In the article “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”, it was pointed out that the gospel of Christ was preached in every case of conversion in order to produce faith. As that faith builds in our hearts it leads us to repent of our sins and that is made known by the confession of our faith in Jesus Christ. That faith finally culminates in what the Bible calls the new birth, baptism. It is from this watery grave that one rises to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4).

Those who attempt to refute the teaching of the Word of God regarding conversion often respond to this evidence by stating, “But what about the thief on the cross? He was saved without being baptized!” » Continue reading “What About The Thief On The Cross?”

Baptism is commanded by Jesus Christ. In the Great Commission Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20 NAS). Mark gives this same commission as, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16 NAS).

The word “baptism” is an anglicized word that was coined in 1611 in the translation of the King James’ Version. Sprinkling was introduced as a substitute for and on a par with baptism at the Council of Ravenna in 1311 and subsequently has been adopted by protestant denominationalism. In the 1600’s when the Anglican translators were confronted with translating the Greek baptizo (and other forms) into English, they found themselves in a dilemma. » Continue reading “Is Baptism By Sprinkling, Pouring Or Immersion?”

This is essentially the same question that Nicodemus asked of Jesus after Jesus had told him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NAS). Nicodemus replied: “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” (vs 4). Jesus then explained, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Jesus explained that entering the kingdom of God one must be “born again.” Notice very carefully what was said in this conversation: (1) One must be born anew before he can enter the kingdom; (2) This new birth is not physical, but spiritual (because one cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born); and (3) This spiritual birth involves two elements – “water and the Spirit.” What is the significance of “water” and “the Spirit” in this connection? » Continue reading “What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?”

One of the least recognized and yet one of the most serious problems of our day is an incorrect understanding of what is involved in a man’s salvation. This is critically important. Misinformation or partial information concerning a business investment may cost a person his money, but it will not cost him his soul. On the other hand, misinformation or partial information concerning salvation will cost a man his eternal destiny in heaven. Therefore, the question, “what must I do to be saved” is undoubtedly the most important of all the questions that a person could ask in relation to his own personal life.

To be “saved,” in biblical terminology, means to be saved from sin, spiritual death and hell, and to be saved unto righteousness, spiritual life and heaven. The word “salvation” in New Testament times was a word with three tenses: » Continue reading “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”

Most of the religious world believes that the Ten Commandments are binding upon people today and that we must obey them. This false idea comes from the fact that people fail to rightly divide the Scriptures as Paul urged Timothy to do (2 Tim. 2:15).

The Ten Commandments are a part of the covenant God made with Israel and gave to them at Mount Sinai (Deut. 4:13; Gal. 4:24). Notice the statement by Moses when he said, “Then Moses summoned all Israel, and said to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I am speaking today in your hearing, that you may learn them and observe them carefully. The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, {with} all those of us alive here today’” (Deut 5:1-3 NAS). » Continue reading “Should We Obey The Ten Commandments Today?”

Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Does it really matter whether He did nor not? Yes, it does matter because the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the central fact of the Christian faith. Notice Paul’s statement, “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (I Cor. 15:17). The entire structure of Christianity stands or falls with Christ’s resurrection. In fact, if we are to have any hope for eternal life and the understanding of the meaning of life, then the resurrection of Christ is essential because these things depend on His resurrection from the dead!

The fact of His resurrection is the most important event of history and therefore, is the most certain fact in all history. It is supported by a wider variety of testimonial and other evidence than any other historical event that has ever taken place since the world began. » Continue reading “Did Jesus Really Rise From The Dead?”

Considering the grandiose nature of the claims Jesus made for Himself, He was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. C.S. Lewis, the famous British apologist of Cambridge University wrote:

I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. Her would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to (Mere Christianity, 1952).

» Continue reading “Was Jesus Christ A Liar, Lunatic Or The Lord?”

“God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.”

“I may not understand the Bible, but I believe it.”

“You don’t have to interpret the Bible. Just read it and do what it says.”

People make these statements and others like them without realizing that the Bible needs to be interpreted. For example what does a parent do when the Bible says, “Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death” (Exod. 21:17)? What is one to do when reading, Mark 9:43, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.” » Continue reading “Why Do We Need To Interpret The Bible?”

Contrary to the opinion of many the Bible is a popular book. More copies of the Bible and Scripture portions are being distributed throughout the world than any other material. Its popularity alone should cause inquiring minds to read it to find out why it is so popular.

Not only is the Bible so very popular it has always been considered a very powerful book. George Washington said, “It is impossible to righteously govern the world without God and the Bible.” Andrew Jackson called the Bible “The rock on which our republic rests.” In a poll taken, 223 corporate CEOs and college presidents named the Bible as the most influential book in their lives. » Continue reading “Why Is It Important To Read The Bible?”

The Bible is without exception the most wonderful book in existence! It is superior to all other literature for there is no book in the world like it. Millions of people down through the ages have read, loved, obeyed its teachings and have rejoiced in the promises of this magnificent Book.

That which makes this wonderful Book so special is its own claim, while men were used to write it, that the almighty God of heaven and earth was its ultimate author. This claim was not made by Christianity, but is the claim the Bible makes for itself. » Continue reading “What Makes The Bible So Special?”