GOD'S GRACE AND MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY=SALVATION  BY STEVE FINNELL

There are two things involved in the salvation of mankind.  What God provides and man's responsibility.

WHAT DOES GOD PROVIDE?

GOD PROVIDES GRACE.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

All men who hear the gospel have the opportunity to accept God's grace.

Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Grace is God's mercy. Men do not work in order to receive mercy. Mercy is an unmerited favor.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

It is because of God's grace that men have the possibility to receive the  gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We receive the gift of salvation because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We are not saved because of our good works or keeping the Law of Moses.

GOD PROVIDES A SAVIOR.

1 John 4:9-10 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

GOD PROVIDES THE MEANS BY WHICH MEN MAY HEAR THE GOSPEL.

Romans 10:13-15 14...And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent.....
Matthew 28:18-20 ....19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations......20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...

GOD PROVIDED HIS WRITTEN WORD, THE BIBLE, SO THAT WE MAY BELIEVE AND HAVE LIFE.

John 20:30-31....31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

---God provides grace, a Savior, preachers of the gospel, and the Bible---

WHAT IS MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY?

Man's responsibility is to be obedient to the gospel.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9....8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus......

Obedience is required. Good works and following the Law of Moses are not equivalent to being obedient to the gospel.

Hebrews 5:8-9.....9 And having been made perfect, He became toall those who obey Him the sourced of eternal salvation,

Obedience is man's responsibility in order to receive salvation.

Mark 16:16 He who has believed  and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

You need to believe and be baptized in water in order to be saved.

Romans 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Whoever calls on Jehovah God will be saved. Calling on false Gods cannot save anyone.

Acts 22:16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name!

Saul was told to be baptized and call on the name of the Lord to have his sins washed away. Saul had already believed in Jesus and repented, while on the road to Damascus,  three days prior.
(Paul was not saved by faith only)

Saul's responsibilities were to believe in Jesus, repent (turn from sin and turn toward God), be baptized in water, and call on the name of the Lord.

When you confess Jesus, you are calling on the name of the Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Men must confess Jesus as Lord and savior and believe in His resurrection from the dead in order to be saved. (Men are not saved by grace alone)

Acts 8:27-38...35 Then Phillip open his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said. "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37 [And Phillip said, :If you believe with all your heart , you may."And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Phillip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

The eunuch believed in Jesus, he repented, he confessed Jesus  as the Christ and as the Son of God. He was baptized in water. The eunuch fulfilled his responsibilities for salvation.

On the Day of Pentecost Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and proclaimed Him Lord and Christ. When the 3000 believed Peter's sermon, they asked what they should do? (Acts 2:22-38.....38 Peter said to them, Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.)

Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Notice: Peter said be saved, future tense. After they believed and were baptized, then they were saved and added to the church. The three thousand souls were only added after they believed and were baptized.

The Lord only adds the saved to His church. Acts 2:47 ...And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

What was the responsibility of the 3000?
1. To believe in the resurrected Jesus.
2. To believe that Jesus was the Christ and accept Him as Lord. 3. To repent (repent means to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God).
4. They had to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

SALVATION?

God provides: 1. Grace. 2. The Savior. 3. Preachers of the gospel. 4. His written word, the Bible.

Man's responsibilities: BE OBEDIENT 1. Listen to the gospel. 2. Believe the gospel. 3. Confess Jesus as Lord, the Christ, and as God's only Son. 4. Believe that God resurrected Jesus from the dead. 5.Repent (make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God). 6. Be baptized in water.

FAITH is for the forgiveness of sins.
CONFESSION is for the forgiveness of sins.
REPENTANCE is for the forgiveness of sins.
WATER BAPTISM is for the forgiveness of sins.

