Adding to the Gospel

In Revelation 22:18, it says, "I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." It reminds me of a quote I heard. It went, "Whatever somebody adds to the Gospel is what they emphasize." This has always stayed with me in my experiences talking with Christians about the Bible. I believe that many Christians do not understand the fullness of the Gospel. In my opinion, this leads to many of the beliefs that divide Christians. 

Water Baptism

Water baptism is generally accepted by most Christians as an "outward expression of an inward reality." However, some say the "Bible teaches that the person who has believed in Christ, repented of one’s sins, and confessed one’s faith in Christ must then be baptized by the authority of Christ to obtain the remission of sins. There is no other way but Christ’s way." If you want to believe that, fine. I am not attempting to persuade anybody. But, I do not believe that water baptism is required at any level of a Christian's walk with the Lord. Most Christians do not realize that water baptism didn't begin with John the Baptist, but about 100 years beforehand during the aftermath of the Maccabean War. Therefore, Jesus Christ used it as an example of the baptism that does save; that being the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is sin, death, forgiveness, and the restoration of the life of God. Adam sinned (Genesis 3:5) and lost the life of God (Genesis 2:17) breathed into him at creation (Genesis 2:7). All humanity is born in the image of Adam (Genesis 5:3); spiritually dead to God in our sins and in need of His life. Before God could restore His life to us, He had to deal with the sin that caused Him to remove His life. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died for the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Therefore, when He was raised from the dead, He could offer the life of God as a gift to anybody who would believe in Him (Romans 5:10). In John 3:5-6, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." Born of water refers to our physical birth (flesh gives birth to flesh) and born of Spirit refers to the restoration of the Holy Spirit which occurs as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Spirit gives birth to spirit). When you understand what the problem is between man and God, spiritual death, and what God's provision is for that problem, spiritual life through the giving of the Holy Spirit, you realize that water baptism is not a part of the Gospel. When you don't understand the Gospel then you add things like water baptism. This is understandable when you see many in the early church not having a grasp of the full Gospel; going to the synagogue, believing Gentiles had to become Jews before being saved, living in subjection to the Mosaic Law, selling all their possessions, etc.

Free Will

Similar to the subject of water baptism is the topic of the free will of humanity. Do we have free will to choose or not? This is a complicated subject. But, as one pastor said, "It is only complicated because we make it complicated." The idea that free will does not exist is summed up in the belief that "a future eternity will be spent either in heaven or hell by every human being and that if someone is brought to heaven (or hell) that is entirely God's doing." In other words, God decides which individuals go to heaven and which go to hell. Again, this comes from a misunderstanding of the Gospel. For example, many Christians believe the Gospel to be, "Jesus died for my sins so that I can go to heaven when I die." This is not wrong, but it is not complete. When you believe forgiveness is salvation you end up having to confront heretical beliefs like universal salvation that teach everyone will be saved. Since the Bible doesn't teach universal salvation and if you believe that salvation is the forgiveness, of sins, you have to get around verses like 1 Timothy 2:3-4. There it says, "This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 

Uh oh. If you believe people do not have the free will to choose to accept or reject Jesus Christ, then how do you explain God's desire for "everyone" to be saved when not everyone is saved? You cannot. The only option is to accept the truth that we do have free will. When I confessed my belief in free will to a Christian who does not believe in it, their response to me was, "You believe you are greater than God!" They have to say that because if I have free will and God doesn't allow me to have it, then I must have divine abilities to be "greater" than Him. If I, specifically, and humanity, in general, do not have the free will to choose then why does John 3:16 say we do? "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus Christ said, "whoever believes." This means whoever accepts as true what God is offering them will be saved. You cannot accept something unless you have the choice not to accept it. When you don't understand that the Gospel is offered to everybody then you must add something like the lack of free will to it to make it work. And in doing so you destroy the Gospel and the love of God in the process. 

What have you added to the Gospel? It may not be water baptism or the lack of free will. But, is it speaking in tongues. Perhaps, you believe a Christian can lose their salvation, therefore, you have added works. You might not believe in the complete forgiveness of sins, so you have added "sacrifices" for sin like altar calls, confession booths, or short accounts. Have you added to the Gospel by saying your denomination is the "true" Church? The list is endless. Everybody believes they understand the Gospel, including me. But, we can't all be correct. That is why I say to go to God in prayer and ask, "Lord, do I understand the Gospel? Have I added to it or taken away from it?" Then allow Him to add to your understanding. Grace and Peace.

Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy... sooey!!!!

I don't know about you, but I am tired of all this talk about the $700 billion dollar "bailout" that is being voted on in Washington. For something that is, supposedly, necessary for the country, our elected officials sure know how to drag their feet. I am not the best in the world at economics, but I hear the critics of this proposal have a lot to be upset about. Apparently, there is a lot of "pork barrel spending" attached to this bill. For those that don't know "pork barrel spending" usually "refers to spending that is intended to benefit constituents of a politician in return for their political support, either in the form of campaign contributions or votes (Wikipedia)." To the layman, like myself, that means that millions of our tax dollars are going to be spent on unnecessary and wasteful projects that nobody will ever benefit from. Not to mention that at a time these politicians are deciding on the economic future of our country, they still feel it necessary to line their pockets in the process. According to Glenn Beck, radio and television talk show host, here are just a few of the expenditures added to this bill.

