied the Bible to find the truth?  Yes!  It is time for all of us to go back to the Bible and find the truth instead of letting our denominational party tell us what to believe.    

In the Bible, there are clear-cut passages that teach a Christian can so sin as to be eternally lost (See Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet 1:10, 1 Cor. 10:12, Acts 8:20).  However, some have tried to distort certain passages to make them teach once saved always.  Let us take a moment to examine a few of these distorted passages.

1 John 3:9  “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”  To the destruction of John’s overall message, some have tried to make this teach that a person cannot sin after he has become a child of God.  First, this is in direct contradiction with what John has already said.  In 1 John 1:8, John tells Christians “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  Also, in 1 John 2:1-2 John tells Christians that when they do sin they have an advocate for their sin Jesus Christ.  In these passages it is evident John realized Christians would sin and would need help with their sin.  What is 1 Jn. 3:9 trying to teach?  John is teaching that a Christian cannot stay saved and continue in sin.  The Greek word for sin is continual in its action.  All Greek scholars and lexicons agree that John is saying a Christian cannot continue in sin and be pleasing to God.  John is not envisioning a one-time act, but a continual lifestyle of sin.  The NIV translates 1 Jn 3:9 accurately by saying “No one who is born of God will continue to sin…he cannot go on sinning.”  Isn’t it interesting that the verse that some have used to prove once saved, always saved actually teaches a Christian can be lost.  John is teaching that a Christian cannot continue in sin and still be pleasing in God’s sight.  But, a Christian can sin and a Christian can fall away.  

In writing articles of this nature, some might think my purpose is to make fun of or anger other religious groups.  Dear reader, that is not at all my purpose.  In fact, while I write the truth of these articles with confidence in the Bible’s teaching, I also write with a love for your soul.  If it were the case that this doctrine is not true and I never said anything about it, would I really love you?  No!  Please understand that I am always open to reader questions and comments.  If you have a question or comment about what I say, please write to me at 607 McLish Ave., Ardmore, OK 73401.  And, stay tuned next week as I answer two more alleged proof text for this doctrine.

A denominational preacher in Louisville, KY has made this statement concerning once saved always saved. "If I killed my wife and mother and debauched a thousand women I couldn't go to hell--in fact, I couldn't go to hell if I wanted to."  While many who hold to this teaching would not take it this far, this has to be the logical conclusion of once saved always saved.  No matter what you do, or how bad you live, you cannot go to Hell even if you want to!  Let us examine another passage that some believe teach once saved always saved.

John 6:37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”  Some claim this passage teaches that once you are in Christ, you can never leave Him.  In context, this is not at all what Jesus is teaching.  Jesus is teaching the exact opposite of that.  Jesus is saying that nothing can remove him from you, not you from Him.  This is very, very important to recognize.     Jesus is teaching us that nothing externally (world, devil, persecution, etc,.) can take you out of his care and protection.  But, you can get up and remove yourself out of Christ’s love by living a life of sin.  Nothing can force you to leave Christ, but you can freely choose to leave Him and be lost.  Jesus clarified this idea in John 10:2 by saying “…no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”   Those who believe John 6:37 teaches eternal security must believe that we are mere robots and drones.  If nothing can remove us from eternal life, not even our own decisions to leave, then we do not have a free will.  The Bible teaches that we do have the free will to choose (Josh. 24:15).  Dear reader, John 6:37 teaches that Jesus does not want you to be lost and has done all He can to protect you, but you can turn you back on His protection and be lost.  

The Bible does not teach a person can never be lost once he is saved.  In fact, the Prodigal Son is a perfect example of a son who left the Father and was dead and lost (Lk. 15:24). The younger son chooses to leave the safety of his father’s house to lead a life of sin and waste. To return to the father, the son must make a decision to repent and turn back to his father. While the son is leading an ungodly life, he is considered lost by his father. The application for us is that once we are Christians we can choose to leave the security of the house of God and be lost to our heavenly Father.     

Are the Titles ‘Pastor’ or ‘Priest’ Biblical? - Ben Bailey

Often we hear religious leaders referred to as “pastor” or “priest”.  Are these biblical names that should be applied to the religious leader today?  Is it right for a man to wear these names?  Let’s examine what God has to say on the matter.

Should a religious leader be referred to as “Pastor”?  In the New Testament, the word pastor is used exclusively of the work and office of an elder.  For example, the word for pastor/shepherd is found in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2-4.  In both cases, it is used to describe the work and office of overseers.  The New Testament church did not have a single “pastor” because it is not authorized in the Bible.  In every case where shepherds or pastors are spoken of it is always a plurality of men (1 Peter 5:1; Acts 20:17).  In the New Testament, there is not one case of a single “pastor” ruling the church.  In fact, the one case we have of a man trying to rule the church by himself is condemned by God (see 2 John 9-10).  A common misconception many have is the preacher is the pastor.  Dear friend, this is not a biblical concept.  Nowhere in the Bible will you find the preacher referred to as the pastor.  In fact, most of them could not be a pastor because they do not meet the qualifications for a pastor/elder found in 1 Timothy 3.  The churches of Christ do not have a head pastor because it is not authorized in the Bible (Col. 3:17).  However, we do have pastors or elders as used in the biblical sense of men shepherding the church of God (Acts 20:28).

Should any religious leader wear the title of “Priest” or “Father”?  In the New Testament, Jesus is our High Priest who made one sacrifice forever for sins (Heb. 3:1; 8:1; 10:12).  The purpose of the priest under the Law of Moses was to make sacrifices to God for the people’s sins (Lev. 1-5).  However, the New Testament teaches that we are no longer under the Old Law (Col. 2:14).  Jesus Christ, as our High Priest, offered himself to God as sacrifice (Heb. 9:14).  Churches of Christ do have a High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself.  Since Jesus is our High Priest, and He has made one sacrifice for sins forever, why do some denominations still have men as priests?  Where is the biblical authority for having priests?  There is none.  In fact, the Scripture says, “Call no man father” (Mt. 23:9).  

These clear teachings of Scripture illustrate for us the need to go back to the Bible and study the Scriptures.  It teaches us that we must not believe what we have always heard.  Instead, we must search the Scriptures for ourselves.                     --Ben Bailey

Preach the Word! - Ben Bailey

 The messianic prophet Zechariah illustrated the urgency of preaching God’s Word when he said, “Run, speak to this young man…” (Zechariah 2:4).  Just as in the Old Testament days, an interesting parallel is found in the urging of Phillip to teach the Ethiopian Eunuch.  The Scripture records that Phillip “ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’” (Acts 8:30).  Both of these verses illustrate the urgent need for men and women to hear the powerful Word of God.  Since God chose the foolishness of preaching to save the lost (1 Corinthians 1:21), this places a dire need upon God’s people to preach and teach only God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 8:3-4).  What then does it mean to really teach God’s Word?

Let the Lion Roar!  The bold prophet Amos recorded, “A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8)  If you have ever been to the zoo, you can relate to this passage.  Think back to the last time you were at the zoo, and you heard a lion roar.  No matter where you are, the lion roaring is a sound that strikes attention in your heart and a healthy fear for such an awesome beast.  Like the lion roaring, God’s Word should cause us to sit up and listen very carefully.  To the seven churches of Asia, Jesus said, “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says” (Revelation 2:7; 1 Timothy 4:1).  God’s people are encouraged to: “take heed what you hear” (Matthew 4:24; Hebrews 2:1); “take heed how you hear” (Luke 8:18); and God said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5).  When God’s Word is preached, like the roaring of a lion, we need to have an attentive heart and a healthy respect for its awesome power.

God’s Word in Your Mouth.  To the young and insecure prophet Jeremiah, God said, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9).  The problem with much of the preaching today is that it is backward from what God told Jeremiah.  A lot of today’s preaching is simply man’s word in man’s mouth.  Sadly, that’s not what God commanded nor will it save lost souls (Hebrews 4:12).  Throughout Scripture we find the need to preach God’s Word reinforced.  Paul told Timothy to “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2).  Peter instructed Christians to “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11).  After being spit out on the beach by a large fish near Nineveh, God told the reluctant prophet Jonah, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." (Jonah 3:2).  The need for preaching what God tells us is directly related to the power of God’s Word to save.  If the implanted word saves (James 1:21); and the gospel is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16); and God chose the foolishness of preaching to save (1 Corinthians 1:21), then we desperately need to let our mouth be the tool for God’s Word to echo forth to the masses (Jeremiah 22:29).  

