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Denominations Study (Prepared for
the
INTRODUCTION - A request to study some of the denominational religions ("Traditions of Men Versus the Word of God" by Alvin Jennings) Some people felt that a knowledge of the denominations would permit them to better discuss "religious" items, while others said they didn't know how to hold such discussions, and probably wouldn't try to start one. Using the tables given by Br. Jennings in Ref. 1, is an easy way to locate doctrinal errors and bible proof verses. (It is best that each student have a copy of this book to better understand this lesson) This study is broken down in topics: Topic 1: The Bible and God's Word; Topic 2: Churches and its people; Topic 3: What Is Sin?; Topic 4: Selecting an "error" from ref. 1 in the book for discussion and study; Topic 5: Baptism. . IMPORTANT -For the
"long term", Bible knowledge and Bible study is of greater value than
actually studying other religions. Our normal Bible study is "flawed" in
that it doesn't develop us to the level required
by Paul's instructions to Timothy (2 Tim OUR PURPOSE - We want ALL
people to realize that the BIBLE is the ONLY source of knowledge that
provides men with GOD'S WORD. Only by dedicated Bible study can
anyone learn the New Testament truths that make a
person pleasing and acceptable to God. Since relatively few people
diligently study the Bible, the people in most religious groups accept
whatever is passed down to them as being correct. Thus, when an attempt is
made to expose the error by teaching what GOD's WORD actually requires of Christians, people
become angry and want to "shoot the messenger" instead of studying the
Bible to verify what the TRUTH actually is. Jesus said in John 4:24, "God
is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and TRUTH" .People MUST
realize that God wants worship that is in keeping with HIS TRUTH; not
whatever men put together on their own. Jesus referred to these
"traditions of men" as "vain worship" (Matt 15:9).
Therefore, those worshipping in ERROR need to repent of their sins (the
false doctrines they accepted and obeyed) and start to
obey GOD'S WORD
as given in the Bible's New Testament. Only then will they be acceptable
and pleasing to God and Jesus, and so become a part of "GOD's people", the Jesus' New Testament
church (Act This is forbidden by God (see Proof One.) From this statement, IT FOLLOWS THAT: 1. "The denominations continue to reject God's Word", as they obey and are faithful to THEIR OWN doctrines (traditions of men(Matt 15:1-11)). Therefore, the denominations are guilty (whether they realize it or not), of teaching error and living in "REBELLION AGAINST GOD" (see Proof One.) . Thus, they keep THEIR followers in a permanent LOST condition, separated from God and Jesus. There is much controversy on this type of thinking, and discussion typically involves words like: exclusivity, judgementalism, intolerance, ignorance, sectarian, etc. Everyone needs to understand the "claim" and the Bible teaching that supports it. 2. The facts of one above are true and independent of a person's personal character. The dedication and sincerity of an individual's heart means NOTHING when he teaches "false doctrine" (Gal 1:6-9). 3. The word "Christian" means "a follower of
Christ" (Biblically referred to as a "disciple"
(Acts The facts above may seem
excessively harsh, but people must realize that they need to VERIFY that
“they have salvation". Stress that this holds true even for us, the
teachers. These facts should be used as YOUR teaching, or discussion guide
when studying the Bible with others, and needs to be done in a loving,
kind, and gentle manner. ABOVE ALL, do not be arrogant or prideful just
because you are already a "scriptural" Christian. It is an unfortunate
fact that many scriptural Christians have these faults because they know
the three items above. This "superior" attitude arouses hostile feelings
in those whom you are trying to reach. Be careful in your discussions;
remember, "DON'T WIN THE Finally, a person does not need to know "EVERYTHING" about all religious groups in order to do a credible job in a discussion. A good understanding of a few "Bible Topics" can handle many "common" errors in ALL the denominations. ( see Topic 4 below)
An Illustration: (Be very careful with
this concept.)
