MILK FOR THE UNBORN ? by steve finnell

Unborn babies cannot drink milk. Unborn Christians cannot drink the pure milk of the word.

2 Peter 2:1-2 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,(NASB)

Unborn-again Christians are not ready for the pure milk of the word. If a person is not a Christian what does the pure milk of the word mean to them?

If believers in Christ do not understand nor obey God's terms for pardon, how then, are they ready for the pure milk of God's word?

If men do not know or understand the answer to the question "What must I do to be saved," then nothing else really matters.

The short answer to "What must I do to be saved" Jesus gave in Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved...(NASB)

They had been saved because they had believed and had been immersed in water, past tense. They were not saved before they believed. They were not saved before they were baptized.

The long answer to "What must I do to be saved," Faith: John 3:16, Repentance: Acts 3:19, Confession: Romans 10:9, Baptism: Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21. SEE: Acts 2:22-41

Unborn-again Christians are not subjects for the pure milk of God's word.

FREE TO SEEK AND CHOOSE GOD?  by steve finnell

Do men have the free-will to seek and choose God? Yes, they do. God does not select some individuals for salvation and then choose all others to rot in hell? No,men have free-will. If men do not have free-will how can they possibly read and understand Scriptures? If men do not have free-will why did Jesus tell His disciples to preach the gospel to every creature? (Mark 16:15) 

Joshua 24:15 "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (NKJV)

Men are free to choose God or reject Him.

Judges 6:10 'Also I said to you, "I am the Lord your God ; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But you have not obeyed My voice." (NKJV)

All men have the free-will to obey or disobey God.

1 Kings 18:20-21......21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." ....(NKJV)

The children of Israel had the free-will to choose.

Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (NKJV)

If Jerusalem was not willing, then they obviously had free-will.

Acts 15:16-17 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle  of David which has fallen down. I will build its ruins, And I will set it up, 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all theses things.' (NKJV)

Every Jew and every Gentile has the opportunity to seek the Lord.  Salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJV)

Men could not seek God if they did not have free-will.

If Men did not have free-will they would not need a Savior; because their sins would be committed through no fault of their own.

Satan does not cause men to sin. They have free-will.

God does not cause men to reject Him or His Son Jesus Christ. Men have free-will.

God does not cause people to believe the gospel and obey the terms of pardon. They have free-will.  

       

SPIRITUAL SUICIDE  BY STEVE FINNELL

In 1955 James Warren Jones founded the "People's Temple" (purportedly a Christian congregation)in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Jonestown , Guyana November 18, 1978. Jim Jones and 900 of his followers committed mass suicide. Jim Jones had previously proclaimed to his people that they did not need the Bible. He told them all they needed was him. He then ripped the Bible and threw it to the ground.

The authority for the "Peoples Temple" was the tradition set by the church, Jim Jones was the church authority. Had the followers of Jim Jones accepted the Bible, and the Bible alone as their authority, there would not have been a mass suicide. The spiritual suicide came first.

Following man-made tradition can lead to spiritual suicide.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

Jim Jones was a liar when he told his congregation they did not need the Bible. Are men telling the truth when they says church tradition is the final authority for faith and practice? Do men teach truth when they assert that new books of revelation are from God and they supersede the authority of the Bible.

Do church catechisms, creed books, statements of faith, so-call books of new revelation from God, and other books written by men, annul, displace, supplant or supersede the authority of the Bible?

Mark 7:7-8 'But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. 8 Neglecting the commandments of God, you hold to the traditions of men."

Those who deny that God's word is found in the Bible and the Bible alone have a tendency to invent their own doctrines.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God....

Was Jim Jones inspired by God when he said his followers did not need the Bible? There are those who claim church catechisms are the evolution of God's word, are they inspired by God? When men announce that their new books of revelation annul or supplant the Bible, are they inspired by God? If you honestly believe that creed books should be the authority of your church congregation, are you being inspired by God?

