That's in the Bible

Voiceover: You might find yourself devoted to doing what you are really convinced and believe is the right thing, and trying your very best to be a good person. But, does it seem sometimes like God is not by your side? Does it feel like He isn’t accepting you? And when you pray, asking for help from God, does He answer? Unfortunately, this has left many asking the question: Why won’t God help me? 

Let’s find the answer in the Bible. 

[Show Open]

Brother Bob Pellien: Hello, everyone, welcome. Welcome to That’s in the Bible. The basis of the teachings here in the Church Of Christ is first and foremost, the Bible or the Holy Scriptures. So, we want to clarify that well, even if the Bible is asked and posed every imaginable question, but it does not answer just any and all questions. But regarding proper worship, regarding the right relationship with God, and most importantly, salvation; those answers are definitely here in the Holy Bible. 

Dear friends, as people continue to encounter deep heartbreak in life, some have begun to pose questions, as we’ve said, like “Why won’t God help me?” Many are feeling rejected by God or that He refuses to accept them. People believe that God should be hearing them and God should be responding to their prayers, helping them get through tough times in life. Because they’re in a church, they’re in a religion that’s offering up a kind or form of service to Him. 

Others believe it doesn’t matter to God which religion the person belongs to, or how the service that they’re rendering to God is done. Why? Well, because they believe what matters is that one will just be dedicated to serving God in the religion of their own choice. Though, to understand why God may not be accepting or listening to you, despite how devoted you may be to serving Him, well, we’re going to turn here to the Holy Bible, for the responses for the answers. 

There, we’ll study together:

Let’s turn to the Holy Bible for the answers. What we’ll read is here in Matthew 15:9, it says: 

And in vain they worshipped Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

[Matthew 15:9 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: So dear friends, in rendering worship to God, one must make sure that this basis for doing so is not the commandments or the teachings of men. Why? God does not want and will never accept any worship that is based on man-made doctrines. Even if a person deeply believes in certain teachings, if those teachings are wrong, if those teachings are based upon man-made doctrines, their service rendered, becomes vain, or useless. Therefore, anyone who is worshiping God must understand that God will not accept his worship, and it is done based on man’s own instruction, rather than God’s will. What else must be considered? What if you think that you already know and recognize God? And maybe we know a lot of people who think that way. “I know God, I recognize God, then there’s no need for me to really determine if the teachings believed in are true or not, or if the need to obey God’s pristine commandments…well, that’s not what’s important,” others might think. How does the Bible respond to anyone holding on to that way of thinking? 

And the Bible’s response is recorded in I John 2:3-4: 

If we obey God’s commands, then we are sure that we know him. If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us.

[I John 2:3-4 Good News Translation]

Brother Bob: So on the other hand then, dear friends, one who claims that by saying they know God, but does not obey Him, is called a liar. By whom? That’s written here in the Holy Scriptures, and of course, therefore cannot truly please God. Why not? Because the Bible said, “there’s no truth in [him].” 

There are those who are very devoted [to] bowing down to statues and images. But God said, do not bow down to statues and images. Therefore, those who would render worship within the context of following commandments that are not from God, [they renders] their worship in vain. That’s just one example. So dear friends, that person then, like so many others, has fallen into the wrong way of recognizing and the wrong way of serving God. Why? Because he’s not submitted to the righteousness of God, which is right here. The Gospel, as is mentioned in Romans 1:16-17, the righteousness of God, that’s the gospel. 

Well, what have they done, then? What have they done, instead of following the gospel instead of submitting to the righteousness of God? Let’s turn to the Bible’s answer once again, and we do so reading Romans 10:2-3:

I can assure you, that they are deeply devoted to God; but their devotion is not based on true knowledge. They have not known the way in which God puts people right with himself, and instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not submit themselves to God’s way of putting people right. 

[Romans 10:2-3 Good News Translation]

Brother Bob: Therefore, any recognition or service that they render to God, it’s not based on his words recorded here in the Bible. But instead, based on the ideas or the interpretations of people, their opinions, their own idea of righteousness; that kind of worship, prayers offered by those who are worshiping God from that mindset become what? Worthless or vain in the sight of God. 

So dear friends, if you’re going to worship God, no one can simply do it their own way. It must be done God’s way. How’s that? That’s by obeying His commandments. But you know, there are those who claim their basis of faith and their basis of serving God, well [what do they say]? “It’s rooted here in the Holy Bible and the word of God.” However, what did they do? They failed to comply with the policy or the rule of God regarding His commands. What’s that policy or rule? It’s recorded here in Deuteronomy 12:32, and it says this: 

“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; You shall not add to it, nor take away from it. 

[Deuteronomy 12:32 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Therefore, dear friends, when a person is serving God, and what do they do, they add to it, or they take away from His commands—maybe by injecting their opinions or their interpretations or something like that—then they’re not observing carefully the rules, [the] commands of God. And then they render their worship and their service. But what happens to it? Their worship and services [become] unacceptable to God. But some ask this: “Can’t I just worship God anywhere I want, anywhere I choose?” We’ll tell you right at the outset, dear friends, the answer is what? No.

Why are we so sure about that? Because one of the commandments that God has given one of the commandments that He made, has to be observed by anyone and everyone who wishes to perform true and acceptable service to Him. And what’s that instruction? It concerns the specific place that the Lord has chosen, where His people should perform their services to Him. Where they could rightfully obey His commands and then that service would be acceptable to the Lord. 

So we’ll read the response of God, dear friends, here in Deuteronomy chapter 12, verse 5, then we’ll also go directly reading as well, verses 13 and 14:

Out of the territory of all your tribes the Lord will choose the one place where the people are to come into His presence and worship him. You are not to offer your sacrifices wherever you choose; you must offer them only in the one place that the Lord will choose in the territory of one of your tribes. Only there are you to offer your sacrifices that are to be burned and do all the other things that I have commanded you. 

[Deuteronomy 12:5, 13-14 Good News Bible]

Brother Bob: So dear friends, services performed by anyone that [is] not in the place chosen by God, well, they become unacceptable, worthless before His sight. It’s, therefore, necessary for one to examine first if his services to God are based on God’s commandments and if he’s offering those services in the one place chosen by God, where He promised to accept them. 

What else must be considered, dear friends? Who has the right to serve God and be confident it is the right way to worship God? They are the ones who truly serve God, and have been appointed or chosen, given the right to do so, the privilege to perform true service to Him. But you know, many would hesitate to accept that very direct statement. But let’s turn to the Holy Bible and hear what the Apostle Paul has written regarding this. I Timothy 1:12, it says this:

I gave thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him, 

[I Timothy 1:12 Good News Translation]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, he was appointed to serve; didn’t just decide and choose and do it any just way, no, he said there was a choosing there was an appointment to serve. What else proves that one cannot just offer their service to God and the Lord is going to find that acceptable without yet being appointed to do so first. Evidence of the Holy Scriptures is recorded also in the writings of Apostle Paul, this time in Colossians 1:12-14 It reads:

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

[Colossians 1:12-14 New Kings James Version]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, we have to remember that ever since man committed sin, he’s lost that right to serve, lost the right to worship God. Man has been separated from God—in Isaiah 59:2 that’s stated very directly—when a man has been separated from God because of his iniquities, because of sin. So there’s a need to be forgiven for our sins. There’s a need to regain the right regain the privilege to serve God and be found with acceptable service. And as we just read, this is done how? Through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ shed on the cross. What happened? Redemption, they were redeemed by that shed blood. And as we’ve learned earlier,

we have to carefully follow God’s commandments regarding proper or true worship, no adding, no subtracting. 

So according to God’s commandments, there’s only one place where we can find those who are qualified. One place to find those who are accepted by God. One place has been redeemed or purchased by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore [given] the right to serve again. 

So who then do the apostles testify? Who are they? Who [did] the apostles give testimony to as was who was redeemed, who was purchased with the blood of Christ? Is it just anyone who wants to serve God? Anyone who says they’re serving God? Anyone who wants to be heard, when they pray? Acts 20:28 tells us this, tells us who they are. 20:28 reads this way: 

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.

[Acts 20:28 George Lamsa Translation]

Brother Bob: Who did the apostles testify? They testify that it is none other than the Church Of Christ. What did they say about the Church Of Christ? It was redeemed or purchased with what with the blood of Christ, that’s the Church of Christ, then is that Kingdom of the Son, the Kingdom of the Son, where redemption is found. It’s where people can render true and acceptable worship the God. 

