What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 5 / No. 10”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. V - No. 10 / October 9, 2022
THE SINNERS PRAYER
In this world today, we see many denominations scattered around the world that seem to have a different approach to what they call the sinner’s prayer. The prayer is commonly promoted at the end of a service as an avenue to salvation, which the person is asked to repeat. The assurance is given that if one says the words sincerely and one trusts in God, all will be forgiven and God will save that individual. We must ask the questions “What is in the Prayer? Is there anything else I should do? What does the bible say?”
Here is a simple and short Sinner’s Prayer taken from Wikipedia:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.”
First, what is in this prayer is “Faith”. For without faith it is impossible to please Him... Hebrews 11:6, and the only way to receive faith is by hearing the word of God... Romans 10:17. Acts 8:37 ”...If you believe with all your heart, it is lawful.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Though this prayer does not contain these words, I have seen others that do.
Some denominations say that all baptism “is just an outward sign of an inward change” but according to Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved”... Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...., Galatians 3:27 “For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on Christ." Rom 6:3 "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" Rom 6:4 "Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Our Saviour died and shed His own blood for our sins, was laid into the tomb and was risen from the dead to ascend to heaven to be our Saviour and King. We all are dead, spiritually dead to Christ. Through baptism we come in contact with Christ’s blood while in the watery grave to rise out of the grave to a new life.
Baptism is not an outward sign, it is the act of obeying His word. After Christ rose from the grave while speaking to His apostles Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
So we must conclude hearing, believing, confessing and baptism are all necessary to be saved and being faithful until death to receive a crown of life. Revelation 2:10 —Phillip Henson
WHERE ARE THE MEN?
Surely no one can deny that the role of men in society has changed. The "norms" of the day are "househusbands". It is not the purpose of this article to go into detail on what might be contributing to these role changes but no doubt the Women's Liberation Movement of the '70's, Humanism, and Materialism have each donated a part. With the help of advertising, radio, television, and our political system they have been able to make deep inroads into our thinking and way of life. Whatever and however many factors there are can all be summed up by saying: There is a lack of respect for God's word and a general failure in teaching what the Bible says.
The reason man is to be the "head" of woman is found in Genesis 2:7-23; 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 11:3-12. The word "head" means "authority or direction". Being "head" of woman is not a man's "right" but "responsibility". Yet, simply mentioning the word "subjection" causes many to think of "inferiority" because that is the way we are being conditioned to think. This role of leadership is to be consistently maintained in the home, in the church, and in society.
God has given the man the "responsibility" of being the provider (Genesis 3:17-19; 1 Timothy 5:8). However, today there are 64% of married women who work and a fourth of them are mothers with children under six years of age.
Can we not see that when we change God's order of things we are leaving ourselves open for whatever consequences will follow? Marriages are strained, the trend is to become more independent, and the temptation becomes greater for both men and women when they are spending more time with the opposite sex on the job than at home. A man cannot be a mother! This is a role that God has not given to a man. He is to be a father (Ephesians 6:4). When it comes to being a mother, a woman has no equal for she is supreme. But once a pattern of working outside the home is established, it is hard for a woman to break.
We can know what God's order is to be in society. His word is clear in spelling out the role and relationships between men and women. When we go beyond the rules, where do we stop? Let's be content to follow God's word. —E.R. Hall, Jr.
WHERE ARE THE WOMEN NOW?
No one can deny that the role of women in society has changed. Change does not have to be necessarily good or bad. However, current attitudes in society must not control our understanding of the Scriptures and neither should attitudes of the past generation. It is just as wrong to elevate 1955 American lifestyles to the same level as the Scriptures as it is to allow the present values of society distort God's teaching.
In today's society the role of women has changed from "submission" (Ephesians 5:22-33) to being in positions of authority. In this area of "headship" we can see an equalizing effect taking place. In the area of providing or "breadwinning", we see women leaving the home instead of being "keepers at home" (Titus 2:4-5) and becoming more involved in the work place. Thus we see a role reversal taking place wherein women are become the principle provider. In the area of rearing children (1 Timothy 5:14) we see this role being substituted with day care.
Instead of God's word being commonplace we hear such statements as: "The word 'subjection' is demeaning and degrading." "A woman who is a homemaker is wasting her mind for she is a slave chained to the stove, hearing nothing but children's voices." We have been told this repeatedly through television and magazines and we are being affected by it more than we are willing to admit.
Very few preachers are willing to teach what God's word says about the role of women for fear of being labeled as bigots or sexists. It is not that God's word is out of step with the times; the times are out of step with God's word! In fact, we have gotten so far out of step that it seems strange to hear what God's word does teach on this subject. —E.R. Hall, Jr.
Trends:
For the first time, a new survey has found that most Christians in the United States believe that worshiping alone or only with one's family can be a valid substitute for going to church (a possible effect of widespread closures during the COVID-19 pandemic). The survey showed that 66% of Americans agreed that "Worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church."
- via The Christian Post, 9/3/22
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
—Taken from The Beacon - Electronic Edition 10/4/22
Collegeview church of Christ
Columbia, TN
"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
