Actually the entire Bible refutes Mormonism, but it can be refuted by just one verse from the Bible.
(Isaiah 43:10) "You are my witnesses, declares the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me." (ESV)
Mormonism is perhaps the most polytheistic religion in the world. The Mormons believe in an infinite or unlimited number of gods. They believe that individuals can become gods through obedience. They also believe humans can become gods of their own planets. Mormons believe that God was once a man who became a god. They believe that God had a father and a mother, and that he has a wife. The Mormons do not believe that God is eternal, but they do believe that matter is eternal.
When we look at the last part of Isaiah 43:10, "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me", it is quite obvious that Mormonism is in direct contradiction with the Word of God. The Bible teaches that there is one God and besides him there is no other. There were no gods before the LORD and there will be no gods after him. There is one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the Trinity. They are not three different gods as the Mormons teach.
Mormons are told that they can become like God. Where have we heard this before? In Genesis 3:5 the serpent (that is the devil) told Adam and Eve, "you will become like God." Of course the devil deceived Adam and Eve with the ultimate lie. They did not become like God but plunged the whole human race under the sin curse. Desiring to be a god is not a good desire at all, it is actually outright rebellion against the one, true God.
Mormonism is not Christianity at all. In fact Christian apologist James White even says that Islam is closer to Christianity than Mormonism is. Mormonism is a false religion founded by a false prophet named Joseph Smith (see Deuteronomy 13:1-7). Christians should not consider Mormons to be fellow Christians. Mormons are terribly deceived and in rebellion against the one, true God. Isaiah 43:10 clearly exposes Mormonism as a heresy.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
God Of Salvation
(Psalm 68:19-20) "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death." (ESV)
In their immediate context these verses refer to God's preservation and protection of Israel. He daily bears Israel up. He saves them from their adversaries and gives them victory over their enemies. At the same time these verses also point to an even greater salvation accomplished by the Lord. God will save his people from their sins.
(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)
The words "For God so loved the world" would have been a shocking statement at this time. God chose to save a people for himself composed not only of Jews but also of Gentiles. God's people is no longer just Israel but his people are from all nations now. God sent his only, unique Son (Jesus) to save his people from their sins. Whoever believes in him (trusts in him alone) for salvation will have eternal life, that is eternal blessing. Whoever rejects Jesus will perish, that is suffer eternal judgement.
All humans have sinned against a holy God and have therefore incurred the wrath of God. God sent Jesus to save us from the wrath to come. Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of his people and provided them with his perfect righteousness. Christ was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil.
This salvation is completely the work of God. We contribute nothing to the accomplishment of our salvation. It is totally by grace, our works cannot merit salvation. One must realize he is a sinner, he must repent of his sins and trust in Christ alone. Jesus is the only way to heaven, all other paths lead to hell.
In their immediate context these verses refer to God's preservation and protection of Israel. He daily bears Israel up. He saves them from their adversaries and gives them victory over their enemies. At the same time these verses also point to an even greater salvation accomplished by the Lord. God will save his people from their sins.
(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)
The words "For God so loved the world" would have been a shocking statement at this time. God chose to save a people for himself composed not only of Jews but also of Gentiles. God's people is no longer just Israel but his people are from all nations now. God sent his only, unique Son (Jesus) to save his people from their sins. Whoever believes in him (trusts in him alone) for salvation will have eternal life, that is eternal blessing. Whoever rejects Jesus will perish, that is suffer eternal judgement.
All humans have sinned against a holy God and have therefore incurred the wrath of God. God sent Jesus to save us from the wrath to come. Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of his people and provided them with his perfect righteousness. Christ was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil.
This salvation is completely the work of God. We contribute nothing to the accomplishment of our salvation. It is totally by grace, our works cannot merit salvation. One must realize he is a sinner, he must repent of his sins and trust in Christ alone. Jesus is the only way to heaven, all other paths lead to hell.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Martin Luther And The Bible
Before the Protestant Reformation the Bible had been obscured and was not readily available to the people. It's authority, sufficiency, and clarity had all been diminished. But as the Reformation started in 1517 this all began to change. The Reformers, especially Martin Luther, did much to recover the supreme authority of the Bible.
