Advice for 2013

Top 5 advice for 2013. 1) When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD 4 it. 2) Don't compare your life 2 others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 3)Try 2 make at least 3 people smile each day. 4) However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 5) 4get issues of the past, it may ruin your present. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Hope you coose to smile.

God gives you a face , but it is up to you what  expression you choose to put on it.

When you smile it makes others smile. People can hear it in your voice when you talk on the phone. Your smile changed the tone in your voice.

When you smile it makes you feel better about yourself, in return makes others feel better about you and themselves.  

Your smile makes others trust you. If you are trying  to build a business relationship you really need to establish that trust, so why not do it with a smile.

  

Sulking and throwing tantrums are never actions to use

Sulking and throwing tantrums are never actions to use to get your way. Things will not always go as planned, just as tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Why waste your precious time exerting all that negative energy? Try taking a spoonful of patience, a couple tablets of maturity, and a few shots of “I’m better than that’’. Stay on the high road and leave the low road for the adolescents.

Each difficult moment that you experience

Each difficult moment that you experience has the potential to open your eyes, open your heart, and provide you with wisdom. So, don’t sweat life’s issues! Think of what you can gain from each experience.

People ought to see what God is up to by what we do

People ought to see what God is up to by what we do. Even thru your time of hardship (financially, emotionally, and spiritually), you must remain steadfast in your givings to Him. This giving includes your finances, time, dedication and belief in Him. When you give your all, you will hear Him say that you have given 'more than enough.' Remember, you can't beat His givings...no matter how hard you try.

GOD AND MAN---SALVATION?

GOD AND MAN---SALVATION?

There are two things involved in the salvation of mankind.  What God provides and man's responsibility.

WHAT DOES GOD PROVIDE?

GOD PROVIDES GRACE.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

All men who hear the gospel have the opportunity to accept God's grace.

Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 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.

Grace is God's mercy. Men do not work in order to receive mercy. Mercy is an unmerited favor.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

It is because of God's grace that men have the possibility to receive the  gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We receive the gift of salvation because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We are not saved because of our good works or keeping the Law of Moses.

GOD PROVIDES A SAVIOR.

1 John 4:9-10 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

GOD PROVIDES THE MEANS BY WHICH MEN MAY HEAR THE GOSPEL.

Romans 10:13-15 14...And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent.....
Matthew 28:18-20 ....19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations......20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...

GOD PROVIDED HIS WRITTEN WORD, THE BIBLE, SO THAT WE MAY BELIEVE AND HAVE LIFE.

John 20:30-31....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.

---God provides grace, a Savior, preachers of the gospel, and the Bible---

WHAT IS MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY?

Man responsibility is to be obedient to the gospel.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9....8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus......

Obedience is required. Good works and following the Law of Moses are not equivalent to being obedient to the gospel.

Hebrews 5:8-9.....9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the sourced of eternal salvation,

Obedience is man's responsibility in order to receive salvation.

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

You need to believe and be baptized in water in order to be saved.

Romans 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Whoever calls on Jehovah God will be saved. Calling on false Gods cannot save anyone.

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

Saul was told to be baptized and call on the name of the Lord to have his sins washed away. Saul had already believed in Jesus and repented, while on the road to Damascus,  three day prior.
(Paul was not saved by faith only)

Saul's responsibilities were to believe in Jesus, repent (turn from sin and turn toward God), be baptized in water, and call on the name of the Lord.

When you confess Jesus, you are calling on the name of the Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Men must confess Jesus as Lord and savior and believe in His resurrection from the dead in order to be saved. (Men are not saved by grace alone)

Acts 8:27-38...35 Then Phillip open his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said. "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37 [And Phillip said, :If you believe with all your heart , you may."And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Phillip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

The eunuch believed in Jesus, he repented, he confessed Jesus  as the Christ and as the Son of God. He was baptized in water. The eunuch fulfilled his responsibilities for salvation.

On the Day of Pentecost Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and proclaimed Him Lord and Christ. When the 3000 believed Peter's sermon, they asked what they should do? (Acts 2:22-38.....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.)

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 his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Notice: Peter said be saved, future tense. After they believed and were baptized, then they were saved and added to the church. The three thousand souls were only added after they believed and were baptized.

The Lord only adds the saved to His church. Acts 2:47 ...And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

What was the responsibility of the 3000?
1. To believe in the resurrected Jesus.
2. To believe that Jesus was the Christ and accept Him as Lord. 3. To repent (repent means to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God).
4. They had to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

SALVATION?

God provides: 1. Grace. 2. The Savior. 3. Preachers of the gospel. 4. His written word, the Bible.

