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• Saved by Faith or Saved by Holy Spirit Baptism–Which Is It?

  …ster WongMixxMySpaceNetvouzNewsvineoneviewOnlyWirePlugIMPropellerRedditSegnaloShoutwireSimpySlashdotSurphaceSphinnSpurlSquidooStumbleUponTechnoratiThisNextTwitterWebrideWindows LiveYahoo!Email This to a Friend  Link HTML:  Permalink:  If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed.Powered by Bookmarkify™ More »Is a man saved by faith or saved by Holy Spirit baptism?  I personally do …

• Is Holy Spirit Baptism The Baptism That Saves?

  In an article I wrote some time ago I had a gentleman of the Pentecostal persuasion respond seemingly upset with me over the issue of baptism as I was emphasizing the importance of water baptism which he was discounting as being nothing more than a picture of salvation (whatever that means).  Of course, his emphasis was on Holy Spirit baptism.  In any case since I said I would respond I will do so here thinking I might as well make an article ou…

• Is Denominational Baptism Scriptural?

  There are many different baptisms being performed today by religious people–different methods and for different purposes.  However, the only baptism that I as an individual facing eternity ought to be concerned with is the baptism that Jesus spoke of when he said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16 NKJV) This is the baptism of the Great Commission when Jesus told the apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of a…

• Faith, Works, and Baptism

  Many are the men and women who believe that since the Bible teaches justification by faith (Rom. 5:1) and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5) that baptism is excluded as an act essential to salvation despite many passages that teach the contrary (Acts 2:38, 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Titus 3:5, Eph. 5:26, 1 Cor. 12:13 compared with Eph. 5:23, John 3:5, Gal. 3:26-27, etc.).  They are greatly mistaken. In the first place the Bible clearly teaches that …

• The Case of Cornelius and the Holy Spirit

  sion of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV)  Now note, when does the Holy Spirit promise these believers they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?  Is it before repentance and baptism for the remission of sins or after?  The answer is evident.  This raises a question.  Is there one gospel in one location and another in a different location so that we can never really know what the gospel is?  Does…

• If Baptism is Not Essential for Salvation

  Baptism is not essential for salvation according to most denominations.  The thought came to me recently if baptism is not essential for salvation what then?  What are the necessary implications of such a doctrine?  (1)  If baptism is not essential for salvation then Jesus taught error when he said, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5 NKJV) for you can enter the kingdom of God without water …

• The Cleansing of the Church at Ephesus

  ch, “by the washing of water with the word.” (Eph. 5:26 NAS)  Who was cleansed that way?  Those Paul said earlier had been saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8).  The washing of water with the word is clearly a reference to baptism.  What did Jesus teach about baptism?  “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16 NAS)  “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 NA…

• Jesus’ Baptism and You?

  Does baptism matter?  Most Americans have come to the conclusion that it does not, a person can be saved and go to heaven baptized or not.  It is such a settled conviction with most that they are not willing to give the study of the topic the time of day.  It is ridiculous to even consider it as they see it. It seems to me this is taking the same attitude the Pharisees took back in the first century.  They had their settled law and there was no …

• Paul’s Conversion (Justified by Faith)

  …rist, that you may be married to another–to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.” (Rom. 7:4 NKJV)  But, one is not married until he/she is married despite the feelings of the heart.  Baptism seems to be the marriage ceremony (so to speak) of the disciple with Christ.  Paul himself says we die in baptism (Rom. 6:4) and walk in newness of life upon our baptism, read all of Rom. 6:1-8.  This means our state…

• The Mysterious Eloquent Evangelist

  …hesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia,…

• Cornelius’ Conversion–Final Thoughts

  ence to God (gospel obedience) for there can be no obedience to what is thrust upon you (baptism of the Holy Spirit).  To say that obedience to the gospel (a command of God–2 Thess. 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17) equals Holy Spirit baptism and vice versa is to say in reality that there is nothing to obey since only Jesus could baptize one with the Holy Spirit.  Had Cornelius obeyed the gospel? Paul said, concerning the matter of salvation in Rom. 6:17-…

• The Kind of Faith in God That Destroys

  they have the book of James covered by the good works which they do. The trouble is they will not take God at his word.  They cannot accept that Jesus and the Holy Spirit said what they meant and meant what they said.  Forget baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21).  They do not believe the words out of Jesus’ own mouth, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbeliev…

• Christian Circumcision

  m, who is the head of all principality and power.  In him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with him in baptism, in which you also were raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made alive together with…

• Peter’s Preaching and the Apostle’s Preaching

  matter no mention of faith is made in this Acts 5 sermon either but it is implied.  Where is the man to be found capable of scriptural repentance who does not first believe?  Where is the man who is willing to be obedient to baptism who does not first believe?  Can a man be scripturally baptized who does not believe?  No!  When a thing is clearly implied in scripture it does not need to be mentioned. It is said that the Catholics baptize babies …

• The Grace of God in Baptism

  Most Americans of a Christian persuasion believe that baptism has little to nothing to do with the grace of God. One wonders have they never read Titus 3:4-7? The truth about God’s grace and its tie in with baptism is clearly set forth in Paul’s passage to Titus which reads as follows: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he s…

• Bible Contradictions on Salvation?

  rks of obedience to Christ.  Too many are ready to say that obedience is more or less equivalent to law keeping.  Since we are not saved by law they do not see obedience as being essential.  True, for example, Christ commands baptism but one does not have to obey that to be saved.  To require it would be law keeping or salvation by works. The trouble with that way of thinking is that the idea is in conflict with passages such as those I have just…

• Faith and Baptism in Paul’s Preaching

  15 NAS) We are not told exactly what Paul said in his sermon but we know he preached at least the following:  (1) Man as a sinner in need of salvation, (2) Jesus as Lord and Savior, (3) Faith in Jesus, (4) Repentance, and (5) Baptism.  We can glean a lot about Paul’s preaching from Lydia’s statement to Paul and Silas, “if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay,” (Acts 16:15 NAS) and then…

• Obedience of Faith and Justification by Faith–Opposing Doctrines?

  r was involved in salvation. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 NAS)  He said, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16 NAS) What is baptism?  It is one aspect of obedience of faith.  In Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached that first sermon would there have been obedience of faith had those he spoke to failed to heed his admonition?  What i…

• The Great Commission and Cornelius

  A great many people believe that Cornelius was saved the moment the Holy Spirit fell on him to which I disagree.  It seems to be a topic of interest so I have decided to write on the subject from a different vantage point than is usual. This is really, at its core, a discussion of whether or not water baptism is for the remission of sins as stated in Acts 2:38.  Since that is the basis of opposition every related subject such as conversion, the …

• The Truth So Called Christians Will Not Accept

  it.  Again, there is no being in between.  You are either in or you are out.  You cannot join his spiritual body.  Paul did not say go out and join God’s spiritual body.  He said to be baptized into it.  If there is no baptism then there is no being in the body of Christ.  Case closed.  You cannot join Christ’s body, you are baptized into it. What does this mean then as far as what is considered to be religiously correct in the denom…

• Misunderstanding the Grace of God

  ike, you can find on this site and read for yourself.  It was deemed to be unfit for a Christian article directory.  The editor of the directory made it clear to me in an e-mail that he believed man was saved by grace without baptism which in the context of the article submitted meant without obeying Peter’s directive on the Day of Pentecost as found in Acts 2:38. His position is not unusual.  Millions of people have read Paul’s state…

• The Washing of Water by the Word–Baptism and Salvation

  Baptism is essential to salvation but there are many non-believers.  I want to deal with one passage today that teaches this but which is seldom used because the word baptize is not found in the passage.  The phrase used is “washing of water” as found in Eph. 5:25-27. Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,…

• Ways into Christ–How Many Ways Are There?

  hrist, prerequisites if you will, namely faith, repentance, and confession all of which are absolutely essential to salvation but none of those things by themselves or even taken collectively will put you “into Christ.”  Only baptism is said to do that–no not baptism by itself (emphasis on that) but baptism that is built on faith accompanied by repentance with a willingness to confess Christ.  Baptism is the final step one takes to enter Ch…

• What Does The Phrase “Born Of Water And The Spirit” Mean? (The New Birth)

  ded from the truth out of willingness to be blind and preference for it.  God has said you must be born of water (and spirit of course) but they say it is not so and we will not do it. Needless to say, water is a reference to baptism.  However, lest I be like the man who says water is not water but offers no proof I need to prove my statement.  First of all Jesus taught baptism as essential when he gave the Great Commission.  He says, He who has …

• For By Grace You Have Been Saved Through Faith Alone

  or he says it again, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:26-27 NKJV)  By the way, can you put on Christ without baptism?  (see also 1 Cor. 12:13) Why is a man a son of God through faith in Christ Jesus?  Because he was baptized into Christ.  Reread Gal. 3:26-27 again.  I challenge one and all to find even a single passage of scripture…

• Was Cornelius Saved Before Baptism? (Cornelius’ Conversion)

  ken to Saul by Ananias?  Is there more than one gospel that will save?  It has already shown in previous articles, as taken in chronological order, that in every instance the preaching by these inspired men immediately led to baptism on the part of those who accepted the preaching.  Baptism was a part of the message.  Is it any different this time with Cornelius?  No!  Hear Peter, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized…

• How Does the Blood of Jesus and Baptism Tie Together

  w you and I do this.  He says in Rom. 6:3, “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (NKJV)  He goes on, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4 NKJV)  When is a person to walk in newness of life?  After baptism….

