What The Bible Says

Vol. IV - No. 13 / November 21, 2021

WHY YOU SHOULD BELIEVE THE BIBLE

    If you already believe the Bible, let this serve to reinforce your belief. If you do not believe the Bible, please consider carefully and seriously the evidence that is about to be set forth.

    The foremost reason to believe the Bible is because IT IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,…”. To realize 40 inspired men wrote the Bible during a 1500 year period without a single contradiction is a feat that is totally unexplainable outside of divine guidance.

    We need to believe the Bible because IT IS TRUE. “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) is the truth concerning the existence of earth and sky and the human race. Evolution would have us believe something came from nothing. The truth of the matter is nothing could be more absurd. The reproductive laws God set in motion in Genesis 1:11,21,24, and 28 still stand the test of time. Many scientific discoveries of the past few hundred years have been made, in part, because of the Bible’s reference to them. For instance, the ocean’s navigational currents were discovered because of Job 28:7.

    We need to believe the Bible because it, like nothing else, MAKES FOR HUMAN BETTERMENT. It turns us from sin (Romans 6:17-18; 1 Peter 1:13-16). It teaches us to have concern for others (Mark 12:28-31; Matthew 7:12). It teaches honesty with all (Romans 12:17; 1 Peter 2:11-12). It will improve us as parents and children (Ephesians 6:1-4). It makes us better citizens in society (Romans13:1,7; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Mankind, left on their own, could never attain such high principles. What one worthwhile contribution has atheism ever made?

    We should believe the Bible because IT BRINGS JOY AND PEACE. It does this by teaching us to be spiritually minded (Romans 8:1) and thus to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25). True and lasting peace comes only through Jesus (John 14:27) and this results in peace with God (Romans 5:1). Our joy will be unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8). We can learn how to live peaceably (Romans 12:18) and have the “peace that passeth understanding” (Philippines 4:7). Pleasures, lusts, and material riches do not bring true or lasting peace and joy!

    Let’s believe the Bible for it alone OFFERS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. It offers a “lively (living) hope” (1 Peter 1:3-5). It is the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2; 3:7) that serves to anchor our soul (Hebrews 6:17-20). It is a hope we can have confidence in (2 Timothy 1:12; Philippines 1:21-24). To remain in unbelief is to have no hope. To be without hope is to be miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19).

    What more reasons do we need to convince us to believe in the Bible? What is there we can turn to that will be better than God’s inspired Word? —E.R. Hall, Jr.

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE

    Problems in understanding the Bible must be blamed on ourselves and not God as so often is the case. If God, in His infinite power and wisdom, created all things, mankind included, could He not also know us well enough to give us His Word in such a way that we could understand? Certainly He could! Thus to blame God for a Bible that cannot be understood is to cast serious reflection on the very power of God. Instead, let us admit that confusion over what the Bible teaches is the product of mankind and not God. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33). More often than not, the confusion on our part is in failing to properly observe some simple rules when we study the Bible. Let’s remind ourselves of them:

OBSERVE THE CONTEXT! We make grave mistakes when we read one verse and do not also read and take into consideration the verses surrounding that one verse. The verses immediately before and after the verse we are looking at can give great insight into its meaning. We know what happens when we take what someone says ‘out of context’. We can  have that person saying a number of different things than what he originally meant. The same is true of the Bible. A verse used out of context can be made to say almost anything we want it to say but does that constitute the truth on the matter?

OBSERVE WHO THE SPEAKER IS! It’s always important to understand who is doing the speaking. The Bible definitely says, “THERE IS NO GOD”! (Psalms 14:1). It then becomes important to ask, “Who says there is no God?” The answer is: “THE FOOL”. It makes a great deal of difference when we know who is doing the talking.

OBSERVE WHO IS BEING SPOKEN TO! This can made a great deal of difference. Is it for us or was it for Noah to build an ark? Obviously, in Genesis 6:13-16 God is speaking to Noah. What Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”, was spoken to “the eleven” (verse 14) which means the apostles. Yet, there are those today who take these verses and try to make application to themselves.

