Test All Things

There are millions and millions of people who follow different religions such as Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Even within those who believe in Jesus Christ, there are many different denominations and sects with different doctrinal teachings and practices. What are you going to believe? What are you going to accept? Many people accept the religion or church of their parents and follow what has been passed down to them. Others go where they feel comfortable or where there is a good preacher or where they have good programs for the family. But heed the admonition in 1 John 4:1: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Since many false prophets have gone out into the world, you must not believe every spirit but test each to see if they are of God. "Prove [Test] all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 The. 5:21). There has to be a standard against which you can test the beliefs, teachings, and practices of a church. That standard is the words of Jesus and His inspired apostles whose words are recorded in the Bible. Test the different doctrines by the word of God.

Another test that can be applied is to inspect the fruit of the prophet or teacher.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Mat. 7:15-20)

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Ed Anderson
(Sierra Vista, AZ)

Updates

• Flyer for the 2018 Fellowship Conference (5/20/18)
• 2017 summer meeting from Antioch in Douglasville, GA has been posted on the Sermons page. (3/13/18)
• New sermon added to the Sermons page from the February meeting at Taylor's Cross Roads in Roanoke, AL. (2/27/18)

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