• Section 325 provides essential tax breaks for the wool research fund.
• Section 503 gives tax breaks ($6 million dollars worth) for the manufacturer of wooden arrows used in toys for children.
• Puerto Rican and Virgin Island rum producers get $192 million so they can make more booze.
• Section 317, a tax break for racetracks.
• Section 502, qualified television and film productions given an extension of favorable expensing rules, $10 million.

This is only a snapshot of what has been added to this bill that has nothing to do with the predicted economic collapse we're headed for in this country. All week long, television, radio, the internet and the local newspapers, have been screaming about the second Great Depression that is in our future. And all the politicians are pointing out how they believe they have the answers to prevent it. Yet what they do is ruin that which they say they are trying to fix!

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Revelation 22: 17-19

Assume for one minute that this bailout is like the Gospel. We hear how necessary it is and how if it is not accepted we face certain doom. Then look at how messed up it gets when people started adding things to it and taking things away from it. The central message gets lost or watered down and those who suffer are the people who need it the most. We all know that the Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died to take the penalty for the sin that separated us from God. He rose from the dead to offer us the life of God that we had lost in Adam. Simple. Yet, just like with the bailout bill, tons of unnecessary pork gets added the Gospel. So much so, that the pork gets accepted right along with the Gospel message. Just look at some of the things added to the Gospel.

• Water baptism.
• Church attendance.
• Tithing.
• Confession of sin to get more forgiveness.
• Religious works to earn, keep or prove your salvation.

All this added "pork" just keeps everybody guessing about their faith and at odds with their fellow Christians. As the politicians fight and fuss about what political measures need to be added to this bill or taken away from it, so it is with Christians. Entire religions have survived for centuries on the "pork" that has been added to the Gospel and passed on to the people. It is to the point now that many people don't know what the Gospel is anymore. And that is why the Bible says that those that add to or take away from the Gospel will pay severely for their transgression.

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!" Galatians 5: 7-12

The lesson to be learned in all this economic and political turmoil is that you have to look out for yourself. Much of the nation holds their breath because for many years we have lived in a society that expects the government to take care of us. For these people, they effectively live and die based on the decisions passed down from the government. When you expect the government to tell you what to do, you have effectively robbed yourself of the ability to determine your own outcome in life. As a Christian, I am led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is His internal guidance that leads me through my daily life and helps me make decisions that best suit myself, my loved ones and that glorify Christ. It is when we allow ourselves to be influenced by those things that have been added to the Gospel that we end up hurting our Christian walk. We run a good race when we are learning to depend on and trust in the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we allow even a little yeast to enter our lives we end up throwing ourselves into confusion. Ultimately, we end up at odds with those that threw us into that confusion, and with fellow Christians, because we don't know what to believe anymore. The end result is that we don't want anything to do with any of them and sometimes we question our faith altogether. So whether it is "pork barrel spending" or "pork barrel doctrine," those that promote it need to go and emasculate themselves or we risk allowing them to cut in on us and keep us from obeying the truth.

So let it be written. So let it be done!

Some of my favorite lines from movies I enjoy are uttered in the 1956 film, The Ten Commandments, starring Charleton Heston and Yul Brynner. Brynner plays Ramses, the Egyptian Pharaoh that battled Moses, and God, for the control of the Israelites. During the film, whenever Pharaoh had given a command, he would finish it by saying, "So let it be written. So let it be done!" Yul Brynner's unique accent only added to the delivery of those words. Interesting enough, this phrase is taken to heart by many Christians. It seems that if something is written within the pages of scripture than it automatically becomes a doctrine we are to incorporate into our lives. It doesn't matter if what is said is not written to a believer, if it is New Covenant or Old Covenant or if is understood in the proper context. Nowhere is this more apparent than when it comes to the events that took place in the early Church.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2: 36-39

How many Christians use the above passage and others like it to defend adding water baptism to the Gospel? The Gospel is the belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Nowhere within it is the mention of water baptism. But, there it is in the second chapter of Acts and promoted by none other than the Apostle Peter. However, there are two mistakes made when using this passage to support adding water baptism to the Gospel. One, it is assumed that Peter, and all the early Church, had total understanding of the Gospel right from the beginning. Secondly, the historical role baptism played in Judaism and its effect on the early Church, most of whom were Jews, is ignored. When the Apostles walked with Jesus, prior to His death, the Holy Spirit had not been sent yet because Christ had not been raised. At the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was first poured out on the Body, those who received it were newborn babes in Christ. If you think back to your own experience when you were first saved, you had very little, if any, knowledge about the totality of the Gospel. Therefore, you probably just filtered your new found faith through whatever existing habits you already had, whether proper or not. The Jewish background of disciples like Peter were, obviously, carried over into the early Christian Church. Water baptism did not begin with Christians. For the Jew, it had been a tradition used to ritually cleanse Gentile converts to Judaism. Therefore, much of the early Church believed that Gentiles needed to be "cleansed" prior to becoming Christians. Later, in Acts 10 and 11, you can read where Peter finally realized that water baptism was not a requirement for salvation or as an act of obedience after salvation.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." Matthew 23: 23-24