OBSERVE ALL THAT IS SAID ON A SUBJECT! Failure to observe this simple rules has lead so many to believe all a person has to do to be saved is just have faith. Yet when it comes to the subject of salvation we must consider ALL the Bible has to say on the subject. We must not just take Romans 5:1 and stop there but we must also consider Acts 15:11; Matthew 26:28; James 1:21; Matthew 7:21; James 2:24, and 1 Peter 3:21 to see we are also saved by the GRACE of God, the BLOOD of Christ, GOD’S WORD, OBEDIENCE, WORKS, and BAPTISM. It takes them ALL!  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

NOTHING TO HIDE

Consider this:

- If a man has some printed money but is not willing to have it examined, people think it is counterfeit.

- If a man is afraid to take a lie detector test, people think he is guilty of crime.

- If a man conducts a business but is unwilling to let anyone investigate it, folks think he is running a crooked business.

    Yet many preachers teach doctrines that under no circumstances will they test or allow to be tested by the Bible. However, millions of people will accept them as upright, honest teachers of the truth, and will risk their salvation upon them. What makes the difference? The Bible instructs us to try the teachers (I John 4:1). The truth never fears investigation!  It has nothing to hide. —Bill Crews

SENTENCE SERMONS

"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. IV - No. 12 / November 7, 2021

FATHER. REVEREND. HOLY.

    I would like to discuss the idea of addressing someone by a religious title. It is not uncommon to hear someone addressed as father, reverend or even have the word holy attached to their title. Matt. 23:9 clearly states “Do not call anyone on earth your father”, and also gives the reason for this teaching, “for One is your Father. He who is in heaven”. There is no doubt Jesus’ teaching here is referring to the spiritual sense in which we would call someone father and not the temporal sense. For to be here on earth inherently necessitates a physical father and mother. Another precept that men often ignore is the attributing of titles such as reverend or holy to a man. In Psalms 111:9 “Holy and Reverend is His name” refers to God, and I would argue CANNOT be bestowed by men. Mal. 1:6 talks about the ones who despised God’s name and then denied it. These are the same ones who dishonor God by being disobedient in their offering of polluted sacrifices. To take what is by right God’s [Father, Reverend, Holy] and give it to a man is robbery, and in practice is despising His name. Mal. 2:2 makes God’s case that those who would not hear and take to heart the things that he had directed them and give glory to His name would have to face certain consequences. 

    Psalms 111:10b teaches that “good understanding have all they that do His commandments”, so why the continuance in wrong practices? The question of the day is, are you disobedient ,do you profane what is Holy, do you rob God? Do you call any man in a spiritual sense father, reverend or holy?   —Tim Davis

BAR

The name of each saloon’s a bar,
The fittest of its names by far.
A bar to heaven, a door to hell,
Whoever named it, named it well.
A bar to manliness and wealth,
A door to want and broken health;
A bar to honor, pride, and fame,
A door to sin and grief and shame;
A bar to hope, a bar to prayer,
A door to darkness and despair.
A bar to honored, useful life,
A door to brawling, senseless strife;
A bar to all that’s true and brave,
A door to every drunkard’s grave;
A bar to joys that home imparts,
A door to tears and aching hearts;
A bar to haven, a door to hell,
Whoever named it named it well.

WHAT CHURCHES DO (and get away with) IN THE NAME OF RELIGION!

    Many are the people who think that anything can be done in the name of religion. Many things are done and gotten away with by people who do them under the disguise of religion. Oral Roberts came up with outlandish schemes. Jim Bakker did for a time until the civil authorities caught up with him and others like them are still at it. However, the bulk of things practiced in religious institutions today do not have to be “outlandish” to be false when compared to what the Bible teaches.

