The following is from the Word of Truth for the World webpage:

BUDDHISM

There are two ways to approach the subject of Buddhism. One approach is to look at Buddhism as it has existed in Asia. It is a very important part of the culture there. It is “engrained” in the habits and lifestyle of millions of Asian people. The other way is to study it as practiced by people in the Western world. Many who practice Buddhism in the west have first rejected the Bible and so-called “Christianity.” When they do not see what they like in this area, they turn to eastern religions. Unfortunately, most of these have never been exposed to true New Testament Christianity. Therefore do not make a true comparison between what the Bible teaches and what Buddhism teaches. We will do that in this lesson. Because many have already rejected false “Christianity,” they have difficulty accepting the truth (Genesis 37:31-34; 45:26-28).

A Taiwanese woman, who believed all religions are from God, illustrates this view. Even though all of the different religions teach many contradictory doctrines, she believed that since they all came from God, we should just pick and choose the best of each one and leave the rest alone. She also believed that since all religions came from God, we should not criticize various religious groups. There are many people in this world who share her views (I have several samples of letters in my files illustrating this point). We also know God did not institute contradictory religions because "God is not the author of confusion" (1 Corinthians 14:33). There are so many religions or philosophies that claim to be the guide for people in this life. Buddhism makes this claim. There are millions of Buddhists living in the world today and the number continues to grow, especially in the United States.

Because there are many similarities between Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism (pronounced dao-ism), and because various parts of these “paths” are practiced by many Asian people, we will also give a brief overview of these views as well. “Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism constitute the essence of the traditional Chinese culture. The relationship among the three has been marked by both contention and complementation in history, with Confucianism playing a more dominant role.” Buddhism is one of many Eastern religions that fits into Paul's description of those who "changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.... Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:23,25).

Origin and History

Buddhism

 Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (563?- 483?), also known as Shakyamuni. Gautama was born in what is now Nepal. He was born into a noble family and was raised in wealthy circumstances. He married at the age of sixteen and had a son at the age of twenty-nine. “Legend has been prolifically at work on the scanty facts concerning the childhood of Siddhartha Gautama. Tradition insists that the father hoped his son would become ‘a universal monarch,’ the emperor of all India. But if this was in actual fact his expectation, it was doomed to disappointment.”

It was after the birth of his son that Siddhartha Gautama began his search for enlightenment. After trying the ascetic way of life, he turned to meditation. It is claimed that through meditation he realized enlightenment and began to teach his beliefs. “Deep in meditation, he reached the highest degree of God-consciousness, known as nirvana. He supposedly stayed under the fig tree for seven days, after that the fig tree was called the bodhi, or the bo tree (the tree of wisdom). The truths he learned he would now impart to the world, no longer as Siddhartha Gautama, but as the Buddha, the enlightened one.”

For the next forty-five years, Gautama worked in the preaching and teaching of those things he had learned. Buddhism was born in India, the home of Hinduism. Since Gautama came out of the Hindu background, there are a number of similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism, e.g., teachings regarding reincarnation and karma. It is said Gautama died at the age of 80 after eating spoiled food.

The greatest early growth of Buddhism was in India. It spread into the other Asian nations, such as Thailand, China, and Japan. Several forms of Buddhism have been developed through the years. We will discuss that when we talk about “Authority and Doctrine” later in this chapter.

Taoism

The claimed founder of Taoism (pronounced Daoism) is Lao-tzu. The word tao means “path.” Concerning him, McDowell and Stewart said: Many scholars feel that Lao-tzu never existed at all. His date of birth is uncertain, being put variously between 604 and 570 B.C. One legend said that he was never young but rather was born old with white hair, a long white beard and wrinkled skin…. However, he was known to the people as Lao-tzu, meaning "the old philosopher.”

Chuang-tzu, a disciple of Lao-tzu, popularized Taoism by his many teachings on the subject of the “path.” Taoism provides us with “yin” and “yang,” which literally means “feminine” and “masculine.” It carries many additional meanings in Taoism. Taoism still has a large following in Taiwan and has a growing following in the United States. Those who practice Taoism in Taiwan also mix it with Buddhism and Confucianism.

Confucianism 

The name Confucius is the romanized version of his Chinese name, Kung Fu Tzu. He was born about 550 B.C. in China. He lived at about the same time as Buddha. He was an official in local government, holding minor posts until about the age of fifty. It was at that time he became a high official, but because of a disagreement with his superiors, resigned, and spent the next thirteen years traveling and spreading his teachings. After spending the last five years of his life writing, he died in Shantung Province in 479 B.C.

Rod Rutherford gives a concise account of the origin and history of Confucianism in his book on world religions. He says in the introduction: Confucianism has been described as a “religion of optimistic humanism.” Confucianism is not a religion in the sense of man worshiping a god or gods, but is mainly an ethical system dealing with getting along with one’s fellow man.

It was Confucius’ purpose to try to bring reform to the society at that time because of the corruption among government leaders. “Confucius believed that the solution to this chaos was to return to the kinder, gentler ways of their ancestors. He was basically a humanist, believing that man was essentially good, and just needed to be called back to his better instincts. He sought to reform society by reforming government and education according to his principles of behavior.

One of his students, born about two hundred years later, was Mencius. Like his teacher, he spent much of his time in traveling spreading the message of reform. He was mostly responsible for the teachings of Confucius becoming well known and popular throughout China. It may be the case that Confucius had no intention of establishing a new religion, but through the centuries, steps were taken to “deify” Confucius. Today, there are Confucius temples throughout China. In Taiwan, sunrise services are conducted each year on September 28 th to remember him.

Authority and Doctrine

Buddhism 

Buddhism is divided into three main branches. The oldest branch is Theravada, the “Way of the Elders.” Theravada is predominately found in southern Asia ( Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia). By far the largest branch of Buddhism is Mahayana or “Great Vehicle.” It is predominant in northern Asia ( China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam). “ Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that has become very popular in Western nations in recent years. Zen developed about a thousand years after the death of Buddha. Adherents of Zen say their beliefs do not need to be explained, but are directly transmitted from one mind to another…. A statement of Buddha frequently repeated by advocates of Zen is: ‘Look within; you are the Buddha.’” The third branch of Buddhism is the Vajrayana or “Diamond” tradition. It is dominant in Tibet. The Dalai Lama is the leading figure of this branch.

