“The Beginning And End Of A False Doctrine”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   One popular false doctrine taught today is the false doctrine wherein Mary is prayed to as a “Mediatrix” on our behalf. In other words, folks are encouraged to pray to God through Mary as mediator.

                   Sadly, people throughout history have made more of Mary than God ever intended. In fact, some tried this while Christ was on earth. One time, a woman cried out to Jesus and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus responded to her by saying: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk. 11:27-28). Mary was not and is not deserving of worship in any way. She is not deity. She was a humble servant of God (Lk. 1:38), like so many others in the Bible. Only God is deserving of worship (Acts 10:25-26; Rev. 19:10, 22:9)! Neither is she our mediator. Only Christ serves in this role (I Tim. 2:5-6).

                   While on earth, she served a very important role. Yet, to give her undue fame or power is not right. It is just as wrong to give her undue glory as it is to place upon her scorn and ridicule as if she were guilty of sexual relations before marriage! (Many have said this through the years.) Both positions are wrong.

                   In Luke 11:27, we see the beginning of a false doctrine concerning Mary, and Christ ending it in verse 28. Let respect what the Lord said.

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” When the Pharisees confronted Jesus with false charges, Jesus said they would die in their sins (Jn. 8:21). The reason why He said this was stated in verse 24. In like manner, if we do not believe, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Lacking faith means we will die in our sins like the Pharisees. Faith is not a guess or a wish. It is not a fairy tale. Faith is real and will overcome the world (I Jn. 5:4-5)! Do you have faith in Christ?

- Jarrod Jacobs

Which Church Do I Choose?

Jarrod Jacobs

            Have you noticed the “church listings” in newspapers? It is pretty confusing, isn’t it? The groups listed claim that what they are doing is approved of God. In considering the listings, one might ask such questions as, “Are all these churches right?” or, “Are all these churches wrong?” or, “Can anyone ever know the truth?”

            Since these groups wear different names and teach conflicting doctrines many times, we know they all cannot be right. All of them cannot be right any more than 2+2 can equal anything other than 4! 2+2 = 4 and can only equal 4. If we took a poll and asked people their “feelings” about what 2+2 equals, it would not change the fact that it equals 4! Therefore, which church is right? This is not determined by what I like. Nor is it determined by which church is “popular” or “big”. It is not determined by which church has been in the area the longest. The way we can know which church is right is revealed in the Bible.

            The church approved of God is the one that adheres to Bible doctrine, not merely in word, but in practice (I Pet. 4:11; I Thess. 1:3). It is the one that wears Christ’s name (Rom. 16:16) and worships God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24; Acts 2:42, 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2). It is the one that promotes Christ and His word above everything (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-9; II Tim. 4:2; Col. 3:17). It preaches the Bible plan for salvation (Acts 2:36-38). With these things in mind, let me encourage our dear readers to put down the “church listings” and pick up a Bible and choose the church of God’s choice (Acts 20:28; Matt. 16:18)!

How Will God Feel When You Die?

Jarrod Jacobs

            God is not oblivious to the goings-on of men. He knows who we are, and what we are doing (Prov. 15:3). Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31). We know that God is aware of us, and knows when we leave this earth. How will God feel when YOU die? Will He be...

            SAD? “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek. 33:11). “Have I any pleasure in death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” (Ezek. 18:23)

            GLAD? “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15). “He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood be in his sight” (Ps. 72:13-14).

            The difference in God’s response to a man’s death is seen in what that man’s relationship was with God in life. Which are you, a sinner or a saint? Become a saint by believing in Christ as God’s Son (Jn. 8:24), repenting of your sins (Lk. 13:3), confessing Christ as the Son of God (Matt. 10:32), and being baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16). Have you done this?

Did John Establish A Church?

Jarrod Jacobs

            There are people today who believe that John the Baptist established a church some time before Jesus Christ died. Is this true? Let us read the Bible and see the consequences if John established a church.

If John Established A Church, Then....

            1. John’s church is not the blood-bought body spoken of in the New Testament (Acts 20:28). Jesus died to purchase His church, not someone else’s.

            2. John’s church was not connected with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2-5). In contrast, Christ’s church came into existence after the Holy Spirit fell on the twelve (Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 41-47).

            3. John’s church is in competition with the one Christ said He “will build”. Yet, Paul said there is only ONE church (Eph. 1:22-23, 4:4).

            4. John’s church was founded upon something other than the confession Peter made in Matthew 16:16. The Lord’s church is based upon the confession of Christ as the Son of God (Matt. 16:18).

            5. Death prevailed against John’s church, for John was beheaded, buried, and his body stayed in the grave (Mk. 6:16, 27, 29). Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the other hand, was crucified, buried, but arose from the dead, never to die again (Acts 2:22-24, 13:34). Christ said death would NOT prevail against His church (Matt. 16:18)

            Friends, who are we going to believe? I wish to belong the church belonging to Christ (Rom. 16:16); the church purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28); the church of which Christ is the head (Col. 1:18); the church which is called His body (Col. 1:24). What about you?