General Information Denomination

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Question 1: What is the meaning of denominationalism and denomination?

ANSWER: Denominationalism refers to the result of having divided into various denominations. To denominate is to separate a part from the whole; to assign a different name! The word “denomination” then properly refers to the various religious sects in the world today, such as, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, etc. These divisions are sinful, being contrary to the word of God (See John 17:20-23; I Corinthians 1:10-13; I Corinthians 3:1-4). Christ built only one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18, 24); the Church of Christ (Romans 16:16)!                                                                

 

Question 2: Is it right to discriminate against others churches? Would this not violate Matthew 7:1?

ANSWER: To discriminate means: "To recognize as being different." The reason for recogniz­ing the differences in the denominational churches is because of the significant fact that they are clearly different, not only from each other, but from the church as described in the word of God. The man made differences between the denominations and the church of Christ are the reasons "why" they are referred to by man as denominations! Since they are made by man, it is clear they are not made by God. If they are not of God, it would be sinful to say that they are by describing them as "God-approved Christian Churches." If they are un­like, in any way, the church as described in His Word, they can be neither God-approved or Christian! Therefore, since God in His Word obviously discriminates (recognizes the differences), we, too, must discriminate (recognize the differences). People gaining mem­bership in denomina­tional organizations (churches other than the church of Christ) are not in the one God-approved of church. Since they have not been saved by translation into the king­dom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13), they, despite their denominational membership, remain in, and are of, the world. Christ "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us (members of His church; not the denominations) from this present evil world, accord­ing to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4). Discrimination toward this world and worldly denominations, with love (Matthew 19:19) and honor (I Peter 2:17) toward all men, is, therefore, consistent with the will of God! For these reasons, faithful Christians are obligated to oppose denominationalism!

Matthew 7:1-5 is often taken out of context to say that God forbids all kinds of judging and we, therefore, cannot teach against the doctrines and commandments of men (denominations). This is neither biblical nor true! This passage simply commands us not to judge unrighteously. In fact, Verses fifteen through twenty tell us "beware of false prophets" and that we "shall know them by their fruits." This kind of "judging" is, indeed, approved of by God! It is the kind of judgment Christians are commanded to do in John 7:24: "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."  

 

Question 3: If it is proper to condemn denominational names, it would follow that it is also proper to condemn the names of the books of the Bible! Should we not call them Book No.1, Book No.2, etc.?

ANSWER: The statement is not sound! Why would it be proper to assign dif­ferent numbers (which provide no description whatever) to each of the books and im­proper to assign different titles that scripturally denote the author or recipients of the various books?

Denominational names, on the other hand, are condemned by Christ and His followers because they are unscriptural (robbing Christ of the glory and honor due only Him, e.g., Lutheran Church, Catholic Church, New Apostles, Baptist Church, Methodist Church, Mormon Church, etc.) and because they foster division (John 17:20-23; I Corinthians 1:10-13; I Corin­thians 3:3-4).

 

Question 4: What Christian denomination are you affiliated with?

ANSWER: We are not associated with a denomination, but, rather, having been obedient to specific terms of entry as outlined in the Bible, we have, thereby, become mem­bers of the church of the Bible, defined in Romans 16:16 as the church of Christ. The Bible stands against division (denominationalism). Please read John 17:21; I Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 7:13-14 and 21-27.

 

Question 5: What does it mean when the Bible says, "we are saved by grace through faith?"

ANSWER: The passage referred to is Ephesians 2:8. This verse says that the way of redemption ("grace") has been provided by God. It has appeared unto all men (Titus 2:11), but clearly all men will not accept it (Matthew 7:13-14). However, when men do accept God's grace through faithful obedience to the prescribed terms of pardon (Romans 10:17), the result is salvation (Titus 3:5).

 

Question 6: If the Holy Spirit is one and is truth, why are there so many Protestant denominations all believing they know the truth?

ANSWER: The question needs to include the Catholic Church, which also claims to "know the truth." The statement in the question (the Holy Spirit is not divided and is truth) is without doubt accurate and scriptural (I Corinthians 1:10; John 16:13; John 17:17), thus showing clearly that, because each of these teach and practice doctrines dif­ferent from the others, all of them cannot have the truth. Such would be sensibly impos­sible! Since each is different, it follows logically that, at best, only one of them could have the truth; perhaps none of them! Jesus said, "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth" (John 17:17)! It must then follow that only those people who practice and worship according to God's Word can scripturally be called His church and His people.

Many falsely claim that the Bible promotes denominationalism, be­cause, accord­ing to them, men today cannot understand the scriptures alike! They fool­ishly charge God with giving us a book to read and study that we cannot understand. Paul speaks to the contrary in Ephesians 3:3, saying that when we read the mystery of Christ (the Bible) we may understand it! Je­sus said in John 17:17 that God's Word is truth. In John 8:32, He said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Denominational confusion then does not come from God or His Word (I Corinthians 14:33). In fact, the Bible clearly con­demns denominationalism (John 17:20-23; I Corinthians 1:10-14).

