Here a Christ, there a Christ....

When you are a Christian trying to find training and instruction in the way we should live our lives, the world can at times appear to be like a giant discount store.

"Get your Christ here - 20% fewer laws!"

"Step right up, grab your very own Jesus - you decide what action phrases He says!"

"Own your own Savior - you make all the decisions, you program all the features!"

BALONEY!

There are some very simple steps that we are taught to take when deciding if something is "real" or if something is "false" when we are given doctrine (doctrine is rules or directions to go by.)

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." 2 Jhn. 1:7

First test: Does the doctrine attest to the fact that Jesus (the Christ, or in other words the Messiah) IS arrived on earth as a human (with all the same temptations, yet fallen to none.) If the answer to that is YES, you might well be going with some good information. If the answer is NO, then it is antichrist, and should be avoided as lies. So, all the flat out non-christian denominations are left at the starting gate right there (all the Asian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and all the religions like Zoroastra, Ba'al, Satanism, Druidism, etc.)

"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." Gal. 1:8

This is a biggie of a test: Does the doctrine propose something other than that displayed in the Holy Bible? If NO, continue on - it's looking like you've got the live wire for doctrine. If YES, drop it at once. It is a religion in the spirit of antichrist.

What religions are Christian in appearance but fail to follow the gospel as put forth in the Bible? Well, that could take a book, but some are as follows:

Islam - They claim Jesus was just a prophet. They claim He was not the Son of God. They are wrong.

"And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" Mat. 8:29
Even the demons recognized Jesus for who He is.

Roman Catholicism - They claim Jesus is not the only way to the Father, but that his mother, Mary is another way (a co-redemptrix.) They claim you need the priests to clear your way of sin. They believe in the falsehood of purgatory. They are wrong.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
Jesus does not need any help - He is God!

Emergent Church, Word of Faith, and all the other that claim a special status of knowledge or a necessary skill in order to "tap in" to God's power and/or blessings. They are wrong.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8-9
God did (and does) it all. Adding anything of man would be a work.

So, by now you may be asking, "Where DO I find training and instruction?"

When you are looking for a church, ask these questions:

1. Do you teach that the Holy Bible is the 100% accurate, 100% without error, inspired Word of God?
2. Do you teach that Jesus is the Son of God, sacrificed on the cross as a perfect payment for the sins of His people, resurrected from the grave and now in heaven with His Father?
3. Do you teach the imminent rapture of the Christian Church by Jesus?
4. Do you teach that any and all sacraments performed by the church are to honor and remember (as opposed to being requirements for salvation and/or forgiveness?)
5. Do you teach "once saved-always saved" as doctrine?

If the church you are visiting can answer YES to the above questions, you should be safe to plant your roots there and grow, grow, grow!

Grace and Peace....