What The Bible Says

Vol. VI - No. 11 / September 24, 2023

TROUBLESOME TIMES

    Economically, our nation is struggling with high inflation resulting with such higher prices for many goods and services making it difficult for many families to make ends meet. Internationally, the war in Ukraine is taking the lives of many including the innocent, unable to fully comprehend. Hopefully these will improve with time and we pray soon.
 

    However, I believe that the greatest problem that faces this nation is it’s moral decay. For those that may not know the entire month of June has been nationally recognized as the “LGBT Pride Month”. This is a national effort to promote these perverse and ungodly acts to try to persuade people to not only accept, defend and even practice such. There is and has been an effort to influence very young children in our school systems that such behavior is normal and to acclimate their impressionable minds to accept such perverseness.


    Those that practice and/or support the LGBT movement say that they are inclusive and include people of color or of other nationalities to promote acceptability. However, there is no sin to be found in the color of a person or the nation of which they were born. In Acts 17:26 Paul states that God has created all men from every nation of one blood.


    Now let us consider some specific teachings found in the Bible concerning these sinful practices. In Genesis 2:18-24 After God created man God said that it is not good that man should be alone and created woman as a help comparable to him and they became one flesh. Please note that God did not create a man for man.


    In Matthew 19:4-5 Christ said that in the beginning God made them male and female and that a man would be joined to his wife and they would become one flesh. Reaffirming what God did in the beginning. (“joined” indicating marriage) (becoming one flesh referencing the sexual act.) Man and Woman!


    Concerning homosexuality we can read in Romans 1:26-27 that God gave them up to vile passions. For woman exchanged the natural use for that which is against nature and men leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful. Verse 32 states that those who practice such things are deserving of death. Note: (vile passions) (against nature) (shameful) (deserving of death).


    In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 We can read that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.


    There are many other passages that clearly teach the homosexuality and related sins are condemned in the Bible but there is not one that would justify such. How could anyone find pride in such. I know that there are many other sins that are condemned in the Bible including other sins of the flesh but one does not justify another.

    In conclusion, I encourage all who commit such sins, as well as those who support such, to repent considering the consequences of which you will be held accountable. How can anyone take pride in “LGBT”? —Gerald White

EMOTIONALISM

    Emotions are a part of our makeup as a human being. Emotions truly have their place in our everyday lives. It is only natural that our emotions are involved when it comes to religious matters. Emotions also serve as a motivating force. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). The faith we have should be a ‘'faith which worketh by love." (Galatians 5:6). From these two verses we see FAITH operates by LOVE and love should motivate us to be OBEDIENT to God's will. From Romans 8:24-25 and 15:4 we learn that through the Scriptures we have HOPE and hope causes us to WAIT. In 2 Corinthians 7: 8-10, we see that through the letter (inspired epistle) Paul wrote, the Corinthian Christians were made to have GODLY SORROW and their sorrow lead to REPENTANCE. In these examples, we see how emotions play a part in our lives as Christians.   

    However, we must not become devoted to emotions. Stephen, in Acts 6 was attempting to objectively reason with the people (verse 10) but because of some who told lies against Stephen, the people were "stirred up" (verse 12) and Stephen was later put to death. Their emotions overcame them to the point they were willing to believe lies rather than the truth. Paul, in Acts 19, came close to the same fate of Stephen when Demetrius spoke words against Paul which caused the people to be ''full of wrath" (verse 28). These are two examples of people given to emotionalism or devotion to emotions. It is when emotions are used as an end in itself that we are given to emotionalism.

    Today, many people 'go to church' just to get the feeling or experience the emotion. Churches and preachers cater to this devotion by setting the "mood". Many churches use elaborate musical scores. Some churches turn the lights down low. The preacher goes into his discourse of sad stories about mother and father. All of this is to create a mood which will invoke emotions of either joy or sorrow.

    Rather than being devoted to emotions we need to be devoted to the word of God. Through studying, hearing, and meditating on God's word our emotions of love, hate, joy, and sorrow need to be invoked to be obedient to do the things God would have us to do and to refrain from the things He would have us not to do.

    To what are we devoted: a certain feeling or to God's word? Why is religion important to us: because of the certain feeling we have grown accustomed to having or is it the comfort we get from studying and being obedient to God's words (1 Thessalonians 4:18)?  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VI - No. 10 / September 10, 2023

PROTESTANTISM

    Many people often ask me what I am religiously. When I reply that I am simply a Christian, they reply, "Oh, I know that but what church are you a member of?" To which I reply, "I am a member of the Lord's church." Acting a little put out at this point, they asked, “Are you Catholic or Protestant!?" I respond, "Neither one!”. 

