Nations That Forget God

     Psalm 9:17 says, "The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that
forget God." (NIV-2011) The word translated "nations" is the Hebrew word goy, and
it means "nation or people."  No  nation  is  so strong militarily, financially, politically, or
socially that it will continue to stand  if  it  defies  the  will of Almighty God! There have
been  several  large  and  powerful  empires  and kingdoms of days gone by, that were
thought to be invincible, but they met their demise when things  got  so  bad  that  there
was no conscience and no turn around in sight. Ancient Babylon, Greece, and Rome
are examples of  "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." We learn from history that there are
several telltale signs that the road leading to an ultimate fall is being traveled. What are
some of the signs that indicate a nation is traveling the road leading to destruction?

     First, when it forgets God! This is seen when those who are its leaders have little if
any concern for governing according to principles of righteousness and fairness. Instead,
they are seekers of pleasure, hungry for corruptly obtained wealth, and they seek the
good-will of human beings rather than God. No nation is stronger than those who lead
it. Leaders tend to be the "voice" for the people, especially in a society that elects its
leaders. People generally elect leaders who reflect their political, social, and religious
beliefs. Something  is  amiss when a nation disregards principles of righteousness and
elects leaders based on race, intellect, or in order to send a message, instead of right and
wrong. Principles of right and wrong should be the guiding light in all situations.

     Second, a nation is traveling the road to destruction when it devalues human life. There
is nothing that magnifies this attitude more than the practice of abortion. Abortion is the
murder of innocent unborn human beings! Life begins at conception. What has an unborn
baby done to deserve death? We often hear people say, "It's about the mother's rights."  
No, it's about the baby's life! No nation that murders its own innocent people can
survive the wrath of God. Murdering unborn children is the taking of innocent life. One
thing that should bother us is the fact that generally speaking, relatively few of God's own
people realize the seriousness of abortion. Some even cringe when abortion is condemned
as sinful. God teaches us that the attitude underlying such a senseless act is inexcusable
and wrong! (1 Tim. 1:8-11) Where is the same clear, emphatic, and bold denunciation
of abortion as there is of sins of a doctrinal and moral nature? There's a dead cat on the
line somewhere! 

     Third, a nation's demise is forthcoming when God's law of morality and marriage is
disregarded. God's  word  clearly  teaches  that  the  sins  of  bestiality, adultery, child
exploitation and molestation, lesbianism, rape, and homosexuality will end in hell unless
those who practice such things repent. (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rev. 21:8) Sexual sins are not
only addictive, but they are also destructive to one's body, mind, soul, and society.
Who would have believed that this nation would "progress" to the point that lawmakers
would support same sex marriages and civil unions? A person cannot believe the Bible
and support, accept, and defend same sex marriages! God joins an eligible man and
woman in marriage. He does not join those of the same gender! (Mat. 19:1-9) Yet,
many of those who accept and defend such are "religious" people. This proves that many
people have no real concept of God teaches about true religion. To them religion is just a
"belief system." Atheism is a belief system, and it is corrupt to the core!

     In order to survive, people must seek God by reading his word, loving his will,  and
practicing righteous principles. There is no other acceptable way. Nations that forget God
will perish!
                                                                                                               R. Daly

Copyright 2012

Where's The Choir?

      Those  who  visit  the  assemblies  of  the Lord's people sometimes ask, "Where's
the Choir?" They are astonished that faithful congregations of Christ seek to tenaciously
adhere  to  the  teaching  of  the  apostles when  they  worship  God  in  spirit and truth.
(Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42) The New Testament does constitute a "pattern" and we must be
careful to do only  what  it  authorizes. (Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11)  This  brings  us to the
reason  we  do  not  see  choirs, choruses, duets, solos,  trios,  quintets, sextets, or
any  other  kinds  of  "tets" singing  to  or  performing  for faithful congregations when
they are assembled for worship. The New Testament does not authorize such things.
If you believe these things are authorized, I ask, "Where is the passage that warrants
choirs, choruses,  duets,  soloists, and  the  like  to  sing  to  or perform for the local
congregation?"

