WHY DO MEN REJECT THE TRUTH?- BY STEVE FINNELL

Do men reject God's truth because they cannot understand it or is it because they make a considered choice?

2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, be cause they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

Men perish because they do not love God's truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12......11 For this reason God will send 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.

Those who reject the truth concerning the saving grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, will be judged. Trading the pleasure of wickedness for the love of God's truth is a bad deal.

John 8:43-44 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word? 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.....

Jesus said some of the Jews rejected the truth because they simply choose to serve the devil. We all have a choice to make, serve God or reject Him.

Romans 1:28-32 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper....32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practices such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. 

Men reject God's truth because of considered rebellion. It is not, that they  do not know the truth. They know God's ordinance (authoritative law), they just ignore it.

John 12:42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;

The rulers believed the truth, and then rejected it, because they did not want to be put out of the synagogue. Are there Christians today who know the truth, that is found in the Bible, but will not confess it because they do not want to be put out of their denominations or be ostracized by family or friends.

REJECTING THE TRUTH IS A CONSIDERED CHOICE!

(All Scripture is quoted from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)

ECUMENICALISM AND THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE?---by steve finnell

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to to apostle's teaching....(NIV)

Did the apostle's doctrine include ecumenical worship and joint charity endeavors with those who perverted basic Christian doctrine? No, it did not.

The Judaizers were Jewish Christians who wanted to impose Jewish practices on all converts to Christianity. They were perverting the gospel of Christ. Did apostle Paul join in worship and charitable works with the Judaizers in the name of unity and good works? No, he did not.

Galatians 2:4 This matter arose, because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. (NIV)

Paul called those who perverted the gospel, false brothers. Today many call those who pervert the gospel co-workers in Christ as they feed the poor and preach the man-made gospel of their choice.

Galatians 5:4-12 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace..........12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! (NIV)

Does it sound like the apostle Paul would be asking the Judaizers to teach a Bible study or join him in feeding the poor?

2 Timothy 2:17-18 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.(NIV)

Did the apostles have shared teaching and preaching Christian conventions with men who did not teach the apostles doctrine? Of course they did not.

Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.(NIV)

The truth is today some men who deny that water baptism is essential in order to be saved are invited to teach and preach at churches and at assorted Christian gatherings. And it is not only tolerated but supported by Christians. Is this the apostles doctrine of Acts 2:42?

2 Corinthians 11:4-15 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough........13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (NIV)

The problem with most church congregations who call themselves Christian is that they believe in ecumenical unity regardless of the doctrines being preached. Would joint charitable works, shared Bible study in which false doctrine is taught be in keeping with the apostles doctrine?

The apostle Paul called those who perverted the gospel false brothers and false apostles. Today many refer to them as co-workers in Christ.

The apostles terms for salvation. Faith: John 3:16--Repentance: Acts 3:19---Confession: Romans 10:9---Water Baptism: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16. 1 Peter 3:21.            

SAVED LIKE THE PARALYTIC?-BY STEVE FINNELL

The proponents of "FAITH ONLY" salvation like to present the paralytic as an example of one who had his sins forgiven without being baptized in water. Their position is, since Jesus forgave the paralytic without being immersed in water; so then, baptism is not essential, for those living today, in order to have sins forgiven.

PARALYTIC SALVATION: Luke 5:18-20 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and set him him down in front of Him. 19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus . 20 Seeing their faith , He said , "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

PARALYTIC SALVATION: Jesus forgave his sin because of the faith of friends.

Can men today be saved like the paralytic? No, they cannot!

The paralytic was saved without FAITH.

The paralytic was saved without REPENTANCE.

The paralytic was saved without CONFESSING Jesus as the Son of God.

The paralytic was saved without being BAPTIZED.

The paralytic was saved without BELIEVING that God raised Jesus from the dead.

The paralytic was saved without CONFESSING Jesus as Lord and Christ.

THE PARALYTIC PLAN OF SALVATION WAS- THE FAITH OF FRIENDS.

The paralytic was saved before the New Covenant was in force. Jesus had to die before the New Covenant was available.

Men today have to meet the terms of the New Agreement, that is the New Covenant.

NEW COVENANT: Hebrews 9:15-17 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive  the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For were a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who lives made it.

The apostle Peter told all men how to be saved under the New Covenant. (Acts 2:22-41) A.D. 33 The Day of Pentecost.