Tithing is probably taught in 99% of Christian churches today. I remember when I first became a Christian, I was so focused on tithing that I asked a leader of the fellowship I was attending if I was supposed to tithe off of my gross income or my net income. I even heard a pastor say that it is better to write out a check when tithing because of the "experience" of giving your money. Most often tithing is taught as either an obligation to support your local church or as a form of extortion to help you obtain blessings from God or avoid curses from Him. Regardless of the reasons one may tithe, the fact that it is not commanded by God to Christians is immaterial to most. I had the above passage from Matthew quoted to me as if it ends all arguments when it comes to tithing. When I rejected the use of this passage to support Christian tithing because it was written to Jews under the Old Covenant in order to make a greater point about love, I was rebuked. I was told that I need to be under the "authority" of a pastor as if another Christian telling me I needed to tithe changed what the Bible was saying. Now, I am not against tithing or giving a percentage of ones income to a local fellowship or to a ministry of your choosing. What I am against is being told that I have to tithe or that I am being disobedient for not doing so. Besides, giving is not a matter of percentages, but one of the heart. Nowhere from the book of Acts to Revelation is a Christian commanded to tithe. Instead Christians are encouraged to be cheerful givers who do not act out of compulsion. Furthermore, Christians have much more than money to give in support of the advancement of the Gospel. We have already been given everything we need for life and godliness. God doesn't want our money. He wants us. And what we end up giving is the fruit of the Spirit to all those we encounter. Yes, a part of that is supporting ministries and fellowships we feel are advancing the Gospel with our finances. However, as a member of the Body of Christ, what the world needs is a knowledge of the forgiveness, life, love, acceptance, meaning and purpose to life offered in a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not about giving a percentage of your finances to God. It is about giving 100% of yourself to Christ to live His life in and through you.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1 John 1: 7-10

One of the most divisive subjects that separates Christians is the subject of forgiveness. Some, like myself, understand that I stand forgiven of all my sins because of the finished work of Christ. Most Christians, however, believe in the necessity of a Christian needing to seek continual forgiveness on a daily and weekly basis in order to stay within God's graces. 1 John 1:9 is the only scripture in the New Covenant that even hints at this need. However, no attention ever is given to the context of the passage. Not only is this section not addressing Christians, the false conclusion gained from it is rebutted continuously by the greater body of scripture. If you look at the surrounding scriptures, the statements "if we claim to be without sin" and "if we claim we have not sinned" book end verse 9. No Christian denies the fact of indwelling sin or that they sin. But, many unbelievers deny the existence of sin being a part of the human condition. This passage is directed to them and is a great salvation passage which promises the purification of all unrighteousness available in Christ. Furthermore, if a Christian is commanded to keep themselves forgiven it gives the impression that there are sins that Jesus didn't die for on the cross. And I don't believe any Christian would say that Jesus missed some sins and needs to die again. But, that is exactly what they are implying by asking God to forgive them for sins He has already forgiven them in Christ.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 14-17

All that I have said is not an indictment against talking about or even teaching about water baptism, tithing or forgiveness. In the proper context, all these subjects can be used to edify the Body of Christ, glorify God and advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the greatest steps a Christian can make in their maturity is when they begin to understand the historical and doctrinal context of these subjects. They are not there to divide us because God is not the author of confusion. But, to understand them properly we all have to be willing to put aside our human pride, religious pride and biases so that we can be taught by the Holy Spirit and be led into all truth. When a Pharaoh like Ramses makes a decree, it is to be followed without question, or else drastic and life threatening consequences may result for disobedience. However, just because something is written down in scripture does not mean it is a doctrine, law or tenant that we must follow or face condemnation. Otherwise, we run the risk of getting into all sorts of confusion and hypocrisy trying to validate what it is we say we believe. Instead of doing something simply because it is written, perhaps we should modify what Ramses said and say, "So let it be written. So let it be understood."

My Answer is ... March 14. 2010

Q: IT'S NOT YOURS! THE BATTLE IS NOT "YOURS" IT IS THE LORDS..Whatever you are going threw, give it to Jesus.

