Bible Questions and Answers

Browse all the questions that have been asked at thisisyourbible.com and see their answers, read the most recent questions and answers, or have a look at some prepared questions and answers on key Bible themes.

Thanks for your question. It is a very good one! 


God says through Amos:  Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
 
This is the root of the problem.  Paul says there is: Ephesians 4:5,6 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all...
 
Which means: 
One Lord - Jesus Christ; one faith - one set of beliefs; one baptism – adult immersion in water; One God and Father of all – a separate being from his son – not a tri-unity.
 
The first christians had a common doctrine of salvation, the one preached by the apostles, and in consequence had one fellowship with all regularly breaking bread. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
 
The problem then as now – human nature being what it is - was brethren amongst them who wanted to change the doctrine. John warns of the seriousness of allowing this to happen: 2John 1:10,11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
 
Paul tells the Romans to take note and avoid such. Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
 
He tells Timothy to warn them not to teach a different doctrine. 1Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine...
 
He tells him that the scripture is complete as a source of doctrine. The opinions of ‘church fathers’ are not required. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
 
He warns him that a time was coming when they would not put up with sound doctrine and turn away from the truth. 2 Timothy 4:3,4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The New International Version [NIV] puts it this way:  2Timothy 4:3,4 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
 
Paul tells the Thessalonians that the church will fall away and a system of men would arise to rule over the church (the temple of God is the congregation, not a building 
2Corinthians 6:16
) 
as if he himself were God. Knowing this would happen he exhorts those that understand to hold fast to what the apostles had taught them.

2Thessalonians 2:3,4,15 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God....

History is witness to this situation coming about and the result is still with us today.
A different gospel would be preached whereby a reward in heaven at death for an ‘immortal soul’ replaced the sleep in the grave for the ‘mortal soul’ until resurrection from the dead.

A different gospel would be preached whereby a reward in heaven at death for an ‘immortal soul’ replaced the sleep in the grave for the ‘mortal soul’ until resurrection from the dead.
The ‘kingdom of God’ became the ‘church’ instead of the literal restoration of David’s kingdom to bear rule over all the earth at Christ’s return.

The Gospel was been changed.  Paul explains the seriousness of a different Gospel. 
History is witness to this situation coming about and the result is still with us today.
 
A different gospel would be preached whereby a reward in heaven at death for an ‘immortal soul’ replaced the sleep in the grave for the ‘mortal soul’ until resurrection from the dead.
A different gospel would be preached whereby a reward in heaven at death for an ‘immortal soul’ replaced the sleep in the grave for the ‘mortal soul’ until resurrection from the dead.
The ‘kingdom of God’ became the ‘church’ instead of the literal restoration of David’s kingdom to bear rule over all the earth at Christ’s return.
 
The Gospel was been changed.  Paul explains the seriousness of a different Gospel.
 
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
 

One who believes and teaches a different gospel from the apostles is worse than an unbeliever as far as those that believe the truth are concerned.

Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

2Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Below is a chart of some church beliefs. They cannot all be teaching the truth.  

Common Church Doctrines

God is a Trinity

The Holy Spirit is a person

Holy Spirit gifts are available today

The Soul is immortal

Heaven going

The Devil is a fallen angel

Infant sprinkling

Breaking of Bread for some only

Roman Catholic

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Advent Christians

X

X

X

X

Baptists

X

X

O

X

X

X

J.W.s

X

O

X

X

Lutherans

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Methodists

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Moravians

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Mormons

O

X

X

X

X

X

X

Pentecostal

X

X

X

X

X

X

Plymouth Brethren