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
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
Explaining to Friends What is 'Wrong' with Christmas
1. After many years of questioning the traditions of Christmas, and several years of weaning ourselves from those traditions, we decided a couple of years ago [several years ago now] to stop celebrating Christmas altogether and completely. As you think about our decision to do this, please be open to considering and to researching each line of thinking we present, without assuming we have 'thrown the baby out with the bathwater." At the end of the study, we believe that you, too, may find there was no baby in the bathwater to begin with.
2. Like us, you may have known 'peripherally' for some time that controversies brew within Christianity regarding the origins of Christmas. And knowing the 'obvious fact' that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season," you might hold the view that no further investigation of the issue is necessary, right? We did. But, we no longer hold that view.
3. If the Word of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness (II Tim 3:16), then we believe that we should not rely on clichés as alternative support for that doctrine - clichés such as: "Let's remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas", "Jesus in the Reason for the Season", "Let's put 'Christ' back into Christmas", etc. Nor should we rely on "tradition" as our final authority; and as a judge of truth.
4. As an introduction to our research, please consider these thoughts:
a. What is the plain meaning of the text written in Jeremiah 10? If you are unfamiliar with it, please read this scripture from the King James Bible (perhaps another topic of discussion), which I have pasted below for your convenience:
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
b. Cut a tree out of the forest with an axe? Must needs be borne (from the forest) because they cannot go? Fasten it with nails and hammer (on a wooden cross) that it move not? Deck it with silver and gold?
c. Is this the "way of the heathen" that we are to "Learn not"?
d. From another point of view, let's consider the Christmas tree for a moment. And here is the question: How could a dead evergreen, cut from the forest, decorated with silver and gold, and fastened that it move not actually relate to the birth of Jesus? This, and ALL the questions we ask are not posed to be disregarded out-of-hand. They really need to be answered.
e. Many people say: "Let's remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas." OK, .... let's do:
i. Christmas - Compound word, "Christ" meaning anointed one of God and "mas" a shortened suffix of masse, literally meaning "mass of Christ".
ii. Mass is a service that is held to remember the death of any person for whom the mass is held. Mass is a 'celebration' service (as in "Celebrate the Mass").
iii. So "Christmas" is literally a celebration of the "death of Christ." Worse yet, HO, HO, HO, "Merry Christmas" is literally "Merry Death of Christ", or "Merry celebration of the death of Christ".
f. Who would be merry about the death of Christ? SANTA? (Oops) SATAN? OK, we may remember his death, burial and resurrection, but that would be another holiday altogether, and another email topic too, wouldn't it be?
g. Jesus never celebrated his birth.
h. His disciples never celebrated his birth.
i. The early church never celebrated his birth.
j. In fact, Jesus never said to celebrate or even to remember his birth in any form. Rather, he said THIS do (communion) in remembrance of me. Further, Paul tells us to do this to shew the Lord’s death till he come. (I Cor 11:26)
k. The fact that Jesus commanded us to remember his death, not his birth, makes perfect sense. The bible says in Ecclesiastes that the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. (Eccl 7:1)
l. Some have asked, "Who started Christmas?" Good question; let's look at that.
m. Given the origin of the word "Christ-mass," as above, it may be little surprise to know that Christmas was first celebrated under Constantine, a Roman, as a catholic (universal) tradition that sought to unify all religions (World Religion?) under one umbrella (hence Roman Catholic), including all pagan earth worshippers, roman sun worshippers and the increasing number of Christ worshippers or "Christians".
n. That is why December 25th was selected as the date of celebration - for recognition by the Pagans as the season of Yule, the winter solstice (21st) and the return of the stag god, Holly King and winter god; and for the sun worshippers celebrating Saturnalia, the birth of Tammuz, the resurrected/reincarnated sun-god Nimrod, Baal, etc.
o. "Everyone knows" (so I'm told) that Jesus wasn't born on Dec 25th
5. "But, who cares" (some ask) if we celebrate his birth on that day anyway? Well, the bible says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (I Thess 5:21) So, the answer is: we all should care. There are at least three scriptural reasons for why Jesus was not born in the winter time. The simplest one is that 'the shepherds were in the fields watching over their flocks by night' and they couldn't do that in the winter. They come in from the fields by mid-September because the nights are otherwise too cold and wet for the sheep.
6. Here are some other questions:
a. What connection does a dead evergreen tree have with Jesus' birth anyway? (Life some might say? And we should respond: They would kill a tree to celebrate Life??)
b. Are the tree and other decorations idols? Is an idol something we use to represent or to facilitate the worship of something we worship? Do Roman Catholics worship their statutes? Do the statues just represent and facilitate the worship of whatever they are worshipping? Is there really any difference between these perspectives?
c. Jesus said, this is my body which is broken for you .... This do in remembrance of me.
d. what does the Christ-mass tree actually represent?
e. what do the lights represent?
f. the balls?
g. the Holly?
h. the Ivy?
i. the garland?
j. the mistletoe?
k. the red and green colours?
l. the candles in the window?
m. the Yule log (and/or Christmas cake)?
n. the date?
o. etc, etc, etc
7. Pagans have answers to all of these questions, and many more, because these are all pagan trappings in a pagan celebration, and they teach these things to their initiates. But, in our opinion, Christians have no intellectually honest answer to these questions in the context of worshipping Jesus.
8. Jesus spoke against the religious leaders a number of times, rebuking them for teaching their own traditions and rituals rather than teaching the people to be faithful to God's commandments. In Mark chapter 7:
6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
8. Certainly, Christians don't support Santa. But when you realize the evil of Santa, you will adopt a very healthy hatred of him, as God surely has. The traditions of Santa Claus are not harmless; nor cute.
9. There are many more things to consider, but when should one stop? With question upon question that remain unanswered as to why we might celebrate Christmas, and reason upon reason as to why we should not celebrate it, there comes a point when (as painful as it was for us) we had to conclude that we would prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (I Thess 5:21)
10. One semi-final thought. The Israelites said that they were worshipping the God that brought them out of the land of Egypt, when they made the golden calf and held a great feast. They wanted something to see, something to touch, and something to celebrate. But God considered the whole celebration and practice an abomination.
11. We realize you are very busy and may not have time to respond thoroughly to our thoughts. That is fine. You may not have time to thoroughly research these things either. That too is fine. But, we would gladly welcome whatever comments you might have.
Rejoicing that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life,
Mike and Donna.