Homosexuality is a Sin Condemned by God

Homosexuals are a disgrace to any society. In pagan and so-called unenlightened countries known homosexuals are killed because they are so despised. However, in enlightened America, homosexuals are defended and shielded. They are allowed to marry, rear children, and to function in society as normal.

Some say they are sick.. Some say they are “freaks of nature.” Some say they are the unfortunate victims of the society that produced them. Some say they are born that way. Others just contend that they have simply chosen an alternative life style.

Today, any who would dare oppose this dirty, filthy, vulgar way of life is charged with being intolerant, lacking understanding, not caring and being unloving. Also, they cry that their civil rights are being violated! What about the civil rights of those who practice incest, prostitution, public exposure or even rape?

In fact, homosexuality is a violation of natural law and a violation of God’s law. The bottom line is that homosexuality is sin. In every age, God condemned such gross practices:

1. Genesis 18:16-19:20 (1,898 B.C.). God said the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were “very grievous.” (Isn’t it strange that the scum which we once jailed and charged with “Sodomy” are now called “Gay” and pampered and defended as poor misunderstood folk who deserve our compassion and understanding?) God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone. We are being told such should be allowed to flaunt themselves in every area of society.

2. Leviticus 18:22-24:1 (1450 B.C.). “You shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death: their blood shall be upon them.”

3. Judges 19-20 (1350 B.C.). The tribe of Benjamin was all but destroyed by the other tribes of Israel, because of the Benjaminite’s sodomy, rape and vile ways.

4. Romans 1:26,32 (50-60 A.D.). “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.” “Who knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death. . .”

5. Deuteronomy 23:18 (1400 B.C.). “You shall not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, (male prostitute) into the house of the Lord. . .”

6. 1 Corinthians 6:9 (50-60 A.D.) “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (Homosexuals) nor abusers of themselves with mankind.”

The foregoing passages show God’s attitude toward homosexuality. Homosexuality and Lesbianism is an abomination to God and shall be cast into hell with the Devil and his angels. Anyone who takes pleasure with such wickedness shall receive the same punishment. God condemns such perversion, and if we are faithful Christians, so should we!

Hell Ought To Scare You!

Do you ever think about hell? Do you understand that if you died in an unsaved condition that you would spend eternity in hell? So, I ask you if you are afraid of hell. The more you know about Hell the more it ought to scare you to death!

Hell Is Real

Hell is not a fictitious story or myth. It is not a condition or state of mind. It is a real place. Luke 16, which speaks of the realm of departed spirits (Hades and not the eternal abode), is a foretaste of greater things to come. The rich man spoke of this “place” of torment (vv. 23, 28). He was in a real place. It is merely a foretaste of worse to come.

Hell is just as real as heaven. They are often put on an equality as far as their nature goes (Matt. 25:46). If Heaven is real, so is hell. If hell is a state of mind, so is heaven.

Jesus said we ought to fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). In this we learn that

1. Hell should be feared.
2. It is beyond the grave.
3. It should motivate us to live so as to go to heaven.

All of these point to the reality of hell.

Hell Is Terrible

It may be that some of those who believe in hell think that the biblical descriptions of it are overstated. Surely it could not be as bad as the old fashion preachers used to say it would be. The following points tell us how terrible hell really is.

The word hell (when referring to the eternal abode of the wicked) is used to describe eternal damnation. Hell is described as a lake that burns with fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10, 14, 15; 21:8). Imagine a literal lake that you know. Picture that every drop of water were a flammable substance (i.e. gasoline). If that were set aflame, what would it be like to be thrown into the middle of it? Consider a Volcano which has a sulfur content of 29%. Sodom had a content of 98% sulfur content. The word “brimstone” is the definition of sulfur. The lake of fire burns with fire and brimstone. If your foot should touch active lava from a volcano your foot would instantly burn off. Hell is at least 3 times hotter than that lava. Can you image the intense pain, the agony and the suffering hell is going to bring to its inhabitants?

