Gospel Tracts

For good gospel tracts visit these websites:

Fellowship Tract League

Hope Tract Ministry

SHADOW OF THE STEEPLE MINISTRIES

Sword of the Lord Publications

CHICK PUBLICATIONS

This is not a blanket endorsement of everything published by these ministries. Use discernment.

A SIMPLE WAY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

 

    Using tracts is a simple and effective method of sharing the Gospel. Pray for wisdom to select effective and doctrinally sound tracts, pray for opportunities to witness, and keep a few gospel tracts handy to share when those opportunities arise. Be friendly and polite and remember that the object is to win hearts and minds, not arguments. Look for opportunities to share your testimony and tell people about your salvation and their need for a personal experience with Jesus Christ. Use discretion when leaving tracts in various places: For example, ask permission from management before displaying tracts at a place of business (Grocery Store, Laundromat, etc.), and do not leave a tract on a restaurant table for a waitress unless you also leave a generous tip, or you will defeat the purpose of using tracts. Include tracts with letters and greeting cards (birthdays, holidays, etc.). 

    Request a free sample assortment of tracts available from each of these ministries: 

Fellowship Tract League 

PO Box 164 

Lebanon, Ohio 45036 

Hope Tract Ministry 

P.O. Box 1115 

York, SC 29745 

    Also visit: Chick Publications www.chick.com 

    

    This is not a blanket endorsement of everything published by these ministries. Use discernment. 

    Please read: 

The Use of Tracts http://www.soulwinning.info/tracts/use_of_tracts.htm

SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH THE PRINTED PAGE

 

Every Christian has a duty to witness to the lost, and using gospel tracts is a simple and effective method of sharing the gospel. Pray for wisdom to select effective and doctrinally sound tracts, pray for opportunities to witness, and keep a few tracts handy to share when those opportunities arise. Be friendly and courteous and remember that the objective is to win minds and hearts, not arguments. Look for opportunities to share your testimony and tell people about your salvation and their need for a personal experience with Jesus Christ. Use discretion when leaving tracts in various places: For example, ask permission from management before displaying tracts at a place of business (Grocery Store, Laundromat, etc.), and do not leave a tract on a restaurant table for a waitress unless you also leave a generous tip, or you will defeat the purpose of using tracts.

Include tracts with letters and greeting cards (birthdays, holidays, etc.).

Send tracts to public officials. Prayerfully consider writing to public officials (especially local and State public officials) about issues of concern and keep these points in mind when you do: A personal letter is more effective than an email, petition, or form letter. Limiting each letter to one subject gives each subject a better chance of getting needed attention.  Make complimentary remarks and do not say anything that might sound threatening or sarcastic. Include a gospel tract with every letter. (For names and mailing addresses of public officials call the public library or visit www.usa.gov/elected-officials )

Prayerfully consider buying gift subscriptions to a conservative Christian magazine for public officials, public libraries, doctor’s offices, teachers, students, etc...

 

 

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE & THE LGBT+ MOVEMENT

 

Homosexuals do not need same sex marriage legalized for homosexual couples to make commitments. The purpose of legalization of same sex marriage is legislated respect for, and acceptance of, homosexual behaviour.

When the Bible says homosexuality is unnatural it is not referring to what anyone feels is natural or acceptable, it means this is contrary to God’s design. Homosexuality is distorted love needs. Some people are sexually attracted to animals, and some are sexually attracted to inanimate objects, but that does not mean we must legalize marriages to refrigerators and livestock!

If homosexuals were born that way by now there would not be many left, if any. If they were born that way this would mean it is in a gene. For the most part homosexuals recruit, not reproduce, so that gene would have been bred out of mankind long ago. You must also remember that when someone overcomes a natural inhibition a perversion can easily become an obsession. A sexual perversion often starts with pornography or keeping company with that sort and then becoming curious and eroding the conscience. For example, once a man rapes a woman, he can be expected to be a rapist from then on. Homosexuals are usually introduced to it when young, through pornography, experimenting with homosexual friends, sexually abused by an adult during childhood, etc.

Support and approval of LGBT+ movements and same-sex marriage is a denial of reality in support of delusions. Before you argue with that statement, answer these questions:

·        What is the hard evidence that there is such a thing as homosexual orientation?

