EXTRA-BIBLICAL PROOF? by steve finnell

Christians using extra-Biblical historical proof to prove that Jesus lived and was resurrected from the dead is an exercise in futility. Non believers can produce secular historical writings refuting the Bible. Even extra-Biblical writing written by Christians may or may not be true. The only trustworthy account of New Testament Christianity is the New Testament Bible. Extra-Biblical secular historical writings were not given by the inspiration of God, their writings were not Scriptures. Extra-Biblical writing by the early church fathers and other Christians were not given by the inspiration of God, their writings were not Scriptures.

I believe Jesus is the Son of God and was resurrected from the dead by God the Father because the Bible tells me so.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For I delivered to you first of all that which I received: 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, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, than by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then at last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.(NKJV)

Other Resurrection Scriptures: Mark 16:14, Matthew 27:52-54, Matthew 28:1-15, Luke 24:2-7, Acts 1:2-3

The only trustworthy Christian writings are those that parrot  Biblical facts.

The Bible proves that extra-Biblical writings are true. Extra-Biblical writing do not prove the Bible is true. God does not need to be validated by uninspired accounts of history.   

THE BIBLE AND THE BIBLE ALONE IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH!  

     

THE BIBLE TRUMPS PREACHERS BY STEVE FINNELL

Should you trust the Bible or preachers?

Billy Graham said you do not have to believe in Jesus to be part of the body of Christ. (SEE: U-Tube "Robert Schuller and Billy Graham speaking with wide acceptance)

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Do you trust preacher Billy Graham or Jesus?

Billy Graham teaches that water baptism is not essential to be saved.

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.....

Do you trust Jesus or Billy Graham?

Do you want to put your faith in Billy Graham and others who deny the words of Jesus or do you want to trust Jesus, God's word, the Scriptures, the BIBLE.

GOD DOES NOT PREACH FALSE DOCTRINE. GOD WILL NOT LEAD YOU ASTRAY. WHY WOULD YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN PREACHERS, BOOKS WRITTEN BY PREACHERS, CREED BOOKS, AND CATECHISMS?

WHY NOT JUST TRUST THE BIBLE? 

I AM A CHRISTIAN AND ONE DRINK WON'T HURT ME BY STEVE FINNELL

Christians will search for any and all excuses in order to justify drinking alcohol. How does that work in reality?

One to two drinks of alcohol impair mental and physical abilities; mental process such as restraint, awareness, concentration and judgment are affected, reaction time slowed, and an inability to perform complicated tasks. [The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs," Motor Safety Foundation, Irvine, Ca, 1991]

As a Christian would you approve of your heart surgeon having a couple of beers before your operation?

As a Christian who believes social drinking is acceptable,  would you be in favor of lowering the drinking age to six years of age?

As a Christian would you feel comfortable with the airplane pilot of your flight having a glass or two of wine before your flight?

As a Christian would you give your dentist permission to have a shot of whiskey before he drills and fills your teeth?

As a Christian is it acceptable, in your eyes, for pregnant women to drink socially?

As a Christian do you approve of beer and wine being served at church Bible studies and other church functions?

As a Christian would you hire a person who drinks a couple of glasses of wine while watching your children?

Would your answers be the same if you inserted the words coffee, tea, milk or soft drinks?

You are legally drunk in all states if you BAC  [Blood Alcohol Concentration] is .08. IMPAIRMENT BEGINS BELOW .02 BAC. One to one and one half drinks results in a .02 BAC. 


Are Christians who say social drinking is acceptable, being honest with the church, the world and themselves?

If social drinking is harmless, then it should be permitted seven days a week in all circumstances where coffee, tea, milk, and sodas are permitted, and permitted for all ages.

THE POPE AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH? by steve finnell

"We declare, say, define, and pronounce it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff." (Pope Boniface VIII, the Bull Unam Sanctam, 1302) [Source--- Catholicism .org]

The problem is that Jesus Christ is the authority of His church. The Pope has no authority in the Lord's church.

Hebrews 10:19-21 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.....and having a High Priest over the house of God. (NKJV)

Jesus in the High Priest over the house of God. The Pope is not the High Priest over the house of God.

Ephesians 1:17-23 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory........22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church....