Though there are different branches of Buddhism, there are some basic teachings accepted by all. These include: The Three Marks of Existence, The Four Noble Truths, The Five Skandhas, The Six Realms, The Eightfold Path, and the Ten Perfections.

“Theravada Buddhism has three groups of scriptures. Together, they are referred to as ‘Tripitaka’ which means ‘Three Baskets.’ The Tripitaka is about eleven times the size of the Bible. It includes the sayings of Buddha, lectures on discipline, and philosophy. Mahayana Buddhism has no fixed canon of scripture. They have more than 5,000 volumes and the number continues to grow. Some sects choose one portion to follow; some another.” Some of the main doctrines of Buddhism are karma, reincarnation, and nirvana.

The Meaning of Karma 

Buddhism teaches that happiness or suffering in this life is the result of our deeds (karma) in past lives, or past actions in our present lives. Karma is “intentional action, that is, a deed done deliberately through body, speech, or mind.” The effects of karma may be evident either in short term or in the long term. Karma can either manifest its effects in this very life or in the next life or only after several lives.

“A man does wrong and suffers for it. But he may suffer when he has done no apparent wrong. Hence his wrong was done in a former life, and if he does wrong and apparently receives no retribution, he will be punished for his sin in another birth.” The Buddha said,

“According to the seed that is sown,
So is the fruit you reap.
The door of good will gather good result. [sic]
The door of evil reaps evil result. [sic]
If you plant a good seed well,
Then you will enjoy the good fruits.”

According to the idea of karma in Buddhism, an individual has free-will, but he carries the baggage of deeds done in previous lives.

Reincarnation or Rebirth 

The idea of reincarnation permeates our society. In the early 1980's, almost one in four Americans believed in reincarnation. There have been a number of books written, television shows and movies produced that promote this teaching. Many famous people in history believed they were someone else in another life. In some forms of Buddhism, all creatures (including animals) have a soul, so it would be cannibalism to kill and eat animals. Many who believe in reincarnation are vegetarians. Buddhists are not the only animists in the world. Animism is the belief that all sorts of motionless objects…have souls or spirits in them.

 Nirvana 

In Sanskrit, nirvana literally means, "extinction, blowing out." Nirvana is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice in Buddhism. It is the liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. Nirvana is the total, absolute and permanent cessation of suffering. Buddha says, "one without attachment realizes nirvana." Buddha also says, the "end of craving is nirvana." The Buddha described nirvana as supreme happiness, peace and immortality. It is the merging of the individual into being one with the universe. Nirvana means "never having to be reborn."

View of God 

As in Hinduism, there are many Buddhists who believe there are many gods, or no gods. “Zen holds that there is no god outside the universe who has created it and created man…. Each of us is but a cell as it were, in the body of the great Self, a cell that comes into being, performs it functions, and passes away, transformed into another manifestation.” “In Chinese style polytheism, the pantheon of gods is open.... In China...religions are viewed as inclusive, and a person may commonly be a combination of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist, with some other elements thrown in as well. Chinese tend to look for a ‘god’ that can solve a specific problem at an immediate time, and to fill a particular need. They visit a variety of temples and shrines to give offerings. When the westerner inquires as to which idols or images in the temple are representative of which religion(s), it is most likely none of the Chinese in attendance knows."

Buddhism is a religion that “offers the chance to be an atheist without having to dispense with religion.” So in Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, you can be a polytheist or an atheist. It does not affect their final outcome or goals. The Psalmist said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

Taoism 

The Tao Te Ching is the main source of the authority of Taoism. It accepts unquestionably the theory that when things are allowed to take their natural course, they move with a wonderful perfection and harmony. Yin-Yang represent elements in the universe that are contrary to each other, such as life and death, light and darkness, good and evil. The Yang represents the positive elements, the Yin the negative elements. It also teaches one can get his life in harmony with the Tao and live as he is meant to live. This is called “the concept of inaction.”

 The practice of ancestor worship comes from Taoism as well. Confucianism also advocates this practice. It is believed that if the family provides for the needs of their departed loved ones, the departed will continue to bring good luck to the living. However, if the ancestors are neglected, bad luck will come to the family. In the Chinese culture, it falls to the oldest male in the family to lead in the worship of the ancestors.

Confucianism 

The doctrines and authority of this view is based upon a number of the writings of Confucius, Mencius, and their followers. These books include: The Five Classics, The Analects, The Great Learning, The Doctrine of the Mean, and The Book of Mencius.

One of the main things Confucius stressed in his writings was the teaching on filial piety. “Confucius taught that an orderly society was based on the stability of the home, but the home was based on respect of children for their parents. He was credited with saying, ‘The services of love and reverence to parents when alive, and those of sorrow and grief when dead, these completely discharge the fundamental duty of living men.’ Throughout Chinese history, loyalty to the family has been the highest consideration.” That is why in many countries where Chinese people live, there is a very low crime rate among the Chinese people. It comes from the respect for the family.

Confucius’ statement, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others” has been used to show Jesus’ statement was not original. Unlike Jesus, however, Confucius applied this only to friends, not enemies. Also, Confucius looked at it from the negative standpoint, while Jesus stated it positively. "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).

Eastern Religion Versus The Bible 

It is granted there is some good in all religions. Who would be interested in following a religion that did not have anything good about it? However, as we pointed out at the beginning of this lesson, God did not want many different conflicting religions existing in the world. How can we know which one is the one He authorizes?

Just as with many Eastern religions, Buddhism is very idolatrous in nature. The Bible is filled with passages that show the folly and sinfulness of idolatry that has existed in Eastern religions through the years (Psalm 115:4-8; Psalm 135:15-17; Isaiah 40:18-20; Acts 19:24-28; 1 Corinthians 12:2). How can religions that promote idolatry be a religion from God? It is not possible.

Karma Versus The Bible

According to the idea of karma in Buddhism, an individual has free will, but he carries the baggage of deeds done in previous lives. What does the Bible teach? The Bible teaches each individual is responsible for his own life (Ezekiel 18:4,20; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We do not inherit the sins of our ancestors, nor do we inherit sins from previous lives.

Reincarnation Versus The Bible

Some who believe in reincarnation try to use the Bible to uphold their doctrine. In the Old Testament, they refer to the examples of Job (Job 1:20,21) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4,5) to try to uphold their doctrine. They also use Psalm 139:13-16 to try to support their teaching. In the New Testament, they try to use passages that speak of Paul (Gal. 1:15,16) and Elijah (Matthew 11:14; 17:10-13; Luke 1:17). None of these passages remotely suggest this teaching.