A: Often times when we think of the battle we face as Christians we turn to the daily struggle with sin and how our flesh and Satan join forces to keep us struggling with it. While we should not discount this battle the ultimate battle takes place in our minds between the the truth and the lie. Satan deceived Eve by telling her that "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Gen 3:5)." To this day Christians still fall prey to the lie of Satan as we spare no expense and no amount of effort trying to be like God through the knowledge of good and evil. And, unfortunately, the enemy is using those from within the faith to advance this error. Whether from the pulpit, from the television and the radio or the daily conversations we have with each other, this lie is advanced with little to no resistance at all.

It could be the pastor who takes scripture out context when he says you can be the "head and not the tail (Deut 28:13)." When Christians are the "body of Christ (1 Cor 12:17)" of which Christ is the head (Eph 4:15). It could be the teacher who says that you can "speak things into existence" as if you are a little god with limitless power. When it is "God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were (Rom 4:17)." Or maybe it is your fellow brother or sister in Christ who constantly berates you with the idea that you must live a lifestyle of endless obedience and repentance to rules and regulations designed receive God's blessings or avoid His punishment. When the scripture is clear that the "righteous will live by faith (Rom 1:17)" and "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)." The scripture tells us to take the "helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:17)" because a helmet guards our minds and the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God we use to deflect the lies of Satan.

We have already won the battle. Therefore, if Satan can't have you, he will do everything to steal the joy of your salvation. After all, he "comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10)." And if he can get your mind on yourself, what you're doing and what you're trying to get from God, he has gotten your mind off Jesus, what He's done for you and what He has given you through faith. Be blessed.

Q: What is the "proof" that you are walking in "faith"?

A: Faith is your response to the truth that has been revealed to you. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1)." Christ is the substance (Col 2:17) of the things hoped for. What is the evidence? He lived a sinless life (John 8:29). Our response is to allow Him to live His life through us. He died on the cross to take away our sins for eternity (John 1:29). Our response is to thank Him for taking our place on the cross and not continue to ask for the forgiveness we already have (Eph 1:7). He rose from the dead to restore to us the life of God lost in Adam (John 11:25). Our response is to rest in His finished work, His resurrected life in us and to discover the inheritance we have been given through faith (Heb 9:15). The proof is seen in the level to which we walk by faith. "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith (Rom 1:17).""

The proof we are walking in faith is not measured by how well we live in obedience to rules designed to modify our behavior. It is not setting a goal to be a better Christian, to be more Christlike or to be like Jesus. Jesus is God and we are not. The proof you are walking in faith is how well you are trusting and depending on God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to live His life through you. For example, when you sin a response of faith is not to ask God to forgive you. It is to thank Him for the forgiveness you already have because you know your sin is so terrible it deserved your death. But, God in Christ, died in your place. Now, you approach Him in confidence (Heb 4:16) to find out what it was you thought sin would provide that you don't already have in Christ. "We live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7)." Proof of walking by faith is focusing on how God sees you not how you see yourself. Therefore, you may not always do the things you want to do or avoid those things you don't want to do, but you will always know one thing. "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Cor 1:9)." He is faithful, not you! Be blessed.

Q: The Bible says "honor" your mother and Father; So should parents have the "right" to make decisions in your marriage?

A: My brother once told our father, "I have all your teachings and shared wisdom in my mind and although it may not seem that I have put it to use, I slowly, but surely, make it a part of my life." This is an example of when the Bible says, "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching (Prv 1:8)." When a parent raises their children in such a manner, the children will no doubt grow up to be a reflection of the teaching they received. Therefore, the children will not curse their parents, defy their parents, mistreat their parents, rise up against their parents, rob their parents or strike their parents as the Bible warns could happen. The outcome will be that "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children (Prv 17:6)." Thus, when the children get married and start their own life a parent will not be as tempted to try and "make decisions" in their marriage.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Gen 2:24)." When a man, or a woman, leaves his or her parents it is to be "united" with his wife. United means to "form a single whole or unit." Therefore, they "become one flesh." This means that the married couple makes the decisions. Parents, depending on the situation, can and should be a resource for the marriage as they have wisdom and experience to offer. But, they don't have a "right" to make a decision in your marriage. If a parent has done their job and trained a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it (Prov. 22:6;Eph. 6:4). In the best case scenario, you will have a Christian marriage, grounded in the Lord, with parents on both sides available to offer guidance when asked. Parents must trust the Lord to guide their children when they've been married as well as trust Him themselves to guide them away from controlling the marriage. Be blessed.

Q: Why is important for Christians "not" to "speak" negative words over themselves?

A: We must first realize that words, in and of themselves, don't have power. We give words power by what we already believe they are saying about us. Therefore, if someone says something deemed to be negative about us, and we already believe it to be true, then it will effect us negatively. However, if we believe what they say to not be true, it will fall on deaf ears or serve as motivation to prove that person wrong. Jesus said, "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean (Mark 7:20-23).'" What we say are only a reflection of what we believe in our hearts. As Christians, if we know who we are in Christ, what we say will be a reflection of that truth.

