It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

In the last article, 6 questions were posed for readers. Let’s consider the Biblical answers: All power in heaven and in earth was given to Jesus. The disciples were to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Further, the disciples were to teach the baptized ones all things whatsoever Jesus had commanded them. All the disciples were to teach the same thing - the gospel - and all who desired to be saved were to believe it, and to be baptized. One who would not believe the gospel was not to be baptized.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God to every one that believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Why is the “gospel” the power of God unto salvation? “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: As it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). The first century people had the details of the gospel, and those who desired salvation obeyed God’s commands which were in the gospel. The 8 writers of the New Testament, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote down all details of the gospel. The facts and the terms of the gospel have not changed, and any person today who desires salvation must obey God’s commands. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude, verse 3). Why did God direct Jude to write these words? “For there are certain men crept in unawares,...ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude, verse 4). Look around at the divisions that exist in the religious world. Denominations arise as men attempt to ignore God‘s clear commands, and change the unchanging gospel.  Conventions and conferences called by denominations attempt to put the stamp of approval on these changes. Isn’t it strange, however, that these conventions and conferences sometimes change the rules they themselves have made! As you readers consider spiritual things this week, think on these questions: Where, in the New Testament, did Jesus tell any sinner to pray “the sinner’s prayer”? Where did any of the 8 writers of the New Testament record God’s command to any sinner to pray “the sinner’s prayer”?