• Baptism

  Baptism has been a hot topic down through the ages–who should be baptized, why, for what purpose, are there any prerequisites, what is accomplished in it, does it matter, is it essential for salvation or have anything at all to do with it, what is baptism (is it sprinkling, pouring, immersion, or take your choice?).  So many questions but are there no answers?  Was God such a poor communicator that he could not make the subject clear?  Wha…

• How Was Noah Saved Through Water?

  How was Noah and his family saved through water?  Peter, in 1 Peter 3:20-21, says they were but just how is a little hard to understand without some thought and study.  The passage reads as follows:  “when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.  There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the f…

• The Kingdom of God and the New Birth–A Matter of Timing

  Why write an article on the topic the kingdom of God and the new birth?  The answer is really quite simple.  As long as people today have a desire to be saved in the way Jesus saved some during his personal ministry on earth–by faith without baptism–there will be a need to show the error of that position.  On this subject timing makes all the difference. When did Jesus become a king with a kingdom over which to rule?  When Jesus was …

• Gospel Obedience at Corinth

  Did Paul preach the same gospel at Corinth that he taught elsewhere?  Everywhere else he taught, as part of the gospel, baptism for the remission of sins.  One can go to Acts 16 and read two accounts, in the same chapter, of conversions made by Paul–Lydia and the Philippian jailer–in which in both instances those being converted were baptized.  Paul himself, in his conversion, was baptized.  You may recall the words of Ananias to him…

• Abraham’s Faith (Faith Accounted for Righteousness)

  216;Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’” (Acts 7:2-3 NKJV) Note that God had chosen Abraham for he could have just as well have appeared to anyone of hundreds or thousands of other men but he chose Abraham telling him, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed….

• Faith is Not Just What You Believe

  6:46 NKJV)  He is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Heb. 5:9 NKJV) Thus a salvation by faith without works of obedience would also be a salvation without love for God.  Faith only advocates will not have baptism as an element of salvation for they fear it is a work.  Well, no more so than repentance.  When the Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith and not of works, Eph. 2:8-9, is that passage teaching we are save…

• Be Faithful to the Lord (The Conversion of Lydia)

  piration in Acts 2:38, we readily see why that was the case.  What did Paul preach to Lydia?  We all agree he taught the fundamentals of the Christian faith.  With Paul, as with the other evangelists of his day, that included baptism for the remission of sins.  The text says Lydia was baptized along with her household (Acts 16:15) but when did she do this and why?  The verse before, verse 14, tells us that she was responding “to the things …

• Are Paul’s Writings as Authoritative as Jesus’ Words?

  he word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.” (John 14:24 NKJV)  One could add to these references but the point has been made. Before Jesus ascended back to heaven he promised to send the Holy Spirit to his apostles.  “But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26 NKJV)  R…

• Faith in the New Testament–Different Meanings

  …egards the coming flood and the need to build an ark.  It was not his opinion that a flood was coming.  He had God’s word on it. Another use of the word faith that is an uncommon usage but a scriptural one is faith as a spiritual gift.  In 1 Cor. 12 the subject is spiritual gifts (see verse 1).  In verse 8 Paul begins listing various spiritual gifts that had been given the Corinthians and in verse 9 includes faith.  He says, “to anoth…

• One Church—A Thing Hard to Accept

  … of truth no matter how many scriptures you show them.  They would flunk out of a high school or college class for they will not accept factual statements or any kind of sound reasoning.  Show them a passage like Acts 2:38 on baptism for the remission of sins (add to that Acts 22:16 and 1 Peter 3:21) and they will say the text cannot mean what it seems to be saying, that would be impossible from their point of view, for like the lady with O.J. it…

• What Must a Man Believe to be Saved by the Gospel?

  and another something different. In Peter’s gospel sermon in Acts 2, the first such sermon ever preached after Christ’s ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, Peter preached repentance and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Was one required to believe him?  Was this something a person had to believe in order to be saved?  Was what he preached a part of the gospel?  Did he preach by inspiration tha…

• Christ and Baptism in Colossians

  The fact that baptism is essential to becoming a Christian and being saved is written on page after page in the New Testament despite being rejected by most who call themselves Christians.  I have never understood how something so clearly taught can so readily be rejected by so many other than through the power that tradition and religious heritage exerts on people. Error believed has the same faith affect upon a man or woman as truth believed a…

• The Church as the Body of Christ–Which Means What?

  usness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Rom. 10:9-10 NKJV) The final condition one is met with before it can be said he has entered the body of Christ of which Christ said he is the Savior (Eph. 5:23) is baptism.  “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  For in fact the body is not one member but many.” (…

• A New Creation in Christ

  cur?  Paul answers. “How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?  Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we als…

• A Good and Pure Conscience

  …, “There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (NKJV)  How can baptism be the answer of a good conscience toward God?  Most say that even though God commanded it (John 3:5, Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, etc.) baptism is not really necessary.  Most would say, “…

• What Is Baptism (the Sprinkling Hoax)

  It may well be that there is no Bible subject that has caused more confusion among men than the subject of baptism.  What is baptism?  What is its purpose?  Who should be baptized?  Why?  I would like to take a look at all of these questions and deal with all of them over time but for the present, for the purposes of this article, I will confine myself to the question what is baptism.  I doubt that very many people know what I am about to say.  …

• Ashamed of Jesus and His Words

  em and will not teach them.  To them those gathered on that Pentecost day were saved the minute they repented and as they would put it “received Jesus into their hearts” and so you cannot believe these words about baptism for the forgiveness of sins that Peter spoke on behalf of Christ. You can go to other passages and try and convince them.  For example, Ananias told Saul, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calli…

• Peter’s Second Gospel Sermon

  have “the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38 NAS).  What was that one thing he mentioned that it would take to obtain the forgiveness of sins in addition to repentance on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2?  It was baptism. Now note what Barnes said as quoted earlier.  “It (a reference to the Greek word translated “return” in the NAS or “be converted” in the NKJV–DS) is a word used in a general sense…

• How Does One Get Into the Church Christ Built?

  :38 NKJV)  There are many who will say that yes they believe in order to be saved one must also in addition to having faith repent of his sins.  However, that is where they want to stop.  They want to separate repentance from baptism in the passage and gladly ignore the fact there is a coordinating conjunction there, the word “and,” that joins the two words making one just as essential as another.  (They do the same thing with the word “and” in M…

• Faith Comes by Hearing the Word of God–the Implications

  ether a man ought to repent.   It is a matter of the revealed word of God.  If I believe it the reason is because my faith came by hearing the word of God. I can have faith that as a Christian I should sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the…

• Why Men Today Cannot Be Saved Like The Thief On The Cross?