When the Bible says that the "tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21)," this doesn't mean that we can "speak things into existence." It means that what we say can encourage or discourage the hearer. If a parent discourages their child the motivation that child has will be removed and, left to his own understanding, he will make poor decisions in life. Conversely, with encouraging words comes motivation, which leads to accomplishment, which leads to self-confidence. And that child will engage the world with zeal. So, as it is with God, we are constantly told that we are holy, blameless, forgiven, sanctified, justified, righteous, seated in the heavenlies, have eternal life, in the light, free from accusation, free in Christ and much more. These are the words that bring "life," and help us engage the world with what we have been given in Christ. They give us strength when times are tough, keep us humble in good times and always help us to "encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)."

Q: The bible says "one" Lord, "one" faith, "one" baptism; So why is there so many "denominations"?

A: First off, denominations are man made and not of God. Secondly, there are so many denominations because, quite frankly, most Christians don't know the Gospel. Therefore, what you don't understand about the Gospel you end up adding to it to make up the difference. Then when you have a disagreement you have a split and, voila, there is your new denomination. For example, take the verse cited in the question from Ephesians 4:5. When you don't know the Gospel, "one faith," could mean any denominational persuasion. Therefore, that "faith" could be Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Presbyterian and so on. And "one baptism" is often misinterpreted to mean water baptism. Then you get into side arguments about is water baptism the "first act of obedience" after salvation, is it required for salvation and how is it performed? Is it full immersion, a sprinkling, done in church or by the rivers edge? These are the things that lead to so many denominations.

Not knowing the Gospel is the biggest problem in the Church today. And when you don't know the Gospel, what you build off of it will be skewed. It is unusual to find a preacher that isn't fully convinced that his interpretation's of Scriptures is the way God intended. It is even more unusual to find two preachers that are in full agreement on how Scriptures are correctly interpreted. In Protestant Christianity there are over 500 individual denominations. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that at least 499 of them are not entirely correct. And if that's the case, it doesn't leave a very high probability of success for the last one. This is why you have so many people hanging onto things like the aforementioned baptism, spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues, etc. The Gospel is sin, death, forgiveness, life. Adam sinned and died spiritually. We are born spiritually dead. Jesus died to take the penalty for our sins for eternity. Now, raised from the dead, He offers the life lost in Adam as a free gift to all who believe. That life is an eternal life because no sin will cause it to leave again. One faith, in Jesus Christ. One Lord, Jesus Christ. One baptism, by Jesus Christ. It is that simple. Be blessed.

Are you adding to the Gospel

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV

Why do people add to the Gospel?

What motivates Christians daily?

Resources:

https://96tolife.blogspot.com/search?q=Adding+gospel&m=1

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/galatians_34_who_will_know_5_6_9.mp3

"Judicial" and "Relational" Forgiveness

When you do not understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you end up adding to it to make up for what you don’t understand. The problem is that many people do not realize that they do not have a full understanding of the Gospel. This is especially the case when it comes to forgiveness. Have you ever heard the terms “judicial” and “relational” forgiveness? Judicial forgiveness is said to be the forgiveness we receive at salvation in which God removes our sins, past, present and future to the point where we will not receive eternal judgment for our sins. Relational, or sometimes called “familial,” forgiveness is said to be like that of a father and a son. For example, if a son does something wrong to his father—falling short of his expectations or rules—the son has hindered his fellowship with his father. He remains the son of his father, but the relationship suffers. Their fellowship will be hindered until the son admits to his father that he has done wrong. It is believed that our relationship with God is hindered until we confess our sin to God and restore our fellowship with Him. I totally reject this notion of “judicial” and “relational” forgiveness. It is nowhere to be found in the Bible. We are not the standard by which to judge God’s relationship with His people; He is. A son may hinder his fellowship with his father by what he does, but that is not how God is with us. You will not find forgiveness defined in terms of “judicial” and “relational.” These are manmade terms accepted in Christianity because of continued usage not because of the clear teaching of scripture. 

What does the Bible say about forgiveness? “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:19).” I agree that God has removed our sins, past, present and future. In fact, the Bible clearly states that God is not counting anybody sins against them. Therefore, how could our fellowship with Him be hindered if we don’t confess sins to Him that He is not counting? Furthermore, “Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary (Hebrews 10:17-18).” The way confession is often taught is as an “apology” to God. I see it as a “sacrifice” to God that He no longer requires and even more, does not accept because, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22).” Using confession as a means of restoration between man and God is a bloodless sacrifice that does not obtain forgiveness. Finally, “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).” There is no in and out of fellowship with God based on our willingness and ability to confess every sin we ever commit. If that were the case, when would we ever be in fellowship with Him? We are in fellowship with God because of His faithfulness to us, not ours to Him. Jesus Christ took away the sins of the world forever, so that through faith in Him, the Spirit of God would indwell us for eternity. You cannot get any closer to God than Him indwelling you. He does not remove His Spirit from us causing us to lose fellowship with Him nor, as some say, does He “turn His face from us.” Through your faith in Jesus Christ you are completely forgiven by God and in constant fellowship with Him! Anybody that says different does not know the fullness of the Gospel and, definitely, does not understand forgiveness. It is these individuals you might consider not being in fellowship with. 

