Does God Exist?

Is the Bible Inspired?

Anger

Are You Contagious?

Christian Influence

Do Not Separate

Galations and Your Salvation

Hell

No Worries

Pope

What Path?
DOES GOD EXIST?
 
Either God exists or He does not!  Let's examine some of the evidence:
 
CAUSE AND EFFECT ? Cosmology argues that since the universe exists, it
must have a cause. The law of cause and effect states that every material effect
must have an adequate cause that comes before the effect. There could never
have been a time that NOTHING existed.
Something (matter) or someone (mind) has always existed. The creation
(effect) implies a Creator (the Cause, Romans 1:18-21; Genesis 1:1).
 
DESIGN - Teleology argues that where there is a design, there must be
a designer. The universe DOES show evidence of design; therefore it
must have a designer! The temperature inside the sun is estimated to
be over 20 million degrees Celsius. The earth is located at exactly
the correct distance from the sun to receive the proper amount of heat
and radiation to sustain life as we know it.  If the earth were moved
just 10% closer to the sun, far too much heat and radiation would be
absorbed. If the earth were moved just 10% farther from the sun, too
little heat would be available. Either way we would we doomed!  As the
earth moves in its orbit around the sun, it departs from a straight
line by only 1/9 of an inch every 18 miles. If it departed by 1/8 of
an inch, we would come so near to the sun that we would burn up.  If
it departed by 1/10 of an inch, we would find ourselves too far from
the sun and would freeze to death.
 
What would happen if the rotation rate of the earth were cut in half
or doubled? If it were halved, the seasons would be doubled in length,
which would cause such harsh heat and cold over much of the earth
where it would be VERY difficult, if not impossible, to grow enough
food for the earth's population. If the rotation were doubled in
length, it would cause the same kind of potential food shortage.
 
Take the design of the human body.  Look how it heals itself and how
everything works properly.   Do you think the design of the birth
process happened by chance?  Of course not!  Sadly though, there are
many people refuse to have God in their knowledge (Romans 1:28). "The
fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'." (Psalm 53:1)
 
MORALITY ? Morality argues that there are moral absolutes.  How do we
determine what is right and what is wrong? Despite some disagreements
on what constitutes morality, there is universal consensus.  Vices
such as murder and stealing are universally considered wrong. Either
man created these moral absolutes or God did.  If one does not believe
in God, then he must conclude that man created morals.  Consider the
behavior of animals: they do not feel guilt when killing an animal for
food.  Yet, as a general rule, when human beings kill other human
beings, they violate their conscience and believe they have done
something wrong.  If humans are merely a more advanced form of animal,
then why do humans have a moral conscience and accept certain moral
absolutes?  There should be no purpose for morals or acting good.
There should be no such thing as love, hate, fairness or reality.
Anything goes if there is no God.  All humans should be satisfied that
all is relative. Also, how could the government and police be
justified in enforcing laws is there is no such thing as right and
wrong!  Who applauds a friend for betraying him? No one! Yet, if it is
not wrong, then why should anyone care? Consider these facts: (1) God
exists, Hebrews 11:6; (2) God is morally perfect, James 1:13, 17; (3)
God derives moral absolutes from His own  nature and reveals them in
His Word, John 17:17; (4) Jesus (and Christianity) is the way and  the
truth (John 14:6); (5) Truth is what sets us free from a life of
guilt, separation and ultimate destruction, John 8:32.
 
An honest examination of the inspired Word of God along with God-given
common sense and God-given laws such as cause and effect prove that
GOD does exist. And we MUST obey Him if we want to go to Heaven.
Matthew 7:21 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall
enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
Heaven."
 
For more detailed articles and information on apologetics, visit
Apologetics Press at www.apologeticspress.org.
 
--Kevin Pendergrass
IS THE BIBLE INSPIRED BY GOD?
 
