Salvation vs.

Updated on August 29, 2022 The same standard of evidence should be held to proving a doctrine as to proving a contradicting doctrine, as well as to disproving them. Without such evidence, the doctrines of men fall apart. Courts hold a high standard of evidence to prevent convicting the wrong person. [1] Convictions acquired on weak circumstantial evidence, even mounds of it, have been thrown out on appeal because the case was not based on established rules of evidence. Likewise, we should hold a high standard of evidence to protect ourselves from false doctrines. You are the judge here, and you must judge fairly or be judged for rejecting the salvation of Jehovah based upon superstition and pre-determined bias of a religion rather than the Scriptures. Paul quoted Isaiah 29:14   [ pa | in ] this way, "I will make the wisdom of the wise men perish, and the intelligence of the intellectuals I will reject." ( 1Co 1:19   [ pa | in ] ) Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, unle...

When interpreting scripture, it must be understood that the interpreter is interpreting the words of God. This should not be done without using the word of God to interpret itself. ( 2Pe 1:20, 21   [ pa | in ] ) Looking outside the Scriptures to interpret scripture, forcing an interpretation without scriptural evidence of that interpretation is not only ill-advised but is unscriptural. ( Ge 40:8   [ pa | in ] ) Unscriptural interpretation puts the narrative in Satan's hands. ( 1Ti 4:1   [ pa | in ] ) There is no denying that the Bible is used to attempt to support the doctrine of the Trinity, but it has also been used to support racism, sexism, wars, and many patently false doctrines clearly not supported in the Scriptures. The situation is so bad that even people who have never read the Bible believe the Bible can be interpreted any way one wants to. Even many claiming to read the Bible and love God believe that way. However, just because someone can choose to forceful...

Updated on August 29, 2022 This information is vital to letting the Scriptures interpret themselves. If you ignore the following counsel, you  will  be misled. Read Your Bible Daily If "nature" was all that we needed, God would not have provided the Scriptures, nor the sacrifice of his Son. Not one word in the Bible is without purpose. So read your Bible  daily . ( Ps 1:1-3   [ pa | in ] )  Do not  neglect your Bible reading. Do not read with a preexisting bias. Get familiar with the accounts in the Bible. Read the accounts, read about the accounts. Study, research, meditate. Identify the subject under discussion and the point being made. Consider various viewpoints. This is not obsession, but is the means by which you can gain the knowledge to live the life God wants for us and the foundation upon which you can seek and find the one and only truth. Confusion Comes from Indoctrination Colossians 2:8 warns: "Look out that no one takes you captive...

Salvation is not some simplistic need for faith alone. Christ and his disciples all explained that "faith" involves more than simply believing. ( Jas 2:19, 20   [ pa | in ] ,  26   [ pa | in ] ) It involves showing, actually demonstrating, practicing through our actions, love for God, Christ, brother, neighbor and enemy. ( Mt 5:43-45   [ pa | in ] ) To show that love, we must look out for the interests of others, ( Php 2:2-4   [ pa | in ] ) seeking to bring salvation to all ( Mt 28:18, 19   [ pa | in ] ) and be obedient to God, Christ and those taking the lead among us. ( Joh 14:23, 24   [ pa | in ] ;  15:10   [ pa | in ] ;  Heb 13:17   [ pa | in ] ;  1Jo 5:3   [ pa | in ] ) Here is every qualifier for salvation cohesively laid out by the apostle John: "Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but  test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God ,  for many false prophets have g...

People often hold to ideas that they have grown accustomed to or are invested in. It can be comforting to seek to reinforce ideas we have become attached to and it is because of such things that we can end up deceiving ourselves or allowing others to deceive us. To be able to think freely we must be willing to slaughter our sacred cows instead of clinging to what is familiar or "safe". This does not mean to openly dissent of differing ideas or to go off and form a new religion, but to make your choice about which system to follow without relying upon what is familiar, but on what is truthful and factually reliant upon the Scriptures.  When discussing whether the Trinity, hellfire, the immortality of the soul, or any other significant doctrine is true or not, the most important question is “Why does it matter?” It matters on account of a fundamental difference in the salvation message. Could a map of fire exits help anyone escape if all the exits shown on the map are in th...