Not Public Enemy #1.  When men of God boldly preach the whole counsel of God which reaches down inside of us and urges us to change our lives - even if we don’t like it, God’s preachers are not our enemy!  After sharply rebuking the Galatian Christians in many areas, Paul asked this question: “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).  Maybe you’ve heard the expression, don’t kill the messenger if you don’t like the message.  How true that is as it relates to preaching God’s word.  Have you ever sat in a sermon that made you feel uncomfortable, caused you to squirm a little in your seat, and really reached down inside you and challenged you to change your spirit in areas you knew needed changing?  How do we respond to that awkward and uncomfortable feeling that true Gospel preaching creates?  Either we accept truth and change, or we can get mad at the messenger as a way to avoid doing what we know is right.  Too many times the latter occurred in Scripture.  Why do you think King Ahab said to Elijah, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel”? (1 Kings 18:17). Why was Jeremiah thrown in the dungeon (Jeremiah 20)?  Why were the Jews so indignant at Jesus that they cried, “Crucify Him?” (John 19:6).  Why was Paul imprisoned?  Why was John exiled to Patmos?  All of these are examples of persecuting the messenger as a way of avoiding the changes that God’s Word demands.  When God’s Word demands change, you (and I) need to “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

While Jesus used practical illustrations to help people understand the truth (Mark 4:34), too much of today’s preaching is filled with silly anecdotes, funny stories, and cute illustrations that never really get to the heart of the matter—helping men and women to change their will to God’s will (Acts 3:19).  In a day and age where there is a famine for Bible preaching (Amos 8:11-12), may each Christian be encouraged to boldly proclaim, “Thus saith the Lord!” (Zechariah 1:3). In seeking and saving lost souls, let’s listen when the lion roars, use our mouths as a tool to let God’s word echo forth, and make changes in our lives when Gospel preaching demands it!   --Ben Bailey

"Does it Really Matter?" - Ben Bailey

 The question, “Does it really matter?” is becoming the motto for our modern society.  We used to have moral beliefs, but “Does it really matter anymore?”  At one-time people had a strong conviction about ungodliness and sin but, “Does it really matter that much?”  In the past, we had faith in the Bible and its teaching but, “Does the Bible really matter anymore?”   To God, IT REALLY DOES MATTER A LOT!  Notice several areas in which it does matter.

            Does it matter if I believe in God or Evolution?  Yes!  The downward spiral that society is facing is due in large to the effects of evolutionary thinking.  For example, the increasing suicide rate is a direct result of evolution.  If there is no God and life ends at death, then why not end your life if you are not happy with it.  In addition, the current rise of sexual immorality is a direct result of evolution.  If there are no standards for marriage (Gen. 2:18-24), then I can marry or live-with whoever I want for however long I want and there are no repercussions to this lifestyle.  Friend, can you not see that it really does matter that there is a God?

            Does it matter what church I am a part of?  Our society tells us to choose the church of our choice and God will be happy with that.  Is this biblical thinking?  No.  The bible teaches that Jesus only built one church (Eph. 1:21-23; Eph. 4:4).  That one church must call itself by a biblical name (Romans 16:16).  When Jesus spoke about the church, He called it His church (Matt. 16:13-18).  Therefore, we also should call the church Jesus purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), the church of Christ.  The Bible teaches that Jesus will deliver a singular “kingdom” or church back to the father at the end of time (1 Cor. 15:24).  If you are not a part of the church that Jesus built, then it really will matter!

            Does it really matter if I am baptized for the remission of my sin?  Many are teaching today that all a person must do to be saved is believe in Jesus and say the sinner’s prayer and you will be saved.  Is this really what the Bible teaches?  No.  In fact, the Bible teaches the exact opposite of this belief.  James said, “You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”  I often hear people ask the question, “Is baptism really that important?”  Let’s let the Bible answer that question for us.  Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved…”  (Mk. 16:16).  Peter proclaimed, “Repent and be baptized every one of you for the remission of your sins…” (Acts 2:38).  Jesus also said, “Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven” (Jn. 3:3-5).  Ananias told Paul, “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the Lord’s name” (Acts 22:16).  Friend, from these passages baptism for the remission of sins really does matter to God.  

            If you are swayed by the popular philosophy that it really does not matter, please come back to the Bible, and see that it does.  It matters what you believe and how you live your life to God.  It also matters what church you are a part of and how you became a Christian.  John sums it up by saying, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.  He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).  Friend, it really does matter to God!                                                                                  --Ben Bailey

Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #4 - The Mennonite Religion

1. Introduction
   1. When did this denomination start? 1525
   2. Where did it start? Zurich, Switzerland

   3. What is a Mennonite? The official statement of the Mennonite Church (USA) is:

      Mennonites are a Christian faith group that began in the 16th century. Currently there are over one million members world-wide. Mennonite beliefs and practices vary widely, but following Jesus in daily life is a central value, along with peacemaking. Menno Simons was an early prominent leader and eventually the group became known as “Mennonites” because of his name.1

      There are about 1.7 million Mennonites worldwide (as of 2012).2

   4. Who founded this religion, and where did the name “Mennonite” originate? The most widely recognized founder was a Catholic priest by the name of Menno Simons who left Catholicism and began the Mennonite religion; as stated in the above point, they officially state that the name “Mennonite” comes from Menno Simons.3
   5. Who is the head of the Mennonite religion? Jesus is claimed as the Head of the Mennonite church. However, there are large numbers of conferences that take place in the Mennonite church (see the next outline point).
   6. What is their authority? The Bible – and what is voted on at the various conferences.
   7. Are the Mennonite and Amish religions different branches of the same belief? Yes. Both came from the Anabaptist radical reformation in the 16th century.
2. Mennonite Doctrines Examined
   1. Concerning salvation:
      1. The Mennonite Confession of Faith states, "We receive God’s salvation when we repent of sin and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord."4 The Confession of Faith further states, "Our response includes yielding to God’s grace, placing full trust in God alone, repenting of sin, turning from evil, joining the fellowship of the redeemed, and showing forth the obedience of faith in word and deed."5
      2. The Scriptures teach that belief and repentance must be combined with confession and baptism in order to receive salvation (Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 13:3; John 8:24; Acts 2: 38). Why, according to Mennonite doctrine, are belief and repentance necessary, but confession and baptism are not?
   2. Concerning baptism:
      1. The Mennonite church proclaims, "We believe that the baptism of believers with water is a sign of their cleansing from sin. Baptism by water is a sign that a person has repented, received forgiveness, renounced evil, and died to sin, through the grace of God in Christ Jesus."6
      2. Jesus and His apostles taught that baptism was for the forgiveness of one’s sins and that it was performed prior to salvation (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:27).
   3. The frequency of the Lord’s Supper is left up to each congregation’s discretion.

      1. The Mennonite Conference statement says:

         The practice of the early church was to celebrate the Lord’s Supper frequently, every Lord’s day or even daily (Acts 2:46). The Anabaptists in the sixteenth century also shared the Lord’s Supper often as a sign of their renewed covenant with God and each other. Our churches are encouraged to celebrate the Lord’s Supper frequently, so that they may participate in the rich meanings of this event for the worship and life of the church.7

      2. Do the Scriptures authorize our taking the Lord’s Supper daily (Acts 2:46)? No, they do not. The New Testament authorizes the Lord’s Supper to be taken only on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Exodus 20:8).
   4. Many Mennonite congregations practice foot washing on a congregational level.
      1. The Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective says, "Congregations are encouraged to practice foot washing when it is a meaningful symbol of service and love for each other. "Washing the feet of the saints" (1 Timothy 5:10) is one way of representing Christ to each other in acts of hospitality, service, and love."8
      2. Is foot washing sinful? No. Yet, in the New Testament, it was practiced on an individual (not congregational) level as an act of humility toward one’s fellow man (John 13:1-30).

Study Questions

1. Compare the origin, date, place, and founder of this denomination with the New Testament blueprint. Does this denomination’s blueprint match that of the New Testament?
2. Whose name does the Mennonite church carry? Is this biblical? What passages clearly condemn the practice of naming the church after another man?
3. The Mennonite Confession of Faith states that a person can be saved when he repents of sin and accepts Jesus as Lord. What passages prove this is not all you have to do to be saved?
4. Mennonites believe that baptism is only a sign of one’s faith and cleansing from sin. List and discuss passages that prove this doctrine false.
5. Do you find it odd that the Mennonites left the Catholic church as “rebaptizers” yet they don’t even believe baptism is essential to salvation? Isn’t there a contradiction in this thinking somewhere?
6. Does the statement, "The practice of the early church was to celebrate the Lord’s Supper frequently, every Lord’s day," not tell us something about their view of Bible Authority? How can one make a statement like this and not follow through with the implications of that statement?
7. What passages and principles teach the Lord’s Supper is to be observed on every first day of the week?
8. Is foot washing an act of worship? If not an act of worship, what was the purpose of foot washing? What would be wrong with having foot washing in worship today?
9. In the New Testament, was foot washing an individual or congregational activity?

References

1. Online: (http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/who-are-the-mennonites/), retrieved Tuesday, March 25, 2014 .
2. Online: (http://www.mwc-cmm.org/article/world-directory), retrieved Tuesday, March 25, 2014 .
3. Hugo McCord, What About the Mennonite Church?, Haun Publishing Company, Pasadena, TX.
4. Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, 1995, Online: (http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/1995/1995-8.html). 
5. Ibid.
6. Mennonite Confession of Faith, Article 11.
7. Online: (http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/1995/1995-12.html), Commentary note 4.
8. Online: (http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/1995/1995-13.html), Commentary note 3.