The Bible claims that it is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In a letter
to the church in Thessalonica, Paul thanked God that these brethren
had received "the word" of his message, not as "the word of men," but
rather, "as it is in truth, the word of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
The inspired New Testament prophets and apostles were invaluable in
the determination of truth (Acts 15:1-29, see verse 28). Spiritual
gifts such as the "discerning of spirits" were given to protect the
early Christians from error until the New Testament was written and
made available (I Corinthians 12:10; 14:29). God's revelation to man
was completed with the book of Revelation. Therefore, the faith has
been "once delivered," no additional revelations (Jude 3). God has
provided all matters pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
We have not received simply the "word of men" or "cunningly devised
fables," but "as it is in truth, the word of God" (1 Peter 1:16). In
John 8:32 we are told that we shall know the truth and the truth shall
set us free. There are NO mistakes in the Bible! Not one! People have
looked for years to try and find just one mistake. But it is not
there! The Bible is inspired by God and when Jesus said in Mark 13:31,
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away," He
meant it! Is the Bible inspired by God? WE KNOW IT IS!
 
For more detailed articles and information on apologetics, visit
Apologetics Press at www.apologeticspress.org.
 
--Kevin Pendergrass
"ANGER"
 
We should not get angry…or should we?
Some anger is good: God is angry because of man's sin (Numbers 32:13; Hebrews 3: 11).  Ephesians 4:26 reads "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath." So, anger is not always a bad thing.
Some anger, though, is a bad thing:  James condemns sinful anger in James 1:18-21.  Anger is associated with sins of the tongue (Colossians 3: 8).  But even what we consider “justified anger” can be a sin.  We might feel that our angry was due to Satan or the actions of someone else (Ephesians 4:27).  But no one, including Satan, makes us do anything!  We are all responsible for our own actions in life and must give account for them on Judgment (Hebrews 9:27).  In the end, sinful anger only hurts us!
Let us control and master our own anger. Let us add self control to our Christian behavior (2 Peter 1: 5-11; Proverbs 25: 28).
Through Christ we can do all things, including controlling our anger (Philippians 4:13)!
 --Kevin Pendergrass
ARE YOU CONTAGIOUS?
 
There is a terrible disease going around the churches today!
 
This disease is more deadly then AIDS or cancer! In fact you may not even know if you have it. This disease, called "SCC," is spreading quickly. You may be thinking to yourself, “What is "SCC?" SCC stands for “Scripturally Challenged Christian.”
 
In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul writes, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
 
As Christians we need to be able to defend our faith! 1 Peter 3:15 says, "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." Does this verse mean that we must know everything that there is to know?  Of course not!  But what it does mean is that we have to defend the TRUTH!
 
John 8:32 tells us, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Hosea 4:6 says, "My people were destroyed for lack of knowledge." Ignorance is not going to be an excuse on Judgment day (Acts17:30)!
 
 We must study God’s word and put God first! (Matthew 6:33). After all, we and everyone else will be judged by the words of Jesus (the New Testament) in the Last Day (John 12:48)!
 
Let us be contagious in a good way by spreading God’s word instead Scriptural ignorance so that we can save both ourselves and those who hear us (I Timothy 4:16)!
 --Kevin Pendergrass
"CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE"
 
Are there many Christians where you work or go to school? Chances are there are probably very few.  But do not be discouraged…
There is the true story of a girl who was the ONLY Christian in her school.  Even though she always felt alone, she never changed from being the same faithful Christian she had always been.  Often times she would invite her peers to attend Sunday worship or a Christian youth event; but hardly any of her friends would say yes. She was trying to reach out to others but felt like nothing was getting accomplished.  Nobody seemed interested in spiritual things.
Twenty years later, one of the boys she had invited to church was sitting in his house on a Saturday night with his family. He was seriously considering attending a worship assembly, but where? Suddenly he remembered that a girl in his homeroom class used to invite him to a church of Christ. So, he decided he would take his family to worship at a church of Christ in his neighborhood.  The experience prompted him to study the Bible in search for the truth. As a result of his due diligence, he and his entire family were baptized into Christ. He grew as a faithful Christian and became a loyal gospel preacher, baptizing many into Christ.
No matter what you THINK you left behind, you never know how your impression could change lives twenty years down the road.  Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  How many lives will you change in twenty years?
–Kevin Pendergrass
DO NOT SEPARATE A GOD-JOINED MARRIAGE!  (part 1)
 
