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SALVATION - INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

There is NOTHING in this life that is more important for you to do than to decide where you will spend eternity.

 

If you have everything that this world can offer you - an easy life, family, friends, money, and pleasures - but you decide by default to spend eternity in Hell, then your life will have been a complete failure.

 

On the other hand, if you have practically nothing in this life of esteemed value, but you choose to seek God and to spend eternity with him in Heaven, then your life will have been an enormous success.

 

The difference isn't so much in what you have or don't have; it's in what you choose and don't choose. Jesus said, "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

 

List of Articles:

 

What does it mean to be "Born Again"?

 

Is Baptism part of Salvation?

 

Who is God? - Make it Simple (links to our Doctrine Article by this title)

 

A Personal Message from Our Family to You

 

 

BIBLE VERSIONS - INDEX

 

 

King James?                   New Bible Versions??

List of Articles:

 

FOUNDATIONAL ARTICLES

 

The Nature of War

 

What About the Septuagint?

 

Antioch and Alexandria

 

NIV Says to Reject Jesus

 

AN Excellent Reference for King James Bible Believers - By James L. Melton

 

NIV Quiz - by Rex L. Cobb

 

Bible Memorization Test - by Pastor James Knox

 

Personal Pronouns - Thee, Thou, Ye, Thy, Thine, etc

 

Believing God’s Word

 

Errors in the King James Bible

 

An Open Letter to Cheryl

 

DEFENDING GOD'S WORD ONLINE

 

How We Know the King James Bible is God's ONLY Word in English

 

LOST In the Confused Mind of A Pentecostal Bible College Student (A Series)

00 - LOST - Intro

01 - LOST - First Email Exchange

02 - LOST

03 - LOST

04 - LOST

05 - LOST - SUMMARY CHART

06 - LOST

Is The King James Bible Wrong About Easter at Acts 12:4?

 

Is Eugene Peterson's book "The Message" a true copy of God's Word, the Bible?

 

CONTRADICTIONS IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE

 

01 - I Sam 17:50; II Sam 21:19: WHO KILLED GOLIATH?

 

02 - Gen 1:27; Gen 2:7, 20-30: The Timing of Adam and Eve's Creation

 

03 - Judges 4:21; Judges 5:25-27: How Did Sisera Die?

 

04 - I Sam 31:4; II Sam 1:10; II Sam 21:12: WHO KILLED KING SAUL?

 

05 - Joshua 15:21-32: HOW MANY CITIES - 29 or 36 or 38?

 

06 - II Sam 24:9; I Chron 21:5-6: David Numbers How Many Men of War in Israel?

 

07 - Acts 20:35: Did Jesus Really Say This?

 

08 - Matt 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; John 2:1-11: Was Jesus in the Wilderness or at the Wedding?

 

 

 

 

SOUND DOCTRINE - INDEX

 

 

In this series we intend to examine doctrines with the intent of establishing which are sound and which are false.

 

Sound doctrine unites believers in Christ, false doctrine divides people from Christ, and conflicting doctrine disrupts unity and fellowship in Christ.

 

Therefore, each of us ought to purge ourselves of false doctrine and earnestly seek sound doctrine.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(I Thess 5:21)

This is not a matter of personal opinion - nor one of one-upmanship; it is a matter of personal righteousness and of right-standing before God.  Ultimately, we must be willing to let God’s Word speak to us, and we must be willing to conform ourselves to that Word.

 

Question: How much false doctrine can one believe and still be saved? 

 

At the Berean Research Institute, we are not willing to be comfortable with any false doctrines - no matter how few they are, nor how little they may be, nor what cost we may face to rid ourselves of them.

 

For good reason, Jesus warns us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees:

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.  (Matt 16:6)

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. (Matt 16:12)

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Gal 5:9)

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. (I Cor 5:7)

Therefore, as we examine various doctrines, we do so not to be confrontational or disagreeable with others, but to be obedient to these specific commandments of God and to be faithful to his scriptures, overall.

 

Let's Be Scriptural, In Determining Sound Doctrine.

 

 

List of Articles:

 

OK…. So, you’re a "CHRISTIAN"...

What’s Wrong With Being a “Christian”??

