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Although it may seem that there are a large number of different “versions” of Christianity, there is only one Truth. That Truth is found in the Bible.
The Bible was written by about 40 different men, from various places, at different times throughout a sixteen hundred year period. Most of these writers were not able to discuss things with one another in any way.
Yet all of the writings completely agree with one another in every way. This is because they were inspired by God, through the Holy Spirit as they wrote. This means that the Author of the Bible is God Himself so it is infallible and inerrant! IT is our standard! IT is our guide. This is the first and most important thing to understand. Never forget this!
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
God is holy. God is not a dictator. Dictators are not good, but He is all good. He gave mankind the freedom to love and obey Him, or to rebel against Him and sin. We ALL chose to rebel against Him and sin. We are sinners. God, however, still loved us. But “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” (John 3:16).
Because mankind chose to sin, and lives in sin, he occupies a world tainted by sin. It is full of division and finger pointing. “We’re right and they’re wrong.” “No, WE’RE right and THEY’RE wrong.” This problem existed even in the very early churches. Paul records this in several of his New Testament letters. These churches were started by the Apostles, who were witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. They saw Him after He arose from the dead and dwelt for 40 days among men, prior to His return to Heaven. Paul even saw Him after that and was blinded by His glory (Acts 9).
How did the Apostle Paul, being directly inspired by the Holy Spirit, correct these churches had division among them? By pointing them to Christ and the Truth of God’s Word!
Now this I say , that every one of you saith , I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided ? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
The Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” It is all about Him!
You are not saved by figuring out which denomination is the right one.
You are not saved by figuring out which church is the right one.
You are not saved by figuring out which preacher is the right one.
You are saved by Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2:8). Although I do belong to a church now and I do align with Independent Baptists because of their stance on the True Word of God, I was saved before stepping foot in a church. I was saved without associating myself with any one particular denomination. I was saved before I even knew what “Baptists” believed.
And there are many others like me. People who trusted in God’s Word (The Bible). They believed it … not just intellectually (even Satan and his demons believe it that way – James 2:19), but in their heart. God’s Word told me that I was a sinner (and I knew in my heart that I was). God’s Word told me that God is Perfect, completely Just in every way. I believed in my heart that He was. God’s Word told me that I was condemned because of my sin. I believed in my heart that I was. God’s Word told me that Jesus Christ paid it all for ME! After some time of reading His Word and praying often, I believed in my heart that He did! The blood He shed, the cruel death He died was for my sin. There are many, many, many others who have come to Faith in Jesus Christ and were saved in the same manner.
God DOES use men to preach, men and women to teach and evangelize, etc. God DOES work in Biblical New Testament Churches. If you come to know the Lord you will eventually desire that fellowship and desire to grow Spiritually, learning from Pastors and Teachers and loving one another as the Lord loves us. It is not, however, a denomination that saves. It is not a church that saves. It is not a Pastor that saves. It is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself Who Saves! If you are a lost sinner your top priority is not, “which denomination is right?” You must be born again. Being saved is your first priority.
Seek God. READ GOD’S WORD. Pray! You may not understand it all at first, but a humble, seeking heart, that HONESTLY desires the Truth and honestly wants to live for his Creator, will be given knowledge, light, and Truth through the Word of God.
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7-11)
Read God’s Word. The Bible is our Standard. Read His Word and pray for understanding. I recommend that you start with the Gospel of John, then Acts and Romans. (But it is all God’s Word.) If you have a humble, repentant heart and you seek the Pure Truth, you will find that it is pretty easy to filter through to the churches that preach the uncompromised Truth of God’s Word. Pray and He will lead you to the right church. None are perfect, but there are many true Bible Preaching churches out there which do not compromise God’s Word and which exist to proclaim the Gospel, to see sinners come to know Christ, and help Christians grow in the Lord.
