Online Bible Study & Discipleship

Online Bible Study & Discipleship

The ABCs of Christian Growth
(Robert J. Sargent-author)

Date: Nov. 20, 2010
What does salvation mean for me?
Lesson 4

4. What God did:
A. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ me freely… Romans 3:24
B. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ me from my sins… Revelation 1:5
C. Secured my name in the Lamb’s __ __ __ __ of __ __ __ __… Revelation 21:27
D. Adopted me as a __ __ __ of __ __ __…. Romans 8:14-15
E. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ me in the Beloved… Ephesians 1:6
F. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ me … I Corinthians 6:11
G. Made me a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __… 2 Corinthians 5:17

Repentance: a change of attitude resulting from a change of action (about sin).
Justification: to be declared “as not guilty” (just-if-I’d never sinned).
Sanctification: to be set apart by God and for God.
Grace: Undeserved (unmerited) favor.

Instruction:
1. Look at the verse from your Bible.
2. Write down your answer at the comment area.
3. Don't be dependent on others' answers. Read your own Bible and right down your own answer.
4. Use only King James Bible

Online Bible Study & Discipleship

The ABCs of Christian Growth
(an A to Z guide for Christian Discipleship), 3rd Edition, Robert J. Sargent author.

Date: Nov. 17, 2010
Lesson 1

What does salvation mean to me?
1 What I was:
A. I was spiritually __ __ __ __ in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1
B. I was __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ already… John 3:18
C. I had the __ __ __ __ __ of God abiding on me… John 3:36
D. I was a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of sin… Romans 6:17
E. I was headed for the __ __ __ __ of __ __ __ __… Revelation 20:15


Date: Nov. 18, 2010
Lesson 2

2. What God promised me:
A. The gift of __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ___… Romans 6:23
B. The __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of sins… Colossians 1:14
C. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ through his grace… Titus 2:11
D. To __ __ __ __ __ in my heart… Ephesians 3:17
E. The __ __ __ __ of __ __ __ __ __ which passeth knowledge… Ephesians 3:19
F. The __ __ __ of Jesus Christ… John 15:11
G. The __ __ __ __ __ of God, which passeth all understanding… Philippians 4:7


Instruction:
1. Look at the verse from your Bible.
2. Write down your answer at the comment area.
3. Don't be dependent on others' answers. Read your own Bible and right down your own answer.

This will surely help us in our daily walk with God.

The Bible

The Bible

The Bible is the most controversial book.

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Religions today are teaching outside the Bible. On the first approach, they teach Jesus Christ, the name of their church has Jesus Christ but as you on with their teachings and doctrine they are exalting their human leaders. They do believe that the writings of their teacher is more reliable than the Bible.

There are so many books written by religious leaders and sad to say, this has become their church's authority:
RCC- Dogma
INC- Pasugo
Islam- Quran
JW- Turing Bantayan
SDA- pearl of the Great Price
LDS- Mormon
These are just examples of the books written that has become the final authority of these modern days religions.

Putting aside the authority of the Bible. We as Bible believing Baptist should stand in the authority of the Bible.

We strongly believe that the Bible is inspired and preserved word of God. We are holding now is the word of God. We stand in the authority of the King James Bible.

WORD OF MAN

Tao lang ang gumawa niyan, kaya hindi ako naniniwala.

Question 1: Do you come to school? Do you read books in school? Why do you believe it? It is because it is written by man or because it is right?

The basis of your belief that certain book because as you read it it proves something right. Hindi mo naman tinatanong kung sulat lang ng tao o hindi.

Answer 1: Yes, tao ang nagsulat ng Bible ngunit, mga taong puspos ng Espiritu at kaalaman ng Dios.
2 Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Silang mga taong pinuno ng kaalaman ng Dios.

Question 2: Have you read the Bible? If you have read the Bible what have you observed?  If the Bible is a word of man, bakit puro kasalanan ng tao ang mababasa mo? If you have read books, you will always find that the author is a great writer, he is a so on and so forth....

Therefore the Bible is God's word to man!

HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD

The Bible is:
1. a book for common people

May mga nagsasabi na ang Bibliya ay mahirap unawain. (There are Baptist preachers who uses RSV because they say that the KJB is hard to be understood.)

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

There is a clear command that we should read the Bible.

Revelation 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Is God so foolish to tell us to read and we cannot understand it?

2. a logical/reasonable book
Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The reason by we believe the Bible because we understand it by reason. What we have heard and seen in the Bible is true.

May mga nagsasabi nakausap nila ang Dios. But what is the basis of that calling? Is there a witness in your dream na nakausap mo ang Dios? Where is the proof of this religious leaders who claimed to have been called prophets and are using the prophecy of the Bible to support their colorless dreams!

We should not believe those baseless testimony! The Bible is our authority! This is the most practical book ever written!

3. a spiritual book
The Bible is a spiritual book. The reason why most people won't believe the Bible is their blindness; spiritual blindness.

2 Corinthians 4:4  n whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

THERE ARE MISTAKES

If there are mistakes in the Bible where are the mistakes?

ONLY MINISTERS AND GOD ANNOINTED CAN READ AND TEACH IT

Dito po tayo dinaya ng relihiyon. We have been taught na mababaliw tayo if we read the Bible. Wala pa pong nabaliw sa Bible.

And we have been enslaved by this thinking that only those who are "called by God can read and & teach the Bible"

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.


The Bible testifies of the Lord Jesus Christ, and their many religions today who are teaching us away from the Bible because the Bible will teach us about Jesus!

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Revelation 1:3  lessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

How can a person understand the Bible?
1. He must have a personal relationship with Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

2. He must believe
The Bible is not hard to understand but hard to believe. During the earthly ministry of the Lord, His problem is not people cannot comprehend but people don't want to believe!

THE BIBLE IS THE AUTHORITY WHEN IT COMES TO FAITH AND PRACTICE

Don't be decieved by religions who do not believe the Bible.

Questions That Need Proper Biblical answers

Questions that need proper Biblical answers.

In our soul winning endeavor we need to have basic Biblical answers to some common questions.

We are not after (or attacking) human personalities. We are after Biblical doctrines. We are soul winners, we want to win someone to Christ.

Leading a soul to accept Christ for His salvation is just a part of our work. Soul winning is winning a soul from his sins and errors of his doctrines.

Repentance in the Bible is (Acts 20:21) ... repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Repentance includes turning away from sinful ways and erroneous doctrines.


1 Thessalonians 1:9  For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Putting our faith in Christ means you are ready to forget about your former religious belief and be willing to accept the new found faith in Christ.

Therefore we should learn to pinpoint some erroneous belief and practices that is not really Biblical.

IS THERE ANY OTHER TESTAMENT AFTER THE BIBLE?

The answer is loud "NO". But how to answer this question is the problem. How to defend the Bible from the spread of this false belief?

We often say that the book of mormon is not another testament of Jesus Christ because of what the Bible says in Revelation 22:18-19 
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

But once I was trapped by just using this verse and it seemed I have not defended my faith in Christ.

Why they believe that the mormon is another testament of Jesus?
Because there are 3 instances that the phrase "you shall not add or diminish" is mentioned in the Bible 3 times.

a. Deuteronomy 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
b. Proverbs 30:6  6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
c. Revelation 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Those who believed that the book of mormon is another testament is another testament must consider this:
a. Is there a prophecy that another testament will come.
Bible answer:
Hebrews 9:15-18 
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
- There are only 2 testaments mentioned in the Bible, Old and new testament.
b. Is there any proof for the establishment of the book of mormon.  
- For a testament to be established there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. The lood must be applied.
Is there a death and a blood that should establish the book of mormon? the book of mormon was not even mention by Christ.

c. Is there any Biblical truth to support the claim that the book of mormon is another testament.
Bible answer: "No" there is no Bible verse to support that claims, the truth is, the Bible refutes such a belief.

John 20:30 - 31
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 

There is no more reason for another testament because the Bible is already complete book to guide a person to salvation.

WHY WE DON'T WORSHIP ON SATURDAY?

