SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE?-BY STEVE FINNELL

What should be your source for spiritual guidance? Should it be  the infallible word of God-The Bible or should it be the early church fathers and some of the contemporary preachers?

Some say the early church fathers are a reliable  source for truth because they were not far removed from the birth of the church of Christ. Being close to a fire does not make you a flame and proximity to the early church does not make you a truth teller.

Some of the early church fathers professed that sprinkling water on a person was in fact baptism. There are no Scriptures to substantiate that view.

Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was immersed by John in the Jordan. (The Better Version of The New Testament by Chester Estes)

Mark 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.(NASB)

John baptized (immersed) Jesus, he did not sprinkle or pour him.

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

Acts 8.38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptizedhim. (NASB)

Philip immersed (baptized) the eunuch in water. Philip did sprinkle of pour the eunuch with water. There are no Scriptures that state anyone was sprinkled or pour as a substitute for immersion (baptism).

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

Colossian 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NASB)

You can be buried by immersion. You cannot be buried under a sprinkle or a pouring of water.

Baptism and immersion are synonymous. Sprinkling and pouring are not synonyms for immersion (baptism).

The early church fathers were not infallible in their writings or opinions concerning faith and practice of the Lord's church. Why would you use the writings of the early church fathers for  spiritual instruction?

CONTEMPORARY PREACHERS?

Should the Bible be the source for the truth? Are preachers qualified as instructors of absolute truth? As a believer in Christ do you really want to trust contemporary preachers for spiritual guidance?

Here are a few preachers that deny that water baptism is essential for the forgiveness of sin. They do not believe you have to be baptized in order to be saved.
John Piper
John MacArthur
Max Lucado
Billy Graham
Rick Warren
Charles Stanley
Joel Osteen

What does the Bible say?
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.... (NASB)
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)
1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you......


Do you honestly believe that contemporary preachers should be your source for spiritual enlightenment? Why would any Christian look to fallible preachers for the rules for faith and practice?

The Bible and the Bible alone should be the spiritual guide for all Christians.

GOD IS NEVER WRONG. WHY PUT YOUR TRUST IN MEN?    

THE INHERITANCE BY STEVE FINNELL

All Christians are promised an inheritance, however, the inheritance can only be collected in heaven.

1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

Peter said the inheritance is reserved in heaven, Christians need to go to heaven to collect their inheritance.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The apostle Paul was addressing the Galatian Christians when he said, "You will not inherit the kingdom of God."

CAN CHRISTIANS GO TO HEAVEN AND CLAIM THEIR INHERITANCE WITHOUT REPENTING? 

WHY BE BAPTIZED? by steve finnell

Why should you be baptized?

1. Why be baptized? So you can be clothed with Christ. (Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.---NASB)

2.Why be baptized? So you can be sanctified by Christ. (Ephesians 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ---NASB)

3. Why be baptized? So you can be holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:27 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)

4. Why be baptized? Because Jesus has the authority of the complete Godhead and has  commanded baptism, using that  authority. (Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,---NASB)

5. Why be baptized? So you can be baptized into Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?---NASB)

6. Why be baptized? So you can walk in newness of 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)

7. Why be baptized? So you can be bodily resurrected from the grave. (Romans 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,---NASB)

8. Why be baptized? So you will no longer be a slave to sin. (Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;---NASB)

9. Why be baptized? So you will be free from sin.(Romans 6:7 for he who has died is freed from sin---NASB)

10. Why be baptized? So you can be saved from the penalty of sin. (Mark 16:16 He who has been believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.---NASB)

11. Why be baptized? So your sins will be forgiven and you will receive the Holy Spirit. (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)

12. Why be baptized? So you can call on the name of the Lord and wash away your sins. (Acts 22:16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins calling on His name.'---NASB)

13. Why be baptized? So you can have your transgressions forgiven. (Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made us alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgression,---NASB)

14. Why be baptized? So you can go away rejoicing. (Acts 8:26-39.......38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.38...... the eunuch...went on his way rejoicing.---NASB) Was the eunuch rejoicing because he became a member of the 1st Church of Philip? Was the eunuch rejoicing because he demonstrated his faith to the community? Was the eunuch rejoicing because he was  saved before he was baptized? No,No, and No.

