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WHY SO MANY CHURCHES SINCE WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE ALIKE?
Introduction
1. We have one God, one Savior and one book from God, the Bible.
2. Jesus prayed for unity (Jn. 17:20-21); died for unity (Eph. 2:11-16); purchased one body, his church (Acts 20:28, Eph. 4:4, 1:22-23)
3. “WHY?” then, do we have so many churches, so many different doctrines and so much division in the religious world?
4. You may answer, “because people do not understand the Bible alike.” If that were true, it would be a correct answer.
5. But, I have never found that to be true. I find that people do understand the Bible alike. I shall endeavor to demonstrate this truth with this audience.
6. Then we shall answer the question, “Why are there so many churches.
I. GOD TEACHES THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE ALIKE.
A. You can know the truth (Jn. 8:32, 7:17, Mt. 7:7-8).
B. You can understand the truth (Eph. 3:4, Lk. 1:3;
Eph. 5:17; Dt. 29:29).
C. We are commanded to believe alike (1 Cor. 1:10;
Phil. 3:16).
D. We are even held accountable for twisting difficult passages (II Pet. 3:16).
E. It is important to understand the Bible correctly (Mt. 4:4 Mt. 7:21-23).
1. These folks were sincere believers and zealous workers. But, they were lost. Why? Because they did not follow the will of God. His will is His Word. But they thought they were following.
F. We only understand the Bible alike when we rightly divide the word (II Tim. 2:15).
1. Harmonious interpretation, no contradiction
2. Illustration:
II. ILLUSTRATING THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE ALIKE
A. Eph. 2:8-9
1. Yes No Does this passage teach that we are saved by grace?
2. Yes No Does this passage teach that we are saved by grace through faith? (see
Rom. 5:2)
3. Yes No Does this passage teach that we are saved by grace alone?
4. Yes No Does this passage teach that we are saved by faith alone?
B. Acts 16:31
1. Yes No Does this passage teach that the jailor and his house could be saved by
believing on Jesus?
Yes No Does this passage teach that we are saved by faith alone? (See James
2:14-24).
C. Luke 13:3
1. Yes No Does this passage teach that a man must repent or perish?
2. Yes No Does this passage teach that repentance is essential to salvation?
3. Yes No Is this passage in harmony with the previous two?
D. Acts 2:38
1. Yes No Does this passage teach that repentance comes before the
forgiveness of sins?
2. Yes No Does this passage harmonize with the previous passages (Acts 16:31; Eph.
2:8 Lk. 13:3)?
3. Yes No Does this passage teach that baptism comes before the remission of sins?
4. Yes No Does this passage teach that both repentance and baptism are essential to
salvation?
E. Acts 22:16
1. Yes No Does this passage teach that baptism washes away sins?
2. Yes No Does this passage teach that baptism comes before washing away sins?
F. Gal. 3:26-27
1. Yes No Does this passage teach that we are children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus?
2. Yes No Does this passage teach that we become children of God by faith when
we are baptized into Christ?
3. Yes No Does this passage teach that we put on Christ when we are baptized?
4. Yes No Does this passage harmonize with all
the previous passages?
G. Application based on the truths in these passages.
1. If group A believes and teaches that one is saved at the point of faith only, are they teaching and practicing the truth?
2. If group B believes and teaches that one is saved after faith, repentance and baptism, are they teaching and practicing the truth?
3. Which should change to agree with God?
III. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CHURCHES?
A. Some refuse to learn (2 Pet. 3:3-5; Rom. 1:18-23).
1. What about you?
B. Some have pleasure in error (II Thess. 2:10-12).
1. What about you?
C. Some have not studied for truth (Rom. 10:1-3).
1. What about you?
D. Some ignore the truth they learn (Jn. 12:42).
1. What about you?
E. Many reasons.
1. What about you?
Conclusion
1. In truth, none of us misunderstand the Bible because we cannot understand it alike.
2. Rather, too many (for many reasons) do not want to understand the Bible.
3. I hope that you do love truth and want to be God’s child no matter what it cost you on this earth?
4. If you do love God and the truth that much, and if you have not believed these truths we have discussed, why not repent today, be baptized into the body of Christ having your sins washed away.
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