The Bible does not uphold this doctrine. In fact, the Bible refutes reincarnation. Take, for example, the case of Elijah. Reincarnation teaches that when a person dies, he is born as someone else in another life. But Elijah did not die (2 Kings 2:11; Hebrews 11:5). Also, Elijah appears as himself with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-5). John came "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17). Reincarnation teaches we die over and over again. However, the Bible tells us "it is appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27). This same verse tells us that after we die, we wait for the judgment.

Nirvana Versus The Bible

Earlier in this lesson we gave the definition and meaning of nirvana. It was to cease from an existence of pain and suffering. The goal of the Christian is also to go to a place where there will be no suffering or pain (Revelation 21:4; 1 Peter 1:3-9). However, a heavenly reward does not mean we cease to exist (John 5:28,29; Matthew 25:31-46). These passages also point out the unrighteous are not reborn, but will be doomed to hell.

Defeating Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism 

The Buddhists do not like this phrase, “defeating Buddhism.” It makes it sound like we are at war. We are at “spiritual war” with Satan (Ephesians 6:10-17; 2 Timothy 2:3,4; 1 John 3:8). If these religions did not come from God, they came from Satan. We are not interested in “killing” those in these religions, but instead trying to free them from the captivity of the devil (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16).

The key to succeeding in this effort is to first establish the truth of the Bible. If the Bible is true, then anything that contradicts the Bible must be false. We can prove the truth of the Bible.

What is so special about the Bible that makes us realize it is the greatest book ever written? The Bible claims to be from God (2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32). He then says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17). The Word of God is our source of truth (2 Tim. 3:16,17). We have proof Jesus is who He said He Is.

Many people do not believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. If He is not the Christ, then our faith is of no value. If He is the Son of God, we must obey Him to go to Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23). Jesus is a real person. He lived on this earth about 2,000 years ago. Not everybody believes He is the Son of God. Some say, “He was a good man, and a great Teacher, but He was not the Son of God.” This is impossible. Either He is the Son of God, or He was the biggest liar in the world. He said He was the Son of God. Why do we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? To believe something we must have good reasons. We must be able to prove why we believe Jesus is the Christ (1 Peter 3:15). People must believe that Jesus is the Christ to be saved (John 8:24; John 14:6). We can give many reasons for believing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 1:1-18; 5:17,18; 8:58; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Peter 2:21,22; Hebrews 4:14-16; John 3:1,2; 20:30,31; Matthew 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:16-18; 1 John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:4).

There are no contradictions in the Bible. The Bible was written by about forty different writers over a period of about 1600 years. The writers of the Bible were men who lived in different periods of time, had different occupations, and lived in different places. In many cases, the writers did not know each other. In spite of this, there are no contradictions in the Bible. This could not have happened by accident. Buddhism does not even try to claim there are no contradictions in their sacred writings.

We can also consider the scientific facts found in the Bible. The Bible is not a science book, but it has scientific facts in it. Columbus and Magellan proved the earth is round. That was just about five hundred years ago. The Bible told us the earth was round thousands of years before anybody ever heard of Columbus or Magellan (Isaiah 40:22; Proverbs 8:27).

The Bible also tells us we are not able to number the stars. In 1940, astronomers finally came to this conclusion. Almost 2,500 years ago, Jeremiah recorded: "As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me" (Jeremiah 33:22). Almighty God cannot only count the stars, He can call them by name (Psalm 147:4).

There are more than one thousand prophecies in the Bible. The fact that every prophecy is fulfilled is further proof that the Bible is true. More than three hundred of these prophecies are concerning the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled every one.

The Bible teaches there is only one right way (John 14:6). We will be judged by the words of Christ (John 12:48). There are only two choices in life - the narrow way or the broad way (Matthew 7:13,14). If we want to go to Heaven, we have to obey the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 6:17,18; Hebrews 5:8,9). The Bible is the proven guide for the lives of all people.

The Bible teaches there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6). The Bible also emphasizes the existence of God (Genesis 1:1; Daniel 2:28; Acts 17:23-29). Buddhism teaches there is either no God or many gods. You can chose. The Bible is right! Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism contradict the Bible. Therefore, they cannot be right!

The Bible teaches it is our guide in life and it reveals all truth (Psalm 119:105; John 14:26; John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3). Buddhism teaches the writings of Gautama and one's own feelings are the guide in this life (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23).

The Bible proclaims Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (Romans 1:4; John 20:30,31). The Bible teaches that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Buddhism denies Jesus rose from the dead and denies Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Since Buddhism contradicts these plain passages, Buddhism cannot be true!

The Bible reveals God's eternal plan to save mankind through the church (Ephesians 3:8-11; Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22,23; Ephesians 5:23). Buddhism denies this is the path of salvation. According to Buddhism, a person is to follow the Eightfold Path that will lead to Nirvana. Since this contradicts the Bible, it cannot be right!

The Bible teaches that our souls are eternal and we will be judged according to our works, by the Word of God (Matthew 10:28; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The difference between humans and animals is that humans have an eternal soul, but animals do not. Yet Buddhism teaches all life, human and animal, is of the same value. Buddhism also teaches reincarnation, which is a continual rebirth. These views are in conflict with the Bible. The Bible is true. Therefore these doctrines of Buddhism are false.

Conclusion

Buddhism stresses self-dependence and self-salvation. It cannot be true because it is a religion from man (Matthew 15:8,9,13-15). Christianity is far superior to any other religion in the world. It offers forgiveness of sins through our obedience to Christ (Hebrews 5:8,9). The only hope this world has is through Christ (Ephesians 2:12; John 14:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Those who established these Eastern religions have died and are still dead. Jesus died and rose from the dead never to die again (Romans 1:4).

May God help each of us to use every opportunity to preach the Gospel of Christ to those who practice and follow Buddhism, and give those who have good and honest hearts the opportunity to believe and obey the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Romans 1:16).

ENDNOTES

All Quotations are taken from the King James Version. Jacob had a genuine reaction to false information. When he learned the truth, at first, he refused to believe it.

http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa030400a.html

David S. Noss and John B. Noss, Man’s Religions (New York, NY; Macmillan Publishing Company, 1984), p. 106.

