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
Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses - Intro
To: Our Friends in the Kingdom Hall who are Jehovah’s Witnesses
We have often had questions about what the Watchtower teaches and we have appreciated all of the sincere Jehovah’s Witnesses who have stopped by to speak with us about them.
Usually there has not been enough time to finish any real discussion, so we were pleased to join with one couple for weekly bible studies in which they promised to answer all of the questions that we had.
Although we preferred to simply ask our questions, we agreed to follow our friends through a bible study course using this Watchtower bible study guide called: “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” And although it was not what we had been promised, we reluctantly agreed to set aside our questions until the issues came up in the study materials.
Well .... we did all of the homework that we were asked to do ...... and more... We studied and compared what the New World Translation says, we read various other Watchtower books and pamphlets, and as you can see, we followed the Watchtower study guide precisely, even colour-coding our answers to help us find the main points that we were being taught.
The first question in the study guide asks why is it important for us to ask questions? The study guide itself tells us to not stop asking questions until we find satisfying, reliable answers.
Of course that is exactly what we were looking for .... answers ... and our friends promised to provide those answers. We agreed with our friends that the bible would be our final authority and that all things would therefore be proven ... from the bible.
But, do you know what happened?
Right from the beginning, our friends began teaching things that we had never read before in the bible. For example, they said that the Holy Spirit is not a person in the Godhead, but instead, it is God’s Active Force. Well, we wouldn’t have a problem with that, if we could prove that it were true, but - because God’s Word (the bible) is the source of all truth - we had agreed that everything we accepted must be found in God’s Word, and so we asked: Where does the bible say that the Holy Spirit is God’s Active Force?
Our friends weren’t able to answer this question, but they insisted that it was true, even though it wasn’t in the bible. So, you can probably understand our disappointment at this violation of our agreements:
the first thing we had agreed - was that our questions would be answered, and
the second - was that all answers would come directly from the bible
Before our second study, our friends talked with someone from the Kingdom Hall and decided not to answer all of the questions as they had promised, but to simply follow the study guide instead. Why do you suppose the Watchtower Organization would not want our friends to answer our questions?
Again, we were disappointed.
So after four hours of studying together, and a few more hours preparing for the studies, we ended up with a six page list of unanswered questions! Many of the questions, our friends couldn’t answer at all. The rest of them, they said, would be answered later during the course of our study, even though the answers were only in the Watchtower literature and not in the bible itself. This was disappointing because, as I mentioned, they had promised that everything would be proven from the bible.
The next disappointment was that our friends didn’t show up for the third bible study. So, we called them and only then discovered that they wouldn’t be coming back. They acknowledged that they had spoken with others at the Kingdom Hall prior to deciding not to come back for any more studies with us.
As you might imagine, we found this process to be somewhat frustrating, as well as disappointing, because:
We had done everything that we were asked to do.
We agreed to attend weekly studies for the next few months.
We agreed to follow the study manual that our friends preferred to use.
We did our homework.
We listened to the teachings.
And we only asked questions that pertained to the things that they were teaching us as they came up in the lesson.
And we did all of this because our friends promised to answer the questions that we told them no other Jehovah’s Witness had been able to answer.
So, here we have six pages of questions now - and these are only from the two weeks of bible studies with our friends - we have many more questions that we would like to add later.
But maybe you can help us find the answers to these.
We would welcome any response or comment from you, by phone, email, video reply, or personal visit - especially if you are a Jehovah’s Witness.
One thing we would like to say is that almost ALL of the Jehovah’s witnesses we have met have been very nice people. These people are hard working, kind, honest, and sincere. What grieves us is how the Watchtower Organization seems to take advantage of these people.
Our one friend lost her daughter in a tragic car accident, and she may feel guilty about her role in that crash. She spoke several times about her longing desire to see her daughter again in the resurrection. The Watchtower Organization has given her hope that she will she her daughter again - IF she is a faithful Jehovah’s Witness.
But the bible itself assures us that her daughter will be resurrected. The real tragedy in this is that - in order to be a part of that resurrection herself - our friend is trusting in the Watchtower Organization instead of trusting in the bible. And, as a result, our friend is not being told the truth about being with her daughter again. In fact, she is being kept away from the very truth that would let her see her daughter again.
In Ephesians 5:21, the bible tells us to prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
If the truth is important to you, then you have to be able to answer these questions, and you have to be willing to obey God’s command to prove all things.
Thank you for considering our questions. And thank you, in advance, for contacting us with your answers to them.
Please go to our Questions Section.