·        What is the hard evidence that homosexuality is an immutable characteristic?

·        What is the hard evidence that homosexuals are born that way?

·        What is the hard evidence that homosexuality is an inherited trait and not distorted love needs?

·        What is the hard evidence that some biological males are females, and some biological females are males?

·        If your child self-identified as an eagle, would you try to help him accept reality or push him off the top of a tall building?

Something For Teenagers To Consider

        Age does not necessarily mean maturity or immaturity. Since you are not physically a child it is natural for you to dislike being treated like a child and normal to desire to be accepted as a young adult. But regardless of whether it is fair or unfair you are at an age at which you must prove yourself to be accepted as a young adult. Consider this: If I were to describe someone that always demands his (or her) own way, constantly struggles to be the center of attention, never takes responsibility for his decisions and actions, must always be humored, or pampered, tends to be disrespectful toward his elders, etc., would you tend to assume that I was talking about a mature adult or a small child? Consider this: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (I Corinthians 13:11) Now consider this: As your elders observe your overall attitudes and behaviour, are they reminded of a mature adult or a small child?

          How well do you normally get along with adults (especially of your own gender) who are much older and wiser than yourself? Do you have any close friends of your own gender who are middle aged or older? (If not, then, why not?) Fellowship and friendship with adults of your own gender who are older and wiser than yourself is needful, unless a state of suspended or perpetual childhood is your goal and you really do want your elders to keep thinking of you as a small child in a larger body; in that case all you need to do is limit your associations to immature people and avoid the influence and fellowship of adults who are older and wiser than yourself. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20) “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Do you respect your elders? Respect for elders demonstrates character, and you will never be too old to respect your elders. For example, if, when you are a senior citizen, your pastor is younger than yourself you will be obliged to respect him as your elder. Disrespect for elders is not a sign of growth, manhood, or womanhood. (Deuteronomy 27:16)

“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3) You may not feel that your parents are honourable, but that is irrelevant. If you were in a courtroom, you would be required to honour the judge and address him as “your honour,” and this does not say anything about the judge as a person or whether you even like him but is merely recognising the authority of the judge’s position. Just as there are no perfect children, there are no perfect parents, and it is important to recognise that your parents are human like you while God requires you to honour them if for no other reason than God made them your parents. As a child grows the parental role of guardian and disciplinarian progressively decreases to be replaced by the role of counselor and mentor. What is your attitude toward your parents? What is your attitude toward their counsel? What is your attitude when you disagree with them or when they are wrong? Remember, the real test of respect is when you disagree, not when you agree. “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9) “My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” (Proverbs 6:20-23) “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:8-9) “A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.” (Proverbs 15:5) “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.” (Proverbs 15:20) “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22)

This will have a definite impact on your life and future relationships. (Ephesians 6:2-3) For example, if a young lad does not honour his parents how can he be expected to honour his wife when he marries, and if a young woman does not respect her parents how can she be expected to respect her husband when she marries? (I Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5: 33)

WATCHTOWER ANTITRINITARIANISM REFUTED

 

Cults often attack the Trinity doctrine. The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only The Father is Jehovah, that Jesus Christ is a created angel, that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force, and that the Trinity is a pagan teaching and "Not a Bible teaching." (Reasoning From The Scriptures, p.405)

The Trinity is not a pagan doctrine as ancient pagans did not worship any trinity, they worshipped triads. A triad is three gods, while the Trinity is one God existing in three persons. The word Trinity is a combination of the word "trine," which means threefold or three times, and the suffix "-ity," which means state, character, or condition. The Trinity doctrine means that God is triune (1x1x1) and not triplex (1+1+1). (I John 5:7 KJV) Our English word person comes from the Latin word "persona," which is literally a face mask used by actors, and hence a person, character, etc. God is characterized by interior personal relationships. (Genesis 1:26-27; 11:6-8) One God eternally existing in three persons is one God and not three Gods. The terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost each refer to an aspect of God's nature and activity in relation to man. (II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18,22; I Peter 1:2) Salvation is an example of this: As the Father, God originates salvation and made provision for salvation; as the Son, God paid the penalty for sin; as the Holy Ghost, God applies salvation.