The Roman Catholic Church viewed the Bible as authoritative but not as the ultimate authority. The tradition of the Catholic Church was also seen as authoritative. It was Scripture as interpreted by the pope and the bishops. In effect this made the Roman Catholic Church the supreme authority.
It was Martin Luther, a German monk who took his stand against papal authority. Luther pointed out that popes and councils had often erred and contradicted each other. He insisted that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority because it alone is the word of God. For his courageous stand Martin Luther was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. Luther would become the father of Protestantism.
At the time the Bible was not readily available to the people in their own language. It was primarily in Latin. Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, the language of the people. Before translating Luther listened to the German people intently to get the sense of the language of the common people. He sought to make his German translation of the Bible readable as well as accurate. Martin Luther began his translation of the New Testament in 1522 and finished the entire Bible in 1534. Luther and his colleagues, including Phillip Melanchthon went back to the original languages of Hebrew and Greek for the German translation. Previously scholars had primarily relied on the Latin Vulgate. With this German translation the people could now read God's word for themselves.
As the Bible was recovered in it's original languages some significant errors were found in the Latin. Genesis 3:15 was said to be a prophecy about Mary but Luther correctly interpreted it as being about Jesus. Another was Matthew 4:17 where the Latin translated it as "do penance", but Luther rightly discovered that it should be "repent" instead. Also Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He saw that we are declared righteous and not made righteous. Martin Luther used the literal method to interpret Scripture instead of the allegorical method employed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Modern evangelicals should be grateful to Martin Luther for many things. He recovered the gospel of by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. He recovered the truth that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority. It is authoritative, sufficient, and clear. We should thank God that he used a man like Martin Luther to bring about such great change. Modern Christians would do well to learn from and about Martin Luther and the other Reformers.
The Roman Catholic Church viewed the Bible as authoritative but not as the ultimate authority. The tradition of the Catholic Church was also seen as authoritative. It was Scripture as interpreted by the pope and the bishops. In effect this made the Roman Catholic Church the supreme authority.
It was Martin Luther, a German monk who took his stand against papal authority. Luther pointed out that popes and councils had often erred and contradicted each other. He insisted that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority because it alone is the word of God. For his courageous stand Martin Luther was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. Luther would become the father of Protestantism.
At the time the Bible was not readily available to the people in their own language. It was primarily in Latin. Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, the language of the people. Before translating Luther listened to the German people intently to get the sense of the language of the common people. He sought to make his German translation of the Bible readable as well as accurate. Martin Luther began his translation of the New Testament in 1522 and finished the entire Bible in 1534. Luther and his colleagues, including Phillip Melanchthon went back to the original languages of Hebrew and Greek for the German translation. Previously scholars had primarily relied on the Latin Vulgate. With this German translation the people could now read God's word for themselves.
As the Bible was recovered in it's original languages some significant errors were found in the Latin. Genesis 3:15 was said to be a prophecy about Mary but Luther correctly interpreted it as being about Jesus. Another was Matthew 4:17 where the Latin translated it as "do penance", but Luther rightly discovered that it should be "repent" instead. Also Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He saw that we are declared righteous and not made righteous. Martin Luther used the literal method to interpret Scripture instead of the allegorical method employed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Modern evangelicals should be grateful to Martin Luther for many things. He recovered the gospel of by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. He recovered the truth that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority. It is authoritative, sufficient, and clear. We should thank God that he used a man like Martin Luther to bring about such great change. Modern Christians would do well to learn from and about Martin Luther and the other Reformers.
Monday, October 2, 2017
A Wild Boar Loose In The Vineyard
In 1520 Pope Leo X exclaimed, there is a wild boar loose in the vineyard and he has trampled the gospel underfoot. This was one of the most ironic statements in history. The wild boar that Pope Leo referred to was Martin Luther (1483-1546) a German monk who would rediscover the Biblical gospel and lead the Protestant Reformation. In Actuality it was Pope Leo X and the Roman Catholic Church that had trampled the gospel underfoot.