Denominations usually originate with the presupposed doctrines and command­ments of men that result in vain (empty) worship (Matthew 15:3, 6, 9). Many often at­tempt to force God's Word into what they want the Bible to say or what they have been taught from childhood. The differences and confusion in religion today come from man's own desires and ideas: his own manuals; his creeds; his church laws, e.g., the Catholic Catechism, Baptist Manual, Methodist Manual of Discipline, Presbyterian confession of Faith, Book of Mormon, Rules of Faith and Practice, Church Bylaws, etc.

Only one thing can erase the differences and confusion in the religious world to­day and that is the rejection of the commandments of men while at the same time receiv­ing with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save our souls (James 1:21); the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). Jesus said in John 12:48 that His words will judge us. The creeds that we have mentioned above (and others like them) will not stand in Judg­ment Day; nor will they who follow them!   

 

Question 7: Would you tell me more about the Anglican Church?

ANSWER: The Anglican Church of today developed from the Church of England, which had its beginning in about 1539. The Anglicans primarily include the Church of England, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Episcopal Church in the United States. They do not believe that the Bible is the sole authority in all religious matters, but rely heavily upon the Book of Common Prayer, tradition, and logic as relates to perceived "current" social needs. As a result, their theology is ever changing. There is little difference be­tween Anglican and Catholic doctrines, traditions and worship formalities. The primary difference is that Catholics look to the Pope of Rome as their head, while the Queen of England is designated as the head of the Anglican community, with the Archbishop of Canterbury being the highest ranking spiritual leader. This group is, perhaps, the most liberal of all religious bodies today, even to the acceptance and ordination of homosexuals as priests within their fellowship! Because the Anglicans have little, if any, resemblance to the church of the New Testament, its teachings will be carefully avoided by the faith­ful child of God! 

 

Question 8: Do all different churches (denominations) make up the church of Christ?

ANSWER: No! In Ephesians 4:4, the Bible says that there is only "one body." In Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18, 24, we learn that the "body" is the church. There­fore, if there is only "one body," there is clearly only one church. This church is the church of the Bible and is the only church that is of divine origin. All others are of men and will eventually fail (Psalms 127:1; Matthew 15:13). Neither is there salvation to be found in any of them (Acts 4:12).

Different groups cannot walk together except they be agreed (Amos 3:3). Addi­tionally, God's people are to be of the same mind and in the same judgment (I Corinthians 1:10). Since clearly and certainly, there are great differences and disagreements between today's denominations, it only follows that the thinking that all of these make up the church of Christ has absolutely no foundation in His Word, and that it is impossible for them to walk together in one body!

 The only church in which one can be saved is referred to in the Bible as the "church of Christ" (Romans 16:16). It is the church that Christ promised to build (Matthew 16:18); the church that He died to build (Acts 20:28); and the church to which immersed believ­ers were added on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47). It is that body of believers, called out from this world, who look only to the word of God for their worship practices and con­duct of life. This alone is the Church of Christ!

 

Question 9: What are some beliefs of Lutherans?

ANSWER: They falsely teach that man is saved by "faith alone" without works of obedience (James 2:24); that forgiveness of sins is imparted at the partaking of the Lord's supper, while the Bible teaches that it is a memorial (I Corinthians 11:24-26); that infants are to be baptized because of inherited sin (Ezekiel 18:20); and that one may be sprinkled/poured as a substitute for scripturally authorized baptism, i.e., immersion/burial (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). This religious organization is unscriptural in both practice and name (Acts 11:26; Romans 16:16), having been established by the man, Martin Luther, in the 16th century.

 

Question 10: What are some beliefs of the Animists?

ANSWER: This group superstitiously believes that everything has, or contains, a spirit(s) and that these spirits are in control of all that happens; that when a person dies his or her spirit may inhabit inanimate objects, animals, or other persons. The Bible in contrast teaches that when a person dies there is an immediate departure of the soul (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Hebrews 9:27; Luke 16:19-31).

 

Question 11: What are some beliefs of the Calvinists?

ANSWER: They falsely teach that all are born with sin that has been inherited from Adam, which they call Total Hereditary Depravity (See Ezekiel 18:20); that it has been prede­termined by God exactly who and how many are to be save; that the number cannot be changed; that if one is elected to salvation, he or she can do nothing to be lost; that if one had been elected to be lost, he or she can do nothing to be saved. (See this foolishness clearly refuted in Matthew 11:28-30 and Revelation 22:17).

 

Question 12: Are the Mormons like the Baptists and the Catholics?

ANSWER: They are alike only in that all three groups teach false and he­retical doctrines. However, there are great differences in their doctrines, and of all the foolish theologies in this world, the Mormons are certainly second to none. This group was begun in 1830 by Joe Smith, a man who was a troublemaker and an eccentric treas­ure hunter. Mormons teach that all men, if they become Mormons, can become just like God, eventually ruling over their own planet somewhere out in the universe. They teach that God is a physical being with many physical wives engaged in the practice of sexually producing the souls that inhabit our earthly bodies. They teach that marriages con­tracted on earth will continue in Heaven (Matthew 22:30). They have created their own Bible on the basis of a fictional story written by an American by the name of Solomon Spaulding. This alleged "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" is filled with errors of all kinds, i.e., geographic, historic, scientific, and theological. Literally thousands of correctional changes have been made over the years, but many such errors still remain. Much more could be said about this cult, but this should suffice to warn of its dangers. 

 

Question 13: What effect does certain food and drink, i.e., tea, coffee, pork, etc., have on a person in relation to Christian life? Will one be kept out of heaven because of food?

