COMPARING A FEW RELIGIONS

By NiteOwlDave

niteowldave@gmail.com

Christianity

Founder: Jesus Christ.

Its gospel: That Jesus Christ saves from sin and that salvation is solely through Him.

The church: Those who are "saved" or who have had a "born-again" experience.

God: Trinity or three persons in one God - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus: God in the flesh.

Associated writings: The Bible, alone.

Islam

Founder: Muhammad.

Its gospel: Faith in Allah, plus good works.

The church: Not applicable.

God: One God, Allah, non-Trinitarian.

Jesus: He was a prophet and not God.

Associated writings: Qumran, Habit.

Jehovah's Witness

Founder: Charles T. Russell (1852-1916), in 1879.

Its gospel: Jesus opened the door for each of us to earn our salvation.

The church: Members of their church.

God: One person.

Jesus: He was Michael the archangel who became a man.

Associated writings: The Bible plus Watchtower and Awake magazines.

Christian Science

Founder: Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910).

Its gospel: Followers believe in the teachings of Jesus, but reject that His death and resurrection atones for us.

The church: Built upon a collection of spiritual ideas.

God: Impersonal universal presence.

Jesus: He was a man in tune with the Divine Consciousness, but wasn't the Christ.

Associated writings: The Bible; Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy; etc.

Oneness Pentecostal

Founder: Not applicable.

Its gospel: Faith in Christ and baptism.

The church: Members of their own church.

God: One person, deny the trinity.

Jesus: God in the flesh.

Associated writings: The Bible.

Unity

Founder: Charles Fillmore (1854-1948), in 1889.

Its gospel: The overall principles of Unity.

The church: A collection of spiritual ideas.

God: God is a principle.

Jesus: He was a man, not the Christ.

Associated writings: The Bible; Unity Magazine; Metaphysical Bible Dictionary by Charles Fillmore

DO WE WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION? NO.

QUESTION: If salvation has nothing to do with our own works, how do you explain Philippians 2:12, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"?

ANSWER: There are two very important rules in determining just what a Bible verse means. Number one, we must look carefully at the context of a verse. We must know to whom is it being written, and what the person is writing about. Number two, does the suggested meaning of the verse appear to harmonize with the rest of the scriptures on that particular subject?

Let’s apply this principle to the passage above. It is very important to note that Paul is writing to people who are already saved. He is encouraging them to live out what they already have within them. God provides completed salvation to all those who repent of their sins, and believe in their hearts that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, died for our sins at Calvary and arose from the dead.

This thought is supported in Philippians 1:6 which states, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ." This verse is saying that when we accept Christ (or get saved), the Holy Spirit starts a good work of salvation in us, and HE will finish it.

One wise Bible teacher explains this in an simple illustration. We were drowning in a lake during a storm unable to save ourselves. The Lord comes in His boat and pulls us in. We know He will get us to the shore. However, the storm still exists and we must keep trusting Him as He finishes getting us to the shore. 

Philippians 3:21 notes, "Who (Christ) shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body...." This is the completion of that good work. The writer to the Philippians is pointing out that they should let God do His continuing work in them, by yielding in obedience to God's working in their lives.

We cannot work for our salvation, but we can hinder the working of God in our salvation. We should note that the Bible does not say we work FOR our salvation, but work OUT our salvation.

Romans 11:6 says, "And if BY GRACE it is no more WORKS. But if by WORKS it is no more GRACE…” The Lord Jesus paid our sin debt in full. It is a gift that must be freely received. His grace alone works His salvation in all who trust Him.

PROVE IT!

Is there a real God and does He care?
By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com

The apostle Peter raises a good point when he notes in 2 Peter 3 and 4,

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.                              
 
"They will say, 'Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation'.”

If I was not a believer in the return of Christ and the promise that I will go to Heaven because I have placed my trust in Him, I might be carping too: “I have heard the promises, where’s the beef?”

Rather than me try to explain, I suggest you read this book summation I have assembled here. The book is called "Reasons for Believing, A Seeker's Guide to Christianity" by Dr. Frank Harber”

Harber is an evangelist, university professor, and a Christian apologist. Harber responds to tough-issue question with simple clarity. He tackles subjects like:

1. Can I know for certain that God exists?
2. How do I know if the Bible is totally trustworthy?
3. Was Jesus Christ God or just a good teacher?
4. Can it be proven that Jesus rose from the dead?
5. Is Christianity the way to God?

Give it a look - http://home.cogeco.ca/~wwjs/dts17.html