Why are we not observing the sabbath? Talaga bang hindi tayo nangingilin ng sabbath?
 O mayroon mali sa tinuturo nilang sabbath keeping.

Considerations:
1. Did the Gentiles have been commanded to observe the sabbath keeping?
Bible answer: No!
Exodus 31:15-17
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Sabbath keeping is a sign between God and Israel.

2. Did the New Testament Christians gathers on Sabbath for worship?
Bible answer: No.
There is no record in the New Testament that the disciples gathered to worship on sabbath day. But there are Bible verses to prove that the Christians/disciples worship on the first day of the week.


Acts 20:7-8
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

John 20:19  19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

1 Corinthians 16:2   2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3. What is the sabbath for Christians?
Hebrews 4:1-4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

"We which believed do enter into rest"

Hebrews 4:8-11
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Jesus is speaking of "another day"

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

"ceased from his work"

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The word "labour" in this verse is  ["u`pe,r" (huper) {hoop-er'}] which means hasten.

The day that is mention there is the you ceased from believing that your works can save you.

Matthew 11:28-29 
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Jesus is telling us that you hall find rest for your soul. the rest that Jesus is giving is the rest of our souls.

That rest is resting from believing from your work and put a 100% faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Kaya ang tunay na pangingilin ay nasa puso mo si Jesus bilang Tagapagligtas.

The Blood Of Jesus

The Blood of Jesus

Romans 3:23-26
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

This is the most rare and often not spoken in religions today: THE BLOOD OF JESUS. Most religion praises you of your good works or religious achievements but not the blood of Jesus Christ. They speak of man to be saved because of what he is doing but not on the merit of Christ.

Religion always puts salvation in human hands and power.

Note: True repentance includes turning your back from a false doctrine. Once you know the truth, forsake the lies of religion and learn to walk in the brand new life God has given you.

This doctrine of the blood of Jesus Christ is very important but this has somewhat become the most neglected topic throughout. To neglect the blood of Jesus Christ is to neglect the salvation that Jesus has done on the cross.

Not to know the power of the blood is ignorance to the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

NEVER BEEN MENTIONED
Have you ever wondered why most of the time the blood of Jesus is not mentioned in the podiums of religions?

Often and for most of the time, religion doesn't teach salvation by grace through faith on the finished work of Christ on the cross.

I have for so many times recieved this kind of answer to my question: TINATANGGAP MO BA NA ANG GINAWA NI KRISTO SA KRUS AY SAPAT NA PARA SA IYONG KALIGTASAN? The most common answer is: NO! KAILANGAN IKAW DIN AY GUMAWA NG PARAAN.

Religion has blinded so many souls and is going straight to hell with this kind of belief.

Lagi-lagi, bahala na ang Dios sa akin basta.... this has been the most common relief to a wanting soul because gantio lang naman kasi ang pwedeng ibigay ng relihiyon.

Most common statements from individuals I have talked about salvation:
"BAKA maligtas tayo"
"Basta wala tayong inagrabyadong tao"
"Dios nalang bahala sa akin"
"Basta gumagawa ka ng mabuti"
"Kaya nga nagpapakabuti"

Ibig sabihin ang relihiyon ay hindi kayang magturo ng katiyakan ng kaligtasan. Lahat ay pagbabasakali.

Unawain niyo po itong mabuti: MAGKAMALI KA NA NG PAGPILI SA IBANG BAGAY HUWAG LANG SA KALIGTASAN NG IYONG KALULUWA.

Kung magkamali ka sa pagpili ng anumang bagay dito, maari mo pang ayusin hanggan buhay pa, pero kung nagkamali ka ng pagpili sa kaligtasan at nasa kabilang buhay ka na wala nang pagkakataon pang bumalik dito para ayusin.

Ang pagtanggap sa Panginoon bilang Tagapagligtas is the greatest decision in this life.

"IT IS FINISHED"
Jesus proclaimed that salvation is finished on the cross when He said, IT IS FINISHED.
John 19:30   30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Salvation is a finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Kung tapos na, may gagawin pa ba tayo? Pero maraming mga relihiyon ang nagtuturo na dapat may bahagi tayo sa kaligtasan at marami din namang mga tao ang nagpapadaya.

