What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 7 / No. 6”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. VII - No. 6 / July 28, 2024
"FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE"
“It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” James 4: 14 and so is our time here on earth. After our time is over on this earth, 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
Christ came to this earth and gave Himself a ransom for all, that we may have a home with Him in eternity. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5. We read that the Only way to know the thoughts of God is to study His word. 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
We are on this earth just a short time and while we are in this world we need to prepare for that day, the judgement day.
Christ said in John 12:48 “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” Revelation 20:12 “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.“
“But the LORD shall endure forever: He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the people in uprightness.” Psalm 9:7-8
I ask, what is your life? Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Are you prepared for the judgement day? Luke 11:9 “And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.” —Phillip Henson
IF I JOINED A DENOMINATION...
1. I WOULD BE A PARTY TO DIVISION AMONG PROFESSED BELIEVERS IN CHRIST! The word "denomination" means a division of a whole. The very practice of "denominating" groups of professed believers by their distinguishing names suggests division and, yet, this is contrary to the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-21 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” It is also contrary to the teaching of the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” There is no scriptural basis on which to establish such names as "Baptist Christians", "Catholic Christians", “Methodist Christians", etc. that we so commonly hear today.
2. I WOULD BE ENDORSING A HUMAN PLAN OF SALVATION FROM PAST SINS! Most denominations teach that pardon from sin comes at some point BEFORE or WITHOUT baptism. However, the Bible clearly says that "Baptism doth also now save us... " (1 Peter 3:21). When I also read Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, and Acts 22:16 I realize that to join a denomination would make me a part of a religious group which teaches lost souls they can be saved without repentance or baptism. I would not want to face God in judgment for being a part of such. Although there are some denominations that do practice baptism, it is not enough to baptize but baptism must be for the right PURPOSE as taught in the Scriptures; namely, the forgiveness of sin.
3. I WOULD BE WORSHIPPING GOD IN VAIN BY TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN! (Matthew 15:9). Nearly every denomination I know worships with mechanical instruments of music. No New Testament passage teaches us to do this. Singing is the ONLY kind of music Christians are taught to use in worship to God. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Hardly a denomination meets for the Lord's Supper EVERY first day of the week. (Acts 20:7). Very few take up the collection ONLY on the first day of the week. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). These are the commandments of God and are found in the New Testament. Who can deny this? Why, then, risk worshipping God in vain by engaging in and/or encouraging practices not found in the Bible? Some people believe church creeds, church manuals, and traditions are on the same par with the Bible but have we ever stopped to consider the fact that the Bible was here long before they were? —E.R. Hall, Jr.
DID JESUS USE CARNAL METHODS TO AATRACT CROWDS?
Many religious groups use a variety of carnal appeals to draw people to their assemblies. For instance, there are suppers and ice cream socials, ball games and entertainment events, etc. When asked to justify these activities they will commonly refer to the episodes where Jesus fed the multitudes. Some have said, "If you first feed a man's body, then you'll have a chance to feed his soul." Let's see if their reference to Jesus' activities will really support their practices.
There were two separate instances in which Jesus miraculously fed huge crowds of people with small quantities of food. One time there were 5000 men, plus women and children (Mt. 14:15-21; Mk. 6:30-44; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-14). On another occasion there were 4000 men, plus women and children (Mt. 15:32-38; Mk. 8:1-9).
In both instances, the people had followed Jesus to hear His marvelous teaching and to see His amazing miracles. There had never been a promise of food to draw them. In fact, both episodes show the people following long distances and for a long time before they were offered food. For example, in Matthew 15:32 we read: "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way." Do you see it? The people were not lured to follow by an offer of food. The food came AFTERWARDS, as an act of compassion. The people had NOT come in anticipation of being fed.
We have one reference where Jesus suspected that the people did, indeed, come with a desire of receiving food (Jn. 6:22ff). On that occasion He DID NOT feed them!
Those who would use the example of Jesus feeding the multitudes to justify their carnal practices today are simply wrong! —Greg Gwin
SENTENCE SERMONS
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.
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You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage to say 'no' to other things.
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One of the hardest jobs facing kids today is learning good manners without seeing any.
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He does not really believe who does not live according to his belief.
"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