ANSWER: Many false religions today impose food restrictions on their members. Those who do so have departed from the faith (II Timothy 4:1-3). Verse four of this same chapter reads, "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving." Note also Colossians 2:16, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or drink, . . ." 

 

Question 14: What are mystics all about in black magic as per African wizards?

ANSWER: These people and their followers are involved in sinful practices. Such, according to the will of God, must be avoided. The so-called magic practiced by these "wizards" is said to be an abomination before Him (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Those who continue to reject Him by their involvement in these things will not inherit the king­dom of God (Galatians 5:19-21), but will eventually, if continuing in such, be lost eternally in hell (Revelation 21:8).

 

Question 15: When did the Pentecostal movement start? Did it start in the USA as some say?

ANSWER: The modern Pentecostal movement had its beginning in the USA in the early 1800's with a man by the name of Charles Finney. That it did have its beginning more than 1800 years after Christ's church was established (on Pentecost Day of Acts, Chapter two) is clear evidence that (1) it is not the church of the Bible; (2) since people were saved before its establishment, it follows that being a Pentecostal is not necessary to salvation; and (3) since salvation is only in the church of the Bible, there can be no sal­vation in any Pentecostal church! Further, the false teaching that Holy Spirit baptism and the "gifts" are for today is without scriptural support, proving their falsity!

 

Question 16: Where does the Bible teach that Christ is the Mighty God and the Eternal Father?

ANSWER: Isaiah 9:6.

 

Question 17: Where does the Bible teach that Christ was God in the flesh?

ANSWER: John 1:1; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8.

 

Question 18: In John 1:1-3, does it mean Christ is God or a god? Is this passage mistranslated when it says, "the Word was God?"

ANSWER: The passage teaches that Christ is God! The Jehovah's Witnesses mistranslate the passage in the New World Translation, which says, "the word was a god." There is no scholar or scholarly translation that holds as do the Jehovah's Witnesses’. They have wrested the Scriptures to their own destruction (II Peter 3:16). It is a fact that of the five members of the New World Translation Committee, only one had any college edu­cation at all. This one had only two years at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Addi­tionally, none of the five could even read Hebrew or Greek. One of these (R.W. Franz) admitted such under trial in Scotland on November 24, 1954. Clearly, these men were not qualified to translate Scripture.  It is no wonder then that their ungodly translation is filled with error from beginning to end and is good for nothing save fuel for the fire!

 

Question 19: Is Satan ever called "God" in the Scriptures?

ANSWER: In II Corinthians 4:4 he is referred to as the "god" of this world!

 

Question 20: The Baptist church can be traced historically back to John the Baptist. The church of Christ can only be traced back to 1865! Why?

ANSWER: I don't know what history book you're reading or where you’re getting your information! I do know, however, that the World Book Encyclopedia accurately reports that the Baptist Church was established by a John Smythe in the Netherlands in 1607. They update the set every year. Either they don't agree with you, or your information is faulty. Certainly, “historical evidence” is not found outside of some document or statement that may have been circulated by the Baptists themselves, much as the Catholics often do!

You make the claim that you can trace the Lord's church all the way back to John the Baptist. But, there is no truth at all in such a statement. Don't you think it quite strange that in your letter you cited a date of 940AD and then had to jump all the way to 1786AD, a jump of about 846 years? If you can trace it all the way back to John, why didn't you do so? Surely, the unbaised can see this obvious discrepancy!

The Lord's church was established on the day of Pentecost in 33AD, not before then! Daniel said Christ would not be given the kingdom until after His ascension back to the Father (Daniel 7:13-14)! Luke and Peter agree with this, according to Peter's statement in Acts 2:33! According to you, John the Baptist established the church before Christ ascended back to the father. Now who is right, the Baptist Church or Daniel? Consider this very carefully: In Matthew 14:1-12, we note that John the Baptist was beheaded. Sometime later, in Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, "I WILL build my church!" In Matthew 16:19, He referred to that church as the kingdom! Christ said that His church was not yet built, but was yet in the future, sometime after John had already died. How could John have established the Lord's church, if he was already dead before Christ said He would build it? Impossible! Dead people don't establish churches! Christ for the first time told the apostles to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, and He told them what to tell people to do to be saved immediately before He ascended back into heaven to receive the kingdom Mark 16:15-16! The first time we hear of anyone being added to the church that Christ established was 10 days after He had ascended back to the Father (Acts 1:3 and Acts 2:47). Peter for the first time, the Holy Spirit having fallen upon them with power for the first time (Acts 2:1-4), did exactly what Christ told them to do just before He ascended. Peter obeyed Christ in Acts 2:38 and when 3000 people responded they were added to the church/kingdom that Christ said, "I will build" (Acts 2:47)! It is significant that Christ had said, "I will build my church!" He did not say that 'John the Baptist, will build my church!' Clearly, any honest person will agree then that Christ's church was yet future after John had died. The Baptist Church is not the Lord's Church! It is of men (Matthew 15:9 & 13!).