Jesus paid the price for our salvation. His payment is His own blood.

Hebrews 9:22   22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Ephesians 1:7   7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 2:13  3 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Colossians 1:20   20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Hebrews 9:12-14
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Salvation is a finished work of Christ once for all forever.
Hebrews 10:4-5
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Hebrews 10:10-14
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

1 Peter 1:18-20
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

INSULT TO CHRIST
Not to accept the finished work of Jesus Christ is an insult to what Jesus has done.

Jesus only made the sacrifice once.
Hebrews 9:24-26
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

The power of that sacrifice covers our past, present and future sins. Kung ang past at present lang ang cover ng sakripisyo ni Kristo, then dapat Siyang pinapako sa krus sa tuwi nang tayo ay magkasala.

Not to accept a gift is heart breaking.

To make the same gift just like the one that was offered is an insult. Most people have insulted christ by making their own way to heaven.

THE POWER OF THE BLOOD
Jesus paid it all.

I don't of religion that teaches the blood of Christ can save and cleanse. All religion is teaching us to be good to be saved.

We have redemption through His blood.
Romans 3:24-25
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

We have cleansing through His blood.
1 John 1:7   7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

We have sanctification through His blood.
1 Peter 1:2   2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng kapangyarihang sumunod sa Panginoon kung hindi dahil sa kanyang banal na dugo.

Born Again

"Ye must be born again."

John 3:1-7
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

"Ye must be born again." This is a very profound statement when it comes to salvation. It is not a suggestion, It is imperative, it is very important. For anyone to be saved, he must be born again.

But may be this phrase is one of the most misinterpreted verse in the Bible.

Misinterpretation #1: The phrase "born again" became a religious sect.

Misinterpretation #2: That to be born again is to be baptized.

There has been a vast confusion brought to us by religious leaders who have used Bible terms to mislead people from the gospel.

"BORN AGAIN" A RELIGIOUS SECT

Have you heard the statement, "born again din ba kayo?" It seems that being born again is being a part of a certain sect or denomination. This refers to a religious group of people who believes that salvation is by baptism, maintain salvation by good works, if you commit sin you will lost salvation, dancing is worship, speaking in tongues is a must, etc. This group is often calls for religious unity and it is known as ecumenical movement.

Born again is never a sect or a denomination. It is a personal experience in Christ: to be born in the family of God.

Two families:
The devil's family
John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The family of God
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

"BORN AGAIN" A BAPTISMAL EXPERIENCE

There has been must misinterpretation in this passages (John 3:1-7) because many "Bible teachers" used this passage of the scriptures salvation by baptism. The word "water" was misinterpreted as baptism.

Is there really baptism in John 3:1-18? Read the whole chapter and there was no baptism in this passage. Salvation is the clearest doctrine in the Bible. If baptism is part of our salvation it should be mentioned in this passage.

Why water is not baptism in this passage:
#1: No mention of the word baptism in the conversation of Nicodemus and Jesus.
#2: Salvation verses such as John 3:15-18 wasn't accompanied by baptism.

But what really the "water" in this passage. We believe that the Bible will interpret itself. Passages that explains the word "water":
Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
So, the Bible speaks for itself. The water this is the Word of God. It is not water baptism.

"BORN AGAIN" BUT NOT SURE OF GOING TO HEAVEN

One thing that is funny is that those people who believe to be "born again" are these same people who believes that they need to maintain their salvation by their works. That if you commit sin you will not be saved and you need to be "born again" again. Therefore, you need to be born again and again and again since these people cannot gurantee themselves that they can no more commit mistakes.

I think the right word would be "burn again".

There is no salvation if there is no assurance of salvation.

Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

The work of righteousness refers to what Jesus has done.

Romans 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Romans 3:21-22
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

There is assurance of salvation to all who believed.

John 10:28-29
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

John 6:37
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Religions cast out anybody but Jesus will never cast anybody.