    I am simply a Christian (Acts 11:26), a member of the church built by the Lord (Matthew 16:18), a church that bears His name (Romans 16:16), a church of which Jesus is the Head (Colossians 1:18), and follows only the Scriptures as its creed ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    I am not a Protestant because Protestantism is of man and not of God. Protestantism began as a "protest" against the Roman Catholic Church. I, too, protest the Catholic Church with its Pope, doctrines of purgatory, and prayer to virgin Mary but that's another article in another bulletin. But, I also protest Protestantism with its man-made names. When folks ask me what I am religiously they expect me to tell them that I'm a Baptist, Methodist, Lutherian, Presbyterian, or one of the other numerous religious organization. After all, there are only about +1,200 to choose from.

    Jesus can not be responsible for Protestantism for He did not promise to build many churches; only His church (Matthew 16:18) which He did in Acts 2. Those who were willing to listen and believe the gospel Peter preached and be baptized were added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:41,47). Protestantism teaches other ways to be saved. Some teach grace alone, faith alone, or that baptism is not necessary. Thus, along with their man-made names they also have man-made doctrines that you cannot find in the New Testament.

    The only organization for the Lord's church is that of elders, deacons, and saints (Philippians 1:1) but in Protestantism you find all sorts of titles and offices foreign to the Scriptures. Most Protestant churches give the title "Reverend" to their preachers and yet the only time the word 'reverend' is found in the Bible is in Psalms 111:9 and it is referring to God Himself. That is why, even though I am a preacher, I do not allow myself to be given the title of "Reverend" for I am not God, neither is any man. Neither will I refer to any man as such!  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

WAS THE DEATH OF STEPHEN UNNECESSARY?

    The title that heads this article may sound strange, but the actions and philosophies of some merit our consideration of such a question. It is true that we live in a country where we enjoy religious freedom. It is not against the law to preach Christ, in our country; whereas, it was against the law of the Jews for Stephen to preach Christ. There is a vast difference between the attitude of the officials in government in Stephen’s day; and the attitude of the officials in government in our day. Sometimes I wonder if there isn’t just as much a difference in the attitude of Stephen and the attitude of most preachers today. I don’t mean denominational preachers but those who claim to be gospel preachers.

    How many “gospel preachers” do you know that would use the plain language that Stephen used in his preaching? Stephen said, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:51-53). Every person who claims to be a gospel preacher needs to examine those words very carefully. We need to ask ourself the question: Would we preach like Stephen did? Would we say what he said or would we water it down and soften it up? Would we reason that it would not be using good judgment to preach the way Stephen preached? If Stephen had used some of this good judgment that we are inclined to think about, he might not have been stoned to death.

    Couldn’t Stephen have used a little more of what we call diplomacy and possibly saved himself from being stoned to death? Sometimes I wonder if what we are doing, when we talk about good judgment and diplomacy, is excusing ourselves for compromising the truth. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not recommending that we do not use good judgment.

    Could you image Stephen or Paul or Jesus Christ keeping quiet when matters of truth are at stake? Would they excuse themselves from speaking out against unscriptural practices under the pretense of using good judgment or diplomacy? Preachers who never say anything against church support of human institutions, church sponsored recreation, church sponsored ball teams, and kindergartens should certainly ask themselves these questions. Also, preachers who are afraid to say anything about worldly practices, immodest apparel, and etc. 
--Windell Wiser
Taken from The Sunny Hill Bulletin, May 25, 1972

***SENTENCE SERMONS*** 

If what you're working for really matters, you'll give it all you've got.
 ***  
Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.
***  
This is true greatness: To serve unnoticed and to work unseen.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VI - No. 7 / August 13, 2023

ARE YOU LIBERAL IN YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS?

    We are to be liberal in our love towards all men, which includes those of the world and our brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 “Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

    Our love is to be an abounding love for one another. To abound in love means that we are overloaded with love. Hebrews 13:1-3 “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” James 2:8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

    Matthew 22:34-40 “But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

    Our love towards others is a love that is unselfish. If we love only ourselves, then we are selfish with our love. We are to share that love both physically and spiritually. John 15:12-14 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Romans 12:9-10 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

    In the KJV, the word used is dissimulation instead of genuine. The idea is that our love should be without hypocrisy, it is an unfeigned love, love that is sincere. 1 Peter 1:22 “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart”. Fervently is used as an adverb here and means very enthusiastically or passionately. So we are to fervently love one another enthusiastically and passionately and let that love be genuine. 