    For example, look at all the names that religious institutions call themselves. They are by the hundreds, if not the thousands, and yet when you take each name and go to the Bible to find them therein, they aren’t there. Someone says, “Oh, there’s nothing in a name”, but what does the Bible say? Acts 4:12 states, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The name referred to is the “name of Jesus Christ” as verse 10 points out. People today are no longer content to be simply called a Christian and members of the Lord’s church (Matthew 16:18), the church of Christ (Romans 16:16) because we have all these other names to call ourselves. The conclusion is: All the names we’ve adopted and churches that are available are foreign to the Scriptures and if we are wearing these names ourselves and admitting membership in these churches, we are foreign to the Scriptures, too!

    Some churches use mechanical instruments of music in their worship and this practice has become so commonly accepted people feel strange to worship without them. Do you ever stop to consider what God has said about the kind of music we are to use in worship because, after all, our worship is supposed to be directed to Him in the first place? In Ephesians 5:19 we read, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 says, “…teaching and  admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Singing is to be done with our lips (Hebrews 13:15) upon the instrument of our heart according to these verses. No mechanical instrument is authorized by God! Because some churches or most churches use mechanical instruments under the disguise of religion does not make them right.

    Some churches allow women to lead or conduct parts of the services. This, too, is done in the name of religion but again what does God’s word say? In 1 Corinthians 14:34 we read, “Let your women keep silent in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak;…” Also 1 Timothy 2:11-12 teaches, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” This is a far cry from the public praying, preaching, and ‘testifying’ on the part of women that can be seen and heard in most denominational churches.

    Another example would have to be that of many churches failing to properly observe the Lord’s Supper. Some do not observe it at all. Some might observe it weekly but do so on any day of the week. But, again, we must ask the question, “What sayeth the Scriptures?” Acts 20:7 says, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them,…” This verse shows the practice of the early church, under the supervision of the apostles, was to “break bread” (eat the Lord’s Supper) on the “first day of the week”. Must we not also seek to do things in the name of religion today that are according to apostolic approval? Yet, still, many churches have no problem with observing the Lord’s Supper on Saturday night (the 7th day of the week), once a month, once a year, or never observing it at all.

    Are all of these examples we have given insignificant? Does it really matter what we do religiously? Is anything and everything alright as long as it has a religious connection being given to it? What are we going to make of these verses if our answer to any of the above questions are “yes”? “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9). Let us never put the doctrines or practices of men or churches “above that which is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6)! —E.R. Hall, Jr.

"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. IV - No. 11 / October 24, 2021

"RENOVATE MY FAMILY"

    Reality shows are the norm for television today. People have become fascinated with the "real life drama" of other peoples lives and how they react to adverse situations. One of the genre's of reality shows are the makeover programs where families receive new homes, new looks and new everything. The criterion for families to be considered is based upon their needs, their sacrifice for others or some type of tragedy befalling them. No one can doubt the wonderful blessings many people have received from others as they have their homes remodeled, their appearance enhanced and new hope given to their lives. The attention given programs such as this is how needy people are given such wonderful gifts from others. It speaks well of many communities who are willing to go to such extremes to help their fellow man.

    However (and there is always a “however"), a point that is missing in these exercises of human benevolence is the true reality of life. While the remodeling, remaking and renewing of lives are wonderful for television, when the lights go off, the cameras stop humming and the crowds go home life remains in much the same manner it was before. The families are able to enjoy life more than before the makeover but the change has taken place largely only on the outside. Renovating a family takes more than a nice home, nice looks and nice clothes.
 
    Society portrays happiness as the attainment of material things. While tragedy and sorrow fall upon all of us, the true worth of reality is found in the renewal of the inward person. These are the changes that are worth living for. If you take a bum off the street and dress him in a $1,000 suit you have a bum in a $1000 suit. The application is that window dressing does not solve the more pressing needs of man. The character of a man or the inward self must be changed to find true fulfillment. King Solomon found all the things that men seek for today. He found wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18); pleasure and wealth (2:1-11) and pondered fame (1:1-11) but all was vanity. The word vanity is something that is of "no profit under the sun" (2:11).