  I recently had an individual ask the question that if baptism is essential for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) then why did not Jesus tell the rich young ruler?  (This individual does not believe what Peter taught on the subject in Acts 2 where Peter makes baptism essential to salvation.)  It is the wrong question to ask.  Why?  Because when Jesus was talking to the rich young ruler he was not talking to you and me.  The only lessons in the …

• Things People Do Not Know About the Church

  Christ is to be baptized into his spiritual body (based upon a genuine faith, repentance of sins, and a willingness to confess him with the mouth)–“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (1 Cor. 12:13)  Baptism is into Christ (Rom. 6:3, Gal. 3:27).  “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (the words of Jesus–Mark 16:16 NKJV) “But, why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6…

• Does God Really Care?

  h all the blessings God can give. That blessing will now, due to man’s sin, be obtained in heaven rather than on earth, a so to speak heavenly Garden of Eden figuratively if you will.  John speaking by inspiration of the Holy Spirit says of that time and that life to come that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”…

• The Conversion of the Philippian Jailer

  …u were talking about me like that.  If the whole world of Christendom gangs up on me on this issue I can only say stone me if it makes you feel good.  Be that as it may what I do know for sure is that Paul once again preaches baptism to the Philippian jailer for the text says of the jailer, “immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.” (Acts 16:33 NAS)  I say Paul preached baptism again for earlier in the same city and in t…

• Christ Did Not Send Paul to Baptize

  not he/she is baptized?  It is the purpose of this article to show the folly of taking that kind of stance based on this scripture.  Let me begin by asking a question that must be answered if one is to take the position that baptism does not matter and that Paul was teaching that in this passage.  Here is the question–if it did not matter, if it has nothing to do with salvation, if Christ did not want Paul to baptize why did Paul baptize? …

• The New Birth and Water

  Having written on the subject of the new birth before I was surprised, although I doubt I should have been, to have gotten some comments back to the effect that the water mentioned in John 3:5 where Jesus says, “most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (NKJV) had reference not to baptism but to the water of childbirth.  Probably shows what a sheltered life I have led to be surp…

• He Feared

  ety was assured.  Take the shield away from the soldier and his prospects for survival were greatly diminished.  Paul is telling us all that if we will build our faith strong enough we cannot be defeated in the battle for our spiritual life. The Bible teaches us clearly that faithfulness is directly associated with obedience and vice versa.  In Hebrews chapter 3 toward the end of the chapter the writer is discussing the children of Israel who cam…

• Are Works Essential for Christian Salvation?

  (Rom. 2:6-7 NKJV)  “Glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good.” (Rom. 2:10 NKJV)  Are works involved in one’s salvation?  Sounds like it to me. James says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26 NKJV)  Is a man saved, can a man be saved, by dead faith?  To ask is to answer. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him who sent me while it is …

• Abel’s Sacrifice by Faith versus Cain’s Sacrifice

  Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, is the first person listed among many in Hebrews chapter 11 commended by the Holy Spirit for their faith.  Of Abel it is said, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” (Heb. 11:4 NKJV)  Men have long been troubled by this passage trying to figure ou…

• Unhappy With the Church of Christ?

  is the denominational world does not understand what gospel obedience is.  As sincere as they may be, and I do not doubt them on that count, they do not and will not accept Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Until they are ready to accept and obey that clearly stated fact they remain outside the body of Christ which is what Christ is saving.  One gets into the body of Christ by …

• Preaching Jesus Means Preaching Baptism–The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch

  “And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.  And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:35-36 NAS) This is the account of Philip and his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.  It shows that when Jesus is preached baptism is preached as a part of preaching Jesus to an alien sinner.  When th…

• Finding Truth in Divided Christendom

  … which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” (John 14:24 NKJV)  John the Baptist was speaking of Jesus when he said, “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” (John 3:34 NKJV) Jesus made other statements to this effect as follows:  “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority.” (John 14:10 NKJV)  “I speak to the worl…

• Christian Wars–A Misnomer

  blems and it centers around one thing.  They are wedded to the idea that a man is saved by faith alone and that the new birth, born of water and the spirit, has nothing to do with becoming a Christian.  The new birth involves baptism in water for the remission of sins and that they will not accept.  Water to them is only symbolic. It was not symbolic to Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38 for he said it was for the remission of sins.  I ha…

• Saved by Jesus Outside the Church?

  him to obey and be submissive (Heb. 13:7)?  By refusing to join in with fellow disciples in such a body he separates himself from them and disobeys God. The truth is every Christian is a living stone (see 1 Peter 2:5) in the spiritual house of God both in the universal church and the church on the local level if he is living faithfully.  The church is made of individual members called by Peter “living stones” which he says “are…

• The Faith of Enoch

  walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” (Gen. 5:21-24 NAS) “And about these also Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’R…

• Weak, Defiled, and Seared Consciences

  …ristian who has not first had to deal with his/her conscience which was convicting them of sin.  Clean, clear consciences do not lead men to repentance.  So, yes, consciences can be cleansed.  They are cleansed, made good, in baptism (see 1 Peter 3:21)–a baptism preceded by faith, repentance, and confession of Christ as the Son of God.  One meets up, spiritually speaking, with the blood of Christ in the waters of baptism, baptism being the …

• Confirmation Sunday–No Bibles Required

  ady knew it was not in the New Testament as you also know if you have ever read it. The lady says in the early church (she means the Catholic church not the first century New Testament church) confirmation was associated with baptism.  I guess from what she wrote that a bishop would confirm a new convert after his/her baptism and sometimes quite a long while after that baptism.  Confirmation was thus just some words a bishop would utter in some k…

• Moses, the Waters of Marah, and a Lesson for Today

  not dipped in the Jordan as instructed?  Would the walls of Jericho have come crashing down without the marching around it?  You get the idea and you have the right idea exactly.  The answer is an emphatic no.  So it is with baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). I have asked the question before and never gotten an answer yet but I will ask it again.  If Jesus (God) wanted you to know baptism was for the remission of your sins how would …

• Bible Authority, Foot Washing, the Holy Kiss, and Head Coverings?

  bihu “offered profane fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them” (Lev. 10:1 NKJV) “fire went out from the Lord and devoured them” (Lev. 10:2 NKJV).  God said, “By those who come near me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.” (Lev. 10:3 NKJV)  Thus doing the thing God had not commanded in what was supposed to be an act of worship resulted in death and doing the thing not commanded was also con…

• Faith

  Faith and Justification by Faith–Opposing Doctrines? Disobedience to Jesus The Faithfulness of Jesus to God the Father I Can Do All Things Through Christ If Miracles Have Ceased–the Implications Faith, Works, and Baptism Abel’s Sacrifice by Faith versus Cain’s Sacrifice Abraham’s Faith (Faith Accounted for Righteousness) The Faith of Enoch Moses, the Waters of Marah, and a Lesson for Today Everlasting Life–The…

• Jesus the Foundation of and the Builder of the Church

  ph. 1:22-23 and Col. 1:18).  “He is the Savior of the body.” (Eph. 5:23 NKJV)  This is the body which he sanctified and cleansed “with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26 NKJV), a reference to baptism all denominations to the contrary notwithstanding, in order that “he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.&…

• God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit

  Does God Really Care? Things God Cannot Do Jesus as the Bread of Life Jesus and the Furnace of Fire Behold the Judge is Standing at the Door The Need to Preach on Sin What Does the Phrase “My Name” Mean in the Bible?   Audio Sermons (by Waymon Swain) Wonderful Jesus Who Is Jesus? Born To Die The Appearance of Jesus All Spiritual Blessings Are in Christ Enemies of Christ The Holy Spirit (Part I) The Holy Spirit (Part II) The Ho…

• Everlasting Life–The Believer of John 3:16

  assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25 NKJV)  The dead spoken of here are not the physically dead but the spiritually dead and the meaning is not that just by hearing Jesus speak one would be saved but rather if you hear what he says and you believe it enough to act on it (obey it) you will live.  No man has truly heard Jesus wh…

• I Can Do All Things Through Christ

  rough his power do this thing (for if he is with me he will grant me power–strength to do it).  Faith believes his promise. This Greek word in Hebrews 11:1 translated into English by the word “assurance” (ESV, ASV, NAS) or the phrase “being sure” (NET) or words to that effect is used in 4 other places in the New Testament where in 3 out of the 4 instances it is translated by the English word “confidence” or words similar to it.  You will fi…

• Who Gets to Decide–God or the Church?