Josh McDowell and Don Stewart, Understanding Non-Christian Religions (San Bernardino, California: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1982), p. 49.

Ibid., p. 97.

Ibid., pp. 77,78.

Rod Rutherford, Survey of World Religions ( Memphis, Tennessee: Rutherford Publications, n.d.), p. 38. Brother Rutherford’s book has twenty lessons dealing with all of the major religions in the world. It would be an excellent study book for Bible classes.

Ibid., p. 41.

Rutherford, p. 32.

http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/dharma/introduction/overview.html and http://www.easternreligions.com/buddhacom.html.

Rutherford, p. 32.

Edward J. Thomas, The Life of Buddha (London: Broadway House, 1949), p. 174.

http://home.earthlink.net/~srama/

Norman L. Geisler and J. Yutaka Amano, The Reincarnation Sensation (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1986), p. 7.

Noss and Noss, p. 15.

Ibid., p. 122.

Ruth Fuller Sasaki, “Zen: a Method for Religious Awakening,” The World of Zen: an East-West Anthology, edited by Nancy Wilson Ross (New York: Random House, 1960), p. 18.

Richard W. Hartzell, Harmony in Conflict (Taipei: Cave Books, 1988), p. 565.

Wulf Metz, “The Appeal of Buddhism in the West,” in the World’s Religions (Herts, England: Lion Publishing, 1982), p. 242.

Noss and Noss, p. 247.

McDowell and Stewart, p. 109.

Ibid., p. 109.

Rutherford, p. 41.

Ibid., p. 41.

Geisler and Amano, p. 170.

Additional Websites for further study on Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism: http://www.omsakthi.org/religions.html; http://www.friesian.com/confuci.htm; http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/taoism/; http://www.askasia.org/frclasrm/readings/r000005.htm; http://www-ee.eng.hawaii.edu/~chiao/ghost.htm; http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVL-Buddhism.html.

For Further Information Contact:

Truth For The World
P.O. Box 5048
Duluth, GA 30096-0065
e-mail: info@tftw.org   
     

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 12:23 PM EDT

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The following article is taken from one of the newsletters I read which I think could be useful to those who are belittled by others who have to make themselves feel important by looking down thier noses at others. Only this is in the context of business dealings, from a guy who generally writes about meeting and dating women, John Alinis wrote the following:

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 10:56 AM EDT

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BROTHERLY KINDNESS

From the  Truth for the World webpage

In the Old Testament, the first two brothers that we find are Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:2 reveals that "Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." In other words, Abel was a shepherd, and Cain was a farmer. Both men offered sacrifices to God. Cain offered some fruit of the ground, and Abel offered the firstling of his flock. Abel's sacrifice was acceptable and pleased God, but Cain's was unacceptable.

Now, some have said that the reason that one was accepted and the other was not is because it was an animal sacrifice. Others have proposed that it was acceptable because Abel offered the best of what he had and Cain did not. But this is not the point we wish to put forth in our lesson today. We want to notice that Cain became very angry and jealous of his brother. In fact, his anger became so kindled that he killed Abel. The Lord came to Cain (Genesis 4:9) and asked him, "Where is Abel your brother?" Cain replied, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" Of course, God knew that Cain had actually taken his brother's life, and so a punishment was placed upon him. He was made a fugitive and a vagabond. A mark was placed upon Cain so that others would not kill him. That's the story of the first two brothers of the Old Testament. You may read that account in Genesis 4.

The first two brothers of the New Testament are Peter and Andrew. One day, Andrew found Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He then went to find his brother Peter and told him, "We have found the Messiah." After this Andrew brought Peter to the Lord, and you can read that story in John the first chapter.

What a vast difference we see between these two sets of brothers! In the Old Testament, one brother killed the other. In the New Testament, one brother led the other to the Lord. Our lesson today concerns 'Brotherly Kindness.'

What exactly did Cain accomplish with his action toward Abel? Cain accomplished only that which was of a negative nature. In the first place, he became very angry. It is possible to become angry and still not sin; Ephesians 4:26 says, "Be angry, and do not sin..." (Eph 4:26) It is never right to be angry when an injury is done to oneself. It is often right to be angry when an injustice is brought upon others. In Mark I 1, Jesus entered the temple and observed that those who sold sacrifices and served as moneychangers were there. He realized that they were taking advantage of the people. So, He overthrew their tables and drove them from the temple. His statement was, "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but you have made it a den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13). Jesus became angry, but he did not sin. Selfish anger is always sin, but selfless anger can be positive and morally right.

This was one of Cain's problems. He was angry for the wrong reason. We need to be extremely careful about our anger. When we are angry, this is the time when it is the easiest to sin. We often say things when angry that we should not and would not normally say.

In Numbers 20, there is a sad story in the life of Moses, the great Law-giver of Israel. The Israelites were in the wilderness and were thirsty. The Lord told Moses to speak to the rock before them and water would come forth. Moses was very angry with the people, and as he stood by the rock, he said something he regretted for the rest of his life. He said in Numbers 20:10, "Here now, you rebels, must we fetch you water out of this rock?" He then struck the rock, instead of speaking to it, and water came forth. But God was displeased with Moses. In his anger, Moses took the credit for bringing forth the water. Now, normally Moses would not have done this, but his anger caused him to sin. It was for this very incident that Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land.

How many times have people been hurt by angry words? How many friendships have been broken over angry words? How many homes have been divided because one or more decided to use an angry word?

There is a religious song entitled Angry Words: "Angry words, oh, let them never from the tongue unbridled slip. May the heart's best impulse ever check them, e'er they soil the lip. Love is much too pure and holy, friendship is too sacred far, For a moment's reckless folly thus to desolate and mar. Angry words are lightly spoken, bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred, Brightest links of life are broken by a single angry word." Those words are so true. We need to come to the full realization that controlling our temper is an essential ingredient for brotherly kindness.

But we find, next, that Cain was guilty of envy. His brother's sacrifice was more acceptable, and so Cain envied Abel. Sometimes when certain people see others working for the Lord, they become envious. Instead of lending a helping hand, they criticize. Webster defines envy as "a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with a desire to possess that same advantage." And this seems to have been the feeling that Cain possessed toward Abel. Instead of accepting the fact that he had committed something wrong, he decided to carry his sin a step further. This brings us to the climax of Cain's sin -- murder, the alternative of brotherly kindness. What a shame this man could not find room in his heart for love instead of hate.

