HAS BELIEVED WHAT?    BY STEVE FINNELL

Jesus said "He who has believed and and has been baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16) The question remains. Has believed what?

BELIEVED WHAT?

John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

1. You have to believe the Scriptures.

2. You have to believe Jesus is the Christ.

3. You have to believe Jesus is the Son of God.

BELIEVED WHAT?

Galatians 3:26-27 For you are Sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

1. You have to believe you are Sons of God through faith.

2. You have to believe you were baptized into Christ.

BELIEVED WHAT?

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
1. We must believe that it is only because of Jesus shedding His blood that we can have forgiveness from our sins. 

BELIEVED WHAT?

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good new about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

1. You have to believe the good news about Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God before you are baptized, not at some future time. There is no record of unbelieving infants being baptized.

BELIEVED WHAT?

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Jesus Christ,
1. You must believe there is one God.
2. You must believe Jesus Christ is man's only mediator.

BELIEVED WHAT?

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

1. You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

BELIEVED WHAT?

John 4:41-42.....42....this One is indeed the Savior of the world."

1. You have to believe that Jesus is the Savior of all who will accept Him.

BELIEVED WHAT?

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;

1. You must acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

2. You must believe God resurrected Jesus from the grave.

BELIEVED WHAT?

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

 Me.

1. You must believe Jesus is the truth.

2. You must believe He is the only way to the Father.

BELIEVED WHAT?

Acts 15:11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."

1. You must believe you are saved because of God's grace and not because of keeping the Law of Moses or  your good deeds.

BELIEVED WHAT?

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

1. You must believe that God exists.

2. You must believe that God rewards those who seek Him.

BELIEVED WHAT?

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

1. You must believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

BELIEVED WHAT?

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation is no one else; for there is no name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

1. You must believe that Jesus is the only Savior.

BELIEVED WHAT?

Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"41 So then, those who had received the his word were baptized; and that day there added about three thousand souls.
1. They believe Peter's word. Peter's word was, that Jesus was Lord and Christ and that God raised Him from the grave. Peter told the believers to repent and be baptized in water so their sins could be forgiven. (Acts 2:22-38)

BELIEVED WHAT? 

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved...
Why do men not believe what Jesus said?
Why do men not believe teaching of the apostles?
 Jesus said this to some Jews. John 8:45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me......47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God."

When Jesus said "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, was He telling the truth? Why do men not believe that?

The words of Jesus was that of the Father. The words of the apostles were the words of Jesus. To reject the words of Jesus and the words of the apostles is to reject the word of God the Father.

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 the apostles, including the apostle Paul's, came from Jesus.

John 14:25-26 "These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. . 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance  all that I said to you.
Galatians 1:1-12 1 Paul, an apostle.....12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

BELIEVED WHAT? 

They believed Jesus when He said "Who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved"     

       

