JUST SO WE FOLLOW THE BIBLE
Some time ago, while studying with an individual and discussing some of our religious differences, the person said, "It doesn't really matter what you are religiously, just so we follow the Bible." What this person failed to realize is that this is a foolish and contradictory statement. If we truly "follow the Bible" it will matter what we are religiously. If we all follow the Bible we will all be the same religiously.
There are some who are members of religious groups which teach that justification is by "faith only." Can those who believe this do so and still claim to follow the I Bible? It is very easy to find out. All we have to do is examine what the Bible says. James 2:24 declares, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." It is very easy to see that those who teach "justification by faith only" are NOT following the Bible and we can
not be a part of such if we would please God.
There are others who teach that baptism is unnecessary to salvation. Are these people following the Bible?
Again, we can very easily find out.
Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). If we follow the Bible we recognize that salvation is
promised to those who "believe and are baptized." To deny this is to deny the plain and
simple teaching of God's word. Yet there are those who claim to "follow the Bible" but they
do not believe what Jesus said.
Some people accept the idea that one can have water sprinkled upon them as a substitute for baptism. Of course they would call it baptism, but if we follow the Bible we recognize that such is not really baptism. According to the Bible, baptism is a "burial" and a going down into the water (Rom. 6:4; Acts 8:38). It is impossible to believe that sprinkling is baptism and be "following the Bible" at the same time.
What is so amazing to me is the fact that you will find some people who will agree with the above thoughts but will continue to be members of religious groups which teach and practice the very things mentioned. I have had people tell me that the important thing is that "we just follow the Bible," and in the next breath tell me that they are going to remain a member of some religious group
If you are a member of some church unknown to the word of God then you are NOT following the Bible. If you are following the Bible you are a member of the Lord's church (Matt. 16:18). If you are following the Bible you are a Christian (Acts 11:26). There is no way for one to become a Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, or anything else religiously (other than a Christian) by following the Bible. If a person has become any of these he has done so by following something other than the Bible. A person cannot remain
a part of such and please God. We must be willing to turn away from anything that is contrary to the teaching of God's word if we would be pleasing to Him. It matters not how long you have been a member of some church: If it is wrong, you must turn away from it if you would please God..
James Hahn