NOBODY

  1. Nobody can predict when Jesus will return; Jesus Himself did not know (Mt. 24:36, 42, 43, 50; 25:13; Mk. 13:32, 33, 35; 1 Thess. 5:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:10).
  2. Nobody today can perform miracles (Zech. 13:1-3; Jn. 11:17; 1 Cor. 13:8-12; Eph. 4:8-14).
  3. Nobody today is an apostle—an eyewitness of the resurrected Christ, able to give others miraculous powers (Acts 1:22; 8:12-18; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8, 9; Rev. 2:2).
  4. Nobody today receives Holy Spirit baptism, because only “one baptism” remains: “the washing of water” (Eph.
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The Times of Refreshing and Restitution (Acts 3:19-21)

Acts 3:19-21 can be a difficult passage to understand, especially when trying to understand it without really examining the surrounding context and comparing with other passages. However, when one notices that the Holy Spirit (via Peter) is actually using the same kind of language He used in many other passages, the meaning becomes clearer. Acts 3 is the second recorded sermon of Peter after Christ’s ascension. Many marveled at the healing of a lame man in the temple, and Peter used the occasion to preach the Gospel, with the last words of the sermon being these (Acts 3:19-26):

(19)  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (20)  And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: (21)  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.… Read more

If Repentance is Required, So is Baptism

The honest person will concede that repentance is required for salvation; however, when he does, he simultaneously concedes that John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Romans 10 do not explicitly state everything a person must do to be saved (because repentance is not mentioned in any of those passages). In fact, neither “repent” nor “repentance” is found in the Gospel of John or Ephesians at all, and repentance is only mentioned twice in the 16 chapters of Romans, though it is absolutely necessary for salvation.… Read more

Can Women Be Pastors?

It is becoming more and more common to hear of women preaching with authority over men and calling themselves “pastors.” Is this authorized by God? It is understood that this can be a sensitive subject, especially because of modern culture. No disrespect is intended toward women at all, but the honest child of God will seek to know God’s will on this topic. Those who truly love God will allow Him to transform our minds, instead of allowing our minds to be conformed to the ways of this world (Rom.… Read more

Men, Did You Give Thanks in Communion?

When brothers in Christ are leading the congregation in worship during the Lord’s Supper, it should be understood that they must follow the pattern given in the Scriptures (John 4:23, 24; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 11:4, etc.). This would include the pattern of prayer exemplified by Jesus and repeated by Paul. When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He gave thanks to the Father in Heaven for the unleavened bread, likewise giving thanks for the fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:26, 27; Mark 14:22, 23; Luke 22:17-19).… Read more

Cornelius Does Not Help “Faith Only” Advocates

The account of Cornelius’ conversion in Acts 10 does not support the false doctrine of “faith only salvation.” If one actually reads the entire book of Acts, by the time he gets to chapter 10 he has already read of thousands of people who were required to be baptized in water for their sins to be forgiven. In Acts 10 and subsequent chapters the reader will find even more people who were required to do the same.… Read more

The Hypocrisy of “Faith Only Salvation”

Some say man is saved by faith alone without any acts of obedience. Is it not ironic that these who put so much emphasis on belief do not actually believe what God said?  Those who teach “faith only” salvation are the very ones who do not have faith in what God said!

  • They don’t believe God, who said that “by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).
  • They don’t believe God, who said that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).
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Overcoming “Cognitive Dissonance”

Any person interested in religion will inevitably be exposed to new ideas he has never considered. This is a natural part of the growth process. Some ideas that seem new may actually be ancient, being rooted in sound Biblical teaching (Jeremiah 6:16). Other ideas or teachings are new because they did not come from God, but man (cf. Matthew 15:9). What should one do when he is exposed to religious information that is new to him?… Read more

Who Taught “Faith Only” Salvation?

Not Jesus

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.… Read more

15 Popular Teachings Not Found in the Bible

  1. “Follow your heart” is not in the Bible (Prov. 14:12; 16:25; 30:12; Jer. 10:23; 17:9).
  2. “It is always wrong to judge others” is not in the Bible (Matt. 7:5, 6, 15-20; Luke 12:57; 17:3; John 7:24; 1 Cor. 5; 6:2-5; Gal. 2:11-14; 4:16; Titus 2:15, etc.).
  3. “Babies inheriting sin” is not in the Bible (2 Sam. 12:23; Ezek. 18:20; 28:15; Matt. 18:3; 19:14).
  4. “Peter was the first pope” is not in the Bible (Matt.
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Does Revelation 5 Teach Prayer to Jesus?

On several occasions, Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. He taught them how to pray before His death (Mt. 6:9-13; 7:7-11; Lk. 11:1-4), and He taught them how they should pray after His death, burial, and resurrection (Jn. 14-16). On every occasion, Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father, not to Jesus or the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus explicitly told His disciples not to address Him in prayer after He left them in the Father’s care: “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.… Read more