Category: Christianity versus World Religions

Replacement Terminology Theology #1

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:5,6 KJV).

Satan deceptively employs terms that the Bible uses—“God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ”—but he does not always apply them to the same individual the Bible does. What ingenuity!

Many use the name “God” in a generic sense. That is, they are not necessarily referring to the God of the Judeo-Christian Bible. To the pantheists, nature is “god.” Did you know “Allah” is Arabic for “the god?” Egotists consider themselves “god.” Consequently, the God of the Holy Bible commanded, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). He knew there were other “gods” in the world, and He knew that the Gentiles called their idols “god” and “lord” (today’s Scripture). In fact, the name of the ancient Canaanite god “Baal”—whom Israel repeatedly worshipped (Judges 2:11-13; et al.)—means “lord/master.”

The God of the Bible is called “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6; et al.) in order to distinguish Him from the idols of the heathens/Gentiles (who were not descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). His Hebrew name is “JEHOVAH” (pronounced jah-ho-vah or yah-ho-vah). See Exodus 6:3, Psalm 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, and Isaiah 26:4 for specific instances. Notice what Psalm 83:18 says: “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”

If it is a critical Bible teaching to distinguish between JEHOVAH and the world’s idols, why, interestingly enough, do the modern “bibles”—NIV, NASB, NKJV, ESV, et cetera—remove “JEHOVAH” from some or all of those verses, making them nonsensical ambiguity? “JEHOVAH” does not apply to just any god, so this wresting of the Bible makes their product less offensive to “other faiths” and certainly increases sales.

But, there is much, much more deception associated with this “replacement terminology theology….”

Give Attendance to Bible Study Attendance

Friday, November 23, 2012

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13 KJV).

Due to “the fellowship of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:9), we grace Christians should give attendance to fellowshipping with each other.

In a few hours, I will be privileged to assemble with fellow grace believers, individuals who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and who also understand and appreciate the special message and ministry that our ascended and glorified Lord gave to the Apostle Paul. I will be meeting many of these Christians for the very first time. How thrilling!

Literally, had it not been for God’s grace, none of us would be saved, and we would have probably never even met. We Christians are all partakers of the grace life in Christ, and it is around this precious Bible truth that we are united forever. Because of our salvation, all of us members of the Body of Christ are eternally linked to one another. We will be spending a literal eternity with each other, so we might as well get a head start now! 🙂

There will be about four hours of Bible study. During that time, we hope to cover basic grace doctrine, and especially how God the Holy Spirit has arranged the books of the Bible’s canon to accomplish our edification (building up, strengthening). This priceless doctrine that we learn, we can then apply to life by faith, and we can also share it with fellow Christians and the lost world.

When our King James Bible says, “give attendance” in today’s Scripture, it means, “pay attention to.” As the Bible declares here, we should emphasize three elements in the local church: “reading, exhortation, doctrine.” We should not only read the Bible, but study it and consider what we read. We are to pay attention to “exhorting” (urging, encouraging) our Christian brethren to continue in sound Bible teaching and grace living. Lastly, we are to pay attention to doctrine itself, for sound doctrine sets us apart from the cults, sects, denominations, and false religions of the world.

Attending Bible studies is very profitable—both now, and (more importantly) forever….

Do We All Worship the Same God? #4

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat” (Psalm 115:4-7 KJV).

Two common misconceptions are: (1) everyone worships the same God, and (2) everyone will eventually make it to heaven. Today’s Scripture answers both with a resounding “NO!”

Verse 8 continues, “They that make them [idols] are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.” God’s Word is very frank: those who make and trust in idols are just as foolish as the idols themselves. The idols can do nothing, so they can do nothing for anyone. Consequently, the Bible encourages Israel (and us) to trust in the true God, not those idols.

“O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield” (verses 9-11). Observe how God directs Israel to put their trust in Him rather than trust in the idols that the heathen make and worship. God’s Word encourages us to do the same thing today—trust not in idols, but trust in the living and true God.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:9, former pagans “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” Once the Apostle Paul and Silas preached the Gospel of the Grace of God to these Thessalonians in Acts chapter 17, they realized their idols could not save them from their sins. Their idols were worthless and useless, just as today’s Scripture affirms. They understood that the God that Paul and Silas preached was “the living and true God.” Unlike their dead idols, this God was living, and He was the true God. And, most importantly, they learned this God alone paid for their sins!

Do We All Worship the Same God? #3

Monday, November 5, 2012

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat” (Psalm 115:4-7 KJV).

Two common misconceptions are: (1) everyone worships the same God, and (2) everyone will eventually make it to heaven. Today’s Scripture answers both with a resounding “NO!”

Creation declares that there is a Creator God, His “eternal power and Godhead,” and we are all “without excuse” (Romans 1:20). We all know that God exists (however, we can choose to pretend He does not exist and ignore Him; verses 21-32).