Man's responsibilities: BE OBEDIENT 1. Listen to the gospel. 2. Believe the gospel. 3. Confess Jesus as Lord, the Christ, and God's only Son. 4. Believe that God resurrected Jesus from the dead. 5.Repent (make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God). 6. Be baptized in water.

FAITH is for the forgiveness of sins.
CONFESSION is for the forgiveness of sins.
REPENTANCE is for the forgiveness of sins.
WATER BAPTISM is for the forgiveness of sins.

Men can be saved in two hours  more or less. No work, no good deeds, and no law keeping is required---Then remain faithful until death. (Matthew 10:22)

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Always keep people in your life that charge your battery, not those who will drain it.

THE WORDS OF GOD THE FATHER

THE WORDS OF GOD THE FATHER

Where do men find the words of God the Father? Why do men reject the written words of God the Father?

John 7:16 So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.

John 12:49-50 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak , I speak just as the Father told Me."

The teachings of Jesus and the actions of Jesus were all from God the Father. Jesus did not read and follow the man-made catechisms from the Jewish elders. Jesus did not get His instruction from the scribes and Pharisees.

WHERE DID THE APOSTLES GET THEIR DOCTRINE?

John14:24-26 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. 25 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 your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 16:12-15 ....13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth...... He will disclose to you what is to come......

The apostles learned from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The words of Jesus were that of the Father. The Father sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles so they could remember all that Jesus taught them and be taught future events. 

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

The gospel of Christ, the terms for pardon, and the doctrine for Christian living, are all from God the Father. Jesus, the apostles and the Holy Spirit delivered the message. It is all found in the Bible.

Jesus, and the Holy Spirit taught the apostles ALL THE TRUTH. There is no more truth, in addition to, what the Father has given us through Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the apostles. All the truth is found in the Bible and the Bible alone.

The apostles had all the truth before John Calvin, John Wesley, Joesph Smith Jr, all the Popes, Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, and Martin Luther were born. There is no new Scripture. There is no new revelation from God.

THE APOSTLES WERE GUIDED INTO ALL TRUTH BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. There are no new truths found in the catechisms, creed books nor any other extra-Biblical books written by men.

THE ONLY APOSTLE ALIVE TODAY ARE THE FALSE ONES!

MEN REJECT THE WORDS OF THE GOD THE FATHER BY OBEYING MAN-MADE DOCTRINE, RATHER THAN ACCEPTING THE BIBLE AND THE BIBLE ALONE AS THE TRUTH!

Time is the most valuable commodity

Time is the most valuable commodity that we have in life. It’s more valuable than money. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. After you wake up, remember God gave you a present called “today.” And with that gift comes a responsibility. Therefore, evaluate how you are spending your time. Refocus your life. Let go of any distractions by shaking off self-pity, discouragement & disappointments of the past. Time is now!

YES, YOUR NAME CAN BE BLOTTED OUT!

YES, YOUR NAME CAN BE BLOTTED OUT!

Can  Christians have their names erased from the book of life? Contrary to the doctrines of men, Christians are not, once saved always saved. There is no Scripture that advocates perseverance of the saints. Christians can lose their salvation.

Revelation 3:1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:  He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Note: Jesus was addressing this letter to the church in Sardis. It cannot be said He was talking about those who had never been saved. The Lord adds the saved to His church. (Acts 2:47 ....And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.) The Lord does not add the unsaved to His body, which is the church of Christ.

Revelation 3:2-3Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in sight of My God. 3 So remember what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I come to you.

If Christians are once saved always saved, why would Jesus warn the church at Sardis to repent. He will come as a thief? If you are saved and can never be lost, you would not have to repent. If you as a Christian are once saved always saved, you should have no fear of the return of Jesus Christ coming as a thief.

Revelation 3:4 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.

Jesus said that only a few members of the body of Christ in Sardis would walk with Him in white. If Jesus taught once saved always saved; then all the members of the church in Sardis would have been worthy.

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Jesus told the Christians at Sardis that the ones who overcame would not have their names erased from the book of life. It is obvious that those Christian who did not repent would have their names erased from the book of life. Unsaved people do not have their names written in the book of life. Only saved Christians can have their names erased from the book of life.

The Christians at Sardis were not once saved always saved.

Revelation 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

First, only Christians have part of the tree of life, and the holy city. If would be impossible for members of the body of Christ to take words from the book of prophecy, if in fact, they were once saved always saved. Why would God warn Christians of something that was impossible?

