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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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

1. What follows is a compilation of the concerns we have about Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ. By way of introduction, here are some preparational thoughts:

a. Take heed that no man deceive you. (Matt 24:4)

 

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

 

c. "if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there ... behold he is in the secret chambers; believe it not." (Matt 24:22-26)

 

d. Perhaps a theatre today is a secret chamber. ... every man in the chambers of his imagery ... (Ez 8:12)

2. In addition to our own thoughts about this movie, we have relied heavily on the following sources for this summary: (SOURCE DOCUMENTATION HERE):

a. Baptist preacher David Cloud has a wealth of articles about the Passion, including many secular quotes, testimonies, and comments of fellow Christians at: http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fbns-index/index2fbns.htm

 

b. Deception in the Church, Sandy Simpson, has many extensive reviews written by various Christian authors at: http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/bookreviews.html#p

 

c. Roger Oakland reviews the Passion here: http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c23.shtml

 

d. For even more detailled analysis:

http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/melgibson-thepassionofthechrist/dowehave-artistic-license.html

3. Here is our summary of concerns, which is by no means exhaustive, primarily from the information in the source documentation above: IMPACT ON VIEWER AND BASIC REASONS FOR CONCERN:

1) burns vivid images of tortured man into one's mind (of actor Jim Caviezel playing Jesus).

 

2) difficult to erase these images when praying - some people regret having seen the images

 

3) movie stresses physical things - torture, pain and human responses: man looks on outward appearance (I Sam 16:7);

 

4) bible avoids presenting "image" of God/Jesus; we walk by faith and not by sight (II Cor 5:7)

 

5) bible avoids focus on suffering; movie 'revels' in suffering (Catholic imagery/doctrine of suffering Christ, mass)

 

6) movie's images and music evoke emotional response, do not convey truth of gospel, nor of historical events (despite claims of ecumenical leaders - Robertson, Dobson, Falwell, Graham, etc

 

7) Viewers recall events and speak as if movie is the actual word of God. A recent P&R caller wanted to know prophetic significance of two events (didn't realize they were unscriptural); Another lady was heard to say, "The Bible just kind of glosses over what He suffered, but the movie goes into so much more detail.” [Note from Brother Cloud: This poor lady has things exactly backwards, judging the Bible by the movie, but that is the power of the movie media today. http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/melgibson-thepassionofthechrist/positive-responses.html]

 

8) bible stresses purpose of Jesus' death; movie stresses method of death in slow motion, excruciating detail

 

9) NOTHING in the movie is real, NONE of the events really happened as depicted, NONE of the people looked like the actors who portrayed them

 

10) the movie is Restricted - excessively brutal violence

 

11) produced by a staunch Catholic, ungodly man, who was full of obscenities and filming other violent movies while planning production of this 'Christian' movie. http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/melgibson-thepassionofthechrist/moral-vileness.html

 

12) many ecumenical leaders endorse the movie, including: Billy Graham, James Dobson, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. Some of these have signed the Evangelical and Catholics Together Document

 

13) doesn't explain why Jewish leaders want Jesus to die

 

14) doesn't explain who Jesus is

 

15) no purpose for death, no explanation of sin, no repentance, no judgment to come, no need for acceptance of Saviour, no gospel message (therefore no real evangelical power)

 

16) events were missing that would otherwise validate old testament prophecies - ex: casting lots for his garments

 

17) Jesus and disciples had long hippy hair in contradiction of (I Cor 11:14); Roman soldiers had short hair (historically accurate)

 

18) Gibson claims not to know scriptural account well himself; relied on two catholic mystics for things he "never would have thought of"

 

19) Jim Caviesel shouted obscenities at actor playing Roman soldier who hurt him with real whip during filming (not part of movie)

 

20) Caviesel describes on 700 Club how he was angry at God while hanging on the cross. He had obscenities boiling up in him, he says, and he screamed at God, ' We're breaking our backs down here and you don't even care!!' http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/ScottRoss-Jim_Caviezel_2.asp

 

21) Mel Gibson has built his career on violence and restricted movies

 

22) Three of the main female actresses (Mary Magdalene, Pilate's wife and Satan) are hard core pornographic actresses

 

23) Two of the main female actresses (Mary and Mary Magdalene) also played in Dracula movies

 

24) foundation of faith is shifted from simple faith in God's word as written, to sympathy for the brutally treated fictional character depicted onscreen

 

25) movie as a "tool" for evangelism may be "image" of God in contravention of 2nd commandment - Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above ...