    1 John 4:7-21 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” —Stephen Holsonback

DON'T BE A MEMBER OF A DENOMINATION!

    If you are not a member of a denominational church, don't become one. If you are a member, there is no need to continue in a religious institution made by man. Despite popular thinking, it is possible to be a member of a church and it not be a denomination. Yet, this is possible only if it's the Lord's church. The church established by Christ is not a denomination and possesses no denominational characteristics. The difference between the Lord's church and denominationalism is: 

IT WAS BUILT BY CHRIST. All denominations can trace their origin to man because they're all built by man. Not so with the Lord's church. It is the result of God's wisdom and fulfills His "eternal purpose" (Ephesians 3:10,11). It was built by the Lord himself (Matthew 16:18) and man cannot lay claim to building the Lord's church. 

JESUS IS IT'S ONLY HEAD. Denominations have a man or a group of men as their head. These conferences or conventions make the laws by which denominations are governed. By popular vote these laws can be changed or annulled. Christ is the ONLY head of His church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). His word will judge us (John 12:48) and it cannot be changed or be annulled (Revelation 22:18-19).

IT HAS NO MAN-MADE CREED. Every denomination has theirs either written or unwritten. These creeds set forth that denomination's articles of faith and rules of practice. The creed of one denomination is rejected by other denominations. These creeds are subject to the governing bodies and memberships of the denominations. Thus they can and are revised and amended to suit the commonly accepted beliefs and practices of the membership. The church of Christ has no creed but Christ and no rule of faith and practice but the Scriptures. God's word completely and thoroughly furnishes us to every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Nothing more nor less than the Scriptures are to be used as the basis for faith and practice.

    Why not be just a member of the Lord’s church?  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VI - No. 6 / July 30, 2023

CAMDEN'S RIDER

    William Camden was an English man who lived during 1551-1623. He was an antiquarian and historian among other things and accomplished much during his life. He is well remembered for his work. One of his often-misquoted works: 

“My friend, Judge not me, 
Thou seest, I judge not thee. 
Betwixt the stirrup and the ground 
Mercy, I asked and mercy I found.” 

    It is a very comforting thought. Here the horseman for an unknown reason is being cast toward the ground, expecting to meet possible serious injury, prolonged complications, and maybe even death, and yet has what seems to be unlimited access to God and His mercy.

    I think Camden, if he were here today, would say that all the relevant variables still apply. The rider could be anyone today, the stirrup would be their support system, the ground would be the consequences of decisions or events and mercy would still be that which is sought. Camden’s view would be no different than that of the plethora of bible teachers that ascribe mercy as ours, we must just ask, and it will be given. What a wonderful concept if it were only true.

    I completely agree with Camden in that God’s mercy toward man is much needed, often in large portions. Isa. 30:18 “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of Justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

    Indeed, blessed is mankind because of God’s mercy and the great love that God has for man. Rom. 5:8 declares God’s love for man this way: “But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

    Lam 3:22-23 depicts God’s love as never ceasing, and his mercy never ending – “they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Truly blessed are we to serve such a great and loving God. An unending, unceasing mercy is where God extends to us the good, He wants us to have, and remembers our sin and lawless deeds no more. This mercy that God affords and is ready to extend, is not unconditional. Camden lived in a time when faith alone and predestination were becoming dominate thoughts in English Religion. Calvinism was taking root. These teachings are far from truth.

    Mercy as wonderful as it is, is not unconditional. Consider Prov. 28:13 “No one who conceals transgression will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Confesses and forsakes sounds like something we must do, conditions we must meet to obtain this great mercy. Deut. 7:9 “Know then that the Lord your God is God; the faithful God who keeps covenant mercy to the thousandth generation toward those who love him and keep his commandments.”

    Yes, God’s love and mercy, and all the various ways it can benefit man is wonderous, but it is conditional. Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop resisting…  —Blind Bartimaeus 23

FALSE RELIGIONS

    In view of the fact that our society has grown accustomed to feel good preaching, most of what comes from pulpits and religious radio and television programs does not insist upon much of anything. What is said comes with an attitude of "you are entitled to believe whatever you wish". No one wants to insist upon a "thus saith the Lord" in religious matters. "We practice what we do because we've always done it that way." "I'm what I am religiously because that was what my parents were." No one is willing to investigate by opening the Bible and their minds to really see what the Bible does say! People get disturbed about a lot of things but, to them, religion isn't worth getting disturbed about.