Whether any of us completely understand or even accept a Bible truth does not determine if it is a Bible truth, and since God is our Creator and is so much higher we should not be surprised to find difficulties in understanding His nature. God reveals Himself to man through words, words in His Word. As the Spirit of God reveals truths to us through the Word of God He becomes more majestic to us, not simple. (Psalm 97:2)

Watchtower errors on this and other subjects can often be exposed by merely examining Watchtower proof texts, considering the relation of each passage to context and the whole Bible, and considering the meaning of words and grammar. (II Timothy 2:15)

 

THE DEITY OF CHRIST

Jehovah’s Witnesses like to use I Corinthians 15:28 and similar passages to try to prove that Jesus Christ is inferior to the Father by virtue of His being subject. However, submission or subjection does not necessarily mean inferiority; it is often a form of love. A wife should submit to her husband because of love for God and her husband. (Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; I Corinthians 11:3) Jesus was subject to Mary and Joseph even though He is their Creator. (Luke 2:51; John 1:3)

John 14:28 is another favorite JW proof text. Note that He did not say the Father is better, He said the Father is "greater," a reference to position and not nature. Also note that the MAN Christ Jesus is mediator. (I Timothy 2:5; also consider John 5:19; Acts 2:29-33; Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:8,9; 10:12)

JWs will also refer to Revelation 3:14 which says that Jesus is "the beginning of the creation of God." The word beginning here is the rendering of the Greek word Arche, which means first cause, origin or source, and is where we get the English word "architect."

Watchtower literature often points to Bible passages which say that Jesus Christ is only-begotten. The word only-begotten is the rendering of the Greek word monogenes, which simply means the only one of a class or kind.

JWs also refer to Colossians 1:15 which says Jesus Christ is "the firstborn of every creature" to prove that He was a created angel before He was conceived in Mary's womb. The term firstborn means the legal heir and does not always mean the eldest. The nation of Israel was called firstborn even though there were many other nations already in existence before Israel was formed. Psalm 89:27 calls King David firstborn even though David was the youngest son in his family,

JWs will insist that Jesus Christ cannot be God and must be created because the Bible calls Him the Son of God. The term son is used in the Bible to denote or imply almost any kind of descent or succession, and the meaning of the word depends on the setting and context in which it is used. (Consider Exodus 2:10 and Hebrews 1:8) Son of God was a messianic title which signified the function of Deliverer. (E.g. Matthew 16:16) Note that the Devil tempted Christ by bringing against Him the popular Jewish conceptions of the Messiah. (Matthew 4:1-6)

Ask a JW to show any passage of Scripture which says that Jesus Christ was a created angel before He was an embryo in Mary's womb. His humanity originated in Mary's womb, but not His deity. (Micah 7:2; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:31-35; John 8:58; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 7:3; 10:5) Christ is God veiled in human flesh. (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-14; 10:30; 14:9-10; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; I Timothy 3:16)

JWs like to compare the unity of the Father and the Son to the unity of Christians. (John 8:28, 29; 10:30; 17:20-22; I Corinthians 1:10) But consider the context of I Corinthians 1:10; this was written because Christians, even believers who were members of the same congregation, were divided.

JWs also point to John 1:18 which says "No man hath seen God at any time," and people did see Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God as He is, only visions or materializations of God, but there have been those who have seen God manifest in the flesh. (John 4:24; 6:46; 14:9; Philippians 2:6-7; I Timothy 3:16)

In the New World Translation (the Watchtower Society's translation) John 1:1 says the Word was "a god." This is because the third stanza of the Greek text does not use the definite article, and it is therefore assumed that this must be translated indefinitely as "a god" or "divine." For John 1:1 to say that Jesus was a lesser form of deity the Greek word theios would have been used instead of Theos. In the 282 New Testament references to God without using the definite article with the word theos the New World Translation usually renders theos as "God," such as in Luke 20:38 and verses 6, 12, 13, and 18 of chapter one of John. Should we change John 1:18 to say: "No man hath seen a god at any time?" Why isn't the same rule applied to John 1:1 in the New World Translation also applied to the other New Testament passages where Theos is used without the definite article?