TRUST THE BIBLE AND THE BIBLE ALONE AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE WORRY ABOUT COMMITTING SPIRITUAL SUICIDE!


(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)  

DELUSIONAL THINKING? by steve finnell

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12....10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe in righteousness. (NKJV)

Men need to love the truth in order to be saved. Where is the truth always found? The truth is always present in the Bible and the Bible alone. Bible commentaries are men's opinions. Church creed books are the thoughts of men or at best man's interpretation of Scripture. Books about the Bible are exactly that, books about the Bible, they are not the Bible.

Man's thoughts can be reasonable lucid conclusions or they can be delusional.

1. Men say belief in Jesus is just one of many ways men can be saved. It that lucid or delusional?  

Acts 4:10-12....that by the name of Jesus...12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men which we must be saved." (NKJV)

2. Men say praying to the Virgin Mary is not contrary to Scripture nor is it worship to pray to Mary. Is that lucid or delusional?

Matthew 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (NKJV)

Jesus never told anyone to pray to the Virgin Mary.

Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only  you shall serve.'" (NKJV)

WORSHIP DEFINED: reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.

Prayer to any person or anything is worship. Praying to the Virgin Mary is worship.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory is forgotten. (NKJV)

Even if men pray to the dead, the dead do not hear them. Only God hears and answers prayers.

3. Men affirm that water baptism is not essential for the  forgiveness of sins and that men are saved before water baptism. Is that lucid or delusional?

Colossians 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your  trespasses and uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (NKJV)

If men do not believe that God forgives them of trespasses following their faith and being buried in baptism, is that lucid or delusional?

Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)

If men honestly believe that, "will be saved," means they are already saved, is that lucid or delusional?

4. Men teach that there are many variations of the gospel and its terms of pardon. Is that lucid or delusional?

 Galatians 1:8 Let God's curses fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about; yes, if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. (The Living Bible-Paraphrased)

The way the apostles told men how to become saved. A. Faith:John 3:16. B. Confession: Romans 10:9. C. Repentance: Acts 2:38. D. Immersion in water: Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Galatians 3:27.


Lucid thinking or delusional conclusions?         

  

   

NOVICE BELIEVERS by steve finnell

There are many believers in Christ that remain novice believers their entire life. If believers never take the time to prayerfully search the Scriptures to find out if what they have been told is the truth they remain in fact, "novice believers."

If you accept at face value everything you have been taught, then you are subject to every false doctrine known to man.

BE LIKE THE JEWS AT BEREA. They were examining the Scriptures daily to see if Paul and Silas were telling them the truth about Jesus The Christ.(Acts 17:10-11)

It would impossible to have hundreds of denominations teaching different ways of being saved, without lifelong novice believers. Those in Berea did not accept multiple interpretations of essential Scriptures.

Novice believers are easy converts for those who pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Those who subject themselves to denominational doctrines, church catechisms, Bible commentaries, or opinions of church leaders without prayerfully searching the Scriptures, will fall prey to false teaching.

God's word is found in the Bible and the Bible alone.

If everyone followed the Scriptures, alone, there be just one church; THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.   

  

THE BATTLE OF THE BIBLE TRANSLATIONS  BY STEVE FINNELL

Are there translations of the Bible that are not trustworthy? I know of one or two translations out of sixty-plus English  translations that are not trustworthy. Many take the position that the King James Bible is the only dependable translation of God's word.

A TRANSLATION COMPARISON.

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJV)

THE LIVING BIBLE-Paraphrased (TLB)

NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (NASB)

John 3:16 For God so loved world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(KJV)

John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (TLB-P)

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, the He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (NASB)

You will notice in the KJV and the TLB-P use lower case when translating, he and him. The NASB uses He and Him when talking about God and Jesus. Should God and Jesus be capitalized? Of course. Does that mean that the KJV and TLB-P are not trustworthy translations? NO IT DOES NOT. All three translations say the same thing.

