What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 3 / No. 22”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. III - No. 22 / March 28, 2021
"...TRY THE SPIRITS..."
All of us preachers claim to preach the word of God. We all read and quote scriptures. Yet we preach different doctrines. Undoubtedly this is responsible for the religious confusion that exists all around us.
Does the Bible actually teach all these different doctrines? If it does, that makes it a contradictory book and, if it contradicts itself, it cannot be the word of God.
All preachers sound sincere and no doubt the average listener thinks they are all sincere. But are they? Are they sure beyond doubt that they are preaching the pure word of God without any additions, subtractions, or substitutions? We are warned in 2 Peter 2:1 there would be “false teachers”. In fact, 1 John 4:1 warns that “many false prophets have gone out into the world”. Even Jesus warned us to beware of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).
I believe I can suggest a test of how much preachers really believe what they teach and it is this: ARE THEY WILLING TO MEET OPPONENTS AND DISCUSS DIFFERENCES BEFORE AN AUDIENCE?. If they believe what they preach they surely ought to be willing to let it be investigated and examined. The truth in the matter is that most preachers are not willing to stand up and DEFEND what they preach. It’s one thing to preach something and another thing to defend it when they are challenged! They continue to preach from pulpits, radio, and television but when challenged concerning what they preach, they either brand the person questioning them as a trouble maker or someone not worthy of even common courtesy. Could it really be they are fearful to have what they preach examined by what God’s word really teaches? Could it be most of what they preach are doctrines and commandments of men?
Friends, I believe I am preaching the truth on what to do to be saved, on the New Testament church, on acceptable worship, on the work of the church, that we can fall from grace, and on other vital subjects. I’m not saying denominational preachers aren’t preaching the truth on anything. They do preach a lot of the truth. However, on the plan of salvation, the church, true worship, etc., they do not. Their preaching and teaching will leave a sinner without Christ and away from the benefits of His death and blood.
If you believe I am teaching error through the means of this bulletin, please persuade a preacher you believe is right to come with you and we’ll discuss any subject on which you think I am wrong. I am not being boastful! Neither do I think I am smarter than denominational preachers. But I am sincere about what I preach - sincere enough to let any audience hear me discuss it with a preacher who disagrees.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.
DEAD OR ALIVE
Death is a state of separation. Physical Death is separation of body and spirit (Jas. 2:26). The spirit lives on, and so God could say of long deceased Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: "I am their God" (Exo. 3:6). Moses and Elijah, long dead physically, talked with Jesus in His transfiguration (Matt. 17:3). How then can anyone who believes the Bible say that physical death is the cessation of all life, as some religious people claim? Even so, Spiritual Death is separation from God (Isa. 59:1,2). Paul said "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died" (Rom. 7:9). Sin produced death in Paul at that earlier time in his life (Rom. 7:13). Deliverance from that death was through Christ (Rom. 7:24,25). This deliverance was accomplished through reconciliation to God so that Paul was no longer separated from God (2 Cor. 5:18,19). So it is with us today.
We are all dead and alive. We are either dead in sin or alive with God. If we are living in sin with its dominion over us, then we are dead. If through Christ we put to death the sinful life, then we are alive unto God (Rom. 6:11). This newness of life is gained in Christ through our obedience to God by faith when we are baptized into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3-6). Since we are all dead and alive in one of the two situations, we should recognize that spiritual death does not render us unconscious or incapable of action. Here we can see one of the errors of Calvinism. If, when we have died to sin, we are still continually tempted by it, then why, when we are dead in sin, can we not hear and heed the appeal of the Gospel to repent and be converted without a miraculous operation of the Spirit to enable us? Peter told people who had been convinced by the preached message concerning Christ, "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 Spirit" (Acts 2:38). They had not, at that point, received either the Holy Spirit as a gift or salvation as the gift of the Spirit, for Peter said "you shall receive" it, conditioned upon their repentance and baptism. They were dead in trespasses, yet they were told to do something about it. This indicates that they were capable of doing something about their condition, else the commandment was vain.
Now, consider the lives of the saints. Paul told people who had died to sin when they obeyed the Gospel to "put to death” their members which were on the earth: "fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). This he said to people who had put off "the old man with his deeds" and had "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him Who created him” (Col. 3:9,10). These were people who had been dead but had been made alive together with Him through their faith and obedience to Christ (Col. 2:9-15). To the Ephesians, Paul included all as having once been dead in trespasses and sins, but he asserted that God had made them alive together with Christ through faith in Him (Eph. 2:1-22). Christians are Christians because they "have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires" yet they must constantly guard themselves against the temptations of sin (Gal. 5:18 - 6:5). We must "let not sin reign" in our lives (Rom. 6:12).
Now, the practical questions are these: Are we alive to sin and thus dead, separated from God; or are we alive to God and dead to sin? God has made us capable of choosing and has provided the way of escape from death in sin through Jesus Christ, if we will believe in Him and obey Him (Heb. 5:8,9). What do we choose?
—Gilbert Alexander
***SENTENCE SERMONS***
Certain channels are called 'educational TV'. But in reality all TV is educational -- it typically teaches profanity, violence, sexual immorality, etc.
***
The true disciple is obedient rather than ambitious, committed rather than competitive. For him, nothing is more important than pleasing the One who called him.
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or
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or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE/FaceBook
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"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
