What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 4 / No. 18”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. IV - No. 18 / January 30, 2022
"HOW TO LEAD SOMEONE TO CHRIST"
The above title was taken from a Bible correspondence course being offered by a denominational church. It goes on to give five steps: “1. I have sinned. 2. God loves me. 3. Christ died for me. 4. I receive Him. 5. I have everlasting life.” The Bible definitely teaches there are five steps a person must take to come to Christ but they differ drastically from the five just mentioned.
1. A person must HEAR. The fact that we have sinned, God loves us, and Christ died for us is learned when the gospel is preached . In EVERY case of conversion found in the book of Acts, people first had to HEAR (Acts 2:37; 8:6,35; 9:6; 10:33; 16:14,32; 19:5) As we hear we learn that we have sinned (Romans 3:23), that God loves us (John 3:16), and that Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Without hearing the gospel, we cannot come to Christ (John 6:44-45).
2. Upon hearing God’s word, we must BELIEVE. This is another way of saying we must have FAITH. Jesus in John 8:24 said, “…if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” Some denominations teach a person is saved the moment he believes. If that be true, why was Agrippa just “almost” a Christian? He believed (Acts 26:27-28)! Why are the devils saved? They believe (James 2:19)! No, it takes more than just faith only (James 2:24).
3. A person must also REPENT. Jesus taught repentance was absolutely necessary in Luke 13:3 and 5 or else “perish”. That’s why Peter commanded people in Acts 2 to repent. Repentance is a turning: a turning FROM sin and turning TO God.
4. If, upon hearing and believing God’s word, we are willing to repent, we must then CONFESS Christ to be the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; Acts 8:37). Confession is made with the mouth unto (in the direction of) salvation as stated in Romans 10:10.
5. After confessing Christ to be the Son of God, all that stands between us and our being “in Christ” is BAPTISM (Galatians 3:27). Baptism is the final step that “saves us” (1 Peter 3:21) because baptism in the Bible is “for (in order to have) the remission (forgiveness) of sins” (Acts 2:38). Let our salvation be patterned after those we read about in the book of Acts! —E.R. Hall, Jr.
"A THOUSAND TIMES, NO!"
Ever notice that you can say "no" a thousand times, but all those no's are canceled by one "yes"? "No, you can't have a cookie, can't have a cookie, can't have a cookie! Okay, yes!" The cookie will be eaten! To concede and fail you don't have to say yes as many times as you must say no to remain steadfast and succeed.
A thousand no's to fornication are deleted by one yes that robs one of his virtue and virginity. A thousand no's to adultery are swept away by a yes that destroys family, home and soul. A thousand no's to drugs are erased by a yes that opens the door to all kinds of destruction and excess. A thousand no's to stealing are forgotten by a yes on our record when we stand before the law. A thousand no's to pornography are overwhelmed by a yes that writes indelible images in the mind. It applies across the board to all sin.
While it is certainly true that forgiveness in Christ is available for any sinful yes decision we make, this must not be seen as license to make that errant decision even once. We are called to completely die to sin (Rom. 6) -- it is to have no part in us, or us in it.
Parents often tire of the "May I have a cookie?" question and finally concede with a yes. Kids know this. Satan knows this. We tire of saying no and looking different from others. We tire of our "no" answer causing abstinence from activities that appear pleasurable and fun. We tire of always being the one to say “no". In time, sin nags us to the point where we finally want to say, "Okay, yes, just this time!" How much more can God expect us to resist -- how many more times must we say no?
The Hebrew writer reminds us, "You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin" (Heb. 12:4). We're not just talking about saying no to the point of alienation and missing out on some of life's pleasures. Resisting "to bloodshed, striving against sin" means saying no to sin until it kills us! That means a thousand times no to the sin that tempts us from within and from without. And when we have said no a thousand times it is then time to say it a thousand and one times, and more!
—David Diestelkamp
ARE YOU FAITHFUL?
It was a sunny morning when James stepped outside to get his morning paper. Only a moment later James returned with a disgusted look on his face. No paper! James said, "I'm gonna have to get me a new paper boy. He's just not faithful." The problem was that James' paperboy would deliver about 1 out of every 3 days.
Fred was in a hurry to get to work, but it happened again. His car wouldn't start. He had hoped this used second vehicle would be just what he needed, but about 1 out of every 3 turns of the ignition, the car wouldn't start. Fred told his wife, "I'm gonna have to trade that car in. I just need one that's more faithful.”
Are James and Fred right to call the paperboy and the car unfaithful? Would you be pleased with a paperboy who delivered I day out of 3? Would you be pleased with a car that only started 2 out of 3 times? Certainly not!
The apostle Paul was chosen by God to carry the gospel because God counted him faithful. "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry" (1 Tim. 1:12). Paul was trustworthy. God could count on him when He needed him. Paul would never fail in his duty to God.
What about me and my attendance to the assemblies of God's people? My brethren are counting on me to be there. I need to consider the impact of my absence upon them. My presence helps to stir up my brothers and sisters to love and good works. Furthermore, I am drawing near to God and holding fast to my faith (Heb. 10:23-25). Am I faithful if I hit one out of every 3 services? Am I faithful if I hit 2 out of 3? Does God consider me reliable and trustworthy? Is he pleased with such performance?
It's something to think about, isn't it? If I wouldn't call the paperboy faithful and the used car faithful then why do I consider myself faithful in my service to God if my performance is no better? All of us need to realize our obligations to God and to our brethren regarding our attendance. We grow weaker through our absence. Someone once compared this to an automobile: "Brethren are often like cars. They 'sputter' before they 'miss' and they 'miss' before they 'quit.'" —Jeff May
"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