Turbo Tax, Sin and Forgiveness

Q: I use Turbo Tax to file my income tax and this software guides you every step of the way, and when it comes to adding your W-2 for example, the part which is called federal withheld on my w-2 I made $12,227.15 and the withheld is $935.87 but the turbo tax software detects I can make more money than what is stated on my w-2 basically up to $4,133 and I receive that amount from IRS is that wrong in the eye of God being that this software guides you and when I tried to go over the $4,133 it would not let me go pass the $4,133. Does God approve of this or not I hope I explained it as specific as I can!!! I need to know thank you!!!

A: Thank you for your question. God is not against you making as much as you can on your tax return. On the Turbo Tax website it says, "Get your biggest tax refund, guaranteed." The fact that the software you are using says you can make more money is proof that it is working as advertised. Furthermore, it would seem that the software not allowing you to go beyond the $4,133 amount would indicate that the amount it has given you is the maximum allowable by law. This should give you comfort as it pertains to whether or not you are doing anything illegal or sinful in the eyes of God. You should be thankful that the software you purchased is working properly and as advertised. To make you feel more comfortable with your concerns over if what the software is saying is sinful let us see if the Bible has anything to share.

In the book of Acts, there is the account of Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos. Apollos "had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25)." We read where Apollos didn't fully understand the whole Gospel, but on the baptism of John. Because of this, Priscilla and Aquila intervened. "When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26)." Priscilla and Aquila took their knowledge and gave it to Apollos so he could explain the Gospel more adequately. You may ask what does this have to do with your question about Turbo Tax? I see you as being Apollos and Turbo Tax as being Priscilla and Aquila. You are trying to do your taxes and Turbo Tax is trying to help you do them "more adequately." You are doing the right thing, like Apollos preaching the Gospel, but Turbo Tax is just trying to help get a greater benefit from your effort, like Priscilla and Aquila.

The Bible says that "everything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23)." If you are uncomfortable accepting what Turbo Tax is saying regarding the $4,133 it says you can receive, then don't do it. The worst case scenario is that you lose out on some money. But, if you feel it is wrong to do it, then I will not be the one to encourage you to do it. Romans 14:5 says, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." If you are not fully convinced that God would approve of you taking an additional tax refund, then be at peace with that decision. What you are deciding to do is for the Lord and He is glorified because of it. You should also be at peace if you decide to take the advice of Turbo Tax as well. Even if taking an increased tax break were a sin, what did God do with that sin? Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (1 John 2:2)." Your sin, my sin and the sin of the entire world was taken away from the eyes of God for eternity when Jesus Christ died on the cross. Therefore, even if you believe taking the tax benefit is a sin, God is not holding it against you.

God has given you the freedom to decide what to do in regards to your tax return. He is already pleased by the fact you are doing your taxes. After all, Jesus said to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's (Matthew 22:21)." You, in many ways, are doing both rendering to Caesar what is Caesar and to God the things that are God's. Please be secure in the knowledge that you are already forgiven of all your sins; past, present and future. Therefore, whatever you decide to do is not going to change who you are in God's eye or how He feels about you. Be prayerful about this situation and trust that He will give you peace about it. Again, thank you for asking this question and I pray that my answer has been of some help to you. Grace and Peace.

Apostolic Cessation, not Succession

Q: Now I read about apostolic succession and how its unbiblical and therefore there are no offices of an apostle. Now many Apostolic, Pentecostal churches usually have some one who is appointed as a Apostle. Now even though its labeled as a Christian Church is a Apostolic Pentecostal church is it a false church?

A: Thank you for your question. I agree with your source that apostolic succession is not biblical.There are two reasons for my belief. One, the biblical definition of an apostle is simply not something that can be held by someone alive today. Acts 1:20-22 reads, "Therefore, someone must be added to our number to serve with us as a witness that Jesus came back to life. He must be one of the men who accompanied Jesus with us the entire time that the Lord Jesus was among us. This person must have been with us from the time that John was baptizing people to the day that Jesus was taken from us."  When an apostle was picked to replace Judas, the criterion for being an apostle was said to be someone who accompanied them "the entire time" Jesus was among them and with them from the time "John was baptizing people" to the day Jesus ascended into heaven. Unless a person is two thousand years old, they do not meet this criteria for being an apostle. There are no more apostles, in the biblical sense, around today.

The second reason for me not believing in apostolic succession comes from the definition of the term. The definition of apostolic succession is "the method whereby the ministry of the Christian Church is held to be derived from the apostles by a continuous succession." The ministry of Jesus Christ is not something that is derived from continuous succession or by inheritance. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 says, "By ourselves we are not qualified in any way to claim that we can do anything. Rather, God makes us qualified. He has also qualified us to be ministers of a new promise, a spiritual promise, not a written one. Clearly, what was written brings death, but the Spirit brings life." God qualifies all Christians as ministers of the Gospel because of our faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something that is passed down through succession or inheritance to a select few who happen to be in leadership positions within a particular church or denomination.