  …sters, the acceptance of adultery without repentance in the church, and a ton of other things came from denominational legislative bodies, from man, not from God’s word. Hear Paul from 1 Tim. 4:1-3 (NAS), “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons … men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created…

• What is it a Man Must Believe in Order to be Saved?

  edition of the Bible (read John 16:12-15 for proof of this statement). Many are the men who say they believe in Jesus but who do not believe what he said about the new birth having water in it (John 3:5) or what he said about baptism (Mark 16:16).  One must believe Jesus, must believe what he said on each and every topic about which he spoke.  For me to say I believe in a man but I just do not believe what he said about this or that shows my beli…

• The Church Christ Built–Marks of Identification

  It begins with the Spirit in that through the Spirit’s word, the gospel message, man is led to faith and repentance and a willingness and desire to confess Christ for who he is–the Son of God–and it culminates in baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16) but more succinctly to put to death the old man of sin and to arise a new spiritual creation (Rom. 6:4-6).  The old man dies in baptism (Rom. 6:4), “we were buried with …

• If Miracles Have Ceased–the Implications

  Have miracles ceased?  They have if we are talking about the kind of miracles performed by Jesus, the apostles, and those possessed of spiritual gifts in New Testament times.  The purpose of those miracles was to confirm that the word spoken was from God himself.  Such confirmation was needed.  Put yourself in the shoes of those living back then.  Here one comes into your midst claiming to speak for God.  Is he delusional, a mad man?  Is he a ch…

• Denominationalism’s Sin Against Peter

  e of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Act 2:38 NKJV)  Their faith was evident by their asking the question. Denominationalists say Peter could not have meant what the words he spoke seem to be saying–that baptism is for the remission of sins.  Hmmm!  I thought he was inspired; I thought the Holy Spirit fell on him and the other apostles that day prior to the sermon.  If so, and I thought it was, I thought God was capable of s…

• Faith, Manna, and Grumbling Against God

  …while there they were not so enthralled with it. The grumbling against God began at the Red Sea (if not before for an argument can be made that it began even before the first plague based on Ex. 6:9).  At the Red Sea the Holy Spirit said through the Psalmist that the children of Israel “rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.” (Psa. 106:7 NASB)  They looked off into the distance and saw Pharaoh’s army, became terrified fearing for …

• Demas Has Forsaken Me

  future but for a time you feel free, free for you have abandoned all responsibility.  We need to think long and hard before we quit.  Quitters not only do not win they lose everything.  We should learn that.  Quitters in the spiritual realm do not come in second or third.  They lose everything. John says, (2 John 8), “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”  We think it very ill…

• Non-Offensive Christianity

  If someone was to ask you or me what constitutes Christian character what would we say?  Off the top of our head we would most likely say love for God and our fellowman and faith in the Lord Jesus.  As we thought about it more intently we would add things like the fruit of the spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23 NKJV)  We m…

• Baptized For the Dead

  for the dead.”  It is common to find in most commentaries an extended discussion of the verse with much more space being devoted to it than there is to the average verse. I have no doubt that the verse is a reference to water baptism for the remission of sins (yes, I can hear my critics already).  Why do I say that?  In the very first chapter of First Corinthians Paul begins a discussion of the divisions in the church at Corinth.  To show the bre…

• Instrumental Music in Christian Worship–Is it God’s Will?

  ority? Remember when Jesus was confronted by the chief priests and elders who wanted to know by what authority he was doing the things he was doing?  He told them he would answer when they answered his question which was “The baptism of John, where was it from?  From heaven or from men?” (Matt. 21:25 NKJV)  Thus we need to ask the question of the instrument in Christian worship, where was it from, from heaven or from man?  To ask is to answer if …

• The Struggle to be a Spiritually Minded Man or Woman

  means violating God’s will.  We have two states of mind it seems living within us.  The one is the mind of the flesh, we might say of the natural man as he exists without God in his life, while the other is that of the spiritually minded individual to whom God deeply matters. Which mind set shall prevail?  Does it matter?  The Bible teaches it is a matter of life and death.  Hear Paul, “For those who live according to the flesh set t…

• Which Denomination Did Jesus Build?

  teach everywhere in every church.” (1 Cor. 4:17 NKJV)  Every church in New Testament times received the same teaching.  There were no opposing doctrines save from false teachers.  What was taught in one place by a Holy Spirit inspired teacher was taught in every place.  Now we say it doesn’t matter; they will be saved the same as we, just believe in Jesus. What does it mean to believe in Jesus?  Does it mean it makes little to no dif…

• Is Church Attendance Essential for Christian Salvation?

  a few phrases.  “For if we sin willfully…no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…fearful expectation of judgment…fiery indignation…trampled the Son of God underfoot…counted the blood of the covenant…a common thing…insulted the Spirit of grace…I will repay says the Lord…a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:26-31) “Sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4 KJV)  The law on attendance at church services is found…

• Why Do Men Run From God?

  …le only teaches one church and one faith and it does not teach a thousand different competing doctrines.   ”There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:4-6 NKJV)  Churches today have many, many people in them who are in reality running from God but are not willing to admit …

• Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:48)

  …asing the Father? In closing it needs to be repeated for emphasis sake that it all begins with gospel obedience and contrary to the thoughts of the denominational world that does include not only faith and repentance but also baptism as well.  It is only in baptism that we die to sin for it is there where we were crucified with Christ being baptized into his death (meaning the benefits of his death).  Read carefully Rom. 6:2-8 and then read the c…

• Christianity and Multiculturalism

  ndreds and hundreds of years after Christ built his church starting on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 thus they are not the church he established.  Furthermore, it takes along with faith, repentance, and confession of Christ, baptism to make a Christian which virtually every denomination denies and rejects.  Peter said baptism was for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), that it saves us (1 Peter 3:21), but they deny it making Peter out as one who …

• Bible Conversions

  soul’s peril. The links below will take you to articles (written by me) and audio sermons (sermons by a friend of mine–Waymon Swain) discussing mainly conversions recorded in the book of Acts with the emphasis on baptism.  Why that emphasis?  Because very few, if any, debate the necessity of faith, repentance, or the need to confess Christ. Receiving the Gospel – Acts 2:41 Peter’s Second Gospel Sermon Peter’s Preach…

• Abortion Luke 1 – All You Need to Know

  t was John (Luke 1:13).  John the Baptist would be in the womb of Elizabeth, not just fetal tissue.  God named him before he was even conceived so it was John who was in the womb. (2) John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit “while yet in his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15 NAS, see also the HCSB, ISV, NET, NLT, and NRSV translations)  Some translations say “from his mother’s womb” (NKJV and others) but if y…

• Sin in the Desert–Testing God at Massah and Meribah

  …rd.” (1 Cor 10:9 NASB)  A lot of translations use the word “test” here rather than the word “try” as the meaning is the same.  According to Peter, in Acts 5:9, Ananias and Sapphira “put the Spirit of the Lord to the test” (NASB) and died as a consequence. This is the very thing the children of Israel did time and time again.  In Numbers 14:22-23 the Lord says, in speaking to Moses, “Surely all the m…

• Philip Preaching the Gospel in Samaria

  …ptized.  Thus we see that in the beginning of the church, of Christianity, of faith in Christ, that when the gospel was preached and believed or received it led to people being baptized.  There has to be a reason for that. Is baptism a part of the gospel?  Is it a part of the good news?  It is if it is “for the forgiveness of your sins” as per Acts 2:38.  It is if Peter preached it.  It is if Philip preached it.  It is if these two Ho…

• Who is the Believer in John 3:16?

  … everlasting life?  Who is this believer?  Is it not the same person that will see the kingdom of heaven if he is “born again” in verse 3 and who will enter the kingdom of God if he is “born of water and the Spirit” in verse 5?  Most certainly!  It is all the same conversation directed at the same man, the man Nicodemus. The believer of John 3:16 is the man who is born again (verse 3), is the man who is born of water and t…

• Case of Cornelius

  Was Cornelius Saved Before Baptism? The Case of Cornelius and the Holy Spirit The Great Commission and Cornelius Saved by Faith or Saved by Holy Spirit Baptism? Cornelius’ Conversion–Final Thoughts …

• Resource Sites

  . Kurfees.  As soon as you click the link here you will see the contents outlined so you can immediately go to the chapter that interests you the most.  A pretty exhaustive study and covers about every aspect of the subject.) Baptism  (A sermon by J. W. McGarvey on the subject taking an approach to its study that is unusual and one I have not taken in any of the writing I have done on the topic.  Another late 1800′s sermon.) The Course to P…

• Receiving the Gospel (Acts 2:41)

  public record proclaiming that?  If you would not then why not?  Most denominational bodies run into serious trouble with this verse for if Peter did indeed preach a gospel sermon here then to receive it the text teaches that baptism is required.  They cannot accept that nor are they willing to.  The New Living Translation, a dynamic equivalence translation, puts it this way, “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to th…

• Israel’s Rebellion at the Red Sea

  to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’  So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.” (Ex. 6:6-9 NKJV) I want you to note something at this point in time.  God has now told them at least twice his intentions toward them (Ex. 3:7 and 6:6-9).  Are they going to believe God or di…

• Repentance–How Can I Be Sure?

  …Acts 2, the conclusion of Peter’s inspired sermon was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV)  Repentance was made essential to salvation (as was baptism unless you have a good set of scissors which many do). Who must repent?  Sinners.  “For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.  As it is written:  ‘There is none righteous, no, n…

• Are the New Testament Scriptures Alone a Sufficient Guide to Heaven?

