Pastor to the Stars : Walking with Christ : Did God Really Say?

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Did God Really Say...?

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." -John 4:23

The concept of "denominations" did not originate with the Word of God, which is why it amazes me. I fail to understand how an immeasurable amount of denominations can read the holy Bible and then twist, mistranslate, or misinterpret it to mean so many things. One verse of Scripture, on baptism for example, means different things to different denominations. Catholics "sprinkle" with water, Methodists "dip", Oneness Pentacostals baptize in Jesus' name only, yet the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was fully immersed baptized and He, Himself, instructed us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (see Matthew 3:16 and Matthew 28:19).

If baptism originated with Jesus Christ, shouldn't we follow in His steps?

This question demands an answer.

And baptism is just one of the many examples of this.

God didn't put clear and concise instructions in His Word for His health! :) He put them there so that the "true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth".

How is it that some churches, ministries, and individuals who say that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and base their beliefs on the Bible, can easily take a verse of Scripture, and like the serpent in the Garden of Eden ask, "Did God really say that?" (see Genesis 3:1) They change, modify, "improve" the Scripture by building a whole doctrine around it until it suits their needs and it sounds believable.

The Word of God says,

"And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." -Acts 11:26

A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. That's not a denomination. Those who followed Jesus Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, a place in Syria. The Bible doesn't teach that there should be many denominations...

...nor are the truths, commands, and principles of Scripture like a smorgsaboard, where one can just pick, sample, select, and apply only the things that please him or her.

What the Bible does reveal, however, is that those who take up their cross daily, follow and obey Jesus Christ (see Luke 9:23) are simply called Christians. As Christians, we should not seek to replace or modify the timeless truths, commands, and instructions of God's Word to better suit our needs, and branch off into various denominations and belief systems. We must surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and embrace the Word of God as the final and only authority on sin, salvation, baptism, eternal life, worship, obedience, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God.

Christians, I realize that the statements contained in this teaching are bold, but let me gently admonish you -- please wake up!

There are numerous denominations that "have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof " (2 Timothy 3:5).

Therefore, you must know your Bible! Read your Bible, meditate on it, apply it to your life! Have the courage to stand your ground and search the Scriptures yourself when being fed "traditions", "religion" and "doctrine" that contradict what the Bible says. If you don't know what the Bible says, commit to reading one chapter a day beginning with the New Testament. If you read a paragraph that you don't understand, skip it and keep going. Over time, the Lord will give you wisdom, understanding, and insight as you continue reading. The Holy Spirit will "guide you into all truth" according to the Word of God, but you must read it.

"But continue thou in the the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them..." -2 Timothy 3:14

As you grow in the Lord, you must continue in the things which you have learned, and be sure that what you accept as "truth" is based on what God says in the Bible, rather than man's perspectives, opinions, and traditions. Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, "continue stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

God bless you as you continue to study His Word!

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