Revelation 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

There are just two categories of people who do not have their names written in the book of life. 1. Those who have never been obedient to the terms of pardon, and 2. Those Christians who have had their names erased from the book of life.

YES, YOUR NAME CAN BE BLOTTED OUT!

(All Scriptures quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)

When God commands something,

When God commands something, you can be sure that it's going to happen. Just like He commanded the worlds to be formed, God has commanded that you be blessed. He has commanded that you prosper and increase. He has commanded that you be above only and not beneath. As a believer and follower of Jesus, you are called to be the head and not the tail. If you will get into agreement with God and not let other people or your own thoughts talk you out of it, then you will see this commanded blessing take you further than you ever thought possible.

WE BELIEVE JOHN'S BAPTISM

WE BELIEVE JOHN'S BAPTISM

Why do most believers in Christ accept what God said about the purpose of John the Baptist's baptism, but reject what God said about the purpose of Christian baptism?

JOHN'S BAPTISM & CHRISTIAN BAPTISM 

Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.

Most believers accept this as fact. Quakers and the Church of the Salvation Army reject Christian water baptism. If the Pharisees rejected God's purpose my not being baptized by John, what will be the fate of the men today who are not baptized with Christian baptism or reject its purpose?

Mart 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Men do not deny that John the Baptist baptize for (in order to) the forgiveness of sins, however, they reject Christian baptism outright or deny it is for (in order to) the remission of sins. 

Luke 3:3,7 And he came into all the district around Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; 7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Most men agree that these men were fleeing, the wrath to come, by being baptized by John for the forgiveness of their sins. Men today do not believe that men can flee from the wrath to come by being baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

Why would men believe God when He talks about the baptism of John, but doubt God when He refers to the purpose of Christian baptism?

Act 19:4 Paul said "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.   

Most "Faith Only" believers agree that John baptized with the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and then the people subsequently believed in Jesus.

Most "FAITH ONLY" believers deny that Peter and the apostles preached Jesus and then told the believers to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:22-41)


THE QUESTION REMAINS WHY WOULD BELIEVERS IN CHRIST ACCEPT GOD'S WORD CONCERNING THE BAPTISM OF JOHN? (JOHN'S BAPTISM IS NOT VALID TODAY)

WHY DO "FAITH ONLY" BELIEVERS REJECT GOD'S VIEW ABOUT CHRISTIAN BAPTISM?

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Acts22:16, 1 Peter3:21.Colossians 2:12-13 

OBEDIENCE RESULTING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS?

OBEDIENCE RESULTING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Men are born again by obedience to the truth.

Men are not born again by grace alone. Obedience is required.

1 Peter 1:22-23 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living  and enduring word of God.

Men have purified their souls by obedience to the truth. They have been, born again, according to the word of God.

It all starts and ends with being obedient to Jesus Christ. Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

1. WHAT DOES BELIEVED MEAN?

2. WHAT DOES HAS BEEN BAPTIZED MEN?

BELIEVED

1. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

2. Acts 8:26-38 ...37 [And Philip said,  "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Belief, repentance, confessing Jesus as God's Son, and water baptism are all part of being obedient to the truth.

3. Romans 10:9-10 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; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

The obedience of confession and belief are linked to men obtaining the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. There is no salvation apart from obedience.

4. Matthew 10 32-33 "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

Being willing to confess Jesus before men is part of the obedient faith that saves.

5. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it if the gift of God;

Men are saved through believing (faith). Grace alone cannot saved anyone. Grave is available to all men, but all men do not accept the free gift of salvation through faith.  

NOT ALL WHO BELIEVE WILL BE SAVED

1. John 12:42 Nevertheless many of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;

Belief "only" cannot save anyone. Why do so many contemporary preachers deny that water baptism is essential for salvation? Why are they afraid to preach salvation just as it was taught by Jesus? 

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

It takes more than belief in God to be saved.

3. Matthew 8:28-29When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were extremely violent that no one could pass  by that way. 29 And they cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Son of God?.....

The two demon-possessed men believed that Jesus was the Son of God. That did not result in their salvation. Simply believing and confessing that Jesus is God's Son cannot saved anyone. Without repentance and being baptized into Christ, the demon-possessed men were still in their sins. They were still lost.

BAPTIZED
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.

Baptism in  water is  an essential step in obedience, resulting in righteousness.

JESUS SAID IT ALL IN MARK 16:16

BELIEVE: What does that include?
1. John 3:16
2. Acts 8:37
3. Luke 24:47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins...
4. Acts 2:38 ..."Repent....for the forgiveness of your sins...
5. Romans 10:9-10
6. Ephesians 2:8
7. John8:24 '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.
8. John 3:15 so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
MORE EXAMPLES COULD BE GIVEN.