     Paul wrote "to the holy people and faithful brothers and sisters at Colossae" and said,
"whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him." (Col. 3:17) Before an act can be right in God's sight it
must be authorized, or done "in the name of the Lord Jesus." We do a thing in the name
of our Lord when he authorizes it by means of a direct statement, approved apostolic
example, or implication in the sacred text. For instance, by direct statement we learn
that people are to be immersed in order to receive forgiveness of their sins. (Acts 2:38)
By apostolic example we learn that water is the element in which one is to be immersed.
(Acts 8:36-39; 10:47) By implication, that is, a necessary or logical conclusion, we learn
that when a person is immersed in water in order to have his sins pardoned, he becomes
a Christian and a member of the body of Christ. (Mat. 28:19; Acts 11:26)

     There is no direct statement in the New Testament that tells us a choir is to  perform
for a congregation with God's approval. There is no apostolic example that shows us that
a choir did perform for a congregation with God's approval. Neither is there a passage that 
implies  a choir  may perform  for  a congregation assembled to worship God. Therefore
there  is  no divine authority for choirs,  choruses,  and  "special"  singing  groups  in  our
congregational worship. When we "gather together in congregation" (1 Cor. 11:17-18),
we " speak to one another" and "teach and admonish one another," as we sing and make
melody with our hearts to the Lord. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)  The "group" that God tells to
sing is the congregation. Singing is an act of worship and  is to be a  corporate  experience;
an  act  in  which  the  voice  of  every  man, woman, boy, and  girl is lifted up to Yahweh.
We do not sing for show or entertainment! "Where's the choir?" You won't find one in the
congregations of Christ that are faithful!
                                                                                                               Ron Daly
Copyright 2012


    
 

"Why Have You Forsaken Me?"

     "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lema
sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' " (Matthew
27:46, ESV)

     It is commonly believed by many religionists, that Jesus' statement indicates God
abandoned or turned his back on his Son, because Jesus while on the cross, took on
the sins of the whole world, and thereby became the greatest sinner the world has ever
known.

     First, let us consider the following facts: (1) Jesus said he and the Father are one,
that is, harmonious in work and purpose. (Jno. 10:30; 5:17) Is it conceivable that the
Father would abandon or desert his own Son with whom he was working harmoniously
or  as  one?  (2)  Jesus  said  he  came  to do  and  always did the will of his Father.
(Jno. 5:19; 8:29) This shows he was perfectly obedient to his Father. Is it possible that
the Father would abandon one who obeyed him in every respect? (3) The Father always
heard the Son. (Jno. 11:42) This indicates that God always approved of him. Therefore
Jesus was righteous. Is it even in the realm of possibility that the Father would desert one
whom he approved and who was righteous? (4) The Son always pleased the Father.
(Jno. 8:29) This proves the Father and the Son were in perfect fellowship. The Father
was "well pleased" with the Son. (Mat. 17:5) Is it conceivable that the Father would
abandon one who was in perfect fellowship with him, and was well pleasing to him?
(5) The Son never sinned. Never committed a sinful act, nor did he ever entertain a
sinful thought. (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22-23) In  view  of  the  preceding facts, is it in
harmony with the scriptures to believe God deserted his sinless and beloved Son while
he was on the cross?

     Second, while on the cross did Jesus cease being "one" with the Father? Did he stop
doing the will of the Father and become a disobedient Son? Did he become unrighteous
and  thereby  meet  God's  disapproval?  Did  he  stop  pleasing  God the Father and
consequently cease having perfect fellowship with him? Did the Son of the living God
who never sinned, suddenly abandon his life of perfect holiness, and become the greatest
sinner the world has ever known? The answer to the questions above is absolutely not,
even to the bane of Calvinists.

     So, what is the significance of the Lord's cry,  "My  God,  my  God, why  have you
forsaken me?" Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1, a psalm for deliverance. It reads, "My God, my
God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words
of my groaning?" (ESV) In this psalm David cries out to God for deliverance from scornful
people (v.6); from mockers (v.7); from the bulls of Bashan, an idiom meaning the strong
ones  of  Bashan  (v.12); from dogs, a  metaphor  meaning  gang  of  evil  doers,  moral
reprobates (v.16); and  from  the  lion,  used   metaphorically   of  those  who  mercilessly
destroy  (v. 21, cf. v.13)

     We may be assured that Yahweh had not actually forsaken David because David says in
the same psalm, "You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred
the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard,
when he cried to him." (verses 23-24, ESV, all emphasis mine, RD)