Other passages portray hell as a furnace of fire (Matt. 13:42, 50), a flaming fire (2 Thess. 1:7-9), a baptism of fire (Matt. 3:11-12), and an unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43).

Those who are cast into hell will be howling, crying aloud and grinding their teeth (Matt. 8:12; 13:50; 25:30). What a picture of punishment! Hell Is Eternal. The above descriptions of hell would be bad enough if it only lasted for a day or a even an hour. However, the pain and suffering of hell is eternal. Jesus equated “hell fire” (Matt. 18:9) with “everlasting fire” (v. 8). Jesus contrasted the “everlasting punishment” with “eternal life” (Matt. 25:46). Hell is as long as heaven is. The smoke of torment ascends “forever and ever” (Rev. 14:10-11).

Just imagine you turned your oven to its highest temperature and waited until it fully heated up. Then you opened its door and climbed in for just one minute. Sounds crazy to you, right? If it sounds crazy to be in an oven for one minute, then why are you risking your eternal soul in hell (which is so much hotter and far much worse) for ever and ever?

It scares me to think about hell. It motivates me to want to obey God exactly as he wants to be obeyed (1 Cor 4:6). That’s why I obeyed the gospel of Christ (2 Thess 1:7-9). That is why I continue in the doctrine of Christ and his apostles (Acts 2:42 f; 2 Jn 9). That is why I endure trials and persecutions (Jam 1:12). If you actually believe the biblical account of hell, it ought to scare you too!

What Is In Your Hand?

God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and told him to go back to Egypt and lead Israel to the promised land. “Then Moses answered and said, ‘But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, “the Lord has not appeared to you.”‘ So the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ And he said, ‘A rod.'”

Moses was taught a lesson that day that when the rod was put into God’s service, it will accomplish what God wanted to be done. It was one of the signs to prove that God had appeared to Moses.

Let’s search the Bible and find what others had in their hand that God was able to use for His glory.

We find David with a “sling” in his hand (1 Sam. 17). When it was used in the service of God, it was used to kill Goliath (a Philistine giant) who had defied God and His army.

Jesus saw a great multitude coming and they found a “lad” with five loaves and two small fish. Jesus took them and blessed them and fed 5,000 men besides women and children. It seemed so little, but in Christ’s hand, it became more than enough to feed the multitude and have twelve full baskets left over (Matt. 14:13-21). Jesus saw a widow casting in “two mites.” She had given all she had, and Jesus used her to teach a lesson on how to give (Mk. 12:41-44).

Let’s ask some others, what is in their hand? “Alien sinner, what is that in your hand?” Is it things of this world that will perish (1 Jn. 2:15-17)? Is it “pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25)? Turn from the world and all its pleasures and turn to God. “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle” (Col. 2:21).

“Backsliding Christian, what is that in your hand?” “Is it sins of the past you used to do? Is it beer, wine or whiskey?”‘ “Is it cigarettes or tobacco of some form?” “Is it vulgar books or magazines?” “It is PG, R, or X-rated video movies?” Repent of all these worldly things and pray to God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22 f; Jam. 5:16).

“Faithful Christian, what is that in your hand?” “Is it a Bible to read and study each day?” “Is it a Bible to teach a lost soul about their Savior?” “Is it some food or clothes to take to the poor?” “Is it a telephone to call the weak, discouraged or those who missed services?” “Is in the internet to spread the gospel into all the world?” “Is it a card or a letter to send to the visitors who came to services?”

There is so much work to do, and so few hands who are willing to do it (Matt 9:37,38). Use whatever ability God has blessed you with to do the Will of God (Col 3:17). “ And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom 12:2). What would you be able to say if God asked you, “What is that in your hand?”