BAPTIZED: What does that include.
1. Acts 2:38 
2. 1 Peter 3:21.....baptism now saves you...
3. Acts 22:16 ...Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins...
4. John 3:5...unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
MORE EXAMPLES COULD BE GIVEN

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.

It is just like Jesus said in Mark 16:16 and repeated in Galatians 3:26-27. BELIEF AND BAPTISM PRECEDES SALVATION. BELIEF AND BAPTISM PRECEDES BECOMING SONS OF GOD AND BEING CLOTHED WITH CHRIST.

BELIEVING NOT ONLY MEANS FAITH, BUT IT INCLUDES CONFESSING JESUS CHRIST AND REPENTANCE.

BAPTISM INCLUDES, BAPTISM FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND BEING BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST.

OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDS OF JESUS RESULTS IN PUTTING ON THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST. 

Sometimes our days can be so full and busy

Sometimes our days can be so full and busy that we forget how fragile life really is. It’s easy to allow little things to creep in and steal our peace and joy. Maybe something doesn’t go our way or someone says something upsetting. Even traffic can cause us to lose focus if we let it. We have to remember that each day is a gift. If we choose to focus on what’s wrong, we’ll miss the beauty that each day has to offer.

FABRICATED VIEWS ABOUT BAPTISM AND BIBLICAL FACTS

FABRICATED VIEWS ABOUT BAPTISM AND BIBLICAL FACTS

Why do the majority of believers in Christ base what they believe about water baptism on the fabricated facts of men? Biblical facts do get in the way of views composed by men.

THE FABRICATED FACTS

1. Water baptism washes away the so-called original sins that men inherit from Adam, however, committed sins are washed away by faith only.

2. Water baptism was commanded by Jesus as a simple act of obedience, but it has no purpose.

3. Water baptism is a way for men to demonstrate their faith to the church and the community.

4. Water baptism is not essential to the forgiveness of sins.

5. Water baptism is performed after someone has been saved.

6. Water baptism is not a baptism into Christ.

7. Water baptism precedes faith if you are an infant.

8. Water baptism is only essential in order to join the denomination of of your choice.

9. The thief on the cross was not baptized, so all men can be saved without water baptism.

10. God does not required men to be baptized if they die before they have had time to be baptized.

11. Sprinkling and pouring water are just other modes of baptism. (Note: Baptism means immersion. Immersion is not a mode. Immersion is baptism.)

12. Water baptism is just an outward sign of forgiveness that has already taken place when men believed one day ago, one month ago, or one year ago etc.

13. Water baptism is a work of man and is not essential to salvation.

14. Water baptism is not essential to enter the kingdom of God.

15. The three thousand men saved on the Day of Pentecost had their sins washed away before they were baptized in water.

All of these 15 mentioned statements about water baptism are fabricated facts preached from pulpits, found in creed books, and or explained in other extra-Biblical writings. NONE OF THEM ARE FOUND IN THE BIBLE. WHERE ARE THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES?

THE BIBLICAL FACTS OF WATER BAPTISM

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

You cannot separate faith and water baptism.

2. Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved;.....

You cannot separate faith and water baptism when taking about the requirements for salvation.

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

Saul had to be baptized in water to have his sins washed away. Saul was not baptized so he could join the Ananias Baptist Church.

4. Colossians 2:11-14 .....12 having been buried with Him in in baptism.... 13.....having forgiven us all our transgression, 14 having canceled out the certificate consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and having nailed it to the cross.

You cannot disconnect water baptism and Jesus being nailed to the cross when talking about forgiveness from transgressions.

5. Acts 8:25-38 ...36 .... "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"[37 And Philip said, If you believe with with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus is the Son of God."].......

Belief and confessing Jesus as the Son of God precede water baptism. Infants cannot believe nor confess Jesus as the Christ.
The eunuch was not baptized a testimony of his faith to Philip nor the community. There was no community present. Philip had just preached Jesus to the eunuch and heard him confess Jesus as the Son of God. Philip did have to see the eunuch baptized in order to see his faith. The eunuch was baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of his sins.

You cannot separate belief, confessing Jesus as the Son of God and water baptism

6. 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.

You cannot dissociate being born of water baptism and being born of the Spirit.

7. Acts 2:22-41.....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.......

You cannot ignore the the fact that repentance and water baptism are in order to have sins forgiven and that they precede receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

8. 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.

The washing of regeneration (water baptism) is one thing. The renewing by the Holy Spirit is another thing. You must be born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5 and Acts 2:38 makes this connection, also).