Men can be saved in two hours  more or less. No work, no good deeds, and no law keeping is required---Then remain faithful until death. (Matthew 10:22)

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) 

      

What Does the
Resurrection
Mean to Me,
Personally? BY GEORGE  L. FAULL

A city slicker moved to the
country. He met a country girl
and he wanted to win her
heart. He gave her a ring out of a Cracker Jack box that
was studded with colored glass. They looked like red
Rubies, blue Emeralds, and green Sapphire stones. He
told her the big center diamond was real.
Of course she did not believe it. She rejected the
diamond with these words, "Why would anyone set a real
diamond among fake jewels?"
Good question!
Why do Christians, who are trying to win the heart of the
world, set the diamond of the resurrection amidst a fake
setting of Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter hams,
Easter lilies, and hot cross buns, then put it on a movable
date determined by the moon, and then call the
celebration after a pagan goddess of fertility and
fornication? No wonder some find it hard to believe!!!
You know the True story.
Jesus was crucified.
The disciples were sad, but He arose.
The women were told by the angels, "Why seek the living
among the dead? He is not here. He has risen as He
said."
The disciples did not believe.
He appeared unto Mary. She was told, “Why weep ye?
Go tell My disciples.” But the disciples did not believe.
Peter saw Him. Some did not believe.
He appeared unto the ten and commissioned them to wait
in Jerusalem. Luke 24
Thomas was absent and he would not believe. Later,
Jesus appeared to all the apostles, and Thomas believed.
John 20:22 ff
Jesus appeared unto them again and rebuked them for
their unbelief of not believing the women. He
commissioned them again. Mark 16
He then appeared again in Galilee. Still some doubted.
He commissioned them again. Matthew 28
Today, unbelief is still common.
The women saw an empty tomb and were spoken to by
angels; but could not prove it.
Mary saw Him; but could not prove it.
Peter saw Him; but could not prove it.
The Apostles saw Him; but could not prove it.
The men on the road to Emmaus saw Him; but could not
prove it.
500 brethren saw Him at once; but could not prove it.
Did it happen? I do not like the song, “You ask me how I
know He lives, He lives within my heart.” That’s
subjective.
It boils down to these objective truths:
The empty tomb.
The grave clothes were empty.
The testimony of witnesses who gave their lives as
martyrs.
The Church is here.
The Word is a testimony.
The conversion of Saul of Tarsus.
Spring only hints of it. (There is hope of a tree that when it
dies, it shall live again. A seed must fall and die or it
cannot bring forth fruit.) Job 14:7, John 12:24
Did it happen? Does it make any difference? Why must
we have a resurrection? Can't we just have His good
moral teaching and His great example? Why is all this
dead, buried, and risen stuff necessary anyway?
"From the cowardice that shrinks from
new truth, from the laziness that is content
with half truths, from the arrogance that
thinks it knows all truth, O, God of Truth,
deliver us."
B-5452 THE GOSPEL UNASHAMED April 2009
Who needs an exemplary liar? Who needs a moral code
from a deceiver? Who needs a teacher whose basic
doctrine brings strife and arguments? Not me.
But what if He did arise? That changes things. I believe
He did arise. So what does the resurrection mean to me
personally?
It assures me that my convictions are true, for He
is risen as He said, and all He said will come to pass.
It is pure silliness to believe in a God and not believe
He could rise from the dead.
It means I am forgiven of my sins and my
conscience is right in being pure. “If He is not risen, I
am yet in my sins.” His resurrection proves the
acceptance of His payment. “It is finished” means
“paid in full”...and I have peace with God.
It confirms my confidence of my own resurrection
from the dead.
I Corinthians 15:23, “But every man in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at
his coming.”
Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up
Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up
Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal
bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
It gives me the hope of seeing my Christian family
and friends again.
I Corinthians 15:18 “Then they also which are fallen
asleep in Christ are perished.” (If Christ is not raised.)
It confirms my life has meaning and purpose.
I Corinthians 15:29-32, “29 Else what shall they do
which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at
all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And
why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by
your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I
die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought
with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if
the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to
morrow we die.”
It assures me that I am enabled with the power to
live a victorious life.
Ephesians 1:19-20, “19 And what is the exceeding
greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power, 20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from
the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the
heavenly places,”
It assures me I can give what I want because my
treasure is in Heaven. Remember the Rich Young
Ruler?
Mark 10:21, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him,
and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy
way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come,
take up the cross, and follow me.”
It guarantees me my hospitality will be rewarded
at the resurrection of the just.
Luke 14:13-14, “13 But when thou makest a feast,
call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And
thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense
thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the
resurrection of the just.”
It guarantees me an incorruptible inheritance.
I Peter 1:3-4, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his
abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in
heaven for you,”
It is an assurance that my life creed is valid. Life is
stronger than death, Good is stronger than evil, Truth
is greater than error, Love is stronger than hatred and
God is mightier than Satan..... and that is good news.
It comforts me to know that what I did not have in
material things, nor what I may gain in a physical
world, does not matter in eternity since I will wake
in a spiritual world, and my physical body will be
changed to a spiritual body. That makes things in life
a lot less important to me now because I can live as a
pilgrim or sojourner heading home. Who fights over a
snowflake? This world’s goods are “fool’s gold”.
It convinces me that all He said is true. The
resurrection of the just and the unjust. Some will rise
to everlasting life, and some to damnation. The
ungodly will be dealt with, but the meek will win and
the pure in heart shall see God.
It means I've been commissioned to make
disciples of all that I meet. My task is before me. In
each appearance He commissioned each who saw
Him.
Mary was to go tell.
The women were to go tell.
Peter was told to feed His sheep, His lambs.
Disciples were to start in Jerusalem and go make
disciples, teach, baptize, and teach to observe all
things.
Even Paul was a chosen vessel to men.
I, too, must tell it.April 2009 THE GOSPEL UNASHAMED 3
Conclusion
Whether Jesus arose makes all the difference to me.
Because He lives, I shall live.
I have hope when I am dying.
I have confidence when I stumble.
I have a Savior who forgives my sin.
I have a Mediator when I pray.
I have peace that passes understanding.
I have a joy unspeakable and full of glory.
I have power to live victoriously.
I have a commission to fulfill.
I have assurance of seeing my saved loved ones again.
I have a faith that is unshakable.
I have hope that all will be made right.
I have a reason to believe He will come again, just as He
said.
If you do not believe He lives, you have no:
♦ Hope
♦ Confidence
♦ Savior
♦ Mediator
♦ Peace with God
♦ Lasting joy
♦ Power to be an overcomer
♦ Meaning in life
And you live and will die in doubt.
You can never say with Job, "I know that my redeemer
liveth and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the
earth, and though after my skin, worms destroy my flesh,
yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for
myself and not another."
Forget the bunnies, eggs, lilies, hot cross buns, and the
lies that Satan has added to the story. Just stick with the
facts and believe the Gospel.
I Corinthians 15:1-4, “1 Moreover, brethren, I declare
unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which
also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which
also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached
unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I
delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures

