FAITH ALONE----REALLY?  by steve finnell

There are those who profess that God saves by faith alone. They contend that anyone who believes that water baptism is essential to forgiveness of sins is being saved by works.  The problem is that the faith alone crowd believe it is essential say a form of the "sinner's prayer" in order to be saved. In other words, faith + the sinner's prayer saves. Using their reasoning, saying the sinner's prayer would be a work.

Example of a sinner's prayer: Lord Jesus, I come before you and confess that I am a sinner. Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross, and that Almighty God  raised you from the dead. I pray that you forgive me my sin, and be my Lord and Savior. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray this request. Amen.

The problem is under the new covenant the Bible never instructs a non-Christian to pray for forgiveness. A proof text used is 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins  and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV) John was addressing Christians. John was not telling unbelievers to say the sinner's prayer and be forgiven. John was not telling unbelievers to say a sinner's prayer so that they might be saved.

Proof text number two: The tax collector (publican) prayed and was forgiven. Luke 18:9-14.....13"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying. 'God be merciful to me a sinner!" 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be abased,
and he who humbles himself will be exalted."(NKJV)

The tax collector (publican) was not a pagan. The tax collector was a member of the Jewish religion. He collected taxes for the Romans. The tax collector was already part of a synagogue. The tax collector did not become a Jew by saying a sinner's prayer.

There is no Scripture that states that saying the "sinner's prayer" grants forgiveness to non-Christians. Saying a sinner's prayer does not add anyone to the body of Christ. Saying a sinner's prayer cannot save anyone.

What do men have to do to be saved?

Believe: John 3:16
Confess: Romans 10:9-10
Repent: Acts 2:38
Be Immersed in water: Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16  

    

  

CAN YOU ENVISION.......? by steve finnell

Can you envision the apostle Paul being involved in ecumenical activity with church denominations that worship anyone but God. Can you picture the apostle Paul participating in evangelistic outreach with those who pervert the gospel, and not preaching the truth to them?

Can you imagine the apostle Paul partnering feeding the poor with those who were praying to John The Baptist or to the Virgin Mary? (Note: Jesus told the apostle John to take care of His mother. Jesus did not tell John to pray to the Virgin Mary so he could have his prayers answered. John 19:26-27)

Can you picture the apostle Paul being in evangelistic efforts with those who deny that water baptism is essential for salvation and not teach them the truth? (Note: Mark 16:16...and is baptized shall be saved..)NKJV

Can you conceive of the apostle Paul working with churches that appoint homosexual preachers, and elders to serve their churches and not teach them God's truth?

Can you see the apostle Paul working with churches that do not baptize their members in water nor serve communion, and not teach them what the Bible teaches?

Can you envision the apostle Paul being in a joint effort with churches that say Jesus in one way to heaven, but not the only way?

HAS THE APOSTLE PAUL CHANGED HIS VIEWS?

Galatians 1:6-10 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in grace of Christ to a different gospel......10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (NKJV)

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. (NKJV)

DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO SCRIPTURE   by steve finnell

Let us consider few teachings that are contrary to Biblical doctrines.

 Man-Made Teachings about the Virgin Mary.

28. Mary has authority over angels and the blessed in heaven. As a reward for her great humility, God gave her the power and mission of assigning to saints the thrones made vacant by the apostate angels who fell away through pride.

Such is the will of almighty God who exalts the humble, that the power of heaven, earth and hell, willingly or unwillingly, must obey the commands of the humble Virgin Mary. For God has made her queen of heaven and earth, leader of his armies, keeper of his treasures, dispenser of his graces, worker of his wonders, restorer of the human race, mediatrix on behalf of men, destroyer of his enemies, and faithful associate in his great works and triumphs.[Ref. http://www.ewtn.com/library/Montfort/TRUEDEVO.HTM#Part l:Ch.1] [Or Google search-Treatise on True Devotion to Blessed Virgin-St. Louis de Mont ford]

1. 1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ.....22 who has gone into heaven  and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.(NKJV)

Jesus has authority over angels. The Virgin Mary has no authority.

2. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ, (NKJV)

The Virgin Mary is not a mediatrix between men and God. Jesus is the one and only Mediator.

3. John 3:35 "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hands. (NKJV) 

The Father has not given things into the hands of Mary. All things are in the hands of Jesus.

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

The Virgin Mary has not been given authority of any kind. Jesus is the authority.

5. Revelation 17:14 "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (NKJV)

Mary is not the queen of heaven and earth. Jesus is the King of kings. There is no queen.


You can believe man-made traditions or you can believe the Holy Bible. You cannot believe both. 

     

JOINING A DENOMINATION?    BY STEVE FINNELL

What are the spiritual benefits of joining a denominational church?