The Bible tells us to be kind. Second Peter 1:7 tells us to add brotherly kindness to godliness. Ephesians 4:32 says, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you." In Colossians 3:12, Paul writes: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering." Suppose an individual becomes sick and discouraged. Kindness can help bring health and encouragement. Kindness can be seen in our words, but it can be felt in our actions too. A dear little old lady became ill, and when a couple of visiting ladies rose up to leave, they said, "We will be praying for you." "Just wash up those dishes in the kitchen," the sick one smilingly replied. "I can do my own praying." You know, kindness must include some action. Right now, there may be someone sitting in his living room who would be overjoyed at receiving a letter, telephone -call, or, better yet, a visit from you. Why not resolve right now to do that little act of kindness. Little acts of kindness are really great big acts of goodness in disguise, and how much they will accomplish! Who knows, who can really tell?

It should be quite obvious that Cain achieved absolutely nothing. But what did Andrew, one of the two brothers of the New Testament that we mentioned earlier, accomplish? He led his brother Peter to Christ. After this, we really don't hear too much about Andrew, but we hear a lot about Peter. Peter became a great apostle, a great preacher, a great Christian. He preached the first gospel sermon to the Jews on Pentecost. You can road about it in Acts the second chapter. He was also the first to preach to the Gentiles, and you can read about that in Acts 10. Peter wrote two books of the New Testament. One little act of kindness ultimately led to the salvation of literally thousands of people.

I believe that we can easily see the difference between the two sets of brothers. Now, the question is, Would you rather be like Cain, or would you rather be like Andrew? The answer to that is simple and quite obvious. We would rather be like Andrew. Why? Because his act was far more worthy than that of Cain.

Let me ask you another question -- would you rather deal with an individual like Cain or Andrew? Again, the answer is easily given. We enjoy being around those whose lives have been characterized by kindness. But it does not always happen in that way. Being kind to others means that I am going to have to forget myself. It means that I will not wait for the needs of others to be pointed out, but that I will look for ways in which I can benefit mankind. If someone is hungry, I will feed him; if someone is thirsty, I will give him something to drink; if someone is naked, I will give him something to wear.

Kindness includes all of these, but brotherly kindness or Christian kindness goes much deeper. It does not merely deal with the physical but with the spiritual as well. I believe that every individual should read carefully the word of God, the Bible. He should read it so that he can learn what the Lord requires of him in order for him to go to heaven. After he has read this and obeyed it, this person is then in a position to supply the greatest kindness shown and known to man. This kindness is bringing others to Christ. Can you think of a greater thing you can do for others than that?

Are you a child of God? Let me urge you to study the Bible with an open mind and an open heart. Our plea is for you to obey God, not a man-originated doctrine. After becoming a Christian, you can then begin to demonstrate a kindness such as Andrew showed Peter many years ago. Who knows what your acts of kindness will accomplish. Maybe you'll never know, in this life anyway. Eternity alone will tell the story of genuine brotherly kindness.

For Further Information Contact:

Truth For The World
P.O. Box 5048
Duluth, GA 30096-0065
e-mail: info@tftw.org   
     

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 11:32 AM EDT

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From the Truth for the World webpage:

BLESSINGS IN CHRIST

What does the word "blessing" mean to you? It really carries the idea of reward or happiness. To be blessed is to be happy or rewarded. Certainly all of us in this life desire to be blessed, but where do we seek those blessings? Do we seek them in the things of this world, or from sources other than the ultimate source of all blessing--Jesus Christ?

The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places in Christ." This expression of praise and thanksgiving from Paul contains not only the reason for the praise, but also the statement of a very comprehensive fact: God's grace was not bestowed in vain in Paul's case--His heart was responsive in gratitude to the grace of God, and his life bore bountiful and obedient testimony to its unfailing quantity and quality. No one appreciated the grace of God more than did the apostle Paul. No one can walk with God without a similar feeling and a similar obedience. If David of old, living in the moonlight age under a less glorious covenant, the Mosaical covenant, could say, "O, that men would give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" how much more should the thanksgiving of Christians, who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, swell up in the heart and find expression with the mouth in song, in prayer, in conversation, and in everyday life.

Paul makes no mistake in naming the source of these blessings: "Blessed be God..."-- God is the source. And the apostle Paul was conscious of the ever-watchful care of the Heavenly Father and of his absolute dependence upon him. In his sermon on Mars Hill in the city of Athens, Greece, he said, "In Him [God] we live, and move, and have our being." In the same sermon, he said, "He gives to all life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25). Pity the man who, like the pig devouring acorns, never looks up to see from where his blessings come and who never expresses any gratitude.

What about the quantity of blessings that are received? Ephesians 1:3 declares the quantity of those blessings, when Paul says, "Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing..." Every blessing in the heavenly sphere, or the heavenly realm--that is, in the church, the spiritual realm. There is absolutely no spiritual blessing left outside of Jesus Christ. It also tells us that no spiritual blessings may be received outside of Christ. They are all in Christ--None is left out!

What about the quality of these blessings? They are spiritual blessings sent to nourish the inner man and to develop the new creature. They are blessings for the spirit, for the soul. Blessings for the spiritual man may be enjoyed by the sinner as well as the saint. He sends the rain on the just and the unjust, Matthew 5:45 declares, but only to those who are in Jesus Christ are the blessings of the Heavenly places given.

Where does this verse, Ephesians 1:3, tell us these blessings are received? "In Christ", meaning, in Christ's body, the church. His body is the church, as Paul declares it, in Ephesians 1:22,23: "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." The same inspired writer said to the church at Corinth, " For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body..."(1 Corinthians 12:13).

To the church at Rome, he wrote, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3,4).

Now, listen carefully and see when and where this new life begins: "...as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27). This not only tells how we get into Christ, but also when faith saves us, or when we become children of God by faith. The faith that saves is the faith that truly obeys. In Hebrews 5:9, the writer there declared of Jesus: "He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him." Where are these spiritual blessings received? In Christ--meaning in his body, his spiritual body, the church. The Scriptures clearly declare it.

There are so many blessings given to those who are in Christ! All could not be named, they are so bountiful. But among them, one is that our prayers are answered. What a great blessing that it! Of course, the conditions of acceptable prayer must be met. They are praying in His name, according to His will, in faith, and with unselfishness. But, when we meet these conditions, we have the assurance our prayers are answered. That is one of the great blessings in Christ.