Instrumental Music In Worship

Instrumental music in worship to God has occasioned the gathering of soldiers, both to champion its existence and use in the churches, and to oppose its use in praise to God as lacking New Testament authority. Such battles have not always been. It is our conviction that apostolic authority was preached and respected by the early church and that such authority granted only the right to “sing” which, being respected, limited the worshipers to vocal music. There is no evidence that any early church of the New Testament ever used instrumental music in its worship. No apostle of Christ ever taught any church to use it in worship. Yet, all the discord over this question does not mean that God did not clearly express His will in this matter. The problem is not over what God says, but the difficulties are occasioned over what God has not said (authorized).

What The New Testament Says

The church of Christ is a New Testament institution. Therefore, it must be circumscribed by New Testament authority (Col. 3:16). The church was built by Christ (Matt. 16:18); He is its foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11), head (Eph. 1:22,23 f; Col. 1:18), and Savior (Eph. 5:23-24). Being “of” Christ, it must move or act only by his direction. This is the real issue involved in this study. Must we have God’s authority for what we do in worship and service to God? Jesus says, “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). “And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28, 29). The Father had said, ” . . . This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5). All who do not hear Jesus shall be utterly destroyed from among the people (Acts 3:23). Jesus said, “But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men” (Matt. 15:9). We must learn from the apostles “not to go beyond the things which are written” (1 Cor. 4:6). Remember what the Paul wrote to the Colossians: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17). All churches of Christ must subscribe to and act wholly within the revealed authority of Christ and His apostles as they expressed it (Matt. 19:28 ff; Acts 2:42; 2 Jn 9).

“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name” (Rom. 15:9). This is a quotation and application of Ps. 18:49. Christ did not come in person and do this, rather, it finds fulfillment in congregational singing. Eph. 5:19 reads, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” A parallel passage to this reads, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). Heb. 2:12 reads, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” There are additional passages, like 1 Cor. 14:15, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” These tell what kind of music the early churches offered as worship to God. Additional passages tell us: “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives” (Matt. 26:30), when the Lord instituted His supper. Paul and Silas “At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25). Heb. 13:15 and James 5:13 instruct in the matter of one feeling disposed to praise the Lord, saying, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.”

Conclusion: Now, this is the sum of what the New Testament says about the kind of music both commanded and offered by the people of God both in a collective capacity and on an individual basis. The scriptures authorized vocal music and record that the early Christians only sang. Their practice agreed with New Testament doctrine. Instrumental music does not agree with New Testament doctrine, for such goes beyond God’s Word and adds to it! (1 Pet 4:11)

Truth Does Not Fear Investigation

“For everyone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (Jn 3:20, 21.)

I have lived long enough to see several United States presidents investigated. Nixon was investigated in Watergate and removed from office. Carter was investigated over his Peanut business and survived but one term. Reagan was investigated over Iran-Contra and barely survived. Clinton was investigated over Whitewater and subsequently Monica Lewinsky, and barely survived an impeachment trial. Now we have Trump being investigated over Russia intervening in an American election, and like his predecessors, he doesn’t like all the scrutiny. We all must remember this about any kind of investigation: If truth is on our side, we have nothing to fear! That’s politics, but what about God’s Word?

Error is usually a coward when it comes to honest investigation. The individual who realizes that he stands on sand or shaky ground, will not want “to come to the light” to have his belief and practices thoroughly investigated. But such is not so with the lover and doer of truth. Truth has absolutely nothing to fear from investigation. The man who has built upon the rock, will never fear discussion, argumentation or debating of his beliefs and practices. He is always ready and willing to “contend for the faith.” (Jude 3) He is set for a defense of the gospel (Philip 1:15-18) and is never ashamed of it (Rom 1:16). The truth-lover stands up for Christ and His Gospel under all circumstances. He will not compromise for the sake of popularity for peace. Though he is a lover of peace and unity, he will not forsake truth to obtain them. He understands that peace and unity must have God’s Word as its basis.

