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The Bible or the Bible Plus? By Clif Dennis I came across a poll recently of six "mainline", whatever that is, denominational leaders. Two questions were asked in this poll and the answers given by these leaders are interesting and should be eye-openers for average members of any of these "mainline" denominations, who are genuinely concerned about where they will live eternally. The first question: If I refuse to follow the creed of your denomination and follow only the Bible, can I be a member of your denomination? ALL SIX OF THE DENOMINATIONAL PREACHERS ANSWERED, "NO"! The second question: If I refuse to follow the creed of your denomination and follow only the Bible, can I still be a Christian and go to heaven? ALL SIX OF THE DENOMINATIONAL PREACHERS ANSWERED "YES"! The ONLY logical conclusion which can be reached from their answers is that they have admitted that one can be saved outside of their organization, which, for all practical purposes, renders those man-made denominations null and void. No human denomination is essential to salvation. All six confirmed this by their answers, that one does not have to follow their creed to be saved. Creeds, manuals, catechisms, or any other human standard cannot save one soul. Simply following the Bible will not make one a member of a denomination. In fact, if you insist on following only the Bible, you can't be a member of any denomination. They will not accept you if you refuse to follow their creeds. Their creeds divide them into differing factions. Each teaches a different doctrine and they are divided from one another over things that make no difference regarding ones salvation. What does God think about these facts? 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Paul taught there should be NO DIVISION among Christians. Denominational division did not come about as a result of people standing firm for what God requires. These people admit that one can be saved in a denomination other than their own. They are divided over man-made doctrines. Certainly God is not pleased. Ephesians 4:4-6-There is one body and one faith. There is one God and He is not pleased by many different faiths any more than He is pleased by many different gods. We in the Lord's church also have a creed. It is not of human origin. It is the last will and testament of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, the New Testament. You can follow this creed and be just a Christian and live eternally in heaven, the home of those who will "be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10 & What Would They Say? By Greg Gwin The Bible tells us about the intense persecution that was endured by early Christians. We know that many were imprisoned, and a large number were put to death (Acts 26:9-11). Uninspired historical accounts give us additional information about the terrible trials and sufferings of those first disciples. We are told that Christians in the city of Rome faced great danger when they assembled together for worship. Because of this they were often forced to hold their meetings in secret places. We know that they sometimes met in the catacombs (underground cemeteries). Evidence from those secret meetings can still be seen today. It is said that at the height of this persecution members of a family would leave for worship at different times so that they would not generate suspicion from neighbors. They changed their meeting place and the time of the assemblies each week to avoid being discovered. Did you ever wonder how these early saints would react if they were able to comment about the practice of their modern-day brothers and sisters? Don't you imagine that they would be shocked to learn about the things that keep some Christians from attending all the worship assemblies and Bible studies? What was it that kept you from the assemblies last week? Too tired? Too busy? A school function? A vacation trip? Relatives from out of town visiting? A fishing trip? A round of golf? A minor sniffle or headache? Too sick to worship (but not to sick to go to work)? Just didn't feel like coming? Stop for a minute to think what those persecuted Christians of the first century would say if they heard YOUR excuses. Why did those people take such risks? Why did they suffer so much? The answer is obvious; they loved the Lord and were committed to His service. What about YOU? & Attitude of the Elder Son By Bob Myhan Many people fail to realize that the third parable of Jesus recorded in Luke chapter 15, is nowhere, in the inspired text, called “the Parable of the Prodigal Son.” In fact, the parable is given no name either by Jesus or by Luke. A more accurate designation would be “the Parable of the Two Sons.” Notice the introduction to the parable. Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2) The Pharisees and the scribes had an improper attitude toward sinners who had repented. So Jesus tells them a series of three parables involving something lost that had been found and the joy the followed the recovery of that which was lost. The third of these parables featured a younger son who represented penitent sinners and an elder son who represented the Pharisees and the scribes. Thus, the elder son’s attitudes are but a reflection of theirs. He Was Self-Willed He "would not go in" to the celebration of his younger brother's return (v. 28). The Bible clearly condemns those who are self-willed (2 Peter 2:10; Titus 1:7). He Was Self-Righteous He claimed, "I never transgressed your commandment at any time" (v. 29). Such an attitude is the result of pride and arrogance, and is also condemned in God’s Word (Luke 18:10-14; Rom. 10:1-3). He Was Self-Centered He complained, "You never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him" (v. 29-30). The Bible teaches we should be centered on others, rather than on self (Phil. 2:1-4; Rom. 12:3). He Was Just Plain Selfish He did not want to share his material possessions with his brother (v. 31). Those who are centered on others will share with them (Luke 3:11; Acts 2:44). The elder son, like the Pharisees and the scribes he represented, had the wrong attitude toward self, resulting in the wrong attitude toward his brother who had sinned but had also repented. & What Is Your Life? By James W. Adams “There appears to exist a greater desire to live long than to live well!” Measure by men’s desires, and he cannot live long enough. Measure by his good deeds, and he has not live long enough. Measure by his evil deeds, and he has lived too long. Measured by these three standards, what has your life been – long enough, too long, or not long enough? Your life and mine are largely what we make them. James says, from the standpoint of time as compared to eternity, that our lives are but a “vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14). The true measure of life, however, is not “how long,” but “how well.” &
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