A BORN AGAIN IS A NEW CREATURE

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Religion says, do good to be saved; the Bible says, be saved and you will do good.

What is the gospel?

What is the gospel?

One of the most interesting topic in spiritual issues is salvation. Saan ka tutungo pagdating sa iyo ng kamatayan? Have you asked yourself this question?

The word 'gospel' has been commonly used inside religions but the truth meaning and essence of it is not clearly discussed.

There is also misconceptions concerning this matter. Some lessens its power and others don't really believe its power to save.

THE TRUTH IS NOT EMPHASIZED
Most religion has their emphasis on something their religion believes and not on the gospel in which pictures what Jesus has done. The emphasis is on the individual who wants to go to heaven and not on the Lord Jesus who only can save.

Most religion teaches their audience to be good to be saved.

Question #1: What is the basis of that "good" works and what is the extent of that good works.

It is common to say, you need to do good works to be saved, but what and how?

For example: (Just to let you think) Good works varies depending on the person who looks at it. There are things that may be good in my perspectives and is not in others. Have you heard saying, "You cannot please everybody"? Maybe because everybody has his own standard of 'good'. Kaya po mahirap ang katuruan na kailangan gumawa ka ng mabuti upang ikaw ay maligtas.

Question #2: Ano ang mabuti na dapat gawin upang maligtas? Naitanong mo na ba sa nagtuturo kung ano yung mabuting bagay na iyong gagawing upang maligtas? Kung naitanong mo na, napag-isipan mo ba ang sagot?

Di ba ang mabuting gawain na sinasabi nila ay mga gawaing nakikinabang ang kanilang relihiyon na kahit mabait ka sa kapwa ngunit hindi ka kaanib ikaw ay hindi ligtas. Ibig sabihin hindi ligtas kung hindi ka mapapakinabangan ng relihiyon. Tama ba ang aking kuro-kuro?

Question #3: Ano ba ang batayan ng pagiging mabuti? ANG BIBLIYA. Kung ang Bibliya ang batayan patungkol sa kabutihan, ano naman ang sabi ng Bibliya?

Luke 18:18-19
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

There is only one good and that is God.

Kahit pa sa kasaysayan sa Lukas 18, ang mayamang binata dito ay hindi naligtas bagaman sinabi niya sinunod na niya ang kautusan. Siya ay tumalikod kay Jesus at hindi kinilala ang salita ni Kristo. Sapagkat may sariling siyang pamantayan sa pagiging mabuti na iba sa pamantayan ni Kristo.

Good works is loudly emphasized and the gospel is not even mentioned in church that teaches salvation through membership and good works.

Have you ever noticed na dakilain si Kristo ang sarili ang itinataas para maligtas.

SALVATION IS OF THE LORD
Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Wala po tayong kakayanan na iligtas ang sarili natin. Salvation is of the Lord. Sa Dios laman ang kakayanan at kapangyarihan na magligtas. Huwag po tayong madaya ng relihiyon na nagsasabi kailangan kayong sumanib sa amin at manatili. Bakit? May mapapakinabangan sila sa inyo. Kung hindi na kayo matapat hindi ka na ligtas.

Religion is a business ika nga, and most religion is using the 'FEAR' of individual to sustain their ministry. Maraming mga tao takot mawala sa kanilang simbahan baka mawalang kaligtasan, bakit? Because their religion holds their salvation.

Ang katuruang yan ay mali. Napakaliwanag sa Bibliya, Salvation is of the Lord, not of ourselves, and not of works.

Pero inilalagay ng relihiyon sa ating mga kamay ang kaligtasan.

THE GOSPEL
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

This truth about the gospel is not emphasized in most of the religions.

Observation #1: The emphasis of the gospel is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Jesus died, was buried and rose again. This is the gospel. In most religions Jesus is not the emphasis but the good thing for his religion is. It is not what we have done it is on what Jesus has done.

Observation #2: The power of God to save is the gospel. What Jesus has done is the power of God to save. Jesus died, he was buried and he rose again, this is the gospel. This is the power of God to save.