Many may have worshiped God in their own way. Wondering why they still felt as though God wasn’t with them. God wasn’t helping them. God wasn’t accepting them wasn’t hearing their prayers. 

Dear friends, today we have learned that worshiping God is useless if we do it our own way, instead of following the way God wants us to worship Him. To prove that we’ve truly acknowledged God, we have to obey Him. We’ve also learned that the way God wants us to obey Him is carefully not adding or subtracting from His commands. So when it comes to worshiping God, we must carefully observe that there is only one place where people can perform valid and acceptable service to God. Those that are qualified or those that have been appointed, chosen to serve Him, are therein.

So one must carefully make sure first, that he is among the ones appointed or chosen or elected by God by becoming a member, not just of any religion, but of the one that was redeemed, purchased with Christ’s blood. And the Bible clearly states that is none other than the Church Of Christ, which is why we always invite you continue learning about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ. 

Visit us online, browse the different topics or set up an appointment to meet with a minister of the gospel here inside the Church Of Christ. If you have any questions about the Bible, or salvation, email them to us. I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. See you next time right here on That’s in the Bible. May you please [join us] in a concluding prayer. 

Almighty Father, dear God, we thank you for allowing us to hear from Your holy words, the guidance that is needed each and every day of our life. Father, we pray, most especially for all our guests and visitors joining us in our study, may they understand the importance of continuing their studies with us. May they understand the value of worshiping You properly guided by Your rules, policies, laws, commandments and instructions, so that we may serve You, O God, acceptable in Your holy sight. May You inspire everyone to unite under Your laws and commandments here inside the Church Of Christ. Please forgive whatever shortcomings You may see in us. Always bless this program, and all the programming inside Your holy Church, most especially when we assemble in the houses of worship, and we sing and pray and worship You Lord with all our heart. May You find us worthy, always and acceptable in Your holy sight. We pray for this always, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Brother Bob: I’m Brother Bob Pellien. Thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s in the Bible. Our next set of questions comes from two individuals. And in fact, there are many who often ask questions like this. Let’s hear the first one from Ryan Foster from San Diego, California. His question is this:

[Video question]

Ryan Foster: My question is, who’s to say the Bible isn’t fictional?

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: And we have a lot of very similar questions. Let’s post up another one that comes from Magda Staunch from the faraway land of New Zealand. Here’s her question: “You get all your answers from the Bible. How do you know that it is the right book? What about the Quran and other religious books?” 

Brother Bob: Well, it’s true that there’s a lot of world renowned religions that use so many different books and claim those books to be the foundation of their faith because they are from God via the Quran of the Islam religion or be at the Catechism of Catholicism or other religious world renowned books that people use as the foundation of their faith. If all of those books were piled up in front of us on a table, and there they are all claiming to be the word of God in order to find which one truly is, one has to know the identifying characteristic of the word of God.

For example, if a person was given the assignment to find an automobile, but they don’t know what an automobile looks like, they don’t know how big it is, what it sounds like, what material it’s made of, they might go out on the street and get run over by an automobile and wouldn’t know yet that they have found an automobile because they need to know it’s identifying characteristics. The same with the word of God. So what did Jesus mention regarding the identifying characteristic of the word of God in the book of John 17:17 he said:

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

[John 17:17 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Identifying characteristic: truth. That’s where many would probably want to inject and say, “Well what is true? Your definition of truth? My definition of truth? Or what is truth? Is truth measurable by what a yardstick?” How can truth be measured and verified? Let’s consider what was quoted by the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 46, verse 11, it says:

Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.

[Isaiah 46:11 New King James Version] 

Brother Bob: How is truth measurable? Not by a yardstick or some kind of measuring instrument like that. Truth is verifiable by its fulfillment. Like here, the prophet Isaiah quoting God saying, “What I have spoken, I will bring it to pass.” Very different than the word of men; we can say, “We will do this tomorrow, we will do that tomorrow or next week.” We don’t even know if we’ll be alive tomorrow or next week, it may not be within our human capacity to fulfill what we say. And therefore what we say, could not be verified as truth until it actually happens. The fulfillment is the evidence, the tangible verification that what was spoken is truth. 

So now we have that characteristic, the identifiable characteristic of the word of God. It’s truth. Of all the books there piled in front of us, one of them has to emerge and prove itself to really be true. True and proven so by the fulfillment of what is recorded therein. And we can cite so many, many [pieces of evidence] of that—what’s recorded here in the Bible. We are the mere eyewitnesses to their fulfillment; therefore proving what’s contained here is true. Truth is the word of God. 

But let’s just take a couple of brief examples, like the character of people in the particular timeframe that we all live in nowadays.There was a prophecy stated in the writings of Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy 3, beginning in verse 1:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

[2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: There’s a prophetic statement of Apostle Paul regarding the nature of people. And we are all the living eyewitnesses that clearly describe the nature of people nowadays. If we took time to read for example, Daniel chapter 12 verse 4 [it mentions] our technological advancements because of the increase [of] the knowledge of mankind fulfilled in our time. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke all throughout chapter 24 of Matthew, regarding events like World War I, World War II and other events which we can clearly see fulfilled, all of which prove the Bible is true, the Bible is the word of God. All the other books may be nice reading, might discuss how to interact with people, love your neighbor, all such things, but do not pass the “truth test.” Only the Bible passes the truth test. Only the Bible therefore, is worthy of our trust as the word of God.

Thanks for listening. I’m brother Bob Pellien, and we hope you join us next time on That’s in the Bible. Please feel free to email your questions to [email protected]. For more programming of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ and to find a local congregation near you, please visit incmedia.org.

Brother Bob Pellien: I’m Brother Bob Pellien. Thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s in the Bible!

Let’s go straight to our first question for today, which comes to us via email from Odessa in San Diego, California. Her question is: “Why does the Church Of Christ use different versions of the Bible to answer questions?”

Brother Bob: Odessa, thank you very much for your question. The Church Of Christ uses not any one particular Bible, for example our own translation and say, “We’ll just use this version.” We will use any and many different translations and it’s important to know they’re translations because the original writings that God inspired His chosen writers were written in Hebrew, the Old Testament is in Hebrew and the New Testament primarily in Greek with some sprinkles of Aramaic. And those translators over the years, there have been many who have translated from those original languages. And as long as the translator did not deviate from what was originally written in Hebrew, what was originally written in Greek and the manuscripts that we have from those original Hebrew and Greek writings, well then, that is truly Bible.

Brother Bob: If ever there are translations that are slightly different from one another, did God give any instruction to use so one can be sure what their receiving is accurate and pure? He gave this instruction recorded by Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians, chapter 2. Now let’s listen together to what’s recorded here in verse 13 of that chapter:

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

[I Corinthians 2:13 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: The rule of God, Odessa, is that spiritual things must be compared with spiritual things. What then is recorded here are spiritual truths and to know it for sure that what is recorded there is accurate, the instruction is to compare these spiritual things with spiritual things. Because what if one does not accept these spiritual truths? 1 Corinthians 2:12 gives this insight:

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

[I Corinthians 2:12 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: What’s one thing we must not do when comparing the spiritual truths with spiritual truths? We must not accept the things of this world—man’s wisdom, man’s opinions, man’s ideas. We have to follow the instruction that God has given, because how would the world receive these spiritual truths from God? Verse 14:

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

[I Corinthians 2:14 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: That’s why many would consider the spiritual truths in the Holy Scriptures as just foolishness, but even the Church of Christ we will use that law of God comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. We read often for example, Acts 20:28 on this program and other programs of the Church Of Christ. Wherein it, it [mentions] that Christ, the name of the Church, Church Of Christ was purchased with His blood. If we read other translations, it will say Church of God, purchased with His blood, Church of the Lord, purchased with His blood.

Brother Bob: What then are we to do? Applying what we just read, the instruction of the Lord? Compare spiritual things, spiritual truths, with spiritual truths. God is spirit. Christ is the one that had flesh and bones and blood. So we are very sure then to use the translations of the Bible that will say Church of Christ, which He purchased with His blood because it’s Christ that had blood. Comparing the spiritual things with spiritual things, there will never be a conflict. There will never be any confusion. So applying that rule which we do in the Church of Christ, Odessa, we will always come to the knowledge of the truth.

Thanks for listening. I’m Brother Bob Pellien. And we hope you join us again next time on That’s in the Bible. Please feel free to email your questions to [email protected] For more programming of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ, to find a local congregation near you, please visit incmedia.org.

