Have you counted all the churches in the yellow pages of your telephone book? The library is full of books about these churches. Here are some of the things you will hear about them:
· “We all believe in the same God.";
· "We use the bible in our church, too.";
· "I'm a member of a non-denominational church.";
· "We believe about like your church.";
· "Churches interpret the bible differently.";
· "It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you're sincere.";
· "Attend the church of your choice."
Why do they teach so many different things?
- Pray to Mary.
- Don't pray to Mary.
- Baptize babies.
- Don't baptize babies.
- Priests can marry.
- Priests can't marry.
- The "Work of the Church" is social.
- The "Work of the Church" is spiritual.
- There is no life after this one.
- There is a life after this one.
- And on and on ...
IS THE RIGHT ONE?
The Bible teaches us that "All scripture given by inspiration of God ... is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16) and that Jesus "has purchased with His own blood" the Church (Acts 20:28).
I. The Church belongs to Jesus Christ.
a. The Church (kingdom) prophesied and began:
Daniel 2:31-45; Isaiah 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-3; Luke 1:32; Mark 1:13-15; 9:1; Colossians 1:13-18; Revelation 1:9; Hebrews 12: 20:28;18:36
b) I wonder what else it says about Jesus' Church?1) Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12, 15, 5:23; Colossains 1:18, 24; 2:19; Ephesians 2:22-23 says "...and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is His body..." (speaking of Jesus).
2) Colossians 1:18, "...and He is the head of the body, the Church...".
3) Ephesians 4:4-6 tells us that there is
4) Ephesians 4:4 also tells us there is
5) 1 Corinthians 1:10 says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment."
ONE = UNITY
6) In John 10:16 Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice ... and they follow Me." John 10:16 says, "...and there shall be ONE FOLD and ONE SHEPHERD." We see that in the new testament that there was only
Jesus condemned man teaching his own ideas and doctrine in Mark 7:7-9. "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men...".
-Men might say, "I painted the church."
Is that "church" Jesus' Body, His Church? No it is just the building where the assembly takes place.
-Acts 8:3 tells us that, "Saul made havoc of the Church... and committed men and women to prison." Christians are the "church" belonging to Christ.
-Men may say, "I believe all the different denominations are branches of Jesus' Church."
Disciples are the branches, not churches!
Let's look at what the Bible says. In John 15:5-6 Jesus says "If a man abides not in Me..."
Acts 2:42 lays the teachings and foundation of the Apostles doctrine for the Church --- the Bible.
In Mark 16:16, Jesus said the following: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."
But some say: "He that believeth not and is baptized shall be saved."
And others say: "He that believeth and is not baptized shall be saved."
Mark 7:7-9, "... in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." When the doctrine of Christ is polluted with the doctrine of man, it makes man's worship of God empty of value. It is vain.
II. The Purpose of the Church:1) To show God's Wisdom. Ephesians 3:10, "His intent was that now, through the manifold wisdom of God be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
2) That Christians might grow in the knowledge of God that their lives might be lived in accordance with His will:
Colossians 1:10, "That you may live a life worthy of the Lord ... bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
2 Peter 1:5-6, "... adding to your faith virtue; and to your virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly love; and to brotherly love charity (love); for if these things are in you, and abound, they make you that you shall not be idle nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ."
III. The name of the New Testament Church:
1) Ephesians 1:22-23, "The Body of Christ".
2) Colossians 1:13, "The Kingdom of God".
3) 1 Corinthians 1:2, "The Church of God".
4) Romans 16:16, "The Church of Christ"
IV. The organization of the Church:
Acts 4:12; Col. 3:17; John 16:23; Ephesians 2:20; Philippians 2:11.1) Jesus the Head: Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23; Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; 1 Corinthians 16:3.
2) Rules through the Apostles and Elders:
Acts 15:1-29.
3) Bishop over the local Church:
1 Timothy 3:1-7
4) Elders oversee local Church:1 Timothy 3:1-7
5) Deacons & evangelists: 1 Timothy 3:8-15; Titus 1:5-9
6) Independent and self-governing:Titus 1:5-9; Acts 14:23
V. We are to Strive to reproduce that New Testament Pattern for Christ's Church:
Matthew 7:21.