DEATH PENALTY FOR THE UNBORN? by steve finnell

Is the death penalty for the unborn a sin? Some would say, yes with the exception of those babies that were conceived in rape and incest or those killed to protect the life of the mother.

Questions:

1. Would those who advocate killing innocent babies that were conceived by rape be willing to give a death sentence to the guilty rapist?

2. Would they be in favor of executing the adult that is guilty of incest or is pronouncing a death sentence for the unborn the only moral choice.

3. Can killing the unborn really protect the life of the mother? If killing unborn babies makes women healthier, then why not abort all babies. How can killing babies save women's lives?

 If killing babies can save the life of the mother, then why is not the opposite true. Can killing the mother saved the life of the baby? Of course not, and killing babies does save mothers lives.

Killing the innocent is murder. Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said of old 'You shall not murder,' and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement.(NKJV)

Can abortion be forgiven? Yes. Through Jesus Christ. John 3:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9, Mark 16:16.

WATER BAPTISM-IMMERSION, SPRINKLING OR POURING? BY STEVE FINNELL

What is the meaning of water baptism? Is it immersion in water? Is it being sprinkled with water? Is it having water poured on a person? Is it all three?

The Greek word baptizo was not translated into English, in most translations. Baptizo was transliterated into English as baptize. The definition of transliterate is; to change letters, words, etc. into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

I am going to quote from a translation that translates the Greek word baptizo into English. THE BETTER VERSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BY CHESTER ESTES (TBVOTNT)

Matthew 3:16 And when Jesus was immersed, he went up from the water, and, behold, immediately the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and resting upon him.

There is no translation that reads-Jesus was sprinkled or poured.

Acts 8:38 Then he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed him.

There is no translation that reads-he sprinkled or poured him.

Acts 2:38 The Peter said unto them, Let each of you repent and be immersed, in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to the remission of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

There is nor translation that reads-repent and be sprinkled or poured.

Acts 10:47 Can any one forbid water, that these should not be immersed, who received the Holy Spirit , even as we did.

There is no translation that reads-that these should not be sprinkled or poured.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you have been immersed into Christ, have put on Christ.

There is no translation that reads-have been sprinkled or poured into Christ.

