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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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June 22, 2014
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Contents:
1) Immersed in Jesus (Steve Klein)
2) The Book of Mormon Contradicts the Bible (Jon Gary Williams)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
Immersed in Jesus
by Steve Klein
When a person immerses himself in something, he totally surrounds
himself with it. He spends time thinking about it and making
plans around it. It occupies his mind, utilizes his energy and
expends his resources.
People can immerse themselves in many different things. Some
are immersed in hobbies, recreation or sports such as hunting,
fishing, college football, baseball, golf, racing, collecting, or
gardening. Others are immersed in their work or school.
Some are immersed in their children or grandchildren. When a
person is seriously sick, it is easy to become immersed with health
concerns.
As Christians, "we were all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians
12:13). Most of us understand that the word "baptized" means
"immersed." But what we may not have thought much about is the
connection between being immersed in water and being immersed in
Jesus. The apostle Paul puts it this way in Galatians 3:27:
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on
Christ." Those of us who have been "baptized into Christ" are
to have put Him on like a garment. We are to be covered up
with Him -- immersed in Him.
By itself, immersion in water does nothing to change a person's
life. But when that immersion is the beginning of being
overwhelmed with Jesus Christ, lives are truly changed.
Baptism into Christ results in a person being raised to "walk in
newness of life" (Romans 6:4). "Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new
life is one that is immersed in Jesus.
Every sinner needs to be immersed in water for the remission of sins
(Acts 2:38; 22:16). But every one who is immersed in water is
thus obligated to live a new life immersed in Jesus. Are you
immersed in Him? "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Romans 13:14).
-- Via Teaching Good Things (kalodidaskalos) (June 18, 2014)
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-2-
The Book of Mormon Contradicts the Bible
by Jon Gary Williams
The book of Mormon contains numerous contradictions with the
Bible. The following examples, which still appear in recent
editions, are more than conspicuous.
The Bible says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1).
However, the Book of Mormon reads, "And behold, he shall be born of
Mary at Jerusalem" (Alma 7:10). The writer of the Book of
Mormon simply did not have his facts straight. The common
Mormon explanation for this is that since Jerusalem was so close to
Bethlehem, it could be said He was born there. However, in the
Bible, prophets of God did not make it a practice of just being
close. God would not make such a mistake!
The Bible relates that at the crucifixion there were three hours of
darkness (Luke 23:44). However, the Book of Mormon states
there was darkness "for the space of three days" (Helaman
14:20,27). Which one is true?
The Book of Mormon relates that at the tower of Babel the Jaradites
had their separate language (Ether 1:34-35). The Bible,
however, plainly states "the whole earth was of one language"
(Genesis 11:1). Apparently, the writer of the Book of Mormon
mistakenly thought there were many different languages and that God
confounded them while sparing the language of the Jaradites.
The fact is, there was only one language and God confounded the
people by creating different languages! It is obvious that
whoever wrote the Book of Mormon was lacking in Biblical
understanding.
3 Nephi 11:8-10 claims that after Jesus ascended to heaven He
appeared in America to the Lamanites and Nephites in 34 A.D.
However, this clearly contradicts the Bible. Of the ascension
of Christ to heaven God said, "Sit Thou on my right hand until I
make Thy foes thy footstool" (Acts 2:34-35). How long was He
to be in heaven at God's right hand? "For he must reign until
He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that
shall be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:25-26).
Furthermore, of the ascension the Bible teaches, "whom the heavens
must receive until the restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21).
Christ did not come to America because He has been in heaven from
the time of His ascension.
In the Bible, the name "Jesus" was first announced by an angel to
Mary (Luke 1:31). This was in 5 B.C. However, Alma
19:29, dated in the Book of Mormon at 90 B.C., has a woman speaking
to the Lord and calling Him "Jesus." Now, which account is
true?
The Bible teaches that the church was established on the day of
Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2). This
was about 30 A.D. However, Mosiah 18:17, dated at 145 B.C.,
has the church already existing. Quite a discrepancy, to say
the least. Both cannot be correct. Note, the same
reference from Mosiah also mentions "baptism" as the means of being
added to the church. However, according to the Bible, the
baptism taught by Christ did not begin until New Testament times
(Matthew 28:19).
The Bible clearly reveals that the disciples of Christ "were called
Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). This was about 40
A.D. However, Alma 46:13,15, dated at 73 B.C., has people
wearing the name "Christian." This is over 100 years
difference. Now, which account are people to believe?