The Church is a divine-human institution, and not infallible. The rules of conduct must be in accordance with the teachings of the infallible Holy Scriptures, otherwise the true idea of the Church is lost sight of and the Church either assumes too much or too little.
The Bible and it alone is a competent and safe guide as to what we and all people are to believe and practice. Remembert the Bible:
(1)is complete and alive , able to challenge and change us if we allow it to,
(2) within the reach of every seeker of truth,
(3) is clear and intelligible to all honest and good hearts, and
(4) presents and contains all the truth God wants us to obey to live a godly life now and then with Him in Heaven after the Judgment (Matthew 7:7-8, Ephesians 3:3-4, 2 Peter 1:3, Jude 3);
(5) The Word is perfect and eternal;
(6) We must obey God's Word if we are to live eternally in heaven, or we will be punished eternally in hell.Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; John 14:6, 23; Romans 2:13; James 1:22; 2:14, 24; Galatians 5:6; Acts 10:34-5; Hebrews 5:8-9
"These were more fair-minded ... in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptres daily to find out whether these things were so."
Acts 17:11
Test everything against God's Word.
When the Gospel of Christ is preached today, God is calling people to Him that they might be His worshippers, (Mark 16:15, 16; 2 Thessalonians 2:14). Anyone who hears the Gospel (Romans 10:17), believes the facts of the Gospel---the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:15, 16), repents (turns) of sins (Acts 17:30, 31), confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and the Son of God (Romans 10:9, 10) and is baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Acts 8:36) is a son of God (Galatians 3:26, 27) has obeyed Christ and is then added to the Church (Acts 2:47), and thus seeks to worship God.
KINDS OF WORSHIP ARE MENTIONED1) VAIN WORSHIP---Matthew 15:8,9, "This people draws close to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." The word vain means empty; worthless; having no genuine substance, value, or importance. Worship conducted after man's commandments is worthless.
2) WILL-WORSHIP---Colossians 2:21-23: Will-worship is a self-devised external form of ceremonial service, a mode of ceremonial worship chosen for one's self. Note that the scripture says these shall perish with the using.
3) IGNORANT-WORSHIP---Acts 17:23, "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an alter with this inscription, 'TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, Him I declare unto you." Ignorant is defined as lacking knowledge, uninstructed or uniformed or untaught; by implication to ignore through disinclination (Ephesians 4:18). According to Acts 17:30-1 God will not accept ignorant worship.
4) SPIRIT AND TRUTH---John 4:23-34, "But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth." Spirit is the character of our worship. Our worship must be from a heart of love for our Maker, thus involving our attitudes in approaching God in worship; I Corinthians 13:1-3. Truth is the standard to be used: "Sanctify them through your truth: your Word is Truth", John 17:17. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, 'If you continue in My Word, then you are My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free", John 8:31-32. You can know the truth. This is the kind of worship that God desires!
"IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH."
1) The APOSTLE'S DOCTRINE, or TEACHING:
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers", Acts 2:42.
"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them... and continued his speech until midnight", Acts 20:7.
"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God...", 2 John 9.
When they came together they studied God's Word, as we should today. We must abide (live) in the doctrine of Christ today.
2) PRAYER: Acts 12:5-15.
Prayers of praise, thanksgiving and supplications to God the Father, through the name of Jesus Christ are a regular part not only of our worship, but of our everyday walk with Jesus Christ.
3) GIVING:
"Now concerning the collection for the saints (Christians), as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come", I Corinthians 16:1-2.
"Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver", 2 Corinthians 9:7.
"We must then purpose to give regularly, systematically, individually, and liberally", 2 Corinthians 8:1-12.
4) SINGING:
Colossians 3:16.
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...", Ephesians 5:19.
Nowhere in the New Testament worship of the Church do we find the authorization for mechanical instruments of music. To use them would be in fact offering vain worship, Matthew 15:9. We understand from the scriptures that we will sing with grace, making melody in our hearts to the Lord.
5) THE LORD'S SUPPER:
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers", Acts 2:42.
"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread..", Acts 20:7.