Also, regardless of religion and/or denomination, we all commit sin, and we know that we will be held accountable to God for our unrighteousness. “Because he [God the Father] hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Jesus Christ] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). When the Apostle Paul spoke with Roman official Felix of this “judgment to come,” even pagan Felix “trembled” (Acts 24:25).

Each and every person is born with the general knowledge that there is a God, and that he or she has sins that offend Him. Those sins must be resolved. Thus, religion attracts mankind, who attempts to use religious performance (rites, rituals, ceremonies, prayers, et cetera) to make up for those sins.

Today’s Scripture describes the gods of the world religions as inanimate. They cannot speak, see, hear, smell, hold anything, or walk. How can they help us with our sins? They cannot! The Bible declares that in order to deal with our sins, we must rely on the Almighty God of the Bible, not the weakly idols of the world.

Do We All Worship the Same God? #2

Sunday, November 4, 2012

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat” (Psalm 115:4-7 KJV).

Two common misconceptions are: (1) everyone worships the same God, and (2) everyone will eventually make it to heaven. Today’s Scripture answers both with a resounding “NO!”

Today’s Scripture and its context (verses 1-9) briefly contrast the God of the Bible to the idols of the world. Surely, they are not one and the same, for verse 4 utilizes the possessive adjective “their” in reference to idols, and verse 3 uses the possessive adjective “our” in reference to the God of the Bible. Idols and their worshippers, and the God of the Bible and His worshippers, form separate crowds.

Again, when the LORD discussed the idols of the Canaanites, He cautioned Israel: “But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: for thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a-whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; and thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a-whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a-whoring after their gods. Thou shalt make thee no molten gods” (Exodus 34:13-17).

If the Canaanites worshipped Israel’s God, why did God instruct Israel to destroy the Canaanites’ shrines, altars, and idols? Unquestionably, they were not constructed for the God of the Bible! God commanded Israel not to intermarry with the Canaanites, for the Canaanites did not serve Him. If we all worship the same God, why would God need to be “jealous?” Obviously, we should realize there are other things competing for the praise and worship He alone deserves.

Do We All Worship the Same God? #1

Saturday, November 3, 2012

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat” (Psalm 115:4-7 KJV).

Two common misconceptions are: (1) everyone worships the same God, and (2) everyone will eventually make it to heaven. Today’s Scripture answers both with a resounding “NO!”

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (verses 1-3). Today’s Scripture then follows.

Throughout the Bible, there are always two groups of people—those who worship the Creator God, and those who worship everything and everyone else (nature, self, idols, specific sinful acts of the flesh, et cetera). Here, in the context of today’s Scripture, there is Israel (verse 1), and there is the “heathen” (verse 2). The heathen (Gentiles) worship idols of wood and stone, which cannot see, hear, smell, walk, or talk. These idols just sit, doing absolutely nothing for the people who make and worship them. Israel, on the other hand, magnifies her (and our) God: “Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” The God of Scripture, unlike the inanimate idols, actually thinks and reasons, and does things He desires!

“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:5,6).

While there are many counterfeit gods (idols), there is only one “living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)—the God of the Holy Bible!

Who is Jesus Christ?

Monday, October 15, 2012

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6 KJV).

While many know about Jesus Christ, very few personally know Him and trust in what He did on their behalf.

Cemeteries confirm, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a): death and sin are inseparable. Sin kills not only our outward man (physical body), but also our inward man (spiritual body, soul and spirit). Therefore, Romans 6:23a says there are “wages” (plural) of sin.

Sin separates us from God (spiritual death). We are born “dead in trespasses and sins,” “children of disobedience,” and “children of [God’s] wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3). God’s justice demands that we sinners receive the just penalty for those sins by enduring His wrath in everlasting hellfire (Romans 2:6-9). Thankfully, Jesus Christ suffered on Calvary’s cross and endured God’s wrath for us!

Jesus Christ is everything that the triune Godhead is: “In him [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Christ is “the brightness of his [Father’s] glory, and the express [exact] image of his person” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus Christ is God manifested in human flesh (John 1:1,14), so He can mediate between Father God and us. In today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ explained that He is the “one mediator between God and men” (cf. 1 Timothy 2:5). He later stated, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also” (John 14:7a). The only way to know God the Father is to know Him through His Son Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:40b).

Jesus Christ’s perfect blood was shed to pay for our sins, to reconcile us back to God. Father God “made [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b). Will you trust Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection alone as sufficient payment for your sins, and be permanently reconciled to God?

Who is Jesus Christ? Your ONLY way to heaven!

Where is God?

Saturday, October 13, 2012

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” (Acts 17:24,25 KJV)

Are you searching for God? In today’s Scripture and its subsequent verses, the Apostle Paul identifies where the real God is.

