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Vol. 1 Iss. 1

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INDEX: Main Article - What Must I Do To Be Saved? (Acts 16:30) Monthly Bible Thought - For the Month of Spring Health Article - Grapes Are Good For You Bible Study and Last Month's Answers Questions on Does God Mind Substitutes? Answers to Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 7 Questions and Answers #1 In the Old Testament, God slew many for their sins but why don't you really see that in the New Testament? #2 Was Jesus a glutton? Antichrist PICTURE: A single pillar, automatically tiled in the index box, represents "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)..

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? (Acts 16:30)

The actual question posed to us was "How can I be saved?" This is a fundamental question and the building block of our faith. It is also one of the most important questions. Being that the significance of this answer affects more than just the individual who asked, we thought it best to address it in the main article.

The answer given to this question is recorded in Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." So all we have to do is believe, but believe what specifically? For "the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19b). What do they tremble over? "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well" (James 2:19a). So there is more to it than believing that God exists because we would be no different than the devils. What is the separating issue between the devils and the angels? What is the separating issue between the lost and the saved? As we shall see, the devils believe but disobey while the angels believe and obey. The same is with the lost and the saved.

It is true that to be saved we must believe in Jesus. But what does that encompass? The following is the result of searching all the verses regarding SAVED, SAVE, BELIEVE, BELIEVED, BELIEVEST, BELIEVETH, BELIEVING, and BELIEF.

1. James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well." One cannot spend eternity with someone they do not believe in and especially those who do all in their power to prove that there is no god. So believe there is one God.

2. John 3:15-16 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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 6:69 "And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." Acts 8:36-37 "And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Believe Jesus came in the flesh and is the Son of God of whom we are not ashamed to call upon.

3. Acts 15:11 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God." John 11:26 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." Believe that Jesus' blood pays the penalty of sin which is grace for we do not deserve such a free gift. However, one may ask what is meant by "never die" when both Christians and non-Christians have gone to the grave. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.". Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." All, except those living at the time of the second coming, will experience the first death, but it is the lost that will experience the second death. We all deserve to die that second death. The only reason the saved will not die the second death is that Jesus paid that price at the cross. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep," [die] "but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 5:28-29 "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life."

4. Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." 1 Thessalonians 4:14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." 1 Corinthians 15:13-14 "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain." Believe that Jesus rose and the saved will rise as well unto eternal life.

5. John 14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also." Acts 1:11 "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Believe that He will return.

6. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Believe that God forgives confessed sins no matter how great the sin.

7. Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Believe that Jesus can keep us from sinning. Note that Jesus came to save us FROM our sins meaning, it is through true belief in Jesus we are kept from sinning. Note what else Jesus said on this subject. John 8:33-34 "They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." Besides, if we truly believe God is Almighty, would He not be mightier than our sins?

8. 1 Timothy 4:16 "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." Luke 8:12 "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." Believe the Word of God is a saving power. This is confirmed with the good ground: Luke 8:15 "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience." Further, it is reinforced in John 8:31, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed."

9. Mark 9:23 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth." John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name." Romans 10:4 "For Christ [is] the end" [result] "of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Believe that through Jesus Christ, we can keep the Commandments of God. Are the commandments an eternal life issue? Luke 18:18-19 "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none [is] good, save one, [that is], God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother." Clearly it is the commandments spoken here. Additionally, there was another situation that Jesus was more specific about. Luke 10:25-28 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." And what did Jesus say about these two great commandments? Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Jesus said, "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." That is because the first four commandments deal with our love to God (John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments.") and the last six deal with our love to our neighbour (Romans 13:9 "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."). But you may have heard that no one can keep the law. That would mean that God would be expecting an impossibility, but Paul does not think this way. Romans 7:12 "Therefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and JUST, and good." The commandments are just that is fair, reasonable, able to be kept. Besides, the seventh point identifies that Jesus is greater than our sins, and He can keep us from sinning. What is sin? 1 John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

10. Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Believe by being baptized.

11. Luke 13:23-24 "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." Believe that one must resist the worldly attractions for the worldly ways are a choice to be an enemy of God.

12. Mark 8:35 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Believe that one is to be used by God even, if it would win souls for the kingdom, unto death.

13. Romans 9:27 "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved." Believe that the right way is the minority view.

May we truly believe in Jesus and be saved. Let us not give God lip service but our whole selves.

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THINK ON THESE THINGS (Philippians 4:8)

FOR THE MONTH OF SPRING: Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. (Matthew 24:32-33)

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THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH (3 John 1:2)

GRAPES ARE GOOD FOR YOU

Winston J. Craig, Ph.D., R.D.

Red grape juice and red wine contain a significant level of lavonoids which are red anthocyanin pigments that act as antioxidants. These substances protect cholesterol from oxidation, reduce blood lipid levels, and inhibit blood clot formation, thereby providing protection against heart disease. It is the transresveratrol (a flavonoid) content of red wine, rather than the alcohol content, that has been shown to reduce the tendency of blood clots to form. Substantial levels of transresveratrol and other antioxidant compounds are found in the grapes and unfermented grape juice, clearly safer sources than the red wine.