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. (KJV)

Acts 2:38 And Peter replied, "Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit. (TLB-P)

Acts 2:38 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. (NASB)

Notice all three translation say that in order to have your sins forgiven you must repent and be baptized. Some deny that repentance and baptism are essential for sins to be forgiven. MEN DENY THIS, NOT BECAUSE OF INACCURATE TRANSLATIONS. THEY SIMPLY CHOSE NOT TO BELIEVE IT.

Men are not going to be lost because of faulty translations. Men are lost because they refuse to believe in the translations they trust.

99% of all translation are trustworthy. My translation, of choice, is the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE. You can get to heaven by reading the KJV, TLB-P, the NIV and many other translations.

JUST PICK A TRANSLATION AND BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS.  

  

   

IS POPE FRANCIS THE VICAR OF CHRIST?  by steve finnell

Is Pope Francis the vicar of Christ? The Roman Catholic Church teaches that to be true. A vicar is someone acting in the place of another.

 Catholic doctrine says the pope is the chief shepherd of the church of Christ.

The Roman Catholic Church claims that the pope is the head of the church of Christ on earth.

What does the Bible say?

1. Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (NKJV)

Jesus has all authority.

2. Colossians 1:13-13  ...the kingdom of the Son of His love,.....18 And He is the head of the body, the church...(NKJV)

Jesus is the head of the church.

3. 1 Peter 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (NKJV)

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.

QUOTE FROM THE THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VICAR OF CHRIST, POPE FRANCIS.

"The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! "Father, the atheists? Even the atheist. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class. We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all. And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently. little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: We need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. 'But I don't believe , Father, I am an atheist!' But do good: We will meet one another there."

What does the Bible say about unrepentant atheists?  2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, (NKJV)

Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)[Jesus understands His gospel.]

Obeying the gospel is simply believing and being immersed in water. You must know God and obey the gospel of Christ.

Good works cannot save anyone, including atheists.

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 of works, lest anyone should boast.(NKJV)

Salvation is a free gift of God. No good works are required. Obeying the gospel of Christ by believing and being immersed in water (baptized) obtains that free gift.

No man can take the place of Jesus Christ on earth or in heaven.  

         

WHO IS IN CHARGE?  by steve finnell

Who is responsible for oversight of the church of Christ?

First let us establish that Jesus Christ is head of His church.

Colossians 1:13-18.....18 He is also head of the body, the church......

Ephesians 5:23...as Christ also is the head of the church....

The question remains who are the men responsible for the oversight of the Lord's church?

Did God put a pastor, a bishop, an elder, or an overseer in charge of shepherding His church?

Pastor, bishop, elder and overseer are the same office.

Men were given the oversight of each, local, church of Christ.

Acts 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed.

Elders (plural) were appointed in each church congregation.

Titus 1:5-7 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.....7 For the overseer must be above reproach....

Elders were appointed in every city where there was a church of Christ. Elders were also referred to as overseers (some translations use the word bishops).

Acts 20:17-28 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.......28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Notice: Elders (plural), and overseers (plural). Elders and overseers are used interchangeably and are told to shepherd the church.

1 Peter 5:1-2 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you exercising oversight...

Note: Elders (plural), were told to shepherd the flock of God.  Peter said he was one of the elders. Peter did not say he was the Pope or the Head Elder.

Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some......as pastors.....

The word pastor means shepherd.

Elder, bishop, overseer and pastor are all the same office and they are to shepherd the local churches of Christ.

The oversight of the local church is to be a plurality of ELDERS (overseers, bishops, pastors).

There is no mention in the Bible of one pastor ruling a single church. There is no Scripture indicating one man should rule a world wide church. There is nothing in the Bible that tells us to set up a church board to oversee the local church. God never set up different denominations to be ruled by groups of men. There is no office of Pope or priest mentioned under the New Covenant church of Christ.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH! A PLURALITY OF ELDERS ARE TO HAVE OVERSIGHT OF EACH LOCAL CONGREGATION.