Another is newness of life. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul said that "...in Christ...old things are passed away...all things are become new." We are new creatures, new creatures in Christ Jesus.

Of course, the great blessing of forgiveness of sins is in Christ. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul said, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." This is superior to the old law, the old covenant under which there was remembrance of sins every year. But in Christ there is absolute forgiveness.

Also, we have fellowship one with another in Christ; "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Fellowship with one another and fellowship with Christ are ours if we walk in the light.

Finally, we have the greatest hope ever offered to mankind--the hope of eternal life, given only to us in Christ. And only those who are in Christ have the hope of eternal life. All others cannot share that hope. In Titus 1:2, Paul wrote, "In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began." He promised to those who would follow him, becoming obedient to him through Jesus Christ, the hope of eternal life, where there will be freedom from pain and sorrow, no more tears, and no more death.

Oh, it is a blessed thing to be in Christ and to continue in Jesus Christ! "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ!"

Do you enjoy those blessings now? You may enjoy them through simple and sweet obedience to the will of Jesus Christ.

Believe that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Repent of your sins and confess Jesus as Christ and Lord. Be buried with him in baptism, as we have described in this lesson, in order to have that newness of life, to walk with him in the light as he is in the light, added to his body the church upon your obedience.

For Further Information Contact:

Truth For The World
P.O. Box 5048
Duluth, GA 30096-0065
e-mail: info@tftw.org

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 12:40 PM EDT

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A Virtual World Post Exclusive!

Moove.com Owner open to merger.

By, Peter Ripley, AKA Peterthegreat on moove.com

The owner of moove.com granted this paper an interview this week, though it will be on the homepage next week as a feature interview I thought to go ahead and post it here on the blog.

Yours truly emailed Dr. Lothar three question. Moove is privately owned and Lothar lives in Germany.

The following is the interview:

VWP: How did you start moove?

Lothar: Before starting moove, we had already worked for acclaimed software companies and developed internationally successful products, such as DC-Tools, Nantucket Clipper Tools, CA-Visual Objects, development tools in the fields of object-oriented programming languages, general function libraries, and data bases.

It all started 1994 with a vision of developing a 3D communications program that was fun and useful at the same time.

VWP: Where would like it to be in the future?

Lothar: The virtual life will ever more be part of the real life. We would like to help people in achieving this by

1) Opening the virtual world for the masses, connecting it to other online services and integrating it into real world activities.

2) At the same time providing a real 3D home as a privacy retreat for everybody.

VWP:Have you considered merging with other virtual worlds?

Lothar: Definitively! In order to reach big goals we are searching for strategic partnership with big players. We have set up a proposal:

http://community.moove.com/cs/as.dll?ecinvest

VWP: There's been concerns expressed over kids pretending to be adults. How are you addressing this problem with kids committing this kind of fraud?

Lothar: moove – and nobody else – can guarantee, who is sitting in front of the computer.

We are doing everything possible to protect minors – and adults.

To reach this goal you need separation of the two groups and prevent people from pretending to be in the other group.

Actually moove online is separated into two communities: One for minors and one for adults. Members of these two groups cannot communicate or be together by default. Since this separation is virtual – and not at physical different places -, we can allow contacts of real life family members. Additionally a minor becoming adult can still stick with the old minor friends. The friendships will not be disrupted.

If a member has given a minor age, this cannot be changed to an adult age and vice versa.

This is not only true for a specific nickname, but for all other nicknames the person will register. Similar to the multiple nickname ignore feature, there is an artifical intelligence matrix to detect these relations between nicknames.

Another protection mechanism is our automatic content check. Every content from members being published on moove websites is scanned and valued by a complex software. This way the content will be rejected or be flagged as adult. Content flagged as adult will not be shown to minors.

There are special areas for non-minor content all over moove online. This way we are offering all kind of possibilities for adult members to hide such content for minors.

Finally there are strong possibilities in your 3D home, too, to protect minors. We are offering voice and cam. This way you can check for minors, too.

Last not least moove is available all the time for minor alerts. Just send data about any age fraud to moove and we will take action for protection.

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 3:36 PM EDT

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ARE YOU READY?

From the Truth for the world webpage

A mother was explaining to her little girl about the death of her father. The mother said, "God has sent for your father and will send for us, but I do not know just when." Finally the little girl said, "If we do not know just when God is going to send for us, do you not think we had better pack up and get ready? God might send for us when we are not ready to go." Great truths are often spoken by children, and in this story is the truth that we should be prepared at all times, for we do not know when we will be called upon to leave this world. It may be much sooner than we think. Are you ready?

The Bible clearly points out that life is brief. In James 4:14, the Scriptures declare, "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." The Bible also states, "For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psa 90:9-12).

In Job 9:25,26, the Scriptures say, "Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away, they see no good. They pass by like swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its prey"

Yes, not only does the Bible reveal that life is short, but it also points out that death might occur at any time. In Genesis 27:2, Isaac said, "I do not know the day of my death." No one of us is any different than Isaac. We do not know when we are going to die. It may happen many years from now; it might occur even today. Isaac was an old man when he made that statement. He did not know the day of his death, but he felt it would be soon. But did you know that more than twenty years passed before God called him home? You may be an older person and feel that death is imminent. In all likelihood you are right, but who knows? Perhaps you will be one of those who reaches and surpasses the century mark. On the other hand, you may be a young person and feel you have many more years. In all likelihood you are right, but death may occur shortly.

In Luke 12 is recorded the story of a man who thought he had many years in which to get richer and to live a life of ease. [Read Luke 12:16-21.] Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, `What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

The man who counts on tomorrow is a fool. This rich farmer made great plans, but he did not include God in those plans. There is nothing wrong with planning for the future, but there is something wrong when we plan for the future and do not include God in those plans. Yes, something is desperately wrong! We talk about what we are going to do tomorrow, and yet tomorrow is something of which we cannot be certain. Solomon said, "Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1).We do not know when death will come, but neither do we know when the Lord will return. He may return in our lifetime. We know not the day nor the hour. In Mark 13:32, the Bible says, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." And in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Paul said the Lord's return will be like a thief in the night. You know, one thing that makes a thief successful is that he strikes at a time when one least expects him. The Lord's return will be somewhat like that. He will return at the time when we least expect him. The tragic thing about all of this is that most of the world will not be prepared for either death or the Lord's return.