New Covenant terms of pardon.

FAITH: John 3:16

REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Luke 24:47

CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37

BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16, Colossians 2:12-13, Titus 3:5, John 3:5, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3-7

Was the paralytic saved? Yes, so was the thief on the cross, Enoch, Abraham, and many others before the New Covenant was in force, however, it was the blood of Jesus that washed away the sins of those who died under the Old Covenant.

IF MEN TODAY CAN HAVE THEIR SIN FORGIVEN LIKE THE PARALYTIC-----THEN THEY CAN BE SAVED WITHOUT FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. THE PARALYTIC WAS SAVED BECAUSE OF THE FAITH OF FRIENDS! 

DENYING THE MEANING OF MARK 16:16-by steve finnell

Those who deny that water baptism is essential for the their salvation must also deny the words of Jesus as spoken in Mark 16:16.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (KJV)

The word "shall" always means future tense. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Shall be saved after they believe and are baptized in water; that is future tense.  Shall be damned is future tense, not past tense. Jesus understood that shall meant future tense. Why do "faith only" believers not understand the meaning of shall. 

Honesty and prayer is the cure for not understanding the words of Jesus.

Virtually all Bible translation translate Mark 16:16 the same.

Mark 16:16....and is baptized shall be saved...(ASV)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved....(Amp)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved....(CEB)

Mark 16:16....and is immersed will be saved...(CJB)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved.....(CEV)

Mark 16:16....and is baptised shall be saved....(DARBY)

Mark 16:16....and having been baptized will be saved...(DLNT)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized, shall be saved.....(DRA)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved........(ERV)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved......(ESV)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved.....(ESVUK)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved....(EXB)

Mark 16:16....and be baptized, shall be saved....(GNV)

Mark 16:16....and is baptized will be saved.....(GW)

The word "and" is always a conjunction. The word "and" is used to connect grammatically.

Mark 16:16 He the believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (KJV)

The "and" connects believeth and baptized. You cannot separate them. They are both connected to shall be saved. 

    

   

A PRO-CHOICE CHRISTIAN?  by steve finnell

Is it possible to be a pro-choice Christian? How is that possible?

If the Virgin Mary had been pro-choice there may not have even been any Christians.

Jesus was Jesus at conception. Jesus was not conceived as a fetus nor as a mass of nonhuman tissue. (Matthew 1:18-25)

IS JESUS GOD?-BY STEVE FINNELL

Jesus not only is the Son of God, He is God.

1 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:(NKJV)

The apostle Peter understood that Jesus was in fact God.

John 20:27-29.....28 And Thomas answered and said to Him , "My Lord and my God"....(NKJV)

Thomas calls Jesus his God.

Romans 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God, Amen. (NKJV)

Christ is God.

Hebrews 1:1-8......But to the Son He says: "Your throne O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.(NKJV)

God the Father refers to Jesus as God.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.(NKJV)

Jesus is not only the Savior, but God as well.

John 1:1-17 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God , and the Word was God.....(NKJV)

Jesus was the Word and He was with God the Father in the beginning. All things were created through Jesus Christ. Jesus is God, however He is not God the Father.

John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the the world was.(NKJV)

Genesis 1:1,26 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image...(NKJV)

Jesus is God, the creator of all things. [Who is Us? God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all took part in creation.]

Colossians 1:12-18.....16 For by Him all things were created...17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.....(NKJV)

Jesus is God, the creator of all things.

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The Jewish leaders understood that Jesus was claiming to be God in the flesh.

John 10:31-38.....33 The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."....... (NKJV)

John 10:33.....a mere man, claim to be God.(NIV)

John 10:33 ....You claim to be God, although you're only a man." (God's Word Translation)

Yes, Jesus claimed to be God.

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JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD. JESUS IS GOD. 




  

FABRICATED VIEWS ABOUT BAPTISM AND BIBLICAL FACTS-BY STEVE FINNELL

Why do the majority of believers in Christ base what they believe about water baptism on the fabricated facts of men? Biblical facts do get in the way of views composed by men.

THE FABRICATED FACTS

1. Water baptism washes away the so-called original sins that men inherit from Adam, however, committed sins are washed away by faith only.