The Book of Mormon teaches that "Melchizedek... did reign under his
father" (Alma 13:18). Yet, the Bible reveals that Melchizedek
was a priest under no one. His priesthood typified the
priesthood of Christ and was, therefore, unique. In contrast
to the Book of Mormon, the Bible states Melchizedek was "without
father, without mother, without descent" (Hebrews 7:3), emphasizing
that he did not inherit his priesthood. The writer of this
book did not know his Bible.
Mosiah 4:2-3 tells that the people had forgiveness of their sins by
the "atoning blood of Christ." However, this was over 150
years before Christ died! The Bible plainly says that "without
shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). How could
their sins have been forgiven before Christ's blood was even shed?
3 Nephi 18:28-29 speaks of those who are "unworthy" to partake of
the communion and that such people should be forbidden to
partake. This is an obvious reference to Paul's discussion in
1 Corinthians 11:27,29. In fact, the Book of Mormon has a
footnote to that effect. The application made here shows that
the writer of the Book of Mormon did not understand what Paul was
saying and made a serious misinterpretation! Paul was not discussing
man's personal worthiness or lack of it. Rather, he was
discussing the manner in which the communion was being
partaken. The context makes this clear. The word
"unworthily" is an adverb of manner and points to the way and manner
in which a thing is done. The church at Corinth was abusing
the communion in the manner they were observing it. To show
the correct idea the American Standard Version uses the phrase "in
an unworthy manner." By misinterpreting the word "unworthy,"
the composer unknowingly shows his work to be man-made.
In Ether 3:14 Jesus is reported as saying, "Behold, I am Jesus
Christ. I am the Father and the Son." Such a statement
is totally false. To have Jesus claiming to be the Father
contradicts many plain Bible verses. Paul, for example,
declared "the head of Christ is God" (1 Corinthians 11:3).
Jesus Himself said, "My Father is greater than I" (John
14:28). Jesus is not the Father and such a false statement is
proof positive that the Book of Mormon is false.
It stands to reason that if God guided the translation of the Book
of Mormon, it would not contain such conspicuous contradictions with
the Bible. Remember, Mormon leaders claimed that in
translating, all mistakes were corrected as they were
detected. This means that God failed to detect these mistakes!
-- Via The Beacon, August 7, 2012
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-3-
News & Notes
I am now here in Waycross, Georgia, and glad and thankful to be
preaching for the Tebeau Street church of Christ that meets at the
corner of Tebeau Street and Riverside Drive. If you happen to
be in the area, or would like to make a special trip, we would enjoy
having you as one of our guests!
Again, I want to thank all the kind and friendly folks who helped me
in moving from Louisiana to Georgia: Harris Lefort; Richard
Crews; Joshua Young; Jackson Moon; and Sheri, Adam, Hannah, and
Owen Percell (all in Louisiana); and Bud Montero, Doug
Pennock, John and Myrna Jordan, Charles Crosby, and Dale Johnson
(here in Georgia). They were all a big help, and for which I
am still grateful.
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On the first Sunday I preached (June 8), it was good to see Bennie,
Deborah, and Penny Medlock place membership with us. We
are glad for that and appreciate their being a part of the group to
work with us.
It was also good to have all the visitors that have been with us
recently.
Here are some individuals who can use the prayers of the
saints:
Virginia Fontenot (of Lafayette, Louisiana) had to recently
be taken to ER, due to severe pain. She had been taken off her
medication for two weeks to see if she will be able to tolerate
another chemo drug. It was discovered that all her tumors have
been growing, and new ones have also been developing.
For about 5 years, Danielle Howard has been on
dialysis. Several weeks ago, she had been in the hospital, due
to having broken her hip. And just one week after surgery, she
had also broken her other hip -- just by standing up from the
hospital bed. This was due to her bones having been so brittle
because of a lack of calcium. It had also caused one of her
hip bones to splinter around the metal pin that had been
inserted. In addition, there is a growth on her thyroid that
will have to be removed, and possibly one of her parathyroids.
On June 19, she had met with her surgeon and now has a scheduled
pre-op for July 29. Her surgery is set for August 5.
Norma Burton is still in a nursing home where she is
undergoing physical therapy five days a week, due to having broken
her hip several weeks ago.
Though Ronnie Davis did have surgery on his eye, it has not
been healing as quickly as he had been told it would. So his
vision in that eye is still impaired.
Rex Hadley recently had surgery on his eyelids and will also
be having a procedure this week to remove a growth on his larynx.
Let us also keep the following in prayer: Jewel Wilson
(Joyce Rittenhouse's mother) whose health has been poor, Mary
Vandevander, Deborah Medlock, Shirley Davis, Frankie Hadley,
and Colleen Henson.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet.
3:21)
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can
be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)