THE SAFETY CHAIN OF SCRIPTURES

SUFFICIENCY IN SCRIPTURES

Is tradition equal to the scripture?
Matthew 15:9 – But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:7,9,13 – Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
1 Timothy 4:1-4 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
When was the Old Law taken away?
Colossians 2:14 – Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.
Galatians 3:24-25 –  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer tinder a schoolmaster.
Hebrews 8:6-7 – But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Does the Bible contain everything we need to guide us through life?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Peter 1:3 – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

SALVATION IN CHRIST

Can we follow anyone other than Christ?
John 14:6  – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
John 10:1,9,10 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Matthew 7:13-14 – 13 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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Which of Christ’s commands are to be observed?

Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Do you love Christ?

John 14:15 – If ye love me, keep my commandments.

COMMANDMENTS FOR SINNERS

We must believe that Jesus is the son of God.

John 8:24 – I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 3:1616 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.

Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We must repent.

Luke 13:3 – I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Acts 17:3030 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

2 Corinthians 7:1010 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

Acts 3:1919 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Must we make our belief known before being baptized?

Acts 8:36-39 – 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? 37 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. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Matthew 10:32-3332 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Romans 10:9-10That 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Who will be saved?
Mark 16:15-16 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Notice that baptism is a burial. The New Testament contains no reference to sprinkling or pouring.
Romans 6:3-4 – Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised tip from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Matthew 28:18-19 – 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Acts 2:37-47 – 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
1 Peter 3:21 – The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Acts 22:16 – And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

THE ONE CHURCH

( I am of Martin Luther, Mary Baker Eddy, Joseph Smith etc.) Were any of these crucified for you?

I Corinthians 1:10-13 – Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there arc contentions among you. 12 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. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Is denominationalism sinful?

1 Corinthians 3:3-6 – For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. I have planted , Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Are Christ’s body and the church the same?

Colossians 1:18 – And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

How do we get into the Lord’s Church?

Galatians 3:27 – For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

ACTS OF WORSHIP

Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper

Luke 22:19 – And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, Ibis is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Luke 22:20 – Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, ‘this cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Matthew 26:26-29 – 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

How often should we partake? Why was the church  assembled?

Acts 20:7 – And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and  Continued his speech until midnight.

How often shall we give?
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Should we forsake worship services?

Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Why should we study the Bible?

II Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We can always have a prayerful attitude.

I Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

Can a mechanical instrument speak? Does a mechanical instrument have a heart? What authority do you have for using a mechanical instrument?

Ephesians 5:19 – Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

OBEDIENCE TO GOD

Can we preach a doctrine not found in the New Testament?
Is it possible to be saved and then lost?

Galatians 1:6-8 – I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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.

 

HOW TO LIVE

God does not list everything we can and cannot do.

Titus 2:12 – Teaching us that, denying ungodliness’ and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

FAITHFULNESS

How long must we be faithful to receive salvation?

Revelation 2:10 … be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Is more expected of us as we learn?

James 4:17 -Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

What will we do if we love Christ?

John 14:15 – If ye love me, keep my commandments.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Do you know what the Lord’s will is for you? Are you ready to be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27) and added to His church (Acts 2:47)?

If you have been baptized on a previous occasion, study Acts 19:1-5 and be scripturally immersed for the remission of your sins.

Please turn to Acts 22:16 again and read the verse admonishing yourself at the conclusion of this study as Ananias admonished Saul at conclusion of instruction. If you are hesitant to give up denominational doctrines, read Matthew 10:37.

May God bless you in your decision.

If you desire further study or wish to be baptized, please contact us