Observation #3: There is no mention of good works or religious membership as the power of God to save.


For example, instead of putting a period (.) on a Bible truth the put a VERY BIG question mark (?)

Illustration:
Notice the punctuation mark.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (The punctuation mark at the end of the sentence is a period)

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life? (The punctuation mark at the end of the sentence is a question mark).

This what religion is doing, instead of believing the Bible as it is, they put a very big question mark.

SALVATION TODAY
Have you put you faith in Jesus today that he is only the way to be saved and no other?

Why didn't Jesus mention specifically the name of His church in the Bible?

Why didn't Jesus mention specifically the name of His church in the Bible?

There are so many religions today who claim to be Biblical because they use Bible terms and words and claim to be Biblical.

RELIGIOUS TREND
Religions today are proud of the name of their church as Biblical names. Most if not all religion teaches salvation through church membership. It is imperative to be a member of the church to be saved.

Argument #1: If church membership is God's way of salvation, there is no saved in the Old Testament believers since there is no church yet.

Argument #2: If being a member of the church is a way to go to heaven, John the Baptist who initiated baptism is not saved because he is not baptized. No one baptized John the Baptist. This make me laugh, the one who perform baptism is not saved.

Argument #3: If church membership is Jesus' way of salvation, the thief on the cross when Jesus was crucified is not saved because there is no more opportunity for him to be baptized and be a member of the church.

Argument #4: If church membership is God's way of salvation, the founder of that religion is not saved, for one reason, who baptized him? From where did he got his authority to baptized?

Sa sino mang relihiyon na nagsasabi na ang bautismo at pagsanib sa relihiyon ay paraang ng Dios sa kaligtasan, isang bagay na tiyak ang nagtatag nito ay hindi ligtas. Sapgakat sino nagbautismo sa kanya at saan siya kaanib bago niya naitayo ang relihiyong kanyang pinangungunahan ngayon.

RELIGIOUS IGNORANCE
Romans 10:2-3
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Most often, religious teachers are telling his audience that they are the true church because they have Bible verse to support the name of their church.

I have search from the internet names of churches who are biblical by terminology and these are:
Church of Christ
Church of God
United Church of God
United Church of Christ
Church of the Christ in the Latter Day Saints
United Pentecostal Church of Christ
Etc...
There are so many, even in not searching the internet in just hearing radio, watching TV and even looking around you can find these names of churches. Most of these religions teaches salvation by baptism and church membership.

Observation #1: To point the ignorance, all of them is saying that they are different from the other. They even have their debates about who is true this certain church of Christ or this certain church of God.

Observation #2: But in using Bible terms, all of them will be true in their own ignorance.

Observation #3: To use the Bible terminology in naming a church is not specifically God's way or Biblical.

IS IT REALLY A NAME?
Is the phrase church of Christ or church of God a name?

Basically, it is not a name but an ownership.

Example #1: What is the name of your car? Can you answer it this way, The name of my car is "car of Job" It speaks of ownership not a name. That question can be answered, The name of my car is "Volkswagen".

Example #2: Let us put it this way, what is the name of Christ's church? Can you answer it this way, The name of Christ's church is "church of Christ" or "church of God". Do these answers has any sense?

Therefore all who uses the "Biblical terminology" to name their church is not really Biblical.

WHY IS IT THAT JESUS NEVER MENTION THE NAME OF HIS CHURCH IN THE BIBLE?
John 20:30-31
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The name of the church Jesus built is not mention in the Bible because it is not God's way of salvation. Jesus is the way.

Hindi paraan ng Dios sa kaligtasan ang pagsanib sa relihiyon. It is on believing in the name of Jesus.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THIS?
Paano kaya kung pinahintulutan ng Panginoon na isulat ang pangalan ng church na itinayo Niya, this could lead to a great spiritual damage.

Eh, kung ito nga hindi pa naisulat ang pangalan ng church na itinayo ng Panginoon lahat sila nagsasabi na tama sila ang gulo na, lalo pang gugulo yan.

Kaya napakatalino ng Panginoon. Nalaman tuloy natin ang mali.

God bless you all.