     If indeed neither David nor Jesus had been actually forsaken by Yahweh, then what is
the significance of the question, "Why have you forsaken me?" It would seem to those
who were onlookers of both the persecution of David and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ,
that  God   had  abandoned David and Jesus because  he  allowed   their   enemies   to 
carry out their evil schemes.  The first line of Psalm 22:1 holds the clue to the interpretation.
"Why  are  you  so  far  from saving me, from the words of my groaning?" As Yahweh
allowed  David  to suffer, so he allowed Jesus to be  delivered  up and suffer  at the  hands
of  lawless men. (Acts 2:23) It is not as though Jesus was asking the Father for an answer
to   the  question. Both  Jesus  and  the  Father  knew  why  Jesus would die (Jno. 1:29;
Mat. 20:28; 26:28) There is very likely an element of rhetorical effect in the words Jesus
speaks; "Why have you forsaken me?" You have given me up to death that people might 
live. 

                                                                                                                       R. Daly

Copyright 2012

Word Impact

     There are many people in the religious world who are seeking something "better felt
than told," by  which  they  mean, they  are  seeking  an  extraordinary  or supernatural
influence that will lead them to a "religious experience." They often ridicule the idea that
God has designed his written word in such a way that it, without a direct  operation  of
the Holy Spirit is capable of convicting and converting sinners, and equipping the saved
to live a life of faithful service to God and preparing them for an eternal home in heaven.

     Nevertheless, the New Testament  teaches there  is  nothing in addition to the word
of God, as a written message from God, that is needed to convict the sinner and  bring
him to  the knowledge of the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. One biblical example will
suffice to prove this point.

     In the second chapter of  Acts  we  read  that the Holy Spirit filled the apostles. The
"filling" was a miraculous  manifestation of  the  Spirit  on  the apostles, not on the other
people. The text says "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak
with other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability." (Acts 2:4) The pronouns refer
to the "eleven apostles" plus Matthias who was chosen to replace Judas, and that equals
twelve apostles. (Acts 1:26) Notice the result of the apostles being filled with the Holy
Spirit; "they began to speak." The salvation that would come to the Jews on that day
would  be  the result of God's  saving  grace, manifested  through  what the apostles 
would preach, and the compliance of the Jews to God's will.  I call it "word impact."

     When the Jews mocked the events that were transpiring on the day of Pentecost,
they accused the apostles of being filled with new wine. Peter corrects them by saying,
"...give attention to my words. For these are not drunk as you suppose; seeing it is but
the third hour of the day..."  The Holy Spirit guides him to quote that which was spoken
"through the prophet Joel." (verses 16-21) He further says, "You men of Israel, hear
these words." (verse 22) Peter quotes from David with regard to the resurrection and
lordship of Jesus. He tells the Jews that "God has made this Jesus whom you crucified
both Lord and Messiah." (verse 36) "Now when they heard this, they were pierced
in the heart , and said to  Peter  and  the  rest  of  the  apostles, 'Men, brothers, what
should we do?" (verse 37) It  is  what  the Jews heard that pierced (convicted) them.
The words of Peter  made a  profound  inward  impression  on  them. It  was "word
impact."

     Luke says "With many other words he testified and was appealing to them saying,
'Save yourselves from this perverse generation." (verse 40)  As  the  result of Peter's
testimony and appeal, "The ones then having welcomed his word were immersed."
(verse 41) This is clear and convincing evidence from the scriptures  themselves  that
"word impact" worked then and "word impact" will work now.

     Those who are the adherents of the teaching of Augustine who lived approximately
354-430 A.D. and  John  Calvin, the  French  reformer  who lived from 1509-1564,
are implying that God's word is inadequate to do exactly what  God  says  it  can do.
( Acts 20:32;  Rom. 1:16-17;  1 Cor. 1:18, 21;  2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jas. 1:18,21)  Both
Augustine and Calvin taught that man is so morally corrupt and depraved that something
in addition to the word of truth must prepare the heart to receive the word and be saved.
Both men were  wrong and those who teach today what they taught long ago are also
wrong.
                                                                                                                 R. Daly

Copyright 2011

The Churches of Christ

     The   churches  of  Christ  were  established  by  Christ   long   before   Alexander 
Campbell, Walter  Scott, and  any  of  the other so-called "restorers" were born. This is
proven by the fact that in the letter Paul wrote to the brothers and sisters in Rome, he said,
"Greet one   another  with   a   holy  kiss.  All   the  churches   of   Christ   send   greetings."
(Rom. 16:16, NIV-11) This  poses  insurmountable problems for denominations and we
will explain why later in this article.

