1. What to say to a Mormon?
A. Refuting Mormons belief [Doctrines and Covenants Sect. 130:22] that God is material, a man with a body like us who progressed to Godhood.
God is a Spirit [John 4:24]. No man has seen God in his full manifestation and lived.
• God is a spirit that does not have flesh and bones [Luke 24:39].
• God is not a man [Hosea 11:9; Numbers 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29].
• God is invisible [Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27].
2. What to say to a Jehovah Witness?
A. Refuting Jehovah Witness as to the Deity of Jesus and the Trinity-
Jesus is God - Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Gen. 1:1; John 1:1; 10:30; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:10-13; 2 Peter 1:1-2; 1 Tim 1:1; 1 John 1:2; 4:2-3; 5:1; Rev. 1:8; 21:6 Jesus was not just a perfect man but he is the God-man.
The Trinity in the O.T. - Gen 1:1-2, 26; 3:22; 11:7; 19:24; Isaiah 6:8; 9:6; 48:16; 63:10; Psalm 45:6-7; 110:1
The Trinity in the N.T. - Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21
B. Refuting JW’s that Jesus is first created being-
John 1:1- they say was “a God,” not “was God.” Jesus was co-equal, co-existent, and co-eternal with the Father- John 1:14; 5:17-18; 8:56-59; 10:30-33; Col. 1:15-20; 2:9
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Biblical Separation
The Bible teaches that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
The Bible also teaches that, out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us, and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. Separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
Further, the Bible teaches that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2), and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).
Friday, June 3, 2011
Why Sign Gifts Have Ceased
Why the Sign Gifts Have Ceased
1 Cor. 12: 28-31, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (30) Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
1 Cor. 13:8-10, “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
1 Cor. 14:1-28
2 Cor. 12:12, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”
Eph. 2:19-22, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Heb. 2:3-4, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (4) God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”
Jude 3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
1 Cor. 12: 28-31, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (30) Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
1 Cor. 13:8-10, “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
1 Cor. 14:1-28
2 Cor. 12:12, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”
Eph. 2:19-22, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Heb. 2:3-4, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (4) God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”
Jude 3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
Sunday, May 22, 2011
What is a Christian?
Christians are believing sinners who follow Jesus Christ, having repented of their sins and having placed faith in Jesus believing He is the Eternal Son of God come in the flesh, who died in our place on the cross paying the sin debt of all who believe.
We believe salvation is by grace alone thru faith in Christ alone. Human merit or human effort can’t save us.
We believe Jesus was buried and rose in a bodily resurrection on the third day. We believe all the Scriptures teach about His Person and Work.
We believe Jesus is building his church thru the gospel invitation from the Scriptures and the saints to all mankind.
We believe lost people must hear the gospel, be convicted of their sins, and believe the gospel.
Then they are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, placed in the body of Christ, and worship and serve him here on earth till they go to heaven by death or rapture.
They are new creations in Christ and give evidence of their salvation by their transformed life.
We believe salvation is by grace alone thru faith in Christ alone. Human merit or human effort can’t save us.
We believe Jesus was buried and rose in a bodily resurrection on the third day. We believe all the Scriptures teach about His Person and Work.
We believe Jesus is building his church thru the gospel invitation from the Scriptures and the saints to all mankind.
We believe lost people must hear the gospel, be convicted of their sins, and believe the gospel.
Then they are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, placed in the body of Christ, and worship and serve him here on earth till they go to heaven by death or rapture.
They are new creations in Christ and give evidence of their salvation by their transformed life.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
What is an Apostate?
The word apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia, which is translated “falling away’ in 2 Thess. 2:3. The word is closely related to the Greek word for “divorce.’
Apostates are those who fall away from the true faith, abandoning what they formerly profess to believe. The term describes those whose beliefs are so deficient as to place them outside the realm of true Christianity. For example, a liberal denomination that denies the authority of Scripture or the deity of Christ is an apostate denomination.
True Christians do not apostatize. Those who fall away into apostasy demonstrate that their faith was never real to begin with [1 John 2:19].
Apostates are those who fall away from the true faith, abandoning what they formerly profess to believe. The term describes those whose beliefs are so deficient as to place them outside the realm of true Christianity. For example, a liberal denomination that denies the authority of Scripture or the deity of Christ is an apostate denomination.