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Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #2 - The Greek Orthodox Religion

1. Introduction
   1. The Greek Orthodox religion claims 5 million adherents in the United States.
   2. Orthodoxy represents a split among differing Catholic thinkers.
2. History of the Greek Orthodox Religion

   1. How did Orthodoxy begin? It began as a schism when Catholicism of the east and Catholicism of the west clashed. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America cites the following facts as contributing to the beginning of Orthodoxy:

      The West was concerned with the Passion of Christ and the sin of man, the East emphasized the Resurrection of Christ and the deification of man. While the West leaned toward a legalistic view of religion, the East espoused a more mystical theology. Since the Early Church was not monolithic, the two great traditions existed together for more than a thousand years until the Great Schism divided the Church. Today, Roman Catholics and Protestants are heirs to the Western tradition, and the Orthodox are heirs to the Eastern tradition.1

   2. When did Orthodoxy begin? On July 16, 1054 , Cardinal Humbert, the head of a papal delegation, sent excommunication of Cerularius for the removal of the filioque2 from the Creed; the practice of married clergy; and liturgical errors. The date of 1054 is the traditional date marking the beginning of the schism and the excommunication of Patriarch Michael Cerularius by papal legates.
   3. Where did the Orthodox religion begin? Constantinople.
   4. Where is the headquarters of the Orthodox religion? There is none.
   5. Who is the head of the Orthodox religion? Orthodoxy says, "Each Church is led by a synod of bishops. The president of the synod is known as the Patriarch, Archbishop, Metropolitan, or Catholicos. Among the various bishops, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is accorded a "place of honor," and is regarded as "first among equals.""3
   6. What is their authority? The Orthodox Church has two sources of authority: Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition. Orthodoxy defines tradition as follows: "Holy Tradition, of which Holy Scripture is a part, includes the writings, teachings, Acts of the Apostles, saints, martyrs, and fathers of the Church, and her liturgical and sacramental traditions throughout the ages, the oral tradition of the early Church and the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils."4
3. Scriptural Reasons Why I Cannot be a Part of Orthodoxy
   1. I cannot be a part of Orthodoxy because the Bible is not their only guide (Colossians 3:17; 2 Peter 1:3; Matthew 28:18). The Orthodox Church lists these nine sources as authoritative: Revelation, Tradition, Bible, The Liturgy, The Councils, The Fathers, The Saints, Canons, and Church Art.5

   2. Their belief in tradition is in conflict with what Jesus taught about manmade doctrine (Matthew 15:79; Revelation 22:1819; 1 Corinthians 4:6). The Orthodox religion claims:

      Holy Tradition is, therefore, that which is passed on and given over within the Church from the time of Christ’s apostles right down to the present day. … Holy tradition is … the total life and experience of the entire Church transferred from place to place and from generation to generation. Tradition is the very life of the Church itself as it is inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.6

   3. The Orthodox religion puts trusts in the councils of men instead of the counsels of God (2 Timothy 3:1617; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Proverbs 28:26). Concerning this, those in Orthodoxy state:

      The dogmatic definitions [dogma refers to "official teachings"] and the canon laws of the ecumenical councils are understood to be inspired by God and to be expressive of His will for men. Thus, they are essential sources of Orthodox Christian doctrine.

      Seven councils are the most revered today. They are as follows:

      CouncilYearDoctrinal Result

      Nicea I325Formulated the First Part of the Creed, defining the divinity of the Son of God

      Constantinople I381Formulated the Second Part of the Creed, defining the divinity of the Holy Spirit

      Ephesus431Defined Christ as the Incarnate Word of God and Mary as theotokos

      Chalcedon451Defined Christ as Perfect God and Perfect Man in One Person

      Constantinople II553Reconfirmed the Doctrines of the Trinity and of Christ

      Constantinople III680Affirmed the true humanity of Jesus by insisting upon the reality of His human will and action

      Nicea II787Affirmed the propriety of icons as genuine expressions of the Christian Faith

   4. I cannot be a part of the Orthodox religion because of the religion’s exaltation of certain “saints.” Concerning these saints, those in Orthodoxy state, "The point has been rightly made that men can learn almost as much about the real meaning of Christianity from the legends of the saints produced within the tradition of the Church as from the authentic lives themselves."7 Jesus clearly taught that we are not to inappropriately honor or worship other humans (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21ff.). [Question: What is the difference between the "legends" of the saints and their actual lives?]
   5. Orthodoxy is not a part of New Testament Christianity because of its icons, which are in essence idols. Concerning these icons, the Orthodox Church says, "The icon is Orthodoxy’s highest artistic achievement. It is a gospel proclamation, a doctrinal teaching and a spiritual inspiration in colors and lines."8 Much is said in the Bible about the worship of images (1 Corinthians 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 John 5:21). [Question: How is an icon like an idol?]
   6. Orthodox beliefs of theistic evolution are not in line with the biblical view of Creation. Concerning their belief in theistic evolution, those in Orthodoxy state, "God, however, did not create everything individually and all at once, so to speak. He created the first foundations of existence, and then over periods of time (perhaps millions of years, see 2 Peter 3:8)."9 The doctrine of seven literal days of creation, however, is clearly seen in the "morning and evening" language of Genesis 1 and Exodus 20:11. [Question: What is wrong with believing that God used evolution to create the world?]
   7. I cannot be a part of the Orthodox religion because of Orthodoxy’s belief in original sin (Matthew 18:15; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Ezekiel 28:15).

   8. Orthodoxy cannot be a part of New Testament Christianity because of its emphasis upon the “church building” as a fundamental part of the religious experience:

      The church building is patterned after the image of God’s Kingdom in the Book of Revelation. Before us is the altar table on which Christ is enthroned, both as the Word of God in the Gospels and as the Lamb of God in the eucharistic sacrifice. Around the table are the angels and saints, the servants of the Word and the Lamb who glorify him – and through him, God the Father – in the perpetual adoration inspired by the Holy Spirit. The faithful Christians on earth who already belong to that holy assembly – " … fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God … " (Ephesians 2:19) – enter into the eternal worship of God’s Kingdom in the Church. Thus, in Orthodox practice the vestibule symbolizes this world. The nave is the place of the Church understood as the assembly and people of God. The altar area, called the sanctuary or the holy place, stands for the Kingdom of God.10

Study Questions

1. What factor(s) led to the formation of the Greek Orthodox denomination?
2. When did this denomination begin? Who founded it? Where was it founded? Is all of this in accord with the beginning of the New Testament church?
3. What is wrong with this group’s sources of authority?
4. Do the Scriptures teach that the definitions and canon laws of ecumenical councils are inspired by God? Why would someone make this kind of statement?
5. What is wrong with tradition being the life of the church?
6. Can men learn as much from the "legends" of the saints as they can from the "lives" of the saints? What does the term legends imply?
7. Is there anything wrong with having an icon? Discuss how this relates to people wearing crosses or having angel figurines in their houses.
8. What does the Greek Orthodox denomination believe about creation? Do the Scriptures teach theistic evolution?
9. Discuss Ezekiel 28:18 and original sin.
10. Is a “church building” essential to New Testament Christianity? Is it sinful? At what point does it cross the line between expedient and sin?

References

1. Online: (http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7052), retrieved on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 .
2. The filioque is a heavily disputed part of the Nicene Creed that forms a divisive difference in particular between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. In the Orthodox tradition, the line in question reads, "We believe in the Holy Spirit … who proceeds from the Father," while in the Catholic tradition it reads, "We believe in the Holy Spirit … who proceeds from the Father and the Son." It is most often referred to as simply "filioque" or "the filioque."
3. Online: (http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7052), retrieved on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 .
4. Online: (http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith8032), retrieved on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 .
5. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Volume 1 (Doctrine), Online: (http://www.oca.org/OCIndex-TOC.asp?SID=2&book=Doctrine&section=Sources%20of%20Christian%20Doctrine).
6. Online: (http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=2), retrieved on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 .
7. Online: (http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=7), retrieved on February 08, 2006 .
8. Online: (http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=9), retrieved on February 08, 2006 .
9. Online: (http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=13), retrieved on February 08, 2006 .
10. Online: (http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=43), retrieved on February 08, 2006 .

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Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #13 - The Nazarene Religion

1. History of the Nazarene Denomination
   1. When did the denomination start? October 1895 
   2. Where did this movement start? Los Angeles, California

   3. How did this movement start? The Nazarene religion began as a means of helping the poor and needy.

      In October 1895 , Phineas F. Bresee, D.D., and Joseph P. Widney, M.D., with about 100 others … organized the Church of the Nazarene at Los Angeles. They believed … that their expenditures of time and money should be given to Christlike ministries for the salvation of souls and the relief of the needy. They organized the church accordingly. They adopted general rules, a statement of belief, a polity based on a limited superintendency, procedures for the consecration of deaconesses and the ordination of elders, and a ritual. These were published as a Manual beginning in 1898 . …

      The Year of Uniting: 1907 – 1908 . The Association of Pentecostal Churches of America, the Church of the Nazarene, and the Holiness Church of Christ were brought into association with one another by C. W. Ruth, assistant general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, who had extensive friendships throughout the Wesleyan-holiness movement. Delegates of the Association of Pentecostal Churches of America and the Church of the Nazarene convened in general assembly at Chicago, from October 10 to 17, 1907 . … Further, the General Assembly adopted a name for the united body drawn from both organizations: The Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene. …

      The second General Assembly of the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene met in a joint session with the General Council of the Holiness Church of Christ from October 8 to 14, 1908 , at Pilot Point, Texas. The year of uniting ended on Tuesday morning, October 13 , when R. B. Mitchum moved and C. W. Ruth seconded the proposition: "That the union of the two churches be now consummated." At 10:40 a.m. , amid great enthusiasm, the motion to unite was adopted by a unanimous rising vote.

      Denominational Change of Name. The General Assembly of 1919 , in response to memorials from 35 district assemblies, officially changed the name of the organization to Church of the Nazarene because of new meanings that had become associated with the term "Pentecostal."