     The  word  "churches"  translates  ekklesiai, the plural form of the collective noun
ekklesia. In the New Testament, ekklesia means "congregation or assembly." It is used
in Acts 19:39 with reference to a secular assembly. When used in religious contexts it refers
to the community of God's people; the saved, those who are consecrated to God's service.
(Mat. 16:18; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18, 24, etc.) The descriptive phrase "churches of Christ"
refers  to  local  congregations in various places. The  New  Testament   tells   us   there 
were    congregations      in      Jerusalem     (Acts 15:4),    Ephesus     (Acts 20:17,28), 
Corinth  (1 Cor. 1:2) , Philippi  (Phil. 1:1; 4:15),  Galatia (Gal. 1:2),  Smyrna (Rev. 2:8),
Thessalonica (2 Thess. 1:1), and many other places.

     Many denominational people are convinced that when we speak of the "church of
Christ" that we have reference to either the sign on the building or the building itself.
Those who are knowledgeable of Bible teaching are aware that the "church of Christ"
refers to neither. The  "sign on the building"  should accurately reflect who meets in the
building, though it does not always do so. The "church of Christ" is the people of God,
and no group is a "church of Christ"  unless it has the characteristics  that  meet  God's
standard revealed in the New Testament.

     The expression  "of Christ"  tells  us  that  they belong to the Messiah and they are
subject  to  his authority. Those who are in Christ were purchased by his blood. They
are recipients of  the  benefits of Christ blood. (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 1:5)
The Lord, not the so-called "restorers" or any other human being including the pope of
Rome has supremacy over the congregation of Christ. The Lord Jesus is "head over all
things  to  the  assembly, which   is   his   body."   (Eph. 1:22-23)   "He   is   the  head
of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so
that in everything he might have the supremacy." (Col. 1:18, NIV-11) No denomination
was purchased by the Lord's blood and they are not subject to the Lord's authority.
They  are  man-made  from beginning to end and are not "of Christ." When Jesus said,
"Upon this rock I will build my congregation," he was not speaking of any denomination,
for none of them exists by divine authority in the word of the living God! They are not
named in, authorized by, or based upon the New Testament of Christ. The Lord's own
words emphatically declare all  religious "groups" except his unacceptable to the holy
God  of  heaven.  He  said, "I will build my congregation." (Mat. 16:18) Ask yourself,
"Whose congregation did he promise to build?" Now answer the question. If he said
"my church  or  congregation"  is  it  not his, therefore the "church or congregation of
Christ?"

     It  is sometimes said,  "Okay, I  will  accept  the  fact  that  we  read of  'churches
(congregations) of  Christ'  in  the  New  Testament, but  the phrase is not a name, it
indicates possession." Even if that were true it would disqualify denominations such as
Baptist, Methodist,  Lutheran,  Episcopal,  Presbyterian,  etc. because  no passage in
the word of God speaks of  Baptist  Church  or  Baptist Churches; Methodist Church
or Methodist Churches, Lutheran Church or Lutheran Churches, etc.  So,  even  if  the
phrase "churches of Christ" is not a name, but merely a descriptive phrase, it does not
describe   denominational   churches.  Why    not?   There  is  nothing   about   them
that honors Christ. Nothing  about  them  meets God's standard of what constitutes
"churches of Christ."

     The  expression  "churches  (congregations)  of  Christ"  is genitive of relationship,
and is used by Paul to describe the congregations as belonging to Christ.