"But let a man examine himself, so let him eat of that bread,
and drink of that cup", 1 Corinthians 11:28.
We observe from these passages that upon the first day of the week (Sunday) Christians assembled that they might break bread and drink the cup which to them by faith was the body and blood of Jesus. Since each week has a first day, every week the Lord's Supper should be observed in this worship in spirit and truth.
6) ASSEMBLED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK:
As already noted in 1 Corinthians 11:20, 16:12; Acts 20:7; and also in Hebrews 10:24-25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching." Children of God must not forsake this assembly of the Church of our Lord. To do so is sin. Christians must present their bodies as living sacrifices to God, Romans 12:1-2. Together, children of God form a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:5.
Please remember, those who are children of God must serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear every day of their lives, Hebrews 12:28.
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.
If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
Friday, November 16, 2007
ONE CHURCH?
Monday, November 5, 2007
Is One Faith As Good As Another?
Is one faith as good as another? Does God want all those who profess faith in Christ to be united? Is it possible for all believers to agree on the meaning of the Scriptures’?
The idea that --- “it does not matter what one believes and that God really doesn’t intend for everyone to see the Bible alike” has gained great popularity in our time.
Is a doctrine correct when it is finally accepted by the majority? What if every religious person on earth became convinced that Jesus’ resurrection was a hoax’? Would it be any less true? What if the majority came to deny the virgin birth of Christ?
Our purpose here is to make an honest investigation of scriptures and find out what God thinks about the idea of religious differences as opposed to the unity of all believers. How do the scriptures read on the notion, “we need not understand the Bible alike,’ or as some say, “it is impossible to understand the Bible alike???”
My purpose here is not to anger those who may read this, but to awaken people to the fact that the Bible does not teach much of what we hear in religion today.
What is written in the following pages will probably be regarded as antagonistic by many. If by my antagonism some are awakened to the truth of the Bible then I gladly suffer the accusation.
What Does the Bible Say?
There is absolutely nothing in the Bible that indicates that one faith is as good as another. There is no premise whatsoever in the scriptures that seems to indicate any impossibility of people understanding the scriptures alike. These ideas are nothing more than religious fables! They are nothing more than the philosophies, doctrines, and commandments of men. God has never indicated that He intended for his people to divided into denominational groups.
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints..”(Jude 3, NKJV).
Concerning “the faith once delivered” the NIV renders it, “the faith once for all entrusted to the saints.” The passage in our modern language could just as well be translated “the faith once and for all times and ages delivered to the saints.”
If we believe the Bible, then we have no choice but to accept this part of the scriptures as we would any other. The faith is singular. This passage will not allow “faiths”. It will not allow the concept of “more than one faith” or “the faith of your choice.” There is but one faith. This faith was delivered one time and therefore it is sufficient for all ages.
Prior to His ascension into heaven Jesus commanded the apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. On the first Jewish Pentecost day after Christ’s resurrection the apostles received the Holy Ghost in the city of Jerusalem. They went forth preaching the gospel and people obeyed, becoming partakers of “the faith once delivered.” There was but one Christian religion. If you will follow the work of the apostles and the history of the church through the book of Acts you will find no denominations, no different churches, wearing different names and worshipping in various ways. It took several centuries for the doctrines of men to take hold and introduce the new and different religions in the world.
When division in the church occurred it was condemned and the people were rebuked for their divisive practices. For example, the church at Corinth was plagued with division over various matters. Paul commanded them to be of the same mind and the same judge-ment (1 Corinthians 1:10). He told them that as long as they were divided, they were carnal and still in sin (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
“The faith” of Jude 3 is the aggregate of all things believed by the Christian or the total contents of one’s faith. This faith is delivered in the singular sense. There is but one faith.
“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:3-6, NKJV).
The word faith is used in at least 2 ways in the Bible. Faith sometimes refers to one’s own personal belief. This faith comes from the heart. Romans 10:17, says “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” This faith is a convicting faith that leads one to obey the will of God.