[Show open]

[On-screen text graphics]

What is the Bible’s stance on war? Can killing people to protect your country be justified?

Kyma Morera

London, UK

[Video starts]

Tom: My name is Tom from Bremerton, Washington. What does the Bible say about military personnel who kill for their country?

[Video ends]

Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you very much Kyma, Tom, and all the others who have emailed in and asked very similar questions regarding this particular topic about military service. You know, dear friends, we’re really sure that there’s a lot of people in the military or the armed services, or maybe even have friends and family members that are in the military. And you know, they are also God fearing people. People who have these same questions as you in their mind. 

And dear friends for those who might not see the conflict or maybe are wondering why so many are asking these questions about the military, let’s start off by asking first—what is God’s command in the Bible regarding killing or taking another’s life? So let’s get right to it. The Bible clearly states here in Exodus 20, verse 13, the following: 

“You shall not murder.

[Exodus 20:13 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: So here Dear friends, God gives a very simple, very short, yet nevertheless very direct answer. We can see that God prohibits anyone from committing murder or taking the life of another. 

Brother Bob: Which brings all the questions regarding being in the military, of course or the armed forces. Why? Well, we know because if one is in the military, they’re prepared, of course to defend the nation in times of war. And if war occurs, unfortunately, killing may very well be involved. Therefore, is serving as a soldier for your country, is it against the teachings of the Bible? 

The direct answer to that question is no. But what’s the proof that God is really not against that? Let’s continue our study. We can read the Biblical evidence here, dear friends wherein God is distinguishing the difference between committing murder and serving in the military for one’s  state or nation. What does He say? Let’s turn to the book of Joshua chapter 4, verse 12 and 13. Wherein it says this:

And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them.

[Joshua 4:12 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Well, let’s pause for a second, dear friends because we’d like to point out here briefly that Reuben, Gad, Manasseh—were Israelites. And Israel was God’s nation before these people. They were God’s people. It was God’s nation. Let’s continue:

About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho.

[Joshua 4:13 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: So you can read in these verses God’s people before, they did not only compose a religious organization, but [also], they were a nation. They were a nation with a military; they were soldiers. Therefore, we are sure, serving as a soldier for one’s country—[is] not against the Bible. Obviously fighting in battle to serve your nation and just committing murder—they are not the same thing, they’re different. 

You know, there are instances in the Bible where God’s nation went to battle with numerous armies and sometimes against many armies all at once. And they had God’s protection, God’s guidance. 

Many of you may still remember one well known servant of God, a shepherd named David. What did he do? He defeated and killed the giant Philistine warrior, Goliath. But you know dear friends there are those who pose the argument, “Well, this is a completely different era of time from those events of David killing the soldier Goliath or God using His nation against others in time past.”

Brother Bob: In the New Testament times dear friends, that we are living in today, is there a different instruction from God regarding soldiers? Has it been changed? Has it been updated in any way? Let’s also ask this: Is serving in the armed forces in the New Testament time forbidden by God? Let’s again turn to the Holy Bible for answers to these questions. And here we can read the instruction of God to some soldiers in the New Testament times. God’s will was made known through His servant, John the Baptist; and that conversation is recorded here in Luke 3:14. Let’s take a look: 

Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” 

[Luke 3:14 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, we can notice the instructions here given to the soldiers. Soldiers who were asking what they needed to do to be worthy of forgiveness. John the Baptist said, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” We can also notice here what he did not say. He did not say, “Stop being a soldier.” If being a soldier is prohibited in the New Testament he would have answered, “Quit being a soldier. It is against God’s law.” But that’s not what he said. Therefore, although there might be people that strongly believe that being a soldier or joining the military is against the Bible, we can clearly see that there is no such prohibition given by God. 

Brother Bob: But then the rebuttal of some to that Biblical truth, sometimes goes a little bit like this, “So you’re saying that it’s okay for us to hate each other. It’s okay for us to kill anyone that we consider an enemy of the state?” We want to make clear, that’s not what we’re saying nor is that what we read here in these verses of the Holy Bible. In fact what’s the Lord Jesus Christ’s instruction to His disciples regarding their enemies? We can read here in Matthew 5:44 this from the words of our Lord Jesus: 

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

[Matthew 5:44 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, according to Christ we, we’re the disciples, we’re the followers, we’re not given the liberties to hate our enemy and all the more be the ones to take revenge, all the more be the ones to kill them. That’s not our place. It’s not for us, the followers, to do that. We’re the disciples. So what was God’s instruction in Romans 12:19 the Bible says this:

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 

[Romans 12:19 New King James]

Brother Bob: But dear friends, how will God repay those who have done wrong? Because He said very clearly, “Vengeance is Mine,” said the Lord. Is it God Himself that will come down and implement His wrath or will He send or use instruments to implement the vengeance or the punishment? Again, we turn to the Bible and we can read the Bible’s answer likewise in the book of Romans, and what we can read here is chapter 13 verses 1 through 4:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist who will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

[Romans 13:1-4 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, the Bible is clear and teaches that governing authorities are appointed by none other than God Himself. And those appointed to rule, as the Bible mentioned, they will be a terror for evil doers. The appointed authorities bear the sword that God uses to avenge and to execute His wrath. Therefore we’re not to take it upon ourselves and decide to end someone else’s life. This is the reason why serving as a soldier in the military and just simply committing murder, it’s not the same thing. 

Although God clearly states in the Bible, is strict prohibition of committing murder; this does not mean He forbids his people to enter the military or the armed forces. 

Fighting for one’s country is not the same as simply murdering someone. The governing authorities, they’ve been appointed by God to lead and therefore should be granted the respect and the loyalty of those under their jurisdiction. We follow our nation’s leaders up to the point that they are aligned with what God commands. If there’s a contradiction between the two, true Christians follow God and not man. These are the teachings and the commands that we should believe in and follow. Why? Because that’s in the Bible. 

Brother Bob: So dear friends, when you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ, please visit incmedia.org. 

There you’ll find various series of programs dedicated to answering your spiritual questions. 

You know you can also follow our Facebook pages, IglesiaNiCristoNewsandUpdates and IglesiaNiCristoMedia. 

And to view more of our shows and see how the Church gets involved in the community visit incgiving.org. Where you will also find various volunteer opportunities. 

And to find a house of worship near you, visit iglesianicristo.net. Dear friends if you have questions that you’d like answered on the show, please email them to [email protected]. Well, thank you all for joining with us today and we’ll see you again next time on That in the Bible.

Voiceover: Next on That’s in the Bible!

Patrick (Michigan, USA): Why is Easter in March?

Nida (Phoenix, Arizona): What does Palm Sunday have to do with Easter?

Brother Bob Pellien: The Bible’s response is simple and direct.

Julie (Sydney, Australia): Hi, my name is Julie, and I’m from Sydney, Australia. And my question is “Should Christians really be celebrating Easter?”

Brother Bob: How can we, in the true Church Of Christ participate in what comes from service to an ancient pagan goddess?

[Show Open]

Brother Bob: Hello, I’m Brother Bob Pellien. Thanks for joining us on this special episode of That’s in the Bible, where today we’ll answer people’s questions about the Easter holiday. 

Our first question for today comes from Patrick McDonald in Michigan. Let’s hear what Patrick asks about Easter.

[Video begins] 

Patrick: Why is Easter in March?

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: Thank you for your question, Patrick. You know, Easter is not always in the month of March. In fact, let’s take a moment to quote an excerpt from a book entitled My Catholic Faith written by Louis LaRavoire Morrow, and he writes—on behalf of the Catholic Church—their explanation about the choosing of the date of Easter. Here’s what’s cited in that book on page 81:

[On-screen text graphics]

[Source: My Catholic Faith, pg. 81]

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon of spring; the feast therefore is moveable, and can fall between March 22 and April 25. The Paschal season lasts till Trinity Sunday; till then joyous alleluia resounds.

Brother Bob: So here, Patrick, the Catholic Church writes not only about the moveable date of the Easter, here in this book My Catholic Faith, they also write about a season that they have created that begins with Ash Wednesday, which is also a moveable season.

But what is that season they call Lent? What’s it all about? They answer that in another of their books entitled The Visible Church. On page 184, they write:

[On-screen text graphics]

[Source: The Visible Church, pg. 184]

Lent is a season of penance set apart by the Church in memory of the fast of our Lord in the desert,… The date of the beginning of Lent varies from year to year, according to the date of Easter. In Latin it is called Quadragesima (fortieth), from which are taken the Italian Quaresima and the French Carame. The English name is from Anglo-Saxon Lenten, which means Spring.

