Going back to the basics


In many churches today you can attend and come out wondering what Christianity is all about. A lot of deception has crept into churches and it becomes difficult for someone who is genuinely seeking the truth to even find it there. If ever it was important to know what the bible says and not what people say about it, it is more so now. People say all sorts of things and come up with all sorts of interpretations of the bible. And now there are a lot of questionable bible versions that eliminate some verses. I remember getting a paraphrased bible for free when I was in high school. I had to dump that one quickly because I got horrified when I tried to read it. The meaning was totally lost, so much that it was not long before I realised it was a complete perversion of God's word. Now I stick to the old tried and tested King James version.


The gospel of Jesus Christ
Church should be about Jesus Christ of Nazareth, it is not about keeping a positive attitude, making money or being successful in life.


The first ever evangelical sermon that tells us what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about is found in the book of Acts.

Acts 2: 22-38 (KJV)
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriach David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.


I just made some of the text bold to emphasize on simple truths: who is Jesus, what did he do and what must I do about him. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 2: 2 (KJV)says ' For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' If you are a believer you should not just wait for someone else to interpret the bible for you. Read it for yourself and confirm if the interpretation is in line. If they quote a verse, check it out within the context. People like to pull out a verse or part of a verse and preach off topic.
A common scripture comes to mind. Romans 8: 1 People like to quote part of the verse which says, ' There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus..' But it does not end there, it continues '...who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' If you go with the first part it means oh, if I accept Jesus then I am not under condemnation. But the verse as a whole means you have to walk after the Spirit which means staying away from sin (Rom 8 vs13, Gal 5 vs 16, 19-21)!

May God help us not to be swept away by waves of deception buffeting us from all sides!