Religious Mixtures
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
The largest segment of the professing Church offers her devotees neither peace for the present, nor assurance for the future. She does not tell them that believers in Christ are given a position in heaven at God’s right hand (Eph. 2:4-7). She even brings Christ down from His exalted position and offers Him to the world on a crucifix, requiring men to eat His flesh and drink His blood to be saved. And this when Paul, by the Spirit, so emphatically says:
“…yea, THOUGH WE HAVE KNOWN CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH, YET NOW, HENCEFORTH, KNOW WE HIM NO MORE” (II Cor. 5:16).
Man’s religion, especially in “the Church,” is built upon an appeal to the senses. Her devotees are occupied with beads and bells, statues and crucifixes, candlesticks and sacred objects, robes and incense; so far has she departed from the teachings of Paul and from his declaration that “we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7).
Lingering still among the types and shadows of primitive ages and mingling these with meaningless pagan rituals, she keeps millions from trusting and rejoicing in an already accomplished redemption.
We beg those who read these lines to look in faith to the risen, exalted Christ and to trust in His finished work:
“Who… when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).
“This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:12).
This is clear enough. Our Lord came to earth to accomplish our redemption and, having accomplished it, He returned to heaven and sat down with His Father. The work was finished. And now He invites us to rest in His finished work.
“THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
“FOR HE THAT HATH ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS” (Heb. 4:9,10).
The bible was written by men, same as every other religion.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
Verse 16 of 2 Timothy chapter 3 states all Scripture is God inspired, or in the Greek of the Newer Testament “God-breathed.”
You can believe what you will.
I believe the Scriptures, all of them, the Older Testament which comprises the Torah of the Jewish faith, and the Newer Testament written by over 40 men over a period of about 1,500 years speaking the same message. Contrary to the men of this world who contend the Bible is riddled with inconsistences, which it is not if read well and discerned wisely.
I believe each man who was chosen of God to be part of the compilation of His Word were lead in the writing of each and every word by the Spirit of God.
Contrary to your contention, which is false, the Christian faith is the only faith which has Jesus Christ the Lord.
It is also the only faith having as its foundation a book written by 40 men over a 1,500 year period all writing the same message.
All other beliefs were written primarily by one man. One mortal man. Not by the inspired breath of the living God working in the hearts and hands of the men who wrote the Holy Bible.
Do not confuse the Scriptures with any other religion. Do not confuse the Scriptures with denominations. Denominations are created by men.
Not the Holy Bible.
The Scriptures are the God-breathed, the God inspired words to men and women for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness to ward off evil men and seducers and liars who will wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.
Ken