Person A - "Visit our worship service this Sunday?" [or Bible Study?] Person
B - "No Thanks. I'm a
[denomination's name ]. Discuss each of Mr. A's responses above, to
understand why each response is Biblically
correct. A
POINT to REMEMBER: This is "SUPER IMPORTANT". WHOEVER
MAKES a CLAIM, that PERSON IS OBLIGATED TO "PROVE" IT, (To present
your evidence in support of your claim, even
if you "can't" quite do it all). TOPIC 1 -"THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD (???) - PROVE IT!" This topic is for the benefit of everyone. DON'T keep it a secret. Use it as needed. Quest. 1. What "evidence" is there, that proves the Bible is God's Word? Ans.1. a) The Bible claims for itself that it is the "Word of God". The claims are made in the O.T. first, then in N.T. second. O.T.-Exodus 19:5-9, the covenant is established between God and the people as God speaks to and through Moses. N.T.-2 Peter 1:16-21, all Biblical writers are inspired. What are the "limitations" of 2 Peter 1:19-21? "Inspiration" is only true for the original language revelation. Potentially, "copying errors" (in the original language manuscripts), and "translation" errors(in current English translations) can exist in "The Bible". Refer to a text that discusses the subject of "textual criticism", to see how the effects of "copying errors" can be minimized prior to being translated. Translation errors can be detected and publicized through good Bible study. (Exs. baptism, belief, faith, love).
Ans.1. b) "Dedicated believers" (in both Old and New
Testament periods), accepted these TRUTHs, and lived their lives in accordance with this
claim. Evidence of "dedicated believers" (2 Peter Quest. 2. As the Bible is God's Word, is it complete?, or is "SOMETHING MORE" required? Ans.2 God's
Word is complete, nothing additional is required. Claims such as
"personal, modern-day" revelation by the Holy Spirit",
and/or some other entity, other books, etc.) are in error. Such "add-ons" are actually "changes to
God's Word", and MUST be rejected. Per Jude 3b- "... the faith
which was once for all delivered to the saints." Quest.1. Are all "churches" part of Jesus' church (New Test. church)? Answer 1. The Greek word "ekklesia" means "assembly" ("a called out group"), and is so translated in Acts 19:32,39,41. When that group is a religious one, it is translated "church". So in Matt 16:18,where Jesus said He will call out His assembly (church). Any person or group can "call out" those who have a common purpose, and call themselvesa "church", even though "assembly" might be more appropriate on some occasions. Therefore, any "church" is a church unto itself, and not a part of any other church; Jesus' church is one that is consistent with the Bible's teaching (God's and Jesus' Word), and cannot include any"church" that obeys a modified teaching (doctrine) as it is different from the Bible's New Testament teaching. Quest. 2. How should Christians regard these changes that MEN MAKE to God's Word? Answer 2. Since God does not permit changes to HisWord(Proof One), allchanges made to, or in, God's word are acts of disobedience (rebellion against God) as they challenge God's authority. These "changes" can be written or verbal, and occur for many reasons: a) The rejection of part of God's Word, as it SEEMS inconsistent with the rest of God's Word. (Ex.-God is Love, He wouldn't do that.) ASK: What is greater than God's love for you? ANSWER: .God's
HATE for your sin.
Quest. 1. What is "sin"? Answer 1.
Many "examples" of sin are given in the Bible as "sins".
Rom
Quest. 2. Is there any aspect of the "sin" topic that should be avoided? Answer 2.
Yes, if possible. Rom
TOPIC 4.- Selecting an "error" from Ref. 1 in the book for study (discussion). The topic is best selected by three considerations: a) a large number of
denominations teach error on that subject For example: Let's consider "baptism". Examining the Table of Contents of Ref. 1, shows twenty religious groups. Looking at the write-ups on each group for "baptism" data, we see four groups do not mention "baptism", sixteen do, and three of these are very similar (groups 12, 14, 20). Ref. 1's tables list errors and provide some starting scriptures. Most denominations are in error, and teach error on this subject. Stress that "improper baptism" (per God's Word), means "NO SALVATION". Knowing the Bible's teaching on "baptism", you can handle the following: a) Immersion, pouring, sprinkling, attitudes, and
salvation. Quest. 1. What does the Bible teach about "baptism"? Answer 1. JESUS said "BAPTISM IS REQUIRED" (John 3:1-8). For Baptism form see, Matt 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-11; Luke 3:1-22. The book of Acts gives ten examples on "conversion and baptism" for several different cases.