CONCERNING
HEAVEN AND
HELL   by George L.  Faull


I speak as one who
believes that Jesus is the
Christ the Son of God and
the Saviour of the world as seen in the inspired
Word of God, the Bible. What I believe is not
important. What the Lord and His apostles have said
is the only objective truth that I believe is true.
Emotions, rationale and subjective thinking or
teachings of men carry no weight with a Christian
who holds the above truths. If one doubts that Jesus
is the Christ, and the only Saviour, or that the Bible
is not an all- sufficient rule of what one believes or
practices the following thoughts will carry no weight.
Their subjective feelings or emotions or past
teachings will trump the following things I am saying.
This is a true saying and worthy of all acceptation
that Jesus Christ came into the world to save
sinners. His death on the cross is what paid the
price for our sins. If there is another way to be saved
then his death was a worthless and unnecessary
death. He either paid the price or he did not.
The world religions worship men who sought truth,
sought the way and sought life. They are dead and
buried and therefore offer no hope to their
worshippers of a glorious resurrection to life, as
Jesus who arose from the dead does. Jesus on the
other hand said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the
Life and that no man could come to the Father but
by Me." John 14:26 I do not believe that Jesus is a
liar. Do you?
Jesus said "Except a man be born again he can not
enter into the kingdom," and again, “Except a man
be born of the water and the Spirit he can not enter
into the Kingdom of God!” Do you believe that He
lied or was mistaken? Is there another way?
The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he
gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the world; but that the world
THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED."
Was His Son's death not needed? We are then told:
"He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he
that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY
BECAUSE HE HATH NOT BELIEVED IN THE
NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF GOD."
Men then are lost without Christ. God, as Sovereign
Lord, has every right to make this decision, and faith
accepts this fact. God is Holy and the penalty of sin
must be paid. The penalty is death. Jesus paid it for
us and if we will not accept His payment as our
payment, then we must die and be separated from
God for all eternity. This is my understanding of
God’s Word.
As for Hell, Jesus is the One who spoke about it. In
fact, all that we know about Hell is what Jesus told
us. He spoke more about Hell than He did about
Heaven.
Matthew 5:29, 10:28, 23:33 are His words and I
cannot believe in Him and not believe in the place
that He has revealed to us. He left it to His apostles
and prophets to reveal who else is going there.
John, the one men call, "the Apostle of Love," says
that no murderer has eternal life. John also reveals
who is going to be in Hell.
Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving,
and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all
liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Revelation 22:14-15: “14 Blessed are they that do
his commandments, that they may have right to the
"From the cowardice that shrinks from
new truth, from the laziness that is content
with half truths, from the arrogance that
thinks it knows all truth, O, God of Truth,
deliver us."2 THE GOSPEL UNASHAMED April 2010
tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into
the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and
whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and
whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
Paul gives a list of people not going to enter
Heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “9 Know ye not that
the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers
of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but
ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
He also lists a whole catalog of lost people in
Romans 1:29-32: “29 Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,
debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters,
haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors
of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without
understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural
affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing
the judgment of God, that they which commit such
things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but
have pleasure in them that do them.”
Peter likewise warns of the wicked men’s plight. 2
Peter 3:7: “But the heavens and the earth, which
are now, by the same word are kept in store,
reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men.”
Jesus also spoke of hypocrites who were going
there. Matthew 24:51
So if believers are hypocrites they will be exposed
when God judges the hearts of men, as only He can
do.
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
How foolish God would be to populate Heaven with
unconverted and unsanctified people. He charged
His angels with folly and cast them out of Heaven.
He invites those who will be born again to enter.
Even murderers, fornicators, adulterers,
homosexuals or any other kind of sinner can repent
and be born again and be saved. His grace forgives
those who accept Him. " To as many who receive
Him, He gives the power or authority to become the
sons of God." John 1:12
Heaven will be a family reunion and the children of
the devil will not be invited in. Nothing unclean or
maketh a lie shall enter there. Revelation 21:8,
22:11-12
God is not a fool Who would allow universal
salvation and contaminate His home. It is the home
of the redeemed and those who do not believe on
His Son are already condemned.
As a preacher of the Good News, I want to invite
everyone to the marriage banquet. The offer is to all,
no matter what anyone is or has done. To go to Hell,
a man has to step on the death of God’s Son on the
cross. Unbelief is all that is necessary to go to Hell.
The Bible promises that if anyone seeks, he shall
find, and if he knocks, he opens and if he asks he
receives. Even the utmost heathen who has never
even heard of Jesus can forsake his idols and ask
the creator, God, for help and God will see to it that
a person who knows the truth will be sent to Him.
The Bible is full of those who were seeking God and
they found Him because God sent a truth-bearer to
reveal His Will for their Life. The Eunuch, Lydia,
Saul, Cornelius are examples of this truth. Seekers
find, so there is not an excuse that they never heard.
As a herald for the King, I can only promise
Salvation to whom my King promised it.
He said, "He that believeth and is immersed
(baptizo) shall be saved and he that believeth not
shall be damned." Mark 16:16
If I promise or infer that others are saved I am not a
faithful herald. I would be a usurper of my King's
authority. He did not promise it to those who were
sprinkled (rantizo) or echeo (poured) but to those
who were baptizo (immersed).
I refuse to usurp His authority and play God. I
cannot make the decision whom He should save
and whom should be lost. Because I love God and
love my fellow man I will herald just exactly what He
has said. I am a herald, not a judge.
If Hitler and Stalin made deathbed confessions of
their sins and begged God to forgive them, and did
not obey the Gospel, then I am not going to assume
a mere " I am sorry " is of any merit.
They procrastinated too long and did not accept the
offer God made of forgiveness. They did not obeyApril 2010 THE GOSPEL UNASHAMED 3
the Gospel and I believe I am correct in my belief
they will suffer the vengeance of eternal fire.
 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10: “5 Which is a manifest
token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may
be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which
ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with
God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble
you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven
with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9
Who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and
from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall
come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired
in all them that believe (because our testimony
among you was believed) in that day.”
Believing the words of Jesus and His spokesmen in
the Word, I do not assume that anyone is saved
without being born again of the water and the Spirit.
If one is not buried with Christ in baptism, they
cannot be raised to newness of life.
Romans 6:1-8: “1 What shall we say then? Shall we
continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God
forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into
his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death: that like as Christ was
raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness
of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that
our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we
shall also live with him:”
If this seems too narrow for you, I remind you that
Jesus said there would be few who find the narrow
road and the narrow gate to eternal life. The road to
destruction, by the mouth of our Lord, is broad. That
is because so many travel it.
I trust that this helps you realize why I do not believe
Heaven is universal. It is against the wisdom of God,
the Holiness of God, and the Word of Christ Himself.
I cannot face the judge of all if I preached what
people wanted to hear. Paul said "For do I now
persuade men or God? or do I seek to please men?
for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant
of Christ." Galatians 1:10
Hopefully you will see where I am coming from in
this matter. My opinion is worthless. Let God be true
and every man a liar. It is my conviction that I love
my fellow man and believers more if I tell them what
the Lord has taught than the man who makes
everyone feel safe when they are not.
A doctor that knows the cure for a deadly disease
and will not tell it but only gives a placebo is an evil
man. A preacher, who knows what the Lord says
and does not preach the message that can save, is
an evil man. The best thing you can do for your
children is to teach them to love truth and obey it
and accept God's Wisdom as King of the universe.
I have not told you my ideas. I have spoken what
God has said and Jesus tells us that His words will
judge us in the last days. You can always count on
me to tell you what Jesus and the apostles have
said, rather than my subjective thinking