God the Father made Jesus the head of the church. We are to be in subjection to Jesus, not the Pope.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28........27 For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. (NKJV)

All things are in subjection to Jesus Christ, the exception being God the Father.

If all things are in subjection to Jesus, then no one has to be in subjection to the Pope in order to be saved.

THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH?

" The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have share in life eternal.....(Pope Eugene IV, the Bull Cantate Domino, 1441.)[Source---Catholicism.org]

The problem is there is no mention of the Holy Roman Catholic Church in the Bible.

Acts 20:28 ..... the church of God...

Hebrews 12:23...church of the firstborn...

1 Timothy 3:15 ....church of the living God...

Romans 16:16....The churches of Christ...

1 Thessalonians 2:14...the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus...

In the New Testament, the body of Christ was never referred to as the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Why, because the Holy Roman Catholic Church did not exist in the first century.

Churches not mentioned in the New Testament:

1. The Holy Roman Catholic Church.

2. The Baptist Church.

3. The Methodist Church.

4. The Lutheran Church.

5. The Mormon Church.
6. The Unitarian Church
7. The United Pentecostal Church.
8. Denominational Churches in General.

If these churches could identify with the doctrines of the New Testament church, then they would  not have to distance themselves by using  man-made names.

Jesus died for His church. The doctrine of Jesus Christ is found in the Bible and the Bible alone.   

       

DID GOD PREDETERMINE THE LOST? by steve finnell

Did God predestine which individuals would be lost before the earth was created? No, all those who reject Jesus as the Son of God, all those who deny that God raised Jesus from the dead, and all who refuse to comply with His terms for pardon will be lost. 

Does God force certain men to reject Jesus and be lost? Of course not, men have free-will.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from His power,(NASB)

Who will be lost? Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel. Men have a choice to obey the gospel or reject it.

God does not force men to deny Jesus as Lord and Savior.

God does not force men to deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus.

God does not force men to deny that Jesus is the Son of God.

God does not force men to claim the baptism is not essential for salvation.

God does not force men to believe that sprinkling water on a person is Christian baptism.

God does not force men to believe that there are other ways to be saved besides the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God does not force men to believe that He individually selects some men to be saved and all others to burn in hell.

God does not force men to become atheists.

God does not force to believe and be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with all deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.(NASB)

Men will be lost because they do love the truth. They will not be lost because God chose them as individuals to burn in hell before time began.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.(NASB)

God will send a deluding influence because men refuse to believe the truth. God does not prevent men from believing the truth, it is every man's choice.

The truth is available: Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved...(NASB) John 3:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 3:21.

God does not select certain individual to be lost due to no fault of their own nor does God arbitrarily save men against their will. 

      

OBEDIENCE NOT REQUIRED? -----HUH? BY STEVE FINNELL

The Calvinist answer to the question, "WHAT MUST I DO DO BE SAVED," is, absolutely nothing, God does it all. Calvinists' assert obedience has nothing to do with the salvation of mankind. What do the Scriptures say?

OBEDIENCE

Hebrews 5:8-9 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having  been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.

Jesus became the source of salvation for those who obey Him.

Calvinists' proclaim that God elects  a few to be saved; therefore man's obedience is not required.

TO OBEY JESUS YOU MUST!

A. BELIEVE: John 6:28-29 Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and  said to them, "This is the work of God , that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Obedience is required, the work of believing that God sent His only Son so that men might be saved.

B. BE BAPTIZED: Mark 16:16 ....and has been baptized shall be saved....

Jesus said immersion in water was a prerequisite to salvation. Obedience is required.

C. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as 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.

Salvation follows the obedience of confession. Yes, men have to do something in order to be saved.

D. REPENTANCE: Act 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.

Repentance is essential to have sins forgiven.(Repentance means to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God) Obedience is imperative. God does not force anyone to repent. God does not select a few men for salvation and then compel them to have a change of heart.

It takes a highly trained professional and a willing student for  anyone to believe that FAITH, REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, AND WATER BAPTISM are not acts of obedience that are required for salvation.

You cannot reject faith, repentance, confession or water baptism as being essential for salvation and honestly claim you learned that from prayerfully searching the Scriptures. YOU NEED EXTRA-BIBLICAL TEACHERS AND OR EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES TO REACH THOSE CONCLUSIONS. 