                                                                                                              R. Daly
Copyright 2011
 

The Journey To Denominationalism (No.3)

     The  journey  to  denominationalism  is  taken  when  the  language  of  a person or
congregation emanates from denominational thinking. In some ways the mouth is a conduit
of the heart. The content of a person's heart will find a way to express itself, and the means
of doing so is usually through what one says. The Master said, "But the things that proceed
out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man." (Mat. 15:18, NASB-95)
We should earnestly strive to "speak as the scriptures speak, and be silent where the
scriptures are silent." (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6; 1Pet. 4:11)

     It is not uncommon to hear people speak of the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John as "the gospels." Such speech is not biblical nor is it accurate. According to the
sacred scriptures there is one gospel. (Gal. 1:6-9) The gospel is identified by several words
or phrases in the New Covenant: "the word" (Acts 8:4), "the good tidings" (Acts 8:12),
"the word of the Lord" (Acts 8:25), "the word of God" (Acts 11:1), "the gospel" (Acts 14:7),
"the word of truth" (Eph. 1:13), "the word of the truth of the gospel" (Col. 1:5), "the faith"
(Jude 3), etc. But, we have no record of any writer guided by the Holy Spirit ever speaking
of "gospels" as if there is more than one body of  "good news" from the mind of God. I am
aware that most denominational "scholars" and commentators often use such terminology,
but they erroneously do so. There is no authority in the New Testament for the concept.
It is accurate to refer to the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as accounts of the
life of our Lord.

     People often speak of  "joining the church." That is another concept that is foreign to
the word of the Lord in the sense that most people intend the phrase to be understood.
It  is  possible  for  a  person to join a local congregation. Luke  tells  us  that  after Paul
obeyed    the   gospel,   "When    he   came   to   Jerusalem,   he    tried   to   join    the
disciples..." (Acts 9:26, NIV-11). Notice that the text says, "When he came to Jerusalem."
This informs us that  there  was  a  body  of  disciples in  Jerusalem,  and  Paul  attempted
to "join," that is, "be involved, associate, or unite" (Grk. kollao) with them and their work
of serving the Lord. Generally, those who speak of  "joining the church," indicate they placed
themselves in  some universal group or denomination. The New Testament clearly informs us
that no human being places those who obey the gospel among the universal assembly of the
saved. This  is  something  that  God  does,  for  he knows those who are his, and he "adds
together day by day those who are being saved." (Acts 2:47; 5:14) 

     Another  phrase  that  is commonly heard among people is "church of Christ preacher."
The New Testament does not explicitly use the phrase nor is it implied. For instance, some
preachers refer to themselves as "Baptist preachers." All of us are well aware that we do
not read of any denominational Baptist preachers in the word of God. As used today, the
phrase implies that one is a Baptist, that is, a member of the Baptist denomination, and that
he preaches Baptist doctrine. The phrase "church of Christ preacher" seems to imply that
one   preaches    "churches of Christ doctrine."    Church   of   Christ  doctrine   is    no
more acceptable  than  Baptist  doctrine  and  one  man  cannot  be a "church of Christ."
Furthermore, those who preach among the Lord's people are proclaimers, preachers of
the  gospel, or evangelists who teach the word of the living God. (Acts 21:8; 2 Tim. 4:1-5)

     Finally, the word "brother" is often misused by religious people. We who are Christians
are aware that God forbids wearing and assigning religious titles of distinction to those who
preach. The denominational world is filled with terminology that is unauthorized in God's
word. Titles such as reverend, rabbi, pastor, priest, and doctor are frequently used among
men who are  "too big for their spiritual britches!"  They  violate  the  principle  of humility
taught in passages such as (Mat. 23:5-12; Col. 1:1; 4:7,9; 1 Thes. 3:2, etc.)  Sometimes
the word brother is misused  among  the  Lord's  disciples.  Some  people will refer to a
preacher as "brother" and address other members of the Lord's body by their first or last
name. The fact is, a preacher of the gospel is no more a brother in some specialized sense
than anyone else. We  who  are  in  Christ are all brothers. Brother (Grk. adelphos) is a
word that describes the  relationship  of  all  who  are  in association with Christ and one
another. It indicates a filial relationship and it is used with reference to the close affinity that
we share; we  are  fellow  members or associates in the family of believers. (1 Tim. 3:15;
1 Pet. 2:17)

     Let us do our very best to be true to the Book in the way we speak and act. When we
use the language of sacred scripture, we can be sure that we are right, and we will not take
the journey to denominationalism because we are walking in  the truth. (3 Jno. 3-4)
                                                                                                                   R. Daly

Copyright 2011

The Journey To Denominationalism (No.2)

     In part one of this brief series of articles, we began discussing some of the factors
that help determine when individuals and congregations are taking the journey to
denominationalism.