 

Who is God? - Make it Simple

OK…. So, you’re a "PENTECOSTAL" - Let’s Be Scriptural About:

Pentecost and the Modern Pentecostal Movement

Examining the Pentecostal Statement of Faith, “What We Believe”

 

Pentecostal Feminism

 

Why I left the Tongues Movement - Alfred H. Pohl (Opens in New Window)

 

“Slain in the Spirit”

 

“Speaking in Tongues”

 

My Pastor, the "Spiritual Hippie"

Fake Healers, Apostles & Prophets

Smith Wigglesworth - A Book Review - by Mike Wright

 

Benny Hinn - "Man of God"?? - Videos

 

Benny Hinn - Outrageous Claims

 

Benny Hinn - Politics with China

United Pentecostal Church International

Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

 

Is the UPCI Gospel True?

OK…. So, you’re a "BAPTIST" - Let’s Be Scriptural About:

The Eternal Security of the Believer

The Eternal Security of the Believer

 

Eternal Security

 

The “Carnal” Christian

The Local Church

The “Local” Church - A Review of Dr. Kirkland's Book

 

Bible Verses Refuting the "Local Church" doctrine (Opens in New Window)

Calvinism and Arminianism

Calvinism and Arminianism

 

The god of the Calvinist

 

Calvinism and Modern Bible Versions

 

OK…. So, you’re a "CATHOLIC" - Let’s Be Scriptural About:

Salvation for Catholics

Can a “Catholic” be a “Christian”?

 

A Warning to Catholic Christians !!

 

Catholic Booklet - “Be Careful of Protestant Teachings”:  a Review

Catholic Doctrines

The Virgin Mary

 

The Mass - Transubstantiation

 

Roman Catholic Responses - Refuted

The Judgment of Rome

The Judgment of Rome - The Mother of Harlots

 

OK…. So, you’re a "JEHOVAH'S WITNESS" - Let’s Be Scriptural About:

Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses

Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses - Intro

 

Question For Jehovah's Witnesses

 

 

 

ENDTIME PROPHECY - INDEX

 

 

In this series we intend to examine  eschatological (study of endtime) teachings with the intent of determining which are true and which are not.

 

Perhaps as much as one third of the bible is prophetic, and God said (in reference to those living in the last days), that the wise shall understand (Dan 12:10).

If we knock, the door shall be opened unto us. (Matt 7:7)

It is true that Endtime prophecy has been interpreted in many different ways and by many people, but this is not a matter of personal opinion - the scriptures are not of any private interpretation.

 

We must earnestly seek to understand God’s interpretation of prophetic scripture. Despite what others say, for some, this may become a matter of salvation - a misunderstanding of this subject may result in the loss of their soul.

 

At the Berean Research Institute, we believe that God does not waste his words and that he wrote in his Word precisely what he wanted to say to us, even in this matter of prophecy.

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Rev 19:10)

It is equally important then, in this area of eschatology, that we study to shew ourselves approved unto God, workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Tim 2:15)

 

Therefore, as we examine various eschatological views, we do so not to be confrontational or disagreeable with others, but to be obedient and faithful to his Word.

 

 

List of Articles:

Bible Prophecy - Relevant Today:

Understanding the Book of Revelation

 

Where Are We Today in Bible Prophecy?

 

What Should We Expect Next?

Preterist/Historicist/Amillennial:

Our Letter to an Historicist

 

Refuting Preterism/Historicism - Conclusively - Page 1

 

Refuting Preterism/Historicism - Conclusively - Page 2

 

Refuting Amillennialism

 

Although we do not agree on some issues (in particular with his soteriology), we appreciate the work and research of Irvin Baxter of Endtime, Inc for assembling many of the pieces of our understanding of the Book of Revelation for us.

 

 

 

OTHER ISSUES - INDEX

 

 

In this series we intend to address several controversial subjects. As the men of Berea did, we want to receive the word with all readiness of mind and to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so. (Acts 17:11)

 

For us, this is not a matter of personal opinion nor one of one-upmanship; it is a matter of personal righteousness and of right-standing before God.

 

Ultimately, we must be willing to let God’s Word speak to us, and we must be willing to conform ourselves to that Word.

We know that we have liberty in Christ Jesus.

