The Fall and Redemption of Man (cont.)

by Perry Sexton     

The proof is the Word of God

       God instructs us to: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The proof of what man must do in this Age (New Testament or Christian Age) to return to God is plainly given to us by statements of fact, commands and examples. In the gospel accounts you will find many verses where Jesus is telling us what things we must do to return to God. Here are a few of those verses for each step in God’s plan of salvation:

      1. Hear the truth. We are to hear the Son of God (Matthew 17:5), i.e., the New Testament (Hebrews 7:22; 8:7-13; 9:14-17). This is why God’s people are to publish the word of God throughout the world (Mark 16:15). Many hear but do not understand because they close their minds to the saving truth (Matthew 13:13-15). Like many, they are “willingly ignorant” (cp. 2 Peter 3:5).

      2. Believe the truth."He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). He who desires salvation and believes the truth will be baptized in order to be saved. He who does not believe the truth will not obey God – will not be baptized, and therefore will remain lost in his sins. Compare: (Luke 7:30) "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." Are you rejecting the counsel of the Savior in unbelief (cp. Hebrews 4:11)?

      Furthermore, one must be baptized scripturally. One must be baptized for the right purpose which is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Baptism as a sign that you are saved is one of the biggest hoax Satan has pulled since the Garden of Eden! It is not of God, if so where is book, chapter and verse? It is not in the Bible!

      3. Obey the truth by:

            a. Repenting of all sins: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Could Scripture be any plainer?

            b. Confessing Christ before men: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. {33} But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Mat. 10:32-33). "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37). 

            c. Being baptized for the remission of sins: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). This is in keeping with what Jesus had commanded (Mark 16:15,16).

Examples of mankind returning to God

• Acts 2:22,37-42,47. They obeyed and were added to the Lord’s one true church (Matthew 16:18).
• Acts 8:4-13. The kingdom and church are one and the same (cp. Matthew 16:18,19; Colossians 1:13).
• Acts 8:35-39. The eunuch rejoiced after obeying the Savior in baptism.
• Acts 9:1-18 cp. 22:12-16. The Savior told Saul to go into the city to hear what he had to do to be saved.
• Acts 10. Cornelius was commanded to be baptized.
• Acts 16:14,15. Lydia obeyed.
• Acts 16:30-34. The jailer rejoiced after he obeyed.
• All these obeyed the same gospel!!!  Will YOU???

Wrong Formulas Can Never Save!

by Perry Sexton

      How many of you ladies would use a recipe for lasagna to make a chocolate cake? Suppose hundreds of cooks were hired to make a particular chocolate cake, but all used different recipes of all kinds of different foods. Would the result be satisfactory? Of course not.

      How many of you men would use an engine repair manual, specifications and the overhaul kit for a VW engine to overhaul a 409? The scenarios could go on and on and no one in their right mind would do such things. Yet, with the most valuable possession we have, our souls, multitudes are doing exactly that!

      Imagine this: You are overhauling a 409 and studying over the manual and another comes by and observes the situation and comments: “This is not the right manual for that engine.” Will you respond “Nah, it doesn’t matter; one manual is as good as another.” But again that very thing goes on concerning the church: denominational people saying “One church is as good as another.” My friends, this is just not true! Only one church is blood bought and built by Jesus and saved by Him (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; 2:47).

      Consider thousands of mechanics, all with different engine manuals working on that same 409! Do you think there would be any confusion? Any divisions? Do you really believe the project would have any success at all? I do not believe anyone would put their name to a “Yes” on that. Yet again, with the most important matter there is, denominational people wishfully say “We all are going to the same place, just different ways.” Sure we are, just like we all are rebuilding 409s with manuals and parts of an entirely different engine! It is time to wake up to the truth before it is too late!

      Why would anyone want to be a member of a man-made church instead of the one church Jesus built and saves (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:26,27)? Why would anyone want to be a member of a church they cannot read about in the book of salvation? Why would anyone follow a plan for salvation that cannot be found anywhere in God’s Word? Friends, I am not trying to make anyone angry, I am trying to awake as many as I am able to the truth before it is too late for YOU!

      The doctrines of men are wrong formulas and cannot save (cp. Matt.15:9,13,14; 7:21-23). Faith only salvation is nowhere taught in the Bible. If you think so, please send me the verse for it. The churches of men are contrary to the church of Christ. ♥