True Christians do not apostatize. Those who fall away into apostasy demonstrate that their faith was never real to begin with [1 John 2:19].
Monday, March 14, 2011
Questionable Matters
Doubtful or Questionable Matters?
1 Cor. 8:1-13; Romans 14:1-23
1. Is this activity or habit necessary? Is this an added weight to
my Christian life?
2. Is it helpful and useful, or only a desire?
3. What would Jesus do?
4. How will this affect others?
5. Is my testimony helped or hindered?
6. Will unbelievers be drawn to Christ or led away from Christ?
7. Will this help me mature in Christ?
8. Will this glorify God?
9. Will this violate Scripture?
1 Cor. 8:1-13; Romans 14:1-23
1. Is this activity or habit necessary? Is this an added weight to
my Christian life?
2. Is it helpful and useful, or only a desire?
3. What would Jesus do?
4. How will this affect others?
5. Is my testimony helped or hindered?
6. Will unbelievers be drawn to Christ or led away from Christ?
7. Will this help me mature in Christ?
8. Will this glorify God?
9. Will this violate Scripture?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Who was the Twelfth Apostle?
Should Peter have waited in choosing an apostle until after Pentecost? Who was the 12th apostle, Matthias or Paul?
1. Jesus had already breathed on them and imparted the Spirit (John 20:22), but at Pentecost they were filled with power and baptized into the body of Christ. So Peter was spiritually endowed and qualified to act before Pentecost.
2. Peter referred to several Psalms and was led by the Spirit of God and Jesus had opened their minds to understand the scriptures (vv.16-20). They spent much time in prayer before the casting of the lots.
3. Some say Paul was the twelfth apostle because Matthias is never heard of again. Neither is the others mentioned after 1:13 except Peter and John.
4. Paul did not meet all the qualifications of the other eleven (1:21-22). He was called by Jesus, he saw the resurrected Lord, and he performed signs and wonders, but he did not walk with Jesus from His baptism to His ascension. He was an apostle, but not counted with the twelve.
5. Paul made it clear he was not to be mentioned with the twelve (I Cor. 15: 5, 8-9).
6. The 12 apostles were to go to Israel, Paul to the Gentiles [Eph. 3:8; 1 Cor. 15:9].
7. God gave his approval by empowering Matthias in Acts 2.
8. Evidently the choosing of the twelfth apostle had to take place before Pentecost.
9. The Lord never rebuked Peter as he did on other occasions with the Apostles when they were in error. It seems hard to believe that the Lord would have allowed such a crucial error at the beginning of the church considering his action in Acts 5.
Consider these Scriptures on Paul.
Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.
1 Corinthians 15:5-9 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Galatians 1:15-17 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Revelation 21:12-14 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
1. Jesus had already breathed on them and imparted the Spirit (John 20:22), but at Pentecost they were filled with power and baptized into the body of Christ. So Peter was spiritually endowed and qualified to act before Pentecost.
2. Peter referred to several Psalms and was led by the Spirit of God and Jesus had opened their minds to understand the scriptures (vv.16-20). They spent much time in prayer before the casting of the lots.
3. Some say Paul was the twelfth apostle because Matthias is never heard of again. Neither is the others mentioned after 1:13 except Peter and John.
4. Paul did not meet all the qualifications of the other eleven (1:21-22). He was called by Jesus, he saw the resurrected Lord, and he performed signs and wonders, but he did not walk with Jesus from His baptism to His ascension. He was an apostle, but not counted with the twelve.
5. Paul made it clear he was not to be mentioned with the twelve (I Cor. 15: 5, 8-9).
6. The 12 apostles were to go to Israel, Paul to the Gentiles [Eph. 3:8; 1 Cor. 15:9].
7. God gave his approval by empowering Matthias in Acts 2.
8. Evidently the choosing of the twelfth apostle had to take place before Pentecost.
9. The Lord never rebuked Peter as he did on other occasions with the Apostles when they were in error. It seems hard to believe that the Lord would have allowed such a crucial error at the beginning of the church considering his action in Acts 5.
Consider these Scriptures on Paul.
Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.
1 Corinthians 15:5-9 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Galatians 1:15-17 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Revelation 21:12-14 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
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