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor 3:17)

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. (1 Cor 8:9)

So, (at the least) we must be careful in exercising our liberty.

Further, the bible teaches us that liberty in Christ Jesus makes us free FROM sin. It does not make us free TO sin.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Rom 6:1,2)

Moreover, we are commanded to:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (John 2:15)

So, our hearts shouldn’t even desire those things in the world from which we have been saved.

 

Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. We who were dead in trespasses and sins he hath quickened.

Why then would we willingly go back into trespasses and sins?

 

Why would we wander away and become lost again?

(For those who believe in eternal security - please read the articles on OSAS, but in the meantime - why would we even ’behave’ as if we were lost again?)

The question then would be…...are the things we will discuss matters of sin, or are they legitimately matters of personal conscience?

 

Let’s find out.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (I Thess 5:21)

List of Articles

 

Issues Common to Most Fellowships:

“Church” Membership

 

"Brother" Bill and "Pastor"

 

Lisa's Thoughts on the Depravation of Literature

 

Social Drinking/Use of Alcohol

Holidays:

Christmas:

 

Questions About Christmas

 

Is Christmas Scriptural?

 

Every Green Trees to Worship False gods?

 

Explaining to Friends - What is ‘wrong’ with Christmas

 

Comparison Between the Lord Jesus Christ and Santa Claus

 

Easter:

Television and Movies:

Watching Television

 

Mel Gibson - Our “Christian” Hero?

 

Mel Gibson - Our "Christian" Hero - The Passion of the Christ - Summary

Creation vs Evolution:

Creation, Evolution and the Gap Theory

 

Evolution - Fact or Fiction by James L. Melton - (Excellent !)

 

Robert Howie - Geologist - A Book Review by Mike Wright

 

 

 

 

 

Examining the Pentecostal Statement of Faith, "What We Believe"

 

 

 

1. Error begins when we add to, remove from, or otherwise change God’s word.  That is why God warns us time and time again not to do such things to his word. (Deut 4:2; Prov 30:6, Rev 22:18)  When we don’t rightly divide the word of truth, then false doctrine shall result.

 

2. It is neither our intention nor our mandate to expose error in every document in the world.  Regarding those things that impact our life, however, it is our intention and our mandate to Prove all things (I Thess 5:21), to judge righteous judgment and to hold fast that which is good.  We believe that all true Christians will take action after learning these things.  They will either:

a. Help to change the error and to educate others who presently adhere to it,

 

b. Correct us, scripturally, if we are in error or misunderstanding, or

 

c. Separate from that which is incorrigibly in error 

*     *     * 

 

3. For several decades, the doctrines of the faith “held by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and shared by the majority of Pentecostal groups throughout the world.” have been summarized in a booklet compiled by Dr. J.E. Purdie and entitled, “What We Believe”.

 

4. This article will examine some of the statements/beliefs in this booklet with the intent to Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (I Thess 5:21). Quotations from the booklet will be identified by italics and then be analysed, as follows:

a. Statement No 1 (pg 4).  “The verbal inspiration and absolute authority of the Old and New Testaments is firmly believed in by the Pentecostal Church, as set forth in her Articles of Faith.  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (in the original languages in which it was written) and is infallible, absolutely supreme, and sufficient in all matters of faith and practice.”

i. The bible says, “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Prov 30:6).

 

ii. By adding, in his own words, the parenthetical statement (in the original languages in which it was written) Dr. Purdie departs from scripture.  The bible does not specify in which language(s), if any, that God has chosen to restrict his preservation of “scripture”.

 

iii. The added statement serves only to support the false teaching that, today, we no longer have access to words that were given by inspiration of God, or that (at best) only an elite group of scholars has access to copies of those words and has the knowledge and ability to interpret the true meaning for us.  (This is a popish doctrine.)  If true, we would only have copies of translations of those words (which Bible correctors would like for us to believe, so that their translation is arguably equivalent to God’s original).

 

iv. Also, if Dr. Purdie’s addition is true, then nothing in existence today is actually “scripture,” because this very verse teaches us that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and Dr. Purdie has restricted the application of that statement to the original languages, to the end that only words in the original languages are given by inspiration.

 

v. The truth is that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God.  So, the scripture we have today is given by inspiration of God and the scripture that the apostles had was also given by inspiration of God.