    Therefore to suggest the possibility that there are false religions doesn't get under the skin of many people. To some you are either a quack for being religious to start with or, with others, it doesn't matter what you are religiously because, they believe, all religions lead to Heaven. If that be the case, where are all the false teachers the Bible speaks about? Jesus warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15). If all religions lead to Heaven, why must we "...believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1). I'm afraid most folks today are willing to believe anybody and anything when it comes to religion and feel that it is sacrilegious to question anything religious.

    Many religious organizations are teaching for their doctrines the commandments of men. When this is the case, that religion is "vain" (Matthew 15:8-9). Doctrines like: wearing human names in religion, huge complicated man-made church organizations, mechanical instruments of music in worship, infant baptism, and salvation by faith only, are just to name a few. Thus for churches to engage in any one of these things is to render vain worship. It's not just important that I worship but my worship must be "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23,24). To be affiliated with a religion that does not go according to "truth", is to be involved in a "false religion" that the Lord will "root up" (Matthew 15:13-14 ).   —E.R. Hall, Jr.

SENTENCE SERMONS

To have God in our life, doesn't mean sailing on a boat with no storms;
it means having a boat that no storms can sink!

*** 

Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be famous;
better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VI - No. 5 / July 16, 2023

ARE WE ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?

    Many are "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). The doctrine of "once saved always saved" originated over 500 years ago by a man named John Calvin. For what is meant by this abbreviated statement, I wish to quote a more detailed explanation: "We take the position that a Christian's sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul...All the prayers a man may pray, all the Bibles he may read, all the churches he may belong to, all the services he may attend, all the sermons he may practice, all the debts he may pay, all the ordinances he may observe, all the laws he may keep, all the benevolent acts he may perform will not make his soul one whit safer; AND ALL THE SINS HE MAY COMMIT FROM IDOLATRY TO MURDER WILL NOT MAKE HIS SOUL IN ANY MORE DANGER...THE WAY A MAN LIVES HAS NOTHING WHATEVER TO DO WITH THE SALVATION OF HIS SOUL.” (Emphasis mine, ERH) (Do A Christian's Sins Damn His Soul?, by Sam Morris, First Baptist Church pastor.)

    Is this what the Bible teaches? Jesus stated in John 15:5-6: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." Does it not take being "in Him", that is ‘in Christ', to be a Christian? Most certainly it does. What happens as Christians if we "abide not in" Christ? Do we lose our salvation? Are we in danger of being lost in Hell? Jesus says we are! Now, who are we going to believe: the doctrine of Christ or the doctrine of men?

    Romans 11:22 states: "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off." Doesn't this verse sound exactly the opposite of the statements ‘We take the position that a Christian's sins do not damn his soul' and ‘all the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger'? If it sounds the exact opposite that's because they are opposite of what the Scriptures teach!

    In Galatians 5:2-4 the Scriptures teach: "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." This was written to Christians, obviously, because in verse one it says, "Stand fast therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Only Christians are at liberty in Christ and neither can we "fall" out of what we were never in. Christians can and do "fall from grace”!

    Hebrews 6:4-6 states, "For It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Who are these verses in reference to: a person who thinks he is a Christian or to a person who has truly been redeemed by the blood of Christ? When we read such statements as "once enlightened", "tasted of the heavenly gift", "partakers of the Holy Ghost", "tasted the good word of God", and tasted the "powers of the world to come" there can be no mistake that this is a person who is a Christian. Referring to one who is truly a Christian, the writer says, that such a person can "FALL AWAY”.

    In Hebrews 10:26-29 we read, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and firey indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was santified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" This passage is speaking of a person who is truly a Christian because it specifically states he was "santified" by the blood of Christ. To this person who is unwilling to repent, he awaits a "sorer punishment" worse than death.

    When you have people today who are willing and ready to give you a 100% certainty of going to heaven, they are handing you a bill of sale with a man's signature on it. They are handing you a doctrine of man that if you will only become a Christian then all your worries are over and ‘you don't have to concern yourself with doing the things God commands you because that is a "work of righteousness" and has nothing to do with going to heaven’. ‘Once you're saved you can never lose your salvation!’ What a popular doctrine! What a comforting doctrine! How easy it is for people to be lulled into the acceptance of such a teaching! We can be sure of salvation but not the way this doctrine teaches but rather as taught in 2 Peter 1: 4-11. After commanding to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity Peter said, "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make you calling and election sure: for IF ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”   --E.R. Hall, Jr.

SENTENCE SERMONS

The best inheritance a father can leave his children is a good example.
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Choice, not chance, determines human destiny.
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To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. 

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org