The Roman Catholic Church had obscured the Bible and because of that it had obscured the gospel. With its sacramental system and the sale of indulgences (basically buying salvation) the Catholic Church had corrupted the gospel. In the Roman Catholic view it was God and man working together to accomplish salvation. Grace was seen as an aid or help for a person to achieve salvation. It was faith plus works, Christ plus your own accomplishment. There could be no assurance of salvation, a person had to depend on his own righteousness.
After studying the Bible, particularly Romans Martin Luther had a breakthrough. He came to see that Romans 1:17 was referring to a righteousness from God. We can never be good enough or righteous enough to earn our own salvation. Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. One is justified by faith apart from works. To justify means to declare righteous, not to make righteous. To be right with God we must have what Luther referred to as an "alien righteousness", a righteousness outside ourselves. It is the righteousness of Christ that we need.
Christ takes our sin on himself and gives us his perfect righteousness. Luther rightly saw grace as God's unmerited favor toward us. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is the work of God alone.
For daring to question the authority of the Pope and the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, Martin Luther was excommunicated and declared a heretic and an outlaw. But Luther rightly saw that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority and recovered the true gospel.
Justification by faith alone
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 3:21-28
2 Corinthians 5:21
Galatians 2:16
Ephesians 2:8-9
Philippians 3:9
The Roman Catholic Church had obscured the Bible and because of that it had obscured the gospel. With its sacramental system and the sale of indulgences (basically buying salvation) the Catholic Church had corrupted the gospel. In the Roman Catholic view it was God and man working together to accomplish salvation. Grace was seen as an aid or help for a person to achieve salvation. It was faith plus works, Christ plus your own accomplishment. There could be no assurance of salvation, a person had to depend on his own righteousness.
After studying the Bible, particularly Romans Martin Luther had a breakthrough. He came to see that Romans 1:17 was referring to a righteousness from God. We can never be good enough or righteous enough to earn our own salvation. Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. One is justified by faith apart from works. To justify means to declare righteous, not to make righteous. To be right with God we must have what Luther referred to as an "alien righteousness", a righteousness outside ourselves. It is the righteousness of Christ that we need.
Christ takes our sin on himself and gives us his perfect righteousness. Luther rightly saw grace as God's unmerited favor toward us. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is the work of God alone.
For daring to question the authority of the Pope and the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, Martin Luther was excommunicated and declared a heretic and an outlaw. But Luther rightly saw that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority and recovered the true gospel.
Justification by faith alone
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 3:21-28
2 Corinthians 5:21
Galatians 2:16
Ephesians 2:8-9
Philippians 3:9
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
The Ultimate Authority
People recognize many things as their ultimate authority. Things such as the Pope, tradition, human reason, feelings, personal experience, or supposed revelations. But the true ultimate authority is the Bible alone because it alone is the word of God.
(2 Peter 1:19-21) "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (ESV)
For a little background we will look at (2 Peter 1:16-18). The Apostle Peter is dealing with false teachers who are denying the second coming of Christ. Here Peter refers back to the Transfiguration which was a preview of the second coming of Christ. Peter along with James and John saw Christ in his glory. Moses and Elijah appeared and they even heard God the Father affirm that this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.
But then in (2 Peter 1:19) Peter refers to something more reliable and authoritative than even this great experience. He is referring to the Scripture. He tells his readers they will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place. The Scripture shines the light of truth into our dark, fallen world.
In (2 Peter 1:20) we are told no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. That means the Scripture did not have human origins. In (2 Peter 1:21) it says no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man. Men did not write their own opinions or desires. Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is the very word of God and the Holy Spirit is the originator and author.
This passage affirms that the Bible is the ultimate authority. The Bible is the word of God. God spoke his word through men while still retaining their personality and style. The Holy Spirit led them to write the exact words of God without error. Scripture is God's revelation to us therefore it is the supreme standard.
We need to accept this reality instead of relying on our personal experience, human reason, tradition, or some other supposed authority. We should live our lives based on the Word of God, the Bible. When there are questions we should go to the Bible as the ultimate authority.
All Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). The Bible is authoritative, clear, sufficient, and inerrant (without error). The Bible alone is the word of God. With the great Protestant Reformers we say Sola Scriptura (that is Scripture alone).