 

vi. Many people assume we have inspired scriptures; but that is not what the verse says.  The phrase, “by inspiration” is an adverb phrase that modifies the verb “is given”.  Therefore, the process of giving was inspired.  God moved holy men to speak his words, God moved certain scribes to record his word, and God moved certain men to translate his words.  Therefore, we have “scripture” that “is given by inspiration of God” and is “preserved” as he promised, for us to read today.

 

vii. After the addition, Dr. Purdie further departs from truth by structuring the rest of his compound sentence in such a way that his list of characteristics describing scripture appears to be the rest of his quote of II Tim 3:16.  At best, his paraphrase is inaccurate and incomplete.  The scripture actually says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

 

viii. Notably, the phrases “for reproof” and “for correction” are missing from Dr. Purdie’s list, omissions that are common amongst bible correctors for reasons that are probably obvious.

b. Statement No. 3 (pg 5). “In the second chapter [Gen 2] we have a summary of the nature of the creation as stated in chapter one.”  Although the first few verses appear to summarize or to complete the creation of chapter one, the better part of chapter two is actually a more detailed explanation of what happened on day six.  This pattern of ‘looping’ back to provide more detail is common in the bible (and is especially evident in the book of Revelation).  We point out this difference of opinion with Dr. Purdie because many people use his teaching to argue that the bible is contradictory in its description of creation.  For instance, without carefully reading the passages, they erroneously argue that the bible contradicts itself between chapters one and two by changing whether:

i. The animals were created before Adam (Gen 1:25) or after Adam (Gen 2:19)

 

ii. The birds were created out of water (Gen 1:20) or out of earth (Gen 2:19)

 

iii. Etc

c. Statement No. 14 (pg 22)  “The question is often asked, ‘What is the evidence that one is filled with the Holy Spirit?’ The Biblical evidence that one is filled with the Spirit is that he speaks super-naturally in a tongue he has never learned (Acts 2:4)” 

i. In over 33 years of faithful participation in Pentecostal churches, I don’t recall ever having heard that question asked by a seeker.  However, I have found it typically asked by those whose agenda it is to spread their doctrine of tongues-speaking to others.  Perhaps the question most often asked by such people is, “have you received the gift/baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues?” - a question that pre-supposes that modern day gjbberish is tongues, that modern day tongues is evidence, that tongues is the initial evidence, and that without tongues such a gift cannot be given.

 

ii. The Biblical evidence suggests no such thing.  Jesus plainly stated that the Biblical evidence was power to become witnesses for him, when he stated in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”

 

iii. Tongues was a legitimate supernatural ability to speak in a known human language.  Tongues was not, and is not, found in the modern day counterfeit of gibberish.

 

iv. Biblical tongues is found primarily in the book of Acts - which is a transitional book in the establishment of the church.  It is also found in Paul’s writing to the Corinthians  -  people whom he had to rebuke and correct for being carnal and for misusing the legitimate gifts.  It is not found in any of the epistles to the church.

 

v. “There is no evidence whatsoever in the New Testament that the power and Infilling of the Spirit has ever been withdrawn from the Christian Church.”  Although this is a true statement, it is clearly presented to imply that, ‘therefore we can still speak in tongues today’, (because Dr. Purdie already claims to have established that tongues is the evidence of infilling with the Spirit  -  gift of the Holy Ghost, baptism with the Holy Ghost, etc  -  and that the ‘tongues’ today are the same as the tongues of Pentecost).  But we know of no one who has spoken in biblical tongues in our present day. The ‘tongues’ of today are mere gibberish; not the tongues of Pentecost.  Dr. Purdie’s theology is in error, his logic is in error and his history is in error.  Dr. Purdie, and Pentecostals in general, ignore the scriptures which say:

a. Have all the gifts of healing?  do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?  (I Cor 12:30)  The answer to each in this series of these rhetorical questions is obviously, “no”.