Brother Bob: So there they speak of the season beginning with Ash Wednesday, which they call Lent. It’s a season of penance and that week [actually] leads up to Easter Sunday. They have Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. And during that week they have what they call Holy Thursday. They have also Good Friday, they have Holy Saturday, which are special holidays inside the Catholic Church all pertaining to Easter.

Which brings us right into the next question, which is a question specifically about that Palm Sunday from Nida who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Let’s listen to her question.

[Video begins]

Nida: What does Palm Sunday have to do with Easter?

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: Thank you, Nida. Palm Sunday, one week prior to Easter, is what was made by the Catholic Church and they write about it also in this book entitled The Visible Church. Let’s turn to page 171 where they write:

[On-screen text graphics]

[Source: The Visible Church, pg. 171]

It is likely that the use of palms in our churches began in early Middle Ages… The palm is a symbol of victory. Among pagan nations victorious armies decked themselves and their chariots with palm branches. The Jews used palms to express rejoicing especially on their great Feast of Tabernacles.

Brother Bob: Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, is a Sunday which they use a lot of palms in their mass, and it has its roots in ancient pagan culture wherein their pagan armies would use palms as a symbol of victory with their armies. And maybe they would say, “Well, we would want to use that ancient pagan custom and attach it to Christ for a victory. Let’s call it a victory of Jesus and let’s also use that pagan cultural tradition. Let’s turn to Holy Scriptures for the Bible’s response to that way of thinking. In Titus chapter 1 verse 14:

Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

[Titus 1:14 New King James]

Brother Bob: When the Jews of the first century incorporated those pagan practices and began to use them during the time of our Lord Jesus Christ—that being the use of palms—which is currently being used today, and Palm Sunday in the Roman Catholic Church, the Bible’s response is simple and direct. We should not implement, we should not use or give heed to such kind of Jewish fables and such and the commandments of men and not of course most especially the commandments and traditions of ancient pagan cultures. Palm Sunday is something that we should not participate in inside the true Church.

Another question submitted by Julie from Sydney, Australia. Julie asks this:

[Video begins]

Julie: My question is should Christians really be celebrating Easter?

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: I think of all, that’s the most important question. Should we be celebrating it? Even if we will master all of its history, master all of the traditions attached to Easter, and understand all of their roots and origins, it follows [that] question that you ask. Should we participate in it? Should we incorporate that mindset that “well because it’s fun and because children enjoy it by having Easter eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies, and we have Palm Sunday, and we have Easter celebrations. Should true Christians of today participate?

It’s important to understand the origins of the whole Easter [tradition]. The Catholic Church wrote inside their Encyclopaedic Dictionary on page 161 a very important piece of information that we have to consider when answering that question “Should we participate in it?” They wrote:

[On-screen text graphics]

[Source: The Catholic Encyclopaedic Dictionary, pg. 161] 

EASTER (etymology uncertain: St. Bede derives it from Eastre, a forgotten dawn goddess). The English name for the Sunday of the Resurrection of Our Lord,… Meat, eggs, and other foods formerly forbidden in Lent are blessed and there are still numerous local customs, some of pagan origin.

Brother Bob: In this Catholic Encyclopaedic Dictionary, they write about Easter, [mentioning] that it is derived from Eastre, a forgotten dawn goddess. Should we, whether it’s from Eastre or it’s from Ishtar, from Babylonian and ancient Egyptian times and if it has such kind of origin, how can we in the true Church Of Christ participate in what comes from service to an ancient pagan goddess? What does the instruction of God through the apostles have to say if there’s a tradition or if there’s something that is absent from the Bible (which Easter is absent from the Bible) if there is a holiday being practiced today called Easter with a season of Lent leading up to it having various practices of pagan origin? What are the instructions of the Lord for all who want to serve the Lord properly today?

Apostle Paul wrote the following, I Corinthians chapter 10 and beginning in verse 20 it says:

No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

[1 Corinthians 10:20 New International Version]

Brother Bob: That’s a very powerful response of the Lord here, dear friends, through the apostles. “I do not want you to be participants with demons” and if in the eyes of the Lord participating in traditions and practices that have their origin and roots in service to ancient pagan goddesses—if he considers that a demonic practice, then as members of the Church Of Christ, we’ll follow that instruction of God through the Apostle Paul when he said, “I do not want you to be participants in that.”

Here inside the Church Of Christ, we will not participate in the practices that are correlated with Easter traditions of today not found in the instructions of our Lord in the Holy Bible. In fact, there is another instance wherein Apostle Paul was addressing such things in his letter this time to the Ephesians. What did he write to them about these pagan traditions and pagan cultures? Should we allow them to be incorporated into Christian practices in service to the one true God?

Here is what he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians. I quote 4:17:

Therefore I say this—indeed, in union with the Lord I insist on it: do not live any longer as the pagans live, with their sterile ways of thinking.

[Ephesians 4:17 Complete Jewish Bible]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, the instruction is clear. Do not live in the ways of paganism. If these practices of Easter—being it with the rabbit, and the egg, and the Palm Sunday palms, and the various other elements and such holidays as Easter have their roots in paganism—God prohibits his people from participating. 

Response of someone: “Hey, it’s no big deal. We’re just going along with the tradition for fun. We’re not connecting ourselves to its roots in paganism. We just want do it because it’s fun for the children,” they would say. Or “It’s just something that’s part of our lifestyle of today in service to the Lord.” If we will violate these principals of God and then try to call it a worship to Him, will He find it acceptable? 

God’s answer was written in Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Here in chapter 2 in verse 22 as well as 23. He writes:

These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

[Colossians 2:22-23 New International Version]

Brother Bob: If we would put into practice that Lenten season, whether it’s to be fasting and self-abasement, allegedly, in service to the Lord in attempt to prepare for Easter, the Lord calls such regulations that are imposed by human traditions in such things is that, He said they will have no value. They teach that it will restrain a person from sin and it will give glory to God. It will cleanse them from their human iniquities. The Bible is clear. It has no value in such ways.

Well, dear friends, members of the Church Of Christ, therefore, do not participate in the practices of the Easter and Lenten season. Instead, we give thanks to the Father for sending His Son to redeem us through his shed blood on the cross and we will worship Him with all our heart and soul in compliance with the laws and ways of worship given in the Holy Bible. That’s all we have time for today. Dear friends, what you have heard is just an introduction to the teachings of the Bible taught in the Church Of Christ.

We invite you to learn more and join with us. And if you have questions you’d like answered on this show, email them to us and we’ll use the guidance of the Holy Scriptures to help you find your answer, the truth that’s in the Bible. Thanks for watching. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and we’ll see you again next time.

[Show open]

Next on That’s in the Bible.

[Video starts]

Chuck: Is this God the only God,  or is everybody right with all of their own gods? 

[Video ends]

Brother Bob Pellien: We believe here in the Church Of Christ, to know and understand the true God, we must turn to the pages of the Holy Scriptures.

[Video starts]

Idris:  I don’t understand the concept of God being three. The God [the] Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: This is from Melissa Hatfield in Seattle, Washington. Why is Jesus Christ important?

[Show open]   

Brother Bob: Hello, I’m Brother Bob Pellien,  and thanks for joining us in this episode of That’s in the Bible. Let’s go directly to our first question, which comes today from Chuck Swift from San Diego, California. Let’s hear what Chuck asks:

[Video starts]

Chuck Swift: Is this God the only God, or is everybody right with all of their own gods? 

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: Thank you for your question, Chuck. And you’re very correct in such that there’s a lot of people who are coming up with their own ideas and perceptions and understandings of God. We believe here in the Church Of Christ, to know and understand the true God, we must turn to the pages of the Holy Scriptures. So let’s do that directly. In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 4. Let’s see if the Bible [mentions] many gods we can all just pick and choose whatever God we want or come up with our own understanding. How many true gods does the Bible discuss? Deuteronomy, chapter 4, verse 35, reads this way:

To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.

