|
 Early
in the first century Christ sent the Spirit of Truth to guide
the apostles into all truth. (Jn. 16:13; Acts 2: 1-f) The
New Testament records that truth which these inspired men wrote
and taught. This gospel truth was being preached, believed and
obeyed before the middle of that first century. Over 1900
years ago souls were being saved from sin through the knowledge
of this truth. The implications of this simple fact are
profound.
Think
of it! A sinner could be saved in obedience to this gospel
over 250 years before the Nicene Creed was formulated; long
before there was a Catholic church to establish “Divine
Tradition” or “interpret” the scriptures; over 500 years
before Catholicism had a universal Pope; before Catholic
doctrine of celibacy, sprinkling for baptism, instrumental music
in worship, transubstantiation, purgatory, extreme unction, holy
orders, Mary-worship, confession before priests — and over
1800 years before the doctrine of Papal infallibility.
Think
of it! An individual could be reconciled to God through
Christ over 1450 years before the Catholic monk Martin Luther
made his historic protest; before he advanced the false notion
of justification by faith only; before his name was worn by
anyone except his family.
Think
of it! Men and women could become CHRISTIANS, live and die
with the hope of heaven, over 1450 years before there was a
Church of England (Episcopal) or a Presbyterian church; before
John Calvin and his false teaching on predestination, direct
operation of the Holy Spirit and infant
|
|
baptism!
Think
of it! Men were being redeemed by the blood of Christ over
1500 years before John Smyth began his work which resulted in
the establishment of the first Baptist church; over 1650 years
before John Wesley and the Methodist church; over 1750 years
before Joseph Smith, the father of Mormonism, received his
alleged revelation; which was about the same time the Adventist
group had its beginning under the leadership of William Miller;
over 1800 years before Mary Baker Eddy’s “revelation” and
Christian Science; over 1800 years before there was a Jehovah’s
Witness sect to knock on the door or distribute the Watchtower
paper!
Think
of it! The simple gospel of Christ was providing men with
ALL THINGS pertaining to life and godliness over 1900 years ago!
(2 Pet. 1:3) It was furnishing men completely unto every good
work at that early date. (2 Tim. 3:17) That gospel. truth
provides the basis for man’s becoming, being and doing
ALL that God requires of him, is further evidenced by the fact
that men will one day be judged by this very gospel. (Jn. 12:48)
Think
of it! If ALL of the combined religious creeds, ideas,
doctrines, concepts, opinions, “revelations”, and traditions
of the past 1900 years should perish, men could STILL know how
to serve God and be saved! Is it not time you considered
uncluttered, unadulterated New Testament Christianity?? Dan S.
Shipley
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
