The following quotations are from one of the internationally accepted English translations of the ancient writings which were collected together and are called "The Bible". The particular translation used here is the King James version and is most popularly used for reason of its high degree of accuracy.

Most religious organizations claiming to be "Christians" will say they believe the writings of the Bible. Yet what they say and what they teach can be, in many cases, completely contrary to this text.

How do you know if what they're teaching is true?

Simple. The following is a list of verses, or sections of the Bible, with its most fundamental teachings. If any person or organization claiming to believe that the Bible is God's Word does not believe the truths in the following quotations, then they are not really who or what they say they are. And if any of these people say they do not believe that everything is true in this main foundation of their belief, then they really have no foundation to stand on. Always let God's Word speak for itself.

The fundamental teachings of the Bible:

The writings of the Bible are God's teachings and are true and accurate.

II Timothy 3:16
  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

God is the one and only true God. God refers to himself as having three distinct persons, but they all act as and are one. (Hebrew for God: "Elohim" pl. - used as a singular plural greater than two, somewhat like the word "body" which encompasses many functioning parts)

I John 5:7
  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

John 1:14
  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Matthew 1:23
  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (See also Isaiah 7:14 - prophecy approx. 700 B.C.)

I Timothy 2:5
  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Man's condition requires change through belief in God.

Romans 5:12
  Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (sinned: disobeyed God)

God told mankind, long ago, to give sacrifices as an act of love and a way to ask for forgiveness. This sacrifice was something that a man could not create with his own hands. It was of emotional and physical value, and a representation of innocence. A lamb. The lamb was a reminder, a promise, and an example of the love God was going to show all mankind by offering His own Son as a sacrifice. His Son also willingly offered Himself to show both His Father and you His love. He became God in human form. A man of perfect morality was given a criminal's execution and crucified on a wooden cross. To show us that our sin and its punishment (death: see Romans 5:12 above) was conquered, God raised His Son from the dead. (See also Isaiah 53:2-12 - prophecy approx. 700 B.C.)

Jesus was put to death as a sacrifice for our sins and was raised from the dead to show us the integrity of His promise.

Romans 5:8
  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9-13
  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (old eng: "at a loss" or disappointed).
  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Man can not save himself through good deeds, works or by paying money. Only God can rescue man through faith in the finished work of His Son.

Titus 3:5
  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Ephesians 2:8-9 (see John 14:6)
  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Once you are saved by God's grace you are always saved!

Hebrews 10:14
  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Jesus himself said:

John 10:28-29
  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

And in John's letter:

I John 5:13
  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Salvation of the human soul and spirit is made through confession to God of sin and an acknowledgment of Jesus as payment for it and as their mediator (see I Timothy 2:5 above) to ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness is not restricted to any one group of people, race, or colour, but for all that come to God of their own free will. (See Romans 10:12-13 Above)

Forgiveness does not give us a licence to sin:

Romans 6:15
  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

I John 5:3
  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Galatians 6:7-8
  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

A person who truly loves and believes in God and in what Jesus did for them shows it through their daily life. The things we do for physical gain in this world will decay and become meaningless just as everything physical does, but what we do for God is what will last for ever.

Why do some of these organizations teach what is not true?

II Timothy 4:3-4
  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Acts 13:38-39 (see Exodus 20:3-17).
  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33)

As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.

Proverbs 25:25

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