Sadly, there are many people who claim to be Christians but will not even discuss with one what they believe. They shy away from contending and debating their cause. They are not “ready to give answer to every man that asks them for a reason for the hope that is in them. They are not “set for a defense” of the Gospel. They will not “contend for the faith” or “fight the good fight of the faith.” Reproving or rebuking is contrary to their idea of peace at any price. They are spiritual cowards and deserters of God’s army.

Anyone who is not willing that his position be thoroughly investigated and compared with the Bible — is either a coward or realizes that he stands on sand. Truth does not fear honest inquiry. The light of investigation makes truth shine brightly, but error is shone for what it truly is. Therefore, the false teacher hates the light, and loves the darkness.

What do you believe brethren? Do you have Bible for it? If so…then fight for the truth with all of your might; preach it; teach it; debate it; argue for it; contend for it; stand up for it at all times and under every circumstance! But, on the other hand, if you can find NO Bible for what you believe or the Bible contradicts your belief…then I can understand why you do not want to come to the light of investigation; I can see why you are a coward and work “behind the scenes” to ensnare people in your philosophies; I can understand why you do not want to debate your cause; yes, anyone can see why you are afraid of investigation. After all, error hates the light and loves the darkness.

These are serious matters. Think honestly about your religious beliefs. Study the Bible and believe ONLY what is found therein. Leave aside all of your pet opinions and projects and contend for the Faith.

You are either on God’s side or on the world’s side. Anyone who attempts to stand on both sides will be spewed out of the mouth of God! (Rev 3:15,16) Let us “PROVE all things, and HOLD FIRM that which is good.” (1 Thess 5:21)

The Holy Bible vs Fake Bibles

The Bible is one of many “holy” books among the Eastern and Western religions. However, after all the evidence is weighed and the data evaluated, the Bible is not one of the many “holy” books – it is the holy book.

In this study we will endeavor to show that the Bible is the only book among all of them that merits any serious consideration of being a divine revelation. This we will do by comparing the Bible with these “holy” books, enabling us to see their absurdities, contradictions, hopelessness and superstitions contained in them.

The Bible Versus the Hindu Scriptures

There are several “sacred” books among the Hindus. First, there are the Vedas, a collection of wisdom books. The word veda means “wisdom or knowledge.” Second, there are the Upanishads, a collection of speculative treatises. Third, there are the Ramajana and Mahabharata, which consist of the major epic tales of India. Fourth, there is the Bhagavad Gita, an added appendage to the Mahabharata, which consists of a story between Krishna and the warrior Arjuna.

On the subject of God, Hindu scripture depicts the Supreme Being (whom they call Brahman) as an impersonal, undefinable, philosophical absolute. Brahman is reputed to have been born in a golden egg, and then after living in it for a year, divided it into two parts, and made heaven and earth out of the egg from which he was born. The Bible teaches that God is a personal, infinite, loving Creator who is interested in the affairs of man, having revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus (Ps. 90:1-2 ff; Matt. 6:24-34; Jn. 14:9; Heb. 1:1-2).

Man, to the Hindu, is a manifestation of the impersonal Brahman, without individual self or self-worth. The Bible teaches that man was made in the image of God with personality and with free, moral agency (Gen. 1:26-27 f; Josh. 24:15). As to sin, there is no sin against God in Hinduism. Sin is a result of ignorance, rather than a wrongdoing against any Deity. The Bible teaches that sin is a reality, being an unlawful act against God (Ps. 51:4; Rom. 3:21).

According to Hindu writings, man goes through successive cycles of deaths and rebirths (reincarnations) until he achieves enough good to gain eternal bliss. This cycle may take millions of years, depending on the kind of performance and accomplishments one makes during the cycles. The life cycles could be in the form of a frog, flea, plant, cow or a slave or a prince. When one reaches that eternal bliss, he is released from the burden of existence and absorbed into the Self-Existent where all individuality is lost. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that man dies but once (Heb. 9:27) and then the judgment. Individuality is retained (Lk. 16:19-31 f; Matt. 25:31-46). Eternal bliss is received through Jesus Christ through grace (Jn. 3:16).

