What Does The Bible Say?
Question: Should everyone attend the church of his choice?
Answer: That phrase, “the church of his choice” has a democratic ring to it – freedom of choice, freedom to do as you want to do. We like our old cliches, and we feel comfortable with them.
But I dare to suggest that “your choice” may not be “Christ’s Choice?” Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church (Matthew 16:18). Jesus built His church and fully intended that there be no other. Men have built churches, churches of their own choice, and have taught their own doctrines contrary to His will.
The Lord’s church began on that first Pentecost after His death on the cross. You can read about it in Acts 2:38-40.
Further you can read in Ephesians 4:4-5, that there is “one body.” That one body is the Lord’s church. Ephesians 4:4-5, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
Question: Is it possible to worship God in vain?
Answer: Men have always worshiped. Not always have they worshiped the God of heaven, but they have worshiped. But even those who worship the God of heaven have not always pleased God.
Jesus said, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commaandments of men” (Mark 7:7).
The Bible warns agianst false doctrine (Romans 16:17-18), and regardles of our love for men, if their teachings are not true to the word, then God labels them as “false.” Neither kindess, nor goodness, not love can make false doctrine true. “..the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Question - Does the Bible say how one is to be baptized?
Answer: The practice of making baptism more convenient by allowing one to have water sprinkled over his head was not known in Bible days. The word “baptism”, in the Greek language of the first century, meant “to immerse,” and the various Biblical sources confirm this. Luke tells us in Acts 8:38-39, “and they went down into the water. …And when they came up out of the water…”And then again, “we are buried with him by baptism…” (Romans 6:4). Baptism is a re-enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord.
Question - Does it really matter what I believe in religion?
Answer: If it matters “what we believe” in every other realm, why shouldn’t it matter “what we believe” in religion? It is hard to understand the old adage which says, “As long as you are sincere, nothing else matters.”
Try to think of one other realm in which that adage would be applicable. It just isn’t true! Jesus said, “for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall dies in your sins” (John 8:24). This suggests that it does matter what we believe. Consider the words of Solomon, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25)