Many denominations believe in apostolic succession as the way to preserve and determine "true doctrine." But, there is a problem. All of them begin with the false premise that their particular church or denomination is the "true" church. However, the church of Jesus Christ is not an organization, but an organism. It is made up of individuals all over the world who have been born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The places these people gather, the names they assemble under and the structure they agree upon to run their assembly is not something that comes from the Bible. It is simply a creation of well-intentioned men and women who want to preside over and control a specific group of people and apostolic succession is a way in which they try and justify their particular group's set of beliefs. "For example, the body is one unit and yet has many parts. As all the parts form one body, so it is with Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12)." The true Church are the individual Christians who make up the Body of Christ, not  Christians who say their particular church or denomination is the "true" Church because of some lineage its leadership claims to have inherited.

In conclusion, the test of whether a church is a false church is not necessarily its belief in apostolic succession, but what it teaches about Jesus Christ. In the case of the Apostolic Pentecostal church, they adhere to a belief that is more troubling than apostolic succession. They define salvation in Jesus Christ as "repentance, baptism (in Jesus' name) and receipt of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues." This, in essence, is a works based salvation that will burden a Christian by keeping them focused on their behavior rather getting to know their God. The Apostle Paul defined the Gospel that saves as "Christ died to take away our sins as the Scriptures predicted. He was placed in a tomb. He was brought back to life on the third day as the Scriptures predicted (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)." There is no mention of water baptism, regardless of what name it is done in, or speaking in tongues. And that comes from an original Apostle, not one who is in a long line of "successors." I will let you be the judge on whether the Apostolic Pentecostal church is a false church. But, regardless of whether it is or not, there are already red flags (belief in apostolic succession and adding to the Gospel) that would keep me from being a part of it. I pray that this answer has shed some light on your question. May God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, continue to lead you into all truth.

The Right Equation

Q: Thank you for this website (GotQuestions.org)! I love everything here except one thing. You talk about true believers as people who are producing fruit. While I do believe that our faith should/enables us to produce fruit I do not see works being any part of salvation (justification). Whether you add works to faith or you add it after faith it is still adding works. Do you see the issue with this? If we judge our salvation based on our works we diminish Salvation by faith in Christ alone. On the other hand if all those passages in scripture (the ones you are probably thinking right now) are pointing to a greater salvation in Christ that is depending on bearing fruit then we have something more in line with justification only being by faith in the finished work of Christ. Look at the following two equations and see if you can tell me there is something wrong: Faith + Works = Salvation or Faith = Salvation + Works. See, I believe the equation is: Faith = Salvation. Hope to hear from you soon about this topic.

A: Thank you for your question. You are 100% correct in your observation. Salvation is exactly how you say it is in your last "equation:" Faith = Salvation. As a volunteer writer, I am not up on all the writings of the website. However, true believers are those who believe in Jesus Christ, nothing more and nothing less. It was the Apostle Paul who said, "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law (Romans 3:28)." Faith is an individual's response to the truth God has revealed to them. When a person realizes that they are dead in their sins and need to have the life of God restored to them, then they will respond to Jesus Christ's offer of life in His resurrection. Once a person has accepted Jesus Christ by faith, they are saved. Period. The life of God has been restored to them and there is no sin that will cause that life to leave because of the eternal forgiveness we have because of the death of Jesus Christ. Now, as a person grows in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and all they have in Him, we should expect to see works from that person. However, we must stop short of identifying what those works are for fear of getting into legalism and fruit inspection. 

The other day, I was discussing what the Bible means when it says "faith without works is dead." Here is how the conversation unfolded. I said, "When it comes to James 2:26, I believe what many Christians say it means and what James meant are two different things. Christians say that if you have faith in Jesus Christ, you will have works that give credence to your faith. This is true. However, I would caution against defining what these works are for fear of getting into legalism and judging people. Besides, according to Ephesians 2:10, any works we do are prepared by God in advance for Him to do through us. As for James, I believe he didn't understand the fullness of the Gospel and was saying that if a person doesn't have works, they are not saved. I say this because of the question he asks in James 2:14 when he says, "Can such faith (without works) save them?" Well, the answer is yes. Faith alone is what saves (Romans 3:28). So while we should presume to see works in accordance with our faith, those works are not what saves us or are they proof of faith." 