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)  

WHAT DOES FAITH WITHOUT OBEDIENCE ACHIEVE?  BY STEVE FINNELL

Is salvation effectuated without obedience? Can "faith only" save men from their sins? 

Faith and obedience have always been linked to produce positive results.

FAITH ONLY AND LEPROSY?

Naaman thought God would cure his leprosy by "faith only."

2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman was furious and went away and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.'

Naaman had faith in the God of Elisha, however, his leprosy was not cured without obedience.

2 Kings 5:14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like flesh of a little child and he was clean.

Faith without obedience accomplishes nothing.

FAITH ONLY AND A  BRONZE SERPENT?

The people of Israel believed the Lord could save them from dying from snake bites. They had faith.

Numbers 21:7-8 So the people came to Moses and said , "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people. 8. And the Lord said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent , and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.

They had faith that God could save them from the serpents, however, without the obedience of looking at the serpent of bronze they would have perished.

Faith without obedience produces nothing.

RAHAB, FAITH ONLY?

Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

Was Rahab saved from perishing by "faith only" or faith plus obedience?

Joshua 2:17-21 The men said to her, We shall be free from this oath to you which we made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and mother and your brothers and all your father's household.......

Rahab was not saved from death by "faith only".  She was saved by faith and she was saved by being obedient, in that, she tied the scarlet thread from her window and kept her family in the house.

Faith without obedience bring about nothing.

WAS NOAH SAVED BY FAITH ONLY?

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepare an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of righteousness which is according to faith.

Was Noah saved from the flood the minute he trusted God or did he need to build the ark? Noah was saved by faith plus obedience. Can you imagine Noah telling God I will build the ark but it has nothing to do with me being saved from the flood?

Faith without obedience produces nothing.

DID THE WALLS OF JERICHO FALL DOWN BY FAITH ONLY?

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

The walls of Jericho did not fall down the moment that Joshua had faith. They fell down after seven days of obedience. (Joshua 6:1-5)

Faith without obedience achieves nothing.

FOR BELIEVERS IN CHRIST "FAITH ONLY" PRODUCES NOTHING.

Acts 5:32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

Hebrews 5:9 And having  been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

FAITH PLUS OBEDIENCE=SALVATION.

OBEDIENT BY BELIEVING: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish , but have eternal life.

OBEDIENCE IN CONFESSION: Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart the God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

OBEDIENCE IN REPENTANCE: Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
(Repentance is the commitment to turn from sin and to turn toward God)

OBEDIENCE IN WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized in the name name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

FAITH PLUS OBEDIENCE, SALVATION IN TWO HOURS MORE OR LESS. NO WORKS OF THE LAW ARE REQUIRED. 



   

DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ERROR? by steve finnell

Do people learn error by prayerfully searching the Scriptures or are they mislead by skilled professionals?

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

  Why do men believe that repent and be baptized for the remission of sins actually means repent and be baptized because your sins have already been forgiven?

Why do men believe that the three thousand on the Day of Pentecost received the gift of the Holy Spirit before they repented and were baptized?

A. Do they prayerfully search the Scripture? Scriptures are God's facts.

B. Do they read it in a Bible commentary? Bible commentaries are men's opinions about Scriptures.

C. Do their preachers teach it to them? Preachers teach what they have been taught by others.

Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)

 It takes a talented teacher to convince men that Jesus did not teach the being saved followed baptism.

Acts 22:16 'And now why are you waiting ? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' (NKJV)

Only a master of deception can convince men that Saul had his sins washed away, by faith alone, three days prior on the road to Damascus.
No man can believe that by reading the Scriptural accounts. (Acts 9:1-19, Acts 22:1-16, Acts 26:12-18)


No honest person can claim that they realized that water baptism was not essential to being saved by prayerfully searching the Scriptures.

It is essential to have skilled professionals, masters of deception, kings of ruses in order to convince men the water baptism is not essential in order to be saved.