  …nd there may well be others.  (1) The Catholic Church and they will not deny it.  (2) The Mormons and neither will they deny it.  (3) Those groups or individuals who believe they need and receive direct guidance from the Holy Spirit in addition to the scriptures.  (4) Those groups we might call modernists. A modernist, for those who might not be sure, is an individual or religious body (denomination) that takes the smorgasbord approach to the New…

• Canaan and Heaven–How God Gives

  nce then is a matter of faith, disobedience a matter of a lack of faith.  Why are men today who claim to believe not baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38 NKJV) as Peter preached and commanded in the very first Holy Spirit inspired gospel sermon ever to be preached?  The answer is because disbelief leads naturally to disobedience.  The Hebrew writer sums it up well, “the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with fa…

• Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You?

  told you–repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins. So a man can prepare to meet God in death by hearing, believing, and obeying the gospel which includes not only faith but also repentance, confession, and baptism for the remission of sins.  This many have not done and thus wait unprepared for the bridegroom. In Matt. 24:35-44 Jesus is speaking to his disciples and says: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words wil…

• The Silence of the Scriptures

  ier research it on your own. But what do the scriptures teach for those desiring to know?  If there was only one passage one could use to settle this debate as it relates to worship it would be for me John 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (NKJV)  It is easy to overlook a very important word in this passage, the word “must.”  That means neither you nor me have any choice in …

• Jesus Defines Repentance

  …erunner of shame (Pro. 11:2) and comes before a fall (Pro. 16:18); it will bring a man low (Pro. 29:23).  Those who are proud cannot humble themselves and confess they have sinned and repent.  They will pay for their arrogant spirit.  The men of Nineveh will not be of their number. What more did the people of Nineveh do?  Jonah 3:8 says the King decreed that “every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.” (NKJV)  Wh…

• The Parable of the Talents–the Sin of Fear

  ng at all.  The revenue that should have been made by farming that plot of ground has been lost.  Would the farmer be happy? The parable of the talents while couched in the language of business affairs is really a story about spiritual matters.  Its purpose is to teach us a lesson about our relationship with God and what he expects of us.  Indeed, the parable begins with the words, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man.” (Matt. 25:…

• Work Out Your Own Salvation

  …course, God is working in us to work, to will to do his will, and to do his pleasure.  That is the way it works and always has.  How does he do it?  He does it through his word.  We hear his word and it moves us to obey.  The Spirit of God gave the word, there is power in the word of God (Heb. 4:12), the word is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17), it (the word) is the tool the Spirit uses to move us. Take the word of God away and there is no wor…

• Can one be Just a Christian in Christ’s Church without being in a Denomination?

  ment, the word of God alone, as our guide a lot of things will have to be given up.  One does not read in his New Testament of, as examples, sprinkling of infants, christenings, sprinkling of any one at any age and calling it baptism, baptism for any purpose other than the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), instruments of music being used in worship, dramas being performed, group musical performances, and a host of other things that have today become…

• Must the Christian Keep the Sabbath?

  …d the time when God gave them manna to eat.  They were given instructions from God through Moses about how to gather the manna, store it, and use it. “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’” (Ex. 16:23 NKJV)  The next day comes, “Then Mose…

• Never Give Up

  When we learn the truth of the gospel message, come to believe it, and then sincerely obey it we sometimes expect more of ourselves than is humanly possible for us to deliver.  When we first come out of the water of our baptism we are determined that we will not sin, we are going to live sin free.  This attitude is to be highly commended but is also unrealistic. Many who obey the gospel do so when young and thus their own expectations about life…

• God’s Willingness to Forgive–King Manasseh

  …t those who have wondered away, become involved in sin, and have separated themselves voluntarily from their brethren.  So, we see two groups–one feeling that God will forgive without a thought about my state of mind or spirituality and the other thinking God will never forgive.  Both are in error.  I believe a study of Manasseh, king of Judah could prove profitable for both groups. I want to give you an account of a man so evil that we are…

• The Army of the Lord–the Church

  …e a misnomer. When one looks at the armor a Christian is to put on to fight the Christian warfare,“put on the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:11 NKJV), that he might stand and not fall one finds that he is given “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17 NKJV)  This is the word which is described in the Hebrew letter as being, “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and sp…

• Disobedience to Jesus

  sobedience to Jesus?  Have you confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus?  Jesus commanded it (Rom. 10:9-10, Matt. 10:32-33, Phil. 2:11, 1 John 4:3).  We either confess him or we live in disobedience to Jesus.  Jesus commanded baptism and we all know it (Mark 16:15-15, Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5) and whether you or I like it or not it does not matter.  He commanded it and the Bible says it is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Will we obey or w…

• Parable of the Tares–No Middle Ground

  ey are special and God is going to give them a free pass despite their ill treatment of him, disrespect, and lack of love for him?  Or, is it that they are just so “this worldly” to the point that they cannot give spiritual matters the time of day? They live their lives giving God little to no consideration.  “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” (Psalms 10:4 NKJV)  No, to…

• Willful Sin–Can Anyone Be Saved?

  …Did this man who was doing this not know it was sin?  You know he did.  Yet, in 2 Cor. 2:7 Paul urges the Corinthians to forgive the man as he had repented.  I remind the reader Paul wrote and spoke by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 2 Cor. 12:21 clinches the meaning of Heb. 10:26 for me.  It reads as follows, “I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the pa…

• The Joy and the Danger of a Clean Conscience

  ms 51:1-3 NAS)  Then verse 7, “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (NAS)  And, finally, verse 10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10 NAS) Do you think God did that?  I remind you that the words spoken here were David’s but he spoke under inspiration guided by the Holy Spirit.  So what you may ask? Ask yourself …

• Christianity–Who Rules Reason or Emotions?

    He says, “For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” (1 Tim. 2:13-14 NKJV)  If that was the reason for the command, and Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit says it was, then it was not a cultural thing and is still binding today for those historical facts can never be changed. Am I concerned with the role of women in the church in this article?  No, but I am making a poi…

• The Faithfulness of Jesus to God the Father

  res to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”  (Matt. 16:24 NKJV)  Following Jesus would include following him in faithfulness. While Jesus was in the beginning with God and the Holy Spirit when the words were uttered “let us make man in our image, according to our likeness” (Gen. 1:26 NKJV, see also John 1:1-11) once Jesus entered the world, sent by God the Father (John 17:18), he became not…

• Saul’s Conversion

  “And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18 NAS)  In Acts chapter 9 verses 1 through 18 we have the account of Saul’s conversion from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Christ.  In the early years of Christianity when a person heard and believed the gospel, accepting it, it always led immediately to baptism.  The reader and Bible…

• Did Christ Rise From the Dead or is Faith Folly?

  in heaven and Jesus is his Son, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. The Bible itself teaches this very thing.  Speaking of Jesus the Bible says that he was, “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Rom. 1:4 NKJV) One does not need scientific proof to resolve this question.  In fact, it is one of the easiest questions to resolve of any that has ever come before ma…

• When did Obedience Become Legalism?

  …e conduct and behavior. To condemn sin as did John the Baptist, Paul, and Jesus is today seen to be unloving, intolerant, and judgmental, and thus unchristian in the minds of many.  Yet, in the New Testament Paul, by the Holy Spirit, commanded Timothy to reprove and rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2 NAS) and not go along with or to hold his silence in the presence of men sinning.  Titus was told not only to rebuke but to do so sharply (Titus 2:13, see also Titu…

• Faith Based On Deception–Gen. 37:31-33

  no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:14-15 NKJV) Satan quoted scripture to Jesus while tempting him after his baptism. False teachers can quote scripture. We today are gullible. We believe about anything that is called Christian, whether in doctrine or works, is God approved. We just accept it and go on and assume it is fine with Go…

• Behold the Judge is Standing at the Door

  ing force of any kind to convert people.  In the Muslim religion that might work but not in the faith God requires as found in the Bible. Where does a man run to in order to get away from God?  “Where can I go from your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there.” (Psalms 139:7-8 NKJV)  Jonah tried running away from God but did not get far. …

• Jesus and the Furnace of Fire

  Hell is not real for most people.  They think little about it and really do not believe that if there is such a place they could end up there.  Hell would only be reserved for characters like Hitler, Himmler, Stalin, murderers, child molesters, etc., the very worst society has to offer.  It is not a place for the average man or woman is the general thinking. The Bible teaches no such thing.  What it does teach is that it is very possible for you…

• Ignorance Does Not Excuse Sin

  God does not consider ignorance an excuse for sin and will not overlook a sin just because you or I were ignorant of the sin when we committed it.  The verse that teaches this is found in Lev. 5:17, “If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity.” (NKJV)  (See also Lev. 4:1-2, 13, 22, 27 and Lev. 5:2 and 5:…

• Singing and Playing in Christian Worship

  …y musical instruments in worship which is his desire.  If this is what he is trying to do he will fail miserably for we have all kind of Bible authority for singing in worship. In 1 Cor. 14:15 Paul says, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”  Verses 12 and 16 and 19 (“in the church”) show conclusively that in context Paul is speaking of singing done in the assembly.  In fact, the entire chapter deals with wha…

