Does it Matter?

 

Things NOT found in the Bible, part 3

 

Introduction

When I first became a Christian back in 2001, I would try to discuss the bible with people at work and share what I learned by reading the scriptures. I’d inquire what church people go to, and their beliefs, and in the other the conversation usually concluded with the phrase; “You believe what you want to believe, and I’ll believe what I want to believe.”

The way people say that, or the other phrase, “It doesn’t matter what church you go to, we all worship the same God,” makes me want to find those phrases in the bible. Hint: They’re not in there! These phrases, that people use, as if quoting scripture, is basically a way of telling me that this conversation is over and you won’t convince me that your way is right.

Let’s see what the bible has to say in regards to these phrases.

 

What I believe

First, let’s look at the phrase, “You believe what you want to believe, and I’ll believe what I want to believe.” As I stated, this is a phrase that people use to signal that they are done talking; they are no longer interested in what you have to say. Here’s a question, If I believe that Jesus Christ and Satan are brothers, is that acceptable? Believe it or not, there are religions out there who believe this statement; that Jesus and the devil are spirit brothers. This is highly absurd; stating that both Jesus and Satan were created beings.

In John 1:1-3, it is written, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. This is referring to Jesus as he was made flesh and dwelt among us (vs. 14). If Jesus was at the beginning, as stated in scripture, then he wasn’t created. If Satan wasn’t a created being, the he would also have been at the beginning with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Godhead was in existence prior to Genesis 1:1 but Satan was not.

So, if I believe this, I believe wrong. It should be up to the other person to convince me, from scripture, that I am wrong.

 

Where I Worship

Moving to the other phrase, “It doesn’t matter what church you go to, we all worship the same God,” this is similar to the other as it is used to bring a discussion to an end. However, it can’t be found in scripture either.

This is the same as saying there are Christians in all churches. If this is true, then you have to believe that there are multiple ways to get to heaven. But Jesus said in (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Denominations will agree with this and add, “But it’s not the only way.” They expect the word, ‘only’ to be a part of that verse. They assume Jesus would say, “the only way.”

Consider this scenario, you’re driving down the road and you come to an intersection. You want to turn left but the sign says, “One Way” with an arrow pointing right. Obviously, you’d turn right; or move to the next street that allows you to turn left. According to the denominations, just because it says One Way pointing right, you can turn left because it doesn’t say, “Only One Way”. You see how absurd this is?

 

Just One

As far as God is concerned, there is only one church. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “…on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Paul confirms this in Ephesians 4:4-6, There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

If we are in agreement that there is one God, then there is only one church. In verse 5, here, Paul writes, “One faith”. That one faith means, one set of beliefs. Multiple beliefs mean multiple churches; therefore, multiple gods. Everyone is concerned about which church they should attend, no one bothers to ask which church God wants you to attend. Given that we’ve explained in a previous article that the church is actually the people; “the called out”, you don’t go to church; you are the church.

Conclusion

These two phrases are not found in the bible even though people quote them as if they are. The next time you come across someone, and they use one of these phrases, ask them to show you where the scriptures say it. Demand book, chapter, and verse for the things that they believe.