15. Why be baptized? So you can be saved and be added to the Lord's church. (Acts 2:40,41,47 ..."Be saved from this perverse generation!" 41 So those who received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 47 ....And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.---(NASB)

16. Why be baptized? So you can enter the kingdom of God. (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.---NASB)

17. Why be baptized? So you can experience the washing of regeneration. (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, ---NASB)

18. Why be baptized? So you can appeal to God and be saved. (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.---NASB)

19. Why be baptized? So you can avoid eternal destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9...who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction....---NASB)   

     
      

THE CASE OF CORNELIUS-BY STEVE FINNELL

Cornelius, his relatives, and close friends were the first Gentiles to be saved under the New covenant. God sent the apostle Peter to preach the gospel to Cornelius.

Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth , Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partially,

Peter realized that salvation was not reserved for the Jews only, but for all men who fear God and do what is right.

Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius, the results were.

Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit and been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Surely no can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did. 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...

Did Cornelius and all who heard Peter's sermon receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Yes, they did. Did the baptism of the Holy Spirit saved them? No, it did not.

Jesus said you have to be born of water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God.(John 3:5)  Cornelius was not saved by "The Spirit only."

Peter order Cornelius and company to be baptized in water. Why would he do that if they were already saved?

Peter knew the purpose of water baptism. Peter said: Acts 2:38 ....baptized...for the forgiveness of sins.

If there sins were already forgiven there would be no reason to baptize them.

Peter said: Peter 3:21..... baptism now saves you...

If Cornelius was already saved , why was he baptized in water?

Some erroneously believe water baptism is just an act of obedience to demonstrate men's faith to others. Peter had already witnessed Cornelius speaking in tongues and exalting God. Peter and his fellow Christians had all the evidence they needed as to the faith of Cornelius.

Jesus baptized Cornelius, his relatives, and close friends with the Holy Spirit in order to convince Peter and the rest of the Jewish Christians that salvation was for the Gentiles as well as them.

Cornelius received the Holy Spirit before water baptism. That is the "only" case recorded under the New Covenant where that occurred.

The 3000 that were saved on the Day of Pentecost received the gift of the Holy Spirit after they believed, repented, and were baptized in water. (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.)

THE CASE OF CORNELIUS DOES NOT PROVE THAT MEN CAN BE SAVED BEFORE THEY ARE BAPTIZED IN WATER NOR THAT MEN CAN BE SAVED WITHOUT BEING BAPTIZED IN WATER.

If men believe they can receive the Holy Spirit before they have been baptized in water because it happen to Cornelius, then why do they not believe that men can receive the Holy Spirit before they believe that  Jesus is the Son of God. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born. John did believe in his mother's womb. (Luke 1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he willbe filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb.)     

JESUS SAID YOU MUST BE BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. (John 3:5)

THE SPIRIT "ONLY DOCTRINE" IS JUST LIKE THE GRACE "ONLY" DOCTRINE AND THE FAITH "ONLY DOCTRINE. THERE IS NO"ONLY" FOUND IN THE BIBLE. THE "ONLY" DOCTRINES ARE ONLY FOUND IN EXTRA-BIBLICAL WRITINGS.

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)     

HUBRIS, DISHONESTY OR BOTH?  by steve finnell

How much hubris has to be present in order to claim that 60+ translations on the Bible have been translated incorrectly?

More than a few theologians, preachers, and Bible commentators claim that Acts 2:38 has been mistranslated, asserting that "for" should have been translated as "because of."

  

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

In 60+ English translations of the Bible not one translates "for" as "because of."

To claim mistranslation of Scripture to support the erroneous doctrine that men can have their sins forgiven prior to being immersed in water is either extreme arrogance, willful ignorance, or dishonesty.

Acts 2:38 Peter replied: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NIV Copyright 1973 by New York Bible Society International)

The three thousand on the Day of Pentecost repented and were baptized in order to receive forgiveness of their sins. They were not baptized because their sins were already forgiven.

How arrogant does a person have to be to believe they are more knowledgeable than all the Bible scholars of 60+ translation of the Bible?