Watchtower publications say that only the Father is the one true God (Jehovah) based on John 17:3 and say that Jesus Christ is “a god” based on the New World Translation’s rendering of John 1:1. So is Jesus a true god or a false god? If Jesus is a true god how is it possible to reconcile this with John 17:3? If Jesus is a false god how is it possible to reconcile this with John 1:1?

If only the Father is God and Jesus is "a god," then how many "gods" do JWs have in their religion? (Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:8 NWT)

Jesus Christ is the true God. (I John 5:20 NWT; Jeremiah 10:10)

Jesus is called Mighty God. (Isaiah 9:6) Only Jehovah is God. (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6) Jehovah is called Mighty God. (Isaiah 10:20-21)

Jesus is Jehovah of Hosts. (Isaiah 8:13-14; I Peter 2:7-8)

Jesus is God the judge. (Ecclesiastes 12:14; I Corinthians 4:5; II Corinthians 5:10; II Timothy 4:1)

Whose manifestation and whose kingdom is referred to in II Timothy 4:1?

Whose glory did Isaiah see? (Isaiah 6:1; John 12:37-41)

Jesus is Jehovah, the first and the last. (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:8, 17-18; 2:8; 22:13, 16)

Jesus is Jehovah, the light. (Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 60:19; I Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:3; 2:10,13; 3:4,6)

Jesus is Jehovah, the Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1; John 10:11)

Jesus is Jehovah, the Creator. (Isaiah 44:24; Psalm 102:24-27; Hebrews 1:8-12; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16,17)

Jesus is Jehovah, the King. (Psalm 24:10; Acts 17:7)

Who did Stephen pray to? (Acts 7:59-60)

For Whom did John the Baptist prepare the way? (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 1:76; also compare Malachi 3:1 and Matthew 11:10)

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT

If someone lies to the Holy Spirit he lies to God. How is it possible to lie to an impersonal force? If you lie you lie to a person. (Acts 5:3-4) The Holy Spirit speaks (Acts 13:2-4; I Timothy 4:1), hears (John 16:13), makes intercession (Romans 8:26), has intellect (Romans 8:27), makes decisions (Acts 15:28), grieves (Ephesians 4:30), and has a will (I Corinthians 12:11). These are characteristics of a personality.

The Holy Spirit is Jehovah. (Exodus 17:7; Hebrews 3:7-9) The Holy Spirit is Jehovah of Hosts. (Isaiah 6:3, 8-10; Acts 28:25-27) The Holy Spirit is Jehovah, Most High. (Psalm 78:17, 21; Acts 7:51) The Holy Spirit is Jehovah, Who promised the New Covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:15-17)

 

 

For more information about Jehovah’s Witnesses visit:

Witnesses For Jesus, Inc. https://www.4witness.org/       

AnswerJW.com http://www.answerjw.com/       

MM Outreach Inc. http://www.mmoutreachinc.com/       

TowerWatch Ministries http://towerwatch.com/       

Six Screens of the Watchtower http://www.sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP

 

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Recently when I gave a ride to a neighbor I have been acquainted with for a few years he reached for a cigarette and I said I don’t want anyone smoking in my truck. He responded with “you used to smoke!” and then seemed a little surprised when I told him that is why I don’t want anyone smoking in my truck. I am not condemning anyone who smokes, but while I have been tobacco-free for a long time I realize that, while there were other factors involved, when I quit for a long time in the past too much time around friends smoking increased the temptation to pick up the habit again.

Some time back a former homosexual shared with me that for a short while after he was born again, he thought he could have platonic friendships with former lovers, but soon realized that he had to limit contact to witnessing.

Whether you are trying to avoid bad habits or stay morally clean, it is important to keep in mind that the company you keep has a tremendous impact on your conduct and attitudes. A few Bible characters come to mind whose lives illustrated the importance of being careful about the company you keep.

Read chapter 34 of Genesis and consider: What made Shechem assume that Dinah was available to him for fornication? Why did Shechem assume that Dinah would yield to his advances and why wasn't Dinah offended or resistant to Shechem's advances ("Took" in verse 2 implies that he petted or fondled her, and the wording and context of Genesis 34:2 indicate that this was consensual fornication and not rape.)? What made Shechem assume that Dinah's family would not be offended by his actions? Why did Hamor assume that Dinah's family would not be offended by Shechem's actions? What made Shechem assume that Dinah's family would willingly consent to let him marry her? “And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.” (Genesis 34:1) The problem started with the company she kept.