[Deuteronomy 4:35 English Standard Version]

Brother Bob: The Bible clearly [mentions] here that there is but one God and there is no other. There could be an innumerable number of people coming up with their own understanding of God and in fact, even preaching and teaching about different gods and perceptions of God and who God truly is. But the Bible is clear. There is one God. So dear friends, here in 1 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 6, the Apostle Paul wrote the following which is a very important statement regarding this topic in verse 6, he said:

yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

[I Corinthians 8:6 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Here was the Apostle Paul addressing the first century Church, telling them for us. Who [is] “us”? The Church, the true servants of the Almighty God, that for us, there is only one God and then He told us who that one God is, and that is the Father. Chuck, in your question you clearly [mentioned] that there are so many others who have other perceptions of God and other gods. You know the concept of “many,” is that it “doesn’t really matter as long as you believe in the existence of God.” It matters. Why? The Holy Scriptures teaches us the following this time in the letter of Apostle Paul, to the Ephesians. Wherein he wrote the following in chapter 4, verse 6:

one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

[Ephesians 4:6 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Because God is only one, and because God is the Father, and because the one God the one Father is one God and Father of all. It’s not for anyone to just pick and choose and say, “No, excuse me, I’ve got another God.” There is only one, there’s no other options, there’s no other other choices. But a lot of people have come up with other perceptions of who that one true God is, which leads us into our next question from Idris Bashil, from London, England. He sent us this question:

[Video starts]

Idris: I don’t understand the concept of God being three. The God [the] Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: Thank you. That, too, is a wonderful question because it is not the only you that I have difficulty understanding what oftentimes mainstream Christianity terms as the Trinity that being: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and the three of them together, compose one God. A triune entity. There was a Catholic priest to try to explain this. And let’s just take a moment to cite his explanation for a moment. It’s recorded in a book entitled Father Smith Instructs Jackson, written by the priest of the Catholic Church named John Francis Noll. He writes on page 29 the following:

[On-screen graphic – Father Smith Instructs Jackson, pg. 29 Most Rev. John Francis Noll , D.D. LL.D.] 

It means that in the One God there are three Divine Persons, called respectively God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Brother Bob: Well, that’s mainstream Christianity, the Catholic Church being from which we have quoted there, but so many of the Protestant organizations, independent Christian organizations as well, teach and believe the same that God is composed of three entities: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Here inside the Church Of Christ, we believe in the one true God, the Father. From what origin do we receive that important understanding that the Father is the one true God? It comes from Jesus Himself, the Son of God. What did Jesus say? Let’s read His words. It’s recorded in John, chapter 17, where in Jesus pronounced very categorically the following:

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

[John 17:1,3 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: What’s the important pronouncement here of Jesus? He made a pronouncement concerning two things that had direct relevance to the attainment of eternal life. He said, “Father that they may know You the only true God and Jesus whom You have sent.” They’ll have eternal life if they know that the Father is the only true God and that they know that Jesus is the one who has been sent by the Father. 

If, then, one comes up with another perception of God and teaches that and says “No, no, no, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit together, the three of them make up the one God.” That’s a different god. And the gentleman who posed the question to our program for today, seemed very confused about when he views the religions in this world who are teaching these other perceptions of God. And it’s not surprising that you’re a bit confused, because when they teach a Trinitarian god, they’re teaching something that is very categorically different than what Jesus just taught, as we all read there together. 

Brother Bob: Who does the Bible teach Jesus to be? In fact, the it was, again, the Apostle Paul, we turned to this time, when he stated the following in 1 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 5:

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 

[2:5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: It clearly taught who Jesus is a man Who’s mediating between God and mankind. He is the Mediator. And how about the Holy Spirit? It was also our Lord Jesus Christ who described and tells us about the Holy Spirit. And He does so in these terms recorded in John, chapter 14, He was quoted here in verse 26:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

[John 14:26 King James Version]

Brother Bob: Here Jesus taught to us the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, whom the Father will send to comfort to give strength to all who may be weary and tired and need the inner strength of the Spirit of the Lord, the Lord the Father above will send that Spirit to comfort and to strengthen and to help us.

The true God is the Father, Jesus is the one mediating us unto the Father, and the Holy Spirit is the one sent by the Father to comfort and strengthen us: these are the biblical truths we embrace inside the Church. 

Brother Bob: Let’s hear our last question for today. This is from Melissa Hatfield in Seattle, Washington. She submitted to us this written question, she wrote:  “Why is Jesus Christ important?”

And it’s a very important question that Melissa writes, because when we teach that Jesus is different than God, there are those who sometimes conclude that, “I guess that means the Church Of Christ is just belittling Jesus and throwing Him away as if He’s of no value anymore,” when in fact, nothing could be farther from the truth for what does the Bible teach to us about the value and importance of Jesus, the Son of God? Let’s begin in the Book of Acts, chapter 5, verse 31, tells us this important quality about Christ:

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

[Acts 5:31 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: He was given to be Savior for mankind. And as I’ve read a moment ago, nevertheless, I’ll spend the moment to read it again. He’s not just an ordinary person like us, we’re not taking Him down, throwing Him into the mud, so to say, no. 1 Timothy, 2, 5,  also attributes this quality to Jesus:

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 

[1 Timothy 2:5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: He’s our Mediator and the only Mediator between God and mankind. So He’s our Savior, He’s our Mediator. In fact, what else? Does the Bible attribute to this our Savior Jesus Christ in the Book of Acts, chapter 2, verse 36:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

[Acts 2:36 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: He was also made Lord. Jesus is so very important, Melissa. He’s our Lord. He’s our Savior. He’s our Mediator, Son of God, and in fact when it comes to His relationship to the church, does He have any importance? Colossians, chapter 1, verse 18. The first part of that verse reads this way:

And He is the head of the body, the church,…

[Colossians 1:18 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: When it comes to His relationship then with the Church does He also have some significance, relevance, importance? Absolutely. The Bible [mentions] that He is in fact, the head of the Church. And the Church is in fact, the very body of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

So when we teach that Jesus is different than God, we’re not taking Him from some high position and throwing Him away, rejecting Christ. No, we embrace Him in all such ways that the Scriptures attribute to Him and the Bible attributes to Him, as being the Savior, as being our Mediator, as being our Lord, being the head of the Church and so much more. He has great relevance, Melissa, and He is of deep importance to all of us here inside the Church Of Christ. But He’s different from God, and not part of a triune God, but rather the Son of God. 

Well, dear friends, that’s all we have time for today. But if you, too, will have questions that you’d like us to answer here on the program, email your questions to us. And we’ll always use the guidance of the Holy Scriptures to help you find your answer, the truth, That’s in the Bible. Well, thanks for watching. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and we’ll see you again next time.

[Show close]

Brother Bob Pellien: I’m Brother Bob Pellien. Thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s In The Bible. 

Our next question comes from Sherwin Fowler from Buena Park, California. He asks via email the following, “Are all sins equal to God? Because [in] the Catholic Church, when you confess your sins, you have to pray longer to repent for your sins.”

Sherwin, your experience in the Catholic Church is not unique. Millions of members in the Catholic Church are being taught that there’s different levels of sin. There’s venial sin, there’s mortal sin, there’s original sin, different levels and different kinds of sin, each of which gets a different kind of punishment, which they call penance [wherein] the priest will issue various repetitive prayers. Say for example, ten “Hail Mary’s” and twenty “Our Father’s,” which are memorized prayers that they would be instructed to recite [as] a payment for their sins. It’s important to know, Sherwin, what a sin is. 

Does the Bible introduce sin in three different levels? 1 John 3:4 describes sin. In fact, it gives the definition of sin.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

[1 John 3:4 King James Version]

Brother Bob: There’s no mention here of three different kinds of sins. There [isn’t] going to be a small sin, a medium sized sin, and a big sin, and each of them are going to have a different level of penance that one will have to perform with repetitive prayers. How else or what else does the Bible have to say about sin, Sherwin? In Romans 6:23 the Bible [mentions] the following: 

For the wages of sin is death,…

[Romans 6:23 New International Version]

Brother Bob: It did not say the wages of mortal sin or only the biggest most serious kind of sin. Sin is sin. Sin is a transgression of the law and it will be paid for by death. The Bible makes mention of a second death in the lake of fire. 

Are we instructed by the LORD to be reconciled by means of repetitious prayer? That we’re going to just repeat and repeat ten “Hail Mary’s,” twenty “Our Father’s,” three “Act of Contritions,” or whatever the priest will prescribe as our so-called penance and that’s going to remove that payment of sin? Jesus answers in Matthew chapter 6. It’s the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, Sherwin, that we should always embrace and follow. Here’s what He had to say about that in verse 7: 

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

[Matthew 6:7 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Jesus gave this instruction, “when you pray, do not use vain repetitions.” In fact He made mention that those who do that are the heathens and they’re doing it because they think they’re going to be heard for the [repeated] prayers that they offer. Sherwin, sin is sin. There are no levels of sin and repetitive prayer is not the way to be forgiven [of] sins. Sins are forgiven by the blood shed by Our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross for the Church. He gave his life for the Church Of Christ.