You say the church of Christ first appeared in 1830! Who told you this; the Baptists? History? The Bible? You asked me for proof of what I said about the establishment of the Baptist Church. I provided that, yet you make a similar statement and provide no evidence whatsoever to support it! Your statement is as false as false can be, historically and any other way! Why and how did the apostle Paul refer to the church in Romans 16:16? My Bible says, "churches of Christ!" Were churches of Christ there at that time or not? What does yours say? In I Corinthians 12:27, the record says, "Now ye are the body of Christ." The body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Therefore, 'Ye are the church of Christ." Christ said, “I will build MY church!” To whom does the church belong? It belongs to Christ! Therefore, it is the church of (that belongs to) Christ. Why call it after John the Baptist, when (1) he didn't build it; (2) it doesn't belong to Him: and (3) he was never even “in” the kingdom of God, the church (Luke7:28). Some people were calling themselves after men in I Corinthians 1:10-13. Paul said they were wrong! Neither they, nor John the Baptist, was crucified for them, neither were they baptized in a name other than Christ's! In I Corinthians 3:3-5, Paul said that men who call themselves after other than Christ are "carnal." Question: If somebody calls himself after John, the Baptist, is he "carnal" or not?

Another point: Let's say that you are getting married and the preacher says to your wife to be, "Do you take this man to be your husband " and she says, “yes, but I don't want to wear his name. I want to wear the name of another man that I dated before I met this man." How would you feel? This is exactly what you're saying about Christ. We both agree that the church is the bride of Christ! It only follows that the bride wears the name of the one she is marrying, i.e., the name of the bridegroom. The Bible in recognition of this fact never one time refers to the Lord's church as the Baptist Church. Who are you or anyone else to use a name or description of Christ's church that is not biblical? The designation “Baptist Church” is not a biblical term, but was coined by men! I, therefore, challenge you to find the designation "Baptist Church" in the Bible! It's not there! Neither is it in anyway "of" the Bible!

Christ established "one" church; His church; the church of the Bible; the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4). As prophesied, that church was to be established in Jerusalem (not in the wilderness of Judea where John preached) in the days of the Roman Empire (Isaiah 2:1-5; Daniel 2:44). Any group that does not answer to that prophecy cannot be the church that Christ died to bring into existence. The "tracing" of a religious group’s origins has nothing to do with history, but rather it has to do with its name, organizational structure, its patterns of worship and service, and its doctrine. A congregation of people meeting today for the first time, in any city, with strict adherence to these matters may be said to have their source (origin, roots) in Jerusalem in the days of the Roman Empire, not that they are a new or different church, but because they, being identical in all respects, help make up the very same church that Christ died for and established on that day!

When a person, for example, says, "My church (the Baptist Church), was established by John Smythe in Holland, Europe, in the year 1607," and that church does not adhere to a biblical designation; does not adhere to the biblical organization of the church of Christ; does not worship and serve according to the New Testament pattern; and practices a doctrine that is different from what the Bible teaches, then we can know that its roots do not go back to first century Jerusalem; that its roots only go back to Holland, Europe in 1607 to a man by the name of John Smythe!

If a congregation of people had begun meeting in Holland, Europe in 1607, having been brought together by a John Smythe, and designated itself the "church of Christ," and its patterns of worship, service, organization, and doctrine adhered to the New Testament principles that undergird the church of the Bible, it could be said then to have had its beginning in Jerusalem of the first century, though this particular group began congregating in a different place at a different time. However, we know that the Baptist Church wears a non-biblical designation/name; its organization is foreign to the Bible; its worship services are unlike the early church, and its doctrines are contradictory to truth. Therefore, we can know that its beginning was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and cannot, therefore, be the church that Christ built and for which He died!

Consider this: Men stop playing baseball (a game that was first established by Abner Doubleday) for 2000 years! After 2000 years a person by the name of John Doe finds an Official Baseball Rulebook. He reads the book, understands the rules, and establishes two nine-man teams that adhere strictly to the rules. They are organized according to the rules! They call it baseball! They don't change anything, but are careful to abide by every rule! Are they playing baseball or not? Are they not baseball players? Are they not baseball teams? What is the source of their organization? Is it John Doe or is it Abner Doubleday? Obviously, it is Abner Doubleday! Now, in order to prove that Abner Doubleday established the game of baseball that John Doe and his teams are playing, is it necessary for John Doe to show that baseball was played every year for the last 2000 years in order to prove that he is playing baseball, or does he just have to go to the rulebook that he recently found? Obviously, the proof is in the rulebook!

Now, what if John Doe finds the same rulebook after 2000 years and decides to change the name of the game to baptistball. Instead of using a baseball bat, they are now going to use a wicket! Instead of six outs in an inning they are now going to have 12 outs; they are not going to run around bases, but they are rather going to climb up and down on twenty-foot poles! Let's assume for a moment that the original rulebook said in order to become a member of a baseball team, you must believe in Abner Doubleday and be immersed in water! But John Doe says, “you don't really have to be immersed in water; just believe in old Abner!” Who established this game? Abner Doubleday or John Doe? Are they playing baseball or baptistball? The answers are clearly seen!

The same is true with the Bible. Those who abide strictly by the Rulebook, it is they who have their source in Christ and who can trace their roots back to Him!