The title to this article is taken from the commandment that Jesus made in Matthew 19:6. Simply put, you must not divorce your spouse and your spouse must not divorce you! Further, you must not try to encourage another scripturally married couple to get a divorce. All such practice is a clear violation of what Jesus commanded and if you love Jesus and want to go to heaven, then you will keep His commandments (John 14:15). You might say, “But what if I have already divorced him or he has already divorced me?” If the reason for the divorce was not fornication, then you must repent of your sin (and be baptized if you are not a Christian, Acts 2:38) and “remain unmarried or be reconciled” to your former spouse (I Corinthians 7:10-11). You ask, “What if fornication was involved?” If you were not guilty of fornication, you may remain unmarried or marry another (so long as that person has never been married, or has been widowed or, like you, has put their mate away because of their mate’s fornication, Romans 7:3). You ask, “What if I was the one put away because of my fornication?” You must remain unmarried; otherwise, if you marry another, you continue to commit adultery and you cause the one you married to continue to commit adultery (Matthew 19:9, 12). No fornicator or adulterer will inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-10). When Jesus said, “Do not separate,” He meant it!
 
--David Ray Fanning I, evangelist of the Petersburg church of Christ
 
DO NOT SEPARATE A GOD-JOINED MARRIAGE! (part 2)
 
From our previous article we learned that divorce violates Jesus’ clear command, “what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). Some take the position that if a nonChristian divorces (a sin) and remarries (another sin according to Matthew 19:9), he has not violated Jesus’ command because a nonChristian is not held accountable to Jesus’ laws until he becomes a Christian. Such a position, however, is false for the following reasons: (1) When Jesus stated His commands concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage, he was talking to a pre-Christian audience that also consisted of unbelievers who were His enemies, Matthew 5:1; 19:2-3; Mark 10:1-2,10; Luke 16:1,14. (2) God’s law that joins marriages is universal and applies to everyone, including nonChristians (notice the universal words “male, female, man, wife” in Matthew 19:4-6). So also God’s law concerning divorce and remarriage applies to everyone universally as indicated by the word “whoever,” Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18. (3) John the immerser told Herod it was not lawful for him to have his brother Phillip’s wife, clearly implying that though Herod was not a believer, yet he was held accountable to God’s law, Matthew 14:3-4. (4) When Peter stood before a nonChristian audience, he told them to repent and be converted, Acts 3:19. Hence, a nonChristian is held accountable for his sins (including, divorce and adultery) and must repent of them (and be baptized) in order to be saved, Acts 2:38.
 
--David Ray Fanning I, evangelist of the Petersburg church of Christ
GALATIANS AND YOUR SALVATION
 
 Before faith in Christ was introduced to humanity, the law of Moses (the Old Testament) was used as a standard to judge the world (even the Gentiles who did not have the law did by nature the things contained in the law, Romans 2:14-15). It served as a tutor or teacher that eventually led man to an understanding that salvation/forgiveness from the sins he had committed could not be obtained by keeping law perfectly, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It became apparent that man needed help beyond himself. He needed a Savior from above who could pay off the debt of sin in full. “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son…to redeem (pay off the debt of) those who were under the law” (Galatians 4:4-5). Now that faith in Jesus has come, we as humanity are no longer under a tutor (Galatians 3:23-25). We are no longer held accountable by the Old Testament, including keeping the Sabbaths (Colossians 2:13-17). The Old Testament is beneficial for our learning, but it is not our authority in religious matters (Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11). We will be judged by the words of Jesus, the New Testament, in the Last Day (John 12:47-48). And the New Testament tells us that we become sons (children) of God by faith in Christ Jesus. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). Have you put on Christ in baptism? If not, then, “why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
 
– by David Fanning, evangelist of the Petersburg church of Christ
HELL: A Real Place
 
 For years people have tried to change the gospel (Galatians 1:6-10). Going beyond the doctrine of Christ is clearly condemned (II John 9-11). Among the teachings of Christ is the doctrine of hell. In fact, Jesus taught more on this doctrine than any other individual in the Bible. So, whenever someone attempts to change Jesus’ teaching on hell (or any New Testament teaching), he has sinned against the gospel and will be held accountable (II Corinthians 5:10; James 3:1).
 