Romans 6:4 We were, therefore, buried with him by immersion into that death; that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, thus we also should walk in newness of life.

There is no translation that reads- buried with him by sprinkling or pouring.

Colossians 2:12 Having been buried with him by immersion, by which also you were raised up with him, through the belief of the strong working of God, who raised him from the dead.

There is no translation that reads-buried with him by sprinkling or pouring.

1 Peter 3:20-21.....to safety by water. 21 The like figure, in which immersion does, also, now save us (not a putting away of the filth of the flesh, but seeking of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

There is no translation that reads- to safety by water. The like figure which is sprinkling or pouring.

Acts 14:4 Paul then said to them, John immersed with the immersion of repentance, saying to the people that they should should believe on him who would come after him, that is, Jesus.

There is no translation that reads-John sprinkled or poured with the sprinkling or pouring of repentance.

Matthew 28:19 Go you, therefore, making disciples of all nations,immersing them into the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit;

There is no translation that reads-sprinkling or pouring them into the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:16 He who has believed, and has been immersed, will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

There is no translation that reads-and has been sprinkled or poured, will be saved.

BAPTIZE MEANS IMMERSION AS TRANSLITERATED FROM THE GREEK WORD BAPTIZO.

BAPTIZO TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK MEANS IMMERSION.

(All Scripture from: THE BETTER VERSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BY CHESTER ESTES)

( If you have some interest in THE BETTER VERSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BY CHESTER ESTES-DO A GOOGLE SEARCH)        

Dear Brother
Faull,
I confronted my preacher about
his lack of mentioning baptism. I
am not sure that any newcomer
understands how to be saved
when visiting my church.
I think baptism particularly is
diminished from its proper place
into an act that is symbolic of salvation, but not actually
part of it; I don't subscribe to that. I want the simple Bible
truth to be preached and obeyed without any kind of
philosophic mumbo-jumbo.
I was told to preach Christ, not baptism. In my
understanding, I am preaching Christ. I only call up the
issue of baptism because it is precisely what seems to
be de-emphasized inordinately.
ANSWER
Phillip preached unto the Eunuch "Jesus" and the
Eunuch said "here is water what doth hinder me to be
baptized." Wonder how he knew he had to be
baptized just because he preached unto him Jesus. "
Just preach Jesus" is a cop out. When you preach Jesus
you surely tell his promise "He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall
be damned."
Who would talk about a Savior and not say what the
Savior said you had to be do to be saved?
He said, therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:
for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your
sins.” John 8:24
He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth
on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47
He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth
my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation;
but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24
He said, ”…if you do not confess me before men I will
not confess you before my father in Heaven.” Luke 12:8-
9
He said, “If you do not repent you will likewise perish”.
Luke 13:3
He said, “Except you are born of the water and the Spirit
you CANNOT enter into the kingdom of God”. John 3:5
He said, “Whosoever believes and is baptized shall be
saved”. Mark 16:16
He said, “Whosoever is ashamed of me AND MY
WORDS of him I will be ashamed”. Luke 9:26
Those who will talk about the Man and will not tell THE
PLAN OF THE MAN is OBVIOUSLY ASHAMED OF
THE MAN AND HIS WORDS.
Such a man is in a precarious position. It is one I would
not want to be in for any amount of money, praise,
acceptance, approval, salary, excuse, or numbers who
hear me preach.
God knows what men need. He put baptism in the plan.
Baptism is the point of pardon and if a preacher will not
tell people where the point of pardon is, he is not a
faithful preacher.
He is no better than a doctor who would not tell a person
of a cure for cancer when he knew of the medicine that
would cleanse them of the disease.
People have a sin problem and baptism into Christ is
where one receives the remission of sins and the Gift of
the Holy Spirit. In Christian baptism we get rid of the
guilt of sin, the consequence of sin, and the power of
sin.
A man who will not tell sinners that, is no preacher of
Jesus Christ

CALLED AND CHOSEN

Matthew 22:14 For many are called , but few are chosen."

Definition of called: Invited or summoned.

Definition of chosen: Those who are eligible  or suited for election. Elected and chosen are synonymous.

WHO ARE THE CALLED?

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Every person who has heard the gospel has been called. The call is not limited to a select few who have been predestined for salvation.

WHO ARE THE CHOSEN (THE ELECTED)?