(2 Peter 1:19-21) "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (ESV)
For a little background we will look at (2 Peter 1:16-18). The Apostle Peter is dealing with false teachers who are denying the second coming of Christ. Here Peter refers back to the Transfiguration which was a preview of the second coming of Christ. Peter along with James and John saw Christ in his glory. Moses and Elijah appeared and they even heard God the Father affirm that this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.
But then in (2 Peter 1:19) Peter refers to something more reliable and authoritative than even this great experience. He is referring to the Scripture. He tells his readers they will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place. The Scripture shines the light of truth into our dark, fallen world.
In (2 Peter 1:20) we are told no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. That means the Scripture did not have human origins. In (2 Peter 1:21) it says no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man. Men did not write their own opinions or desires. Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is the very word of God and the Holy Spirit is the originator and author.
This passage affirms that the Bible is the ultimate authority. The Bible is the word of God. God spoke his word through men while still retaining their personality and style. The Holy Spirit led them to write the exact words of God without error. Scripture is God's revelation to us therefore it is the supreme standard.
We need to accept this reality instead of relying on our personal experience, human reason, tradition, or some other supposed authority. We should live our lives based on the Word of God, the Bible. When there are questions we should go to the Bible as the ultimate authority.
All Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). The Bible is authoritative, clear, sufficient, and inerrant (without error). The Bible alone is the word of God. With the great Protestant Reformers we say Sola Scriptura (that is Scripture alone).
Monday, September 18, 2017
The Power Of Negative Thinking
Many modern evangelicals will be shaken by the mere thought of negative thinking. The positive thinking of Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, and Joel Osteen is definitely not Biblical. And positive, encouraging Christian radio often does not give you the entire picture. It should be noted that the Bible does not really speak in terms of positive/negative. It speaks more of right/wrong, good/evil, and righteous/unrighteous. The positive/negative category probably comes more from our own therapeutic culture. But in reality negative thinking is sometimes a good thing.
The condition of man is definitely not a positive thing. When Adam the representative of the human race sinned by disobeying God he plunged the entire human race under the sin curse. We are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5, Psalm 58:3), love darkness instead of light (John 3:19), our righteous deeds are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9), none is righteous (Romans 3:10), all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), and we were by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).
This is what theologians call total depravity. This does not mean we are as bad as we could possibly be, but that our entire being is effected by our sin. Because we have sinned against a holy God we face his wrath and deserve to go to hell. Because we are dead in our sins we have no desire for God and continue in disobedience.
This sure is a lot of negativity, it is most definitely not positive thinking. In fact it is downright discouraging. If we were left here we would be in total despair. But thankfully this is not the end of the matter.
But God in his great love chose to save a people for himself. He draws us to himself (John 6:44), has made us alive (Ephesians 2:5), and caused us to be born again (1 Peter 1:3). God helps those who cannot help themselves. When we are dead in our sins we are unable to respond to God. Salvation is totally the work of God. The only thing we contribute is our sin. Salvation is completely by God's grace, he is sovereign over the entire process.
All those God draws to himself respond with faith and repentance. They believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. They trust in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin, died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people, and was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. Jesus takes our sin on himself and his perfect righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
All this negative thinking actually leads us to the most positive thing of all, that is truth and reality. We realize we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We realize that Jesus is the only way to heaven. We realize our true condition as sinners who are totally unable to save ourselves. We are totally dependent on God to save us. It is by his grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And to God alone be the glory.
The condition of man is definitely not a positive thing. When Adam the representative of the human race sinned by disobeying God he plunged the entire human race under the sin curse. We are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5, Psalm 58:3), love darkness instead of light (John 3:19), our righteous deeds are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9), none is righteous (Romans 3:10), all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), and we were by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).
This is what theologians call total depravity. This does not mean we are as bad as we could possibly be, but that our entire being is effected by our sin. Because we have sinned against a holy God we face his wrath and deserve to go to hell. Because we are dead in our sins we have no desire for God and continue in disobedience.
This sure is a lot of negativity, it is most definitely not positive thinking. In fact it is downright discouraging. If we were left here we would be in total despair. But thankfully this is not the end of the matter.