Thanks for listening. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and we hope you join us next time on That’s In The Bible. Please feel free to email your questions to [email protected]. For more programming of Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ, and to find a local congregation near you, please visit incmedia.org. 

[Show open]

Brother Bob Pellien: Good day to everyone! Thank you very much for a nice warm welcome. We welcome everyone here in the studio audience as well as all those who are joining us on the internet—maybe watching it by means of incmedia.org on your smartphones, through the Facebook pages that we have, or also maybe on channel 49 INCTV in the Philippines. Thank you all so very much for joining us in this episode of…?

Audience: That’s in the Bible!

Brother Bob: You know, dear friends, anyone that’s following the Iglesia Ni Cristo social media outlets, and we do have a few, you are by now very well aware of the intensified efforts of the Church Of Christ, led by the Church Administration, in eradicating poverty all over the world. There’s been a lot of efforts that have been exerted by the Church Of Christ, most especially in the continent of Africa. In order to reach that goal of, well, like I said, eradicating poverty all over the world, Lord willing. The questions that we’ll be addressing in our taping for today of this broadcast of the program That’s in the Bible are questions that come from ordinary citizens that the That’s In The Bible team that went to Africa were able to meet. Some of the ordinary citizens of Africa. And they posed a lot of questions. Like I said, we’re going to address a couple of them here in our broadcast for today. 

We were happy to receive some questions because as the continent of Africa learns about the Church Of Christ, it has begun to prompt some questions. We will continue to reach out to our fellow men there and everywhere. The That’s in the Bible team, as I mentioned, recently visited and received the following specific questions to this program. And we’ll be tackling them together, for today. Our first question comes from John, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Let’s take a look at the question that John posed for today.

[Video begins]

John: And the question I have is, who is Jesus? Who is God?

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: “Who is Jesus? Who is God?” These are questions that usually stem from what some would call a confusing, nevertheless, a very common concept that in fact God and Jesus are one and the same. But how does the Bible respond to that? John has asked and the Bible, the Bible gives a response. First of all, we cite from the book of Matthew, chapter 3, verse 17:

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

[Matthew 3:17 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Here, dear friends, God is the one who introduced Jesus. God introduced Jesus as His Son. That’s according to the Father Himself. So John asked, “Well, who is Jesus?” God answers by saying, “That’s My Son.” Never has any correct translation of the Bible ever said that Christ is, in fact, God the Son. What can be read very clearly from the Bible is the fact that Christ is the Son of God. God the Son and Son of God are two very, very, different things and they must not be interchanged. Aside from being the Son of God, John’s question was, “Who is Jesus?” So there’s so many verses that we could cite. How else was Jesus introduced in the Holy Scriptures? For example, if we were to read Acts, chapter 2, verse 36, the Bible says and shows that Jesus was made Lord: 

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

[Acts 2:36 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: In the book of Acts as well chapter 5, verse 31, it mentions that Jesus was also made as Savior:

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

[Acts 5:31 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: In 1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 5, the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy that Jesus was the Mediator between God and man:

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

[1 Timothy 2:5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: All these attributes are given to our Lord Jesus Christ. So when we say “Who is Jesus?” The Bible does not answer it by saying He is God. And I’d like to cite another statement of Apostle Paul, here in Ephesians 1:22. The Bible says: 

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

[Ephesians 1:22 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: So, dear friends, here the Bible clearly teaches us that Jesus was placed above all things to the Church. This is the Jesus of the Bible. Any other Jesus would be a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible. But here’s the question that some pose when they read that verse: “If Jesus is just a man—as we cited from I Timothy 2:5 just a moment ago—if Jesus is a man (we didn’t read that he was just a man), then why is He also worshipped? In Ephesians 1:22, He was placed above all things. So doesn’t that make Him God?” 

First off, no one heard us read or say that Jesus is ‘just a man.’ We cited 1 Timothy 2:5, but it didn’t say that He’s ‘just a man’ or ‘just an ordinary man,’ like all of us. Instead, what you did hear from the Holy Scriptures was the various qualities or distinctive, unique qualities that the Bible gives or attributes to Jesus, which proves that He is not just an ordinary man. And regarding the point [made], “He is worshipped, so therefore He must be God.” Yes, we do worship Jesus. But why? Is it because He is God? Answer of the Bible, Philippians chapter 2, verses 9, 10 and 11, answers this way:

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[Philippians 2:9-11 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: So, dear friends, based on what we have just read, do we have a reason to worship Jesus even though He’s not God? Absolutely, yes, we worship Him not because He is God but because, as we just read together, God commanded Him to be worshipped. We worship Jesus. Yes. Why? Because … 

Audience: That’s in the Bible!

Brother Bob: That’s in the Bible! Remember obeying the commandments of God, as we just read also, that’s what gives glory to God. God, as we read, highly exalted Jesus, gave Him a name above every other name, and gave the instruction that people at every knee should bow. Bowing is a form of worship. And that’s the commandment and instruction of God to us all. So we have to obey and follow that because that’s what will give glory to God the Father. Sometimes though, people reason out and say for example, “If He’s above everything, that’s got to make Him God. It’s got to make Him God, because only God is above, is placed above everything else.” What do you think, studio audience? Does that seem like a reasonable conclusion to draw?

[Audience nods] 

Audience: Yes. 

Brother Bob: Seems, seems reasonable. I turn, however, here, 1 Corinthians—Apostle Paul, this is the Good News Bible—I turn to 1 Corinthians 15. Let’s take a look here at verse 27 and 28. How does the Bible respond to that?

For the scripture says, “God put all things under his feet.” It is clear, of course, that the words “all things” do not include God himself, who puts all things under Christ. But when all things have been placed under Christ’s rule, then he himself, the Son, will place himself under God, who placed all things under him; and God will rule completely over all.

[1 Corinthians 15:27-28 Good News Translation]

Brother Bob: Who is over all? God. Jesus is over all, with one exemption. Who’s that?

Audience: God.

Brother Bob: God. Still, Christ is under or subject to God. As God has placed all things under Christ, Christ will still be, is still subject, subjected to God.  And you know, despite all the great attributes of Christ, the Bible also made very clear—in fact, Jesus Himself made very clear, and we’ll cite a quote directly from Jesus Himself—He made clear His nature, or let’s say His state of existence. Concerning this topic, there’s no one clearer to go to than the Lord Jesus Himself. So we turn to John chapter 8 and ask Him, “What Lord, what then is Your state of existence?” Jesus answers in 8:40 in the book of John:

But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God…

[John 8:40 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Who spoke this? Jesus. And we know God’s nature is that of a Spirit. And that’s recorded—we often read John 4:24, in this program:

“God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

[John 4:24 New King James Version] 

Brother Bob: God is a spirit. What did Jesus just say about Himself? He clearly introduced Himself as a man. He said, I’m a man here to tell you the truth which I heard from God. Christ never said that He Himself is the true God. If He were the true God, He would have introduced Himself as such. According to His own apostles, since Jesus taught them that He was a man, when the apostles started teaching that to the Church, did they change it? How did they teach the Church or what did they teach the Church about Jesus concerning His state of existence? In Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy here, in 1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 5:

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

[1 Timothy 2:5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: What the apostles teach, when it came to teaching it to the Church, they didn’t change what Jesus said. Jesus said, I’m a man here to tell you the truth. When the apostles taught that, they didn’t change it. They made [it] very clear that Jesus is a man mediating between whom? God and mankind. If Jesus is God, and He’s the Mediator between God and mankind, and Jesus the Mediator is also God, mediating between God and man, how many Gods, then, would that be? That would be, would be two Gods. How many true Gods are there?

Audience: One.

Brother Bob: Only one. Albeit, Jesus is not just an ordinary man like us, albeit a very, very special man that God performed miracles through. So that by the way, was also mentioned by Apostle Peter in Acts 2:22. But a man nevertheless.

“My fellow Israelites, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazareth was a very special man. God clearly showed this to you. He proved it by the miracles, wonders, and miraculous signs he did through Jesus. You all saw these things, so you know this is true.

