TESTIMONY: The Churches Vs. the Bible

testimony

During a recent discussion about testimony and testifying, several interesting questions were raised–as well as several finer points later researched which proved somewhat surprising.

The conversations involved a believer, a non-believer and a church person who claimed he was “born again”–though there has been little evidence of this occurrence.

To a great extent, this piece highlights the points made by the church-goer.

This discussion initially started off with the question: “What does sharing the gospel mean to you?”

“That’s fairly simple.  It means that God has imparted some of His supernatural power in the gospel so that by it men are saved from eternal torment.  Sharing the gospel means preaching to those who are within earshot and reaching out by other means (via email, newsletters, radio, websites) to those who cannot be spoken to.”

“Yes, but what exactly do you tell them?”

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There’s no need to add, subtract, multiply or divide it. It contains everything necessary for a person’s salvation.  Believe it and live, disbelieve it and suffer forever.”

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–-1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“Our pastor says to testify; that you should find a person and tell them what Jesus Christ has done for you.”

“Well…it’s not the gospel.”

“Yes, but Jesus told the man he had cast a demon out of to tell others what God has done for him.”

“And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 

“When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

“Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.”
–Luke 8:26-27,30-35,38-39

“Jesus DID tell the man to tell others how God had mercy on him, but Jesus had already demonstrated the power of God to that man.

Psalms says that we’re to tell those WHO FEAR GOD about what God has done.  Big difference.”

“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
–Psalms 66:16

One thing I’ve noticed: when instructed to tell others what God has done for them, those people usually make the story out to be about them–not God or Jesus.”

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
–1JOHN 5:11

“So many think they can improve on the gospel of Jesus Christ. They can’t.”

There was general agreement on this point and then the discussion moved on.

DOES the reader have a testimony of Jesus Christ?

DOES the reader share this testimony with non-believers?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: October 30, 2019.]

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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Author: Jeremiah J Jameson

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