Life Compass

The Unique, Uncommon, Unequaled Church Modern denominations differ in many ways, all claiming to be Christian and to honor Jesus. Yet the gospel shows that Christ planned and built just one church. Should Christianity be characterized by religious unity or by division? Does Jesus want one true church today, or should we approve and accept the existence of many divided denominations? Is one church as good as another? How many true churches are there? Introduction: In most areas of life, people consider it an advantage for something to be unique, uncommon, or unequaled. Sales commercials emphasize that their product is distinctive from other products. An antique is especially valuable if it is rare or uncommon. Athletes are especially honored if they win championships or set records. In religion, however, many people consider it unacceptable, poor taste, or politically incorrect for a church to claim to be unique or unequaled. They object if members defend a church as being...

Can a person be saved and receive eternal life if he does not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is obedience necessary to salvation and forgiveness of sins? Does the blood of Jesus save those who love or believe or "accept Jesus as Savior," even if they obey no commands? Does the Bible teach justification by "faith only" or "faith alone" apart from works? Is salvation conditional or unconditional? How important is obedience? Introduction: Many religious people deny that obedience is essential to eternal life. Hiscox' Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, says: "Baptism is not essential to salvation, ... but it is essential to obedience, since Christ has commanded it" (via Handbook of Religious Quotations p. 21). This admits baptism is essential to obedience, but denies baptism is essential to salvation. The necessary conclusion is that obedience is not essential to salvation. An article reprinted in Pulpit Helps (7/84) tells...

Repentance: A Condition Necessary to Salvation from Sin What is the meaning of repentance? How important is it in our salvation from sin? Is it the same as godly sorrow? Must we admit or acknowledge our sins to be forgiven? What other conditions must we meet to be saved? What about faith and baptism? Should Christians ever repent or is it just for alien sinners? What are the fruits of repentance? What is restitution, and how important is it? Have you repented of your sins? Introduction: Repentance is a fundamental part of God's requirements of man. Jeremiah 25:4,5 - A typical summary of the message of the Old Testament prophets: "Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doing..." [35:15; Ezekiel 18:30; 2 Kings 17:13] Matthew 3:2 - John the Baptist taught, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Mark 1:15 - Mark's summary of Jesus' message includes: "Repent, and believe in the gospel." Luke 13:3 - Unl...

Can the teaching and practices of the Roman Catholic Church be found in the Bible? What about the authority of the Pope, church councils, tradition, and church law? Do the Scriptures authorize the teachings of Catholicism about the Mass (eucharist), transubstantiation, purgatory, indulgences, abstinence, celibacy, Lent, confession to priests, communion, immaculate conception, the perpetual virginity of Mary, and prayer to saints and Mary? Is the Catholic church really the one true church according to the Bible? Introduction: The Roman Catholic church teaches that it is the original church built by Jesus and that non-Catholic churches are departures from Catholicism. The New Testament often warns us of the danger of false teaching and apostasy (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; I Tim. 4:1-3). The question to be considered by all honest people, then, is whether the Catholic church is the original true church and others are apostate, or whether the Catholic church is itself an apostasy....

How does psychology deal with the problems of guilt, sin, and evil? Do psychologists and psychiatrists teach people to practice moral responsibility, or do they justify, rationalize, and excuse immorality and blame shifting? Are mental problems a disease for which people are not accountable? Should people who sin just accept themselves as they are? Should they ventilate their feelings and be free from inhibitions and moral standards, or should they be rebuked and instructed to practice restraint and self-control? What about the need to acknowledge error, repent, and be forgiven by God? How do psychology and psychiatry harmonize with the Biblical standards of Christianity? Introduction: Many people who seek help from psychologists have conducted themselves in ways that clearly violate the standard of God's word. This results in guilt, and often this guilt is a fundamental part of people's mental and emotional struggles. How do psychologists deal with these problems? In...