The Bible Versus The Confucian Texts

Confucius was born 551 B.C. His teachings have come down to us from four books written by his disciples. They are: The Analects, The Great Learning, The Doctrine of the Mean and The Book of Mencius. His greatest achievement was the formation of the golden rule in the negative form. He said, “What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others,” but he acknowledged he failed in obeying that rule himself. Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matt. 7:12), and this was what Jesus practiced.

Confucianism was really not a religion, but an ethical system, although there were religious overtones in it. There were sacrifices to heaven, practice of augury (observing the signs from heaven, such as thunder and lightning) and the notion that deceased ancestors exercised power on the living. However, it eventually developed into the state religion of China.

There is no worship of a god, no confession of sin and no seeking of forgiveness in Confucianism. It extols the present world and calls upon all to cultivate such virtues as are comely in citizens – industry, modesty, sobriety, gravity, decorum and thoughtfulness.

The Bible teaches there is a God who is to be worshiped and that man is a sinner, incapable of saving himself, who needs a Savior to deliver him from ignorance and the guilt of sin. The Deliverer was provided through Jesus Christ though man’s obedience to the gospel of Christ (Jn. 4:23-24 ff; Rom. 3:9-21; Rom. 11:26; Rom 10:10; Acts 2:38).

The Bible Versus the Buddhist Writings

Buddha was born about 560 B.C. in northeastern India. His personal name was Gautama, the title “Buddha” being a Sancrit word meaning the “Enlightened One.” While sitting under a fig tree for seven days, he professed to attain perfect wisdom by meditation. His teachings were committed to writing by his disciples after his death. These writings are called the Tripitaka, meaning “three collections.” They are about eleven times larger than the Bible. Needless to say, there are sects of Buddhists who have their writings that consist of volumes.

The message of Buddha was one of gloom and despair. He said in one of his speeches that “birth is suffering. Decay is suffering. Illness is suffering. Death is suffering. Presence of objects we hate is suffering. Separation from objects we love is suffering. Clinging to existence is suffering. Complete cessation of thirst, or of craving for existence, is cessation of suffering.” The attainment of Nirvana was the only way to overcome the misery of life. Nirvana is a Sancrit word meaning “blowing out,” as a candle, that is, extinction. First, there is extinction of desires and passions, and secondly, extinction of individual existence.

The Bible teaches us to glory in our sufferings; rejoice in them; make them steps toward heaven (2 Cor. 12:10). Jesus, the Rock of our salvation was made perfect through suffering (Heb. 2:9-10). Buddhism also denies the existence of a personal Creator, but the Bible states God through Christ created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1 ff; Jn 1:1-11; Col 1:16-18). There is no sin against God in Buddhism and man has no worth, having only temporary existence. What a contrast to the Bible (Ps. 8:1-9 cf; 51:4).

The Bible Versus The Muslim Koran

The Koran, containing 114 surahs (chapters), is a compilation of the alleged “revelations” of Muhammad (570-632 A.D.) that he received over a period of twenty-three years. Muhammad is imputed to have been the successor to Abraham, Moses and Jesus, himself claiming to be the greatest prophet.

Muhammad was an illiterate man, having suffered from repeated epileptic seizures when he was a child. All through his life he was subject to hysteria, spending much time in isolated contemplation. Muhammad’s “visions” were thought by him at first to be demonic, but his wife, Kadijah (15 years his senior), encouraged him to believe they came from God. So, Muhammad’s “revelations” were confirmed by the testimony of a sympathetic wife.

Although Muhammad was generous, genial and gifted with leadership qualities, he could at times be cruel and stoop to murder and unrestrained sensualism. Muhammad had no less than nine wives when he died in spite of the teaching of the Koran that only four wives are allowed with a certain number of concubines. What a marked contrast between Muhammad and Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect, sinless life, proved Himself to be the Son of God with indisputable miracles, was raised from the dead, ascended back to heaven and He will come again. There is no evidence that any thing like this was characteristic of Muhammad’s life. He was born a man, lived as a man and died a man, although legend has it that he ascended to heaven from Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem.