• They Loved the Praise of Men

  …st certainly will concede on doctrinal matters.  Is it not true that the desire for the praise of men is behind much of the extremely liberal views of the Bible?  The New Testament is clear in its teaching on subjects such as baptism, the role of women, homosexuality and yet it makes but little difference to many.  We must be politically correct and pleasing to the culture of the time.  To teach against things such as homosexuality is considered …

• Abuse of the Old Testament

  Henceforth Christ was the one to be heard and followed. In Hebrews 3 the Hebrew writer has been talking about Moses and Christ and how Christ is superior to Moses and then in verse 7 and 8 says, “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:  ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (NKJV)  The day of hearing Moses is over as regards law to be followed.  Hear the voice of Christ which is the voice of God.  Hear it …

• Walk in Truth—the Joy of John the Apostle

  …ht up to date with modern times.  What it once meant is no longer satisfactory.  We will reinterpret it, stretch it, twist it, and do whatever we have to do to make it pleasing to us today no matter what the intent was of the original framers of that document.  It will just not do for today as originally written. The problem with this line of thought is that what has been done has been done and can never be undone.  Once history has been made, an…

• Fear God

  … but we must first conquer ourselves. Paul told those who were already Christians at Ephesus to “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.”  (Eph. 4:22-24 NKJV) We know that this is not always easy to do.  Paul said to the Corinthians, “A…

• Christ the Savior of the Body but Which One–the Matter of Timing?

  head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:22-23 NKJV)  Paul says again in Col. 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church.” (NKJV)  The church is thus the spiritual body of Christ which Christ will save at the last day as he is the Savior of the body.  Being a church member then is clearly essential for salvation.  However, we still have the problem of figuring out just which …

• More on Willful Sin—Can Anyone be Saved?

  I was not the only one for not long thereafter another lady commented now fearing she was without hope having been guilty of committing a sin knowingly.  This indicated to me a need to write a little more on the subject (the original article can be found on my web site). The passage that troubles people is Heb. 10:26-31 but more specifically verses 26 and 27.  “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, ther…

• Why Men Do Not Believe

  erceives to be 40 or 50 years of productive life left in this world it is easy to get so caught up in education, acquisition, achievement, career building, marriage, and raising a family that there is no time or interest in a spiritual life.  This continues when once started pretty much on into old age. These are people who don’t believe because they have never given themselves a chance to believe.  There is always too much to do to even gi…

• The Conscience as a Witness

  8220;It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4 NKJV)  This was originally written in Deut. 8:3 by Moses by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. No, we cannot ignore our conscience.  I do not argue that we can for we cannot.  I only argue that our conscience must be trained by the word of God as found in the New Testament, God’s law for man today, and t…

• The Christian, Politics, and the Government

  …ho truly want to be what a Christian ought to be that one’s first order of business ought to be to be as much of a Christian as he/she can be every single day of his/her life.  What does that mean?  It means I ought to live a spiritual life daily.  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.   Against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22-23 NKJV)  Just above this passage in…

• Though He Slay Me

  …e perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord–that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” (NKJV)  We say, as I did, that James said this.  So he did.  However, these were truly the words of the Holy Spirit speaking through James about Job. Hundreds of years after the fact God saw fit to use James as his mouth piece and reveal more of the purpose behind suffering that seemed without reason or purpose, even unjust at the …

• Healing For the Brokenhearted

  … is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” In this passage God is talking to his children.  Are you a child of God?  If so then there is help.  There are 3 things fr…

• The Peace Found in Forgiveness of Others

  ife that can bring joy and peace. So far I have talked about the common experiences of man but we need to put a biblical perspective on these things not only because we are talking about Bible subjects but also because we are spiritual beings subject to the supreme spiritual being—God himself.  It is not the physical man that gets hurt, who develops anger and bitterness and hatred and who is unwilling to forgive, but the spiritual man. Man was cr…

• Waymon Swain’s Audio Sermons

  later this year.  He has a son, Bob Swain, who is an excellent preacher in his own right and so here is a link to Bob’s audio sermons as well:  Bob Swain’s Audio Sermons Assorted (22 sermons) Authority (1 sermon) Baptism (4 sermons) Bible Characters (1 sermon) Bible Conversions (5 sermons) Christian Living (26 sermons) Faith (7 sermons) Forgiveness (6 sermons) God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit (10 sermons) Grace (3 sermons)…

• Indifference – The Great Destroyer

  ld read it and then dust it off for it has set that long unread and unused. They virtually never read it. The scariest thing for me when it comes to one’s loved ones having indifference towards God and salvation, toward spiritual matters, is that indifference is one of those types of sins that is nearly impossible to get people to see in their own lives and thus to own up to and repent of. They do not see themselves as being indifferent but…

• Who Governs the Church if We Follow the Bible?

  er 20 verse 17, Paul called for the elders of the church of Ephesus to come meet him at Miletus.  One of the things he said to them was this, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28 NKJV)  Several comments are in order on this passage. Take note that they had a flock to oversee and that…

• Mary of Bethany–Doing What You Can

  …l of our effort was used to simply help man and we exclude God from it all we end up with a social gospel of sorts, one that pertains to this world only, and that benefits man only on a temporal basis.  One cannot exclude the spiritual replacing it with the material and hope for the eternal.  We must have and must be continually building a spiritual relationship with God. (3) One must accept the fact that one will be criticized even for doing goo…

• Lessons for the Church from Isaiah (Chapter 1)

  Paul says, in Rom. 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning” (NKJV) as he writes to the saints (Christians) in Rome (Rom. 1:7 NKJV).  The prophetic book of Isaiah written hundreds of years before Christ can teach us much about God–what pleases him, what displeases him, his nature, who he is, what or how he feels, his thoughts, his sense of justice, etc.  I think most of us would like to know God better a…

• Honestly Deceived

  …ave.  Her will differed from God’s will.  In each of our lives there must be a transformation of our wills.  By nature we desire the things of this world but we must make the turn from being a man of the flesh to a man of the spirit desiring spiritual things above everything this world has to offer. Paul says, Gal. 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me … ” (NASB)  Paul’s life became…

• Born Again At The Point Of Faith – John 1:12-13

  8220;begotten.”  Use the word “begotten” and the conflict between verse 12 and 13 disappears. How do we know the word “begotten” is the correct word to use here when either “begotten” or “born” can be used with justification as a translation of the Greek?  There are three reasons.  (1) The Bible cannot contradict itself and be true.  Use the word “born” here and you have a contradi…

• The Church as the Family of God–Things Found in It

  …ience who feel abandoned and alone is far more painful than any physical ailment for it touches the soul.   When one is unloved and unwanted then what is left when that comes into a person’s life?  “By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Prov. 15:13 NKJV)  God knew what he was talking about.  All human experience has borne out the truth of this statement of scripture. In Christ one always has family for the church of God is the family of …

• Salvation (Becoming a Christian)

  Gospel A Crucial Difference No Condemnation Promises God Has Not Made The Seed of the Kingdom Is Your Name Written There? The Doctrine of Eternal Life The Goodness and Severity of God There is No Difference Are You Ready? All Spiritual Blessings Are in Christ Abiding in The Doctrine Making the Right Choices Things God Has Joined Together The Pot of Gold at the End of God’s Rainbow …

• Keep Your Heart With All Diligence

  …ybe we just have a bad heart.  Maybe we are just a little more depraved than others.  Since it is not possible to look inside another individual and see what they are inside (“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?” 1 Cor. 2:11 NKJV) we doubt ourselves. As I have grown older in life I have finally come to believe we are all pretty much in the same boat.  “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and th…

• Repent–How Hard It Is To Do

  5 NKJV) that perished in the flood. I take from the passages quoted above that Noah preached repentance.  Why?  Because Peter said of those people that they were “disobedient.”  They therefore had law from God whether written or unwritten.  They were “ungodly” and Noah preached “righteousness”.  By definition repentance is a turning from ungodliness to righteousness. However, one greater than Noah had trouble getting people to repent and this one…

• The Parable of the 10 Virgins–7 Lessons

  The parable of the 10 virgins found in Matt. 25:1-13 has more to say to us than we often realize. One of the things that troubles a person most, that nags and gnaws at our spirit, is when we mess up, make a bad mistake, and then have to pay for it when we had realized from the beginning what it was we needed to do which would have avoided the whole thing but simply failed to do it for one reason or another.  We blame ourselves for the mess we go…

• Diotrephes Loves To Have the Preeminence

  ays, speaking of the people of Samaria with regards to Simon, that they “all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’” (NKJV) When Peter and John arrived Simon saw that the Holy Spirit could be conveyed to others by the apostles laying hands upon them.  Simon reverted back to his days prior to his conversion, desired this power, and sought it by means of offering to Peter and John money.  You know t…

• He Went Away Grieved

  is career not that he was really seeking after the bread of eternal life but seeking for the bread of this life.  Even today the politicians will be sure and hit the churches before a major election and most certainly not for spiritual enlightenment or uplifting. There was a man in the Bible we read about who came to Jesus for what appeared to be the right motive, a spiritual motive, that he might be saved.  This meant that he saw Jesus as the on…

• Praying to God to Bless the Bread–Really?