You can only be tricked into believing that baptism is not in order to the forgiveness of sins.

           

A DESPICABLE ACT by steve finnell

For believers in Christ to protest and harass those attending military funerals is a despicable act. What could be more reprehensible than that? Is not perverting the gospel more contemptible?

Galatians 1:6-9......9 As we have said before , so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!(NASB)

Faith only believers deny the gospel of Jesus. Is that not despicable? They deny the gospel Jesus taught after His resurrecting. They deny that being immersed in water, that is being baptized, is essential for salvation.

Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them , "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.16......... (NASB)

And what was the gospel Jesus was talking about? (Mark 16:15-16.............16 He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved  shall be condemned.(NASB)

What could be more despicable than rejecting the gospel Jesus spoke.

What could be more deplorable than teaching that the gospel is not available for all who hear the gospel and obey the terms for pardon?

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

Is it not a despicable acts to tell mankind that God has selected a few individuals for salvation and will send all other to burn in hell for eternity?

What could more despicable, reprehensible, deplorable, more contemptible, and more disgraceful than perverting the gospel?

     

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION BY STEVE FINNELL

The doctrine of unconditional election states that some of mankind were predestined to everlasting life and the remainder of mankind were foreordained to everlasting death, an eternity in hell. Is unconditional election supported by Scripture? The short answer is, NO!

Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

Why would the apostle Paul tell the Philippians to work out their salvation, if they had been unconditionally elected for eternal life? They would have not had to worry, if God saved them against their will, and kept them from falling from grace. -----THERE IS NO UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION!  

John 8:24 'Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins,"

Why would Jesus warn the Jews that they would die in their sins unless they believed. The preselected Jews would have been force to believe and be saved.

 According to the false doctrine of salvation by grace alone, God imputes faith to the unconditionally elected so they will be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

Would Paul tell the Corinthians to be careful that they did not fall, if they had been unconditionally elected for salvation?

The apostle Paul was taught doctrine by Jesus Himself. Did Jesus forget to tell Paul about unconditional election and once saved always saved?

1 John 2:1-2......Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Jesus died for the whole world, not just the so-called unconditionally elected few! Everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

1 Timothy 2:5-6...the man Jesus Christ 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

How arrogant would I have to be to claim that God unconditionally selected me for salvation, but unconditionally selected my neighbor for eternity in hell? Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all, NOT AN UNCONDITIONALLY SELECTED FEW!

THERE ARE CONDITIONS!

ALL THOSE WHO MEET GOD'S TERMS FOR PARDON WILL BE SAVED! THE TERMS ARE- FAITH (John 3:16)-REPENTANCE (Acts 2:38)- CONFESSION (Roman 10:9-10) WATER BAPTISM (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16) THESE ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR SALVATION.

(All Scriptures quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)

HISTORICAL FACTS BY FAITH  BY STEVE FINNELL

Why do I believe that the Bible is God's truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Why? Because of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ! Why do I believe in the resurrection? Why? Because it is a historical fact, recorded in the Bible. There are no living eyewitnesses to the resurrection; I except the historical record in the Bible, by faith.

CAN HISTORICAL RECORDS BE TRUSTED?

Most men accept that Hannibal was born in 247 B.C. and was considered the greatest military tactician and strategist in European history. Why do men believe this? There are no living eyewitnesses, so the historical record is accepted, by faith.

George Washington was the first president of the United States of America 1788-1797. Men accept this as fact, by faith, because of the historical record. There are no eyewitnesses who are still alive.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and at last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

I believe the Bible to be God's record for mankind. I believe it because of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. I accept this as accurate historical facts, by faith.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FROM THE GRAVE PUTS HIM IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF!

MEN ACCEPT SECULAR HISTORICAL FACT, BY FAITH.

WHY DO MEN NOT ACCEPT GOD'S BIBLICAL HISTORICAL FACTS, BY FAITH? 

WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD? by steve finnell

Those who claim the baptism is not essential to be saved try to avoid Ephesians 5:25-27.

