May 1, 2008

Accepting Jesus as Our Personal Savior

[This article was written by Robert A. Sochor.]

“Accepting Jesus as our personal Savior”: if we have heard denominational sermons or read denominational tracts, we are familiar with this direction for being saved. On occasion, we have heard some in the church use the same expression in giving an invitation or prayer. What does “accepting Jesus as our personal Savior” really mean? It is hard to know because it means different things to different people. Usually, it means some degree of mental recognition of Jesus as Savior and a resignation and acceptance at some level of Jesus as our Savior. More simply, it conveys the idea of faith alone as a means of salvation. But it does convey the idea of something being required from us for our salvation. It does speak against any idea of all being saved by God’s grace regardless of belief. It also shows salvation is through Jesus alone (John 14:6) and none other. However, rarely, if ever, is any obedient act ever mentioned or required for salvation. It is merely (as denominations use it) a mental recognition and belief-only system required for salvation.Continue Reading

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May 1, 2008

A Model of Personal Evangelism

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

John 4 contains the account of Jesus speaking with the woman at the well in Samaria. As a result of this conversation, she came to know that He was the Messiah (John 4:25-26). After that, she went and told others about Jesus (John 4:28-29). When others then came and heard Jesus speak, many believed in Him (John 4:41-42). Jesus told His disciples that the fields were “white for harvest” (John 4:35) because many were interested and open to hearing the truth.

When we think about personal evangelism, some wonder how to go about doing it. It may be that not knowing how prevents some from actually getting out and talking to others about the gospel. This chapter gives us a model of personal evangelism. We can learn from what Jesus did and how He spoke with this woman to give us insight as to how we might go about teaching the lost today.
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April 24, 2008

False Knowledge

“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’ [science, KJV] – which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith” (1 Timothy. 6:20-21).

Tonight I was able to watch Ben Stein’s movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. It is a documentary about the efforts to silence and discredit those who offer an alternative to the theory of evolution – namely, Intelligent Design. It was very well done and I highly recommend you see it.
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April 9, 2008

In Spirit and Truth

Prayer, worship

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

This passage is often cited to show how we are to worship. We must worship God in spirit and truth.
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April 1, 2008

Some Thoughts on Persecution

Persecution

The Bible plainly affirms that all Christians will face persecution. “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Of course, we may not all face the same degree of persecution. Some will be persecuted severely while others, in comparison, will face only minor persecution. Jesus indicated to Peter that he would have to die for His faith even though John might not (John 21:18-22). Today, there is relatively little physical persecution against Christians in this country, but there are brethren around the world in much more difficult situations. This should not surprise us. We will all be persecuted, but not with equal severity.

Even though a degree of persecution is inevitable, we are to pray that some persecution may be avoided. Paul told Timothy that Christians are to pray for those in civil governments “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:2-3). One of the roles God has given to civil governments is implied in this chapter. Civil authorities are to create and preserve an environment in which Christians can freely practice their religion. This means that the civil authorities are to refrain from persecuting Christians and are to protect their citizens (including Christians) from persecution by others. It is good in God’s sight to pray for our government and those around the world that this type of environment may be maintained.

Why should we pray for civil authorities to do their job in preventing persecution? It is not simply for selfish reasons (because we do not want to face persecution). Rather, it is because persecution hinders the teaching of the gospel. Paul went on to explain why it is good in the sight of God for governments to provide and maintain a peaceful environment. It is because God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). When Christians are unable to “lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2), it is harder for them to do the work they need to do in spreading the gospel.
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April 1, 2008

The Sabbath Day

[This article was written by Larry R. DeVore.]

In Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 we find the account of God creating the world and everything in it in six days and resting on the seventh day. The Hebrew word for Sabbath (Shabbat) does not appear in the book of Genesis. It does not appear in the Scriptures until Exodus 16:23.

Therefore, this is contrary to the teaching of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, who teaches that God established an eternal Sabbath Observance Law in the very beginning.

Genesis 2:3 says, “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God created and made” (NASB).
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April 1, 2008

Do Miracles Happen Today?

[This article was written by Tim Haile.]

The Bible records a great number of miracles that were witnessed by thousands of people throughout the known world. These miracles physically benefited the thousands of people who were affected by them. The dead were raised, the crippled, sick and diseased were healed, the blind, deaf and mute were cured, and the demon-possessed were freed. Miracles demonstrated God’s power over both the physical and spiritual domains. They served as signs and wonders that testified to the existence of a power that is far greater than what man possesses. As we shall see in this study, these supernatural events served a special purpose. Sadly, too many people largely ignore this purpose today.
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