  “God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 NKJV) Whose job is it to bless the bread and bless the fruit of the vine when the Lord’s Supper is being  observed in the communion service?  One hears continually prayers or petitions to God to “bless the bread” and to “bless the fruit of the vine.”  Why?  I have no idea other than it has been done so long it has…

• The Pleasures of Sin

  they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” (NKJV)  It is clear Jesus is teaching that the pleasures of life can get in the way of more important things, spiritual matters, and in the end result in a man having no spiritual crop to harvest.  In the last day what do they do who have no crop to give to the Lord?  “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved!”…

• The Need to Sing in Worship

  r will we refrain and refuse to worship?  Will Jesus be our example? The actual commandment to Christians to sing is found in Eph. 5:18-20, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”…

• Anger

  …l answer seems to be it depends on how you handle it. You cannot retain anger and please God even if you had just cause for indignation. Anger held onto becomes sin. Paul says to put it away and thus if we disobey that Holy Spirit inspired command it becomes sin to us. And then there is the question of why we are angry and over what? Often there is no real cause for anger and the problem is not that which comes from without a man to arouse ju…

• Hypocrites in the Church

  … speaks of “false brethren secretly brought in.” (NASU)  Hypocrisy is thus an age old problem and one we will never rid ourselves of in this life. There are hypocrites about everywhere you look so why be surprised or shocked to find some in the church?  There is a good chance you work with one or more hypocrites–a man or woman who claims to be laboring but simply does not in reality do the job that he or she was hired to do.  Th…

• The Blessing of Affliction and the Goodness of God

  …round, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19 NKJV)  Solomon put it a little differently but taught the same thing, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7 NKJV) As I write I am reminded of the prodigal son.  In that account found in Luke 15 one verse stands out to me that probably does not to most people for at first reading …

• Christian Living

  Pray For Others Lest You Sin Is Church Attendance Essential for Christian Salvation? Are Works Essential for Christian Salvation? Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? More on Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? Ignorance Does Not Excuse Sin Never Give Up Does God Really Care? Three Benefits of Being a Christian in This Life – Hope, Love, Peace The Struggle to be a Spiritually Minded Man or Woman Fear God Regrets If Miracles Have Cease…

• Is America a Christian Nation—the Sandra Fluke Controversy

  in mind birth control pills for college coeds who needed them for birth control pure and simple and President Obama was not so naïve that he did not know that and yet his desire was to render support. Paul guided by the Holy Spirit said, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thie…

• Acceptable Prayer

  ot to create despair thus I want to emphasize that even though a Christian has not always been faithful that does not mean God will not hear his prayer provided he sincerely repents.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalms 51:17 NASU) What are some other things that might hinder our prayers?  Well, one is what you ask for and why.  “You ask and do not rece…

• Without Natural Affection and Covenant Breakers

  ?’  Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant.  But did he not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one?  He seeks godly offspring.  Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.  ‘For the Lord God of Israel says that he hates divorce, for it covers one’s ga…

• Deeper Spiritual Understanding–How do I Acquire It?

  u read from God’s word, all of it for it is not a buffet where you get to pick and choose, or will it be you have no intention of acting on any commandment unless it suits what you think is fitting or proper? The rejection of baptism is rampant in the religious world today as is God’s teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, women in leadership positions in the church, and we are heading to the point where God’s teaching on homosexuality wi…

• Pray For Others Lest You Sin

  …ly “pray for us.” (Heb. 13:18 NKJV) There is one prayer request by Paul that seems to be more than just a request.  To the Romans he writes, “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” (Rom. 15:30 NKJV) That one especially touches the heart, “I beg you.”  Have you ever wished people would pray for you?  I have wished they would pray f…

• Better to Never Have Been Born–Why?

  ; says the Lord God.  ’Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.  Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.  For why should you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord GOD.  ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezek. 18:30-32 NKJV)   …

• Things God Cannot Do

  ckedness or we might say sin which is the same thing. What is the message for today?  “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Gal. 6:7-8 NKJV)  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has don…

• God’s Plea–On Christ’s Behalf be Reconciled to God

  NKJV) The gospel is as if God was standing and calling to us to come for as Paul said to the Thessalonians, “He called you by our gospel.” (2 Thess. 2:14 NKJV)  It is “the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:19 NKJV)  “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’  And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17 NKJV) It is an invitation but it is more than that.  …

• Christianity, Homosexuality, and Gay Marriage–What Do We Do With the Bible?

  …h.  Can we say these churches are faithful to the Bible?  Can we say they believe the Bible?  They are in effect saying a practicing homosexual can inherit the kingdom of God and thus claim to know more about it than the Holy Spirit himself as he spoke through Paul. In 1 Tim. 1 Paul talks about some who wanted to be teachers of law and he says this, “the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and si…

• The Hardening of the Human Heart

  hat they can no longer repent and thus lose all possibility of  being forgiven.  Sufficient hardening leads to damnation.  When your heart becomes so hard you cannot repent, for your heart will not allow it, you are done. The spiritual heart of man can be likened to cement in that when cement is wet, before it has settled and dried, you can fashion it in whatever manner you choose but once it has hardened it becomes a different matter altogether….

• Fools, Speech, and Christianity

  … the placing of oneself on God’s judgment seat. Now is it true there are no fools on the earth?  Not if the Bible is true for there are many who have no belief in God’s existence.  David by inspiration of the Holy Spirit said, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalms 14:1, 53:1 NAS)  The book of Proverbs speaks of fools time after time (the word fool is mentioned in 40 verses in that book an…

• The Sin of Being Unthankful and the Need for Thanksgiving

  When we are unthankful it tells a lot about our character.  It tells all who can see that we are unloving and uncaring.  Not only is it a sin to be unloving it is also a sin to be unthankful (actually the two are tied together).  In writing to Timothy, Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit lists a long list of sins in 2 Tim. 3:1-5, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lover…

• Grace

  Misunderstanding the Grace of God For by Grace You Have Been Saved by Faith Alone The Grace of God and the Parable of the Laborers How Was Noah Saved Through Water   Audio Sermons (by Waymon Swain) How God’s Grace Works The Gospel of the Grace of God Noah Found Grace …

• God’s Hardening of the Human Heart

  …r intentions may have been, and the first thing you know they are angry at you and develop a hardened attitude toward you.  Hopefully, in your adult life this has seldom happened to you personally but I think we have all seen or observed the thing. There is no doubt God’s word when directed at one’s heart can harden a heart already inclined to disbelieve and disobey (belief being against their perceived self-interest as they see it). …

• New Birth

  Born Again at the Point of Faith – John 1:12-13 Paul’s Conversion (Justified by Faith) What Does the Phrase “Born of Water and the Spirit” Mean? The Kingdom of God and The New Birth The New Birth and Water A New Creation in Christ The Truth So Called Christians Will Not Accept   Audio Sermons (by Waymon Swain) Born Again When One Obeys the Gospel Things That Happen With Gospel Obedience Why I Am a Christian Keeping…

• Mt. Sinai and the Day of Judgment

  e been to hear the voice of God?  What kind of an effect would that have on a man or woman?  If you were to hear a voice from heaven right now, a loud speaking voice from the heavens (not a quiet inner speaking to the mind or spirit), what kind of an effect would it have on you?  Our first and immediate reaction, one we would be incapable of not having, would be to strike us with terror down to our toes.  The children of Israel had been told what…

• The Need to Preach on Sin

  1:18-20 NKJV)  Note the phrase “foreordained before the foundation of the world.” Another like passage is found in Eph. 1:4, “Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (NKJV)  Note again, “before the foundation of the world.”  Jesus is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8 NKJV)  John the Bapt…

• Assorted

  the Holy Kiss, and Head Coverings Christianity, Homosexuality, and Gay Marriage When Did Obedience Become Legalism? Healing For the Brokenhearted Better to Have Never Been Born Though He Slay Me The Fragrance of Christ Deeper Spiritual Understanding Things God Cannot Do Without Natural Affection and Covenant Breakers The Christian, Politics, and the Government Why Men Do Not Believe Did Christ Rise From the Dead or is Faith Folly? Denominationali…

• Spiritual Mirages

  rouble.  But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” (Jer. 44:16-18 NKJV) Here is the spiritual mirage, the illusion, the miscomprehension, the self-deception, and herein lies the lesson we all must learn and take to heart.  There is a great tendency on man’s part to believe that if he is actively invol…

• DennySmith.Net

  … on site according to WordPress.  Most of the articles if printed out would average 3 pages or more.  Waymon has over 110 audio sermons here.  You may find things here you do not agree with especially if you are one who feels baptism is a non-essential for salvation.  I learned this the hard way by posting my articles on various article directories around the web beginning back in 2008.  Believe me when I say I heard about it.  Nevertheless, I th…

• Regrets

  him?  James and John responded by saying to the Lord, “do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them”?  (Luke 9:54 NKJV)  Jesus answered by saying, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke (:55-56 NKJV)   As you know James was killed not long after the church was established but John lived a long lif…

• What Does the Phrase “My Name” Mean in the Bible?