      … After 1908 various other bodies united with the Church of the Nazarene.1

   4. Who founded the Nazarite religion? Phineas F. Bresee. He founded this movement with its motto being "Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings, but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and wipe away the tears of sorrowing, and gather jewels for His diadem."2
   5. Who is the head of the Nazarene denomination? While no one person is considered to be the head, the Nazarene movement recognizes the need for a “head” when they say, "We are agreed on the necessity of a superintendency that shall complement and assist the local church in the fulfilling of its mission and objectives. The superintendency shall build morale, provide motivation, supply management and method assistance, and organize and encourage organization of new churches and missions everywhere."3 This “superintendency” is visible in the form of a General Assembly conference and preamble. The current General Superintendent is Paul Cunningham.
   6. What is their Authority? The Bible and the Church of the Nazarene Manual, including their 16 Articles of Faith.
2. Nazarene Doctrines Examined Scripturally
   1. Divine Healing
      1. One of the major doctrines of the Nazarene movement is divine healing. Concerning this belief, the Church of the Nazarene Manual says, "We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our people [to seek](sic) to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical science."4
      2. The idea of "divine healing" is not a twenty-first-century phenomenon. It is something that occurred in the first century for a specific purpose and with a specific end in sight (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3-4; Acts 8:18; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; James 1:25; Zechariah 13:2).
   2. Baptism

      1. The Nazarene denomination differs greatly from Scripture on baptism. Nazarenes state:

         Baptism being a symbol of the new covenant, young children may be baptized, upon request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them of necessary Christian training.

         Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant.5

      2. The Scriptures do not teach that young children need to be (or can be) baptized (Isaiah 7:16; Matthew 18:3; John 8:24: Romans 7:1-4; Luke 13:3). Also, the mode of baptism in Scripture is performed only by immersion (Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23; Acts 8:37ff; Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 2:12).
   3. Justification, Salvation
      1. The Nazarene denomination says: "We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God, and are obtained upon the condition of faith, preceded by repentance."6
      2. While faith and repentance are necessary, they alone will not save (James 2:24; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 18:8).
   4. Women Preachers/Leaders

      1. The Nazarene Church Manual says:

         The Church of the Nazarene supports the right of women to use their God-given spiritual gifts within the church and affirms the historic right of women to be elected and appointed to places of leadership within the Church of the Nazarene, including the offices of both elder and deacon.7

      2. It is clear from Scripture that women are not to be placed in leadership positions (1 Timothy 2:8-11; 1 Corinthians 14:34ff; 1 Corinthians 11:1ff).
   5. Religious Name
      1. The Nazarene religion affirms that the name "Nazarene" is approved by God in Acts 24:5.
      2. Question: Is the name "Nazarene" approved by God for followers of Christ? Or, was this name given as a term of derision by the enemies of Christ?

Study Questions

1. What is wrong with October 1895 ; Los Angeles, CA; Phineas F. Bresee; and Paul Cunningham?
2. The Nazarene denomination is a culmination of bits and pieces of four religious organizations. List those denominations and explain how each group contributed.
3. Is a desire to feed the hungry and clothe the poor a reason to start a religious movement? Or, should that duty be performed within the body of Christ? (See Acts 6.)
4. What is implied by the term Superintendency? What is wrong with having a General Assembly?
5. Explain why it is wrong to have the Bible and a church manual. Support from Scripture.
6. Are divine healing and the prayer of faith the same type of healing? Divine healing may solicit prayer, but does the prayer of faith ask/solicit divine healing? See James 5:13.
7. What would you do if a family responded to the invitation and wanted to have their two-year-old child baptized?
8. What does it mean to allow women to use their spiritual gifts in the church? Do we do that today? Are we inhibiting women from using their gifts by not letting them lead?
9. How did Tertullan use the name "Nazarene" in Acts 24:1-5? What is implied by the term "Nazarene"? Were the Jews happy that their Messiah might possibly have come from Nazareth? See John 1:46

References

1. Church of the Nazarene Manual ( 2013 – 2017 edition, Nazarene Publishing House, Kansas City, MO, 2013 ), pp. 18–20.
2. Online: (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/2004/issue82/10.32.html?start=3), retrieved June 2, 2014 .
3. Church of the Nazarene Manual ( 2013 – 2017 edition, Nazarene Publishing House, Kansas City, MO, 2013 ), p. 40.
4. Ibid., p. 35.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid., p. 32.
7. Ibid., p. 186.

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Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #8 - The Methodist Religion

1. History of the Methodist Religion
   1. When did this movement start? 1739
   2. Where did it start? England
   3. Where is their official headquarters? The United Methodist Church (UMC) does not have a church headquarters. The structure of the denomination is similar to that of the United States government.1
   4. Who founded this movement? The sole founder of this movement is John Wesley. Concerning their founder, the UMC states, "May 24, or the nearest Sunday, is Aldersgate Day or Aldersgate Sunday. This celebrates our founder John Wesley’s life-changing experience at a meeting on Aldersgate Street, London, May 24, 1738."2

   5. What is their authority? The Bible, church conferences, and the sermons and commentaries of John Wesley are authoritative. Concerning the pioneers of the UMC and their belief about authority, the Methodist Book of Discipline says:

      [T]hey were equally confident that there is a “marrow” of Christian truth that can be identified and that must be conserved. This living core, as they believed, stands revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason. They were very much aware, of course, that God’s eternal Word never has been, nor can be, exhaustively expressed in any single form of words. They were also prepared, as a matter of course, to reaffirm the ancient creeds and confessions as valid summaries of Christian truth. But they were careful not to invest them with final authority or to set them apart as absolute standards for doctrinal truth and error.3

2. Methodist Doctrine vs. Bible Doctrine
   1. Official Authority
      1. Methodists have a Book of Discipline that gives the official rules and regulations of the church, along with the church’s articles of faith. This book is man-made.
      2. The Bible claims that it is our only guide for rules, regulations, and beliefs (2 Timothy 3: 16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19; Acts 2:42).
   2. Faith and Works
      1. Methodists teach, "Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort."4
      2. The Bible says that faith without works is a dead faith (James 2:24; Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9; John 3:36).
   3. Free Will
      1. Methodists teach, "The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God" (Article VIII).5
      2. The Bible teaches that man is a free moral agent and that he can and must call on God out of his own will (Joshua 24:15; Acts 10:34; Galatians 2:6; 1 Timothy 2:4-6).
   4. Church
      1. Concerning the church, Methodists believe that "the Christian Church is the community of all believers under the Lordship of Christ."
      2. The Bible teaches that Jesus built only one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 12:13; Colossians 2:18).
   5. Name of Christ
      1. Methodists believe that there is nothing in a name. Thus, Christians can wear any name they wish.
      2. The Bible teaches that we must do only that which is authorized (1 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:17; Isaiah 63:19; Micah 4:5).
   6. Essentiality of Baptism
      1. Methodists do not believe that baptism is essential to salvation.
      2. The Bible clearly teaches the essentiality of baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16; John 3:5).
   7. Candidates and Modes of Baptism
      1. Methodists believe that babies are candidates for baptism and that pouring, sprinkling, or immersion is acceptable (although sprinkling is preferred).
      2. In the New Testament, baptism (Greek, baptidzo,) is performed only on accountable men and women (Isaiah 7:16; Acts 8:12) only by immersion (John 3:23; Mark 1:9-10; Acts 8:37-42; Romans 6:1-4).
   8. Abortion
      1. The Methodist religion approves of abortion in some cases. Their official statement about abortion says, "In continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures."6
      2. The Bible does not authorize the taking of an unborn child’s life (Exodus 21:22-25; Jeremiah 1:5; Amos 1:13; Proverbs 6:6-9).
   9. Alcohol
      1. The Methodist religion offers contradictory positions regarding the use of alcohol. In one place it is stated, "We affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God’s liberating and redeeming love for persons." Yet, just four lines down, it is suggested, "with regard to those who choose to consume alcoholic beverages, judicious use with deliberate and intentional restraint, with Scripture as a guide" should prevail.7
      2. The Bible teaches that a Christian should abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-35).
   10. Women Preaching

       1. The Methodist Manual says that women can preach, teach, and be pastors or bishops:

          On May 4, 1956, in Minneapolis, the General Conference of the Methodist Church approved full clergy rights for women. Half a century later, the fruits of that action are the nearly 12,000 United Methodist clergywomen who serve the church at every level, from bishops to local pastors.8

       2. The Bible teaches that women are to be in a place of submission in the presence of other men, and are not to preach publicly in a mixed audience (1 Timothy 2:8-12; 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Corinthians 11:3).
   11. Worship Music
       1. The Methodist church uses instrumental music in its assemblies. Interestingly, even John Wesley condemned such an action when he wrote, "I have no objection to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen."9
       2. The New Testament authorizes only the use of singing for our music (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16-17; Leviticus 10:1-2; Hebrews 8:13).
   12. Communion
       1. Many Methodist congregations partake of the Lord’s Supper only on the first Sunday of each month and on Christmas and Easter.
       2. In the New Testament, early Christians partook of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Acts 20:7 cf. Exodus 20:8; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 2:42).

Study Questions

1. What does it imply when Methodists say, "there is a ‘marrow’ of Christian truth that can be identified and that must be conserved"?
2. Why do people often put their faith in men, like John Wesley?
3. What is wrong with having a Book of Discipline, Creed, or Confession of Faith?
4. While Faith Only may be a comforting doctrine, is it biblical?
5. Is there anything in a name? Prove your point from Scripture.
6. The Methodist religion teaches that all “believers” are part of the greater Christian church. Is this a biblical idea? Explain your answer.
7. Why are babies not proper candidates for baptism? What parts of the plan of salvation can a baby not fulfill?
8. Does the Methodist view of abortion condone situation ethics? Discuss what situation ethics is and how to refute it.
9. Often times, when men create a religion, it isn’t long until they are found contradicting their own teaching. Such is the case with the Methodist view of alcohol consumption. What motives do you think would cause them to be against alcohol in one place and for it in another?
10. Does the New Testament authorize women to preach? Support your answer from Scripture.
11. What did John Wesley say about instrumental music? What do the Scriptures say about it?