Faith sometimes is used to refer to the entire embodiment of things believed, the total contents of belief, the aggregate of all things believed, or a system of faith. This is the way the term is used in both Ephesians 4:5 and Jude verse. 3. This is the way people use the term in a modem vernacular when they ask, “What faith are you?” In other words what system of religion or what denomination are you a part of? It is in this sense that people say that one faith is as good as another.
Before I comment further on the one faith of Ephesians 4:5, please allow me to take a closer look at the statement that “one faith is as good as another.” Let us break this down, so to speak, and see if we can expose some of the prejudice contained in this religious fable. This statement, I believe, encourages people to close their minds to the truth.
“As good” is the key to understanding how this statement incites prejudice. “Good” usually is used in the sense of moral purity or wholesome living. Most religions that. claim to follow Christ do not vary too much in the area of morality. Some exception is in order because some religions now accept homosexuals contrary to Romans 1, along with other liberal attitudes toward certain sinful conduct. But for the most part, morally speaking, most of the mainline denominations stand together against adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, murder, etc.
When some one points out that the Bible does not teach that one faith is as good as another those who bold the notion become quickly offended because they are reflecting on the moral nature of the statement. Those who claim this belief sometimes act as if their moral purity is being questioned.
When we say that one faith us or is not as good as another we are not talking about the moral character of individuals i.e. one person being as good or not as good as another, but rather whether one system of faith is as acceptable to God as another. It is likely that people who are morally good can be found in almost every religion. This is not the issue.
The issue should be clarified. Is one faith as doctrinally good, as good in the manner of worship as is another? To disagree with the notion that one faith is as good as another is not to indict the morality of those who are in that faith unless that religion teachings something immoral. If some immoral doctrine is held such as was mentioned above then the church that overlooks such behavior is not as good as the church that teaches against it.
On the other hand, there are things that God commands in the doctrinal sense such as church organization, worship, and salvation of the alien sinner. I submit to you that in these matters --- one faith is not as good as another.
In fact, the Bible never mentions more than one faith. Since the Bible says there is “one faith” how can we decide that there are many different faiths and that one is as good as another?
Let us go back to Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Often times when people disagree on religious matters the matter of interpretation comes up. Folks have told me, “that is your interpretation of the scriptures.” Can the “one faith” of Ephesians 4, be left up to interpretation? How can you possibly mis-interpret the Word “one”? Surely, we can all agree on what the word “one” means.
Ephesians 4:4-6, teaches one Lord, one God, and one faith. If I can preach more than one faith, then I can preach more than one God or more than one Christ.
The doctrine that one faith is as good as another serves only to further divide the religious world. If people are convinced that it doesn’t matter what you believe, then they feel comfortable, they feel at liberty, in serving God however they choose. They will feel at liberty to preach anything they want to preach, establish any kind of church they might wish to establish.
There is yet another very presumptuous and ungodly feature to the fable that says, “it doesn’t matter what you believe, because one faith is as good as another.” The fable that says, “God never intended for all people to see the Bible alike,” holds this same ungodly feature.
These ideas lowers God’s plan for redemption to human standards. Sinful man decides for himself how to serve God. These doctrines, in so many words, say, “It is in man that walks to direct his own steps. It doesn’t matter what you believe, do what you want to, serve God however you please.”
Do such notions come from the scriptures? Have you ever read anything like this in the word of God? Much to the contrary, you can find in the scriptures, “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps,” Jeremiah 10:23. Again, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The Old Testament is replete with examples of individuals who have fumbled, failed, and ended up in self destruction when they turned each to his own way in the rejection of God’s will. We must learn to be totally dependent upon God and never depend upon our own understanding. The idea that it doesn’t matter how we serve God , scoots God aside, pushing Him out of the picture and in so many words, says, “God, I know you sent Jesus to die for my sins, you have promised eternal life, but, now God, you just step aside and let us design our own religion our own way, and let us serve you how ever’ we please. After all, we want to believe that one religion is as good as another.”
Are you aware that the denominations that exist today can trace their beginning back to some man who started that particular religion because he wanted to emphasize some point of doctrine?
Jesus promised to build His church. He promised it in the singular sense. He never promised to build “churches.” The kingdom of Christ is always mentioned in the singular sense. The church is called the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18) and the Bible says, there is ONE body (Ephesians 4:5).
