Antipodean59's Blog

Restored New Testament Christianity

Archive for the category “Truth”

14 Dec 2010

Be prepared or you will suffer

Degrees of Punishment

“But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.” (Matthew 11:22)

The subject of eternal hell is so repugnant to the modern ungodly world that people desperately search for some scientific rationale to justify their rejection of God’s Word. Charles Darwin was an example. He became an apostate from Christianity, not because of his scientific “discovery” of natural selection, but because of Christ’s teachings that unbelievers (including his own father) would end up in hell.

Nevertheless “the fearful, and unbelieving . . . and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). These are words from God Himself!

But is there no difference in the punishment of, say, blaspheming and wicked unbelievers and the mere careless unbeliever? Yes, there is. As Christ said, the idolatrous inhabitants of Tyre would have repented if they had seen His mighty works, but the Galileans of Chorazin and Bethsaida who had seen His miracles and heard Him preach had not. Consequently they will suffer more.

Similarly, He said concerning those who would reject the gospel preaching of His disciples that “it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:15). The wicked populace of Sodom, “giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh,” will suffer “the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7), but even greater punishment awaits those who willfully reject God’s love in Christ.

There will, indeed, be degrees of punishment in hell, but they will be determined largely in proportion to degrees of “light” rejected. This is an unwanted–but urgently needed–message in these last days!

By Henry Morris (Institute of Creation Research)

 

 

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Death, Denominations, Faith, God, Hell, Jesus, New Testament, Religion, Religions, Sin, Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
18 Nov 2010

If Baptism Is Not a Condition of Salvation, Will You Answer These Questions?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

1.If baptism is not a condition of salvation, why did Peter mention baptism since he was answering the question of what to do to be saved? (2:37).

2. If baptism comes after salvation, would not repentance also follow salvation, since they are joined by the conjunction and?

3. Is not repentance and baptism in this verse both for the same purpose?

4. If salvation comes before baptism, why does Peter say it is “for the remission of sins”?

5. If the phrase, “for the remission of sins” in Acts 2:38 means because of remission, would not the same phrase in Matthew 26:28 mean because of remission of sins?

6. Did Jesus shed His blood because men were already saved?

7. If Christ did not shed His blood because men were already saved, would it not follow that men are not baptized because they were already saved? The phrase in Matthew 26:28 and Acts 2:38 are identical in both the Greek and English.

8. Would it not be a false doctrine to teach that Christ shed His blood because men were already saved?

9. Likewise, is it not a false doctrine to teach that men are baptized, because they are already saved?

10. If the people on Pentecost were saved before they were baptized, why were they not added to the church until they were baptized, since such as should be saved were added to the church? (2:47).

11. The word church means “the called out” and only those baptized were added to the church. If one is saved before he is baptized, would he be saved before he is called out of the world?

12. Is salvation in the world or in Christ? (2 Tim. 2:10). “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “Then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12).

1. Can one be saved and not receive the Word?

2. All who received the Word on Pentecost were baptized.

3. Were there any on Pentecost who were saved that did not receive the Word?

4. Does the Word say baptized for the remission of sins or baptized because of remission of sins?

5. How is it possible for one to be baptized as the Word teaches, and not be baptized for the remission of sins?

6. If you were not baptized for the remission of sins, you were not baptized as the Word teaches and therefore were not saved.

7. If not, why not?

Franklin Camp, Deceased

 

 

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Denominations, God, Jesus, New Testament, Religion, Religions, Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
09 Nov 2010

New Testament Church

The following is a chart of information concerning the New Testament church as described in the scriptures. It was constructed by Charles Burke, gospel preacher in Bisbee, Arizona. It is an excellent teaching tool for use in teaching the establishment and organization of the Lord’s church.

1) The Reign Of The New Testament Church

  • In Prophecy – Isaiah 2:2-3
  • In Preparation – Matthew 16:13-18
  • Its Establishment – Acts 2:1-47
  • Its Existence – Hebrews 12:22-29
  • Its Destination – 1 Corinthians 15:24-29

2) The Spiritual Nature Of The New Testament Church

  • A Spiritual House – 1 Tim. 3:15
  • A Spiritual Temple – Ephesians 2:19-22
  • A Spiritual Assembly – Hebrews 12:23
  • A Spiritual Body – 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • A Spiritual Kingdom – John 18:36

3) The Divine Relationship Which Exists Between Christ And The NT Church

  • The Builder – Matthew 16:18
  • The Purchaser – Ephesians 5:25
  • The Head – Ephesians 5:22-32
  • The Foundation – 1 Corinthians 3:11
  • The Saviour – Ephesians 5:23

