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- Welcome
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- Bible Versions
- Doctrines
- Endtime
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WELCOME TO OUR HOME
Whether you are a bible-believing scholar, an older Christian, a new Christian, a seeker, or an atheist, we would like to challenge you to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (I Thess 5:21)
The men of Berea were more noble than those in Thessalonica because "they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)
Jesus warned that deception would be the trademark of the endtime (Matt 24), and he didn’t exclude anyone from his warning: including Baptists, Pentecostals, Catholics, JWs and Adventists.
So, please select a topic from the Articles menu, or Select a Topic Tab above, and join with us in studying to shew ourselves approved unto God, workmen that "needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Tim 2:15)
STUDY TOOLS FOR YOU!! - Click on the BRI Logo (top-left) to study any chapter of the Bible and to read along with us; and Click on the lighted Bible (top-right) to search for key words in the Bible.
Also, be sure to check our new VIDEO section and our many new articles!
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??
In this series, we intend to determine which, if any, of the books claiming to be God’s Word are actually God’s Word.
We are commanded to study, to search, and to continue in his word: (II Tim 2:15; Acts 17:11; John 8:31).
Therefore, as we examine various modern versions, we do so not to be confrontational or disagreeable with others, but to be obedient to these commandments of God, specifically, and to be faithful to his scriptures, in general.
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
WHO IS GOD? - MAKE IT SIMPLE
TRINITY? - JESUS ONLY? - ONENESS? - 3 GODS? - ONE GOD? - or 3 in ONE?
1. It is very important to understand what or who God is. The scriptures speak about the “Godhead” as three persons who together compose one being called “God”. Like many other doctrines, the doctrine of the Godhead is found seeded throughout the scriptures, so we must compare scriptures together in order to put the whole picture together.
2. Let’s consider four separate doctrines that the bible teaches, and then put them all together.
a. First: The bible calls the Father, “God”
1) I Peter 1:2 says, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”.
2) Phil 2:11 says, “that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
b. Second: The bible calls the Word, (or the Son), “God”
1) John 1:1 says, “the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God”,
2) John 20:28 says that Thomas answered Jesus and “said unto him, My Lord and my God.”
3) In Heb 1:8, God is speaking throughout the chapter and calls his son “God” - “ … but unto the son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever”
c. Third: The bible calls the Holy Ghost (or the Holy Spirit), “God”
1) In Acts 5:3-4, Peter says to Ananias, “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost …thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God”
2) I Cor 3:16 says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? And I Cor 6:19 says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” Putting these two verses together, we see that our bodies are the temple of God, the Holy Ghost.
d. Fourth: Deut 6:4 says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:” So, we have three persons all called “God” - The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and yet there is only ONE God; therefore, we know that there is a composite unity of three persons in that ONE God.
e. This is why the Father and Son can speak with each other in the singular, why the Son and the Holy Ghost can speak of each other in the singular, and why “God” can speak either in the singular as a collective noun, “I AM THAT I AM” (Ex 3:14), or in the plural… “Let us make man in our image” (Gen 1:26). There are NOT three Gods; there are three persons in ONE God.
3. Another way to understand this might be, as follows:
a. There is ONE God who, in nature and substance, exists in three persons.
b. As an analogy:
1) a corporate board is a legal entity comprised of persons with various titles, including: chairman, secretary, and treasurer. These titles, or positions, or offices can only be held by those who are members of the corporate board.
2) Similarly, “God” is comprised of three persons with various titles, including “Father”, “Word ”, and “Holy Ghost”. And these titles, or positions, or offices can only be filled by those who are members of the “Godhead”, or in other words, only by those who are, by nature and substance, “God”.
3) The corporate board does not exist, It cannot meet and it does not function apart from real persons who fill the positions as members of the board.
4) Similarly, “God” would not exist (“I AM THAT I AM” - Ex 3:14), he could not meet (“let us make man in our image” - Gen 1:26), and he does not function apart from the real persons who are members of the Godhead, or in other words, the persons who each and together constitute “God”.
c. God himself is not a person. God is a Spirit. (John 4:24)
d. Therefore, the three persons who comprise “God”- or the “Godhead” - are by nature and substance “Spirit”. They are by nature and substance “God”. And, therefore, when “God’ manifested in the flesh (I Tim 3:16; John 1:14; Heb 1:5-8), the Son was flesh that was literally the incarnated nature and substance of God.
e. The word “begotten” also proves this.
1) That which is begotten has the same nature or substance as that which begat it.
2) Jesus is not the ONLY son of God. He is the only “BEGOTTEN” son of God.
3) Therefore, he is the only son who has the nature and substance of “God”; the only son who is composed of “God” himself.
4) Therefore Jesus is, in fact, God, in the flesh, Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matt 1:23; John 1:10,14; I Tim 3:16)
4. Understanding these things about the Christian God is one of the most important parts of being a Christian, because the bible warns us about false gods (Jer 7:9), false Christs (Matt 24:24) and false gospels (Gal 1:8-9). If we don’t worship the right God, then the foundation of our faith is not secure.
5. There are also many false bibles, and because God reveals himself through his word, it is important that we have that very word of God and not one of the words that Paul warned us about in II Cor 2:17. God said that his words are pure and perfect. He promised to preserve his words for ever (Ps 12:6-7). We have found that the King James Bible is God’s pure and perfect word in English. (There are many errors, omissions and contradictions in new bible versions.) So, we encourage everyone to get a copy of the Authorized Version, the King James Bible, to read it, and to believe it, as written.
6. You can TRUST God’s word and BELIEVE every word in it.
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The "Berean Research Institute" is a scripture-based, family-oriented area of cyber-space wherein men, women and children can research beliefs and doctrines that impact their assembly, ministry and/or personal lives.
We encourage all to fear God and to keep his commandments by searching the scriptures daily and by being doers of the word.
Many people today claim to be Christians, disciples of Jesus, but fail to continue in his word as commanded in John 8:31, and therefore are deceiving even themselves. (James1:22) The result of such deception will be exclusion from the Kingdom of God (Matt 7:21-23 and Matt 25:8-12).
Not everyone ... shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matt 7:21)
If you consider yourself to be a Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic, JW, Adventist - even a life-long one - and are convinced that you are on your way to heaven, we encourage you to consider some of the biblical doctrines that we examine in these articles and videos - and be SURE that you are on your way to heaven.
That is our ultimate goal for you - that every one of you obtains eternal life!!
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