 

26) There was a reason why God simply said they "scourged Jesus" and "they crucified him." (Matt 27) Therefore, there is a problem when Mel Gibson takes approximately two hours to graphically portray a vision of these events from his own heart, in excruciating detail.

 

27) There was a reason why God included great detail and many infallible proofs regarding the resurrection of Jesus. (Acts 1:3) Therefore, there is a problem when Mel Gibson spends only a few seconds on this pivotal event and corrupts even that truth with a concluding image of a naked Jesus.

CATHOLIC:

1) opened on Ash Wednesday

 

2) Pope calls Lent a time for conversion, looks ahead to Ash Wednesday http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=49456

 

3) Vittorio Messori calls the movie "a MASS"

http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=49259

 

4) Roman Catholics understand that it is a Catholic movie http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/melgibson-thepassionofthechrist/melgibsons-film.html

 

5) Gibson and Caviesel are staunchly Roman Catholic and attended Mass each day to be 'squeaky clean' for the production

 

6) Catholics, Charismatics, protestants, Evangelicals are working side-by-side to promote this movie (United Gospel??)

 

7) Other participants were "saved" while working on the project and joined with Gibson in celebrating Mass

 

8) movie follows the catholic teaching of 14 stations of the cross

 

9) Mary is strong; Jesus is weak

 

10) While praying, Jesus refers to himself as 'son of God's handmaid' (Mary, Mother of God?)

 

11) Mary 'senses' that Jesus has been captured

 

12) young woman, Veronica, wipes Jesus' face and discovers his image imprinted into the cloth (Shroud of Turin concept)

 

13) Mary participates in key stages of story - mops up Jesus' blood, watches the scourging, provides strength along route

 

14) Subtitles refer to Mary as Mother, with capital "M"

 

15) Only Jesus and Mary are able to "see" the woman who plays Satan

 

16) Mary asks Jesus to let her die with him (Co-redemptress)

 

17) Mary is mystically linked with Jesus as he is suspended from shackles in the room below her floor.

 

18) Peter kneels before Mary, calls her "Mother" and confesses he has denied Christ. She reaches out in forgiveness and he runs away saying he's not worthy. (But, Peter didn't sin against Mary.)

 

19) a flashback of the Last Supper, as Jesus is crucified, clearly teaches the purpose of the Mass and the unfinished work of the cross.

 

20) Jesus dies on crucifix; thieves die on Tau crosses

 

21) Mary kisses Jesus' feet on the cross and steps back with blood on her face and dripping into her mouth (literal transubstantiation)

 

22) Mary cradles the dead body of Jesus (Pieta) at the foot of the cross

UNSCRIPTURAL/EXTRA-BIBLICAL:

1) Jesus is tempted by Satan in Garden of Gethsemane

 

2) Satan is female, despite the bible's clear reference to his masculinity

 

3) Satan knows that Jesus intends to die for sins of the world when bible says he didn't know this (I Cor 2:8)

 

4) Satan (a woman) carries around a hideous 'demonic' baby, as a contrast to virgin Mary and her Holy child (catholic Madonna and child)

 

5) Jesus is dangled over a bridge on a chain and is jerked back up

 

6) Judas tells two Jewish children (complete with Kippahs) to leave him alone. They mock him, bite and tear his flesh with their teeth, morph into devils and chase him into the desert to suicide (unscriptural and anti-Semitic)

 

7) Final scene of movie burns image of naked Jesus in minds of viewers

 

8) No one fell backward when Jesus said "I am he" (John 18:6) - (movie denies his deity)

 

9) Movie has disciples in swordfight when bible says only Peter resisted and was rebuked

 

10) Pilate's wife gives towels to Mary, to wipe up Jesus' blood

 

11) Jesus is nailed to cross, the cross is lifted up and dropped on him, face into the dirt

 

12) a bird pecks out eye of the unrepentant thief on cross

 

13) floggings, beatings, etc are so excessive that normal person would have died a few times - credibility is lacking

 

14) soldier attempts to break Jesus' legs, but is stopped by earthquake

 

15) roman soldier is showered in excessive blood/water when he pierces Jesus' side