1. Joining a denominational church does not bestow forgiveness of sins.

2. Joining a denomination does not grant you admission into the body of Christ.

3. Joining a denomination does not save anyone.

4. Joining a denomination does not make you part of the kingdom of God on earth. 

The Scriptures do not speak of joining a denomination; nor do they tell us to join any church.

The Lord adds the saved to His church. You cannot join the Lord's church. You cannot buy your way into the Lord's church. You cannot inherit membership in the the Lord's church.

THE LORD ADDS THE SAVED TO HIS CHURCH!

Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

WHY WERE THEY BEING SAVED, AND ADDED TO THE CHURCH BY THE LORD HIMSELF?

A. They were being added because they believed the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:29-32)

B. They were being added because they accepted Jesus as Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

C. They were being added because they obeyed the apostle Peter's command to repent and be baptized in water. (Acts 2:27-38)

D. They were being added to the church because they believed Peter's word and were baptized. (Acts 2:40-41)

The 3000 on the Day of Pentecost were added to the church by the Lord, because they were saved!

THEY DID NOT JOIN A DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH NOR WAS ANY CHRISTIAN IN THE FIRST CENTURY EVER TOLD TO JOIN ANY CHURCH OF ANY KIND!

THE LORD ADDS THE SAVED TO HIS CHURCH, YOU CANNOT JOIN IT!

   

MARY AND MAN-MADE TRADITION   by steve finnell

A couple of myths about the Virgin Mary.

1. Myth: The Virgin Mary was a perpetual virgin.

New International version. Matthew 1:25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son . And he gave him the name Jesus.

King James Version. Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible. 1:25 but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.

2. Myth: The assumption of the Virgin Mary. The assumption is that Mary was bodily taken up into heaven.

New International Version. 1 Corinthians 15:50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

King James Bible. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

New Living Translation. 1 Corinthians 15:50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

When church catechisms, creed books, and other man-made traditions contradict what is written in the Bible is it not time to trust the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone for the truth about faith and practice.

You can trust the Bible as God's word or you can trust man-made tradition, however, cannot trust both.    

FALSE CHRISTS   BY STEVE FINNELL

There have been many who have claimed that they were Jesus Christ and some living today who make that assertion. If Christ has returned that would mean the entire world would have to be deaf, blind and void of all senses.

Jesus warned of false Christs: Matthew 24:5 For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.

There are false Christs living today and they have followers.

WHAT IS THE SAFEGUARD AGAINST BEING DECEIVED?

ANSWER: SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

You would have to be a very sound sleeper to miss the Lord's return. No, you would have to be in a coma as the world has never known.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Even the liberal media and main stream press will not be able to hide that event from the world. The return of Christ will not go unnoticed.

Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

WHEN JESUS RETURNS EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM AND THEY WILL NOT NEED AN I-PAD, A SATELLITE DISH, NOR CABLE TV TO SEE HIM!

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)     

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATIONS   BY STEVE FINNELL

How do you suppose the story  of Naaman  being cured of leprosy might have been presented if it was told by contemporary theologians? What doctrinal positions might have they proclaimed?

2 Kings 5:3 She said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his Leprosy."

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: The only requirement mentioned to have leprosy cured is to be present with the prophet. "PRESENCE ALONE" cures leprosy.

2 Kings 5:10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean."

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: In the original Greek language "will be restored," actually means, already has been restored.

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: Water cannot wash away leprosy. That would be nothing but works. Man can do nothing to be cleansed of leprosy. God does it all.

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.'

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: Naaman was correct. Just have the prophet say the sinners prayer and waver his hand and Naaaman's leprosy would have been cured. Explanation: washing seven times in the Jordan river was just an act of obedience, it had nothing to do with curing leprosy.

2 Kings 5:14 So he went 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 the flesh of a little child and he was clean.

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: Namman dipped, poured or sprinkled himself seven times because his leprosy has already been cured.

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: Naaman's baptism was a spiritual baptism. There was no water in the river and water does not mean water anyway.

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: Naaman baptized himself in water seven times so he could join the local church.

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION: Naaman's flesh was restored because he had faith in the God of the prophet Elisha. Faith alone washes away leprosy. Baptism in the dirty river Jordan was not essential to cleanse leprosy!

POSSIBLE CONTEMPORARY EXPLANATION: The entire 5th chapter of second Kings has been mistranslated. You really cannot trust the Bible.

IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR NAAMAN TO DIP (BAPTIZE) HIMSELF IN THE JORDAN RIVER SEVEN TIMES TO HAVE HIS LEPROSY WASHED AWAY! 

WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTIAN BAPTISM WOULD IT NOT BE BETTER TO BELIEVE GOD'S WORD WITHOUT TRYING TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE TRUTH THAT DOES NOT CONFORM TO YOUR DOCTRINAL POSITIONS?

HAVING A HONEST, PRAYERFUL, UNBIASED APPROACH IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTANDING THE "WORD OF GOD."

(All Scripture quotes from:NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)     

DO CHRISTIANS KNOW THE BIBLE?  by steve finnell

According to a 2012 Gallup poll 77% of the U.S. population identify as Christian. The American Bible Society said only 1 in 5 Christians read their Bible on a regular basis. The truth is those who attend church get most of their religious instruction in the 1 to 2 hours on Sunday morning.

Churches who identify as Christian do very little teaching from Scripture on Sunday morning.

Denominational doctrine is taught at the expense of the apostles doctrine. (Acts 2:42)

Is it any wonder there our multiple denominations all claiming to be teaching Biblical truth about Jesus Christ and the terms for pardon from sin.

If you know little of what the Bible teaches you are likely to believe what you have always been taught or the contemporary teaching that suits your preconceived idea of God's truth.

The Bible and the Bible alone has the absolute truth!

SCRIPTURES CONCERNING MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, REMARRIAGE, ADULTERY, FORNICATION, and SEXUAL IMMORALITY??????   by steve finnell

I would like say I do not have the answers to the subject questions. The following are some Scriptures for your consideration. I would suggest a prayerful meditation.

Matthew 5:28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NKJV)

Mark 7:21"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,(NKJV)

Matthew 5:32 "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. (NKJV)

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (NKJV)

1 Timothy 4:1-3 ...some will depart from the faith....2. speaking lies in hypocrisy....3 forbidding to marry.....(NKJV)

1 Corinthians 6:16-18 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "The two," He says, "shall become one flesh."....18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 5:1-9 ........I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world....11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator......not even eat with such a person. (NKJV)

Romans 7:2-3 For the woman who has a husband is bound as long as he lives. But if he dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:3-6...........5 For this you know, that no fornicator....has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God 6......the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteous with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (NKJV)

Revelation 21:8 ....sexually immoral...shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (NKJV)

Colossians 3:5-10 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication.........6 Because of these things the wrath of God  is coming upon the sons of disobedience.......(NKJV)

Galatians 5:19-21.....adultery, fornication.....21......those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (NKJV)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.....8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. (NKJV)

Matthew 19:3-9......9"And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries he who is divorced commits adultery." (NKJV)

Luke 16:18 :Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. (NKJV)

Mark 10:11-12 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces is wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 "And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 7:1-9
1 Corinthians 7:10-16
1 Corinthians 7:25-40

1 Corinthians 6:8-11....9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?....Neither fornicators...nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10......will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and the Spirit of our God. (NKJV)

Notice that the sexual sins of the Corinthian Christians were referred to in the past tense. I know of no verse of Scripture where God excuses the unrepentant practice of sexual immorality. 



  

  

  

THE ELECTED!   BY STEVE FINNELL

Can those elected by God resist that calling?

ELECT-ELECTED-ELECTION: Defined (Adjective, signifies picked out, chosen.) (Noun, denotes a picking out, selection, then, that which is chosen).

Elected means chosen. There is a view held by many that when God elects or chooses people that they cannot resist God's calling. Israel was God's elect or chosen people. God did not just select certain Jews to be saved and other Jews to be lost. Salvation was offered to the whole nation of Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the people who are on the face of the earth.

The Jews were God's elect. Did any of them ever reject that election? Yes they did; because they had free-will.

1 Samuel 8:7 The Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.

They rejected God as king.

Numbers 14:11 The Lord said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?

These people were the elect of God, but they would not believe in Him. Even though they were God's elect He did not force them to believe and obey Him. THEY HAD FREE-WILL.

Acts 7:51 "You men who are stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

Israel was God's chosen people; they were His elect, however, they always resisted the Holy Spirit. Most of them rejected Jesus as the Christ. THEY HAD FREE-WILL.

Does God arbitrarily condemn some men to hell and elect a chosen few for salvation? NO, HE DOES NOT!

WHO ARE THE ELECT OF GOD TODAY? 

Acts 10:34-43 Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36......Jesus Christ....43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness from sins.   

WHO ARE THE ELECT OF GOD TODAY? All who believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, everyone has the chance to become the elect, the chosen of God.

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.

WHO ARE GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE? WHO ARE GOD'S ELECT? EVERY JEW AND EVERY GENTILE WHO MEETS GOD'S TERMS FOR PARDON UNDER THE NEW COVENANT ARE THE ELECT OF GOD. THEY ARE ALL GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE.

GOD HAS OFFERED SALVATION TO ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS THE CHRIST.