 

b. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  (I Cor 13:8)

 

c. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (I Cor 12: 10)

 

d. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my woice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (I Cor 14:19)

 

vi. Today, (false) tongues is presented as the evidence of spirit baptism; and even the initial evidence of such.  But on the day of Pentecost, visible cloven tongues like as of fire and a sound as of a rushing mighty wind were equally “evidence” that the Holy Ghost had fallen.  In fact, these preceded the tongues.  Yet these ‘evidences’ are ignored and tongues is promoted as “the evidence” and “the initial evidence” .

d. Statement No. 16 (page 26)  Dr. Purdie describes the healing ministry of Jesus and how he commissioned the disciples to go out and heal in like manner.  He then quotes what Jesus said when he departed, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you …” and concludes that, ”This indicates that the glorified Lord was to be with His Church in Divine Healing even unto the end of the Church Age.”   But, it indicates no such thing, as can be proven by passages where many in the church remain unhealed:

i. Paul was not healed of his “thorn in the flesh”, whatever infirmity that may have been.  (II Cor 12:7-9)

 

ii. Timothy was often ill, so Paul told him to, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.”  (I Tim 5:23)

 

iii. We are to examine ourselves before participating in the Lord’s supper, “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.  (I Cor 11:29, 30)

 

iv. Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick: (II Tim 4:20)

e. Statement No. 17 The Second Coming of Christ (page 28)  We realize that Dr. Purdie’s beliefs in this section are widely held.  Nevertheless, they remain unscriptural, as follows:

i. Dr. Purdie states that the Second Coming, or “The Second Advent of the Lord consists of two stages”  meaning that Jesus is coming FOR his church in the “rapture” and then he is coming again seven years later to establish his Millennial Kingdom.  Dr. Purdie provides no scripture for this assertion  -  because there are none.  However there are several passages that refute his position and teach that the catching away of the saints (“rapture” as he calls it) occurs at his coming, a single and singular event.  (Matt 24:29-31;  II Thess 2:1-3; Rev 20:4,5)

 

ii. Dr. Purdie states that at the time of the “rapture” Jesus “will appear invisibly in space”  confusing the reader as to whether he will actually appear, or whether he will remain invisible.  Such confusion is not found in the bible (I Cor 14:33) which clearly states that “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him”.  (Rev 1:7)

 

iii. Dr. Purdie says that the time between the two ‘phases’ of Christ’s second coming, “covers seven years of time and will be the Great Tribulation….”  Again there is no scripture offered  -  again, because there is none.  In fact, the Great Tribulation is only three and one half years long (Dan 7:25; Dan 9:27; Rev 12:6; Rev 13:5; Matt 24:15-21)

5. This Pentecostal statement of faith is by no means exhaustive, nor is our analysis of it.  Pentecostals share many other unscriptural beliefs with the Charismatic movement, Word-Faith movement, ecumenical movement, Toronto Airport movement, Catch the Fire, Laughing Revival,  Joel’s army, God Chasers, Prayer of Jabez, Transformations, Megashift, etc.

 

6. As well, some of the statements contained within the statement of faith which happen to be scriptural, are not actually believed by Pentecostal churches or taught by them in practice.  For instance, (page 4) Dr. Purdie correctly states that the “Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, but in reality it is the final and complete revelation:”  Yet, he takes liberty to correct it himself, and Pentecostals in general (including many pastors, if not most) draw from man’s revelations which are packaged and taught as God’s word in numerous contradictory modern versions.  Dr. Purdie goes on to say that God, “does not give new revelation apart from, or beyond the Bible.”

 

7. But the reality is that most (and probably every) television evangelist/pastor promotes his own direct hearing from God.  Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, John Arnott, Tommy Tenney  -  the list is near endless  -  are not the only ones; small, medium and larger assemblies alike propagate the same bizarre and unscriptural practices.

 

8. Local Pentecostal pastors everywhere (for all practical purposes) either speak on behalf of God themselves or allow members of their congregations (usually women  -  I Cor 14:34) to speak countless blasphemies in the Lord’s name.  (For example, in a small, rural Pentecostal church in central Ontario, Canada, one woman - who habitually was permitted to ‘speak in tongues’ on behalf of the Lord - was given the microphone by the pastor during one service and allowed to ramble on for several minutes about how ‘Jesus is just like a shot of brandy, and ….ooooooh, he makes me feel so good.’)  Although bizarre and unscriptural, such blasphemy is not unusual today.  In fact, regrettably, it is so common that it is now often the norm.

 

9. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. (Jer 23:1)