THE PARALLEL OF PENTECOST AND PAUL'S CONVERSION by steve finnell

What are the parallels of the conversions to Jesus Christ on the Day of Pentecost and that of the conversion of the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus?

1. At Pentecost they believed Jesus was Lord And Christ.(Acts 2:36)

Paul believe Jesus was Lord.(Acts 9:4-5)

2. At Pentecost they asked what they should do. (Acts 2:37)

Paul asked "Lord what do you want me to do"(Acts 9:6)

3. At Pentecost, the 3000 repented, and were immersed in water for the forgiveness of their sins and then they received the gift of the Holy Spirit.(Acts 2:38)

Paul went to Damascus where he was baptized in water for the forgiveness of his sins and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 22:16,Acts 9:17-18)

Paul's sins were not forgiven "on the road" to Damascus, they were forgiven in Damascus.(Acts 22:10-16)

Paul was not filled with the Holy Spirit "on the road" to Damascus. He was filled with the Holy Spirit in Damascus. (Acts 9:10-19)

Paul believed that Jesus was Lord "on the road' to Damascus, however, he was not saved from his sins on the road nor was he filled with the Holy Spirit on the road.(Acts 9:3-9)

Paul was saved in Damascus. He was not saved on the road to Damascus. He was NOT SAVED BEFORE HE WAS BAPTIZED IN WATER! You cannot be saved until your sins have been forgiven.    