What is the meaning washing of water by the word? You can ask theologians, preachers, pastors, priests, a Christian friend, read Bible commentaries, or you can simply read it the Bible. I prefer to see what God's Word says about it.

Ephesians 5:25-27 .....just 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. (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's Word; (The Living Bible Paraphrased)

Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. (CEB)

Ephesians 5:26 He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. (CEV)

Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make the church holy by cleans it, washing it using water along with the spoken words. (GW)

Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, wash by baptism and God's word; (TBL)

Ephesians 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. (NASB)

Acts 22:16 'And now why are waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' (NKJV)

Yes, immersion in water is essential to have your sins washed away.

Yes, immersion in water is essential to become holy and without blemish

Yes, immersion in water is essential to become sanctified and cleansed. 

  

WHY DO MEN REJECT CHRISTIANITY? by steve finnell

Why do people not believe that Christianity comes from God? Why do many who are raised in the church leave the faith?

Why do many reject the terms for pardon under the New Covenant?

Some believe the reason men reject the truth of Jesus and the facts of Bible is that church leaders have not proved that the Bible is true. They contend that if only church leaders would use the historical works found outside of Scripture, then men would believe the truth of Christianity.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (NKJV)

Faith cannot be proven by studying extra-Biblical historical records about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Faith proven is not faith.

Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith." (NKJV)

The gospel of Christ is the power to salvation. Extra-Biblical historical writings to not prove the gospel is true. You cannot prove faith.

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.......21 it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (NKJV)

God saves men through preaching the gospel.  God did not use extra-Biblical historical writings to prove that the gospel was true.

Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved...(NKJV) 

Jesus did not tell the disciples to gather evidence outside of Scripture to prove that the gospel was true and then convince people of the gospel truth.

Do people reject the truth of God, Christianity, and the Bible because church leaders fail to convince them by using the apologetics of extra-Biblical sources? No, they do not. You cannot prove faith nor force anyone to have faith.

If men reject Jesus it is because they have not heard the gospel preached.

If believers leave the church it could be because of lack of Biblical preaching. Not the lack of extra-Biblical evidence.

If men reject Jesus, God, and the truth found in Scripture it could be because they are not honestly seeking God.

THE TRUTH IS OFFENSIVE TO THOSE WHO DO HAVE FAITH IN JESUS.      

    

WHEN SCRIPTURE DIED   BY STEVE FINNELL

With the death of the apostle John, Scripture died. There was, nor is there any new Scripture after the last apostle died. The only way creed books and catechisms contain Scripture is if it is copied from the Bible. All so-called post Biblical revelations from God are man-made doctrines. There are no new Scriptures.

John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit  of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Jesus told the apostles that He would send the Holy Spirit to guide them into all the truth. Jesus did not say the apostles would be guided into a partial truth. There was, nor is there any new truth today. The apostle had all of the truth.

Ephesians 3:3-5 that by revelation there was made know to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generation was not made know to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit.

The mystery of Christ was revealed to the apostle Paul, and the rest of the apostles and the prophets. There is no new mystery to be revealed by any so-called modern day apostles and prophets. Paul said; has now been revealed. Paul did not say, will in the future be revealed.

2 Peter 3:15-16 ...just as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters,speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Letters written by the apostle Paul were Scriptures. All of the words and letters of the apostles were Scriptures. The apostles words were God's words. The words in man-made creed books, catechisms, statements of faith and new books of so-called revelation, are not Scriptures. Scripture is found in the Bible and the Bible alone.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

ALL SCRIPTURE DIED WITH THE LAST APOSTLE.

 THE SO-CALLED NEW REVELATIONS FOUND IN CREED BOOKS, CATECHISMS, STATEMENTS OF FAITH AND OTHER BOOKS ARE NOT SCRIPTURE.

WHY WOULD YOU SEEK GOD AND HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE, USING MADE-MAN DOCTRINE?