Quest. 2. How have "denominations" CHANGED the Bible's doctrine for the subject of "water baptism"? Answer 2. They have changed the Bible's doctrine in four ways: a) The first is physical form: denominations have
added sprinkling and pouring as acceptable alternates to the biblical
requirement of immersion. (the Bible uses
these Greek words. Reason with all three).
b) Second, they teach baptism is not required for
forgiveness of sins (see ans. 1 above), and "faith
(alone)" saves. REMEMBER - All doctrinal errors on Biblical subjects can be "worked up"in a similar manner. Prepare in a question-answer format (as shown above) to "force" the study to look at the "error aspects" in each subject. We must know our subject matter, and learn to reason with Bible teachings (defensively and offensively). Learn the following: 1. recognize the
false claims made by others.
PROOF ONE is written to show the reasoning sequence that justifies the statement, "The denominations are thus guilty of teaching and living in rebellion against God." 1. An important principle is
given in James 2:10. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in
one point, he has become guilty of all." Similarly, if any
religious doctrine differs from God's Word in one or more truths, then
that religious doctrine is not God's Word. John 7:16-18: Jesus teaches what GOD WANTED Him to teach, not what He might want to teach from Himself. John 12:44-50: Jesus reaffirms this in vs 48,49. Jesus' word (which is God's also) is what will judge a man on the last day. (NOT Jesus' word as CHANGED BY MEN.) John 14:21-24: Jesus defines "OBEDIENCE to Himself" as the EVIDENCE of a person's love for Him (Jesus) (vs 21). JESUS defines "obedience to His Word" as loving Him vs 24). Any person's disobedience (not keeping Jesus' word) shows that they do not love Him (vs 24). While many "Christians" claim to "love Jesus", they cannot change what is to be obeyed and think they are still pleasing and acceptable to God and Jesus. Matt 28:18-20 The "great commission" commands the apostles, and all who follow them, to teach "all that I (Jesus) commanded you"; NOT WHAT "Jesus commanded and MEN CHANGED". Acts People may want to reject the Proof above saying "that starts in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament teaching doesn't apply in the New. This is not true. The "method of salvation" is what changed between the covenants. Paul emphasized in Gal 3:17, that God's promise to Abraham before the Law of Moses, was not cancelled out by that Law. Similarly, a commandment of God made before that Law, is not changed by the Law. This is the entry for "covenant", copied from Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by W.E .Vine and others. (page 50 in O.T. Section. Note: Greek letters, words are not included) COVENANT Ahab defeated the Syrians:
"So he made a covenant with [Ben-hadad], and
sent him away" (1 Kings In The great majority of
occurrences of berit are of God's
"covenants" with men, as in Gen. 6:18 above.
The verbs used are important: "I will establish my covenant" (Gen. 6:18)- literally, "cause
to stand" or "confirm". "I will make my
covenant" (Gen. 17:2, RSV). "He declared to you his covenant" (Deut. Men "enter into" (Deut.
29:12) or "join" (Jer. 50:5) God's "covenant".
They are to obey (Gen. 12:4) and "observe carefully" all the
commandments of the "covenant" (Deut. 4:6). But above all, the
"covenant" calls Occasionally, The wholly gracious and
effective character of God's "covenant" is confirmed in the Septuagint by
the choice of diatheke to
translate berit A diatheke is a
will that distributes one's property after death according to the owner's wishes. It is
completely unilateral. In the New Testament, diatheke
occurs 33 times and is translated in the KJV 20 times as "covenant" and 13
times as "testament". In the RSV and the NASB, only "covenant" is
used. The use of "Old Testament" and "New Testament" as the names for the two sections of the Bible indicates that God's "covenant" is central to the entire book. The Bible relates God's "covenant" purpose, that man be joined to Him in loving service and know eternal fellowship with Him through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. GO BACK You are Visitor Number
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