  

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?-BY STEVE FINNELL

John Calvin advocated the doctrine, perseverance of the saints, commonly referred to as, once in grace always in grace or once saved always saved. This teaching is embraced by many today, but is it supported by Scripture?

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?

Galatians 5:1-4 It was for freedom that Christ set us free;

therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery......4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified; by law; you have fallen from grace.

The apostle Paul is addressing Christians, he tells them to stand firm. Paul tells certain Christians that they have fallen from grace. You cannot be severed from Christ if you were never in Christ or part of the body of Christ.

DID JESUS TEACH, ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?

Luke 8:13 Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and then fall away.

Jesus said they believed and then fell away. Was Jesus confused?

Matthew 24:9-13 ....10 At that time many will fall away....12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13 But the one endures to the end , he will be saved.

Jesus said many will fall away. You cannot fall away unless you are, first, a believer.

John 15:1-6 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away.....6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

Jesus was taking about those that were in Him. Some were thrown away and burned. That is not supporting the the doctrine of, once saved always saved.

Revelation 3:1-4 "To the angel of the church of Sardis write.....But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Jesus addressed this letter to the church at Sardis, they were Christians. Jesus said those who overcame would not have their names erased from the book of life; obviously those Christians with soiled garments who did not overcome, will have their names erased.

JESUS DID NOT TEACH, ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED!  

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.

The Holy Spirit says some will fall from the faith. 

THE HOLY SPIRIT DID NOT TEACH, ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED!

Hebrews 6: 4-6 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

The writer of Hebrews clearly states Christians can fall away.
One popular argument is that those who fall away were never saved in the first place.
1. They had the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit. False Christians do not have the Holy Spirit.
2. If they were never saved, they would have no need to be renewed. You cannot speak of renewing something that never existed

Hebrews 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

Only blood bought Christians can fall away. Unbelievers cannot fall away, they are already lost.

2 Peter 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have know the way of righteousness, than having know it, to turn away from the holy commandments handed on to them.

Jesus did not teach, once saved always saved. The writer of Hebrews was not an advocate of , once saved always saved. The apostle Peter did not believe in, once saved always saved. None of the apostles proclaimed the doctrine of, once saved always saved.--------- JOHN CALVIN taught, once saved always saved. WHO ARE YOU GOING TO TRUST?

(All Scripture quotes from:NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)

IS THERE NO GOD?- BY STEVE FINNELL

Atheists claim there is no God, but do they believe it? Is it possible that atheists simply deny that there is a God? Is it plausible that atheists know there is a God, but because of pride, choose not to acknowledge the existence of God?

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

Strange that demons believe in God, but atheists claim they do not believe there is a God.

Mark 1:23-24 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, "What business do we have with each other Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are---The Holy One of God!"

Atheists proclaim they do know or believe that there is a God. Unclean spirits not only believe that Jesus is The Holy One of God, but that he has the power to destroy them.

Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.

Do some men deny there is a God as a self deception. If there is no God then there is no right from wrong, no good and evil. If there is no God then men can create a moral code that comports with their lifestyle.

Romans 1:19-20 because that which is know about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse,

God has made it evident in every man that He exists. Denying God does not change the fact of the existence of God.

Psalms 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

All you have to do to believe there is God, is look up!

1 Corinthians 20-21 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

The foolish wisdom of the world cannot prove that there is no God. 

Through the preaching of the gospel men can believe in God and that Jesus is the Son of God!

ATHEISTS DENY THAT GOD EXISTS, BUT DO THEY REALLY BELIEVE IT?     

     

INSIGHT INTO BIBLE TRUTH #245
DELUDED, DECEIVER, or DEITY?
by David Vaughn Elliott 

He was stirring up the masses, making wild claims. The chief priests tried to stop him, but the arresting officers, captivated by his teaching, returned empty handed.(1) One day, one of his disciples agreed with the chief priests to deliver him into their hands.(2) In the darkness of night, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Judas betrayed his master with a kiss. Jesus did not resist the arrest. He knew his time had come.(3)

During the trial, the high priest asked: "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus not only replied in the affirmative, but added: "You shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."(4) That was it. The high priest declared Jesus had blasphemed. The council agreed and took him to Pilate, saying: "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God."(5)

Jesus Claimed...
He came down from heaven..... John 6:38, 51.
He is the Christ, the Son of God..... Matt. 16:15-17.
His blood gives forgiveness of sin..... Matt. 26:28.
He is the only way to the Father..... John 14:6.
He will return in glory with angels..... Mark 8:38.