    There is joy and excitement at a new bike but after time, it is neglected and forgotten. Why? Material things rust and break down in time and then soon laid aside. An interesting study for reality shows would be the follow up ten years (or more) later when the families have lived in their new homes and the question is examined as to how these things truly changed their lives.
 
    Life changes measured by material gain are fleeting. Changes made to the life of a person will last forever. The apostle Paul described the value of changing the inner person rather than focus on the outer person. "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Seeking those things that are above (Colossians 3:1,2) have true worth; seeking the things of this earth have no lasting value (2 Peter 3:10).

    Jesus did not come to change the economic, political or social status of man. He came to impress His life upon their hearts. From hearts filled with the will of Jesus Christ, changes will take place that are eternal. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul" (Mark 8:36-37)? Renovation of the family can only take place when Christ is the center of the family, the central theme of our lives, valued above all earthly possessions and whose footsteps we carefully walk after each day. Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4:13-14: “'Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’"
 —Kent Heaton

INDIVIDUAL INTERPRETATIONS

    One of the most, if not the most, often heard reply from someone in a Bible discussion is, “I can interpret it one way and you another”. This is the most absurd thing that can be said in matters of religion. This seems a direct insult to the Almighty God by saying, “I can see it my way and you can see it your way”.

    In matters of weights and measures this principle is not so. When you go to the grocery store to buy a pound of hamburger, would you be willing to accept 12 ounces for a pound? Of course not! We insist on the standard of 16 ounces to make a pound. To arrive at this answer we would go to the authority of weights and measures. Neither would you be willing to accept what the butcher THOUGHT was a pound but would insist it be weighed on an accurate and reliable scale.

    In mathematics, what if one person insisted 2+2=4, another person insisted 2+2=5 and another person insisted 2+2=6? To settle the matter all we would have to do is go to the standard of authority in mathematics and find the answer. By having a standard of authority we can determine the absolute value and thus the correct answer. Can we not see a parallel to these things and the scriptures? In the realm of weights and measures, if everyone’s opinion was the standard of authority, there would be no absolutes and nothing but confusion and misunderstanding would be the result. The same thing applies to God’s word. “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…” (1 Cor. 14:33). If it is true that everybody has a right to their own belief and can interpret the Bible anyway so as to suit themselves, this would make God a respecter of persons in that He would save one person one way and, at the same time, save another person bye one other way. No, my friends, God is no respecter of person (Acts10:34). God is the Savior of them that do HIS WILL (Matthew 7:21).

    “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). What is this verse having us to understand? It is as plain as the words in which it is spoken! THERE IS NO PRIVATE INTERPRETATION OF THE SCRIPTURES! God moved them! He directed them! He guided them! Hence, we have a revealed will of God with us in book form. It is our ONLY rule and guide or authority. GOD’S WORD IS THE ABSOLUTE; THE STANDARD FOR THE THINGS WE ARE TO BELIEVE AND PRACTICE! We cannot be united on God’s word unless we recognize it as the ONLY source of authority in religious matters. We can either accept or reject what God’s word teaches but we are not the interpreters of it.

    By looking at a few passages of scripture, let’s see how we can twist them and then say, “You can see it your way and I can see it mine”. In Mark 16:15-16 it says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…”. What interpretation does that verse need? None! The gospel is to be preached to all the world. The next verse, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”. What interpretation does this verse need? Again, none! In order to be saved we must believe and be baptized. Is this not the interpretation God left for us in His inspired word concerning being saved? There is no other interpretation than that which God has given: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”. Is a pound any less or any more than 16 ounces? Is a foot in measure any more or less than 12 inches. Can a person be saved without being baptized? The answer to all these questions is not left up to our own opinion. The answers have an absolute. It is not a question of how I see it or how you see it but whether we are going to accept the standard. We will either accept it or reject it. We cannot change it! 
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. IV - No. 10 / October 10, 2021

PREACHING JESUS

    You may hear people and/or organizations proclaim that they are “Preaching Jesus”. A simple comparison of this proclamation to the Scriptures can reveal if that claim is correct.