Eating three to four ounces of raisins (from Thompson seedless grapes) daily for two months lowers blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, improves bowel function, and possibly lowers the risk of colon cancer. A serving of sun-dried raisins contains about 10 grams of dietary fiber and four grams of tartaric acid, an active phytochemical commonly found in grapes.

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SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39)

Does God Mind Substitutes?

1. What was God's reaction to Adam and Eve when they substituted the "forbidden fruit" as "acceptable food"? Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:16-17

2. What was God's reaction to Cain when he substituted the sacrifice of "animals" as a sin offering with the offering of the "fruit" of the ground? Genesis 4:3-5

3. What was God's reaction to the sons of Aaron who substituted "God's fire" with "strange or common fire"? Leviticus 10:1-2

4. What is God's reaction when people substitute all kinds of "good deeds" (sacrifices and offerings) in place of following "ALL that He commands"? 1 Samuel 15:22-23

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S STUDY:

Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 7

1. What did God do on the seventh day? Genesis 2:1-3 "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day GOD ENDED HIS WORK which he had made; and he RESTED on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God BLESSED the seventh day, and SANCTIFIED it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."

2. As a result, what was created on this day? Mark 2:27 "And he said unto them, THE SABBATH WAS MADE for man, and not man for the sabbath."

3. What does Jesus invite us to do? Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST."

4. Who made all things, hence this day as well? John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM; and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:14 "And THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Ephesians 3:9 "And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST."

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YE HAVE HEARD THAT ANTICHRIST SHALL COME (1 John 2:18)

FIFTEENTH IDENTIFYING MARK (picked at random):

Daniel 7:7-8 . . . it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn. What are the horns a sign of? Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom [are] ten kings [that] shall arise. . . Rome fell to barbaric or Germanic tribes of which several still exist today (Franks are today's French, Anglo Saxons are today's English, Suevi are today's Swiss, etc.). Since the Bible was completed before the fall of Rome, the Bible is unable to confirm this, however, note the wording. Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom [are] ten kings [that] shall arise. . . Out of Rome will arise 10 kings and their kingdoms. Further, precedence is used here where Babylon was immediately followed by the Medes and Persians who were immediately followed by Greece which was immediately followed by Rome which was immediately followed by the ten kings.

REVIEW OF THE IDENTIFYING MARKS:

1 . . . would deny Jesus is the Christ either by words, actions, or both (1 John 2:22, Titus 1:16).
2 . . . is in a populated area of the world (Revelation 13:1-2, 17:15).
3 . . . would wear titles attributed to God (Revelation 13:6, Matthew 23:8-12).
4 . . . is a kingdom (Revelation 13:1-2, Daniel 7:23).
5 . . . derives it's authority based on satanic principles or paganism (Revelation 13:1-2, 12:9).
6 . . . is a little kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
7 . . . would conquer three kingdoms (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24).
8 . . . a single person would be leader of this kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
9 . . . the leader's name or title would add up to 666 (Revelation 13:18).
10 . . . would embrace non-Christian theology (Revelation 18:2, 1 John 4:1, 3).
11 . . . would not be just another political kingdom (Daniel 7:20, 24).
12 . . . would deny the single sacrifice of Christ (1 John 4:3, 2 John 1:7, Heb. 9:28).
13 . . . has seeds in the apostolic age. (2 Thessalonians 2:7, 1 John 4:3).
14 . . . recognized as a kingdom after 476 AD (Dan. 7:4-8, 5:28, 8:20-21, Jer. 50:17, John 11:48).
15 . . . is located in Europe (Daniel 7:7-8, 7:24)

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ANSWERS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH (Daniel 10:21)

QUESTION #1 - Gettysburg - In the Old Testament, God slew many for their sins but why don't you really see that in the New Testament?

ANSWER #1 - Keep in mind "For I [am] the LORD, I change not" (Malachi 3:6). The New Testament does give an example of God moving in the same manner as the Old Testament, in fact, twice - one right after the other: Acts 5:1-10 "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it], and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him]. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth, buried [her] by her husband."

"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). Just because God does not seem to move as quickly today as it appeared in the Bible does not mean God will not move in this manner at some point -- the ultimate being hell fire.

QUESTION #2 - Harrisburg - Was Jesus a glutton?

ANSWER #2 - The word glutton or gluttonous appears four times in the entire Bible. In one case it refers to an uncontrollable child who was a glutton and finally was put to death for his sin (Deuteronomy 21:20-21). The second reference is a general result of being a glutton (Proverbs 23:21 "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty"). The third and fourth references are those in question (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34 "The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.") In both cases, Jesus states that people are calling Him that, but He does not confirm that He is a glutton. In fact, in the context, it appears that it is part of a list of fallacies. Jesus was not a wino (winebibber) nor was He encouraging the ways of publicans and sinners. Jesus told them to "sin no more" (John 8:11). So the conclusion is that, no, Jesus was not a glutton. Suggesting that He was is to read more into the verses and even the Bible than what really appears there.

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