Ought to die? What was going on? Those religious authorities clearly understood that Jesus was claiming deity, and they absolutely rejected it. To them, Jesus was a blasphemer, and their law stipulated death.(6) Who was right -- Jesus or the clergy? Was Jesus deity, or was he a blasphemer, either lying or deluded?

The Jews were divided. Some insisted he had a demon and was insane, out of his mind. Others countered that a demon could neither talk nor work miracles as Jesus did.(7) All these people understood the issues. Do we?

Proof of His Claims:Miracles he worked..... Luke 5:18-26; John 20:30-31.
Prophecies about him fulfilled..... Luke 24:44-48; Acts 13:27-38.
Prophecies by him..... fulfilled at his death..... Mark 10:33-34.
….. fulfilled 40 years later, in A.D. 70..... Luke 21:5-6.

We have to make up our minds about Jesus. 
Here are the choices:

Choice 1: Jesus was deluded. If Jesus was deluded, it doesn't mean he was bad. However, it does mean that everything he says is suspect. It means that we cannot accept anything he says without examination. It surely means we ought not entrust our lives to him.

Choice 2: Jesus was a liar. He was deliberately deceiving the people. Nobody can rightly claim that Jesus was a great moral teacher if he was lying about being the Son of God. No good moral teacher in his right mind would make such a claim -- if he was only a human being.

Choice 3: Jesus was\is deity. Two thousand years ago, deity in the flesh. Today, deity in heaven and coming again.

Those are the choices the Jews faced; and they are the choices we all face today. Was Jesus deluded, a deceiver, or deity? There is no middle ground. To view Jesus as one of the world's greatest teachers of high moral standards, but not the divine Son of God is in itself a delusion. It is dodging the issue. We must make a choice. Eternity hangs in the balance.

(1) John 7:32-48; (2) Matt. 26:14-15; (3) Matt. 26:47-56; (4) Mark 14:61-64; (5) John 19:7; (6) Lev. 24:16; (7) John 10:19-21._________________________________________
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WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY?  by steve finnell

Can you imagine Jesus saying I am personally against killing unborn babies, however, I support a woman's right kill her unborn baby? Can you picture Jesus saying that He is Pro-Choice?

If the Supreme Court ruled that theft was a matter of choice. Can you visualize Jesus saying I am personally against theft, but the Supreme Court made it the law of the land, so I am Pro-Choice in the matter of theft?

When a person says that they are personally against abortion, but are Pro-Choice, they are either lying about the first position or the second one. You cannot hold both positions.         

ARE CREED BOOKS GOD'S WORD?-by steve finnell

Creed books used in most Christian denominations are the authoritative book used as the final authority in faith and practice. The question is should creed books be the final authority or should the Scriptures be only the word of authority and the final word?

Are creed books Scripture? Are creed books the inerrant word of God? Are creed books written by God or are they composed by men?

CAN YOU USE THE WORD CREED BOOK AND SCRIPTURE INTERCHANGEABLY?

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,(NKJV)

Would is be accurate to translate 2 Timothy 3:16 All Creed books are given by inspiration of God....? Of course not, man-made creed books are not Scripture.

John 2:22 Therefore,when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this to them; and they believed the Scripture  and the word which Jesus had said.(NKJV)

Jesus never quoted from the man-made creed books of the scribes, Sadducees or Pharisees. Man-made creeds were not a tool Jesus use to teach the truth.

Acts 8:30-38.....35 Then Philip open his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.....(NKJV)

Philip use the Scripture to preach to the eunuch. He did not use a creed book filled with the opinions of men.

Jesus, the apostles, deacons, and all  Christians mention in the Bible taught from the Scriptures, they did not use man-made creed books.


CREED BOOKS ARE NOT SCRIPTURES. THEY ARE NOT THE INERRANT WORD OF GOD.