The Catholic Church also claims, as you do, that they can literally and historically trace their group all the way back to Peter and Jerusalem, even though neither of you can do so! But, let's assume that they could. Would that make them the church that Christ died to establish? Why not? For the same reason that the Baptist Church cannot do so. Neither of them adheres to the Rulebook. Neither of them can find their name, organization, or doctrine in the Rulebook, the Bible! Therefore, neither of them can trace their roots to Christ and Jerusalem!

The designation "Baptist Church" is not from the Rulebook (Romans 16:16)! "Faith only" is not from the Rulebook (James 2:24)! "Once saved, always saved" is not from the Rulebook (Hebrews 10:26-30; II Peter 2:20-22)! Therefore, the organization known as the Baptist Church has its roots in something other than the Rulebook and the one who caused it to be written. Their roots are neither in Christ, nor Jerusalem. They are not playing by the rules that Christ established, but rather have changed the rules and are playing their own game! Christ's Rulebook promises a reward to those who faithfully adhere to His rules. Since the Baptist Church has its own set of rules, it has no claim to the rewards that Christ has promised only to those who play the game according to His rules, the Bible!

CHRIST'S RULEBOOK: "He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16)! "The churches of Christ salute you (Romans 16:16)!"

BAPTIST RULE BOOK: 'He that believeth and is NOT baptized shall be saved' (Baptist Manual)! 'The Baptist churches (churches of the Baptist?) salute you' (Baptist Manual)!

Which should one accept?

 

Question 21: In Proverbs 8:27-31, who is the “I” that was the craftsman of God in creation? Combine this with Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3. Are all of these verses pointing to the same person? If yes, who is the person? If the person is Jesus, does this mean that God created Jesus, then all other things? Also look at the phrase “firstborn of all creation.”

ANSWER: It is very clear that John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16 refer only to Jesus Christ and that He was a prime participant in “the” creation! However, such is not the case with Proverbs, Chapter 8 as the Jehovah’s Witnesses falsely claim. This passage is simply a discussion of wisdom in poetic personification, i.e.; it is treating wisdom in the sense of a person. Note the very first verse of the chapter, “Doth not wisdom cry and understanding put forth her voice.” This is the subject, not Jesus Christ. Note also the gender of the subject under discussion. It is female in gender, i.e., Verse one, the word “her,” Verse two, the word “she,” and in Verse three, the word “she.” Since the subject is female in gender, it could not refer to Christ who is of male gender! And certainly there is no indication here or elsewhere in the Bible that Jesus Christ was a created being. Micah 5:2 speaks clearly to the eternality of Jesus Christ. The Jehovah’s Witnesses also falsely contend that the phrase “the beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 3:14) implies that Christ was a created being. This does not at all mean He was the first thing created, but rather it means that He was the originating source or the active cause of all creation (Colossians 1:16-17). The same is true of Colossians 1:15 where it is said, “He is the firstborn of every creature.” The word “firstborn” is from the Greek “prototokos” which literally means “preeminence” (as used in Verse Eighteen), the “origin or active cause of.” In fact, Verses 16-17 explain the meaning of the phrase “firstborn of every creature.” Christ was the one who created “all” things that were created and existed before “anything” was created. Since He created “all” things that were created, if He were created, then one would have to conclude ridiculously and foolishly that He created Himself! As well, since Christ existed before “all” things that were created, if He were created, then one would also have to conclude illogically that He existed before He was created! The Jehovah’s Witnesses interpretation of these passages stands opposed to all the world’s scholarship and is, in error, designed to perpetuate their man made doctrines!

 

Question 22: Please explain (stating the Greek words translated for each of these words) “For my Father is greater than I” (John 14:28) and “the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One (God) - - -So that God may be all-in-all” (I Corinthians 15:27-28).

ANSWER: The Greek for the phrase in John 14:28 is “hóti [for] ho [my] Pateér [Father] meízoon [greater] than moú (I) estin (is).” The direct English translation, then, reads, “For my Father Greater than I is.”

To use this verse to imply that the Son is not equal to the Father is to misuse it contrary to the Spirit’s intent! The intent of Jesus’ words in this verse is not to compare his nature with that of the Father’s, but His state and condition while on earth. The idea He is expressing to His disciples is, ‘You should be happy that I am going to leave this physical world, and resume the glory and equality which I had with the Father before the world was’ (John 1:1; John 17:5; Philippians 2:5-11). The purpose of the phrase is to console the disciples in view of His coming absence. This He does by saying that if He goes away, the Holy Spirit will come, and great success will result from the preaching of the Gospel (John 16:7-10). In the plan of salvation the Father is represented as sending the Son. As the one who sent Christ He may, in this sense, be represented as superior to the Son. The phrase, however, has no reference to the nature of Christ, and cannot therefore be used to prove that He is not divine. Its whole connection demands that we interpret it as relating solely to the imparting of the blessings connected with redemption, in which the Son is represented all along as having been sent, and in this respect was subordinate to the Father. The relationship between Father and Son demands an equality of nature as rightfully expressed by the Jews in John 10:30-33, both are divine, both are God and together are “one” as stated in John 10:30. (The J.W.’s New World Translation is in error here (as in many, many other places), not reflecting the actually inspired words in the Greek, i.e., it does not say, “makest thyself [a] god.” The correct translation is, “makest thyself God.”) The fact that you are a son of an earthly father makes you just as human as he is, i.e., both you and your father are “equally” human. So it is with God the Father and God the Son, i.e., the fact of the divinity of the Father demands divinity of the Son, i.e., both the Father and the Son are “equally” divine! You and your father, though equally human, have different functions. The same is true of God the Father and God the Son. Both are equal in nature, but are described as Father and Son, because they, too, have different functions!