When You Read You Can Understand
How can we be sure we are in the right church? How do we know that we believe the right doctrine? The answer is to study the scriptures. If we cannot find our practice, our church, our worship in the Bible, then let us abandon our present religion and seek out a church that follows only the word of God.
“How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3-4, NKJV)
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13, NKJV).
Are we in the dark’? Is it possible for us to know what God expects of us? Can we understand God’s word. The apostles Paul and John explain how that we can “believe, know and understand” by the things that are written.
When we say that it is not intended for us to see. the Bible alike, then we are excused from any responsibility and obligation to try to see the Bible alike. This eliminates any need to admit we were ever mistaken on any point or that there is any need to make a change. This is why the doctrine is so popular. No need to study, no need to worry, no need to change, because after all, we can’t all see the Bible alike any way!
To say we cannot see the Bible alike is an indictment of God and the Holy Ghost. This is to say that God doesn’t have the ability to reveal a plan that people can read and under-stand alike. Do you believe God has told us to walk by the same rule and mind the same thing (Philippians 3:16) yet, God has all but made it impossible for us to obtain unity? Does God require the impossible? Certainly not! We can be one, we must be one. Let us go back to the Bible, let us be united on a “thus saith the Lord”!
Bible Study Quiz
If the statement is in harmony with the scriptures please circle the T for True. If the statement is not in harmony with the scriptures, please circle the F for False. Please write down verses you find to support your answers.
1. T F The Bible speaks of “the faith.”
2. T F The Bible speaks of “the faiths.”
3. T F The faith was once and for all times delivered.
4. T F The faith delivered in the time of the apostles is too old fashioned and out-dated for the present time and circumstances.
5. T F The Bible mentions denominational difference as a good thing, acceptable to God.
6. T F Jesus promised to build only one church or kingdom.
7. T F There is one body.
8. T F The church is called the body.
9. T F Since there is but one body, then there is but one church recognized by God and approved of in His word.
10. T F What man devises for himself in religion is as good as what God has revealed in His word.
11. T F God’s ways are higher than man’s ways and God’s thoughts are better than man’s thoughts.
12. T F It is not in man that walks to direct his own steps.
13. T F God has left it up to man to direct his own steps.
14. T F By reading the scriptures we can know we have eternal life.
15. T F Man can know he has eternal life only if he feels it in his own heart.
16. T F By reading the scriptures we can understand God’s will.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).
WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile our differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. I would be happy to talk to you about your comments or questions, or give you the location of the neareest congregation belonging to Jesus Christ to your home.
Dennis Crawford 253-396-0290
BibleTruths@hotmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Check Out These Sites for Spiritual Growth
- Becoming A Mature Christian
- Topical Bible Study Series
- The Bible Steps To Salvation
- The Church Belonging to Christ
- Beware of False Prophets
- Blog Helps
- Evidences for Creation, God the Bible and Jesus Christ
- Iglesia de Cristo
- Living Letters
- New Testament Church
- Strong Meat Section
- The Lord's Supper
- Worshipping God the Way He Wants
Please send me any Suggestions, Comments, or Questions. Thanks.
- Eagle Eye
- At one time I was an Agnostic/atheist, not much caring if God existed or not. Then one day I was challenged to examine the evidences of God and the Bible. These are the basic truths I as "Just a Christian" am trying to share with others on these blog-sites: 1) To provide the “evidences” for God and the creation, the infallibility of the Scriptures, and for Jesus Christ as the Lord and savior of mankind. [Hebrews 11:1] 2) To reach the lost with the complete Gospel of Christ and salvation. [Romans 1:16; 2:16; 5:19-20; Galatians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9] 3) To help Christians to grow in their knowledge and faith and the grace of God, and commitment to following Christ. [1 Peter 2:2] 4) To promote and defend the unity of church and the doctrine of Christ. [Mark 7:7-9; John 10:16; Ephesians 4:4-5; 1 Corinthians 1:10] Please e-mail me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com with any comments or suggestions. Thanks, DC e-mail: BibleTruths@hotmail.com