By Michael H. Exton
Do Christians really follow what is written in the pages of the Bible? Or do they instead follow beliefs and traditions from other sources? This booklet examines fundamental Christian teachings and compares them directly with Scripture.
The author begins by listing the fundamental beliefs he was taught in various Christian churches during his childhood:
He then set out to compare these teachings with what the Bible and encyclopedias actually say—looking for facts, not opinions or interpretations.
The chapter presents numerous Scripture references showing that the seventh day (Saturday) is the biblical Sabbath:
"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy." —Genesis 2:2-3
Both Jesus and the apostles taught on the Sabbath (Mark 6:2, Luke 4:16, Acts 17:2). Encyclopedia references confirm that Saturday is the seventh day of the week, while Sunday—"the day of the SUN"—was originally a pagan holiday.
The chapter notes that the Bible nowhere commands celebrating Easter. Encyclopedia sources reveal:
Additionally, the traditional Easter ham conflicts with Leviticus 11:7-8 which forbids eating pork.
The Bible neither commands celebrating Christmas nor tells us when Jesus was born. Encyclopedia sources show:
"Do NOT learn the ways of the nations...they CUT A TREE out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it...they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter." —Jeremiah 10:2-4
Every baptism mentioned in the Bible involves adults who confessed their sins and repented. The chapter quotes Acts 2:38: "Repent and be baptized." How can infants repent when they haven't committed sins and can't even understand the concept?
Jesus was baptized at about age 30. The Encyclopedia Britannica confirms: "The earliest Christian literature makes no explicit reference to the custom of baptizing infants."
The word "hell" in the Bible translates the Hebrew word "Sheol," which simply means the abode of the dead—the grave—not a place of eternal torment.
"For the wages of sin is death [NOT eternal life in a fiery inferno]..." —Romans 6:23
"The dead know nothing" (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The concept of hell as a place of eternal torment is an old pagan belief that entered mainstream Christianity.
The Bible never says people go to heaven when they die:
"NO ONE has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of man." —John 3:13
"David did NOT ascend to heaven" (Acts 2:34). The Bible teaches that believers await resurrection at Christ's return and will then rule with Him on earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20), ultimately living on a renewed earth with God the Father (Revelation 21).
Many teach that belief alone saves, but Scripture says otherwise:
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is DEAD!" —James 2:17
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the DEMONS believe that!" —James 2:19
The chapter cites numerous passages emphasizing that believers must DO what Scripture commands: "Keeping the commandments of God is what matters" (1 Corinthians 7:19).
Over one billion people claim to be Christians today. If most were truly following the Bible, would the "Christian" nations have so much murder, immorality, greed, and hatred?
The author concludes that what many churches teach is definitely not from the Bible, but is instead based on pagan beliefs and human traditions. He urges readers to read the Bible for themselves and discover the truth.
Mike Exton
www.TheBibleComesAlive.com
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