POWER AND AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SIN? by Steve Finnell

Do men have the power and authority to grant forgiveness from sin? Some believe that Jesus granted the power of absolution to the church of Christ. God nor Jesus has given the church nor church leaders the power or authority to to forgive sins.

ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS!

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you. (NKJV)

Jesus is God, He can forgive sins. Priests, preachers, pastors, deacons, elders, nor pew sitters are, God, they cannot forgive sins.

Mark 2:7 "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (NKJV)

Only God forgives sins.

Acts 8:18-22...Simon.....22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.(NKJV)

The apostle Peter did not say I forgive you Simon of your wickedness, he said pray God would forgive Simon. Peter did not have the authority nor the power to forgive Simon of his sin against God. Only God forgives sin.

Jeremiah 33:1-8 ...the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.....8 I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.(NKJV)

No priest, preacher, pastor, deacon, elder, nor pew sitter can forgive the sins of those who sin against God. Only God can forgive sins.

No church nor church leader as the power of absolution. ONLY GOD FORGIVES SIN.

  

        

BAPTISM OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH by steve finnell

Why was the Ethiopian eunuch baptized in water?(Acts 8:26-39)

The Ethiopian was not understanding Scripture, so Philip taught him. Acts 8:35 Then Philip....preached Jesus to him.(NKJV)

There were two results from Philip's preaching. 1. The eunuch confessed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God in order to be baptized in water.(Acts 8:36-37) 2. The eunuch was baptized.(Acts 8:38)

What was the reason the eunuch was baptized?

1. Was it so he could be a member of The First Ethiopian Baptist Church? I do not think so.

2. Was it so he could demonstrate his faith to the community? Philip and the eunuch were in the desert, there was no community watching the baptism.

3. Could the reason the eunuch confessed Jesus as the Son of God and was immersed in water, be, because Philip taught him the words of Jesus? Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved...(NKJV)

    

BORN WITH A SINFUL NATURE? by steve finnell

All all men born with a sinful nature as the result of  the sin of Adam and Eve? No.  Are men sinners in the womb and born as sinners? No. Has God created all men with a sinful nature since Adam sinned in the garden of Eden? No.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 One thing I have learned: God made people good, but they have found all kinds of ways to be bad."(New Century Version)

God does not create men with a sin nature nor are they sinners at birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices."(NASB)

God made men upright, He did not create men with a sinful nature nor guilty of sin at birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 See, I have found only this, that God made man upright, but they have found many sinful ways."(New Life Version)

God does not create sinners nor a sin nature in man, men sin of their own free-will.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds. (Contemporary English Version)

Does God create men with a sin nature? No. Men become sinners on their own.

God hates sin. Why would God create all men with a sin nature and sinners at birth? He would not and does not.

MEN GO ASTRAY

Men go astray, they are not born astray.1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (NKJV)

If men go astray, then obviously they were not born astray. How can men return to the Shepherd if they were never with the Shepherd? Men are born innocent and then go astray when they sin against God.

God does not create men with a sin nature. God does not create babies who are sinners at birth. God does not cause men to sin.

GOD HATES SIN.

       

WAS THE VIRGIN MARY SINLESS? by steve finnell

Did the Virgin Mary live a sinless life?