9. 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.

How much self deception and how many man-made creed books do you have to read, to not believe God was not talking about water baptism in verse 26?

10. 1 Peter 3:20-21 ....safely through the water. 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.

You cannot separate water baptism, an appeal to God, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from salvation.

Romans 6:3-7 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?4 Therefore we have been buried with Him in baptism into death, so as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, so we too might walk in newness of life...... 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

Baptism is a burial. You cannot be buried under a sprinkle nor by having water poured on you. You are raised  to walk in a new life after baptism, not before you are baptized. You not walking in a new life the moment you believe. Men are freed from sin after water baptism, not before.

MEN HAVE TWO CHOICES.
 1. Men can believe the fabricated facts of water baptism contrived in the hearts of men.
2. Men can believe the facts about water baptism found in the Bible and the Bible alone.

MEN HAVE FREE WILL.

THE QUESTION OF INFANT BAPTISM

THE QUESTION OF INFANT BAPTISM

Does infant baptism find support in the Scriptures? No, baptizing babies is a man-made doctrine.

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

Belief precedes baptism in water. Infants cannot believe nor can they disbelieve. Baptism is for those who have already believed.

John 6:24 '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."

Jesus said unless you believe you will die in your sins. Infants cannot believe. Will they die in their sins? Of course not, babies are not guilty of any sins.  In any event, water baptism does not wash away sins of non-believers. If it did, why did Jesus not instruct us to baptized believers and non-believers alike? THERE IS NOT ONE CASE IN SCRIPTURE, WERE A NON-BELIEVER WAS IMMERSED IN WATER.

Matthew 28:18-20 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 the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;.....

How would it be possible to teach infants all that Jesus commanded?

Acts 2:22-41.........41 So then, those who received his word were baptized.... 

On the Day of Pentecost the apostle Peter preached Jesus. The three thousand repented  and were baptized in water. They were not baptized before they received the word of Peter. Infants cannot believe nor do they have anything of which to repent. There is no Biblical doctrine that teaches that adults or infants should be baptized before they believe.

Faith (John 3:16) precedes water baptism. Babies have no faith.

Repentance (Acts 2:38) precede water baptism. Infant have not sinned; therefore, they do not need to repent. Babies cannot turn from sin and turn toward God. They are not sinners.

Confession  (Acts 8:35-37) precedes water baptism.

INFANTS ARE NOT GUILTY OF SIN

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried way and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Do infants lust for fornication, are they thieves, do they get drunk, do they lie, are they swindlers? Babies are not guilty of sin.

Ezekiel 18:20 The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment of the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

Infants are not guilty of their fathers sins nor are they guilty of the, first man, Adam's sin.

Cain was not guilty of Adam's sin; he was guilty of  his own sin because he murdered his brother Abel.(Genesis 4:1-8)

All men die physically because Adam sinned. Men die spiritually because of the unforgiven sins they, themselves, commit.

INFANT BAPTISM?

1. Infants are not candidates for baptism because they are not guilty of sin.(Ezekiel 18:20)
2. Infants cannot be baptized because they are not capable of believing the gospel.(Mark 16:16, John 3:16)
3. Infants are not subjects for baptism because they cannot confess Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:35-37)
4. Infants are not candidates for baptism because they cannot repent nor do they have anything of which to repent. (Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19)

INFANT BAPTISM IS THE PRODUCT OF MAN-MADE CREED BOOKS. 

NEW TESTAMENT DENOMINATIONS?

NEW TESTAMENT DENOMINATIONS?

Are denominations acceptable under the new covenant? There were no denominations of the church of Christ that were acceptable to the Lord for the first one hundred years of the church. Why do men believe that God finds the hundreds, if not thousands, of the contemporary so-called churches of Christ to be pleasing to God? Did Jesus die for a divided church?

FIRST CENTURY DENOMINATIONS

The First Church of Knowing Only The Baptism of John: Acts19:1-7 ......2 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, "Into what then were baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 When they heard this they baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.......

When these twelve men heard the truth and they repented of their false misunderstanding. They canceled their membership in "The First Church of Knowing Only the Baptism of John".

These twelve men realized that John's baptism was not a baptism into Christ. (Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.)

These twelve men understood that they could not receive the Holy Spirit unless the received the water baptism of the new covenant. (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.)

You will notice, not one of the twelve told the apostle Paul that they did not need Christians baptism, because the thief of the cross was not baptized and he was in paradise with Jesus. They understood that they were living under the new covenant.