    In Acts 8:35-36, the Scriptures states “Then Philip opened his mouth and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’”

    It is clear in this inspired passage that the “preaching of Jesus”includes water baptism.

    Is Jesus preached where you attend? Is water baptism preached where you attend? According to the Scriptures, in order for Jesus to be preached, water baptism must be preached.

    You are invited to come to East Albertville Church of Christ where Jesus is preached and since Jesus is preached, water baptism is also preached! —Donnie Mathis

"BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH" BUT WHEN?

    For one to be scripturally baptized, he must allow human hands to lower him into a watery grave and to raise him up from that watery grave in a likeness of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.

    But while that resurrection is taking place, effected by human hands, a resurrection of far greater significance is taking place, effected not by human hands, but by the hands of almighty God. For the same God who made Jesus alive from the dead, and raised Him up to sit at His own right hand in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:20-23), makes us alive from spiritual death and raises us up together with Christ that we might sit with Him in the heavenly places.

    "And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins… but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:1-6).

    How do we come to be raised together with Christ? It is by grace (God's unmerited favor) coupled with our faith. "For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Eph. 2:8,9).

    So many, however, who have come to recognize how we are raised with Christ have failed to recognize WHEN we are raised with Him. We are raised with Him IN BAPTISM. A parallel passage, Col. 2:12, says so: "Having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."

    We thus establish a parallel between Eph. 2:8,9 and Col. 2:12. The two passages are not contradictory. They are complementary, Eph. 2:8,9 telling how one is raised with Christ (by grace through faith) and Col. 2: 12 telling when this takes place (at baptism). When one is brought to see this parallel, he will then be able to see that the faith of Eph. 2:8,9 is an active, obedient faith that includes, among other things, baptism. Baptism is essential to salvation! - Bill Hall

IF I WERE THE DEVIL'S PREACHER...

    The devil does have preachers! “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). In fact, it can be truthfully said the devil has “MANY” as opposed to a few (1 John 4:1).

    If I were the devil’s preacher, what would be some of my “works” that would distinguish me? The best place to look would be at the things I preached, would it not? What would be some of the things I would preach?

ONE CHURCH IS JUST AS GOOD AS ANOTHER! In preaching this, I would be drawing attention away from the church Jesus built (Matthew 16:18) and the fact that all others will be “rooted up” (Matthew 15:13).

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED! This is bound to have great appeal among people despite the fact the Scriptures teach to the contrary as in Galatians 5:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:12.

I would have to preach BAPTISM IS UNNECESSARY FOR SALVATION! Yet the Scriptures teach it is baptism that puts a person “into Christ” (Galatians 3:27). The devil knows to keep a person from being baptized is to keep a person from being saved (1 Peter 3:21).

SALVATION BY FAITH ONLY would be another thing I could preach if I were the devil’s preacher. I would preach this despite the plain wording of James 2:24.

THERE’S NOTHING IN A NAME! If I could convince people of this one, then we will continue to have all the different religions and denominational names we have now. At the same time, I would be drawing attention away from the fact that in the New Testament we can only find the name “Christian” being used (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

    Yes, the devil has “many” preachers having disguised themselves so well the majority of people are traveling the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). The only way their sheep’s clothing can be removed is through the simple teaching of God’s Word.  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. IV - No. 9 / September 26, 2021

"I'M AT PEACE WITH GOD!"