The Catholic Answer

Not a few Protestants are surprised to discover the Catholic Church actually agrees that Mary was "saved." Indeed, Mary needed a savior! However, Mary was "saved" from sin in a most sublime manner. She was given the grace to be "saved" completely from sin so that she never committed even the slightest transgression. Protestants tend to emphasize God’s "salvation" almost exclusively to the forgiveness of sins actually committed. However, Sacred Scripture indicates that salvation can also refer to man being protected from sinning before the fact:

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. (Jude 24-25)

Six hundred years ago, the great Franciscan theologian Duns Scotus explained that falling into sin could be likened to a man approaching unaware a deep ditch. If he falls into the ditch, he needs someone to lower a rope and save him. But if someone were to warn him of the danger ahead, preventing the man from falling into the ditch at all, he would be saved from falling in the first place. Likewise, Mary was saved from sin by receiving the grace to be preserved from it. But she was still saved.[Ref: www.catholic.com]

--------------------------------------------

The Biblical Answer

 Jude 1-25 was written to Christians who had met the terms for pardon. They were not prevented from sinning from birth. They were not saved before they were born. They were not saved at the moment of their birth.

Jude 24-25 is simply stating that Christians who sin, sin by choice. No Christian sins because  Satan made them sin.

 Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God(NKJV)

Yes, the Virgin Mary was a sinner. There is no Scripture that states the Virgin Mary lived a sinless life.

Jesus was sinless. 1 Peter 2:21-22.....22"Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth",(NKJV) ALSO SEE: 2 Cor. 5:21, Heb. 4:15, 1 John 3:5.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.(NKJV)

The apostle John says Christians deceive themselves if they say they have not sinned since becoming  Christians. Would not the same be true for those who claim the Virgin Mary lived a sinless life? Are they not deceiving themselves?

1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.(NKJV)

If we say the Virgin Mary did not sin are we not making Jesus a liar. Are the words of Jesus in those who claim the Virgin Mary lived a sinless life? You make the call.

Every adult who knows right from wrong has sinned. Do infants sin? No. Are infants guilty of sin? No. Are adults who are incapable of understanding right from wrong sinners? No.

The only way the Virgin Mary can be presented as living a sinless life is through man-made traditions.

Mark 7:7 And in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrine  the commandments of men.' (NKJV)     

SATAN WANTS YOU DRY!   BY STEVE FINNELL

There is no doubt that Satan wants you dry. The devil does not want you to be immersed in water. Why would Satan not want you to be baptized?

Why Satan wants you dry.

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 the newness of life.

 Satan wants you dry so that you cannot walk in newness of life.

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 you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

Satan wants you dry so that God will not forgive you of all your transgressions.

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

Satan wants you dry because he knows water immersion is essential for your salvation.

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

Satan wants you dry to prevent you from being saved.

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.

Satan wants you dry so that you will not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and your sins will remain unforgiven.

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

Satan wants you dry so your sins will not be washed away.

Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Satan wants you dry so that you will not be clothed with Christ.

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,

Satan wants you dry because he does not want you to avail yourself of God's mercy.

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.

Satan wants you dry so that you will not be cleansed, sanctified, and found to be holy and blameless.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Satan wants you dry so that you will not have full assurance of faith with your bodies washed with pure water.

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.

Satan wants you dry because he does not want you to enter the kingdom of God.

1 John 5:6-8 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with water only, but the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit  and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

Satan wants you dry because he wants you to disregard the agreement.

Satan wants you dry.

If Satan cannot keep you dry, he will settle for a denial that  baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.

If Satan cannot convince you that baptism is not essential for salvation, then, he will convince you that sprinkling and pouring water are in fact baptism.

If Satan cannot keep you dry he will convince you that faith does not precede baptism and you can baptism unbelieving babies for the forgiveness of their "supposed" sins.

Are you saved by immersion in water "ALONE?" Absolutely not. Without faith, without confessing Jesus as the Son of God, without believing that God raised Jesus from the grave, without confessing Jesus as Lord and Christ, without repentance(repentance is making a commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God). WITHOUT THE PRECEDING THINGS; ALL YOU WOULD GET, WOULD BE WET.

SATAN WANTS YOU DRY!    

DOCTRINES CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE    BY STEVE FINNELL

There are man-made doctrines and there are doctrines of the Bible. All doctrines that are contrary to the Scriptures are man-made traditions. What did Jesus have to say about the traditions of men?