There were unmarried women among God's people available to Samson, but Samson preferred heathen women. (Judges 14:1-3) Of the three women Samson was romantically involved with, all three were heathens, two of them were prostitutes, and the other behaved like a prostitute. What led to this? Back then it was customary for a groom to have a feast ("throw a party") and invite his closest friends to celebrate his wedding with him, and the choice of guests said something about Samson: Samson's closest friends were all heathens. (Judges 14:10-11) Samson could have spared himself from a lot of grief by listening to his parents and by being careful about the company he kept. (Proverbs 6:20-25; 13:20)

Examine yourself honestly and prayerfully. Do you enjoy the fellowship of dedicated believers, or do you tend to be indifferent or unfriendly toward dedicated believers but gravitate to worldly and ungodly associations? “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” (Psalm 119:63)

 

 

 

 

 

THE FRUITS OF BAD COUNSEL

 

“And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.” (2 Samuel 13:1-5)

When Amnon had a problem of lust for his sister, he accepted advice from Jonadab, a man he knew was not a source for good advice. Jonadab advised Amnon to put himself in a situation where it would be easier to fulfill his lust, which is what he did.  (2 Samuel 13:6-14) The prophet Nathan was in Jerusalem at the time, and if Amnon had sought counsel from Nathan, or someone similar, it is safe to assume that Amnon would have been reminded of God’s law and advised to seek a godly woman other than his sister for an honourable marriage, and nobody would have needed to know that he ever lusted for his sister.

You can easily mess up your life by seeking and heeding counsel from the wrong people. For example, if you need advice on how to make your marriage work or how to handle marriage problems, you should seek counsel from a mature Christian who has been happily married to the same person for several decades. Divorces are often the direct or indirect result of someone listening to counsel about what they should do and what their spouse should be or do from immature or inexperienced family and friends, or assuming that things they see on TV or read in romance novels are realistic, and then feeling sorry for themself and resentful toward their spouse and deciding they need someone else because of a bunch of trivialities that could have been overlooked or easily worked out. Sadly, the usual result of someone leaving their spouse for someone else is the eventual realization that they were much better off with the one they left, but that realization usually comes after the possibility of reconciliation has been destroyed.

BAPTISMAL REGENERATION

 

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) B-o-r-n does not spell baptized. John 3:5 was a response to the supposition that the new birth could be wrought through physical means, such as childbirth. “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” (John 3:4) There are always cases of people assuming that they are saved because they were born and raised in a certain religion or denomination or assuming that they were saved through rituals and ceremonies, and this was true of many when Christ walked the earth. (John 1:12-13; 3:1-6) The new birth is a personal experience with Jesus Christ. (John 3:5-16; 5:39-40; Titus 3:5-7)

If God had wanted Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-5, I Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27, & Colossians 2:12 to refer to baptism into the body of Christ, which occurs in the initial experience at faith and repentance and can only be done by the Holy Ghost, how would He have changed the wording of these passages? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16) "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." (Romans 6:3-5) "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (I Corinthians 12:13) "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)

I Peter 3:21 says that water baptism satisfies the demands of a good conscience and is figurative (symbolic/declarative) of salvation. How can a figure be that of which it is a figure? If God had wanted to convey that Noah's safety during the deluge was the outward confirmation of the grace he had already received years earlier (Genesis 6:8) and that, in the same way, Christian baptism is the outward confirmation of the grace a Christian had already received when he trusted Jesus Christ as Savior how would God have changed the wording of I Peter 2:20-21? "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:20-21)

