The concepts of truth and error are so closely associated to the existence of the church of Christ that it is felt that in order to fully understand who we are as a religious group, this web page was necessary. This was not an arbitrary decision made before we came together as a group but a necessary conclusion based upon plain Bible principles learned through repeated study of the Scriptures. We present here some of the major topics of contention among those who hold Christ as their Lord and confirm what is generally well known and that is that the followers of Christ are divided. While division can and does exist within the ranks of the church of Christ itself, division primarily takes the form of denominationalism of which we are not a part and the unity for which Jesus prayed ( John 17:20-21 ) and the apostle Paul commanded ( 1 Cor 1:10 )can be maintained only through adherance to truth and the exposing of error.
According to ( Ecc 12:13 ) the whole purpose of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. Most people spend their whole lives in search of the meaning of life yet it is spelled out for us in this short passage so clearly that it seems hard to understand why life's meaning is such a mystery to so many. The truth is that it is not a mystery, it is only that most people just refuse to accept the purpose for which God has created us.
If we can believe Jesus, and I most certainly do, there will only be a few people going to heaven. In Mt 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." In the previous passage He states by contrast that many will be lost or destroyed. Have you ever been to a funeral where someone was declared lost? It is obvious the truth of Jesus' message is not accepted by the majority of the people who mistakenly cling to the idea that everyone is going to be ok and we will all meet in heaven some fine day. This is absolutely untrue and to avoid hell everyone needs to wake up to this simple truth.
Col 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Religion, true religion, is the means established by God through which mankind approaches God. God has always told man what He wanted in religion and what He would and would not accept in his religious worship from Adam right on down to present day. Jeremiah wrote in Jer 10:23 "O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jesus further declares that when man becomes involved in directing his own worship that it becomes vain or useless. Jesus said in Mt 15:9 "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." These passages force us to conclude that if our religion is to be of any value we must have Bible authority for what we say and what we do religiously.
Once in the Old Testament ( Deu 4:2 ) and once in the New Testament ( Rev 22:18-19 )God warned mankind not to add to nor to take away from the words given to him to observe as commandments sent to him from God. In effect God is saying, this is what I want of you, nothing more and nothing less. The consequences to someone failing to heed this warning, according to the book of Revelation, is if they add to God's word then the plagues written in that book will be added to them and if they take away from the book then their part shall be taken away out of the book of life.
Becoming a Christian is a process not an act. It requires the hearing of the gospel of Christ( Rom 10:13-17 ). It requires faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God( John 8:24 ), ( John 20:31 ). The process includes repentance( Acts 17:30 ). Confession of our faith is also required( Rom 10:10 ),( Mat 10:32 ). Finally baptism, which is submersion in water, for the remission of sins is required( Mar 16:16 ),( Acts 2:38 ). Failing to obey God's plan of salvation has terrible consequences. It leaves a person in their sins ( Rom 3:23 ) and dooms them to hell. While most people are fully aware whether or not they have obeyed the gospel and became a Christian sadly there are a significant number of people who are members of denominations who believe they are Christians but who do not qualify because they have not been baptized for the remission of their sins. No denominational church, to my knowledge, teaches the whole plan of salvation to become a Christian therefore they do not produce Christians and can only be described as social clubs who loosely base their fellowship on a belief in Christ without requiring obedience to His teachings.
No it does not. While there are many in the religious world who offer a 100% claim to a heavenly home, the Bible makes no such promise. What Christians do have when they have obeyed God's plan of salvation is the forgiveness of their past sins ( Acts 2:38 )and the avenue of prayer to the Father ( John 9:31 ) with Jesus Christ as their mediator( 1 Tim 2:5 ). Sinners have no such privelege. Becomming a Christian does not make one perfect or sinless just forgiven. Christians can and do commit sin ( 1 John 1:8 ) but can receive forgiveness through repentence ( Acts 17:30 ) and prayer ( 1 John 1:9 ). Private sins can be dealt with privately between a Christian and God through repentence and prayer. Public sins must be admitted publicly before the church where prayer may then be offered by the whole congregation on behalf of an erring Christian. The only sin God will not forgive a Christian is one not repented of and for which forgiveness was not sought. Christians who do not repent of their sin have no hope of heaven.
Yes, definately. The apostle Paul describes Christianity as a race ( 1 Cor 9:24 )in which we as Christians all must reach the finish line if we are to win the prize. It requires patience, endurance and persistance to attain the goal of heaven. Jesus declared in ( Rev 2:10 ) "Be thou faithful until death and I will give you a crown of life." Those who are not found to be faithful at death have no promise of a crown of life.