[Acts 2:22 Easy-to-Read Version]

Brother Bob: John [from South Africa] also asked in his question—what was the second part, not only who was Jesus, he also wanted to know who is…? Yes, “Who is God?” John also asked, “Who is God?” And it was none other than Jesus Himself who answers John’s question and answers, who the true God is. Let’s take a look at John 17, where Jesus’s words are cited:

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eye to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,… “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, 

[John 17:1, 3 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Allow me to pause, studio audience, who’s praying here? Who’s the speaker written, quoted here by Apostle John, who’s speaking?

Audience: Jesus.

Brother Bob: Who’s He speaking to? 

Audience: The Father. 

Brother Bob: You can see it on the screen, right? Who’s He addressing? 

Audience: The Father. 

Brother Bob: Now, while He’s praying to the Father, what important truth did He reveal? Let’s go ahead to verse 3:

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

[John 17:3 The New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Did Jesus make known who the true God is? Absolutely. He introduced the Father as the only true God. So John there in South Africa, to answer both your questions, the first, “Who is Jesus?” He is Savior. He’s the head of the Church. He’s worshipped because God commanded Him to be worshipped. So many attributes were given to Jesus but not Godhood. 

“Who is God?” was John’s second question. Jesus answered that too. The Father—and He even used the word “only” to eradicate any confusion—He said the Father’s the only true God. The Bible makes very clear the differentiation between God and Christ then. This is what the Bible is…irrefutable proof of Their distinctness, irrefutable proof of Christ’s true nature as that of a man. Let’s move to the second part of John’s question in Africa. Let’s take a look at it on the screen.

[Video begins]

John: From people I know, they say he has a family, somewhere around the world. So that is what is confusing me now.

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: The second part of John’s question is, well, I’ve heard that Jesus has a family. How many from the studio audience has heard that Jesus has a family?

Brother Bob: You heard that maybe from some very popular movie scripts. It’s been very popular Hollywood movies, a lot of books and discourses made about Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene, [them] having children, and that family lineage continues and there are people seeking to find that. That whole ideology or like I said was popularized by Hollywood in some very popular movies. 

But here’s the thing. It’s not in the Bible. It’s just not there. But what is here is a very important principle that we must not forget. Before we [would] just believe in a movie script, or any magazine article that we would pick up and read about these things. Before we believe in that, turn to a principal or an instruction of God, written here through the apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians, 4, verse 6: 

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

[1 Corinthians 4:6 New King James Version]

Bother Bob: What’s the principle? Don’t even think beyond what is written. So if it’s not written that Jesus got married to Mary Magdalene, they had children, there’s a lineage, we should be chasing around the world trying to find who’s the DNA connected and all such things like that. That’s all absent from the Scriptures. So the instruction or principle of God must be followed, which says, once again, you saw it on the screen, don’t even what? 

Audience: Think. 

Brother Bob: Think. Don’t even think that, much less use that as the basis. Those things were just entertainment. But it must never be embraced as the basis for one’s faith. We can’t dwell on those things. What we will dwell on is what is written, and that is the distinction that the Bible gives between God and Jesus and, as we have learned, They are not the same person or the same being. Why do we believe that? Because …

Audience: That’s In The Bible!

Brother Bob: Thank you, studio audience. And thank you, John, for your questions from Africa. When you are ready to learn more about how you, too, can be inside the Church Of Christ, how you, too, can be ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ, we encourage you, visit incmedia.org. There you’re going to find the various series of programs dedicated to answering all of your spiritual questions. There at incmedia.org you will also find a directory of all the local congregations of the Church Of Christ around the world. You can find the one that is nearest to your home. You can go there, pose these and so many more questions to the ministers that are there waiting for you. They will lead you in Bible studies. Just like we have begun, we’ve only scratched the surface with a couple of questions that came to us from Africa. 

Go there, incmedia.org, look up the local congregation there, the address that’s nearest to your home. Go there, join with us in serving and worshiping God. You can also email us your video questions to [email protected]. Visit our Facebook pages. Join us, here inside the Church Of Christ. We want to thank our studio audience today for joining us in our study. We want to thank everyone for who might be watching us on the internet or channel 49 INCTV or anywhere else you are tuning in from, thank you for joining us in this taping. I hope you have enjoyed the moments we have shared together but more than that, I hope you have learned the truths that we embrace and why do we embrace these truths? Because …

Audience: That’s in the Bible!

Brother Bob: Thank you very much, studio audience. Thank you very much. Thank you all. We’ll see you next time!

Brother Bob Pellien: I’m Brother Bob Pellien. Thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s in the Bible.

Our next question came in via e-mail from Chris Panama in San Diego, California. He asks, “If there is a God, then why do humans suffer?” Well all who are suffering surely have asked that question and do ask that question, “Why? Why are we suffering?” Some [ask] the question like this, “Why does God allow suffering?”

Well, in fact, not only does God allow suffering, here in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, the Bible records this important truth. Verse 4, 5, and 6, states:

The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore, the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.

[Isaiah 24:4-6 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Yes, it’s true. There is much human suffering and the Bible makes clear the reasons why. Man has chosen to change the ordinances of God, defile His laws and His commandments, and no one can exempt themself, because Romans 5:12 makes very clear the all encompassing nature of human sin in these terms. 5:12 reads this way:

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned–

[Romans 5:12 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: So, dear friends, all have committed sin and God made clear [that] because of man’s insistence upon sin, the world—He considered it defiled, cursed it, and thus human suffering continues to plague humanity. 

Brother Bob: However, Apostle Paul also made very clear in Romans chapter 3. Let’s turn to the book of Romans 3:25. This important statement was made. There’s a chance for humanity, the Bible says:

God gave him as his sacrifice to pay for sins. So he forgives the sins of those who have faith in his blood. God did all of that to prove that he is fair.

[Romans 3:25 New International Reader’s Version]

Brother Bob: Yes it may be so, dear friends, that humanity is suffering and there’s a world filled with woes. But God is fair. God is love. God is compassionate and merciful, and to ensure that mankind had a chance to be forgiven for the sins, which brought the curse and the suffering upon this world, He gave His son to bring about the forgiveness of man’s sins, but that forgiveness had a direct connection to the blood to be shed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Is there no other way for man to be forgiven for the sins and have the curse of suffering removed from their life? Is there another way? I’d like to read the book of Hebrews for the Bible’s answer to that in chapter 9, verse 22, wherein the following is stated.

In fact the law requires that nearly everything be made “clean” with blood. Without the spilling of blood, no one can be forgiven.

[Hebrews 9:22 New International Reader’s Version]

Brother Bob: Is there then an essential connection between the blood spilled by our Lord Jesus Christ and being forgiven? The Bible’s answer is explicitly yes. Without the shedding of that blood there cannot be any forgiveness. One therefore must make sure there under the umbrella of the saving power, the forgiving power, of the blood of Christ. Many would say, “well that’s for anyone and anybody.” But the Bible is also very clear. For whom was the blood shed by our Lord Jesus Christ for? Was that the redeem to purchase, bring about the forgiveness of everyone who just simply proclaims it on their own? In the book of Acts 20:28, the Bible makes clear. Acts 20:28 reads.

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.

[Acts 20:28 LAMSA]

Brother Bob: The church was redeemed or purchased by the blood of Christ. And what’s the name of that church? That’s the Church Of Christ. If then one wants to be removed from the onslaught of human suffering, they have no choice but to be in that one safe haven, the place where God has promised the forgiveness of sin, the place where He has promised His love, His compassion, and ultimately eternal life in the Holy City, and that blood of Christ was shed to redeem or purchase The Church Of Christ.

We invite everyone, therefore, to be here with us, inside the Church Of Christ, to be forgiven for sin, and a chance to live forever in the Holy City, the kingdom of our Father above. Thanks for listening. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and we hope you join us next time on That’s in the Bible. Please feel free to email your questions to [email protected]. For more programming of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ, and to find a local congregation near you, please visit incmedia.org.

Announcer: Next, on That’s in the Bible! 

Brother Bob Pellien: Jordan wrote to us this question: 

[On-screen text]
If there is really one true church, then why are there so many different religions in the world?  (Jordan, San Diego, CA)

Brother Bob: In fact, all of us are one race, the human race. 

[On-screen text] 

What’s important is that we are all united and in Christ.