References

1. Online: (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1370), retrieved February 15, 2006.
2. Online: (http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior_print.asp?ptid=1&mid=8838&pagemode=print), retrieved February 15, 2006.
3. Patterson, Ronald P., editor, The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, (United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN, 1984,) p. 67.
4. Ibid., p. 57.
5. Ibid., p. 57.
6. Online: (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1732), retrieved February 15, 2006.
7. Online: (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1755), retrieved February 15, 2006.
8. Online: (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1021), retrieved February 15, 2006.
9. Clarke, Adam, Commentary on the Bible, Vol. 4, p. 685.

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Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #7 - The Baptist Religion

1. History of the Baptist Denomination
   1. When did the denomination start? 1607–1609
   2. Where did this movement start? London, England
   3. How did this movement start? This movement began during the Reformation of the sixteenth century. Baptists were originally called Anabaptists and were closely associated with (and even partly indoctrinated by) Menno Simmons, founder of the Mennonite religion. Anabaptists (or Baptists) were considered unique in the Reformation because they believed that those who had been sprinkled as children needed to be re-baptized as adults.1
   4. Where did the name “Baptist” originate? There is no reference in the Bible to the church ever being called "the Baptist church" (see Romans 16:16). Most likely, Baptists were labeled Baptists because they insisted on the rebaptism of adults who had been sprinkled. (Note: It is a misconception on the part of both Baptists and non-Baptists alike that the name “Baptist” came from John the Baptist.)
   5. Who founded the Baptist religion? John Smythe, a British separatist who become infatuated with Mennonite teaching.
   6. Who is the head of the Baptist denomination? Christ is called the Head, but the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) sets policy concerning faith and doctrine.
   7. What is their authority? Scripture is claimed to be their guide in all matters. However, tradition and creeds are also very important.
2. Baptist Doctrine Examined in Light of Scripture
   1. Baptists believe that a church can omit certain requirements of the Gospel and yet still be pleasing to God.
      1. The Standard Baptist Manual says, "A body of Christian disciples may fail to meet some of the requirements of the gospel, and still be a true church of Christ."2
      2. The Scriptures teach if we leave out any of the requirements of the Gospel, then we are no longer pleasing to God (Revelation 2-3; Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; Revelation 22:18-19; 2 John 9; 1 Corinthians 4:6).
   2. Baptist doctrine teaches that baptism is a good command of Christ to follow, but that it is not essential to salvation.
      1. The Standard Baptist Manual says, "Baptism is not essential to salvation, for our churches utterly repudiate the dogma of ‘baptismal regeneration’; but it is essential to obedience since Christ has commanded it."3
      2. The Scriptures are clear on the essentiality of baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3: 21; Galatians 3:27). (Note: The Scriptures do not teach the idea of baptismal regeneration – i.e., that there is some “mystical power” in the water itself that effects salvation.)
   3. Concerning the Lord’s Supper, Baptists believe that this is a command of which the time and frequency have been left up to man.

      1. The Standard Baptist Manual says:

         As to the time, place, and frequency of the ordinances, no Scriptural directions are given. These are left optional with the churches. They are usually observed on Sundays, but not necessarily. As to the Supper, our churches have generally come to observe it on the first Sunday of each month.4

      2. An approved example of the day and frequency of the Lord’s Supper is found among first-century Christians (Acts 20:7 cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
   4. Baptists believe that to become a part of the Baptist Church, a person must be “voted in.”

      1. For example, the Standard Baptist Manual says:

         It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but "one Lord, one faith, and one baptism," and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, “baptism was the door into the church.” Now, it is different; and while the churches are desirous of receiving members, they are wary and cautious that they do not receive unworthy persons. The churches therefore have candidates come before them, make their statement, give their “experience” and then their reception is decided by a vote of the members. And while they cannot become members without baptism, yet it is the vote of the body which admits them to its fellowship on receiving baptism.5

      2. To see the scriptural problem with this, one needs to look no farther than Acts 2:38ff. (especially verse 47).
   5. Baptists believe that in order to be saved, one must “pray to ask Jesus to come into his heart.”

      1. One of the best-known Baptist preachers, Billy Graham, speaks for the majority of Baptists on salvation when he says:

         Here is how you can receive Christ: Admit your need (I am a sinner). Be willing to turn from your sins (repent). Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)6

         The person seeking salvation is then invited to pray this prayer:

         Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.7

      2. Baptist teaching on salvation is in conflict with the New Testament which teaches that one must do more than most Baptists teach. For example, a person must hear the word (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of past sin (Luke 13:3), confess Christ (Romans 10:10), be baptized for the forgiveness of one’s sins (Acts 2:38), and live a faithful Christian life (Revelation 2:10).
   6. Baptists offer misguided examples of salvation (such as the thief on the cross).
      1. "Baptists believe that the Bible teaches that baptism is important but not necessary for salvation. For example, the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) … experienced salvation without the necessity of baptism."8
      2. A thorough study of the Scriptures shows that the thief on the cross is not a good example of salvation for four reasons:
         1. The argument is based on an unproven assumption that the thief was never baptized (cf. Matthew 3:5-6).
         2. The thief lived and died under the Old Testament (Hebrews 9:15-17).
         3. The thief was unable to believe that Jesus had died and risen from the grave because Jesus had not yet died nor risen from the grave (Luke 23:39-46; 24:1ff).
         4. Jesus had power while on Earth to forgive sins any way He chose (Mark 2:10).
   7. Baptists employ instrumental music in their worship to God.

      1. However, even the well-known Baptist preacher of the last generation, Charles Spurgeon, wrote in his commentary on Psalm 42:

         David appears to have had a peculiarly tender remembrance of the singing of the pilgrims, and assuredly it is the most delightful part of worship and that which comes nearest to the adoration of heaven. What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettiness of a quartet, bellows, and pipes. We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it.

      2. Also, justification for such a practice cannot be found within the New Testament. Every reference to singing in the New Testament is a cappella (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
   8. The religious celebration of such holidays as Christmas and Easter is not founded upon the Scriptures; rather, we remember a memorial feast weekly (1 Corinthians 11:26 cf. Acts 20:7).
3. How to Convert a Baptist
   1. Remind them of the importance of having God’s authority for everything we do in worship and life (Colossians 3:17; Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 4:6).
   2. Ask them, "If a person were to take the Bible only, would he or she become a Baptist?" Have them explain their answer.
   3. Teach the fundamental “who, what, when, where, and how” of the New Testament church.
   4. Look at clear examples where people had to do more than “just believe in Jesus” (e.g., James 2:24; Matthew 7:21-23).
   5. Discuss the worship of the church as found in the Book of Acts (Acts 2:42).
   6. Look at passages in the New Testament which teach that baptism is essential to salvation (Mark 16: 16; Acts 2:38; John 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:10).

Study Questions

1. Did John the Baptist start the Baptist denomination? Who began this religious movement? What is wrong with John Smythe starting this movement?
2. Can a church "fail to meet some of the requirements of the gospel" and still be a true church of Christ? What Scriptures teach we must go exactly by what the Bible says?
3. What passages teach baptism is essential to salvation?
4. Do the Scriptures teach the idea of baptismal regeneration (i.e., something mystical/magical occurs in the waters of baptism)?
5. Are there any Scriptural directions given concerning the time, frequency and place of the Lord’s Supper?
6. What is wrong with someone being “voted in” to a religious group? See Acts 2:47.
7. Compare Billy Graham’s Plan of Salvation with the Lord’s. What are the differences? Whom would you rather put your faith in?
8. Is the sinner’s prayer even found one time in Scripture?
9. Why is the thief on the cross not an example of salvation for people today?
10. What is wrong with celebrating religious holidays like Christmas or Easter?

References

1. Mead, Frank S., Handbook of Denominations (Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, 1985), p. 35.
2. Hiscox, Edward T., The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches (American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia, PA, 1951), p. 12, note 1.
3. Ibid., pp. 20–21, note 8.
4. Ibid., pp. 20–21, note 5.
5. Ibid., pp. 22.
6. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Online: (http://www.billygrahamlibrary.org/PGView.aspx?pid=13), retrieved April 3, 2014 .
7. Ibid.
8. Online: (http://baptistdistinctives.org/articles/believers-baptism/), retrieved April 3, 2014 .

The Gospel of Christ

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Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #10 - The Seventh Day Adventist Religion

1. History of the Seventh Day Adventists
   1. When did this movement start? 1830 (officially 1843–1844)
   2. Where did it start? New York/Maine
   3. Where is their official headquarters? Silver Springs, Maryland1
   4. Who founded this movement? The movement began with William Miller and was later developed and popularized by Ellen G. White.

   5. What is their authority? Adventists affirm:

      The Church Manual has existed in its current format since 1932. It describes the operation and functions of local churches and their relationship to denominational structures in which they hold membership. The Church Manual also expresses the Church’s understanding of Christian life and church governance and discipline based on biblical principles and the authority of duly assembled General Conference sessions. "God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority."—9T 261 [Testimonies, volume 9, page 261].