The chosen are the ones who are obedient to the call of the gospel.
 The chosen are those who have 1. Faith: John 3:16

The chosen are those who 2. Repent: Acts 3:19 (Repent means to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God).

The chosen are those who 3. Confess: Roman 10:9-10

The chosen are those who are 4. Baptized in water: Acts 2:38

The chosen are not those who were supposedly, unconditionally selected for salvation. The chosen have to be suited for election.

THE CALLED WHO ARE NOT CHOSEN.

Matthew 22:2-3 "the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.

Many have had the gospel preached to them, but of their own free-will have rejected the call. If men reject the gift of eternal life by rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior; then they have been called, but not chosen.

Matthew 22:11-14 "But when the king came to look over the dinner quests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?" 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called  but few are chosen."

This wedding quest was disinvited. He was called but not chosen ; because he was not suitable to be chosen. Improper clothing was a big deal.

Galatalians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER WEDDING CLOTHES TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

When you stand before the KING OF KINGS are you going to be speechless when He asks; where are your wedding clothes? WHAT WILL YOU SAY WHEN HE ASKS YOU WHY YOU REJECTED IMMERSION IN WATER FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. WHAT WILL YOUR ANSWER BE, WHEN JESUS ASKS YOU WHY YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH BEING CLOTHED IN CHRIST?

MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN!  

CREED BOOKS?    BY STEVE FINNELL

If what is written in creed books is exactly what is penned in the Bible, then, what is the purpose of creed books? The reason to have a creed book is to add or take away from Scripture.

Creed books in most denominations are the final authority when it comes to teaching about faith and practice.

Could the doctrinal positions taken by your denomination be supported by using the Bible and the Bible alone? If not why not?

Proverbs 28:22 5-6 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield of those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do no add to His words, Lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar.

Is every word found in your creed book pure? Creed books do add to God's word. Are you putting your trust in God when you use you creed book as your authority or are you trusting the writers of the creed book?

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If any one adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things written in this book.

If your denomination is using modern day creed books of so-called new revelation? Why would you not question that teaching.

Deuteronomy 4:2 "You shall not add to the word which I commanded you, nor take anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I commanded you.

God has never left it up to men to write their own commandments. God has not given men the authority to devise their own terms of pardon. GOD HAS NOT CHANGED THE TERMS FOR PARDON UNDER THE NEW COVENANT. THE BIBLE WAS COMPLETED NINETEEN HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

GOD WROTE THE BIBLE. MEN WRITE CREED BOOKS.

(Scripture from: NKJV)
Note: Philip used the Scriptures to teach the Ethiopian eunuch. He did not open a creed book. (Acts 8:35)   

THE BIBLE OR MEN'S OPINIONS?  

    Is the Bible the accurate word God or are the opinions of men the absolute truth?

According to the average of May 2005, May 2006, May 2007 Gallup Polls state that 40% of  protestants and 45% of other Christians believe that the Bible is the actual word of God, to be taken literally. If that is a fact, then at least 55% who claim to be Christians do not believe the Bible is God's accurate word.

If those claiming to be Christian do not trust the Bible, then who or what do they trust? They are left with the opinions of men.


JOHN MacArthur Quote:
 In Acts 2:38, Peter appears to link forgiveness of sins to baptism. But there are several plausible interpretations of this verse that do not connect forgiveness of sin with baptism. It is possible to translate the Greek preposition eis—”because of,” or “on the basis of,” instead of “for.” It is used in that sense in Matthew 3:11; 12:41; and Luke 11:32.

There is not one English translation of the the Bible that translates "for" of Acts 2:38 as "because of" or "on the basis of".

Max Lucado Quote:

3) “What of the ones who die before they have a chance? What if I entrust my soul to Christ and before I can tell anyone or arrange to be baptized, a swarm of killer bees attacks me and I die?”
The answer to this question is found in the character of God. Would a God of love reject an honest heart? No way. Would a God of mercy and kindness condemn any seeking soul? Absolutely not. Having called you and died for you would he cast you away because of a curious sequence of events? Inconceivable. Is it possible for an unbaptized believer to be saved? Yes, definitely. Should every believer be baptized? Yes, definitely.

Jesus Quote:

Mark 16:15-16 ...preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved...(NKJV)

Realizing that 55% of those who claim to be Christian do not believe the Bible is God's word, it is no shock that men reject the clear teaching of Scripture.