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24) This passage is often used to support salvation by works, or salvation by faith plus works. But the wording and context make it clear that this is dealing with a Christian’s position before his fellow man and not his position before God, and refers to what his fellow man sees and not what God sees. A believer is justified before his fellow man by works, and justified before God by faith alone. (Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Salvation is a personal experience with Jesus Christ and is through the finished work of Calvary, not the blood of Christ and additional supplements. (John 3:13-16; Acts 2:21; 10:43; Romans 5:1-2,8-11; II Corinthians 5:17-19; Titus 3:5-6; I Peter 1:3; I John 5:20) Is believing in Jesus Christ sufficient for salvation or must we combine faith and good works (e.g., water baptism) to qualify for salvation? Note that the New Testament says that salvation is by faith alone without works almost two hundred times. (Consider John 3:15; 5:24; 11:25; 12:46; 20:31; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3:20; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; etc..) While genuine faith produces good works, it is faith alone that brings salvation and not good works. (John 3:16, 18; Romans 1:16-17; 4:5; I Corinthians 3:13-15; Ephesians 2:10; II Thessalonians 1:8-10; Titus 1:16; I Peter 1:3-10; James 2:14-16; consider Isaiah 64:6)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHEEP & GOATS

 

“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:32)

How would you explain the difference between sheep and goats to someone who is unfamiliar with either animal? (Consider Matthew 25:31-34) Think about it: Goats smell bad, but sheep don’t smell good. Sheep have split hooves, and so do goats. Goats have horns, and so do sheep. If they have horns, sheep horns are wide and curl on loops around the head and goat horns are narrower and upright. Sheep have wool, and so do goats. Sheep grow wool that must be sheared in the domesticated breeds, and goats have hair that does not have to be sheared or combed. Sheep do not have beards and some sheep have manes, and some goat breeds have beards. Sheep are bulkier than goats and goats are thinner than sheep. Sheep have long hanging tails that are usually cut short for sanitary reasons, and a goat has a short tail that usually points up. Sheep have a divided upper lip that is very noticeable, and goats do not. Both animals butt heads, but a sheep backs away and then charges while a goat stands up on his hind legs and comes down with force. Sheep prefer grass and clover, and goats prefer shrubs, leaves, and twigs. Sheep prefer to stick with the flock while goats tend to be more independent and curious; on the other hand, a sheep likes quiet solitude whereas a goat likes a whirlwind of activity.

One especially noteworthy characteristic of goats is that a goat is the more religious animal; goats spend more time on their knees keeping up an appearance of piety than any other animal. Being more religious does not necessarily mean being more spiritual or closer to the truth; it often means the opposite.

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:14) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

ATTENTION CHRISTIANS: HAVE NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA IMPACTED YOUR BELIFS?

 

You might be surprised. Try applying these questions to specific beliefs, teachings, and standards that you consider settled issues:

·        Why do you believe this?

·        What does the Bible say about this and what would be your response if an unbeliever asked why you believe this or why this is true or false or right or wrong? (II Timothy 2:14-15; 3:16-17)

·        How important is this in relation to other matters and what Bible truths and principles or standards apply? (Matthew 23:24; Romans 14; I Timothy 1:5-7)

·        Was this true in the distant past and will this still be true in the distant future? (Psalm 33:11; 119:89; Proverbs 19:21; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

·        Can you verify this with Scripture or is it necessary to use the arguments of the world? (Psalm 33:10; Romans 12:2; I Corinthians 1:20; 2:5; Colossians 1:9; 2:8)

AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE IS THE CRITICAL ISSUE

 

How is it that cult members and liberal theologians sincerely believe obvious heresies even though they often appear to study more than most? The problem lies with what they respect as the final authority or the standard of truth. When someone puts the words of men above the word of God they naturally interpret Scriptures in relation to publications and human theories instead of interpreting Bible passages in relation to context and the whole Bible. (1 Timothy 1:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:16)

First-hand Bible knowledge from personal Bible study is essential. We do need ministers, teachers, Christian fellowship, and Christian literature to help us, and there are difficulties in the Bible, but for the most part the Bible is self-explanatory and self-interpreting when one is familiar with its contents. (Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 2:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 2:2)

Christ deliberately bypassed the religious elite and highly educated to reveal truths to ordinary people and the Apostles commended and encouraged personal study and discernment. The Bible was written to be read and understood by ordinary people and God's truth is not hidden from everyone except for a few clever individuals. The Bible is the complete word of God and the final authority, and the truth can withstand questions and criticism. So why should we assume that God intended for us to accept the teachings of people claiming to have some special key to understanding Scripture without personal study and discernment on our part to verify their teachings? (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 3:16)