The Koran is filled with contradictions – contradictions against the Bible and against itself. As to those against the Bible, the Koran teaches there will be marriages in Paradise (52:20). The Bible teaches there will be no marriages there (Lk. 20:35). The Koran teaches to kill our enemies (8:38-41; 9:29) whereas the Bible teaches to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44). The Koran teaches that Jesus is not God’s Son (9:130; 19:135). The Bible teaches Jesus is the Son of God (Matt. 16:16). The Koran teaches Jesus was not crucified (4:157-159). The Bible teaches Jesus was crucified (Lk. 23:33).

Concerning the contradictions in the Koran, Muhammad said, “Fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them …. Fight those who believe not in God nor the last day” (9:5, 29). But in another place, he said, “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (2:256). Again, he said, “Any who believes in God whether Jews, Christians or Sabians shall have their reward with the Lord” (2:62). But he contradicted this when he said, “If anyone desires a religion other than Isalm. . . never will it be accepted of him” (3:85). He also said Christ did not die (4:157), yet he said Christ did die (19:33).

Qualities are ascribed to God in the Koran that are unworthy of Deity. The Koran teaches that God causes men to err or go astray (35:8, 45:23), endorses denial of faith (16:106), and forgives sins before they are committed (48:2). The Koran also makes God a respecter of persons, especially in the case of Muhammad’s marriages and divorces (33:50-51; 66:1-5).

In the Bible we have one harmonious book that was written, not by one man, but about 40 men over a period of 1600 years without one contradiction. This book, the Bible, pictures God as impartial, loving, just, never acting in a capricious manner.

The Bible Versus The Mormon Books

The Mormon books (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price) are purported to be “revelations” of Joseph Smith. Smith, as a young man, spent much of his time searching for treasure, claiming supernatural powers which allegedly aided him in these searches. He was an illiterate person, and, according to his contemporaries, destitute of moral character and addicted to vicious habits.

In 1820, Smith claimed to have received a vision in which God appeared to him as he prayed piously in a neighboring wood. The Lord told Smith that a restoration of true Christianity was needed, and that he had been chosen to launch the new era. Evidently, Smith did not take this too seriously because he shortly went back to digging for treasure. However, in 1823 the angel Moroni supposedly appeared at Smith’s bed and three times repeated the commission to restore pure Christianity. (In an early edition of the Pearl of Great Price, Smith identifies the angel as Nephi. Seemingly, Smith got his story mixed-up. Mormon scribes have corrected the blunder.)

Later, in 1827, Smith claimed to receive the golden plates which were buried in the hill Cumorah near Palmyra, New York from which the Book of Mormon was translated. The message on the plates was inscribed in “reformed Egyptian” hieroglyphics (a language that never existed), and Smith “translated” the plates by means of the “Urim and Thummin,” a type of miraculous spectacle which the angel Moroni had conveniently provided. The “translation” required about two years or so (1827-1829). In 1830 the work was published and copyrighted, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price came later.

Since the original copy of the Book of Mormon, allegedly inspired in its translation, there have been thousands of changes and alterations to try to eliminate extremely poor grammar and glaring contradictions. One only has to compare today’s copy with the original to see this. The Book of Mormon also contains plagiarisms from the King James Version, false prophecies and errors of fact. There are at least 25,000 words in the Book of Mormon from the King James Version, some verbatim quotations.

Mormon books contradict themselves. The Book of Mormon states that remission of sins is the result of baptism (3 Nephi 12:2; Moroni 8:11) but in Doctrine and Covenants (20:37) the direct opposite is taught. Again, Doctrine and Covenants upholds polygamy (132:32, 34) while the Book of Mormon disallows it (Jacob 2:26-28).

The Mormon books contradict the Bible in several other places. One of the most obvious contradictions is the birthplace of Jesus. The Book of Mormon states Jesus was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10) while the Bible states he was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1).