Jesus speaks of hell as a literal place that will last forever (Matthew 5:22; 8:12; 13:42; 25: 41-46). Yet, some teach and believe that there is no such place as hell. If there is no hell, then, why did Jesus command us to (figuratively) cut off our hand or leg, or pluck out our eye if it made us sin in order to avoid going to hell (Mark 9:43-48)? Why did He not simply tell us how wonderful heaven would be and how much we would miss as annihilated beings if we did not live for Him? But instead, Jesus knew the horrors of hell and warned us to avoid hell at all costs
 
God originally prepared hell for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Furthermore, God does not want any human being to perish eternally in the fires of hell (II Peter 3:9). So, in a sense, God does not send any human to hell. Rather, we send ourselves (James 1:14-15)! It is like the story of Johnny who was failing his class. He had a big test coming up and if he did not score an “A,” he would fail for the whole year. His teacher warned him continuously, but Johnny refused to heed the warnings and failed. It was not the teacher’s fault Johnny failed, but it was his own fault. Just as Johnny was warned, so also, we have been warned! All of us are taking the test right now (II Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 2:12). And we will be graded on Judgment Day (Hebrews 9:27)! Those who do not know God and do not obey His gospel will occupy hell forever (Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 6: 9-10; II Thessalonians 1:8; Revelation 21:8)!
 
--Kevin Pendergrass
"NO WORRIES"
Setting the goal to have “no worries” is a lot easier said than done. But we must obtain!
 
When problems arise in our lives, usually someone tells us not to worry about them because everything will be all right.  How true is this?  In Matthew 6:25-34, the Lord tells us that we should not worry about things.  In verse 26 Jesus tells us that God takes care of the birds. If He will care for a little bird then He will surely take care of us...right?  We shouldn't worry about what we will eat or wear or what will happen to us tomorrow because the Lord will provide.  Matthew 10:28 further exhorts us not to worry about the ones who can kill our physical body, but cannot kill our spiritual body.  In other words, WE DO NOT NEED TO FEAR OR WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, because God is in control. BUT, there is a catch…
In Matthew 6:33, the Lord commands, "Seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness."  We must make sure that GOD is first in our lives. If we do this, everything else will fall into place. Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Everything will work out in the end if we will simply put God’s kingdom and righteousness first in our lives!
--Kevin Pendergrass
“POPE”
 
Scripturally Speaking: Who is the “Pope”
 
    The word “pope” means “papa” or “father.” Only One is worthy to be called “Holy Father,” namely, God (Matthew 23:9). Only Jesus is worthy to be called “the Head of the Church” (Ephesians 1:22-23), “the Mediator” between God and man (John 14:6; I Timothy 2:5) and “the High Priest” (Hebrews 7:22-28). The apostle Peter did not wear a religious title, such as, “pope.” Peter did not preach or practice celibacy. Peter was married and had a family (Matthew 8:14; I Timothy 3:1-6). Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, defined as “Christ’s Church” (Matthew 16:18-19). Jesus did not build His Church on Peter (“Petr-os,” masculine gender), but on Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Son of God (“Petr-a,” feminine gender, Matthew 16:15-17). Jesus did not begin His Church in Rome, but in Jerusalem (Acts 2:5, 47). Peter presented the keys to those who wanted to be added to the Lord’s Church: “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Even though Peter was given the keys to “open” the Lord’s Church, he realized he was not any greater than any other man. When Cornelius fell down at his feet and tried to worship him, Peter lifted him up and told him that he also was a mere man like Cornelius (Acts 10:25-26; there was no such thing as clergy or laity). Peter was rebuked by Paul in the presence of all for showing partiality (I Timothy 5:19-20; Galatians 2:11-14). So, remember that when you pray or confess your sins, be sure to hallow the name of the “Holy Father” by praying to God through Jesus only, for God is the only true “Pope” (Matthew 6:9,12).
 
