Unscriptural Sayings
In this lesson I wish to present a number of things I have heard religious people say, yet they have no Scripture for saying such things. That these people are sincere in thinking the Scriptures do teach what they say is not being called in question. If being sincere made false doctrine right there would not be much wrong in any religion today. For most people are sincere. But now for the unscriptural sayings:
I. "One Church Is As Good As Another."
Most of us have heard this teaching from childhood. It was either taught us by our relatives or our friends. But is this statement wholly true? It most certainly is not true. I can believe that one denomination is as good as another, but denominations do not have scriptural origins, and could not, therefore, be as good as the church that was established by Jesus the Christ. Different kinds of churches are unscriptural. Only one kind of church is mentioned in the New Testament. Note the following:
1. "I will build my church," says Jesus. (Matt. 16:18)
2. "God hath called you in one body," says the Holy Spirit. (Col. 3:15)
3. "There is one body," says the Spirit. (Eph. 4:4)
4. Peter wanted to build "three tabernacles" or churches, one for Moses, one for Elias, and one for Christ. God rejected Peter's proposition. Since God did reject this small number of "three" suggested by Peter, what makes people believe that God will accept the "256" churches we have mentioned in the religious census. But now for another unscriptural saying:
II. "There Is Nothing In A Name."
This is a very common expression, but it is also very unscriptural, as the following will show:
I. There is safety in the name of the Lord. (Prov. 18:10)
2. There is salvation in the name of the Lord. (Acts 4:12)
3. There is peace in the Lord. (Jno. 16:33)
4. There is eternal life in the Lord. (I Jno. 5:11)
5. People do not wish to be called "liars," "thieves," or "murderers" today. Why? Simply because there is something in a name.
6. How many people name their children Ananias and Sapphira? None I Why? Because they know that there is something in a name.
7. How many husbands want their wives to wear the name of another man? None! They know there is something in a name. The church is the wife of Jesus, why not then call the wife of Jesus by the name of her husband? (Rom. 16:16) But here is another unscriptural saying:
III. "Baptism In Water Won't Save Anyone."
Baptism in water "alone" won't save anyone. Baptism must be coupled with other acts of obedience if there is to be salvation. Baptism won't save anyone without "faith." (Heb. 11:6) Baptism won't save anyone who refuses to "repent" of his sins. (Luke 13:3) Baptism won't save anyone who will not "confess" Jesus to be the Son of God. (Matt. 10:32) Baptism won't save anyone whose faith says he was saved before baptism. (Acts 22:16)
Note The Following:
1. "Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized?" (Acts 10:47)
2. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16)
3. "Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38)
4. "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins." (Acts 22:16)
5. The eunuch "confessed" and was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:37-39) But note this unscriptural saying:
IV. "The New Testament Doesn't Say When To Commune"
Even some preachers will scatter this unscriptural saying. Some of them will say we are not told "when" to "commune." These preachers should read their Bibles more before they preach. It is an easy matter to know "when" and "why" we commune. Note the following:
1. "And upon the first day of the week. when the disciples came together to break bread." (Acts 20:7) This was the communion, the Lord's Supper. Here is apostolic example for eating this supper on the "first" day of the week. Agreeing with this, and other Scriptures, Smith's Bible Dictionary says of the Lord's Supper: "The weekly feast of our Lord's resurrection, and identified with the first day of the week in every age of the church." A preacher does not know enough to preach that doesn't know when and why to eat the Lord's Supper. Jesus said, "Do this in memory of me." Furthermore, our Lord said, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come." (I Cor. 11:23-26)
V. "Every Tub Sets On Its Own Bottom." Don't Wear Your Bible Out Trying To Find This One Either. VI. "The Time Will Come When You Cannot Tell The Summer From The Winter Save By The Falling Of The Leaves." Very Unscriptural. (Gen. 8:22)
VII. "Cursed Is Every Man That Putteth The Razor To His Throat On The Sabbath Day." Some Will Swear This Unscriptural Saying Is In The Bible. They Will Tell You They Have Read It Many Times. But Don't Hold Your Breath Until You Find It.