4) The Divine Relationship Which Exists Between The NT Church And Christ

  • The Bride – Ephesians 5:23-32
  • The Body – Colossians 1:24
  • The Kingdom – John 18:36
  • The Flock – Acts 20:28
  • The Candlestick – Rev. 1:12-20

5) The Divine Names Of The NT Church

  • The Church of God – 1 Corinthians 1:2
  • The Church of Christ – Romans 16:16
  • The Church of The Firstborn – Hebrews 12:23
  • The Church – Ephesians 3:10
  • The Kingdom – Matthew 16:19

6) The Biblical Names Of The Members Of The NT Church

  • Christians – 1 Peter 4:16
  • The Children of God – Gal. 3:26
  • Brethren – Gal. 6:1
  • Saints – Romans 1:7
  • Disciples – Acts 11:26

7) Membership Into The NT Church

  • Hear – Romans 10:17
  • Faith – Hebrews 11:6
  • Repentance – Acts 17:30-31
  • Confession – Acts 8:37
  • Baptism – Acts 2:38

8) The True Worship Service Of The NT Church

  • Communion – Acts 20:7
  • Prayer – Acts 2:42
  • Singing – Ephesians 5:19
  • Giving – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
  • Preaching – 2 Timothy 4:1-4

9) The True Organization Of The NT Church

  • Elders (aka pastors, elders, bishops, overseers) – 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1; Acts 20:28
  • Deacons – 1 Tim. 3:8-13
  • Preacher(s) – 2 Timothy 4:1-5
  • Teachers – Hebrews 5:12-14
  • Members – 1 Corinthians 12:23-27

10) The Purpose Of The NT Church

  • To Evangelize – Matthew 28:18-20
  • To Restore – Gal. 6:1
  • To Worship – Matthew 4:10
  • To Serve – Hebrews 12:28-29
  • To Minister – Gal. 6:10

11) The Divine Authority Of The NT Church

  • Christ Our Saviour – Luke 2:8-13
  • Christ Our Mediator – 1 Tim. 2:5
  • Christ Our Lawgiver – Matthew 28:18-20
  • Christ Our Ruler – Ephesians 1:22-23
  • Christ Our Judge – 2 Corinthians 5:10

12) The Divine Acceptance Of The NT Church

  • Glorious – Ephesians 5:25-27
  • Spotless – 2 Peter 2:1-3
  • Holy – Gal. 1:6-9
  • Faultless – 2 Peter 3:16-17
  • Flawless – Jude 1:1

Conclusion
Let us pray that as we consider the above scriptures relating to the church of our Lord, we will always remember that we (the church – Ephesians 5:23, 30) are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (marginal reading – or a purchased people); that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

For more information see Essential Pattern

 

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, New Testament, Religion, Religions, Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
28 Oct 2010

Appointment Time

The appointment that all men will keep regardless of their status in this world is to die.  “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27).  In fact, DNA research has recently uncovered 300 defective genes that will guarantee a breakdown of the DNA strand leading to death. As Richard Durbin, of Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute says, “…none of our genomes is perfect”.  The God of heaven and the Bible sure knew what He was meaning when He said, “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

The question is, are you ready for the judgement?  Have you received or rejected the word of Christ? (John 12:48)  Will you pass or fail the upcoming examination? (II Corinthians 13:5).  Is Jesus going to welcome you into heaven as a servant with the words “Well done” or “Depart from Me” to Hell wicked one?(Matthew 25:21, 23; 7:23).

There is only one way in which to find out for you will only be welcomed into heaven if you have done the “will of [God] which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).  There is only one will of God and that is Jesus Christ’s word (John 14:6).  There is only one that can save you, the Man, Christ Jesus (Acts 4:12).  It is no use appealing to the doctrines and traditions of men such as Protestant churches, Roman Catholic church, Holiness movements, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness, Seventh Day Adventists cults and such like, for Jesus described such man-made ideology is “vain” (Matthew 15:9).  Paul said such shenanigans are worthy of being labelled “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).

That can mean only one thing, you need to get with the programme and be “added” to the church (Acts 2:47).  You don’t know how?  Well, here’s a tip, check out the essential pattern Essential Pattern or click on the icons on the side of this post but make sure you hurry because you just don’t know when Jesus is going to return (Matthew 24:36).  It might be tomorrow for all you know and if He returns and you have not obeyed His word by becoming a Christian then you will end up in Hell along with all these poor souls (cf Ezekiel 32:18-32; Mathew 7:13).