Jesus said, I AM THE WAY

Someone has asked, bakit po napakaraming religion? Alin po ba ang tama? Naguguluhan ako. This is a response from one of our radio broadcast before.

Where religion stands?
Kung titingnan natin ang paraan ng kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ng uri at pangalan ng relihiyon maguguluhan tayo sapagkat walang relihiyong nagsasabi na sila ay mali.

Halos magkakaiba ang mga system ng relihiyon (sa unang tingin) pero kung pag-aaralang mabuti mayroon pagkakapareho.

Anyway, religion differs in the day of worship, kind of food being eaten, dress codes, especially in the names of churches. Most often, this makes me laugh, there are so many religious leader who based their belief that they are a true church because a certain Bible verse stated the name of their church. Anybody can use a Bible verse to protect the name they want for their church but it is not necessarily a church that Jesus built. Studying it further it is not a name of the church, it's speaks of Christ's ownership to the church.

Example:
Ibon ni Karding (bird of Richard) is not a name of the bird of Richard (Karding). It speaks that the bird is under the ownership of Richard. What is the name of the bird of Richard? It may be African lovebird, or maya. Ibon ni Karding is not a name.

They say that they are the church because their church's name is in the Bible which is not necessarily true.

Religions differ in many ways but common in a certain matter, what is it?

Biblical declaration
Throughout the Bible, there is only one way of salvation. But man made his own way of salvation.

Religion is only divided by two. The dividing line is the way of salvation. This the point where we are going to divide religion.

Let us go to the Bible:
Luke 13:23-28
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Matthew 7:13-15
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Question? There are how many way mentioned in these set of verses?
Answer: 2. The narrow (strait) and the broad way.

We must base our belief concerning the way of salvation in the Bible.

Question? How can we distinguish these two ways?
Answer: By works and by faith.

By works:
Biblical refuting to those who believed that salvation is by works.
By works means doing your way to heaven through good works, baptism, church membership, endurance, etc...

Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds (works) of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:28
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds (works) of the law.

Romans 4:5
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Galatians 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:10
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Ang ibig sabihing Gal. 3:10 ay sa sinumang naniniwala na ang kaligtasan ay sa pamamagitan ng gawa dapat manatili siyang walang paglabag sa lahat na nakassulat sa Bibliya.

By Faith:
Biblical basis of believing that salvation is only by faith in Jesus Christ.
Faith means believing that Jesus alone can save.

Romans 3:19-22
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:24
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:28
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 4:15-16
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 8:24
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Romans 10:9
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:13
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Ephesians 2:8
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Is there any in these verse that teaches us that we must work to be saved? Faith is not accompanied by good works when it comes to salvation.

Romans 11:6
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

OBSERVATION BASED ON BIBLE TRUTH:
There are only two ways people are looking at as the way of salvation by works and by faith.
Therefore the broad and narrow way mentioned in the Bible are by works and by faith.

By works = broad way
By faith= narrow way

Therefore, hindi po marami ang relihiyon, dalawa lang by works and by faith. Huwag nating hatiin ang relihiyon ayon sa pangalan, kinakain, sinusuot, araw ng pagsamba at iba pa.

Ang relihiyon ay maaring hatiin sa paraan ng kaligtasan na tinuturo nila. Ito ba ay by works o by faith?

The Signs of the Times

The signs of the times (Matt. 24:1-14)
There is no exact date when will the Lord Jesus will come again but for sure it is nearer than we believed.
Kahit hindi natin malalaman kung kailan ang rapture, the Bible tells of the signs of the times:

1. Religious explosion. Matt. 24:5,11
Religion will rise by number. We are in a day where numbers are a barometer of being true religion. Most religion teaches salvation by church membership. Nag-away-away na sila pero hindi man lang nila napansin na pareho ang paraan ng kaligtasan na tinunuro nila ang pagsanib sa relihiyon at paggawa ng mabuti. mayroon din namang nagsasabi na nakausap nila ang Dios (kahit sino pwede magsabing nakausap niya ang Dios, pero walang witness na nakausap nga niya), habang nakakakita tayo ng paglaganap ng relihiyon in great number this is oe of the signs of the times.

