Am I on the right road that leads to eternal Life?
Steven Covey references an individual who works hard his whole life climbing the ladder of success only to find when he gets to the top that his ladder was on the wrong wall. How sad would it be for those who had followed the doctrine of one of 300,000 denominations only to hear these words at the Judgement Day from our Lord and Savior, “Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV The Apostle Paul found his ladder on the wrong wall on the way to Damascus. Acts chapters 9, 22 and 26 recounts Paul’s realization to how misguided he was. Paul was sincere in what he believed but was sincerely wrong. We can see from his actions that Paul moved his ladder. There are questions we should all ask when it comes to what we belong to and where it will lead us.
If there are a lot of People who belong to this or that denomination, are they automatically right?
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. KJV
So what foundation should the church have in the doctrine it teaches?
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: KJV
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. KJV
What will happen to the churches that are based loosely on scriptures and more on what men have introduced?
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. KJV
Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.KJV
How many churches does the Bible recognize, and how many beliefs or faiths are there?
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. KJV
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, KJV
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. KJV
As long as there is some of the doctrine from the New Testament included is it ok to add man’s rules and teaching to the church?
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. KJV
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. KJV
Does what I feel like doing a guide for worship?
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Do I or anybody else get to decide how a person becomes a Christian?
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. KJV
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. KJV
1Cor. 12:12-14 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body–whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The good news is there is one Church. The good news is you can belong to that church that teaches the true way that leads to eternal life according to scripture. The good news is you can get off the ladder that leans on a wall that will fall and get on the new wall that will take you up to eternal life. Start climbing today. Make the move that leads to Heaven.