IT CANNOT BE WRONG

There are some things that we know are wrong. We must abstain from them and encourage others to do likewise. The way to life is strait and narrow. Wrong ways may seem right to those who do not know nor believe the truth. The Scriptures reveal a way which is right and cannot be wrong.

IT CANNOT BE WRONG to accept the Scriptures as an infallible and all-sufficient standard of authority in all matters of a spiritual nature. The Scriptures are "given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3:16,17). We learn from James that "whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein" shall be blessed in his deeds. (Jas. 1:25). We learn from 2 Pet. 1:3 that we have "all things that pertain unto life and godliness." Manmade creeds such as the Catholic Catechism, the Baptist Manual, the Methodist Discipline, the Presbyterian Confession of Faith, the Book of Mormon, the Watchtower Publications, etc., are NOT inspired of God! They do NOT constitute the will of God! Those who follow them worship in vain and are destined to be rooted up! (Matt. 15:8,9,13). We beseech you to turn from these Satan-inspired books to the Holy Scriptures that are inspired of God!

IT CANNOT BE WRONG to believe that God is and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. In Heb. 11:6 we are told that it is impossible to please God without faith. Jesis saod. "for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (Jno. 8:24). some of the signs and wonders performed by Jesus have been recorded by inspiration in order to produce faith in the deity of Jesus.

IT CANNOT BE WRONG for alien sinners to "repent and be baptized...in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins," because this is exactly what Peter commanded some to do in Acts 2:38. To further show the essentiality of water baptism in God's plan of salvation, your attention is called to Mk. 16:16 where Jesus Christ said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Peter asserts in 1 Pet. 3:21 that "baptism doth also now save us." Friends, be not deceived into thinking that baptism is not essential to salvation.

IT CANNOT BE WRONG for a child of God to wear the name "Christian". Consider God's Word. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11: 26). The apostle Paul endeavored to persuade men to be CHRISTIANS. (Acts 26:28) According to Peter's statement in 1 Pet. 4:16 we should be willing to suffer as a Christian and thus glorify God in this name. Denominational names such as Mormons, Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, etc., are NOT authorized in God's Book and should NOT be worn by children of God! Yes, there is definitely something in a name!

IT CANNOT BE WRONG to sing praises unto God in our worship without the use of mechanical instruments of music such as organs, pianos, guitars, violins, banjos, etc. We are commanded in the New Testament to sing. (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; Heb. 2:12; 13:15). Nowhere are we authorized to play in worship. We must not add to God's commands. To play an instrument in worship is to add. This is sinful!

IT CANNOT BE WRONG for a local church to have elders to oversee the flock that is among them and to have deacons to serve as special servants. (Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:1-3). To add either another organization or other "officers" is sinful!

IT CANNOT BE WRONG for a local church to engage in the works of evangelism and relief. (1 Tim. 3:14,15; 1 Thes. 1:8; Acts 13:1-5; Phil. 4:14-16; Acts 6:1-16; 1 Tim. 5:16). There is no authority for a church to build or maintain either missionary organizations or benevolent organizations. Such constitute lawlessness or iniquity! Calling a society a "church" or a "home" does NOT authorize such! It is sinful! (2 Jno. 9; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 4:6).

IT CANNOT BE WRONG to be pure in heart and clean in life. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matt. 5:8). We learn from Titus 2:11,12 that we should deny ourselves of ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. James tells usto keep ourselves "unspotted from the world." (Jas. 1:27). We are not to conform to the world, but be transformed. It is imperative that we abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. Christians should not participate in such things as drinking strong drink, dancing, gambling, cursing, swearing, smoking, wearing immodest clothing, telling filthy jokes, etc. It is never wrong to follow God's instructions and it is never right to do wrong! Let us earnestly endeavor to do that which cannot be wrong!

By Carrol R. Sutton in The Instructor, Vol. 3, No. 10, Oct. 1966.

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