A CLOSE EXAMINATION

Several years ago, the government began minting new quarters. Each state has its own quarter with its own design, and they are minted in order of statehood. Each quarter is minted in the Denver and Philadelphia mints. The quarters are marked according to where they are minted with a “D” or “P” on the front side of the coin. I have been collecting these quarters, one from each mint for each state, since production began. The letters designating the mint are not very large and sometimes it is difficult to discern between the “D” and the “P”. It takes a close examination to be sure, and sometimes I look several times before I am sure.

We are admonished by John to be sure that the prophets (teachers) we listen to are teaching the truth. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Unfortunately, not everyone who claims to be speaking for God is true to God’s word. John says many false prophets have gone out into the world, and today there are still many false prophets.

One church is as good as another. There is the prevailing idea that all denominations are part of the one universal church and that all are following their own pathway to heaven. There are even some among our brotherhood who are teaching that the Lord’s church is just a denomination among denominations. Jesus promised to build one church (Matthew 16:18). We read of one body (Ephesians 4:4), which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). There is just no way all the different denominations with all their different teachings are following God’s way and are a part of the church for which Jesus shed His blood.

When or how you worship is not important, as long as you are sincere. When we lived in Kentucky, there was a local denomination who aired an ad on the radio. The basic idea was that if it’s inconvenient to get up on Sunday morning to attend, that’s okay. You can attend our Saturday evening worship. One congregation of the Lord’s church has started having services on Saturday with communion and instrumental music. One reason given is that is will possibly draw a larger crowd. The only example we have of communion in the New Testament was on the first day of the week, and the command we have concerning music is to sing and make melody in our hearts. Paul was sincere Acts 23:1) before his conversion, but he was sincerely wrong.

Baptism is important, but not essential for forgiveness. For years, denominational preachers have been teaching this false doctrine. I even heard one say that you cannot obey God without being baptized, but you can go to heaven. Now, there are some in our brotherhood teaching much the same thing. They teach that it’s important to be baptized, but you can be forgiven without it. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-38). How much plainer could it be?

Be careful of false teachers. Examine closely what they say. If the apostle Paul needed to be checked out according to the Scriptures (Acts 17:11), then teachers today deserve no less.

--Lamar