      … No attempt should be made to set up standards of membership or to make, or attempt to enforce, rules or regulations for local church operations that are contrary to these decisions adopted by the General Conference in session and that are set forth in this Church Manual.2

2. False Prophecies of Seventh Day Adventists
   1. False prophecies of William Miller

      1. Concerning the end of the world, Miller said:

         I was thus brought, in 1818 , at the close of my two-year study of the Scriptures, to the solemn conclusion, that in about twenty-five years from that time [ 1843 ] all the affairs of our present state would be wound up.3

         (See Deuteronomy 18:22 for information about how to treat a false prophet.)

      2. Coinciding with this prophecy, Miller further said that during the Jewish year running from March 21, 1843 , to March 21, 1844 , Christ would return.4 (See Deuteronomy 18:22 for information about how to treat a false prophet.)

      3. When these prophecies failed, Miller stated,

         Were I to live my life over again, with the same evidence that I then had, to be honest with God and man, I should have to do as I have done. … I confess my error, and acknowledge my disappointment; yet I still believe that the day of the Lord is near, even at the door.5

         (See Deuteronomy 18:22 for information about how to treat a false prophet.)

   2. False prophecies of Ellen G. White
      1. On April 7, 1847 , Ellen White allegedly had a vision where she was taken into the holy of holies and saw the Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments, with a "halo of glory" around the Sabbath commandment.6
      2. Concerning Miller’s chart about the end of the world, Ellen White said, "I have seen that the 1843 chart (Wm. Miller’s) was directed by the hand of the Lord and that it should not be altered, that the figures were as he wanted them."7 (See Deuteronomy 18:22 for information about how to treat a false prophet.)
      3. Ellen G. White prophesied the world would end in 1843 , 1844 , 1845 , and 1851 . She wrote, "Now ( 1851 ) time is almost finished, and what we have been 6 years in learning they will have to learn in months."8 (See Deuteronomy 18:22 for information about how to treat a false prophet.)
   3. Some of the more far-fetched prophecies of Mrs. White
      1. "Cheese should never be introduced into the stomach."9
      2. "Thousands have been induced to enlist with the understanding that this war is to exterminate slavery, but now that they are fixed, they find that they have been deceived, that the object of this war is not to abolish slavery, but to preserve it."10
      3. "Eggs should not be placed upon your table. They are an injury to your children."11
      4. "We bare positive testimony against tobacco, rich cakes, spirituous liquors, snuff, tea, coffee, flesh meats, butter, spice, mince pies … "12
   4. The little “White Lie”
      1. Walter Rea did considerable research for his book, The White Lie, and provided documentation to show that Ellen G. White was actually plagiarizing much of her writing from her husband who, in turn, had plagiarized verbatim from a book written by J.N. Andrews.13
      2. A detailed discussion of this matter can also be obtained from The Interactive Bible.14
3. Doctrines of the Seventh Day Adventists
   1. The Sabbath

      1. One of the main doctrines of this group is Sabbath keeping. Concerning Sabbath keeping, the Seventh Day Adventist Church Manual says:

         The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom. The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts.15

      2. What does the Bible teach about the Sabbath?
         1. Sabbath keeping was not a command of creation for all people. It was a command that started with the Law of Moses and was given only to the Jews (Exodus 20:8; Exodus 31:12ff; Nehemiah 9:14; Psalm 147:19-20; Deuteronomy 5:3-6).
         2. The Sabbath was done away with at the cross of Christ (Ephesians 2:14ff; Colossians 2:14ff; Romans 7:1ff.).
         3. Jews cannot condemn Christians for not keeping the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16-17).
         4. The Christian day of worship is the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 20:7).
   2. The Old Law
      1. Adventists believe, "The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age."16
      2. What does the Bible teach about the Old Law? The Old Testament Law is not binding on Christians today.
         1. The Ceremonial Law of Moses and the Moral Law of God are the same (Ezra 7:6, 12; Luke 2:22-24).
         2. The Law itself prophesied that it would be replaced by a "new covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
         3. The Law (including the Ten Commandments) was nailed to the cross (Romans 7:1ff., esp. vs. 7: "The Law that said, "You shall not Covet," is dead"; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 2:14).
         4. By the time of the writing of the Book of Hebrews, the Old Law was obsolete and ready to vanish away (Hebrews 8:13).
   3. Hell
      1. Adventists claim that Hell, as a place of eternal torment, is a myth: "The finally impenitent, including Satan, the author of sin, will, by the fires of the last day, be reduced to a state of non-existence, becoming as though they had not been, thus purging God’s universe of sinners."17
      2. What does the Bible say about Hell?
         1. There is something worse than death or annihilation (Hebrews 10:27-29).
         2. Hell is just as eternal as the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14; Mark 9:44).
         3. People who die do continue to exist beyond this life (Mark 12:26; Luke 16:19-31).
   4. The Plan of Salvation

      1. Concerning the plan of salvation, Adventists teach:

         Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace.18

      2. The biblical plan of salvation is more than what Adventists teach. The Bible teaches that to be saved, one must believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of past sins (Luke 13:3), confess the Lord before men (Romans 10:10), and be baptized for the remission of one’s sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
   5. Mankind’s Sin

      1. Adventists take a Calvinistic view of the nature of man by saying:

         When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil.19

      2. The Bible teaches that God made man upright and that we each choose the path of sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 1:26; Ezekiel 18:20; 28:12, 15; Romans 5:12).
   6. Foot Washing
      1. Adventists suggest that foot washing is an ordained command of God for the church today. The Seventh Day Adventist Church Manual says, "The Master ordained the service of foot-washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love."20
      2. Foot washing in the Bible was done on an individual level and was never commanded by God for the church (John 13:14-15).

Study Questions

1. Compare the origin (date, time, place, founder) of the Seventh Day Adventist religion with the New Testament blueprint. Do the two match?
2. Where in the Bible did God ordain that representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in General Conference, shall have authority?
3. List two of William Miller’s false prophecies. If a prophet even lies one time, what does Deuteronomy 18:22 say about that person?
4. List two of Ellen G. White false prophecies. If a prophet even lies one time, what does Deuteronomy 18:22 say about that person? If Ellen White is known to be a liar and a false prophet, what does that say about the religion she founded?
5. What passages teach Christians are no longer under the Sabbath?
6. One of the claims Seventh Day Adventist make about God’s law is that the Ceremonial Law and the 10 Commandment Law were not the same. The Ceremonial Law was done away with – not the 10 Commandments. What passages show these laws are one and the same?
7. Seventh Day Adventists believe that Hell is not a real place. Rather, the wicked will be annihilated or cease to exist. What passages prove that Hell is a real place where people will suffer for eternity?
8. What do these religious people believe one must do to be saved? Is that in accord with what the Scriptures teach?
9. List and discuss three passages that teach man is not born in sin.
10. Is foot washing a command/act of worship for the church today?

The Gospel of Christ

This material is copyrighted by The Gospel of Christ and its authors.  This information is free to use in its entirety without further consent, however, modifications should not be made without contacting mail@thegospelofchrist.com for permission.  Any and all images contained herein are believed to be free for all distribution and content.

Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #11 - The Church of Christ, Scientist, Religion

1. History of the Christian Science Movement

   1. When did this denomination/cult start? The official statement from the Christian Scientist website says:

      In 1866 , after many years of study, Mary Baker Eddy discovered what she considered to be the Science of the Christianity which Jesus taught and lived. She dedicated herself to teaching, preaching, and healing others through this system for applying spiritual laws – Christian Science – and in 1875 she published her primary book about it, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. By 1879 , she founded the Church of Christ, Scientist.1

   2. Where did the denomination start? Lynn/Boston, Massachusetts.
   3. Who founded this movement? Mary Baker Eddy is the sole founder of the Christian Science movement.
   4. Where are the headquarters of this denomination? Boston, Massachusetts.
   5. How did this movement come about? The seeds of this movement can be found in Mrs. Eddy’s constant struggles with pain and illness throughout her life. It is reported that she was a nervous child who missed much schooling. For years, she was a semi-invalid. Some believe that she had a spinal weakness which caused seizures and that eventually resulted in a complete nervous breakdown. Throughout her life, she continued to be in very poor health. On February 1, 1866 , she fell on icy pavement and was severely injured. She reported that the doctors had pronounced her injury fatal and that she had only a few days to live. Interestingly, she read the passage of the paralytic in Matthew 9:2-8 and took up her bed and walked with better health than she had ever experienced before.2 Mary Baker Eddy was plagued by (and apparently obsessed with) sickness. Eventually, she allowed that obsession (rather than the Bible) to direct her in religious matters.
   6. What is Christian Science? Christian Science says that believing on Jesus and following His works "can mean resolving difficult challenges with health, relationships, employment, and other personal and global issues through prayer. People who practice Christian Science are free to make their own choices about what to think and do in each situation, including health care. … Christian Science teaches that it’s never God’s will for anyone to suffer, be sick, or die. Instead, it shows how God is entirely good, and therefore His will for each of us is only health and life."3 This doctrine is a “health gospel.” If you have truth on your side, then you will be healthy in body.

