BibleAuthenticity, Author at Bible Authenticity

Salvation Through Faith – What About Christian Works?

June 23, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

“Faith without works is dead”—James 2:26

In our previous article on salvation, we established that the Bible does not support the eternal salvation (or “once saved, always saved”) doctrine. So how is a Christian saved? Is it by doing good deeds and refraining from doing bad things? Is salvation attained by Christian works? Or is it by faith alone? If by faith alone, then where do Christian works fit in? Let’s see what the Bible has to say on this matter.

Do Christian works produce salvation, or does salvation produce Christian works?

“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.” (Ephesians 2:8 NLT) The same verse in the NIV says that salvation is “not by works.” So obviously, the Bible says our own works cannot save us. It is not saying that as Christians, we should not be doing good works. Rather, it is saying that salvation is not attained simply by doing good works. read more

Eternal Security: Once Saved, Always Saved?

June 22, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

Some modern-day Christians have been taught to believe in the doctrine known as “eternal security” (commonly known as “once saved, always saved”). But is this belief scriptural? Let’s allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.

“I mention it that you may be saved” (John 5:34 NIV). Notice Jesus says, “you may be saved”, not ‘you are saved, case closed, period’, as some would have us believe”. Salvation is not guaranteed to everyone, or anyone. See Matthew 7:21-23. read more

Is Nationalism Idolatry?

June 20, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

Nationalism can be defined as loyalty and devotion to a nation, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Nationalism often involves exalting one’s own nation above all others, and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations. There is nothing wrong with loving the area in which one lives. Respecting and obeying the laws of the land is required by Almighty God himself (Romans 13:1-7). But is nationalism for Christians? When we examine the Bible carefully, do we find that nationalism could be considered idolatry? read more

Christians, Pollution, and Climate Change

June 12, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

With soaring, record high global temperatures, floods, fires, droughts, melting ice, sea level rise, and other climate extremes and disruptions in the news every day, should Christians be concerned about pollution and climate change? Some Christians feel that they are definitely saved, and bound for heaven, and that God will destroy the earth with fire, wrongly interpreting “fire” in 2 Peter 3:7,10 literally. Therefore, they feel no sense of responsibility to take care of the earth. Others feel so strongly about the climate change problem that they become climate activists, and protest about climate change in various ways, even going to extremes in some cases, even to the point of risking their lives for the climate. Is this how God wants us to think and act? While the Bible does not use the terms “climate change,” “pollution,” “global warming,” etc., we can gain insight into God’s thinking by examining various Bible statements and principles. read more

Origin of the New Testament Canon

May 26, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

The New Testament canon was established early, by Holy Spirit

The New Testament canon was established in the first century by holy Spirit. Let’s examine some scriptures which confirm this fact:

2 Peter 1:16-21 – Peter affirms Old Testament prophets wrote God’s word. He puts himself and other apostles in the same category.

2 Peter 3:15-16 – Paul’s letters were on the same level as all the “rest of the scriptures.” That is, inspired of God. Early Greek manuscripts show Paul writing 14 letters.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – The rest of the scriptures (the Old Testament) are inspired of God. We can broaden this now, and apply the principle to all 66 canonical books as shown below: read more

Are People Predestined, or Do They Have Free Will?

May 25, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

Are humans predestined, or do they have free will?

‘Predestination’ is a word often used to signify God’s foreordaining of all events of world history — past, present, and future. This usage is quite appropriate. In Scripture and historic Protestant theology, ‘predestination’ refers specifically to God’s decision, made in eternity before the world existed, regarding the final destinies of individual persons . . . it is usual in Protestant theology to define predestination as including both God’s decision to save some from sin (election) and the corresponding decision not to save others (reprobation)”—The Reformation Study Bible, page 1345 read more

Who is the Antichrist According to the Bible?

May 24, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

Who is the antichrist? In the past, much effort has been made to identify “The Antichrist” as being one prominent individual, such as Pompey, Nero, Mohammed, or the Papacy. Today, many preachers and denominations say there is going to appear on the world scene in the future, just before the end, a very charismatic world leader and deceiver that the Bible calls ‘THE ANTICHRIST.” Such Biblical prognosticators even use scriptures from Daniel about the “little horn,” and Revelation about “a beast coming up out of the sea,” to “prove” their point. They have developed quite an elaborate story about what “The Antichrist” is “predicted” to do in the future. read more

Extraordinary Claims – Extraordinary Proof – Jesus’ Resurrection

May 23, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

“He is not here, but He has been resurrected” (Luke 24:6 HCSB). Is there extraordinary proof of Jesus’ resurrection? The claim that Jesus rose from the dead is extraordinary. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. What is the strongest proof that Jesus was resurrected? Let’s start at the point of beginning, and work, or build from there.

This beginning point is that the universe, the earth, etc. very strongly witness to God’s existence as Creator. Psalm 19:1 says: “the heavens declare the glory of God.” (NIV) read more

Where is our Last Common Ancestor (LCA)?

May 22, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

“He catches the wise in their own foolishness”—1 Corinthians 3:19 NIV

“We still have not found the missing link between us and apes” is the title of an article published by BBC News on May 18, 2017. The article is about the search for a “missing link.” Since there are no living creatures that fill in the gaps or “missing links” between humans and apes, Darwinists persistently assert that there was a “last common ancestor” (LCA). “Most people know it by a non-scientific name: ‘the missing link.'” read more

Different Resurrection Appearances – ‘Proofs,’ or Contradictions?

May 17, 2017 BibleAuthenticity

Some have claimed the different accounts of Jesus’ resurrection appearances in the four Gospels and 1 Corinthians are “proofs” these Bible books are riddled with errors and contradictions. If true, these would, in turn,” prove” the Bible not to be inspired of God, or infallible, as many Christians believe that it is.

The Bible itself says that these different resurrection appearances confirm the Bible’s inspiration by God.

“To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3 NKJV, emphasis added) read more

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