Belief or Disbelief?

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

This is a pretty easy verse to understand. Jesus specifically states two things that are necessary for salvation – belief and baptism.
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Explaining and Giving Evidence

Paul preaching in Thessalonica

And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ’” (Acts 17:2-3).

These verses describe Paul’s teaching in the synagogue in Thessalonica. He came with the message that Jesus was the Messiah who had been prophesied of in the Old Testament.

Notice how Paul taught this message. He did not simply state his premise that Jesus was the Christ and, therefore, had to suffer and rise again. He explained and gave evidence. His explanations and evidence were from the Scriptures.
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His Name is John

Luke records that an angel appeared to Zacharias, a priest serving in the temple. The angel told Zacharias, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John” (Luke 1:13). The angel went on to tell Zacharias that this child would grow up and be the forerunner of the Messiah as prophesied by Malachi (Luke 1:17; Malachi 4:5-6). Zacharias did not immediately believe the angel so he was struck with silence until the time the child was born (Luke 1:20).
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Put On the Full Armor of God

We are engaged in a war for the cause of Christ. This is not a physical war; instead, it is spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4). It is a battle for the souls of men. In order to help us in this fight, God has given us the armor that we must put on so that we will be able to “stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Let us notice the armor with which the Lord has equipped us.
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Unless You Believe

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

Belief in Christ is essential for salvation. But the belief that Jesus mentioned here is more than just a belief that he existed, came to earth, died for our sins, rose again from the dead, and ascended back into heaven. Yes, we must believe those things about Jesus, but if that is the extent of our belief, we will die in our sins.
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Why was Simon Called to Bear Jesus’ Cross?

Simon Carrying Jesus' Cross

As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross” (Matthew 27:32).

Why was Simon made to perform this task? It was because Jesus stumbled as He carried the cross, right? That is what so many people believe. But if you look at the gospel accounts, there is no mention whatsoever of Jesus stumbling while on the way to be crucified.
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The Unchanging Standard of Truth

Bible Text

What is truth?” This is the question Pilate asked of Jesus when He was brought to him (John 18:38). Throughout the ages, people have searched for and inquired about the truth. Truth is that which is right, that which can be believed and accepted. The Bible helps define truth for us.

Jesus told His disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). We see some irony in Pilate’s question. He asked what was truth while he had the one who was the embodiment of truth standing before him. Before this question, Jesus told Pilate, “For this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). Notice in each of these verses the singular nature of truth – “the truth.” There is only one truth, not different truths for different people, places, or times.
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