In the context, Paul is in Athens (verse 16). While standing on Mars’ Hill, he speaks to all Athenians, but especially to its Greek philosophers (verses 18ff.). These Greeks are very religious, as evidenced by their altars and devotions, but they do not know the God of the Bible, the Creator of heaven and earth: Paul notes their altar that reads, “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” (verse 23).

Paul corrects their thinking. Unlike inanimate idols, the real God “dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands” (today’s Scripture). Contrary to popular belief, a church building is not “God’s house.” The Bible says God does not dwell in manmade structures! We Christians, not buildings, are “an habitation [dwelling place] of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). Furthermore, we worship God, but not by carving statues and not by bowing before altars, as pagans do.

Throughout the world are God’s written Word, the Holy Bible, and His people, Christians, who teach and preach the Holy Bible. Through these two means, God makes Himself known to the world’s lost people. If any person in the world wants to know JEHOVAH, “the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9), he or she can know Him. God is not hiding from anyone. In fact, Paul, in the context of today’s Scripture, says “…all nations of men… that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:” (Acts 17:26,27).

As English-speaking people, we can come to know God through the King James Bible. First, we must be willing to listen to what He has to say in it!

A Minority Worth Joining

Monday, August 6, 2012

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)” (Acts 1:15 KJV).

The Bible is clear—truth is never dependent upon numbers.

Earth’s population is quickly approaching seven billion people, but only about one-third of this figure claims to be “Christian” (considering the anti-Christ beliefs within that minority, the number of true [Holy Spirit-indwelt] Christians is considerably less than the two billion normally assumed). The number of true Christians who know God’s Word to them is even smaller… the number of those who believe God’s Word to them is even smaller!

  • Most of the world is wrong. Since Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” and “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [him]” (John 14:6), and most people reject Him, this means that most of the world is wrong. Jesus Christ “is the truth,” and by rejecting Him, they reject the truth.
  • Most of Christendom is wrong. Since 2 Corinthians 2:17 says, “Many… corrupt the word of God,” we conclude the following: There are many counterfeit Bible teachings—false doctrines and false “bibles”—so the likelihood of widespread deception increases, and the odds of someone finding and accepting (believing) the truth become smaller.

A Christian who just came to understand and believe the Bible dispensationally, asked: “This [Pauline dispensational Bible study] is the truth, so where is everyone?” She asked this while standing in a local grace church, which consisted of only a few dozen members. (A sobering thought regarding grace “mega-churches”—Located within a three-million-people metropolitan area, the “largest” grace church I personally know averages an amazing 200 people a week!)

We who understand and appreciate Paul’s special ministry are few. Yes, we are in the minority because we use the King James Bible. Indeed, we are few who have trusted Christ Jesus alone as our personal Saviour. But, that is fine. 🙂 Remember, worldwide, only eight were saved on Noah’s ark (2 Peter 2:5), and after three years of earthly ministry, Jesus Christ only had about 120 followers in Jerusalem (today’s Scripture).

The LORD, He is the God

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

“And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God” (1 Kings 18:39 KJV).

Is the LORD of the Bible (JEHOVAH) one of many gods, or is He the only God? Today’s Scripture and its context definitively answer this question.

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel are some of the most notorious rulers in the Bible. Reigning over Israel (the northern kingdom) from approximately 874–853 B.C., Ahab and Jezebel introduced Baal worship among God’s people Israel, angering God and misleading the Jews (Baal was a pagan god of the neighboring Canaanites) (1 Kings 16:29-33). Jezebel also killed many of the LORD’S prophets, who were speaking out against her and Ahab’s wickedness (1 Kings 18:4,13).

Ahab and God’s prophet Elijah meet, and Elijah instructs Ahab to gather Baal’s 450 prophets and the 400 grove (pagan shrine) prophets and bring them to Mount Carmel (verses 17-20).

When Israel and Baal’s prophets are assembled at Carmel, Elijah tells Israel, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him” (verse 21). In the succeeding verses, Elijah proposes a test to see who is God: if JEHOVAH rains down fire and consumes the animal sacrifice, He is God, but if Baal rains down fire and devours the sacrifice, then he is God (verses 23,24).

Baal’s prophets present an animal sacrifice and repeatedly call to Baal from morning to evening, but neither fire nor voice came from Baal, and the sacrifice remains untouched (verses 25-29).

Elijah then lays out an animal sacrifice, and calls on JEHOVAH: “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel… that this people may know that thou art the LORD God….” (verses 36,37). Immediately, fire rains down from heaven, consuming the wood, the water, the dust, and the burnt sacrifice. After Israel saw that, Israel knew that pagan idols were not God, and they responded with today’s Scripture, “The LORD [JEHOVAH], he is the God!”