(Originally written November  2002) (Edited April 2022)   Introduction Most parents of children, under five-years-old, know that no matter how you teach them about right and wrong, bad and good, and other things, that they always find a way to get themselves into trouble. Some things could be classified as basic human instinct; curiosity mostly. But there are traits a child shows that can stem back to the parent themselves. How do we know? Why grandparents of course! Too many times I’ve talk to my mother about the way my daughters act and she’d always comment that I use to act the exact same way. It’s like revenge for them to see their children struggle with being parents themselves. Sometimes it can be a good thing to know that your children are like you, for if you know the things you did, you might anticipate the things they do.    Children and Sin One thing your children can’t inherit from their parents is s...

  Things NOT found in the Bible, part 5   Introduction There are many things in the bible which are straight-forward and clear in regards to what must be done. I’m sure you know that Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” This states that belief in him in not enough. There is something you must do to show your love. Even those people who say, “All you have to do to be save is believe” will also agree that you have to repent of your sins. If that is true (and it is) then there is more to salvation that believing. I’m sure you’ve heard someone say, “Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace.” Meaning, you don’t have to be baptized to be saved, but can do it later on to show you have been saved. Although they’ll agree that repentance is necessary, as stated above, they don’t want to comply with the notion of baptism. Confused? In this article, I hope to clear up that matter.   Mark 16:16 In Mark 16:16 Jesus said, “He who beli...

  This week's lesson is a discussion on the necessity of baptism and the thief on the cross. This is from Bible Crossfire with Pat Donahue

The Caravan will be back on the road this Monday, July 15th. For now please enjoy this sermon on Mark 16:16 from me, Chris Mentzer.

(from 2004) Introduction Several years ago, I had an exchange with a man who believed in the “Faith Only” doctrine and touted the Sinner’s Prayer as the means to be saved. An exchange is similar to a debate except it is usually in written form between the two individuals. I tried to tell him that baptism was just as essential as belief and he couldn’t fathom it. Below is his final post and I then wrote some remarks to it as he was finished with me. Here’s his final post: Keith wrote: If baptism is required for salvation, then Jesus lied, and the thief on the cross is in Hell. What if one receives Christ as Savior, but dies on the way to their baptism? What of all the people who have received Christ as Savior on their deathbeds? I certainly hope there was a Pastor there with a bowl of Holy water, or by your standards, they're in Hell too. The concept of salvation you hold is not only blasphemous, it's foolish and dangerous. If you believe y...

This week's lesson comes from David Baker. It is a lesson on the Great Commission .

Introduction When you go to a Circle K, Quik Trip , or an AM/PM ; they are referred to as convenience stores. The reason is that everything you need; from gas to snacks and drinks, are right there. It’s fast and easy to get yourself situated and moving down the road. Sometimes we’ll put those things off thinking we can make it a little further. If your gas tank has a ¼ left, rather than pulling into the station, you feel that you can make the next 50 miles just to put more distance behind you. Ignoring that convenience can produce dire consequences. It’s the same with putting off salvation until another day. Simply Inconvenient In Acts 24:24-25 it says, “And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will c...

Introduction Throughout Jesus’ ministry he was challenged by the Pharisees to show them a sign of who he really was; so that they might believe him. But he had been showing signs to prove that he was indeed deity. But on two separate occasions he was validated by The Father himself. If that’s not proof enough, the I don’t know what is. Let’s look at two events in which God gave validation to his son. At His Baptism In Matthew chapter 3, it tells the account of Jesus and his Baptism. Most don’t understand why he was baptized if he led a sinless life. His reasoning was to fulfill all righteousness (vs. 15). It also served as an example to Christians; to follow in His steps and have our sins washed away (Mk. 16:16). The verification of Jesus comes in verse 17, And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Those around to witness His baptism most likely heard this statement and verified to them as to who he really w...

Introduction         Too many people in the world today think that there is no work involved as far as salvation goes. They say, “All you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” But if you ask them about repentance from sin, they’ll say it is necessary. And, if you ask them about verbally confessing Jesus name, they agree with that too.         If you point out that they don’t really in believe in ‘Faith Only’, they most likely will disagree with you; especially if subject of baptism comes up, and that’s where they draw the line. Baptism isn’t Necessary!         When the subject of baptism comes up that’s when people rankle in regards to salvation. Some believe that baptism is only “an outward sign of an inward grace”. In other words, you are saved when you believe in Jesus and then later you can “show it” by being baptized.   ...

(from 2005) Introduction You will often hear people of denominations state, “This Sunday I’m going to church.” Or “When I go to church on Sunday, I’ll pray for you and your family.” Why do you have to wait until Sunday? And why do you have to go to a building before you pray for someone? The denominations believe that the church building is where God lives and considers it holy ground (we’ll discuss that in another article). They don’t really understand what the church actually is. Since I became a Christian, I stopped going to church. I still attend worship services but I don’t go to church.   I don’t forsake the assembling of the saints (Heb. 10:25) but at the same time I don’t go to church.   Confused?         For most people this statement sounds absurd. It sounds like I’m contradicting myself; saying one thing and then reversing it in the very next breath. So how can a believer in God, who follows the Bible, not go t...

(To the Non-Christian) Introduction         The following is a 200-word story I wrote from the inspiration title of “Clean Slate”: New Year, New You December 31, 2014 Harry Sorenson said goodbye to his family. “Goodbye Rachel, you’ve been good to me all year. Take care of little Mikey and tell him all about me when I’m gone.”             “I wish it didn’t have to end this way,” said Rachel as she wiped away a tear.             “It’s what Dr. Martinson wants; I have to abide by it.”             “Goodbye then,” she said. December 31, 2015             “Goodbye Grace, I know we didn’t get along well this year but I’m glad to have known you.”        ...