OBEDIENCE IS REQUIRED!

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

The Holy Spirit was given to those who obeyed. 
They obeyed by believing.
They obeyed by confessing.
They obeyed by repenting.
They obeyed by being baptized in water.
AFTER THAT OBEDIENCE THEY RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

OBEDIENCE IS REQUIRED!

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

OBEDIENCE IS REQUIRED!
GRACE WITHOUT OBEDIENCE IS AN UNCLAIMED GIFT!    

THE BIG LIE---ORIGINAL SIN by steve finnell

The lie started with Satan in the garden of Eden. Satan told Eve she would not die if she ate from the tree of knowledge. Eve convinced Adam that the lie was truth. (Genesis 2:15-16, Genesis 3:1-13)

Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they, and all mankind to follow will face physical death.

The "Big Lie" is that all men are guilty of sin because of Adam's sin and will face  spiritual death.  That is the "Big Lie"  of original sin.

Men die spiritually because of sins they themselves commit.

1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.(NASB)

Infants are not guilty of sin, they do not practice sin. It is not a lawless act to be born.

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished it brings forth death.(NASB)

Infants cannot be tempted. Infants are not enticed by their own lust. Sin follows lust and giving in to that lust.

If sins could be inherited, then all men would be guilty of every sin committed by Adam and every sin committed by our ancestors.

If Christians have their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ, how is it possible for a Christian couple to pass on the guilt of Adam's sin to their children?

If sin is passed from generation to generation, then many believer in Christ would remain unforgiven. NOTE: Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"---(NASB) Are all the ancestors of those who committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit eternally condemned ? Of course not.

Men are guilty of the sins they themselves commit.

All water baptisms in the New Testament were performed on repentant believers in Jesus Christ. There is no record in the Bible of any unbelievers being immersed in water for the forgiveness of original sin, nor for committed sin. Infants are not capable of believing the gospel nor are they guilty of sin.   The Bible does teach forced baptism.

Why do those who believe in original sin not force atheists to be baptized so their sins will be forgiven? Where in the Bible does it say it is God's will to force unbelieving infants to be baptized, however, unbelieving adults have free-will.   

The doctrine of original sin is not found in Scripture. It is the "Big Lie" written by a few and believed by many.   

   

   

USING GOD'S NAME IN VAIN BY STEVE FINNELL

Is taking God's name in vain confined to swearing an oath or cursing using God's name? Is not using God's name in a flippant, glib or profane manner using God's name in vain? 

Is using God as a character of a joke, not using God's name in vain? Too many Christians believe God is great joke material.

Exodus 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. (NASB)

Exodus 20:7 "Never use the name of the Lord your God carelessly. The Lord will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.(GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)

Exodus 20:7 "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (NIV 1984)

Matthew 6:9 ....Our Father....Hallowed be Your name.

GOD'S NAME IS HOLY!

PRO-CHOICE IN KILLING OF PREGNANT WOMEN???? by steve finnell

Would it ever be morally correct to give expecting  fathers the choice to kill their wives in order to protect the life of an unborn child? Of course not.

Is it ever acceptable to kill unborn children? Of course not.

Does killing unborn children make a mother healthier? Of course not.

Could anyone explain how killing a partially delivered baby saves the life of the mother? It cannot be explained, because it will not.

Killing unborn babies does not help the health of the mother, it just makes their unborn child dead.

GOD HAS NOT MADE MURDER A PRO-CHOICE OPTION

Is abortion sin? Yes. (Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder. NIV) Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers....there place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." NIV)

Can murderers be forgiven, yes of course, however, just as unbelievers need to repent to be forgiven, so do murderers.

CONFRONTED WITH THE TRUTH? by steve finnell

Who is most likely to change their erroneous positions concerning Jesus and His terms for pardon when confronted with the truth?  Is it more likely that religious leaders or common followers of Jesus will repent of  false beliefs when God's truth is presented?

The majority of those who followed Jesus were common everyday men. Most church leaders rejected Jesus and His terms for pardon.

Luke 7:27-30 This is the one about whom it is written, 'Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You! 28 I say to you , among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." 29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God's justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves not having been baptized by John. (NASB)

It was the Pharisees and lawyers who rejected God's purpose by not being immersed in water. Is it not the church leaders today who reject Christian baptism. They reject its purpose.

