JESUS CHRIST SAVES
There Is Only One Way to Get to Heaven
HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT
God says that the Bible is complete and that He has told us everything we need to know.2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 PETER 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
[And we should do the things that He said.]
PHILIPPIANS 4:9
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.
[But only the things that He said.]
ROMANS 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
DOES THE CHURCH YOU BELONG TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING?
ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED EVERY TIME THE CONGREGATION ASSEMBLESHEBREWS 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
THE LORD'S SUPPER
ACTS 20:7
And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34
Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before [other] his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me." For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
GIVING
1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-2
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:5-15
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] covetousness. But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto them, and unto all [men]; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.
SINGING
EPHESIANS 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
COLOSSIANS 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
[The Old Testament mentions using musical instruments in worship, but the New Testament - which is where we are told of how we Christians are to worship - leaves these out so we must leave them out also.]
PREACHING
1 CORINTHIANS 14:34-35
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 TIMOTHY 2:11-14
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
We hear God's word from a male preacher unless no men are present. (Women may teach children or other women.)
PRAYER
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
That's all we are told in the Bible, so that is all that we are authorized to do in worship service. We sing without instruments because we are not told to sing with them. We all sing because we are not told to listen to a choir sing. We give as we have prospered, but only as we are able. We go to every worship service (every Sunday for some congregations, every Sunday and Wednesday for some congregations). We take the Lord's Supper with plain bread, not meals or doughnuts, not wafers. We drink the fruit of the vine (wine for some congregations, grape juice for some congregations), we don't drink Christ's blood. The fruit of the vine represents His blood but doesn't become His blood. And, we each drink from a separate cup. Since each congregation is not the body of Christ, but rather all congregations together are the body of Christ, we cannot all drink from one cup unless all congregations in the world could come together. And, we learn from a male preacher.
CHURCH LEADERS (ELDERS, BISHOPS AND DEACONS)
TITUS 1:5
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.
1 TIMOTHY 3:1
This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 TIMOTHY 3:10
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless.
1 PETER 5:1-3
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
[Church elders, bishops and deacons must be the husband of one wife, so they can't be women.]
1 TIMOTHY 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife......
1 TIMOTHY 3:12
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife......
[Each congregation will have its own elders, deacons and bishops if there are enough qualified men. These leaders answer to no one except Christ - there are no city, county or state leaders, and certainly no pope who calls himself "Father."]
MATTHEW 23:8-12
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
[We that belong to the Lord's church are only authorized to do together what we are told in the Bible. There are many instances in the Bible where God gave many, many more details. If He wanted us to do more, He would have told us. For example, Genesis 6:14 through Genesis 7:5 describes how Noah should build the ark; and Exodus 25:1 through Leviticus 27:34 describes how the tabernacle should be built. Many rules then follow, including when and how sacrifices were to be made, and are also described in detail. Aaron's sons offered a fire that had not been authorized, and they were devoured by a fire from the LORD (Leviticus 10:1-2).]
[Paul admonished the Galatians for following superstitions and celebrations with pagan beginnings (like christmas and easter), and celebrations that had been required by Law - to which they were no longer servants. God would have told us if He wanted the birth, death or resurrection of Christ celebrated once a year instead of daily.]
GALATIANS 4:8-10
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
DOES THE CHURCH YOU BELONG DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THAN THIS?
GENESIS 6:14Make thee an ark of gopher wood...
[When God said to use gopher wood, He did not mean teak or any other wood. If God had said, "Make thee an ark of wood," Noah could have used any wood he wanted. If God had said, "Make thee an ark," Noah could have built it out of any material he wanted to.]
LEVITICUS 10:1-2
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
[They used a different fire than God had told them, and they were devoured. We need to take how we worship just as seriously and do what we are told in the New Testament - nothing different and nothing extra - or we will face God's wrath.]
DOES THE CHURCH YOU BELONG TO ADD TO THIS?
If they do, check your Bible to see if you can find authorization in the Bible for what they've added. Ask the pastor, priest, reverend, or preacher if he can show you authorization in the New Testament for what they've added. We as individuals can do just about anything we want in life unless we are TOLD NOT TO in scripture. But, the church as a group is under the direct authority of Jesus Christ and cannot do anything unless we are TOLD TO in scripture either in word or by example. Christ, by His authority, also empowered the apostles to tell us things He told them and show us His desires by their example.EPHESIANS 1:21-23
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
COLOSSIANS 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
2 TIMOTHY 3:13-17
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
PHILIPPIANS 3:16-17
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
PHILIPPIANS 4:9
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.
MATTHEW 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world.
If neither of you can find it in the Bible, you're at the wrong church - you're in a denomination, the authority of which is man or Satan since it is not Jesus.
It is your life and your soul. No one else is going to get you into Heaven (or keep you out). That is your responsibility. And, if you let others lead you blindly down any path, where you end up is your own doing. No matter how you get to your final destination, it is yours and it will be final. Don't trust your life or your soul to other people. Don't even trust all that is said here. Read the Bible yourself. (We are told to study the Bible, anyway.) Walk away from a church that preaches that you can be saved in some quick and easy fashion. If parts of the equation for something as vital as being saved are left out by men at that church, what else are they leaving out and/or changing?
You can find congregations who believe this way. These people are simply the church of Christ and are non-denominational. (Denominations are religions, which are not sanctified by God.) The International Church of Christ (headquartered in Boston) IS denominational.
The fact that not all went to heaven may sound harsh. This is not my rule - God made the rules. But, we all have the opportunity to read the Bible (or hear it read to us) and obey God. It is our own choice to love God or not, to follow his commandments or not, and to be saved or not. God made the rules, we make our own decisions. I personally know it is very painful to think about Grandpa or Grandma not being in heaven. Especially when they were wonderful, good, moral people who thought they were Christians.Patti, a Christian
It is hoped that this web site can help at least one person to become saved. ~~~ If you and your small children died together tomorrow, wouldn't they want you in Heaven with them? You bet they would! ~~~ Even though it is very sad that not all were saved, we can't do anything to help those who are already gone. Why not help yourself and your loved ones become saved today.
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