  …t immediately brings to mind certain physical traits of that person, we can picture them in our mind.  But it is more than that.  It brings to mind a personality and the personal traits of character of that individual. God is spirit, not flesh and blood.  When we hear God’s name we cannot picture in our mind physical traits but we do picture in our mind the traits of character God has as revealed to us in his word.  The name Jehovah or Yahw…

• Fornication–Take It Lightly at Your Peril

  tle sexual desire and temptation and has often lost the battle but what has changed in the past few decades is that men and women are willing to openly flout their sin and no longer see themselves as doing anything morally or spiritually wrong. I went to a tiny high school in the early 60’s.  There were only 40 to 45 of us (the entire school) and the school was closed the year I graduated.  That number probably represented 20 to 25 families and y…

• Repentance

  Jesus Defines Repentance Repentance–How Can I Be Sure? Repent–How Hard It Is To Do Peter’s Second Gospel Sermon Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? More on Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? The Chastening of the Lord The Blessing of Affliction and the Goodness of God …

• Sin

  God? Anger The Sin of Contempt (Verbal Abuse) Fools, Speech, and Christianity Audio Sermons (by Waymon Swain) Christ’s Teaching About Sin What About Sin? Thou Has Destroyed Thyself Sin and Its Consequences Drawn Away by Our Lust Sin the Separator You Cannot Hide Sin (Part I) You Cannot Hide Sin (Part II) Sin Lieth at the Door The Unpardonable Sin Wrong is Always Wrong When Your Walking Stick Comes Home The Burning Chaff What if I…

• Must a Man Seek God?

  d good and so he will save them as long as they live what they consider to be a reasonably good life (reasonably good by their own personal standards and society’s standard).  They do not concern themselves with reading or studying the Bible, with worship, or obedience to God’s specific commandments. Whether they realize it or not this approach to salvation is an attempt to be saved by the works of man–it is an attempt to work y…

• Forgiveness

  God’s Willingness to Forgive–King Manasseh Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? More on Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? The Need to Preach on Sin The Peace Found in the Forgiveness of Others Audio Sermons (by Waymon Swain) Forgiveness Contacting the Blood of Salvation No Condemnation Is Your Name Written There? The Goodness and Severity of God Are You Ready? …

• Three Benefits of Being a Christian in This Life – Hope, Love, Peace

  …nder mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalms 51:1-2 NKJV)  Then in verse 10 he says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10 NKJV)  God was able and God did so.  He can do the same for the Christian today.  Peace is available to the Christian. Much more could be said.  One could write a book on each blessing …

• Three Attitudes That Destroy the Hope of Salvation

  …ever Grow Old” and apply it to their physical life adding to it “Never Will Die” and “Never Will Face God in Judgment.”  One cannot help but wonder if worldly success will not destroy more people spiritually than poverty ever dreamed of doing. If you really think you are self-sufficient and do not need God time will have to be your teacher if you will not learn any other way.  Time teaches us all but to learn too lat…

• A Heart Right With God (Test Your Heart)

  Acts 5.  He cannot be fooled.  God sees right through a man even when a man “deceives his own heart” (James 1:26 NKJV) and yes, a man can fool himself.  “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (‘motives’ in the NASU–DS).” (Prov. 16:2 NKJV)  Such a man is clean in his own eyes for he has convinced himself his motives are above board whether true or not. I think one of the most fearful statements found…

• Worship

  The Lord’s Supper as a Part of a Larger Meal–Right or Wrong? Praying to God to Bless the Bread The Need to Sing in Worship Instrumental Music in Christian Worship–Is It God’s Will? Singing and Playing in Christian Worship Confirmation Sunday–No Bibles Required Bible Authority, Foot Washing, the Holy Kiss, and Head Coverings King Saul–As Long as it Glorifies God Audio Sermons (by Waymon Swain) The Lord’s…

• Looking Down Your Nose

  e should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?  Listen, my beloved brethren:  Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith a…

• Ghost Hunting and Consulting the Dead

  …ot be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.  For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.” (Deut. 18:10-12 NKJV) The phrase “calls up the dead” is in the old King James Version the word “necromancer” which means,…

• Lincoln’s Tomb and Jesus’ Tomb

  …or happening going to mean to me, to us, 10, 20, 30 years down the road.  Will it make the least bit of difference in the long run?  The honest answer is there are very few things that will–very few? If a person matures spiritually as they ought to they are able to see this more clearly as time goes by.  The things that upset us once upon a time no longer matter.  As the Psalmist said in Psalms 90:10 of our life, “it is soon cut off, and we…

• The Fragrance of Christ

  o hear it, the gospel?  I am persuaded that deep down they know their guilt and their need but the desire is to live their life as they please (the Bible in the newer translations sometimes uses the phrase “selfish ambition,” or the word “selfishness,” or “self-seeking” with regards to a certain state of mind) and they thus harden their heart as they do not want to hear what they will not accept and that which condemns them. To the one who hears …

• The Church

  be Just a Christian in Christ’s Church Without being in a Denomination? Christ the Savior of the Body but Which One–the Matter of Timing Who Governs the Church if we Follow the Bible? Who Gets to Decide–God or the Church? The Church as the Body of Christ–Which Means What? The Army of the Lord–the Church Unhappy With the Church of Christ? Lessons for the Church from Isaiah Chapter One Hypocrites in the Church Audio …

• The Wicked Shall be Turned into Hell

  …urselves righteous rather than wicked.  We have become an irrational people. The truth is much of the ruling class has long since abandoned the Bible period, lock, stock, and barrel.  There is no thought of God in their minds or in their doings.  What is righteous is what they say is righteous and what is wicked is what they say is wicked and they are willing to enact laws accordingly as per the judge’s ruling mentioned above. I have done e…

• Reconciling With a Brother

  …’s camp.  Four verses later John says, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” (1 John 3:14 NAS) One is either a child of God or a child of the devil, there is no middle ground, and John declares that the man who does not love his brother is not of God.  Such a man abides in death.  Thus verse 23 of this passage begins with the words “if ther…

• Children of Israel

  Israel’s Rebellion at the Red Sea Moses, the Waters of Marah, and a Lesson for Today Faith, Manna, and Grumbling Against God Sin in the Desert–Testing God at Massah and Meribah Mt. Sinai and the Day of Judgment Canaan and Heaven–How God Gives The Chastening of the Lord …

• The Prodigal Son–When He Came to Himself

  w see clearly what before had been hidden from his eyes and as a result repentance entered his heart.  As the text says (NKJV), “he came to himself.” To me there is a teaching in that phrase that has generally been overlooked or at least not talked much about.  It indicates that while the prodigal son was living in sin there was a sense in which he was not himself.  He was not the person he was meant to be; he was not the person he could have bee…

• Religious Titles Forbidden in Christianity

  …y, that the word father can be used by men when used appropriately and not in the way Jesus condemned.  What did Jesus condemn? Jesus condemned me, you, and the neighbor next door from calling any man Father as a title in the spiritual realm.  Reread Matt. 23:1-12 as many times as it takes to get the gist of what Jesus is getting at.  There is a problem among men (the scribes and Pharisees in particular) in that they are seeking the praise, honor…

• The Book of Ecclesiastes

  ur tombstones will eventually be weathered away to the point they can no longer be read.  Our names may be found on a genealogy record somewhere but it will simply be a name without meaning, without feeling, read without love or caring by those who see it.  Yes, it is depressing to think about it but it is also necessary. We can only live this life successfully and find the greatest happiness when we are able to grasp the big picture of what life…