Many are they who, in one way or another, take chances with life’s most precious possession--the immortal soul. Some, like Saul of Tarsus, do so in ignorance and unbelief (Galatians 1:13-24; 1 Timothy 1:13). Others knowingly disregard the will of Christ concerning the salvation of their souls. One is just as lost as the other, for Paul referred to his condition before his conversion (even though he was honest, ignorant, and unbelieving--Acts 23:1; Acts 22:3-16; Acts 26:9-19) as a "chief sinner" (1 Timothy 1:15). Honesty, sincerity, and a good conscience will not change error into truth. Right is right; and sin, regardless how or why it is committed, is sin.

Truth Alone Frees
"Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on Him, if you continue in My word, then you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

"Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth...having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever...And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:22-25).

In 1 Thessalonians 1:13, the apostle Paul stated this same fact regarding the essentiality of truth to one's salvation. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."

Religious Error Damns the Soul to Eternal Torment
This statement is true before conversion to Christ, as well as afterward. In the early churches of Christ, there were those who tried to mix the Law of Moses, at least in part, with the gospel of Christ. It was said that they who taught things that weren't apostolic, or things for which no apostolic authority existed, were "subverting souls" (Acts 15:24).

Paul once said to a man who attempted to turn away the deputy from the faith, "you son of the devil. You enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:6-12)

Does This Sound Even Remotely Like One Is Fine So Long As He Is Honest and Sincere? No!
The Scripture says just the opposite. Not only does it say "truth frees," it also says that one who believes a lie will be damned (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). This is why Jesus admonished us to "beware of false teachers, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). A few chapters later Jesus warned, "...if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:14}

I have yet to learn the "key" to getting folks to take as seriously as we must, what is taught in the Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:15-17; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18). Some continue to say to me: "surely it isn't as exacting or as demanding as you say. Look at all the good folks who don't agree with what you and your brethren teach." Who believes a thing; how many believe it; how long they have believed; none of this is critical. What is critical is whether it is truth, as revealed in God's word. That, you see, is what we must ascertain.

Fellowship With God Hinges on "Walking in the Light" (1 John 1:1-7)
Language can be no plainer than what John wrote here. This is the same apostle who, in his gospel, wrote a lot about "faith" and a lot about "love." Here, he states emphatically that we must know and walk in God's revealed will. "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, (God and I ket) and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1 :6-7).

We Must Abide in the Doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-11)
The following passages say much the same thing, but with an even deeper emphasis, if possible, on the need to know, believe, and walk in divine truth to have a proper relationship with God, Christ, the Holy spirit, and all others who are in the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18-19; Hebrews 12:22-28; Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:13-17).

"Whosoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds" (2 John 9-11).

"Now I urge you, brethren, note (mark) those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17-18).

We Are to Have No Fellowship With Darkness Or Error (Ephesians 5: 11; 2 Corinthians 6: 14-18)
The Bible's teaching along these lines is plain, and simple to read and understand. The rub comes when we attempt to apply it. Often, obeying cuts into our relationships with family and friends, and yes, the customs and traditions in which folks are sometimes so steeped, and to which some folks are so wed that they are willing to jeopardize their precious souls rather than break with those folks or with the error in which they are entrapped (See Matthew 10:16-39; Luke 14:25-35). Please read those passages before proceeding.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11).

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them. And walk among them, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord, Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NKJV).

All of the passages cited above indicate that we are able to distinguish between truth and error, and between false teachers and those who teach the truth. The Bereans of whom Paul wrote were called “noble” because they listened to Paul's preaching and compared what he taught with what IS written in God’s word (Acts 17:11). See also (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1-2).

These passages mean something. Not only is doctrine important, but it is initially and continually indispensable to the soul’s salvation. Paul, therefore, admonished Timothy: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" (1 Timothy 4:16).

If one teaches what the Bible teaches, folks must believe what that person teaches. As we have seen, truth must be believed. Not only must we believe the truth, we must obey, and we must walk in it to be in fellowship with God and other Christians (2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 1:6-7).

The preacher who claims to preach the truth, and in the next breath, says: "join the church of your choice," or "if you have no church home, we invite you to come here," is admitting to teaching what is incompatible with New-Testament religion. We must believe truth.

There are several areas where one must know, believe, and comply with the truth, as revealed in the New Testament. Following is at least a partial listing of things that fall into this category. Christ promised the inspired writers that he would send them the Holy Spirit, who would guide them into "all truth" (John 16:12-13; 2 Peter 1:3; Revelation 22:18-19; Galatians 1:6-11). The areas listed are what I call matters of "the faith which was once delivered" (Jude 3).