Repentance is required for those living in error. It was mandatory for the twelve and it is necessary for those involved in the errors of modern- day denominationalism.

The Resurrection Is Over Christian Church: 1 Timothy 2:17-18 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

Denominations are established because they deviate from the truth. It was true in the first century and it is true today.

The Jerusalem Judaizers for Christ: Galatians 2:11-21 But when Cephas  came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision, 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews............

The apostle Paul confronted the apostle Peter because he was practicing the denominational doctrines of The Jerusalem Judaizers for Christ. Peter was perverting the truth of the gospel. Peter needed to repent. The apostle Paul did not say, it does not matter what doctrine you teach and practice as long as you are sincere.

Men, today, who are preaching doctrines different from Biblical teaching, need to repent. There was only one church established on the Day of Pentecost. There was only one way preached, telling men how to be saved.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
1. FAITH: John 3:16
2. REPENANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19
3. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37
4. WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Galatians 3:27. 


JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY

John 17:20-21"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Can can there be unity when different denominations teach various ways to become saved? 

THERE IS ONLY ONE BODY OF CHRIST!  

THE QUESTION OF GRACE???

THE QUESTION OF GRACE???

What is grace?

What is the grace of God?

What is the benefit of God's grace?

Grace is an unmerited favor?

The manifestation of God's grace is God's free gift of salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.

The unmerited favor is salvation. Grace is not the favor.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (NASB)

Salvation is the gift of God. Grace is not the gift.

Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

Men are justified because of God's grace, however, it only comes through Jesus Christ.

The benefits of God's grace is only accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. God does impute grace to a selected few. God does not impute faith to a preselected, chosen few, so that they may be saved.

Acts 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.(KVV)

Men access God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace if not the gift men receive from God. Men receive the GIFT OF SALVATION by faith in Jesus.

Acts 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.(NASB)

Men justified by faith. Men are not justified by grace alone. Without faith men do not receive the free gift of grace, which is salvation through Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. (NASB)

God's grace is available to all men.

HOW DO MEN ACCESS GOD'S GRACE?

1. FAITH: John 3:16, Mark 16:16

2. REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19

3. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10

4. WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21

THE GIFT OF GRACE IS NOT GRACE ITSELF. THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE IS SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!

LEADERSHIP REFLECTION

LEADERSHIP REFLECTION: A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.

THE BATTLE OF THE BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

THE BATTLE OF THE BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

Are there translations of the Bible that are not trustworthy? I know of one or two translations out of sixty-plus English  translations that are not trustworthy. Many take the position that the King James Bible is the only dependable translation of God's word.

A TRANSLATION COMPARISON.

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJV)

THE LIVING BIBLE-Paraphrased (TLB)

NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (NASB)

John 3:16 For God so loved world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(KJV)

John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (TLB-P)

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, the He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (NASB)

You will notice in the KJV and the TLB-P use lower case when translating, he and him. The NASB uses He and Him when talking about God and Jesus. Should God and Jesus be capitalized? Of course. Does that mean that the KJV and TLB-P are not trustworthy translations? NO IT DOES NOT. All three translations say the same thing.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (KJV)

Acts 2:38 And Peter replied, "Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit. (TLB-P)

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)

Notice all three translation say that in order to have your sins forgiven you must repent and be baptized. Some deny that repentance and baptism are essential for sins to be forgiven. MEN DENY THIS, NOT BECAUSE OF INACCURATE TRANSLATIONS. THEY SIMPLY CHOSE NOT TO BELIEVE IT.

Men are not going to be lost because of faulty translations. Men are lost because they refuse to believe in the translations they trust.

99% of all translation are trustworthy. My translation, of choice, is the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE. You can get to heaven by reading the KJV, TLB-P, the NIV and many other translations.

JUST PICK A TRANSLATION AND BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS.  

My personal note: My friend writes these and allows me to use them.  I am very thankful to Steve for that. 

I prefer the KJV for teaching. I read TLB for clear understanding of the words in my private reading.

We are all called to be priests

We are all called to be priests for Christ. (Rev. 1:5-6) That does not mean we are all to go to school and become ordained ministers. If you are washed by the blood of Jesus you are an ordained minister. Your job is to preach daily  to those around you. Not always by words, But always by action. (1 Cor. 9:14)

We are are called

We are all called to preach the word of God. That does not mean we are all ordained ministers with a college education. If we are saved by the blood of Jesus we are ordained ministers of Christ. We are to teach the word. Not always by speaking the bible but by living the bible. It is our actions that people follow.
A lot of people will not listen when you talk about the bible. They will tune you out. But they do watch you.