1.Immersion in water is not for a testimony of faith.

2.Water baptism is not simply an act of obedience.

3.Baptism is not something men do after they are saved.

4.Immersion in water is not in order to wash away the original sin of Adam.

5. Baptism is not in order to join the denomination of your choice.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM?

1. In order to be saved. Mark 16:16 ...and has been baptized shall be saved...(NASB)

2. In order to have sins forgiven. Acts 2:38....and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins...(NASB)

3. So we can walk in a new life. Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (NASB)[THERE IS NO NEW LIFE BEFORE BEING IMMERSED IN WATER]

4. So men can be holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27 ...Christ also loved the church...26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word....27....that she would be holy and blameless.(NASB)

Is it possible that men today reject God's purpose for themselves by not being immersed in water according the New Covenant terms for pardon?

Church leaders are usually the last people to admit they have been wrong and change their position when confronted with the truth. Even church leaders who know the truth are reluctant preach and teach the truth for fear of criticism or losing their position in the church.

Very few who followed Jesus were Pharisees or scribes.

Being immersed in water is the last act of a sinner, it is not the first act of a Christian.      

        

THE QUESTION OF GRACE???  BY STEVE FINNELL

What is grace?

What is the grace of God?

What is the benefit of God's grace?

Grace is an unmerited favor?

The manifestation of God's grace is God's free gift of salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.

The unmerited favor is salvation. Grace is not the favor.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith;and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (NASB)

Salvation is the gift of God. Grace is not the gift.

Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

Men are justified because of God's grace, however, it only comes through Jesus Christ.

The benefits of God's grace is only accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. God does impute grace to a selected few. God does not impute faith to a preselected, chosen few, so that they may be saved.

Acts 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.(KVV)

Men access God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace if not the gift men receive from God. Men receive the GIFT OF SALVATION by faith in Jesus.

Acts 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.(NASB)

Men are justified by faith. Men are not justified by grace alone. Without faith men do not receive the free gift of grace, which is salvation through Jesus Christ.

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

God's grace is available to all men.

HOW DO MEN ACCESS GOD'S GRACE?

1. FAITH: John 3:16, Mark 16:16

2. REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19

3. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10

4. WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21

THE GIFT OF GRACE IS NOT GRACE ITSELF. THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE IS SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST! 

NEW TESTAMENT DENOMINATIONS? BY STEVE FINNELL

Are denominations acceptable under the new covenant? There were no denominations of the church of Christ that were acceptable to the Lord for the first one hundred years of the church. Why do men believe that God finds the hundreds, if not thousands, of the contemporary so-called churches of Christ to be pleasing to God? Did Jesus die for a divided church?

FIRST CENTURY DENOMINATIONS

The First Church of Knowing Only The Baptism of John: Acts 19:1-7 ......2 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, "Into what then were baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 When they heard this they baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.......

When these twelve men heard the truth and they repented of their false misunderstanding. They canceled their membership in "The First Church of Knowing Only the Baptism of John".

These twelve men realized that John's baptism was not a baptism into Christ. (Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.)

These twelve men understood that they could not receive the Holy Spirit unless the received the water baptism of the new covenant. (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.)

You will notice, not one of the twelve told the apostle Paul that they did not need Christians baptism, because the thief of the cross was not baptized and he was in paradise with Jesus. They understood that they were living under the new covenant.

Repentance is required for those living in error. It was mandatory for the twelve and it is necessary for those involved in the errors of modern- day denominationalism.

The Resurrection Is Over Christian Church: 1 Timothy 2:17-18 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

Denominations are established because they deviate from the truth. It was true in the first century and it is true today.

The Jerusalem Judaizers for Christ: Galatians 2:11-21 But when Cephas  came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision, 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews............

The apostle Paul confronted the apostle Peter because he was practicing the denominational doctrines of The Jerusalem Judaizers for Christ. Peter was perverting the truth of the gospel. Peter needed to repent. The apostle Paul did not say, it does not matter what doctrine you teach and practice as long as you are sincere.