   7. Who is the head of this religious movement? Amazingly enough, Mary Baker Eddy is still the head of this church. Notice the following statement from the Church of Christ, Scientist, website:

      The Church of Christ, Scientist and its officers are governed by the By-Laws in the Church Manual. … Everyone shares the same pastor, the Bible and Science and Health. … The First Church of Christ, Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. The church, its officers, and members will always be governed by the By-Laws in the Church Manual … and Christian Science churches and societies are democratically run.4

   8. What is this denomination’s authority in religious matters?

      The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures are the primary texts used for individual study and spiritual growth. Together, they form the foundation for Christian Science teaching and practice and are used during church services as well. Eddy ordained these books as a "dual and impersonal pastor" for these services. According to the church’s official website, followers use both books to "unlock the Bible. … It was the specific mission of Science and Health to give the world this key to the Scriptures to open up their treasures and enable everyone to use them."5

   9. How many members does the Church of Christ, Scientist, have? Christian Science is in a strong state of decline among religious people.

      According to its governing By-Laws, The Church of Christ, Scientist does not report for publication the number of its members. … Unofficial sources provide a variety of resources to suggest that the Church has been ina long period of decline. An unofficial web page traces the growth of the church from 8,724 members in 1890 to 55,000 members in 1906 . A special US Census in 1936 recorded 268,915 Christian Scientists. In the Spring 1992 edition of the Christian Research Journal, William Alnor states church membership had gone from 268,000 members in the 1930s to 150,000 members in 1992 . As an indirect measure of the Church’sstrength, that same article cites statistics showing that the circulation of the Church’s celebrated Christian Science Monitor decreased from 240,000 in the 1960s to 100,000 in 1992 .6

2. Church of Christ, Scientist, Doctrines Examined in Light of Scripture
   1. The Bible’s Accuracy

      1. Christian Science teaching about the Bible leaves a person with the impression that it is a book that contains errors and that does not present the full religious truth on all matters. Mrs. Eddy said:

         The decisions by vote of Church Councils as to what should and should not be considered Holy Writ; the manifest mistakes in the ancient versions; the thirty thousand different readings in the Old Testament, and the three hundred thousand in the New, these facts show how a mortal and material sense stole into the divine record, with its own hue darkening to some extend the inspired pages.7

      2. The Bible is not a book that has been tainted by man. It is the full and complete will of God and it is completely accurate (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:160; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 8:32; 17:17; 2 Samuel 23:2).
   2. The Godhead’s Nature
      1. Christian Science completely denies the triune nature of God. Mrs. Eddy said, "The theory of three persons in one God (that is, a personal Trinity or Tri-unity) suggests polytheism, rather than the one ever-present I Am."8
      2. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all part of the Godhead (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 6:9; John 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:30; Colossians 1:15-17; John 20:28; Titus 2:11-13; Hebrews 9:14).
   3. Christ’s Deity
      1. Christian Science teaches a false view of the deity of Christ. The textbook for Christian Science says, "Jesus Christ is not God, as Jesus himself declared, but is the Son of God."9
      2. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God (Matthew 1:19-21; Mark 2:3-10; John 1:1ff.; 8:58; 10:30; 20:28; Revelation 1:8).
   4. Jesus’ Sacrifice

      1. Christian Science denies the ability of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice to save. It's position:

         One sacrifice, however great, is insufficient to pay the debt of sin. The atonement requires constant self-immolation on the sinner’s part. That God’s wrath should be vented upon His beloved Son is divinely unnatural. Such a theory is man-made.10

      2. The above statement is in complete contradiction to what the Scriptures teach (Matthew 26:28; 27:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:9; 10:12; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 1:5).
   5. Heaven vs. State of Mind
      1. Concerning Heaven, Christian Science says, "Heaven is not a locality, but a divine state of Mind in which all the manifestations of Mind are harmonious and immortal."11
      2. The Bible teaches that Heaven is a real place of eternal bliss (Matthew 25:46; John 14:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2; Philippians 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:9; Revelation 21:1-4).
   6. Final Judgment vs. Day-by-Day Judgment
      1. Christian Scientists do not believe that there is a final Judgment Day awaiting us. "No final judgment awaits mortals, for the judgment-day of wisdom comes hourly and continually, even the judgment by which mortal man is divested of all material error."12
      2. The Bible clearly teaches there is an appointed day that God will judge the world (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 5:28-29; Acts 17:30-31; 24:25; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 4:17; Revelation 20:12-15).
   7. Physical Sickness vs. State of Mind
      1. Christian Science affirms that sickness, pain, and other physical ailments are not a reality but only states of mind. They say, "Sickness and disease are illusory, the product of a false belief, and not an actual result of sin. The cause of all so-called disease is mental, a mortal fear, a mistaken belief."13 In fact, Mrs. Eddy taught that a person should not go to a doctor or take medicine.
      2. The Bible clearly teaches that sickness is real and that we all must face it (countless cases of sickness in Matthew-John; Acts 9:37; 2 Corinthians 12:7ff.; 2 Timothy 4:20; James 1:2-3; 5:13).

Study Questions

1. What led Mary Baker Eddy to found the Christian Science Movement? Is this a good reason to start a religious movement?
2. What is the Christian Science movement all about? Is it what we would call a “health gospel”?
3. Does the Church of Christ, Scientist, fit the divine blue print for the church? Show from Scripture what the divine blue print is and how the Church of Christ, Scientist, movement does not fit God’s pattern.
4. Show from Scripture that sickness is not just “in your head.”
5. Mrs. Eddy claimed that the Bible was full of many errors and had been corrupted by men. Show how her claims are both deceptive and contrary to the facts.
6. Does the Bible teach there are three persons in the Godhead? Prove your answer from Scripture.
7. How is the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus central to the gospel message? Can any group who denies this teaching be right with God?
8. Christian Science teaches that Heaven is just a state of mind. What do you think would make a group teach this false doctrine?
9. Do the Scriptures teach there is a day coming when all men will stand before God and be judged? Some groups teach that Hell and the Judgment are in conflict with the Love of God. Is this claim true?

References

1. Online: (http://christianscience.com/what-is-christian-science#history-of-cs), retrieved May 20, 2014 .
2. Hoekema, Anthony, The Four Major Cults (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1986), pp. 173–174.
3. Online: (http://christianscience.com/what-is-christian-science), retrieved May 20, 2014 .
4. Ibid.
5. Online: (http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/chrissci.html), retrieved August 29, 2006 .
6. Ibid.
7. Eddy, Mary Baker, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (Mary Baker Eddy Foundation Publishing, 1986 ed.), p. 139.
8. Ibid., p. 256.
9. Ibid., 361:12-13.
10. Ibid., 23:3-7.
11. Ibid., 291:13-16.
12. Ibid., 291:28-31.
13. Ibid., pp. 348, 377, 386.

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Bible Class Curricula - Denominational Doctrines (Part 1) - Lesson #12 - The Jehovahs Witnesses Religion

1. History of the Jehovah’s Witness Movement
   1. When did it start? December 13, 1884 
   2. Where did it start? Allegheny, Pennsylvania
   3. Where is the organization’s headquarters? It was originally located in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, but was later moved to Brooklyn, New York.
   4. Who founded the movement? Charles Taze Russell
   5. What is the religious authority used by Jehovah’s Witnesses? The Bible. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses view their translation (The New World Translation) as the only correct translation. More will be said about this at a later point.
2. False Prophecies from Jehovah’s Witness Leaders
   1. False prophecies of Charles Taze Russell (See Deuteronomy 18:22 for information about how to treat a false prophet.)
      1. Russell published a book claiming that Christ’s Second Advent had begun (invisibly) in the fall of 1874 .1
      2. Russell claimed in 1889 that, in the coming 26 years from then, all present governments would be overthrown and dissolved.2
      3. In 1914 , Russell said that Armageddon "may begin next spring."3

      4. In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of 1914 .4

   2. False prophecies of Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford (Deuteronomy 18:22)
      1. In 1920 , Rutherford predicted the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, "and other faithful ones of old," fully restored to perfect humanity. This was to take place in 1925 .5

      2. The year 1940 is certain to be the most important year yet because Armageddon is very near. It behooves all who love righteousness to put forth every effort to advertise The Theocracy while the privileges are still open.6

3. History of the New World Translation
   1. Not a single reputable Greek or Hebrew scholar has endorsed the NWT. (Below are many examples of scholars disagreeing, however.)

   2. David Reed, a former member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, said:

      During the 1950s, Watchtower leaders went beyond interpretation by producing their own version of the Bible, with hundreds of verses changed to fit Watchtower doctrine. And, their New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures continues to be rewritten every few years, with additional changes made to bring God’s Word into closer agreement with what the organization teaches.7

   3. Theologian Anthony Hoekema said:

      Their New World Translation is by no means an objective rendering of the sacred text into modern English, but is a biased translation in which many of the peculiar teachings of the Watchtower Society are smuggled into the text of the Bible itself.8

   4. Greek Scholar Julius Mantey said this concerning the NWT:

      I have never read any New Testament so badly translated as The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures. … It is a distortion of the New Testament. The translators used what J.B. Rotherham had translated in 1893 , in modern speech, and changed the readings in scores of passages to state what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe and teach. That is a distortion, not a translation.9

