Section 1

When it comes to religion, does it matter what you believe?   If it does make a difference, then of all the religions in the world, which one holds the Truth?    Catholicism? Buddhism?  Mormonism?  Islam? 

Most have not truly considered these questions, and most end up simply remaining in the same religious structure in which they were born and raised, regardless of whether it’s correct or not.    Most are either unwilling or uninterested in exploring these questions further.      

So how would one determine which religious system is correct?    Is there a way to determine which one is of divine origin?    There is!   If we had lived 2000 years ago we would have seen many miracles that would have been indisputable evidence of a divine origin.    But in our generation, a miracle can easily be rationalized away with modern technology, and therefore wouldn’t be as convincing as they were during the days of the disciples.    

That leads us to a proof that is indisputable.   Prophecy!    The ability to predict the future, time and time again, without fail, would be a perfect way to determine if a religion is true.   Of all the religions in the world, has there been one which has predicted the future, and then consistently had those predictions come to pass?   Yes, we see this happen only with the prophecies recorded in the Bible!    In fact the Bible itself tells us how to determine if a religion is correct or not! 

Deuteronomy 18:21  How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’—  Deu 18:22  when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken;   

The Bible is full of prophetic events that were often written 100’s or even 1000’s of years before they occurred.   Just as exciting is the many prophecies written in the pages of scripture, that are now just coming to pass, even in our lifetime!   Can any other religion say this?  No!  

Many of the world’s religions have “moral” philosophies, and good values to live by, but do they teach the truth about us as humans and about our creator?   Only the Bible does so! 

However, just as there are many religions, there are also many versions of Christianity that claim to follow the Bible.       Does it matter which version of Christianity one should follow?     Do you think it matters to the author of the Bible?  Does our creator, and the creator of our world, have expectations on what we should believe?     

If these questions make you curious, then proceed to the second part of this series. 

Although there are an estimated 4200 religions in the world, there can only be ONE TRUE religion.   They can’t all be right.  The same can be said of Christianity, as there are many versions of it as well.    Does it really matter  which version of Christianity one follows, or does one just simply need to believe in God and His son, Jesus?    

Fortunately, we are not left to our own on this question, as we are clearly told that very answer! 

After Christ’s death, the disciples helped to spread the Gospel, however they found that it was quickly getting modified from the original message.   Even at that very early stage, some were already starting to form varying doctrines within Christianity.   Paul wrote a majority of the New Testament letters, warning them of the need to keep the Truth intact.     To the Galatians he wrote…. 

Galatians 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.   

That’s pretty clear, and Paul left no room for variation.   There is only one Gospel message, and it had to be maintained precisely.    In fact, to the person who taught any different version, Paul warned that that person would be “accursed”!      Do we believe Paul?    Does that make us wonder if we have the correct version of the Gospel ourselves?   

John agreed with this assessment of the need to maintain the Gospel exactly as God had given them.   

2John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. 

It’s obvious then that the disciples were concerned about the eroding of the Truth in the first century.    

God has given many warnings to His people throughout the ages, that He expects them to maintain His words with highest regard, and not deviate from them.    His word is Truth (Jn 17:17).      And in fact, he has instructed us to value his word (the Bible) to such a great level that he says in   Psalms 138:2  …”for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. “    

Most recognize that we are not to take His name in vain but let us make sure we are not taking His message in vain either.     

It is from His words in the Bible that we gain knowledge about Him, as well as His purpose for the world and for us individually.   If we deviate and change from his original plan, or find that a slightly different variation is more acceptable to us, then we are in fact saying God’s plan isn’t as important as OUR OWN, and you can imagine how dangerous that would be.    

One might say, but isn’t God based on love, and wouldn’t he forgive us as long as one’s heart was in the right place, even if one didn’t have the exact truth?     Scripture tells us just the opposite…

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge 

And then again in Romans…. 

Romans 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.    

One must start with the knowledge, and the correct understanding of God and what He wants, before He will be approving.    And he is jealous, not wanting anything changed or added to His plan.    

Revelations 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 

God is loving, and He has provided a plan for our salvation.   But God is all-powerful, and all-knowing, and He will not tolerate for mere man to change His teachings.   It’s a necessity that we understand this and that we make sure we are on God’s side.      

We have seen that God wants His message to be believed exactly as He originally delivered it to us, and that if any dare change it, they would be accursed.    Unfortunately, most of the world not only doesn’t recognize this principle, but they also are in violation of it!     

So the question is: Are you different than the masses?   God is looking for the few, not the many.   Are you going to care enough to find out what does matter to God?   It takes some time and study.    

2Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.    

We have compiled a list of commonly misunderstood doctrines that we would suggest do matter to God.    As you study, you will find that these are basic principles that are widely misunderstood.      After going through these, you will probably ask, how can so many be wrong?    

A little reflection from the pages of scripture will show that such a state of things is not only possible but probable.   Just a few pages into Genesis we read of the Flood.   This devastation brought onto the world by God, was because, “all flesh had corrupted God’s way upon the earth”.  Only 8 people were saved from the millions- a few among the masses.  A few pages later, we find Sodom destroyed, when not even 10 righteous could be found in the city.   In the New Testament we find Christ rejected by most of the nation of Israel. Time and time again, we find the masses wrong, with only the few following the Truth.    

Interestingly, prophecy tells us that this will continue to occur until Christ returns. In fact, the conditions will be very similar to the times of Noah and Lot, where only a few will actually be saved.    

Luke 17:26  Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.   

               v. 28  Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot…

               v. 30  so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 

Of that day Jesus asked,  Luke 18:8  …when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”   

The apostles frequently foretold of this decline from the truth (Acts 20:30; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1–5; 4:3–4).   

Such predictions are further suggested by the words of Christ, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14). “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14).  

In the light of such testimonies, it’s clear how so many can be wrong, and it’s even more clear that we have the obligation to make sure we are believing the Truth originally delivered by its Author “…if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:20)  

We invite you to explore more of God’s word, and to discover the treasures God has hidden in the Scriptures for us.