– by David Fanning, evangelist of the Petersburg church of Christ

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WHAT PATH SHOULD I TAKE  (Part I)?
There are many paths one can take in life. A person can be an atheist and choose not to believe in God (Psalm 53:1: "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'."). Or a person can be an agnostic and take the position that he does not know whether there is a God or not (Jesus does not tolerate lukewarmness, Revelation 3:16). Or a person can be a humanist and believe that he is a god unto himself (result: Exchanging the truth of God for the lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator, Romans 1:25). Then, on the other hand, there are those who choose to believe in God (or gods), but they choose to define Him and approach Him in different and many times contradictory ways. What is the true path? Unlike the writings of major world religions such as Hindu (a collection of Vedic literature) and Islam (the Koran), the writings of the Jewish religion and the Christian religion (the Bible) contain objective, historical events that have been and continue to be verified by archaeology, geography and ancient history and literature. The Bible was written by over 40 different men on three continents in three different languages over a period of 1500 years without one single contradiction! God's Word is truth (John 17:17)! His truth is what sets you free (John 8:32)! What path should you take? Since all authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18), I will let Jesus answer the question: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6).
 
WHAT PATH SHOULD I TAKE  (Part II)?
In part one we learned that the path of life to take is not atheism (Psalm 53:1), agnosticism (Revelation 3:16), humanism (Romans 1:25) or any of the major world religions such as Hinduism and Islam (II John 9-11). Instead, Jesus said He is the only way, truth and life (John 14:6). One might, then, ask, “What about Judaism?”  Is not our American nation and culture based on Judeo-Christian principles? Yes, it is. But, all authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He has made the final decision, stating that His word (the New Testament) will judge us in the Last Day (John 12:48). When Christ died on the cross, not only did he fulfill the Old Testament (upon which Judaism is based), but He also abolished it, nailing it to the cross (John 19:30; Romans 10:4; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14-17). The Law of Moses was added until Christ came. Now that Christ has come, we are no longer obligated to or judged by the Old Testament (Galatians 3:10-11, 19-25). It is obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). A veil remains on the hearts of those (including Jews) who still try to use the Old Testament as their authority (II Corinthians 3:7-16). In these final days, we are to hear Jesus, not Moses or Elijah (Matthew 17:3-5: Hebrews 1:1-2). Since the Jewish religion is predicated on the Old Testament and the Old Testament has been done away; therefore, Judaism has been done away. Even Paul wished he could save his fellow Jews (implying they were lost and must submit to Christ and Christianity in order to be saved: Romans 10:1-4). What path should you take? Clearly it is Christ and Christianity!
 
WHAT PATH SHOULD I TAKE  (Part III)?
In part one and two of our series we learned that Christ/Christianity is the only path of life acceptable to God (Matthew 28:18; John 12:28; 14:6; Colossians 3:17). One might, then, ask, "Are all the hundreds of sects of Christianity different paths to the same ultimate destiny?" No more than were the religious sects under the Old Testament. For example, Jesus clearly stated to the woman at the well who was of the Samaritan sect, "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22). With the same force and simplicity Jesus stated that He came to build only one church (not sect of sects) -- His church (Matthew 16:18)! Paul made it clear that just as there is only one Holy Spirit, one hope of heaven, one Lord Jesus Christ, one Christian faith, one acceptable baptism and one God the Father, so also there is only one body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6) -- the church of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23)! God demands true worshipers to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Vain or empty/useless worship is caused when you teach as doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:9). The apostle John emphatically says, "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God" (II John 9). Paul accurately predicted that there would be "departures" from the one true faith/church of the New Testament (I Timothy 4:1-5). The first departure was Catholicism, then Protestantism. In fact, departures continue to multiply to this day. Paul pleads "that there be no divisions/denominations among you" (I Corinthians 1:10). Let's get back to being Christians only and only a member of the true church of Christ of the Bible!
 
--David Ray Fanning, evangelist of the Petersburg church of Christ

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