The word denomination literally defined is division. The questions everyone should ask who belong to denominations are:

What is this church a division of?

Was that church that it divided from recognized in the New Testament as being “The Lord’s Church?”

Are the practices used in worship or doctrine developed by man or by God’s Word?

Members of nondenominational churches should ask questions as well:

Is this church still using some of the same practices as the denominations do?

Everyone should ask this question:

Does the church I belong to, the church I have my children or grandchildren associated with, the church I am banking my eternal salvation on, is this the Church that Jesus died for and will someday present to His Father in the last day?

Does this church I attend even honor the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

 

Very Simply:

1. Did Jesus want His Church divided?

John 17:20-23  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.16  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20  Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

 

2. What is the definition of the Church, who is in charge and how many churches are there?

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

Eph 5:29-30  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Col 1:24  Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

3. How many churches does the Bible say there are?

Eph 4:46  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, 6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

4. Does the vine and branches teaching say that all churches are recognized by our Lord, or does this refer to an individual?

Joh 15:4-9  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

5. How is a church recognized as belonging to Christ?

Eph 2:16-21  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:17  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens 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: 22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

6. Who does the Church belong to?

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.

7. What about churches that are built on man’s foundation and not God’s foundation?

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. 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. 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.

Mat 15:3-13  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?:

Mat 15:7-9  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, :8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mat 15:13  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

8. How many churches will Jesus present to His Father and will anything outside of what is taught in the Bible concerning the church be accepted?

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.

9. Does the Bible teach about a time when the New Testament Church would see division?

1Ti 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7  But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

2Ti 3:1-14  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2Ti 4:1  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

10. How does the New Testament Church work according to the Bible?

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

The Good News Is: The New Testament Church of Christ exist even today. After all that has happened since the beginning of its existence in Acts chapter 2, the gates of Hell have not prevailed against it. Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. The Good News Is: We still have the Word of God to make sure we are in the right church to enter into eternal life in Heaven. We all need to analyze the following statements. “I am a ___________.” Or “I am a member of the ________ church,” Will our answer be recognized by our Lord and Savior  as being His Body, His Church?

By Tim Anderson

Am I too sinful to have eternal life in heaven?

Your sin can be forgiven no matter how rotten you think you are. Every human who ever walked the face of this earth has had to come to grips with guilt. Just remember that all sin is transgression against God. Everyone has sinned, (Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;)  Sinners know that they are at odds with, and owe a debt, to God. If they are honest. The truth is, nobody wants to be found guilty or be convicted. When we have done something terrible most everyone wants a (do-over) or wished it had never happened. No matter the sin, there is forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. Even after the debt of sin has been canceled, the guilt of what we have done may exist and cause one to question God’s payment plan. Consider the following:

• Our clean record (redemption) begins with hearing the Gospel.

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV

• Believing the Gospel in the Word which is Jesus Christ

John 12:46  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47  And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48  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. KJV

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 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

• Acknowledging that Jesus is the Christ

Luke 12:8  Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. KJV

• Repenting of our sins

2Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. KJV

• Obeying the Gospel call of the Lord Jesus Christ and no other Gospel

2Thes. 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. KJV

Gal. 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. KJV

• Being baptized so that your slate is cleaned and the do-over begins.

Acts 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38  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. KJV

Act 22:16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. KJV

1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. KJV

• Knowing that after all of this, when we sin we are able to ask forgiveness and another do-over begins again.

1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. KJV

The Good News is there is forgiveness of sin if we find that way to forgiveness through the Word of God. The Good News is, no matter how awful we think that we are there is redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. Even someone who had a hand in killing Christians in the first century found redemption for his sins. This individual went on to be the poster child for the grace of God. As a result of the conversion of this man churches were started all over the known world at that time. This man was no other than the apostle Paul. It is possible that this same apostle considered the memory of his past to be a thorn in his flesh, a reminder to keep him humble. When asked that this thorn be removed he was told by our Lord that His grace, His forgiveness was sufficient. If our Lord’s grace is sufficient for Paul, it can be sufficient for us as well.

2Cor. 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. KJV

Timothy Anderson

The Good News is the Good News

Whose responsibility is it?

Whose responsibility is it to make sure that the information we receive is in fact the truth? The simple answer is that it is the responsibility of the individual to make sure the information is true. Fact checking has gone out with the internet. Don’t you know the fallacy, “I read it on the internet it has to be true?” This is funny coming from an internet site isn’t it? The difference is I am going to give you a way to fact check what I am writing. Consider the following statements.

1. We will all be held accountable to God for every word that comes out of our mouth.
2. Teachers of the Word of God will be held at a higher rate of accountability.
3. Ministers preachers teachers who do not accurately teach the word of God will be cursed.
4. People who believe false teachers will be held accountable for not fact checking their parents teachers and preachers.
5. The Word of God is judging not me.

Very simply:

#1) Mat 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Mat 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

#2) James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

#3) 2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

 

Galation 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

#4) 2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. :5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

Matthew 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.

 

Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

 

1John 4:1  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2  This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3  but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

 

The good news is that there is a way to be saved and not cheated out of life eternal with God. It is up to you to follow the way that leads to eternal life. Read your bible. Obey God not man! Question the teacher. Make the changes necessary in your life now. You are one day closer to eternity and it lasts forever.

The Good News is the Good News

I heard a preacher say a few months ago that we are treating the “The Good News like it is the Bad News.” It has inspired me to write about things that would encourage individuals to remove the obstacles that separates all of us from God. I will give the reader a look at just scripture. Hopefully the readers will study and apply the things they read in God’s Word. When we make the proper corrections it is only then that we have a relationship with God. It is not what I think or what you think; it is what God says that counts. The social gospel is no gospel at all and is leading good people not toward God, but separating them totally from God. By painting grey areas in God’s Word, where it is plainly black and white, sin is able to rein in the lives of people seeking God. In the following weeks I hope to bring back to light truths in God’s Word that have been darkened by the “I’m OK you’re OK doctrine”. The devil wants mankind to fail. Why does man think we need to bring God down to our level? To justify sin and feel good about themselves.  We need to be Holy as God is Holy. God is not a man. Very simply: 1Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. NIV Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV 1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. NIV

The Good News is that if through obedience to the Word of God you can be forgiven of the sins through the blood of Christ in baptism. Turn from sin, obey God, and spend eternity with him when this life is over and eternal life begins. He who has an ear listen to what the word of God teaches.

By Tim Anderson