In Matthew 7:13,14, Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." These verses indicate that a majority will be lost. Therefore, the majority will be unprepared for death or for the Lord's coming. The story is told of a slave during pre-Civil War days. His master died, and someone said to the old slave, "Well, I guess your master has gone home to heaven." "No, sir," the slave replied. "Whenever my master was going to go somewhere, he spent a long time talking about it and a long time getting ready, and he never did say anything about going to Heaven." How well this story illustrates this truth that preparation must be made!

Are you prepared? Are you ready to go to heaven? Is it possible you are so attached to this world you would not be suitable for Heaven?

In Genesis 19, we read of Lot, his wife, and two of their daughters, who were escaping the burning city of Sodom. They were strictly instructed not to look back, and yet Lot's wife looked back and immediately turned into a pillar of salt. Jesus, in Luke 17:32, simply said, "Remember Lot's wife." It seems Lot's wife was just too attached to her worldly possessions. It seems she did not really want to leave them. She was not prepared to leave.

So many of us are so busily engaged in the game of acquiring this world's goods that we do not serve the Lord as we should. We lay up treasure here on the earth but neglect laying up treasure where it really counts--heaven. We become so attached to this world we really are not prepared to leave it. We are so unprepared for eternity, and what a tragedy it is!

In John 14:1-3, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." From these verses, we may see that Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

In Matthew 25, Jesus illustrated the tragedy of being unprepared. In verses 1-13, we read the parable of the ten virgins. The ten virgins were to attend a wedding. They were to accompany the bridegroom. Five of these were wise because they took extra oil for their lamps, and five were foolish because they took no extra oil. At midnight they were told the bridegroom was coming. The five foolish virgins then tried to borrow oil from the five wise virgins, but the five wise virgins would not loan the oil because they had just enough for their own lamps. The five foolish virgins went out to buy oil, but while they were gone the bridegroom came. Those who were ready accompanied him to the marriage. Later the five who had gone out to get oil arrived but the door was shut. They were too late. They were unable to gain entrance.

Jesus Christ is coming. Most are unprepared. Oh, some will try to make last minute preparations to no avail. Now is the time to get ready. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul said, "...now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." In John 9:4, our Lord said, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."

Listen to the words that were spoken to God's people by the prophet of old in Amos 4:12: "Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!." Let me ask again, Are you ready? Are you ready for your appointment with death? Are you ready for the Lord's return. Are you ready to confront Jesus at judgment?

We present these programs to help you better understand the Bible and to help you get ready for eternity. We appeal only to the Bible for our answers. We believe this is what you really want, Bible answers, because no man has the right to supply answers that do not come from the Bible.

Now, how can you get ready for the end? The Bible says one must hear the word of God: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). One must believe in Christ: "... if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24). Jesus said we must repent of our sins: "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). And we must confess Christ to be the Son of God, the good confession: "... if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9,10. And we must be baptized for the remission of sins, buried in baptism, for that is all baptism is, or ever has been-- a burial, where the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins. In Acts 2:38, when the first Gospel sermon was preached and those there who heard, many of them, cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"--that is, What shall we do to be saved? Peter said, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Those who have not done these things are not prepared for eternity.

Have you obeyed these commandments? If not, our prayer is that you will do so. You may not have as much time as you think. You only have one life to live. Why not live it in service to your Lord.

For Further Information Contact:

Truth For The World
P.O. Box 5048
Duluth, GA 30096-0065
e-mail: info@tftw.org

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 11:32 AM EDT

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The "Pot" townhall meeting

By, Peter Ripley

From what I heard of Obama's so called townhall meeting, which amounted to nothing more than a high school pep rally for feeding Obama's ego trip, the most asked question was legalizing pot. They only fielded questions from those who supports him, never was asked questions from his critics, so that townhall meeting was a joke, just as his joke on the Tonight Show. It was nothing but propaganda tool, for him! Before he would even consider answering questions you had to 'vote" for the most asked question, and legalizing pot was the most asked question, according to  an newsmax article, he made the following wise crack about those who were asking the question:

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 7:48 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 28 March 2009 11:22 AM EDT

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From the Truth for the World Webpage: 

ACTS 2 -- THE HUB OF THE BIBLE

The hub, or center of a wheel is very important. Without it there could be no wheel. All the spokes of the wheel come together at the center. It has been said that Christ is like the hub of the wheel. In Christ all come together to form a perfect circle of unity by which the church moves forward in its work of saving souls, helping the needy, and edifying one another in love. Without Christ this cannot happen. In a similar analogy, the second chapter of the book of Acts has been called "the hub of the Bible." In our lesson today we are going to see why this is true.

In Acts 2 we have the culmination of God's plan for saving mankind. In this great chapter the beginning of the church of Christ is recorded. The church was in the mind of God long before the Old Law, the Law of Moses, was ever established. It was God's eternal purpose to save man through the church which Jesus Christ would establish after his death, burial and resurrection. The time of this beginning of the church is right here in Acts 2, on the first Pentecost day following the resurrection of Jesus.

In Acts 1 we read of the ascension of Jesus back to the Father in Heaven. In that same chapter, prior to His ascension, Jesus promised the apostles the power of the Holy Spirit, and He taught clearly that the church, or kingdom, would come when that power came upon the apostles. Here, in Acts 2, we see the fulfillment of that promise, and the fulfillment of God's plan for saving the world from sin. That plan would be through Christ and His church.

Let us read Acts 2:1-4. "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." The Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak languages they had never learned in order to communicate to the Jews gathered there from "every nation under heaven," as the text says. They needed to tell these Jews the good news that Jesus, Whom they crucified, was actually the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God. The purpose of the preaching was to convince them of this fact, to cause them to repent, or turn, from their sins and to come into the church which was being established on that very day.

As they began to speak, the multitude was amazed that these apostles could speak in their different languages. This was a miracle designed to convince the audience that what was spoken by these servants of God was truly from God. All of the multitude did not believe what they heard, but about 3,000 did believe and were added to the church, as we shall soon see.