Mark 7:1-13....3...holding the traditions of the elders....7 And in vain they worship Me , Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.8 "For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the traditions of men---the washing of pitchers and cups, and many such things you do." 9 And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandments of God, that you may keep your traditions.......13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down, And many such things you do.

MAN-MADE TRADITION

1. The Virgin Mary lived a sinless life.

GOD'S TEACHING

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

MAN-MADE TRADITION

2. The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's....(Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)

GOD'S TEACHING

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

MAN-MADE TRADITION

3. The Pope has all authority and is head of the church of Christ.

GOD'S TEACHING

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

Colossians 1:13...the kingdom of the Son..18 And He is the head of the body, the church.....

MAN-MADE TRADITION
4. Alma 7:10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalemwhich is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.(Book of Mormon)

GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

MAN-MADE TRADITION
5. The Virgin Mary's body did not remain in the grave, but ascended into heaven.

GOD'S TEACHING
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God: nor does corruption inherit corruption.

MAN-MADE TRADITION
6. V. "Gods exist, and we had better strive to prepare to be one with them" (Discourses of Brigham Young, page 351).

GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 12:32 So the scribes said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

MAN-MADE TRADITION
7. Absolution is the act of a priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, he frees man from sin.

GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 2:7 "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this?"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"


There are many man-made traditions such as.
8. We are saved by grace alone.
9. We are saved by faith only.
10. Water baptism is not essential for the forgiveness from sin.
11. Men can live an unrepentant sinful lifestyle and still be saved.
12. Jesus is not the only way to heaven.
13. God has granted many different plans for salvation under the New Covenant.
14. All men can be saved like the thief on the cross.


CAN MAN-MADE DOCTRINES SAVE ANYONE?

(Scripture from NKJV)   

Have
Churches
Gone
Crazy? By George L. Faull

Recently I read of a church that decided to
show the Muslims their willingness to learn from
“their Muslim brothers”. So they joined them in
observance of Ramadan in a fast for peace,
fellowship, and neighborliness. Their reasoning
was “Since the Bible teaches us the importance
of fasting and being generous to the poor, we
can participate as Christians in fidelity to the
Bible, as our Muslim friends do, in fidelity to the
Koran.”
Oh, how about this one!! A Theology professor
at a Lutheran University, Dr. Herbert Hoover,
wants the churches to be more Muslim friendly.
He wants us to stop praying in Jesus’ name,
stop quoting Paul as an authority, confine
ourselves only to the Gospels, avoid calling
Jesus the Son of God in our preaching and
witnessing, and stop using any kind of music in
our services. He wants Muslims to feel
comfortable in our “context”.
Our church camps, including our local ones, are
having “Labyrinth’s” installed. This is a
‘supposed’ prayer journey used by pagans,
Catholics, New Agers, and Universalists. It is
an old occult practice, but finding its way into
the Church. One clergy person said, “God is
blessing the use of our labyrinth; many are
being drawn closer to Jesus, experiencing
healing and gaining Spiritual clarity as they pray
on its path!”
It is simply a mingling of faiths. It teaches that
there is no wrong way but that all paths lead to
truth. It will result in an inclusion of all faiths or a
universal faith and so is the basis for a great
world church.
Another church has Santa Claus serve
communion to worshippers!!!
At an alleged Christian woman’s meeting in the
north, they held a celebration to the Goddess
Sophia in which their communion element was
the milk from women’s breasts.
Believe me, the time has come to realize that
there is an organized effort to destroy the
Church, the Bible and the Christian faith. Many
of these things now branded “Christian” are
simply copied from ancient paganism, the
occult, or New Age philosophy and
Universalism. It is an attempt to have a world
religion that combines all religions into one
universal faith.
Do not be deceived. The Restoration of simple
New Testament Christianity is the only antidote
to this Spiritual sickness.