Mormonism’s view of God and Christ is one of the most ludicrous and absurd concepts ever proposed. God, they say, was once a man as we are. In fact, our God today is the Adam of the Garden of Eden, who progressed and evolved into God. We are told that we too can so live in this life that one day we can become a God. As to Jesus, He is the brother of the Devil, and while He was on earth, He celebrated His marriage to both Marys and to Martha, whereby He could see His offspring before He was crucified.

Much, much more could be written. However, enough has been said to enable us to see how preposterous the so called writings of Joe Smith are. There is no way that such documents could be the word of God in view of their inaccuracies, alterations and apparent plagiarism. They are anything but “holy” books. The Bible depicts God and Christ as spiritual, eternal Beings in nature. The Bible was written in languages by men of integrity, not having to be altered to cover its errors. It is original in content, free of plagiarism and fraud.

The Bible Versus Science and Health

The author of Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures was Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. However, as in the case of Joe Smith, much of the writing of Mrs. Eddy was plagiarized. Mrs. Eddy was a highly unstable and emotional woman. She was married three times. Her first husband, George Glover, died and later she married Dr. Daniel Patterson, whom she divorced and married Asa G. Eddy. Hence, her full name would be Mary Baker Glover Patterson Eddy. When she married Asa Eddy, she was 56 years old, but she demurely inserted the age of 40 years on her marriage form, again proving that she was far from being what current Christian Science mythology ascribes to her.

Mary Baker Eddy copied extensively from the writings of Hegel. In fact, in the 1875 edition of Science and Health, there are 33 pages verbatim and 100 pages in substance from Dr. Leiber’s manuscript on the writings of Hegel.

Mrs. Eddy claimed that sin is unreal and death is an illusion (Science & Health, pp. 234, 575). There is no sickness (1914 editions, p. 447). Miracles contained in Holy Writ are neither supernatural or preternatural (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 200-201). The material blood of Jesus was not efficacious to cleanse from sin (Science & Health, p, 330) and that Jesus never actually died but was in the tomb mediating (Science & Health, pp. 349-351). Hence, Jesus was never resurrected, according to Christian Science.

Again, as in the other so-called sacred writings, we see dishonesty, deception and absurdities. How anyone could take seriously Mary Baker Eddy who denied pain, suffering and death, and who obviously plagiarized much of what she wrote, is beyond my comprehension. There is not much holy about her “holy” book.

Conclusion: When one compares the Bible with these other so called “sacred” books (and there are many which are not mentioned here), he is at once struck with certain outstanding facts which constitute a difference no less than the difference between night and day.

Very little is known of the date and authorship of most of these “scared” books – some of them having been written hundreds of year after the death of the Founder. Their testimony becomes impossible to validate. But how different with the Bible. Here we find overwhelming evidence of its validity with the writers, especially the New Testament, being contemporaries of Jesus Christ.

These “sacred” books are filled with wild imaginations and incredible absurdities, but the Bible is a book of sublime common sense with its sober account of creation, its condemnation of sin in every form, its care for the unfortunate, its living, personal God, its Savior, and its glorious hope of heaven. Although the Bible has come under more attacks than any other book, it has stood the test unscathed.

Furthermore, the Bible is based on historical fact, with real characters, real places and written in languages that were spoken among the people. The other “sacred” books, at least most of them, are lacking in historical element.

Not one of these “sacred” books gives any hint that its founder was able to deliver his followers from the miseries of which the writings speak, by voluntarily giving himself to die on their behalf, to rise from the dead and become their support and guide. Yet, this is the theme of the Bible. Jesus came, suffered and died for our sins, arose the third day, ascended to heaven, serves as our intercessor, Lord and King, and is coming again to consummate all things (1 Cor 15:1-4 f; 1 Tim 2:5; 2 Thess 1:7-9).