When someone knows you are a christian they watch your actions. (Some are watching to see if you mess up. So be careful) Sometimes your action are more important then words. I know some ministers that preach a good word. But take them away from the church building I wish I never knew them. There are a lot of great ministers That I personally know. They are the same no matter were I see them. I have a lot of christian friends that are the same. I strive to be like them. I don't want anyone to look at me and say "She is different on Sunday". I want (Do you know that women ? She is the same every where I see her. Always with a smile and a kind word  or helping hand.) That can not be done by only being a christian one day a week.
Preaching the word: Means take what you learned on Sunday while worshiping the Lord, and apply it to your every day living. A True Christian is the same 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

Have a Blessed day!
This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it:  Ps. 118:24

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord and He will guide you; He will turn your darkness into light.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN APOSTATE TO BE LOST

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN APOSTATE TO BE LOST

Can Christians be lost without being an apostate?

Galatians 5:21....those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The apostle Paul told the Christians at Galatia that they would not inherit the kingdom of God  if they practiced such things. What were those things?

Galatians 5:19-21

1. Immorality

2. Impurity

3. Sensuality

4. Idolatry

5. Sorcery

6. Enmities

7. Strife

8. Jealousy

9. Outburst of anger

10. Disputes

11. Dissensions

12. Factions

13. Envying

14. Drunkenness

15. Carousing

16. And things like these

Was Jesus being legalistic by teaching the apostle Paul this doctrine? Paul did not teach man-made doctrine. Galatians 1:1,12 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:9....the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Who were the unrighteous that the apostle Paul was addressing and what unrighteous acts was Paul warning them about? Paul was talking to the Christians at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 6:8 On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.

Which unrighteous Christians will not enter the kingdom of heaven?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
1. Fornicators
2. Idolaters
3. Adulterers
4. Effeminate
5. Homosexuals
6. Thieves
7. The covetous
8. Drunkards
9. Revilers
10. Swindlers

They had been forgiven of these very unrighteous acts. They were not to continually practice the sins of their past.

Ephesians 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

The apostle Paul was talking Ephesian Christians. He was not addressing those outside of Christ, even though, it would have applied to them, as well.   

Christians do not have to be apostates to be lost.

1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Hating a fellow Christian can keep you out of the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 5:11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a swindler---not even to eat with such a one.

Was the apostle Paul being a legalistic Pharisee? Or was he teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ?

Strange as it seems, even in churches that do not believe in eternal security; practice, once in grace always in grace, by default. Instead of preaching and teaching that Christians who continue in a sinful life style will be lost. The teaching is, that we all sin, so we just have love those who willfully continue in a sinful lifestyle.

Seeker friendly churches that ignore sin in the church, are not demonstrating God's love.

Romans 6:22-23 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The wages of unrepentant Christians who continue in a sinful lifestyle, is still death. Grace is not a, sin permit.

The Pharisees were not legalists who kept God's commands to the letter. The Pharisees were illegalists, who did not teach nor did they practice God's law to the letter.

CHRISTIANS DO NOT HAVE TO APOSTATES TO BE LOST!     

When God commands something,

When God commands something, you can be sure that it's going to happen. Just like He commanded the worlds to be formed, God has commanded that you be blessed. He has commanded that you prosper and increase. He has commanded that you be above only and not beneath. As a believer and follower of Jesus, you are called to be the head and not the tail. If you will get into agreement with God and not let other people or your own thoughts talk you out of it, then you will see this commanded blessing take you further than you ever thought possible.

THEY WERE NOT CHRISTIANS

THEY WERE NOT CHRISTIANS

One of the Calvinist's favorite arguments used to support the doctrine of, once saved always saved, is to assert that the Biblical verses that speak of Christians falling from grace are incorrect. There proclamation being that they were never saved in the first place.

Calvinism's proof text: 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us, for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.

Are there false apostles? Yes. Are there those who claim to be Christians who are not? Yes. Are all the Scriptures that note Christians falling away referring to false Christians? No! 

In order to reach an accurate conclusion concerning Biblical teachings, proper hermeneutics is essential. You must consider all the Scriptures of the subject of your study.

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 themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

The writer of Hebrews is talking about Christians. They had received the Holy Spirit. Yet they still had the possibility of falling away. They could not be persuaded to repent. They were lost.

Acts 20:28-30 Be on guard for yourselves and and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

1. If men are once saved always saved, then why would the elders have to guard the flock? That would be a waste of time.
2. Savage wolves would be of no threat to the church of God if all men were, once saved always saved.
3. The apostle Paul was not instructing the elders at Ephesus to be on guard and shepherd men who were never saved in the first place.
4. Paul told the elder to be on guard for themselves, as well. Were these elders, believers who were never saved in the first place? If they were in fact Christians, then according Calvinism they had no need to be on guard. They could not have ever become lost.

