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Must Christians Completely Obey? What Does the Bible Say?

Must Christians Completely Obey? What Does the Bible Say?

The Old Testament was full of commandments to which the Israelites were obligated to be obedient. But what about the New Testament? Must Christians completely obey? Let’s find out what the Scriptures have to say.

Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” (Jn 14:23)

“Give yourselves completely to God… use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:13 NLT)

“We will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.” (2 Corinthians 10:6 NIV)
“After you have become fully obedient.” (NLT)
read more

Idolatry – Christians Warned in the Bible

Idolatry – Christians Warned in the Bible

The huge ancient city of Corinth was full of idols and idol temples. There was much readily available there to entice and tempt people into various forms of idolatry. The apostle Paul warned Christians: “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14 NIV) He didn’t just say to “avoid” idolatry – he said to run from it!

ancient and modern idolatry
The Bible warns Christians to flee from idolatry

In most places in the western world today, idolatry does not seem so apparent or visible. Nevertheless, the warning is just as important. In the Old Testament (OT) Israel was warned to keep the laws of the Old Covenant, or they would lose God’s favor. The first two of the ten commandments involve having no other gods but Yahweh alone, and not honoring any idol or image. (Exodus 20:2-5) Israel broke this covenant because “they worshipped other gods” and “they worshipped idols.” (2 Kings 17:7, 12 NIV) This idolatry led to numerous other gross sins against Yahweh. The result was that the covenant was finally terminated by God. read more

Apocrypha – Inspired by God or Invented by Humans?

Apocrypha – Inspired by God or Invented by Humans?

What is the source of the Apocrypha?

“I shall bring my work to an end here too. If it is well composed and to the point, that is just what I wanted. If it is worthless and mediocre, that is all I could manage”—2 Maccabees 15:37,38 NJB

The writer of the Apocryphal book 2 Maccabees, in effect, admits that he is not inspired by God.

The Apocrypha is accepted as being genuine by some people and some large religious organizations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, today, but rejected by many others. Some of it is included in various versions of the Bible, but is absent in most. The Apocryphal books accepted as canonical and part of the Old Testament (OT), by the Roman Catholic Church are: Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus (or Sirach, or Ben Sira), Baruch, and several additions to Esther and Daniel. read more

Does the Bible Reference the Book of Mormon?

Does the Bible Reference the Book of Mormon?

The official title: The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, speaks volumes. Does the Bible reference The Book of Mormon? Mormons, or Latter Day Saints (LDS), as they prefer to be called), proudly proclaim that it does. The main scripture they use to support this claim is Ezekiel 37:15-19, which reads:

The Book of Mormon
Does the Bible reference the Book of Mormon?

“The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows, ‘Son of man, take a stick and write on it, ‘Judah and those Israelites loyal to him.’ Take another stick and write on it, ‘Joseph (Ephraim’s wood) and all the House of Israel loyal to him.’ ‘Join one to the other to make a single piece of wood, a single stick in your hand. And when the members of your nation say, ‘Will you not tell us what you mean?’ say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says this: I am taking the stick of Joseph (now in Ephraim’s hand) and those tribes of Israel loyal to him and shall join them to the stick of Judah. I shall make one stick out of the two, a single stick in my hand'” (NJB). read more

Should Christians Honor Nationalistic Music and Anthems?

Should Christians Honor Nationalistic Music and Anthems?

Much is made in the United States about the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Many Christians know this is about firearms or guns. But how many Christians know what the first and second of the Ten Commandments are about? Further, how many Christians know how the principles embodied in the first and second commandments are applied in the New Testament for Christians in daily matters, such as whether or not nationalistic music is something that should be honored by Christians? Let’s consider these important Bible principles now. read more

Are God, Jesus and the holy Spirit a Trinity? – Titus

Are God, Jesus and the holy Spirit a Trinity? – Titus

Are God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit part of a Trinity? Is Jesus God? Let’s take a look at the Bible book of Titus to find some clues to answer these questions.

Titus
What does the Book of Titus say about God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit?

“Paul , a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.” (Titus 1:1 NIV) If Jesus is God, why are God and Jesus are referred to separately? It’s because they are separate and distinct individuals, and not merged into a mysterious Trinity! Why does Paul not say that he is a servant of the Trinity? Because that idea is not found in the Bible. Why is Paul not a servant of the holy Spirit? Because the holy Spirit is not a person. read more

Ultimate Authority – Is it the Father, Jesus, holy Spirit, or Trinity?

Ultimate Authority – Is it the Father, Jesus, holy Spirit, or Trinity?

Who is the ultimate authority? Most Churches believe, preach and teach the following:

“In this Trinity . . . None is greater, or less, than another. But the whole three Persons are . . . coequal”—Athanasian Creed

The Trinity is implied to be the ultimate authority in the famous creed quoted above. Not all Christians are in agreement about the roles of God the Father, Jesus, the holy Spirit and the Trinity. Some say God is the ultimate authority, some say Jesus is the ultimate authority, and some say the Trinity is the ultimate authority, and a few even say the holy Spirit is the ultimate authority . Some say they are equal. And some say Jesus is Almighty God. Red-letter Bibles put words the editors think were spoken by Jesus in red, which implies that Jesus’ words are more important than God’s words. But what does the Bible say? Let’s examine some scriptures to find the answer. read more

Evidence of Early New Testament Canon by Circa 100 CE

Evidence of Early New Testament Canon by Circa 100 CE

Although it is popular to do so, we should not measure the existence of the New Testament (NT) canon (authoritative, or inspired, books) just by the existence of lists, which came into being somewhat later than the NT canon’s coming into existence. When we examine the way the NT books were viewed and used in the very early days of Christianity, we can determine the de facto existence of a functioning canon by about 100 CE.

NT canon
Did it take until the fifth century to finalize the NT canon?

The views expressed here are admittedly a little different than the traditional, or orthodox, view of how the New Testament canon, in particular, and the Bible as a whole, came into acceptance. The views presented here actually stand in stark contrast to modern-day populist scholars, like the agnostic Bart Ehrman. read more

Are God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit a Trinity in 2 Thessalonians?

Are God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit a Trinity in 2 Thessalonians?

In the Bible book of 2 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul speaks of God, Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit. If Paul and/or the early Christians believed Jesus is God or part of a Trinity, we should be able to find evidence of this in the New Testament letters. But is this the case in 2 Thessalonians? Is the Trinity in 2 Thessalonians? Let’s examine some of the pertinent verses to find out.

2 Thessalonians
Paul speaks of both God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit in 2 Thessalonians. But does he believe  God is a Trinity?

“To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:1). In this very first verse, God is distinguished here from Jesus and there is no mention of the holy Spirit. read more

What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Hold To Be a Christian?

What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Hold To Be a Christian?

Many people in the world today call themselves “Christian,” but there are so many conflicting beliefs and doctrines taught among these people. So what beliefs must a person hold in order to be a true Christian? In order to answer this question, we need to look to God’s Word. Let’s see what the Bible has to say.

Christian belief
Christians view the Bible as God’s revelation to humanity

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So the first point is that one must believe that God exists, and becomes the rewarder of those sincerely seeking him. read more

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