Articles
Who To Believe
Who To Believe
Have you ever given thought to how many religious groups there are, and that each is following a doctrine and teaching of their own? I am afraid many think there are many ways to heaven, and although they (most) do not want to say others are wrong, do they not do so by their very actions? It saddens me to see so many think they are smarter than our Lord. Satan has used deceit from the very beginning -- remember the Garden and Adam and Eve? So why does this take place so much, especially in our own country? All of us have friends and possibly relatives that follow various religions and teachings of man. At times I have approached some of my closest friends with the Truth. Usually the answer I get is "I'm too busy to sit down and study the Bible", or "I have been ________religion for so long, it's too late for me to change". Maybe you have had this answer, "It was good enough for my _____________ or __________ so it's good enough for me." A bit sad isn't it. I think for some its a matter of "out of sight out of mind", or just laziness. Anyway, please go with me to what our God says about it. As always He has the answer.
First, please go to John chapter 3. Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus, the Pharisee. He misunderstood Jesus' statement telling him "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (verse 3). Then, in His answer in verse 5, Jesus says this "unless one is BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." So what was Jesus telling Nicodemus? The Apostle Paul puts it in these words in Titus chapter 3: "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND RENEWING BY THE HOLY SPIRIT." (verse 5)
Both these examples of Scripture are telling us there is a "new birth" necessary for us to comply with God's plan to save man from sin. Many other Scriptures clearly make it known we are "washed" or "born again" by the process of being BAPTIZED. (Acts 2; Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:26,27; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3-7, and others) God's plan provided for our salvation is not hard to understand. The final step to reach salvation from sins is that of being BAPTIZED (immersion in water), to be raised up a "new person", free from sin. Until that step is taken we remain in a sinful state.
Please read Romans 6, verses 1 through 11. In this passage Paul clearly teaches the necessary process of BAPTISM.
Notice in verse 4. "Therefore, we have been BURIED WITH HIIM THROUGH BAPTISM INTO DEATH, IN ORDER THAT AS CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD THROUGH THE GLORY OF THE FATHER, SO WE TOO MIGHT WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE."
We could refer to many other passages that support the plan He has put into effect. But I think, if we are honest with the Scriptures, we can clearly see God has made HIs choice to save us from sin. Many have tried by changing and adding to that plan, but without any Scriptural authority. Jesus makes reference to men attempting to use their authority rather than God's authority. You can read that in Matthew chapter 15.verses 5 through 10.
If we really desire to make heaven our home and are honest with God's Word , we will listen and obey the plan that came from heaven. When God makes a choice all others are invalid.
In Romans 1:16, God says , "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the GReek." This includes all mankind. May we all examine ourselves in relation to that plan.
Ross
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