But God in his great love chose to save a people for himself. He draws us to himself (John 6:44), has made us alive (Ephesians 2:5), and caused us to be born again (1 Peter 1:3). God helps those who cannot help themselves. When we are dead in our sins we are unable to respond to God. Salvation is totally the work of God. The only thing we contribute is our sin. Salvation is completely by God's grace, he is sovereign over the entire process.
All those God draws to himself respond with faith and repentance. They believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. They trust in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin, died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people, and was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. Jesus takes our sin on himself and his perfect righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
All this negative thinking actually leads us to the most positive thing of all, that is truth and reality. We realize we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We realize that Jesus is the only way to heaven. We realize our true condition as sinners who are totally unable to save ourselves. We are totally dependent on God to save us. It is by his grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And to God alone be the glory.
Monday, September 4, 2017
2 Peter 3:9 (In Context)
(2 Peter 3:9) "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (ESV)
The usual interpretation of this verse by most modern evangelicals sees it as saying that it is God's will that every single person be saved. They assume the "you", "any", and "all" in this verse refers to everyone. But if this interpretation is correct then God's purpose if often thwarted by humans because many are not saved. In this view God is trying to save everyone but failing to do so.
For the correct interpretation we must look at the verse in context. The passage is actually about the Second Coming of Christ. There are scoffers expressing doubt that Christ will return. They say things just continue as they have from the beginning. Peter explains why there has been a seeming delay in the Second Coming of Christ.
With this background we now look at 2 Peter 3:9. It says the Lord is patient toward you. We must ask who "you" refers to. Who is the Apostle Peter talking to? When he speaks of the scoffers he refers to them in the third person. But when he refers to his audience he refers to them as "you" and "beloved". It is obvious that Peter is referring to a specific people. To find out who his audience is we need to look at the first verse of the letter.
(2 Peter 1:1)"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." (ESV)
It is obvious that Peter writes to a specific people, those who are saved, that is believers. He is not speaking to every single person. Therefore when he says the Lord is patient with you, the "you" refers to God's own people, the elect. When it says not wishing that any should perish, the "any"
refers back to the "you", which is the elect. Also when it says, but that all should reach repentance, "all" refers back to "you", that is the elect. It is God's will that all of the elect should reach repentance.
So the verse interpreted in context does not teach that it is God's will to save every single person. God does not fail to accomplish his purpose. God is waiting for all of his chosen people (the elect) to come to repentance. God's purpose is to save his elect and none of them will perish and all of them will be brought to repentance. The actual meaning of 2 Peter 3:9 is clear when we view it in context.
The usual interpretation of this verse by most modern evangelicals sees it as saying that it is God's will that every single person be saved. They assume the "you", "any", and "all" in this verse refers to everyone. But if this interpretation is correct then God's purpose if often thwarted by humans because many are not saved. In this view God is trying to save everyone but failing to do so.
For the correct interpretation we must look at the verse in context. The passage is actually about the Second Coming of Christ. There are scoffers expressing doubt that Christ will return. They say things just continue as they have from the beginning. Peter explains why there has been a seeming delay in the Second Coming of Christ.
With this background we now look at 2 Peter 3:9. It says the Lord is patient toward you. We must ask who "you" refers to. Who is the Apostle Peter talking to? When he speaks of the scoffers he refers to them in the third person. But when he refers to his audience he refers to them as "you" and "beloved". It is obvious that Peter is referring to a specific people. To find out who his audience is we need to look at the first verse of the letter.
(2 Peter 1:1)"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." (ESV)
It is obvious that Peter writes to a specific people, those who are saved, that is believers. He is not speaking to every single person. Therefore when he says the Lord is patient with you, the "you" refers to God's own people, the elect. When it says not wishing that any should perish, the "any"
refers back to the "you", which is the elect. Also when it says, but that all should reach repentance, "all" refers back to "you", that is the elect. It is God's will that all of the elect should reach repentance.
So the verse interpreted in context does not teach that it is God's will to save every single person. God does not fail to accomplish his purpose. God is waiting for all of his chosen people (the elect) to come to repentance. God's purpose is to save his elect and none of them will perish and all of them will be brought to repentance. The actual meaning of 2 Peter 3:9 is clear when we view it in context.
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