2. Wars and Rumors of Wars. Matt. 24:6,7
Tunay na lumalaganap ang giera sa iba't-ibang mga bansa. Ito'y tanda na malapit ng dumating ang Panginoon. Hindi po dapat magulumihanan ang isang tunay na mananamplataya sapagkat hindi pa ito ang katapusan.

3. Pestilence or Disease. Matt. 24: 7
Lumalaganap na ang iba't-ibang uri ng karamdaman. Iba't-ibang uri ng karamdaman na nagpapahirap at pumapatay.

4. Earthquakes. Matt. 24:7,8
Earthquakes at volcanic eruptions ay kapansinpansin sa ating kapanahunan. These are the signs that Jesus is coming so soon. Ito'y pasimula pa lang kahirapan. Kapansinpansin ang pagbagsak ng ekonomiya dahil sa patuloy na pag-erupt ng isang bulkan sa Iceland.

5. Christian Persecution. Matt. 24:9,10
Kung meron mang pananampalataya ng pilit sakalin at patuloy na tinutugis ay ang pananampalatayang Kristiyano. Until now Christians are being persecuted. In other countries, reading the Bible is not allowed. You can be jailed by praying "in the name of Jesus". Christian seems to be an offence to the world. At sa ating kapanahunan yan nangyayari.
Christians are still the most persecuted people in all the world.
Sa mga panahong ito nasusubukan ang tunay na tibay ng isang mananampalataya.

6. Mega-churches. Matt. 24:11
MANY false prophets shall arise and deceive MANY. Centralized and mega churches are on the rise. If there be a time in history that people come to "christian churches" is today. People are carrying Bibles, singing "christian songs", chanting 'christian praises" but most often they don't know where are they going after death.
Centralized religion. Did Christ established a centralized church? Did Paul become lord over the churches he had helped established?

The Seven churches of Asia in Rev. 2 & 3 has one angel (messenger) each church and has differ in characteristics.

Paul encouraged Titus to ordain elders (pastors) in every city. Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

It is not God's design for a church to be centralized and look only to one pastor. The church is the monopoly of Christ but not of any man. Only Christ is the head of the church.

People loves entertainments and are for so many times are entertained by preachers' oratory or music or dancing and the word of God is left in the streets.

7. Backsliding. Matt. 24:12
While mega-churches is on the rise, true Christian seems to be affected by backsliding. Because of the abounding worldliness and materialism the love of Christ is waxing cold. The church is left behind while Christian pursue for the world.

8. The Saved Shall Endure. Matt. 24:13
This verse has been a topic of so much debate. The fact is: ginawa na itong paraan ng kaligtasan sa maraming mga relihiyon. Upang maunawaan ang talatang ito dapt maunawaan natin ang buong kwento sa Matt. 24. Mula sa verse 1 hanggang 14 ay pangyayari sa pangkasalukuyan at ito ang SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Mula naman sa verse 15 hanggang 51 ay panghinarap ng mangyayari.

Specifically, ang verses one to 14 ay hindi nagtuturo ng paraan ng kaligtasan bagkus ito'y mga tanda o palatandaan ng malapit nang pagbabalik ng Panginoon.

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
From the original meaning, the phrase "the same shall" is the same as "this".
Therefore, it can said, But he that shall endure unto the end, this be saved.

Sa paglaganap ng mega churches and religions and some Christians backslid, isa sa mga palatandaan ng ating kapanahunan ay ang pag-endure ng tunay na ligtas. Ang ligtas lamang ang maaring manatili sapagkat sinabi na yan ng Bibliya sa Psalm 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

9. Intensive Worldwide Gospel Movement. Matt. 24:14
The gospel is being spread all around the world.

Now these are the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Unawain po natin ang kanahunan.
kung ikaw ay hindi pa ligtas, may oras ka pa upang tanggapin ang Panginoon ngayon. Pagsisihan mo ang iyong kasalanan at tanggapin mo si Kristo bilang Tagapagligtas.