Men, today, who are preaching doctrines different from Biblical teaching, need to repent. There was only one church established on the Day of Pentecost. There was only one way preached, telling men how to be saved.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
1. FAITH: John 3:16
2. REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19
3. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37
4. WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Galatians 3:27. 


JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY

John 17:20-21"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Can there be unity when different denominations teach various ways to become saved? 

THERE IS ONLY ONE BODY OF CHRIST!              

      

SPECIAL OCCASION SINNERS BY STEVE FINNELL

If you are a Christian and only sin on special occasions will you be exempt from not inheriting the kingdom of God?

Is it Scripturally correct to claim you are not guilty of sin because you only sin on special occasions like birthdays, holidays, and a few randomly selected days?

Can I assert I am not a thief, because I do not steal on a regular bases?

Can men say they are not a drunkards, because they only get drunk on special occasions?

Can men assume they are not fornicators, because they only have sex with people who they are not married to, on rare occasions?

Can men assert that they not homosexuals, because they have sex with the same sex infrequently?

Can men proclaim they are not murderers, because they only murder a few times a year? 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

The apostle Paul did not say, "Such were some of you, however, now you are special occasion sinners that can continue your sins on a somewhat limited schedule."        

CAN YOU BE A CHRISTIAN WITHOUT KNOWING THE TERMS FOR PARDON? by steve finnell

If you know everything about Jesus, however, you fail to understand God's terms for salvation or reject them, will you still be saved?

1. Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.(NASB) Galatians 3:26 So in Christ Jesus you are children of God through faith.(NIV)

Will a person be saved if they believe all men are God's children at birth? Can men be saved if they deny that men are baptized into Christ at water baptism? Is it possible to be saved without being clothed with Christ?

2. Ephesians 5:25-27....just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.(NASB)

Can believers in Christ be saved if they believe that they were sanctified, cleansed, holy and blameless before Jesus washed them in water? Can men deny the purpose of immersion in water and still be saved?

3. Acts 4:10-12...by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.......12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."(NASB)

Is possible to deny that Jesus is the only Savior and still be saved?

4. Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;(NASB)

If a person denies the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead will they still be saved?

God's terms for pardon: Faith-John 3:16, Repentance-Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38, Confession-Romans 10:9-10, Water Immersion- Mark 16:16, Colossians 2:11-13.

CAN YOU BE A CHRISTIAN AND NOT KNOW OR REJECT GOD'S TERMS FOR PARDON?

Galatians 1:6-9.....if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!(NASB)

DIETARY RED FLAG! BY STEVE FINNELL

What would be a valid indicator of men falling from the truth of Christianity?

1 Timothy 4:1-5 But the Spirit explicitly say that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrine of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their 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. 4 For everything created by God is good, nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

Dietary restrictions and falling from the faith are linked.

Peter's Vision.

Acts 10:9-15.....12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animal and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" 14 But Peter said, ""By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy."

Dietary restrictions were abolished by God.

 If you are keeping the dietary restriction found in Leviticus Chapter 11, you may want  to do a reassessment of your faith.

Dietary restrictions, along with Sabbath keeping were nailed to the cross.(Colossians 2:14)

DO JUDAIZERS HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY? by steve finnell

Do Judaizers have eternal security, are they once saved always saved?

 Who were the Judaizers? They were false teachers of the gospel.

Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." (NASB)

Who were the Judaizers? They were Jewish Christians.

Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses."(NASB)[THE JUDAIZERS WERE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST]

Who were the Judaizers? They were false brothers.

Galatians 2:1-4.....But it was because of false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. (NASB)

Who were the Judaizers? They were the ones that fell from grace.

Galatians 5:3-4 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (NASB)

Who were the Judaizers? They were the ones accursed for distorting the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-9 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you  and want to distort the gospel of Christ......9 As we have said before, so I again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! (NASB)

Were unrepentant Judaizers once saved always saved? Of course not.

If unrepentant Christian Jews were lost for perverting the gospel by adding to it, what will be the fate of contemporary Christians who distort the gospel by taking away terms for pardon by denying the truth.

Are the men who proclaim that Jesus is simply one of many ways to heaven once saved always saved?

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way , and the truth, and the truth, and the life; no ones comes to the Father but through Me. (NASB)

Are the believers in Christ who are guilty of perverting the gospel by declaring the baptism is not essential to salvation once saved always saved?

