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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?

 

Damascus Will Be Destroyed

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

 

 

 

 

 

Our Letter to an Historicist

 

[Name Withheld],

 

1. It is always a pleasure to meet others who love the word of God. Greetings!

 

2. Thank you for clarifying your eschatological position. I apologize for having taken so long to reply, but wanted to give your email as thoughtful a response as possible, and have attempted to do so below, as comprehensively and yet as concisely as I could.

 

3. My initial email was triggered by your article at: [address withheld] in which you appeared to suggest (in paragraph 18, for example) that the Lord's Coming with power and glory already occurred in 70 A.D. From your email, however, I understand that you believe in his literal Second Coming - a soon-to-be-fulfilled physical and visible return to earth. With reservation over your use of the word "figurative", and of your meaning regarding the Holy Ghost's intent in sharing those passages, I believe you are precisely correct in what you have stated in your email to me.

 

4. The reason that I wrote to you was out of concern for you and for others who might believe that Christ's Coming is already past and for those who might believe in a "pre-trib rapture". Now I know that you don't. I believe that those who hold either of these positions tenaciously throughout the coming years will fall prey to the deception of the (literal) man of sin, the son of perdition, who will opposeth all that is called God (II Thess 2:4) and who will mark all those who succumb to his deceptions with some form of number/mark without which they cannot buy or sell (Rev 13:16-18). At that point, the matter would become a salvation issue for them and an error in their judgment or understanding would result in great tragedy.

 

5. Unfortunately it is not likely to occur, but it would be enjoyable to visit with you in person because we could much more easily clarify our understandings of scripture.

a. For an example, in paragraph 3 of the article mentioned, you appear to believe in a single resurrection - of the righteous and of the unrighteous. Yes, there is a single resurrection at his return - but only of the righteous, because the unrighteous are not judged until later. (The passages you cite do not specify that both are raised simultaneously. In fact many scriptures are fulfilled in pieces that are separated by gaps in time.) The rest of the dead (the unrighteous) do not rise until after 1000 years. (Rev 20:4,5) The unrighteous are then judged and are sentenced to the second death. (Rev 20:13,14)

 

b. For a second example, in paragraph 7 of the article mentioned, you appear to say that the Lord came in power and glory to judge Israel in 70 A.D. Clearly, some prophecies were fulfilled in 70 A.D., but Jesus did not physically return at that time. He had already ascended into heaven, sent the Holy Ghost as a Comforter and sat at the right hand of God the father. Then, as described in about six passages, the bible says that Jesus will remain sitting at the right hand of God the father until he makes his enemies his footstool (Matt 22:44). That will be fulfilled at Armageddon.

6. As you suggested, "Before worrying about Revelation, which is subject to great debate and differences of opinion", I should clarify my position regarding certain other endtime passages. That is a reasonable suggestion, and I have attempted to do so as concisely as possible below under the headings of the passages that were of interest to you, as you have listed them.

 

7. I agree with the hermeneutic principle that scripture should be accepted as literal - including the miraculous - unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. (Jesus literally walked on water, Adam and Eve were real people, the three Hebrew children were cast into a real fire, Lazarus and the rich man were real people ... parables are figurative but are used to convey truth by analogy, "waters" are used at times to represent peoples, beasts are used at times to represent leaders or nations...) Daniel 2

 

8. You didn't ask about Daniel 2 (Nebuchadnezzar's dream), but it provides great context to my understanding of the other passages to which you referred. Many people teach that the four beasts of Daniel 7 are another description of the world empires described by the great image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of chapter 2. (i.e.. Lion, bear, leopard and ten-horned beast being Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome). There are several reasons why this teaching cannot be correct. For one reason, there are only four beasts in chapter 7, but there are five sections of the great image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of chapter 2, not four sections. The fifth section - iron mingled with clay - carries the element (of iron) from the previous empire (Rome) into the fifth world empire (Holy Roman Empire) which has come together and has broken up several times (as iron fails to adhere to clay). This began with Pope Leo III crowning Charlemagne as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 800 A.D., has continued through Napoleon's attempts at world domination, is possibly inclusive of Hitler's attempts, and appears to be recurring in the form of the European Union. (In fact the first coin, the ECU, had the imprint of Charlemagne, the Economist has a Charlemagne page, and a Charlemagne prize is awarded annually to the person who most advances the interests of Europe - won by Bill Clinton recently - the powers that be know what they are trying to do in re-forming the Holy Roman Empire.)

 

9. The Pharaoh's dreams were figurative in a sense, but were interpreted by Joseph to represent and foretell real events that would occur. Likewise, the image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream was "figurative" in a sense because it was a dream, but it represented literal world empires that have come and gone since that time. Therefore, we know that the passages pertaining to these are foretelling literal kingdoms and literal events. Daniel 7-12

 

10. Daniel 7-12 includes several visions given to Daniel that portray events from his time until the end of time, when the Ancient of Days will come and judgment will be given to the saints, and the books will be opened. (Dan 7: 9, 10, 22).

a. Four beasts are described which represent four of the kingdoms that will be on earth when the Lord, the Ancient of Days, returns. (We know this from Dan 7:23 where it says that the fourth beast is the fourth kingdom). When he comes, their dominion will be taken away but their lives will be prolonged for a season and a time. (Dan 7:12) Therefore we know that, although the beasts are figurative in the dream, they represent literal kingdoms/nations that will co-exist at the Lord's coming. (This is another reason why they do not represent the gold, silver, brass, iron and iron/clay of Daniel 2, because those empires existed sequentially, not concurrently, and have ceased to exist well before his Second Coming.)

