Dear beloved friend. Please take time to read this material and think upon its contents. All will surely have to accept the fact that the religious world is divided. Unfortunately, the Bible often gets the blame for this division. People say, "If the religious leaders cannot be united, what hope do we have of understanding the Bible?"

It may be surprising to many however, to realise that there are many beliefs that are almost unanimously believed by the community, and most religious leaders, concerning the Bible that have no9 bibilical basis whatsoever. For example, most believe that the fruit which Satan tempted Eve to eat was an apple. The Scriptures however do not reveal what type of fruit Eve ate (Genesis 3:1-4). If apples were no the type of fruit, then she could have eaten apples to her hearts content. Another error commonly believed is that three wise men visited baby Jesus in the manger. The Scriptures, however, do not say how many wise men there were. The Bible also teaches they visited "the house" (not the manger) when He was a "young child" (not a newborn baby) (Matthew 2:11). It is true that neither of these two examples relate to our soul's salvation, but they do illustrate how poorly the Bible is examined by religious leaders, and how easy it is to be led astray. The fact is there are many, much more serious errors than these that are being traditionally handed down, and zealously propagated in churches today that do affect our salvation. There are a vast amount of expressions and concepts that the religious world confidently believes to be true, but in fact have no Biblical basis whatsoever. Satan has filled their hear to believe that these expressions have their origin in the word of God. Some of these vanin doctrines of men (Matthew 15:9) are mentioned below. Please take the time to consider them, and to search your Bible to see if you can find a Scripture to support these views. We believe confidently that no Scripture can be produced. Each one of them is a vain doctrine;  merely the product of man's mind; having no Biblical foundation whatsoever.

"WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH ONLY" If this is so then surely there is a verse that says so? There are many verses that say we are saved by "faith". However, the only time that "only" is put after faith in the Bible is in James 2:24-- "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."  Although most denominations teach salvation by faith only, we must conclude, that unless a Scripture can be found in support of it, that this doctrine is the product of men and not of God. Any who believe that salvation is by faith only are obligated to find a Scripture reference to prove it.

"BAPTISM IS JUST AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD GRACE" This statement is made because it is believed that baptism has nothing to do with salvation. This is taught constantly and believed by practically all churches. If we examine the Scripture, however, it says that baptism is necessary for "remission of sins" (Acts 2:38); it is necessary to get into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:26,27); it is necessary to "save us" (II Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16); baptism is necessary for the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16). Baptism is also a part of the gospel that is to be preached to the world (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). If baptism is simply "an outward sign of an inward grace", and has nothing to do with salvation, then proponants of this view are obligated to give a Scripture that proves that baptism is separate from the gospel plan of salvation.

"IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT CHURCH ONE BELONGS TO; THERE ARE SAVED PEOPLE IN ALL CHURCHES" None can deny that this is commonly taught. In fact, it is the basis of denominationalism. The modern theologian considers that one can be a Catholic, a Baptist, a Presbyterian, an Anglican or a member of any denomination and still be living as a faithful Christian. The Bible, however, speaks of only one church. The church of the Bible was not in existence until after Christ died because it was "purchased with His blood" (Acts 20:28). While on earth, howeverr, He promised to build it (Matthew 16:18). After He died on the cross, rose from the dead and was exalted by the Father to His right hand, He was placed as head of "of all things to the church" (Ephesians 1:20-22). All those who are saved are "added by the Lord to the church" (Acts 2:47). The Bible declares there is but "one body" (Ephesians 2:16; 4:4; Colossians 3:15; I Corinthians 12:13,20; Romans 12:4). The writer is confident that there will not be a Scripture produced that promises salvation in any denomination, for no denominations existed in Bible times. Christ never died for any denomination. The whole concept of denominationalism is contrary to Scripture.

"PREACHING DOCTRINE IS WRONG BECAUSE IT ONLY DIVIDES PEOPLE" Those who contend for the fact that obedience to doctrine is necessary for salvation are often branded as "legalists." People say, "give me Jesus, but d not preach doctrine to me." Yet the Scripture very plainly says, "Whosowever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (II John 1:9). II Timothy 4:3-5 says, "...For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their earts from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." Here is an inspired answer as to why there are so many different churches. Men are divided because many cannot endure sound doctrine, and therefore, turn away from it. Doctrine does not divide, but unites us in Christ. Notice Romans 6:17-18, "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which has delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Here we see that there is a form of doctrine that everyone must obey in order to be saved. The word "form" means a "pattern" or a "model." Doctrine, therefore, is essential to salvation, and all Christians must preach the same doctrine. Those who do not teach and obey Bible doctrine cannot be "made free from sin." Those who claim that we can be saved without obedience to doctrine are obligated to prove it from the Bible.

"IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE SO LONG AS YOU ARE SINCERE" We have all heard this statement haven't we? Yet, where is the Scripture to support this statment? Jesus said in Matthew 7:22,23, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name? and in they name have cast out devils? and in they name done may wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." These were sincere believers in Jesus Christ. They were actively working for Him yet were lost. Cornelius is an example. He was a sincere, religious, upright man. He believed in God, helped the poor, and prayed continually (Acts 10:1-4). The Scriptures teach that he was not saved in this state. He was instructed to see Peter who would tell him words, whereby he and all his house would be saved (Acts 11:14). Therfore, sincerity is not enough to savey anyone. I tis necessary to be sincere, but unless one hears and obeys the gospel he cannot be saved. Can anyone provide the Scripture which says that it is not important what we believe so long as we are sincere?

"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR CHRISTIANS TO ALL BELIEVE THE SAME THING" If this statement is true, then why did Christ pray for unity on the basis of the apostle's word? "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:20-21). Not only did Christ pray for unity on the basis of the apostles word, but Paul commanded it. Notice First Corinthians 1:10, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." The only reason that men do not reach the unity demanded in the Bible is because they blindly cling to man made ideas. If the reader is among those who believe that doctrinal unity is impossible , a "thus saith the Lord" is needed to prove it. Please produce the Scripture that shows that it is impossible to all believe the same thing.

                                                                                                                                                      - IAN MCPHERSON