The Greek for that found in I Corinthians 15:27-28 is (Verse 27) pánta gár hupétaxen hupó toús pódas autoú Hótan dé eípee hóti pánta hupotétaktai deélon hóti ektós toú hupotáxantos autoó tá pánta. The direct English translation reads, “For all things He put in subjection under His Feet, but when He said that all things have been put in subjection, [It is] manifest that [it is] except Him who put in subjection to Him all things.”

(Verse 28) Hótan dé hupotageé autoó tá pánta tóte kaí autós ho Huiós hupotageésetai toó hupotáxanti autoó tá pánta hína eé ho Theós tá pánta en pásin. The direct English translation reads, “But when shall have been put in subjection to Him all things, then also Himself the Son will be put in subjection to Him who put in subjection to Him all things, that may be God all in all.”

These verses do not teach that the Christ in His divine nature would be subject to the Father in His divine nature; nor does it mean that Christ would surrender His divine nature, but it means that the Son who came into this world as a servant, the Mediator, the man that was born in the flesh (John 1:14) and that was raised from the dead, and to whom all authority had been given, should resign that individual authority, and it should then be re-assumed by the “all in all” three divine persons of the one Godhead that we find described as the One God of Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; and Revelation 1:17, i.e., the first and the last!  This does not mean, however, that the effective oneness of the divine and human nature of Christ was to become of none effect, but that the authority laid down by Him would no longer be exercised in the same way. The authority at that time is to be exercised by God, as the one Triune Godhead, i.e., Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as was the case before Christ was distinctly given all authority (Matthew 28:18-20)!

 

Question 23: Is Jesus Christ Michael the archangel? How can we show he is not, if He isn’t?

ANSWER: No! Christ was not created as Michael the archangel as the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim. First of all Christ was not created, but rather, as Deity, He is eternal (Micah 5:2). Secondly, Michael could not rebuke the devil (Jude 9), yet Jesus did rebuke the devil (Matthew 4:10)! Therefore, Jesus and Michael are not the same being!

 

Question 24: In John 1:1, which is correct, “The Word was God” or “The Word was a god.” The New World Translation is in error!

ANSWER: The article “a” is not in the original Greek, but was added by the Jehovah’s Witnesses to support their blasphemous position that Christ is not deity! The New World Translation is not worthy to be called a Bible. It is a travesty and should be consigned to the trash heap because of its prejudices and unscholarly construction. It remains and will always remain a point of ridicule by the scholars of all ages!

 

Question 25: Which is correct in Luke 23:43, “I said unto you, today” or “I said unto you today?"

ANSWER: The comma follows the word “you.” Of the hundreds of translations, only the ridiculous NWT places the comma after “today.” What sense does it make for someone to say that what I am telling you, I am telling you today? Does one not know when something is being told them? If I were to say to you, “I am telling you, I will go with you to the shop,” would you understand that? Would you know “when” I said it to you? Would you know that I said it to you on the day I spoke it? Or would I have to say, “I am telling you [today], that I will go with you to the shop?” Why is it necessary to tell some person that what you are saying to them is being said on the day you are saying it? The whole idea is absurd! Men of righteous character do not deal in such foolishness!

 

Question 26: What are the differences between the United Church of Christ and the Church of Christ?

ANSWER: First of all, the United Church of Christ does not find its roots in the New Testament. It was formed in 1957 through a merger of the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Churches. The first of these was formed by a merger in 1931 of Congregational Churches, the Christian Church, the Evangelical Synod, and the Reformed Church. The United Church of Christ has been on the cutting edge of ecumenical/modernistic weirdness from its inception. Consider, for example, its attitude toward homosexuality--a sin that the Bible labels an abomination before the Lord. The homosexual can be saved through repentance and baptism in obedient faith by the blood of Jesus Christ, but if he is saved he will be a new creature in Christ and will no longer continue in his sinful homosexual ways (2 Corinthians 5:17). The same is true for an adulterer or a drunkard or for any other type of sinner (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). All sin can be forgiven through Christ's atonement. From the first century until now many homosexuals have been saved by the grace of God and have been changed to the glory of Jesus Christ. The problem today is that some are claiming that homosexuality is not a sin, that it is a natural condition, that the homosexual can serve Jesus Christ even while continuing to practice his homosexuality. This is an incredible Scriptural error that the United Church of Christ has promoted vigorously. Consider the facts as they were published by the UCC's Office of Communication, March 1, 1996:

 

1969--The UCC's Council for Christian Social Action declared opposition to all laws criminalizing private homosexual relations between adults; also opposed the exclusion of homosexuals from the military.

1972--William Johnson became the first openly homosexual person to be ordained by a mainline denomination. He was ordained by the Golden Gate Association in Northern California.

1973--The UCC Executive Council recommended that sexual orientation should not bar candidates from ordination. The General Synod also gave official standing to the UCC Gay Caucus.

1977--In Virginia, Anne Holmes became the first openly lesbian woman ordained in the UCC.

1983--The UCC General Synod passed a resolution recommending that sexual orientation should not be grounds for denying ordination.