Belief and water baptism are essential to salvation regardless of man-made doctrine.

Men are not baptized in water because they are already saved. Water baptism is in order to be saved.

What could more illogical, than to believe the Bible is not the accurate word of God, and then believe without question, preachers, priests, Bible commentaries, church creed books and other extra-Biblical writings?

Dear Brother
Faull,
Regarding the Old and New
Covenants - when did the
New Covenant go into
effect; at the cross or at
Pentecost?
Here is the line of
reasoning.
1. We know that the Old
Covenant was finished at the cross.
2. There had to be a covenant. There could not be a
time period without one.
3. So, the time period between the resurrection and
Pentecost HAD to be covered. Was it covered
with the New or Old Covenant?
 ANSWER
A covenant goes into effect at the death of the testator.
Hebrews 9:16-17
Let’s suppose I died. My will would be in effect, but those
who were going to be my heirs do not know the terms of
my will.
At the reading of the will they will hear the terms of the will
and who the heirs are and under what conditions. It will
also tell who is excluded and who will serve as those in
authority to carry out my will. Once appointed by my will
they then will carry it out in the heirs’ favor.
In my personal will I have excluded anyone from inheriting
who would try to call in doubt or file suit against the will.
They are automatically disinherited.
Jesus died.
That was the requirement for the Will to have force. Jesus
then sent out the apostles with the terms of the Will.
On Pentecost they were endowed with power and were
the announcers and the authority who was to see that
Christ’s Will was known and obeyed by those who desired
to be heirs.
I believe that those who believe and are baptized shall be
heirs and whosoever believeth not shall not inherit. They
cannot enter into the Kingdom’s inheritance because they
were not born of the water and the Spirit. John 3:5
Just as those under the preaching of John rejected the
counsel of God by not being baptized of him, those who
will not enter into Christ are outside of Christ and
therefore are not heirs according to the promise.
A personal illustration may help.
My uncle wanted my four sisters and me to inherit his
money. He put us as beneficiaries to an Annuity. It was
mailed on December 18th. He died on December 24th. It
did not reach the insurance company until after he died
and therefore the insurance company would not give us
the inheritance.
The second wife of my cousin, whom my uncle never met,
received a great part of it. In fact, more than his intended
heirs.
This is because if you do not have a will, it goes to your
wife, children, father and mother, brothers and sisters. He
had none of these as they had all died. So the law insists
it go to his sibling’s children equally.
So one third of his money went to one of his sister’s
deceased son’s daughter (that he saw once in his life),
one third went to his sister’s other son (whom he did not
want to get any, and did not because he died a week
before the inheritance was issued, so his new wife got it),
and one third went to his brother’s kids (which was whom
he intended to have all of the money).
You see, if you do not have a will, you have a will by State
law. The above is how the State of Illinois determines who
gets the inheritance.
The point is, for a while I thought I was going to get one
fourth of all he had. As it ended up I only received a fourth
of a third of his money.
The death is essential and the valid will at the time of
death must be determined.
"From the cowardice that shrinks from
new truth, from the laziness that is content
with half truths, from the arrogance that
thinks it knows all truth, O, God of Truth,
deliver us."
B-5422 THE GOSPEL UNASHAMED January 2009
If I would have gone out and bought a new car, thinking
that I was going to get the larger amount, I would have
been in trouble because I was not heir of a fourth of the
whole but only a fourth of a third of the inheritance.
The Jews thought they would inherit just because they
were the physical descendants of Abraham.
Those living between the death of Christ and Pentecost
were obviously in a transition period.
Many on Pentecost thought they were saved and were
not and were told they had to repent and be baptized in
order to received the remission of sins and the gift of the
Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38, “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.”
Suppose an assumed heir finds at the reading of the Will
that he is not really an heir to the house he is living in, the
car he is driving, or that the money he is spending cannot
or will not meet the terms of the Will.
He may have assumed he would inherit them but finds he
must move from the house, give up the keys to the car,
and spend no more money.
So likewise, once the terms of the Will of Christ were
made known, those not complying with the Terms of the
Will forfeited any rights to the inheritance. It is those “In
Christ” who are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to
the promise.
Galatians 3:27-29, “27 For as many of you as have
been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,
there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
I hope this helps.