   5. One example of translation tampering in the New World Translation is John 1:1, "In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god." (Compare that to the NKJV and KJV: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.")
   6. What Greek Scholars Think About the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation of John 1:1 ("the Word was a god") – reproduced by The Christian BBS with permission from HELP Jesus, Local District, Box 2212, Station R., Kelowna, B.C., Canada, V1X 4K6
      1. J.R. Mantey (who is quoted on pages 1158–1159 of the Jehovah’s Witnesses own Kingdom Interlinear Translation): "A shocking mistranslation." "Obsolete and incorrect." "It is neither scholarly nor reasonable to translate John 1:1 "The Word was a god.""
      2. Dr. Bruce M. Metzger of Princeton (Professor of New Testament Language and Literature): "A frightful mistranslation." "Erroneous" and "pernicious," "reprehensible." "If the Jehovah’s Witnesses take this translation seriously, they are polytheists."
      3. Dr. Samuel J. Mikolaski of Zurich, Switzerland: "This anarthrous [used without the article] construction does not mean what the indefinite article "a" means in English. It is monstrous to translate the phrase "the Word was a god.""
      4. Dr. Paul L. Kaufman of Portland, Oregon: "The Jehovah’s Witnesses people evidence an abysmal ignorance of the basic tenets of Greek grammar in their mistranslation of John 1:1."
      5. Dr. Charles L. Feinberg of La Mirada, California: "I can assure you that the rendering which the Jehovah’s Witnesses give John 1:1 is not held by any reputable Greek scholar."
      6. Dr. James L. Boyer of Winona Lake, Indiana: "I have never heard of, or read of any Greek scholar who would have agreed to the interpretation of this verse insisted upon by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. … I have never encountered one of them who had any knowledge of the Greek language."
      7. Dr. Walter R. Martin (who does not teach Greek but who has studied the language): "The translation … "a god" instead of "God" is erroneous and unsupported by any good Greek scholarship, ancient or contemporary and is a translation rejected by all recognized scholars of the Greek language many of whom are not even Christians, and cannot fairly be said to be biased in favor of the orthodox contention."
      8. Dr. William Barclay of the University of Glasgow, Scotland: "The deliberate distortion of truth by this sect is seen in their New testament translations. John 1:1 is translated: "the Word was a god," a translation which is grammatically impossible. … It is abundantly clear that a sect which can translate the New Testament like that is intellectually dishonest."
      9. Dr. F.F. Bruce of the University of Manchester, England: "Much is made by Arian amateur grammarians of the omission of the definite article with "God" in the phrase "And the Word was God." Such an omission is common with nouns in a predicative construction … "a god" would be totally indefensible."
      10. [Barclay and Bruce are generally regarded as Great Britain’s leading Greek scholars. Both have New Testament translations in print!]
      11. Dr. Ernest C. Colwell of the University of Chicago: "A definite predicate nominative has the article when it follows the verb; it does not have the article when it precedes the verb … this statement cannot be regarded as strange in the prologue of the gospel which reaches its climax in the confession of Thomas. "My Lord and my God"—John 20:28."
      12. Dr. Phillip B. Harner of Heidelberg College: "Ho logos en theos, with the verb preceding an anarthrous predicate, would probably mean that the logos was "a god" or a divine being of some kind, belonging to the general category of theos, but as a distinct being from ho theos. … In … the form that John actually uses, the word theos is placed at the beginning for emphasis."
      13. Dr. J. Johnson of California State University, Long Beach: "No justification whatsoever for translating theos en ho logos as "the Word was a god." There is no syntactical parallel to Acts 28:6 where there is a statement in indirect discourse; John 1:1 is direct. … I am neither a Christian nor a trinitarian."
      14. Dr. Eugene A. Nida, head of Translations Department, American Bible Society: "With regard to John 1:1, there is of course a complication simply because the New World Translation was apparently done by persons who did not take seriously the syntax of the Greek." [Dr. Nida was responsible for the Good News Bible; the committee for that translation worked directly under him.]
      15. Dr. B.F. Wescott (whose Greek text – not the English part – is used in the Kingdom Interlinear Translation): "The predicate (God) stands emphatically first, as in IV.24. It is necessarily without the article. … No idea of inferiority of nature is suggested by the form of expression, which simply affirms the true deity of the Word … in the third clause "the Word" is declared to be "God" and so included in the unity of the Godhead."
      16. Dr. J.J. Griesbach (whose Greek text – not the English part – is used in the Emphatic Diaglott): "So numerous and clear are the arguments and testimonies of Scriptures in favour of the true Deity of Christ, that I can hardly imagine how, upon the admission of the Divine authority of Scripture, and with regard to fair rules of interpretation, this doctrine can by any man be called in doubt. Especially the passage, John 1:1-3, is so clear and so superior to all exception, that by no daring efforts of either commentators or critics can it be snatched out of the hands of the defenders of the truth."
4. Doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses
   1. Concerning the Bible As the Final Authority

      1. Charles Russell made this comment concerning his Scripture Studies:

         Not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see also that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years – if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references and had not read a page of the Bible as such, he would be in the light at the end of two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.10

      2. The Bible: 2 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 22:18-19; James 1:21; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 3:4.
   2. Concerning Death As Annihilation
      1. "Death means non-existence."11 "When a man dies, he is as dead as a dog."12
      2. The Bible: Mark 12:24-27; John 11:25-26; Luke 16:19ff.
   3. Concerning the 144,000
      1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses group is seen as having exactly 144,000 in Heaven, and no more.13
      2. The Bible: If the number 144,000 should be taken literally, then these people are also literally:
         1. Jews only (Revelation 7:4)
         2. men only (Revelation 14:4)
         3. virgins only (Revelation 14:4)
   4. Concerning Jesus’ Deity
      1. "In truth, when Jesus was on earth He was a perfect man, nothing more and nothing less."14
      2. The Bible: John 1:1; John 20:28; Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; John 5:18.
   5. Concerning the Destruction of the Earth
      1. The Earth will never be destroyed.15
      2. The Bible: Matthew 24:34-36; 2 Peter 3:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
   6. Concerning Baptism
      1. Baptism has nothing to do with the remission of sins.16
      2. The Bible: Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21.
   7. Concerning Hell
      1. Hell is only the grave.17
      2. The Bible: Mark. 9:43-48; Psalm 9:17.
5. Converting Jehovah’s Witness Through Their Own Contradictions
   1. The very verse they use to call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses proves that their doctrine is false (Isaiah 43:10).
   2. The plan of salvation needs to be stressed (Acts 18:8).
   3. The founders of the Jehovah’s Witnesses were false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:22).
   4. Why are they called “Jehovah’s Witnesses” instead of Christians? What was to be the new name of God’s people, according to Isaiah 62:2?
   5. If the name Jehovah is so important, then why is it never used in the original Greek New Testament?
   6. If the Watchtower Society has been documented to teach error in the past, might it not be teaching error now?
   7. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses take the Lord’s Supper just once a year?
   8. Since Jehovah’s Witnesses currently reject most of the teachings of their original founder (Charles Taze Russell, who was president of the organization from 1879 – 1916 ), and since they also reject Joseph Franklin Rutherford (who succeeded Russell as president from 1916 – 1942 ), how can we be sure that in 25 more years, Jehovah’s Witnesses will not also reject the teachings of the current president, Milton G. Henschel (1992–present)?

Study Questions

1. Charles Taze Russell, the founder of Jehovah’s Witness doctrine, is a documented false prophet. What does Deuteronomy 18:22 say about his credibility as a spokesman from God?
2. Judge Rutherford, also known as a founder of Jehovah’s Witness doctrine, made several false prophecies himself. List those prophecies and discuss how they relate to the origin of this denomination.
3. How many reputable Greek scholars endorse the New World Translation? Is it evident from the sources reviewing the rendition of John 1:1 that the New World Translation is not fair to the text of the Greek New Testament?
4. According to Anthony Hoekema and David Reed, what was the motive behind the New World Translation of Scripture? When a person has to create their own translation to match their doctrine, should you be very afraid of that group?
5. According to Charles Russel, a person cannot understand and be enlightened by the Scriptures without using the Jehovah’s Witness study guide, Scripture Studies. What does the Bible say about this erroneous idea?
6. What do the Scriptures teach about annihilation?
7. What does the Bible say about the 144,000? According to Revelation 14:4 and 7:4, the 144,000 have three distinct characteristics. What are those characteristics?
8. Do Jehovah’s Witness believe Jesus is divine? Compare their teaching with Scripture.
9. Jehovah’s Witness believe that the earth will one day be a utopia. Does the Bible teach the earth is going to last forever and be like the Garden of Eden?
10. Why do you think Jehovah’s Witnesses try to prove that Hell is not a real place of eternal torment?

References

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses (Maurice Barnett Printing Service, Cullman, AL), p. 36.
2. Gruss, Edmond C., The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Prophetic Speculation (Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1972 ), pp. 83–84.
3. Rutherford, J.F., Millions Now Living Will Never Die (International Bible Students Assoc., Brooklyn, NY, 1920 ), pp. 88–90.
4. The Time Is at Hand ( 1902 edition), p. 99.
5. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Prophetic Speculation, p. 88.
6. Informant ( April, 1940 ), p. 1.
7. Jehovah’s Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse, pp. 17–18.
8. Hoekema, Anthony, The Four Major Cults, pp. 238–239.
9. Mantey, Julius, Depth Exploration in The New Testament (Vantage Press, NY, 1980 ), pp. 136–137.
10. Watch Tower ( September 15, 1910 ), p. 298.
11. Rutherford, Reconciliation, p. 296.
12. Rutherford, Deliverance, p. 324.
13. Harp of God, p. 191.
14. Rutherford, Reconciliation, p. 111.
15. Make Sure…, p. 108.
16. Ibid., p. 30.
17. Let God be True, p. 91.

The Gospel of Christ

This material is copyrighted by The Gospel of Christ and its authors.  This information is free to use in its entirety without further consent, however, modifications should not be made without contacting mail@thegospelofchrist.com for permission.  Any and all images contained herein are believed to be free for all distribution and content.