Looking back, I can recall at least ten well known religious leaders on radio and television whom I have tried to engage in an open and honest discussion about God’s holy word. Only three of these responded to my comments and questions. One vigorously defended the Baptist doctrine. After pointing out several flaws in his doctrine by examining it in the light of the written word, he said bluntly, “you will never change me.” Unknowingly, he said these words to the Lord and not me; I only pointed out scripture.
Then, for many months a Church of Christ preacher and I wrote back and forth. When he realized that his doctrine had been exposed and that he could no longer justify his words, he went so far as to say that the words of John the Baptist “are no longer valid.” Attempting to silence God’s holy servant and lift up his own words instead.
Another couple who has a radio program, wrote to me about three times with their version of doctrine based on the wife’s feelings. Seeing angels, having warm feelings, and being warned against me but not once did she show me anything from the word of God to back up these imaginary things. She said that the Lord told them not to believe anything else.
Most of the others simply put me on their mailing list and asked for money; some openly and some hinted, but none of them bothered to reply to me personally.
I have no way of knowing how many religious people who claim to be filled with the spirit of God I have encountered over the years. But I can tell you that only three of these come to mind as being willing to consider the written word and examine their beliefs by it. On the other hand, I can recall on many occasions that the word of God had a positive effect on admitted sinners.
Almost without fail, religious people are quick to say that they are Christians and that they believe the Bible. And most of them think that it’s alright to be divided in doctrine just as long as they pay lip service by saying, “we all serve the same God.” Many times I have asked such people to show me and explain to me where this is taught in the gospel of Jesus Christ. No one ever has! No one ever will! Still, most of them don’t even slow down long enough to ask themselves where this idea came from. They heard it somewhere, sometime, and they just assumed that it’s acceptable. Satan, using the scriptures, casts out of his mouth a flood of false doctrine and the unsuspecting religious world eagerly drinks it down.
You would think that if a person is a Christian and they believe the gospel as it is written, they would have no problem explaining to me, by the written word, why they think I am confused. Instead, they become defensive and angry.
If I could ask one of the apostles to show me my error, do you think they would hesitate, if I was wrong? No, they wouldn’t! But using the same scripture that is already written, they would show me everything I needed to know. I have never found any occasion in the scriptures where these men of God refused to discuss doctrine or answer questions with anyone who was sincere. They didn’t become angry or defensive when their words were challenged but they stood firmly upon the teaching of the Lord Jesus and were never at a loss for scripture to establish their doctrine. As the prophet of God said, precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little, building doctrine and understanding based upon the written word of God, the only source of truth.
Point out scripture that corrects incomplete religious doctrine offered by one of the many divided churches and all you get in return is a strong defense of their particular brand of religion. Each church has a different interpretation of the scriptures and they all have verses that seem to back up their version of doctrine. Christ our Lord is the word! Is Christ divided? The Holy Ghost is the spirit of truth! Is the Holy Ghost confused about what is truth?
If all churches believe in one God, one savior, one gospel and one Holy Ghost, then why not one church? We know that the word of God says, if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And God is not the author of confusion.
All people who are filled with the Holy Ghost should be able to answer with one voice when asked about the truth of God’s word. If they are divided, then they should come together in the spirit of love and see why. But this has never happened with any religious groups that I am acquainted with. Each one will hold firmly to the beliefs and opinions of their own religious sect.
Sinners searching for truth receive confusion in doctrine when they ask honest questions. Each denomination will offer a different answer about select revelations of the gospel. This is exactly the problem that Jesus pointed out to the religious lawyers of his day. “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” (Luke 11:52) Hindered them by giving confused answers and opinions about the truth of God’s kingdom. It’s no different today! Doctrine does matter; it is all we have to guide us. The gospel and the Holy Ghost speak with one voice.