1984--Diane Darling became the first openly lesbian woman to pastor a UCC congregation, the College Avenue United Church of Christ, Modesto, California.

1987--The UCC General Synod declared opposition to all sodomy laws.

1991--The UCC General Synod "boldly affirms, celebrates and embraces the gifts of ministry of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons."

1993--The UCC General Synod voted by a wide margin to denounce the ban on homosexuals in the military.

1994--UCC leaders, including its president, Paul Sherry, joined the "March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equal Rights and Liberation."

1996--It was reported that more than 180 UCC congregations affirm homosexuality. There are three which are predominately lesbian and gay: Liberation United Church of Christ in Cleveland, Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ in Minneapolis and Phoenix United Church of Christ in Kalamazoo, Mich.

 

The United Church of Christ, as is the case with most mainline denominations today, glories in its "unity in diversity." This means there is a great variety of doctrines within this organization. There are those who deny the deity of Jesus Christ and those who affirm it; those who believe salvation is personal regeneration solely through belief in Christ and those who believe salvation simply involves redemption of the environment. Their beliefs and practices are not based upon Scripture, but upon a hodgepodge of creeds, dogmas, present-day issues, and traditions of men; beliefs and practices that change with the winds of social demands! This is true with the issue of homosexuality. Not all of its churches or all of its regional associations support ordination of homosexuals. But the fact remains that this denomination's General Synod, speaking on behalf of all its congregations, has come out in support of this unscriptural abomination, and the fact remains that all of the congregations participating in this denomination share the guilt of those in their midst who practice these things. The Bible says the solution to sin and Scriptural error in local churches is discipline: "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1 Corinthians 5:13). The Bible commands God's people to separate from these abominations and apostasies. "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY" (2 Timothy 3:5). "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? ... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). The leaders of the United Church of Christ do not consider themselves unbelievers and do not therefore believe 2 Corinthians 6 should apply to them, but the fact is that they are unbelievers. The Bible says homosexuality is an abomination and they don't believe it. In fact, most of them don't even believe the Bible is the perfect Word of God. They are unbelievers who will accept into their fellowship anyone in whom they determine is Christian character, as they perceive it!

On the other hand, the church of Christ finds its roots solely in Scripture! Our Lord said that He would build one church (Matthew 16:18). In Acts chapter two, we read of its establishment. Paul said in Ephesians 1:22-23, that the church is His body. Later, in Ephesians 4:4, he tells us that there is only one body. It is into this one body, this church, that one "must" be baptized through the agency (the direction) of the one Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). The direction of the Spirit comes only through the word of God, which tells us how a person enters that one church. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), those who "gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Vs.41). "And the Lord added daily to the church (His church) such as were being saved (Vs.47). These believing people repented, and were immersed for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), after which they were added to the church that Christ had built. (They were not added to the Catholic Church, which was established 600 years later, nor were they added to Protestant denominationalism, which had its several beginnings in the fifteenth century!) All of the saved people on Pentecost Day were members of the church of Christ, the only church that existed, and the only church that Christ recognized and recognizes today! Obviously, there is no difference between those who live today and the people of Acts, Chapter two! When people today, as they, gladly receive His word (when they believe and submit totally to it), repent, confess, and are immersed in water for the remission of sins, they too are added by God to that same church; the one church, the Church of Christ (Romans 16:16). Since Christ built only one church (the church of the Bible), it can only be concluded that all other religious organizations (including the United Church of Christ, all other Protestant churches, as well as the Catholic Church) were built by man (Matthew 15:8-14). In these, there is no promise of salvation; no promise of hope; no promise of the blessings of Christ (Ephesians 1:3). These promises are to be found only in His church; the Church of Christ!

In summary, the differences in the United Church of Christ and the Church of Christ are monumental! There is very little, if any, similarity at all! What similarities may exist would not be on the basis of Scripture, but purely accidental and coincidental! The church of the Bible is called the church(es) of Christ (Romans 16:16). The basis for all her doctrines lies in the infallible Word of God! The one head of the church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22). Each congregation is self-ruling and overseen by a plurality of elders, independent of all other congregations (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7 & 17; I Peter 5:1-4). By this we are given to scripturally understand that there is no higher governing body on this earth. Deacons are to serve the congregation under the oversight of the elders (I Timothy: 8-13). Evangelists are to proclaim the Word (II Timothy 4:1-5). A religious group without this God-prescribed organization cannot be the church of the Bible!

Worship services on the first day of the week must consist of (and only of) praying, singing (without instruments), partaking of the Lord's Supper (every first day), preaching, and contributing as prospered by God (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Ephesians 5:19). To be pleasing to God, all of these items must be engaged in, with nothing added.

Terms of entry into the church of the Bible are: believing in Christ as the Son of God (John 8:24); repenting of all past sins (Acts 17:30-31); confessing with the mouth belief in Jesus (Romans 10:8-10; Matthew 10:32-33); being immersed in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:2-5; Colossians 2:11-13; I Peter 3:21). After having done these things, one must be faithful unto death in that one church to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

 

Question 27: Do you think in Judgment, God will ask, “Of what denomination were you a member?” He will simply ask, “Have you done what I commanded you to do?” And if we believe in Christ and have been baptized in the name of the father, Son, and Holy Ghost it will be okay.