Later, someone responded to me by saying, "James may have been talking about non Christians being able to learn about God. Although Salvation is free for the asking, someone has to go and tell the others. My having faith and believing saves me, but my works will allow others to have faith and believe. If I get saved and then just sit on my faith and belief then who will tell the others? It is almost like Multilevel Marketing were you sponsor 2 people and each one of them sponsors 2 people and it grows out of works so works are involved in salvation but they won't get you into heaven. If you stop sponsoring people and educating them on being a Christian it will die."  I responded with, "What I am saying is that if you are saved and just "sit on" your faith and belief, you are still saved. There may be many reasons why a person doesn't speak about their faith. That is for another conversation. I am simply addressing the fact that I believe James is saying that works saves, which I do not believe. The conflict between James and Paul that scripture alludes to is further evidence why I believe this way. I get what you are saying. If someone appears to be keeping their faith to themselves, then we, in love, can go to them and inquire about it. But, they are still saved. Those who do not hear this person proclaim the Gospel will still not have an excuse before the Lord if they fail to accept Jesus as their savior. God may have a word with the person who doesn't speak about their faith, but, again, that is between them and God." Thankfully, we were able to end the discussion at this point.

Jesus was asked, "What must we do to do the works God requires (John 6:28)?” He responded to the question by saying, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent (John 6:29).” The work we do is believing in Him. It is God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, who produces the fruit (work) we bear. In Colossians, Paul underscores how we live as Christians. "To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me (Colossians 1:29)." We do not live the Christian life in the energy of our flesh, but in the energy of Jesus Christ working through us. Furthermore, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)." The fruit of the Spirit is the fruit of Spirit. It is not our fruit. We do not produce it. As we rest in the love of God for us, we will then share His love with others. There is no work involved in our salvation. We are saved by faith and we live by faith. It is as simple as that. If we insert works anywhere into the Gospel or the Christian life, we have taken away from the work Jesus Christ has done for us and wants to do through us. Grace and Peace.

A people for His Name

Q: Would you interpret Acts 15:14 & 17. Especially, in verse 14: taking from among the Gentiles a people for HIS NAME. And, in verse 17: And all the Gentiles who are CALLED BY MY NAME.

A: James is basically describing how the Gentiles accepting of Jesus Christ as their savior is both an expression of God's love for all mankind and the fulfillment of prophecy. In verse 14, we read that God "first showed His concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself." The use of the word "concern" indicates that God loved the Gentiles enough to offer them salvation. This section of scripture comes in the midst of a debate between members of the early Church over the issue of circumcising Gentile converts to Christianity. Many in the early Church believed that Gentiles must first become Jews before they could be saved (Acts 15:1) and, therefore, be required to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses (Acts 15:6). Even others didn't believe Gentiles could become Christians much less be loved by God. It is with that thought in mind that Peter was inspired to get up and proclaim that "God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe (Acts 15:7)." The message of the Gospel is that, in Christ, God has created a people for HIS NAME from both Jews and Gentiles.

In Amos 9:11-12, there is a prophecy that states God will restore the Davidic Kingdom. This prophecy is retold in Acts 15:17. Part of the fulfillment of this prophecy is God gathering His people from amongst the nations of the world, the Gentiles, through faith in Jesus Christ. In God's eyes, there are only two types of people in the world, Jew and Gentile. As stated earlier, from those two He makes His Church. Through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have the right to call ourselves children of God (John 1:12). "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)." Those who are CALLED BY MY NAME are the Christians who have been called by the Lord from amongst the ranks of the Gentiles and the Jews. The focus of this particular chapter is to establish that the Gentiles were not called to Christ in order to obey Jewish laws. All believers, regardless of whether we are Jews or Gentiles, are "a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)!"

God did not call us to Christ in order that we burden ourselves with Jewish laws. The purpose of the law is to lead a person to Christ. "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24)." Paul didn't wish to be cursed and cut off from Christ, for the sake of his Jewish brothers, if adding Jesus to Jewish law was what salvation entailed. There would not have been any need for Christ to have come and died for our sins if righteousness could be attained through obedience to the law. Gentiles were already converting to Judaism prior to the beginning of Christ's ministry. That is why Acts 15 begins with the debate over circumcising Gentile converts to Christianity. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "the old has gone, the new has come." Not only are we a new creation in the sense that Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ, we are a new creation in the way that we approach the life we live as Christians as well. We don't live by obedience to the law of Moses or the law of Christian denominations.

God called us to be a people for His name so that He alone would be the source of our life as Christians. It is through relying on and trusting in Him that He lives His life in and through us. And what does being called by His name mean to us? "In his name the nations will put their hope (Matthew 12:21)." "[R]epentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all the nations... (Luke 24:47)." By believing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, "you may have life in his name (John 20:31)." "[E]veryone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10:43)." When Adam sinned, we all died. In Christ, we all live. God set aside the Jewish people in order that His plan of salvation would come to fruition in Christ Jesus. Now, because of what Christ has done, we Gentiles, who were once far away from God, have been made at peace with Him. Therefore, along with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ, "we both have access to the Father by one Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)." We have been called to so much more than to try and live a life of obedience and repentance to laws designed to modify our behavior. We have been called to a life of faith and trust in a God who guides us from within in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!