Your appointment day is going to come maybe sooner than later, so what are you waiting for?  Now is good (II Corinthians 6:2).

Graham

 

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Death, Deity, Denominations, Faith, False Religion, God, Hell, Jesus, Religion, Religions, Science, Sin, Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
25 Oct 2010
2 Comments

Holy Spirit Indwelling Delusion

Many in “Christianity” believe the Holy Spirit personally “indwells” them after having been adopted by God through faith.  They take this position after having read various passages in the New Testament such as Acts 2:38 where a promises is made to “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” or perhaps Romans 8:11 “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you”.

I submit to you that the many are deluded.  For instance, the use of Romans 8 to support their argument is flawed for the reason that Paul is continuing his argument from Chapter 7 that the Law of Moses is dead, having no jurisdiction over mankind anymore. Stated very clearly he says: “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). The “Spirit of life” is a metaphor for the gospel message; the “law of sin and death” is a metaphor for the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses could not and was not designed to set men free from sin, for as the Hebrews writer put it: “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). The blood sacrifices of the Law of Moses were for the Israel’s “sin and death” but from the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 it is the gospel word that sets men free from sin through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross, for the gospel is the “…implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).  No wonder then John the Baptist cried out speaking metaphorically of Him, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John1:29).

Be sure to recognise metaphors used in the Bible before jumping to conclusions. In this case the Holy Spirit does not literally indwell but the “Spirit of life” which is the gospel message does. For more on salvation issues see essential pattern

Graham

How the Holy Spirit Leads Men Today

Just how does the Holy Spirit lead a person in this present age? Many mistakenly think that their own subjective feelings are the supernatural action of the Holy Spirit. If this were so, how would a person distinguish between his natural inner feelings and those brought on supernaturally? Solomon warns, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Prov. 28:26). Again, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 16:25). These two passages reveal that our inner feelings are not a reliable source in determining right from wrong.

This is especially true in respect to morals, and learning what the Lord would have us to do. Our outlook on life philosophically is determined by how we were raised, experiences in life, knowledge obtained by observation and by what we were taught. From these sources we develop a philosophy to guide us in life. This internal understanding of right and wrong may not coincide with the inspired Word of God. That’s the reason different people who think their inner feelings mean they are guided by the Holy Spirit arrive at opposite concepts from each other and from what the Bible actually teaches. These conflicting claims of being guided by the Holy Spirit cannot be blamed upon the Lord. The Apostle Paul informs us that, “… God is not the author of confusion…” (1 Cor. 14:33).

In reality, how does the third person in the Godhead communicate unto mankind? From the beginning of time Divine messages were always delivered in a language understood by the recipients of those messages. A person has never received communication from Heaven by way of his inner feeling. How did Adam and Eve come to knowledge of the will of God for them in the Garden of Eden? It was by words. “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but, of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17).

Several passages of scripture reveal that the Holy Spirit used words to communicate. David declared, “The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Sam. 23:2). The Apostle Peter said, “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus” (Acts 1:16). The Apostle Paul wrote, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith…” (1 Tim. 4:1).

The Holy Spirit did not communicate heavenly messages to every person, but rather inspired certain men as spokesmen. Moses received the Decalogue for the children of Israel at Mount Sinai. The Apostle John pointed out that “…the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). During the Mosaic dispensation God chose certain men as prophets to deliver His Word to the Israelites. The Apostle Peter, in referring to the writers of the Old Testament, said, “…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:21). At Hebrews 1:1, the scripture states, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.“ For the New Testament dispensation Jesus Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit unto the apostles to guide them unto all truth (John 14:26; 16:13). Not only did the apostles and the New Testament prophets speak by inspiration, but they also wrote as guided unto all truth (2 Tim. 3:16-17). At First Corinthians 2:10-13, the Apostle Paul pointed out that the very words he wrote were the words of the Holy Spirit. The days of miracles and receiving messages from heaven supernaturally ceased at the close of the first century (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Jude 3; Rev. 22:18-19). The Bible is the complete revelation of the Heavenly Father for mankind’s eternal redemption. Those who claim to be led directly by the Holy Spirit today are either deceived or false prophets (Matt. 7:15; 1 John 4:1).

Dub Mowery

NOTE: Dub Mowery preaches for the Pittsburg church of Christ, Pittsburg, Texas.  His preaching experience began in March of 1955; forty-eight of those years have been full time.

 

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Deity, Denominations, Faith, False Religion, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Religion, Religions, Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
14 Oct 2010

Ok, so you believe in Jesus, huh?