[Show open] 

[On-screen text] 

Brother Bob Pellien 

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Bob: Hello! I’m Brother Bob Pellien, and thanks for joining us on this episode of That’s in the Bible! Our first question today comes from Julyne in Los Angeles, California. She wrote down this question:

[On-screen text]
If God loves all man, then why does He have chosen ones to serve Him? 

Julyne

Los Angeles, CA

Brother Bob: Julyne, thank you for your question. And you know, Julyne, you’re right. God so loved the world. In fact, in this very famous quote of our Lord Jesus Christ in John 3:16. He described how He proved His love, which was by giving His only son as a sacrifice. 

[On-screen text graphics]

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

[John 3:16 Good News Translation]

Brother Bob: And you’re also right in saying that He has chosen ones. And as you also said, those chosen ones were chosen to serve Him. But you know, Julyne, there’s another reason stated in the Bible, which is recorded by the writings of Apostle Peter in I Peter 2:9-10. It says:

But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. At one time you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. In the past you had never received mercy, but now you have received God’s mercy.

[I Peter 2:9-10 New Century Version] 

Brother Bob: So, here, Julyne, God shows us yet another reason why He has His chosen, set-apart people. He’s expecting us to lead others out of darkness, and into the light of truth. How are we to do that? By telling others about the wonderful acts of God. And you know, Julyne, here’s how our Lord Jesus Christ described that responsibility—the responsibility of God’s chosen—to be fruitful, to bear fruit. It was worded this way, and quoted in the Book of John, chapter 15. This is the description given there by none other than the Savior Himself: 

You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.

[John 15:16 Today’s English Version] 

Brother Bob: So here, Jesus described the reason—or one of the additional reasons—for God choosing, Jesus used the term “appointing”—and the purpose was to bear fruit. In fact, to use such terminology as bearing much fruit. And you know, Julyne, regarding that issue of God’s choosing (or in the words of Jesus, “appointing”) people to be fruitful. It’s important to note what the world has done, and the kind of response that God has to it. That’s recorded here in Psalms 4:2-3. It says: 

How long will you people insult me? How long will you love what is worthless and go after what is false? Remember that the LORD has chosen the righteous for his own, and he hears me when I call to him.

[Psalms 4:2-3 Today’s English Version]

Brother Bob: Another thing, then, to consider is that the choosing of God was after man’s rebellion. In fact, here described as insults and embracing what is false. And God then chose the righteous to be His very own. The Biblical doctrine concerning God’s choosing righteous for His own is so vitally important. 

Brother Bob: We have another question from Nolan in Avon, Connecticut. Let’s hear what Nolan has asked:

[Video begins]

What’s God’s idea of unconditional love and does it apply to us or to a specific race of people today? 

Nolan

Avon, Connecticut

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: Terminology is important also, Nolan, when it comes to your question because, in fact, all of us are of one race—the human race. And although there may be varying ethnicities and nationalities, [all] people are of the human race. And yes, the Bible does record so much about God’s love. God loves all people so much and has proven it. Here is the greatest way God has proven His love for mankind—in the Book of Romans, chapter 5. It’s described—the love of God is described like this, or proven. Let’s say that it’s proven in this way. Verses 8 and 9: 

But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God’s anger!

[Romans 5:8-9 Today’s English Version] 

Brother Bob: And this is the love of God that He gave His son; sacrificed His son as evidence of that love. This is a conditional love, meaning that Is it for a particular race or ethnicity? Is this a love that is extended, but with partiality?

[On-screen text] 

Is it for a particular race or ethnicity? 

Is this a love that is extended but with partiality? 

Brother Bob: So here’s what Apostle Paul wrote [in] Romans 2:11: 

For God shows no partiality.

[Romans 2:11 English Standard Version] 

Brother Bob: Very direct answer of the Holy Scriptures. So, Nolan, the Bible shows that God judges all people by the same set of rules, the same set of laws. And in fact, He further categorically stated that fact in a 2:11 of another rendition of the Scriptures here in the Good News Bible, 2:11 is worded like this:

For God judges everyone by the same standard. 

[Romans 2:11 Today’s English Version] 

Brother Bob: So that there’s no [difference], or partiality. God judges everyone, not by their race or such things as that. God loves His creation of mankind.  And what people sometimes pose, Nolan, very similar to your question is, they really want to hone in on race, thinking that God is somehow discriminating between people? Oh, no. Very clearly from these verses that’s not the case. Is there any indication categorically that race has nothing to do with God’s earnest desire to save people? Galatians 3:28:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus what is important to the Lord and is that we are all one in Christ Jesus.

[Galatians 3:28 English Standard Version] 

Brother Bob: What is important to the Lord then is that we are all in Christ Jesus. 

[On-screen text] 

Once we are in Christ our roots or ethnicity are no longer important 

Brother Bob: Once we are in Christ it is no longer important what ethnicity we may have; our roots within. 

[On-screen text]

What’s important is that we are all united in Christ 

Brother Bob: What’s important is that we are all united and in Christ. If then, one is outside of Christ, outside of His body, outside of His Church, one needs to enter into it, [to] receive the love of God, which is unconditional for those who are in Christ. 

Brother Bob: Our last question is from Jordan in San Diego, California. Jordan wrote to us this question:

[On-screen text]
If there is really one true Church, then why are there so many different religions in the world?

Brother Bob: Jordan, you are right. Let’s ask, with you, this question: 

[On-screen text] 

How many churches did the Bible say Jesus built?

Brother Bob: How many churches does the Bible say Jesus built? Did He say, like Jordan, that Jesus built just one, or did He build all of these different religions that are so prevalent in the world nowadays? Let’s take a look at the words of Jesus, Himself. Here in Matthew 16:18, the Bible says:  

So I tell you, you are Peter. On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it. 

[Matthew 16:18 New Century Version]

Brother Bob: Here, Jordan, the Bible makes clear, in the word, quoting the words of Jesus directly, that ”On this rock I will build my church,…” He did not say, upon this rock I’m going to build a whole bunch of churches; everyone, just pick one, maybe the nearest one near to your house, whatever is convenient, whatever happens to tickle your own fancy, what you like! Well, no! He said very clearly, “I will build my church.” Singular in nature. Why? We’ve cited several times on this broadcast Colossians 1:18: 

He is the head of his body, the church;… 

[Colossians 1:18a Today’s English Version] 

Brother Bob: Because the Church is the very own body of Christ, and he’s the head of it. The head does not have many different bodies, therefore, many different churches. No, the Bible describes it as being one in all things. So, yes, Jordan, you’re correct. The Church built by Jesus is just one. And it has very specific and unique attributes. In Ephesians, chapter 4, the singularity of the Church was further emphasized here, in Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We’ll read verses 4, 5 and 6, where he described it like this: 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God and Father of all people, who is Lord of all, works through all and is in all. 

[Ephesians 4:4-6 Today’s English Version] 

Brother Bob: So, Jordan, the Bible is clear in its teaching that Jesus built only one Church, and the singularity of the Church was described here. 

Brother Bob: That it has one faith, it has one baptism, it is singular in all its elements. And you know, Jordan, you also [mentioned] that, well, you notice that in this world nowadays, there’s not the only one church, when in fact, there’s a multitude of religions out there. And you asked where did they come from? They have their origin in a very common mistake made by so many people. And here’s how Apostle Paul described that mistake, which is at the core of many false religions in the world. In Romans 10, let’s read together [verse] 2 and 3:

I can assure you that they are deeply devoted to God; but their devotion is not based on true knowledge. They have not known the way in which God puts people right with himself, and instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not submit themselves to God’s way of putting people right.  

[Romans 10: 2-3 Today’s English Version] 

Brother Bob: Jordan, what was God’s way? He had His son, sent His son, who built one true Church. They didn’t want that way, so what did the Apostle Paul write here about what they did? They made their own way, a different way of putting people right. A different way I’m trying to get people near to God, and saved on the upcoming day of Judgment. They made their own way, their own religion. But, Jesus built just one: His, the Church Of Christ. Be with us here inside the Church Of Christ. 

Well, that’s all we have time for today. What you’ve heard is just an introduction to the teachings of the Bible taught here in the Church Of Christ. And we invite you to learn more and join us! 

[On-screen text] 

[email protected]

Brother Bob: And if you have questions you’d like answered on this show, email them to us, and we’ll use the guidance of the Holy Scriptures to help you find your answer, the truth, because that’s in the Bible! Thanks for watching. I’m Brother Bob Pellien, and we’ll see you next time.