2. Water baptism was commanded by Jesus as a simple act of obedience, but it has no purpose.

3. Water baptism is a way for men to demonstrate their faith to the church and the community.

4. Water baptism is not essential to the forgiveness of sins.

5. Water baptism is performed after someone has been saved.

6. Water baptism is not a baptism into Christ.

7. Water baptism precedes faith if you are an infant.

8. Water baptism is only essential in order to join the denomination of of your choice.

9. The thief on the cross was not baptized, so all men can be saved without water baptism.

10. God does not required men to be baptized if they die before they have had time to be baptized.

11. Sprinkling and pouring water are just other modes of baptism. (Note: Baptism means immersion. Immersion is not a mode. Immersion is baptism.)

12. Water baptism is just an outward sign of forgiveness that has already taken place when men believed one day ago, one month ago, or one year ago etc.

13. Water baptism is a work of man and is not essential to salvation.

14. Water baptism is not essential to enter the kingdom of God.

15. The three thousand men saved on the Day of Pentecost had their sins washed away before they were baptized in water.

All of these 15 mentioned statements about water baptism are fabricated facts preached from pulpits, found in creed books, and or explained in other extra-Biblical writings. NONE OF THEM ARE FOUND IN THE BIBLE. WHERE ARE THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES?

THE BIBLICAL FACTS OF WATER BAPTISM

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.

You cannot separate faith and water baptism.

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

You cannot separate faith and water baptism when taking about the requirements for salvation.

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

Saul had to be baptized in water to have his sins washed away. Saul was not baptized so he could join the Ananias Baptist Church.

4. Colossians 2:11-14 .....12 having been buried with Him in in baptism.... 13.....having forgiven us all our transgression, 14 having canceled out the certificate consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and having nailed it to the cross.

You cannot disconnect water baptism and Jesus being nailed to the cross when talking about forgiveness from transgressions.

5. Acts 8:25-38 ...36 .... "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"[37 And Philip said, If you believe with with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus is the Son of God."].......

Belief and confessing Jesus as the Son of God precede water baptism. Infants cannot believe nor confess Jesus as the Christ.
The eunuch was not baptized a testimony of his faith to Philip nor the community. There was no community present. Philip had just preached Jesus to the eunuch and heard him confess Jesus as the Son of God. Philip did have to see the eunuch baptized in order to see his faith. The eunuch was baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of his sins.

You cannot separate belief, confessing Jesus as the Son of God and water baptism

6. John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

You cannot dissociate being born of water baptism and being born of the Spirit.

7. Acts 2:22-41.....38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of yoube baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.......

You cannot ignore the the fact that repentance and water baptism are in order to have sins forgiven and that they precede receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

8. Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

The washing of regeneration (water baptism) is one thing. The renewing by the Holy Spirit is another thing. You must be born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5 and Acts 2:38 makes this connection, also).

9. Ephesians 5:25-27...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.

How much self deception and how many man-made creed books do you have to read, to not believe God was not talking about water baptism in verse 26?

10. 1 Peter 3:20-21 ....safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you --- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience---through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You cannot separate water baptism, an appeal to God, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from salvation.

Romans 6:3-7 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?4 Therefore we have been buried with Him in baptism into death, so as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father,so we too might walk in newness of life...... 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

Baptism is a burial. You cannot be buried under a sprinkle nor by having water poured on you. You are raised  to walk in a new life after baptism, not before you are baptized. You not walking in a new life the moment you believe. Men are freed from sin after water baptism, not before.

MEN HAVE TWO CHOICES.
 1. Men can believe the fabricated facts of water baptism contrived in the hearts of men.
2. Men can believe the facts about water baptism found in the Bible and the Bible alone.

MEN HAVE FREE WILL.   

NEW REVELATION FROM GOD?-by Steve Finnell

The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation in about AD 95. That was the last of God's written inspiration to mankind. There is no new revelation from God.

There are some denominations who claim they are receiving new revelation directly from God. Examples are: Friends(Quakers), Mormons, Pentecostals and other charismatics, and the Roman Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church sometimes deny that they are receiving new revelation from God, however, an examination of their church doctrine reveals the opposite.

The Catholic Church teaches that sacred tradition is the oral teachings handed down through the church and was inspired by God. They teach apostolic succession in the Roman Catholic Church. The words of the apostles Peter, Paul and the rest of the apostles were in fact the inspired word of God, their words were Scripture. That would mean, if it were true, the Catholic apostles are teaching God's inspired word, new revelation from God.