Many people throughout the past couple of thousand years have believed in Jesus Christ. In fact, many believed in Him before He was “born of a woman, born under the Law” (Galatians 4:4). Yes, that’s right, they believed the Law and the Prophets that not only spoke of His coming but that He would also abolish the Law of Moses and fulfil the Prophets’ prophecies of which one was to “make a new covenant” (cf Jeremiah 31:31ff; Matthew 5:17 and Colossian 2:14) and God’s people would have a “new name” (Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16).

It is one thing to believe in someone and another thing to do as he says. This is precisely what Jesus was getting at in Luke 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Contextually He addresses the religious hypocrites of His day:

  • The rich who live it up yet ignore the poor.
  • The religious who are respected by their fellow man but are guilty of believing in false teachers.
  • The seemingly pious men of love but are really bigots of the highest degree.
  • The outward generous looking who, in reality, are seeking a reward of some kind for that generosity.

Oh, they believe, alright, so long as it fits their definition of belief.

It is no different today. Let’s see, what about this list below, do you fit one or more of the following? Are you one who announces belief in Christ but yet your actions actually deny Him?

  • You might be one who says one can be a Christian without the need to attend church. Really? Jesus says: He would build his church (Matthew 16:18), Paul said Jesus purchased the church with the blood shed at Calvary (Acts 20:28).  So, the Saviour goes to such lengths for His followers only for you to say it is not necessary – think again.  The church; that is, those called out from the world aka disciples were “first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

Why do you call Jesus your Master yet do not obey Him, for you cannot be a Christian unless you have been added to the church of Christ for Christian and the church are one and the same.

  • You might be one who says one can belong to a denomination such as the Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist etc and be recognised as a Christian. Really? How can this be when Jesus only promised to build His “church” [singular]. There is no mention of churches with names such as that which encompass today’s so-called “Christianity”. In fact, before 1500 AD the vast majority had not yet come into existence. Until after this date Henry the VIII had not stolen the Roman Catholic chattels and started the Church of England. Calvin had not written his theses of repudiation of corrupt Roman Catholic dogma, nor had Luther pinned his theses up on their door at Wittenberg.  John Wesley had not formulated his methodology of study that led to followers in what is called the Methodist Discipline nor had John Smyth gone into apostasy from the church of Christ to form what is now known as the Baptist Church and so on we could go. Even the Roman Catholic Church did not come into being until well after the Council of Nicea (c. 325 AD) despite their claim that Peter was the first Pope as per the nonsense they derive from Matthew 16:18. Besides all of this, Paul condemned sectarianism in I Corinthians 1:10-17; Galatians 1:6-9.

Why do you call Jesus your Master yet do not obey Him, for you cannot be a Christian and a member of a man-made denomination; the very idea is foreign to the New Testament. There is only one church of Christ provable because they follow only that which the New Testament authorises, for “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (I Peter 4:11).

  • You might be one who says your religious leader, who might be known as say “Pastor”, “Reverend”, “Pope” or whatever title your church has designated those to  lead you, will tell the truth on how and what I should do to be a Christian. Really? Jesus said that if you truly love Him you will keep his commands (John 14:15). Paul said it is up to you, as an individual, to determine the truth by “rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). You, personally, will be judged at the end of time by this standard which is whether you have rejected or kept the word of Christ (John 12:48). You, not your advisor, must do a self examination to see if you are really in the faith (II Corinthians 13:5). Besides, how can you trust men or, as is fashionable in these post-modern times, women leaders to advise you correctly when they cannot even understand this basic teaching of Jesus: “be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ” (Matthew 23:8). Paul says women are to remain silent and not usurp authority given exclusively for men to lead (I Corinthians 14:34; I Timothy 2:12ff).

Why do you call Jesus your Master yet do not obey Him, for you cannot be a Christian on the advice of men; rather it is the “word implanted [which] is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). You see, your faith can only come about in an authentic way by hearing and applying that faith which God has given through Christ (Romans 10:17) precisely that which the church of Christ practices.

There is much more that one can point to in order to prove you are not a Christian such as whether you have submitted to the New Testament plan of salvation or whether your church is scripturally organised but I am sure you get the picture.

Here is a little tip: check out the search engine of this site and type in church of the Bible or what must I do to become a Christian or does God approve of denominations and then study the scriptures provided and see if these things are so.