The Bible possesses a vitality and strength that most of the other “sacred” books lack. For example, among the nine rules of conduct for the Buddhist there is one rule that teaches him to neither think or say his religion is the best. When we turn to the Bible we hear the definite, certain sound: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father but by me” (Jn. 14:6). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). What vigor! What else would we expect from such a Book? It is the Holy Word of God which abides forever and ever! (1 Pet 1:23-25)

The Calming of the Sea

Each of the gospels relates the miracle which Jesus performed when He calmed the sea of Galilee (Matt. 8:23-28 ff; Mk. 4:35-41; Lk. 8:22-25). This is one of the most impressive miracles which Jesus performed.

Jesus had taught the people by parables (Mk. 4:35). He planned to cross the Sea of Galilee to go the country of the Gadarene demoniac, whom He healed later that day. Luke’s account reads as follows:

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this? For he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Lessons From the Miracle

1. The nature of Jesus. Both the humanity and the deity of Jesus are observed in this incident. The humanity of Jesus is seen in the reference to Him sleeping, for of God it is said, “Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” The deity of Jesus is manifested by His ability to calm the stormy sea.

2. Jesus was calm in the midst of the storm. While the storm beat down upon the lake, Jesus lay in the back of the boat asleep. He was at peace with Himself and His Father. “In Him we behold here the exact reverse of Jonah (Jonah. 1:5, 6); the fugitive prophet asleep in the midst of a like danger out of a dead conscience, the Savior out of a pure conscience – Jonah by his presence making the danger, Jesus yielding a pledge and assurance of deliverance from it”.

In contrast to His calmness and peace, we see the agitation in the hearts of the disciples. After calming the storm, Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” His question demonstrates that their agitation was an evidence of an absence of faith.

None of the disciples of Christ are exempt from trials and life threatening circumstances. God has never promised us that our lives would be without storms and troubles. In these troubles, sometimes the disciples of Christ die. Jesus never promised us that the troubles of life would not cause some of us to die. Nevertheless, He expressed that their agitation and turmoil were a result of an absence or deficiency in faith.

This kind of agitation is similar to that mentioned in Matthew 6 in which a man worries about food, clothing, and shelter. Both cases manifest a man who is not trusting the providence of God and His provisions for us. If, in the providence of God, I must face the storm and even if that storm causes my death, my God is stiff providing for me and taking care of me. I must learn to trust God amid the storms of life. Job manifested this kind of trust when he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job. 13:15).

3. The fisherman turned to the Carpenter. Peter, James, and John were in the boat with Jesus. These men were fishermen by trade, experienced in handling a boat. If one were going to experience bad weather in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, Peter, James and John would be the kind of men who would be best prepared to handle a boat in the storm. Nevertheless, when the storm hit and their boating experience was unable to cope with the storm, these experienced boaters turned to Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth for help. Why would fishermen turn to a carpenter for help in managing a boat in the midst of a storm?

Obviously, the disciples recognized that Jesus was able to do something to help them which they could not do for themselves. Although they were surprised by what He did, their turning in desperation to Jesus for help manifested a degree of faith in Jesus.

4. Jesus controlled the winds and the waves. Jesus was able to speak a word and calm the elements of nature. The omnipotence of God enables Him to control the seas. “You rule the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them” (Ps. 89:9). An ordinary man cannot control the waves of the sea. This miracle by Jesus demonstrates His omnipotence and control over nature. The deity of Christ is proven by miracles such as this.

There has never been a modern miracle worker attempt to do what Jesus did. He may try to heal a man who is partially blind so that he can see better, to enable a man partially deaf to hear better, to have someone cough up a tumor, and some other “miracle” which one can never verify. However, there is no modem miracle worker who could dare stand before tho blowing winds and raging sea and demonstrate his ability to perform a miracle by saying, “Peace, be still.”

Conclusion: May this miracle of Jesus impress us once more with His divine care for us, His ability to help us in any desperate circumstance, and our need to trust in God. Him whom we serve is indeed able to come to our help and meet our most desperate need.