The apostle Paul did not believe nor teach perseverance of the saints.

1 Corinthians9:27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Was the apostle Paula a false Christian? Was he never saved in the first place? He said it was possible that he could be disqualified. He was not, once saved always saved.

Galatians 5:1-4.......4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law, you have fallen from grace,

These Galatians were not men,WHO HAD NEVER BEEN SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. You cannot be severed from Christ without first being part of the body of Christ. You cannot fall from grace unless you have accepted the free gift of salvation that has been provided by the grace of God.

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome,the last state has become worse for them than the first.........

THESE ARE NOT MEN WHO NEVER WERE SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. They had escaped the defilement of the world. Unsaved men do not escape the defilement of the world. False Christians do not, again, become entangled in the sinful world. False apostles and false Christian never leaved the world. They cannot, again, enter into a world they never left. False Christian are never raised to walk in a new life. Not for one for a single minute.

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

THESE BELIEVERS ARE NOT ONES WHO WERE NEVER SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. They believed and fell away. Unsaved people cannot fall away. You cannot fall from somewhere you have never been.

2 Peter 3:14-17.....17 You therefore , beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,

Peter was addressing fellow Christians, they were NOT MEN WHO HAD NEVER BEEN SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. If they were, once saved always saved, it would have an impossibility to fall from their own steadfastness. Why would Peter tell them to be on their guard? If they were immunized from falling from grace there would be no reason to be on guard.

1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

The apostle Paul was taking about Christians falling from the faith. He was not referring to MEN WHO HAD NEVER BEEN SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. Unsaved men cannot fall from a faith, they have never embraced. The Holy Spirit says Christians will from the faith. Calvinism teaches that falling away does not happen. Who do you believe; the Holy Spirit or John Calvin?

Matthew 24:10 At that time many will fall away..... 

Jesus said many will fall away. He was not talking about men WHO WERE NOT SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. Who should you believe, men who write Bible commentaries or Jesus Christ?

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.

The writer of Hebrews was taking to brethren, (Christians). He was not speaking to men who WERE NEVER SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. The lost cannot fall away from God, because they were never God's children to begin with.

The T.U.L.I.P of Calvinism in a deadly flower. God never promised Christians that they could not from grace. Perseverance of the saints is a man-made doctrine.

KEEP IN MIND, EITHER ALL OF THE PETALS OF THE T.U.L.I.P ARE TRUE OR NONE OF THEM ARE TRUTH. THE T.U.L.I.P. is a fabricated flower.

THE T.U.L.I.P IS THE ONE FLOWER THAT GOD DID NOT CREATE! 

Worry is a waste of time.

*Worry is a waste of time. It doesn't change anything. All it does is taint your mind and steals your joy. You can't have joy without peace, and there is no peace without God!*

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS?

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS?

The fifth petal of the T.U.L.I.P. of Calvinism is Perseverance of the Saints: Simply put, it means Christians cannot lose their salvation. Nothing could be more dangerous to a Christian's salvation than to believe this misconception.

Jesus did not believe in, once saved always saved. Jesus exposes this false doctrine of Calvinism in the seven letters to the churches of Christ; His church.

Revelation 2:1-7 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:.......5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place---unless you repent... 7 let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'

The Christians at Ephesus were not, once saved always saved.

Revelation 2:8-11 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:.....10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 ........He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

The church at Smyrna was not given a, perseverance of the saints, guarantee. Jesus said they needed to remain faithful in order to receive the crown of life.

Revelation 3:1-6 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: ....3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake, I will come like a thief , and you will not know what hour I will come to you.........5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life......

Jesus told those Christians at Sardis if they repented and overcame He would not erase their names from the book of life. There were conditions to keep their names from being erased from the book of life. They did not have eternal security.

Revelation 3:14-22 "To the angel of the church Laodicea write: ....16 So because you are lukewarm , and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. ....19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. ......He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne.....

Jesus did not preach, perseverance of the saints. Jesus never mentioned, once saved always saved. Jesus did not even hint of eternal security. Jesus told those in His church to repent in order to keep their names written in the book of life.

POINT: THE T.U.L.I.P of CALVINISM WILTS WITH EVEN ONE PETAL MISSING. THE TRUTH IS, NONE OF THE PETALS CAN STAND THE SCRUTINY OF SCRIPTURE.