Graham

Posted in Apostasy, Bible, Christianity, Denominations, Faith, False Religion, God, Jesus, Religion, Scripture Error, Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
06 Oct 2010

Heed Not the Warning at Your Peril


Thuggee Cult

As of this time, the world through the media is witness to the “hate speech” trial of Geert Wilders, the Dutch MP who is trying desperately to bring his nation to its senses before it is too late regarding the sinister advance of the “thuggee cult” as Rudyard Kipling termed the religion of Islam, and at the same time Muslims in Malawi are burning the one and only true scriptures from God Almighty, the Bible yet, I might add, without so much as a whimper from the world’s left leaning media.

It should not surprise us that Europe as a whole is being swamped by this oppressive regime because of the fashionable religious tolerance exhibited over the past forty or so years. No surprise at all, for the progressive socialist movement made up of trendy intellectuals have out voiced the concerns of those endowed with common sense and have led and encouraged a mindset that simply ignores the reality of the situation.

It is not like there have not been those who have tried to warn the world of this perilous threat. Take, for example, the words of arguably the greatest wartime leader the world has ever experienced, a true master of knowledge of the English speaking people and one, so young at the time of writing the following piece, yet whose insight to the dangers that would beset Europe in the 20th Century are unsurpassed. I am, of course, speaking of Sir Winston Churchill.

He wrote the following about the “thuggee cult”:

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – either as a child, a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome.”
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, PC, FRS (30 November 1874   24 January 1965) , The River War, First edition, Vol. II (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899), pp. 248 ff.

I am grateful to Keith Sisman for this valuable quote from such a valuable man trying to warn us of the terrible consequences of such an insidious religion.

Heed the warning or suffer the dire, perilous consequences.

Graham

Posted in God, Islam, Muslim, Religion, Truth and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
05 Oct 2010

God does so exist!


The moral argument proves the existence of God

  1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist.
  2. Objective moral values do exist

Therefore: God exists.

The moral argument is a stumbling block for the atheist/agnostic and as a result is either avoided or butchered by such.

God exists and has not only given objective morals but has spoken through men via the Bible (cf 2 Peter 1:21). God has declared that all men (generic) must repent or perish (cf Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30).

If you are serious about wanting to go to heaven then go to the only church according to the Bible

You cannot go to heaven except you follow the way, the truth, the life according to Jesus Christ (cf John 14:6).

In other words, get off your backside or your hobby horse religion before it is too late, for it is a terrible thing to face the judgement that awaits you if you have not fallen into line with God’s plan of salvation (cf John 12:48; Hebrews 9:27; Hebrews 10:31).

Graham

Posted in Bible, Christianity, God, Religion, Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
28 Sep 2010
1 Comment

Truth

After three years of constant teaching, the men who would become the Apostles of Christ still needed help. Before He was betrayed and arrested, Jesus gave a farewell speech of sorts to His apostles, recorded in John chapters 13-17. In this setting, Jesus tells them about the coming of the “Comforter.” “If ye love me keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth… I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:15-18). “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7). Jesus said He was leaving, but He was sending another to take His place. This Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would perform some of the same things that Jesus had the previous three years. The primary function of the Comforter — the Spirit of truth — was to infallibly reveal the Gospel to Christ’s chosen ambassadors. “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12-13a). Just as Jesus had been revealing truth, the Comforter would continue this work in Jesus’ absence. The apostles received the Comforter in Jerusalem a few days after Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 2:1-4). This enabled them to perform miracles and preach the Gospel in words given to them from heaven. Did the Holy Spirit guide the Apostles into “all truth” as Jesus promised, or is truth being revealed today? For those who trust the Lord and for those who understand the work of the Holy Spirit in revealing the Good News of salvation, to ask the question is to answer it. The Holy Spirit is no longer revealing truth. He has already delivered “all truth” to Christ’s hand-picked spokesmen. There’s nothing left to reveal.

People today who claim that the Holy Spirit talks directly to them are mistaken. There are no Apostles, no prophets, no one receiving divine revelation today. The Holy Spirit completed that work in the first century when He revealed the Gospel. The Apostles and prophets of the first century wrote down those words in the group of books we call the New Testament and miraculously confirmed those documents. To respect Jesus Christ you must hear His written word. “All truth” was revealed long ago. Quit waiting for the Holy Spirit to nudge you or whisper in your ear. Read the Bible to know God’s plan, because that’s what will judge us on the last day (John 12:48).

Nathan Brewer

(Nathan is a Christian. To find out how to become a Christian; that is to say, one who truly follows Christ, then go to church found in the New Testament )

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Truth and tagged , , , , ,

Post Navigation

Newer Entries →