Of all the preaching done on that day of Pentecost, only part of Peter's sermon is recorded by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. However, it is designed to produce the same reaction in men who read it today as in those who heard it on the day it was preached. It was a powerful use of the prophecies of the Old Testament, which the Jews claimed to believe. By these prophecies, Peter was able to demonstrate to the honest hearers that day that Jesus is the Christ, and that they had been a party to His crucifixion. The climax of this great sermon is seen in verse 36, where Peter says, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." What was the reaction? Verse 37 tells us: "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'"

They were obviously asking what they must do to be saved from their sins, to rid themselves of the awful guilt of crucifying one whom they now knew to be the Son of God. When we see the answer Peter gave to these penitent, sincere believers, we will know what any man must do to be saved from his sins. What did Peter tell them? Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Notice he said "repent and let every one of you be baptized ... for the remission of sins." They already believed in Jesus, so it was not necessary to tell them to believe. Peter simply took them from where they were and told them what to do to get to where they needed to be. He told them what to do to be saved. From other passages in the New Testament we also see where men confessed their faith in Christ as the Son of God. Therefore, we know that confession was also involved here, even though it is not specifically stated. We must take all of God's word on any subject, not part of it.

Therefore, we know that a person who desires to be saved from sin must believe the gospel, repent of his sins, confess Christ as Lord, and be baptized for the remission, or forgiveness of his sins. We also know from the Scriptures that baptism is a burial in water, and that no other method may be substituted. Our burial in water is the likeness of Christ's burial, and only in the burial in water is the blood of Jesus applied from heaven to take away our sins.

Now, how does the church fit into this plan? The answer is seen from this great chapter in Acts -- the hub of the Bible. Notice verses 40 - 47. "And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation.' Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Those who were being saved from their sins by obeying the apostles' teaching were being added to the church by the Lord Himself. Thus, we see that when we believe, repent, confess and are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His spiritual body, the church. He adds us to the church. Can one be a Christian without being in the church which Jesus built? No. When one becomes a Christian he is automatically added to the church, as he is saved from past sins.

It is not a matter of joining the church of one's own choosing; it is a matter of being joined to the one church by the Lord when one obeys His commands. How then can denominationalism be approved by God when they teach man-made creeds, doctrines and traditions? We must get back to the hub of the Bible, Acts 2, to see the church of Christ's choice, to which believers were added when they obeyed the good news of salvation.

How important is the church of Christ, about which we read in Acts 2? It is so important that everything before Acts 2 in the Bible points toward its beginning, and everything after Acts 2 looks back to its beginning. It truly is a necessary institution; we must be members of it in order to be saved, and the only way to become members of it is by doing what these 3,000 or so did on Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Have you done that? You have now heard the gospel. Will you believe as they did? Will you repent of your sins, confess Christ as Lord and Saviour and be buried in baptism for the forgiveness of sins, so the Lord may add you to His church?

We may identify the church of Christ today by looking at the church in the New Testament. Denominationalism does not fit that description. Come away from that man-made religion and come to Christ and His church through simple obedience to His gospel. Seek out a true congregation of people wearing the name church of Christ and practicing the pure religion of the New Testament. Some may wear the name, but we must be certain they are following the pattern for the church as given in the New Testament. We can send you more information on the church. We will be happy to assist you in your further study of these important truths about the church which began on Pentecost long ago, as recorded in Acts 2.

For Further Information Contact:

Truth For The World
P.O. Box 5048
Duluth, GA 30096-0065
e-mail: info@tftw.org

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 1:29 PM EDT

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Obama's Breech of Trust on Disabilities, apology a joke!
By, Peter Ripley

During the Presidential campaign on April 11th, 2008 Obama made this statment: "We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination.... policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities." (whitehouse.gov)

My, how things change after an election, during Thursday nights Tonight show Obama during an interview with Jay Leno made the following comment:
Q Now, are they going to put a basketball –- I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down.
THE PRESIDENT: No, no. I have been practicing all –- (laughter.)
Q Really? Really?
THE PRESIDENT: I bowled a 129. (Laughter and applause.)
Q No, that's very good. Yes. That's very good, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something. (Laughter.)
Q No, that's very good.
THE PRESIDENT: No, listen, I'm making progress on the bowling, yes (interview transcript on whitehouse.gov)

Now how is it a President of this nation during his campaign say that we need to breakdown the stereotypes that society puts on the disabled, turn around and make a off handed remark, and apologize for those remarks after he started getting heat for those remarks.
This is a clear breech of trust, and promise broken he made during his campaign.
And being disabled myself I found those remarks offensive and outragous especially coming from the President of these United States. Someone should educate this President that disabled athletes are just as competive as anyother athlete.
These comments put us who are disabled, back 40 years when the disabled are mocked and not taken seriously.
Its bad enough not to be taken seriously, when a President makes these kinds of demeaning statements in a joke.
Granted, the head of the Special Olympics accepted Obama's so called apology, but the head of the Special Olympic's dont speak for all of the disabled community, and he doesnt speak for me. I fine this kind of hypocrisy, is inexcusable the President is suspose to represent all of the people, and not treat those who have no voice, like court jesters. Now we all make mistakes, but we are talking about the President of this country, not some joe blow off the street, and when other see a leader mocking those who cant speak for themselves, others will think its okay to do so too.

Later in the day Obama tried to make amends, by inviting the Special Olympians to the White House sometime to play basketball and bowl. (see story) but, instead of trying to make amends by making token jesters of playing games at the White House, make policy or give tax breaks to businesses so people with disabilities get jobs so they dont have to be on welfare and live month to month on disability.

Yet, that may be asking for to much.

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 5:36 PM EDT

Updated: Friday, 20 March 2009 7:38 PM EDT

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Like A BoyScout, always be prepared.

Peter Ripley, Editor

Once a long time ago, yours truly was a boyscout. And like their moto "always be prepared for natural distastors has been , the cry of the day, now I guess you can include the man made ones too. Ever since Katrina, and the terrorist attacts of Sept. 11, 2001, there's been a need to educate the populus the need to be prepared.

However many are forgotten or abandoned during such emergencies. thats why FEMA has put out a series of lessons on how the average citizen can be prepared for such events.

In my State I live in, I sit on the Governor's Committee for Disability Issues and Employment, and one of the subcommittees deals on getting the disabled prepared for disasters, these are one of the groups of people who are forgotten or abandon during these events. But, I guess you could ask this to anyone, are you prepared?

What plan does your state, or community have in regards to disaster? FEMA has a course that the average person can take, its a pdf file, and its about a 149 page document, entitled A citizen guide to disaster assistance

It has a pretest, and final test questions you can download this and read it at your lesuire.

And like a boyscout, you can be always prepared.

Posted by blacksvirtualplanet at 1:04 PM EDT

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