     (3) The  journey  to  denominationalism  is  taken when  subjectivism  and  
emotionalism  are  allowed  to  override the objectivity of divine truth. It is quite
common to have someone ask what the word of God teaches about a certain subject,
and upon giving them the correct answer from scripture, to have them respond, "Well, I
know that's what the Bible says, but my God is  bigger  than  a  book,  and I just believe
his grace and mercy will make allowances." Many times a spouse, parent, or child has
died in a state of disobedience to God, and rather than accept the fact that they died lost,
people  try  to  cope  with  their grief through self deception, or by attempting to persuade
themselves and others that God's word is not the final court of appeal in religious matters.
(1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Cor. 4:6) They are trying to convince themselves that God will do something
different than what the Holy Spirit revealed from the mind of God in scripture. The Book
says, "Let God be true, and every human being a liar." (Rom. 3:4, NIV-11)

     God's word is truth. (Jno. 17:17) It is "the word of the truth of the gospel," (ASV)
that is, "the true message of the gospel" (Col. 1:5, NIV-11) Inasmuch as it is "the word
of the truth," it is the gospel of our salvation." (Eph. 1:13) There is but one gospel, and
no additions, subtractions, perversions, or modifications of any kind are tolerated. It
stands as written and whatever it teaches on any issue must remain intact. Paul wrote,
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the
grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel; which is really no gospel at all.
Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the
gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel to
you other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we
have already said, so now I say again: if anybody is preaching to you a gospel other
than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse." (Gal. 1:6-9, NIV-11)

     We live in a day when many among the Lord's own people no longer tolerate the
same forceful, bold, straightforward preaching that we heard a generation ago. It is
not uncommon to hear a brother or sister say "I do not appreciate the fact that he said
those who die in denominationalism will be lost. By preaching such, he has assigned
my dear old mother and father to hell." I wonder if such people would be pleased if
preachers of the gospel were to compromise and say that people who die in man-made
religion will be saved in spite of what  the  Bible teaches? They  probably  would  be
happy, but God would not, and that is what matters! Nevertheless, there will be a
"softie" in a pulpit somewhere who will accommodate such people. There are always
preachers who will tell people whatever they want to hear, whether true or false. They
are like the false prophets in the Old Testament. They cry "Peace, peace; when there is
no peace." (Jer. 6:14; 8:8-12) They are hirelings!

     Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father,
except through me." (Jno. 14:6) Salvation is in Christ. Paul said believers have "the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (2 Tim. 2:10) He also said we
have "the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess. 5:9) A
person cannot get into Christ without being immersed into him. (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:
3-4) Therefore, since a person cannot come to the Father except through Christ, and
since salvation is in Christ, and inasmuch as a person cannot get into Christ without
being immersed into him, immersion is essential to salvation, and the accountable person
who dies without immersion will die lost! The Bible teaches this and the Bible is right.

     No amount of tears poured out over the casket of a dearly departed lost spouse,
no amount of sorrowful moans over the cold body of a mother or father who died in
rebellion against God, and no amount of heart wrenching screams over the body of a lost
child, will change the word of the living God. Scripture says what it says and it teaches
what it teaches. We must be careful that we do not put family over God by falling prey
to  the  devil's  allurements  through  the  human  way  of  thinking. Many are doing this,
and it will not be overlooked on   the   day  of   judgment.  We   are  to  love  no  one
more   than   God;  no  one!  (Mat. 10:34-39; Lk. 14:25-27)  Can  we  not  see that
denominationalism is not a friend. It is a thief  of souls. It is a perverter of divine truth. It
gives false hope and comfort to sinners. Both  the  adherents  and  founders  of  man-made
religion will fall into the pit. (Matthew 15:9,13-14)

     I  have  never  known anyone to take the journey to denominationalism without first
allowing human emotions and human reasoning to become the foundation of their ability
(or inability) to study the word of God. It  may be that  the  greatest  test  we  face  on
earth  is  to see whether we will  turn our backs on family when they turn their backs on
God. Most  people unlike Abraham, are  not willing  to  give  up  a child, wife, mother,
father, or  self   in  order  to   have  something   much  better  when  this  life   is   over.
(Heb. 11:8-10, 17-19)
                                                                                                                     R. Daly

Copyright 2011