    It is not uncommon -- while trying to rebuke or admonish someone concerning their spiritual condition -- to have them reply with this statement:  "I'm at peace with my God." For instance, we got this reply from a fella who left the Lord's church and joined a denomination. In another case a Christian, after admitting his homosexual lifestyle, used the same defense. Apparently these folks think that this feeling of "peace" is the absolute standard by which their conduct should be judged. They could not be more wrong!

    In ancient Judah, the prophet Jeremiah bemoaned the unfaithfulness of God's people. One of the great problems was that they were oblivious to their lost condition. This was largely due to the fact that "from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” (Jer. 6:13,14)  Do you see it? They believed they were at peace with God. Their religious leaders even told them that there was peace with God. But in reality, there was no peace.

    People today, like those in Jeremiah's day, are deceived into thinking that they are at peace with God even as they continue in their rebellion against Him. False teachers contribute to the problem with "good words and fair speeches that deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:18)

    The only true basis for peace with God is in humble obedience to His will. The apostle Paul urged: "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."  (Philippians 4:9) Faith and obedience produce true peace. Anything other than that is simply the deception of subjective feelings. Think!
 —Greg Gwin

THE APPLE OF EDEN

    I've heard many folks refer to the fruit eaten by Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden as being an ‘apple'. Many songs, poems, and jokes are make about the ‘apple in Eden’. In fact, if the average person on the street were to be asked, they would probably answer it was an apple Eve ate. Yet the Bible simply says “the fruit”. Though it may be argued that this is a small matter, there are many things of more importance that are only THOUGHT to be in the Bible.

    Some think they can find a division in the Old Testament between what they call the ‘moral law’ and the ‘ceremonial law’. They continue on to teach only the ‘ceremonial law’ was done away but the ‘moral law’ remains in effect for us to obey today. This is how they are able to justify the observance of the Sabbath. This division of the Old Testament is like the ‘apple of Eden’. It is not in the Bible! The WHOLE law of the Old Testament was nailed to the cross according to Galatians 5:3-4 and Colossians 2:14. Therefore, we are no longer under the Old Testament for it has become dead but we are now under the law of Christ as found in the New Testament (Romans 7:1-4).

    Some think the Bible teaches Peter was the first Pope. If he was he had a wife (Matthew 8:14). The stopped Cornelius from worshipping him (Acts 10:26). Peter referred to himself as just another elder (1 Peter 5:1). Peter being the first Pope is just like the ‘apple in Eden’.

    Some think the Bible talks about Christians being able to use mechanical instruments of music in worship to God but according to Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 we see the Bible only talks about “singing” and not playing. Playing upon a mechanical instrument to worship God is like the ‘apple in Eden’.

    Some think the Bible teaches salvation without obedience. “Faith plus nothing, minus nothing!” “We are saved the moment we believe!” But according to Romans 10:10, Hebrews 5:8-9; and James 1:22 the doctrine of salvation without obedience is just another ‘apple in Eden’.

    Some think the Bible teaches baptism can be administered in the form of sprinkling or pouring. Yet Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 teaches baptism is a “burial”. Sprinkling and pouring for baptism is another ‘apple in Eden’.

    Some think baptism is not a part of our forgiveness of sins and people can just “pray their sins away”. However, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, and 1 Peter 3:21 show the exact opposite. Again, some folk’s idea of what the Bible says are like the ‘apple of Eden’.

    It may be possible to still go to heaven believing Adam and Eve ate an apple in the garden of Eden but these other things, if accepted, will interfere with the salvation of our eternal souls. Let’s “study to show ourselves approved unto God” (1 Timothy 2:15) and not make the mistake like those in Jesus’ day when He said to them, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal like:…” (John 5:39)
 —E.R. Hall, Jr.

SENTENCE SERMONS

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
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There's nothing wrong with using some four-letter words in explaining the facts of life to children - words like love, help, care, and give.
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Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.
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“Hide not your talents.  They for use were made.  What's a sundial in the shade?"  -- Benjamin Franklin
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If money talks, it usually sends the wrong message.

"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