1. Knowing the "one true God" (1 John 2:22-25; Acts 17:22-31). In Jesus' prayer to His Father, He said "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).

2. Knowing how to become a Christian and, as such, a member of the church Christ purchased with His blood (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:45-49; Acts 2:22- 38,41,47; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26-29). Reconciliation to God is realized only "in one body by the cross" (Ephesians 2:10-17).

3. Knowing how to worship, individually, and in the collective assembly on each Lord's day, as authorized and commanded by Christ (John 4:23; Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9).

   1. Engaging in "breaking bread," or communion, each Lord's day, as often as there is a Lord’s day (Acts 20:6-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29). Jesus said "this do" (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:15-20).

   2. Preaching and teaching God’s word (Acts 2:42, 20:6-9; 2 Timothy 2:1-2, 4:1-8).

   3. Teaching and admonishing one another by singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs; giving praise to God. Not until many years after the church began did men introduce mechanical instruments of music into the assemblies, perverting the simple worship authorized by Christ. When His word specifies one thing, it excludes all else. Instrumental music is another kind of music; it is not an aid. Songbooks, leaders, etc., are aids, for when they are employed, we do nothing but sing. Instruments are additions, and additions are condemned. Then there are two kinds of music--vocal and instrumental--(Revelation 22:18-19; Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9-10). There are in all, nine New Testament passages that deal with music. All specify "singing." If God’s Word simply said make music, any kind would suffice. It does not, however, say that; and we must limit ourselves to what He authorized and specified.

   4. As commanded by the apostles, each Christian gave a "free will" offering into the collective treasury of the local church (1 Corinthians 16:1-7; 2 Corinthians 8 and 9). Christians are not commanded to tithe as were they who lived under the Old Law. Christians are to purpose in their hearts and give according to their prosperity.

   5. Prayers were an integral part of early-church worship, and today, they remain important for those who desire to honor the Lord’s authority. A male member of the congregation led the assembly in prayer. “Amen” was uttered orally, or silently in the minds of the other worshippers, to signal agreement with what was prayed (1 Corinthians 14:15-19; Acts 12:5). Men led the prayers because the Lord, through Paul, restricted woman’s role to one of submission and forbade her to exercise leadership over men (1 Timothy 2:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:33-35). Services were to be conducted decently and in order so that the worshipers would be edified (1 Corinthians 14:40).

4. Knowing the proper name to wear in order to glorify God through Jesus (Acts 11:26, 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Salvation is not possible, except through the name of Jesus. Wearing other names is divisive and is said to be a sign of carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

The Local Congregation Is the Only Organization Known to New-Testament Religion
In local congregations, men who met the qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 were appointed to oversee the work (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-21). Various Greek terms were used to refer to these men. When translated, these terms--Pastors, Bishops, Elders--describe the functions performed in exercising spiritual oversight of the membership. In the above passages, we read that they were to "watch for the souls" of the membership and to see that "wolves" (false teachers) did not, through false teaching, scatter the flock (Acts 20:17-32; Hebrews 13:17). Subsequently, the membership is commanded to "submit" to the spiritual oversight of these men. There is no such thing as a diocesan form of church government.

Likewise, the New Testament mentions nothing about turning the Church’s work over to a human institution through which it functions to carry out the Lord’s work assigned to the local church. Too, there is no evidence of a "sponsoring eldership." In fact, 1 Peter 1:1-5 forbids this. The fact that there were "elders in every church" (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5) indicates that each church is independent of the others. Churches may cooperate, but they must not form an organization larger, smaller, or other than the local congregation. The New Testament, when "rightly divided," forms the pattern for the church’s work and worship.

Under the oversight of the elders, pastors, or bishops, there was a plurality of men who also met certain spiritual qualifications. They were appointed as deacons (servants) in each local church of Christ (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-6).

The work (function) of local congregations today must agree with the sum total of what churches of Christ did in the first century when men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit worked among them. This forms the pattern of which Paul wrote in Philippians 4:9; Hebrews 8:5; and 2 Timothy 1:13. The pattern for the local congregation’s work was shown to be:

1. Preaching and teaching the truth of Christ to edify the membership and to convert sinners.

2. Supporting its own needy and in sister congregations where there was lack of ability to supply the needs of the indigent (needy) saints (1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:24-25; Philippians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Romans 15:25-31; Acts 6:1-6; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4).

3. As already stated, to provide for the worship assemblies, in which the Lord s Supper, among other things, was observed each week.

Don’t gamble with your soul’s eternity to have your own way in religion. (edited KMG)