IS THERE NEW REVELATION DIRECT  FROM GOD TO MAN TODAY? NO, THERE IS NOT.

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

The New Testament apostles were guided into all truth. There is no new truth.

Acts 20:20 how I, did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, (NASB)

The apostle Paul taught everything that was profitable. Paul was taught directly by the Lord. Did the Lord forget to teach the important things?1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you  are the Lord's commandment.(NASB)

1 Pere 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God  and Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.(NASB)

The New Testament Christians of the first century already had everything pertaining to life and godliness. They did not have to wait for new revelation nor twenty-first century prophets to guide them into all truth.

1 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God  and profitable for teaching, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.(NASB)

The first century Christians were equipped for every good work. They did not have wait for the sacred tradition nor teaching from the so-called apostolic succession of the Roman Catholic Church. They did not have to wait on the Quakers nor the Charismatics to have the complete teaching of God.

We have everything we need for salvation and living the Christian life contained in the Bible and the Bible alone.

If there is new revelation from God it should be added to the Bible right after the book of Revelation.

THERE IS NO NEW REVELATION DIRECTLY FROM GOD TO MAN.

PROVERBS 30:6 Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. (NASB)     

     

ARE MORMONS CHRISTIANS?-BY STEVE FINNELL

Can you accept the Mormon position about God and be a Christian?

1. Mormons say Adam is their God.

 "When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body and  brought Eve, one of his celestial wives.....He is our father and our God and the only God with whom we have to do" (Brigham Young, in The Journal of Discourses, Volume I, page 50)

Can you believe Adam is God and still be a Christian?

Adam was created by God. Adam was not God. (Genesis 2:1-25 Genesis 3:1-24) 

2. "In the beginning the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it" (The Journal of Discourses, Volume VI, Sermon by Joesph Smith).

Can you believe in more than one God and still be a Christian?

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God....

Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well ; the demons also believe, and shudder. 

(Even demons believe in one God)

1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord , Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

Mark 12:29-32 Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel"The Lord our God is one Lord;....... 32 The scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is one, and there is on one else besides Him; (The scribe agreed with Jesus that there is but one God)

3.The " Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so,  the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. (Doctrine and Covenants Section 130:22)

John 4:24 "God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NKJV)

  

CAN YOU BE A CHRISTIAN AND DENY THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF GOD? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

(Scripture quotes from: (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE unless noted )

  
  

THE MATH BOOK AND THE BIBLE-BY STEVE FINNELL

 It seems odd that people believe the "Math Book" to be inerrant, but question the infallibility of the "Bible" when it does not suit their doctrinal positions.

MATH BOOK: Chapter 2 page 7 Two plus two equals four.

 Did you ever hear anyone say Ch 2.7 is not included in some versions of the Math Book, therefore; two plus two does not equal four? No, everyone trusts the Math Book.

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

Some believers say this verse is not included in some translations of the Bible; therefore water baptism has nothing to do with your salvation. Leading some to believe the Bible cannot be trusted.

MATH BOOK: Chapter 2 page 7 Two plus two equals four.

 What if a math teacher said, "In my opinion two plus two equals seven?" Would you believe that? No, you would believe the Math Book.

BIBLE: 1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you---not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience---through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Some preachers say baptism has nothing to do with salvation. I guess the Bible is in error once again.

MATH BOOK: Chapter 2 page 7 Two plus two equals four.

If you looked in the Math Book commentary and it said that two plus two equals four is a mistake; because in the original language it means two alone equals four and the other two was mistranslated. Would you believe the commentary? No, you would believe the Math Book.

BIBLE: 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 shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Some men say that "for" has been mistranslated and should be translated as "because of." Should you trust what some men say or trust the Bible?

Believers and nonbelievers alike never question that Hannibal crossed the Alps on elephants. No one doubts that George Washington was the first president of the U.S.A. We understand that Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic in three small boats, no question about it. The only proof we have confirming these historical facts are books. We trust history books written by men, however,we doubt the facts recorded in the Bible.

THE MATH BOOK: We trust to be infallible!
THE BIBLE: Many believers say it has been mistranslated; therefore, we can adjust the facts to comply with our doctrinal view.

1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endures forever....

Can anyone find God's truth if they believe they are searching for truth in a FUZZY Bible?

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)