ANSWER:  The subject question if asked and answered drive to the same point. Since the over 100,000 different denominations teach different doctrines that are contrary one to the other (which logically implies that, at least, 99,999 have not “done what I commanded you.”), the response to the question, “Have you done what I commanded you to do?” would probably be positive. Nonetheless, such a response would most often be less than accurate, since major contradiction exists between all of the divided denominational groups! All cannot be doing different things, and yet all be doing it right! Many in that day will say, “Yes! I did what you commanded me to do,” but He will “profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me you that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23). The fact is that there is much more to obedience than believing in Christ and being baptized! Which denominations are obeying God? All of them? Or some of them! Which ones? How about the Mormons? How about the Jehovah’s Witnesses? Have they not done what you claim is necessary in your question? Surely you are not suggesting that these and all other denominations in the proclamation of their various and variable doctrines are consistent with the idea of obedience to God? He may (or may not) not ask, “Of what denomination are you a member,” but there is no doubt that He will determine our obedience to all of the New Testament, not simply to those things that you mention! When a denomination and its followers teach and practice that which is contrary to the will of God, they place themselves under the stated pronouncement of Matthew 7:23!

 

Question 28: If I only sit at home and do not attend a denomination, am I doing right?

ANSWER: Certainly the faithful children of God will not attend the man made denominations. This would be wrong (II John 9:11). However, true Christianity is not a “sit-at-home” religion. It is a religion that commands us to teach others (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:4), to support the weak (Acts 20:35), to do good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10), to take care of the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, while remaining unspotted from the world (James 1:27), and never to forsake the assembling in which Christians assemble to collectiverly worship the Creator (Hebrews 10:25). This all necessary to pure religion and undefiled. One cannot so conduct him/herself while just sitting at home!

 

Question 29: A friend believes that it is true that all men are depraved from birth as per Calvin? He says this is so because “I have sinned.”

ANSWER: The meaning of “depravity” is (World Book): “the quality or condition of being depraved; wickedness, viciousness, corruption: a monster of depravity.” The issue at hand seems very clouded to some. Certainly man sins and is separated from God in that sin, but to say that all men are depraved, even from birth, is neither biblical or logical. What Scripture and/or logic holds that an infant is wicked, vicious, and a monster of depravity? Who can hold that their own little infant falls into such a category? God does not give depraved gifts (James 1:17). What Scripture or logic would indicate that Cornelius, though separated from God and in need of salvation, answered to the definition above. A devout man and one that fears God (Acts 10) hardly falls into the category of “a monster of depravity!”

The reason your friend gives for agreeing with Calvin on depravity is “because I have sinned.” Certainly, he has, as have we all, but I would not judge him, or any I know, as “totally depraved” and “a monster of depravity.” It may be that we are dealing here with semantics, not agreeing first on the definition of the term. By his statement, “because I have sinned,” he seems to imply that depravity, as he understands it, came with his sin. I believe “depraved” would be inaccurate and too harsh of a word to define his state upon his sin, but certainly when he first committed sin, he was lost and separated from God. On the other hand, it is more likely that he is saying that ‘if I were not first depraved, I would not have sinned’ or ‘my depravity naturally caused me to sin.’ In either case, I think he must logically conclude, on the basis of this implication, the following: (1) if he were created depraved, then, since God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), Adam was also created depraved; (2) that Adam, who was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), had to be created depraved, otherwise Adam would not have sinned in the Garden; and (3) that God was wrong when He said His creation was “very good” (Genesis 1:31. It is the case that God created Adam and pronounced His creation was “very good.” If His creation was “very good,” His creation was not a “monster of depravity.” If His creation of Adam was “very good’ and not a “monster of depravity,” then it must be the case that His creation of man today is “very good” and not a “monster of depravity,” otherwise He would be a respecter of persons. The fact is that Adam sinned, because, as a free moral agent, he chose to do so, not because he was created depraved. The same is true of men today! We, as Adam and all men, are ‘perfect in our ways from the day of our creation, till iniquity is found in us’ (Ezekiel 28:15). As little children, we, as the little ones in the day of Moses, have “no knowledge between good and evil” and are therefore, as little children, “very good” (Deuteronomy 1:39), neither have we inherited sin from any (Ezekiel 18:20). We are sinners, because we choose to sin, not because we were created depraved!

 

Question 30: Where did the Roman Catholic Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and other denominations originate? Also Jehovah’s Witnesses?

ANSWER:

                            Establishment of Religious Groups

 

GROUP                        TIME                            PLACE                           FOUNDER

 

Catholic                        606                              Rome                              Boniface

 

Lutheran                       1520                           Germany                         Luther

 

Episcopalian                1534                           England                          Henry VIII

 

Presbyterian                 1536                           Switzerland                    Calvin

 

Congregational            1550                           England                          Browne

 

Baptist                            1607                           Holland                           Smythe

 

Methodist                       1739                           England                          Wesley

 

Latter Day Saints          1830                           America                          Smith

 

Seventh Day Advent.   1830                           America                           Miller

 

 Christian Science        1866                           America                           Eddy

 

 Jehovah’s Witnesses  1872                           America                           Russell

 

 Church of Christ            33 AD                        Jerusalem                         Jesus Christ

 

 

 

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