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and is baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.(NASB)

Are believers who preach that men are saved by grace alone once saved always saved? Is it not a distortion of the gospel to teach that God selects certain men to be saved and then forces them to believe so they might be saved?

Can those who distort the gospel, but fail to repent be saved? 

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)

Adding to or taking away from the terms of the gospel plan of salvation is distorting God's plan of salvation.   

  

I TRUST GOD, HOWEVER, I DO NOT TRUST THE BIBLE BY STEVE FINNELL

Is it possible to be a child of God and not have enough faith in God to trust His written word? Can God be trusted to create the heavens and the earth, but not trusted to give men an accurate translation of His word? 

Is the Bible trustworthy except when it refers to water baptism?

THE TRANSLATION TEST

The only way to deny that faith and water baptism are both essential for salvation is to proclaim that the Bible has been mistranslated.

Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,  (NIV)

Did God permit these verses of Scripture to be mistranslated?
Water baptism and faith are essential to the forgiveness of sin.

Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved... (NIV)

Faith and water baptism are essential to salvation.

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Repentance and water baptism are essential to have your sins forgiven and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Understanding these Scriptures is not a matter of interpretation. The meaning is obvious to any honest person.
Since it is not logical or honest to claim misinterpretation, the only alternative is proclaim these Scriptures have been mistranslated.

IF YOU CANNOT TRUST GOD TO GIVE A BIBLE YOU CAN TRUST, HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY TRUST GOD WITH YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY? 

IF SATAN CAN GET MEN TO DOUBT PARTS OF THE BIBLE, HE CAN ENTICE MEN TO MISTRUST ALL OF GOD'S WORD.

JESUS SAID THE DEVIL WAS THE FATHER OF LIES!    

  

THE SOURCE-AUTHORITY-AND-CONSULTANTS FOR GOD'S TRUTH? BY STEVE FINNELL

WHERE SHOULD BELIEVERS IN CHRIST BE LOOKING FOR THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?

THE BEREANS SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES FOR THE TRUTH. (ACTS 17:10-11......SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY TO FIND OUT WHETHER THESE THINGS WERE SO.

WHAT OR WHO WAS NOT THE BEREANS SOURCE, AUTHORITY, OR CONSULTANTS FOR THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH?

THE MAN-MADE TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES WERE NOT THEIR SOURCE FOR TRUTH.

THE NICENE CREED WAS NOT THEIR AUTHORITY FOR THE TRUTH.

THE POPE WAS NOT THEIR CONSULTANT FOR THE TRUTH.

The Book of Mormon was not their source for the truth.

John Calvin was not their consultant for the absolute truth.

The Abstract Principles was not their source for the truth.

Martin Luther was not their authority for the truth.

The Augsburg Confession of Faith was not their source for truth.

Billy Graham was not their consultant for the truth.

The Articles of War for the Salvation army was not their source for truth.

Mary Baker Eddy was not their authority for the truth.

The Book of Discipline was not consulted in their search for truth.

Joseph Smith Jr. was not on their source list when looking for the truth.

The Statement of Fundamental Truths was not an authority they consulted for the truth.

John Piper was not on their source list for truth.

They did not examine Catholic Catechisms for authority or truth.

They did not consult the books of Rick Warren for the truth.

They did not use the Westminster Confession of Faith for their source for truth.

They did not search the books of Max Lucado for the truth.

John Knox, John Wesley, William Booth, Charles Spurgeon, C. S. Lewis, Alexander Campbell, Dwight L. Moody, nor Bishop Fulton S. Sheen were not used as consultants, nor sources, nor authority for the absolute truth.

WHY DID THE BEREANS ONLY SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FOR TRUTH? BECAUSE GOD WROTE THE SCRIPTURES AND ONLY HE HAS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH.

John 14:24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words;and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.

The words of Jesus were that of the Father.

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

The words of Jesus were that of the Father. The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to teach the apostles all things.

The absolute truth source, consultant for the truth, and authority of the truth comes from the Father through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the apostles. God's absolute truth is found in the Bible and the Bible alone.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO MEN FOR THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH, THEN YOU ARE LOOKING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES. 

(All Scripture from: NEW KING JAMES VERSION)