 

b. God used animal symbols to represent these kingdoms that would co-exist just prior to his coming. It only makes sense that he would use symbols that would be meaningful to believers living at that appointed time (now). (Proof: Daniel 12: 9, 10 - the understanding of these visions was sealed "till the time of the end" and "the wise shall understand"). The animal symbols he used were: a lion with eagles' wings growing out of its back, a bear, a four-headed leopard, and a ten-horned beast. If we are living near the Lord's coming today, then:

1) what nation would be represented by the Lion? (The British Lion - Britain.)

 

2) what nation would be represented by the Bear? (The Russian Bear - Russia)

 

3) the Leopard? (Germany - with it's four heads, the first Reich, meaning "kingdom", the second Reich, Hitler's third Reich, and the currently rising fourth Reich, because each head represents the rise and fall, or life, of that kingdom). Also, the world's foremost military tank is produced by Germany - the Leopard tank.

 

4) the ten-horned beast? (possibly the ten-nation western European union, the financial, military and political heart of the European Union, under Javier Solana; also possibly the ten regional unions or blocks, including the North American Union and the European Union which the new UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, has greatly promoted and advanced; also possibly the new security council of the UN which is headed for restructuring due primarily to the problems of impasse arising from vetoed votes.) The answer to this is not yet clear to me.

c. Much more can be said about these, but it would take a lot of time. Consider though that the Lion had eagles' wings growing out of its back. The United States of America is represented today as the eagle, and it broke off from Britain (the Lion) in 1776. Daniel watched until the wings thereof were plucked off and they stood on their feet as a man (Uncle Sam?). These symbols are used prolifically in newspapers and magazines today to represent these nations. At some point, coincidence must end and one must seriously consider the accumulated bits of information that God has given us (precept upon precept; here a little, there a little) as literal facts that are literally applicable to us today.

11. One more brief point, I believe that Dan 12, (where Michael stands up and there is a time of great trouble), is referring to the "Great tribulation" that was described by Jesus in Matt 24:21 with almost exactly the same phraseology. (While we are considering this topic, I would add that there is no such thing as a seven-year tribulation and there is no "rapture" at the beginning or middle of it. There is a seven year period, sometimes called Daniel's seventieth week, the last half of which is this Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus, because it begins with the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel that occurs in the midpoint of the week. (Matt 24:15 and Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 11:31) Therefore, the great tribulation is only three-and-one-half years long. Malachi 4

 

12. Malachi 4 teaches that Elijah will come before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. Jesus plainly taught that Elijah came already in the form of John the Baptist. (Matt 17:12,13) Possibly a better way for me to say this is that John the Baptist came (somehow) in the spirit and power of Elijah.

 

13. Prophecies can have short range AND long range fulfillments, and/or multiple meanings. A comparison of all the verses that relate to the "Day of the Lord" reveals that that day has not yet come. Therefore, it is likely that one of the two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 will again, or will completely, fulfill that prophecy, because these two witnesses come in the spirit and power of Moses and Elijah for the last three-and-one-half years prior to the Lord's second coming, the great and terrible Day of the Lord. (Rev 11:3) Matthew 24

 

14. Jesus taught his disciples precisely, and chronologically, the future events that would unfold. The theme of taking heed against 'deception' was woven throughout his message. He clearly wanted them (and us) to understand; for a reason.

 

15. Among the highlights of his lesson, wars and rumours of wars (vs. 6) precede a period of persecution (vs. 9), betrayal (vs. 10), the Abomination of Desolation (vs. 15) and eventually the "great tribulation" (vs. 21). Then, immediately following that tribulation, will be his second coming (vs. 29-31). In that chapter, the sequence of events preceding his coming and the timing of that coming, which he describes as being "immediately after the tribulation of those days" is straightforward. II Thess 2

 

16. Paul had to write II Thess to the Thessalonians because they had not received the word completely or properly in I Thess regarding the 'rapture' of the church and the Day of the Lord. (I Thess 5) Remember that the Thessalonians weren't as noble as the Bereans (Acts 17:11) in receiving the Word and in searching the scriptures daily. Consequently, they had become shaken by false teachers who were teaching an imminent return of the Lord. (II Thess 2:1-3).

 

17. Even today, there are many who teach an "imminent" return, a pre-trib rapture, or a secret catching away, despite the fact that Paul taught at least two things that must happen first (the great falling away and the revealing of the man of sin). John teaches many more things in Revelation that also must occur prior to that Day, and as already mentioned Jesus taught several things that would happen prior to that Day in Matt 24. [our explanation of the book of Revelation has been separated and posted as another article in this website] I trust that this gives you reasonable insight into my view of these subjects and explains my concern for having first contacted you. As always, I would welcome your views as your time permits.

 

Rejoicing that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life,

 

Mike & family