The Catholic Church says Jesus is our Savior—got that right—that’s Biblical.
“Jesus said, ‘I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life—no one comes to God the Father except through Me.'”
The Catholic Church adds stuff to Christianity, stuff to do to be right with God—got that wrong—that’s not Biblical.
“By grace you are saved, through faith. It is the gift of God, not of works, so no one can boast.”
Keep it simple—the Bible keeps it simple—come to God as a little child would come to God.
Keep it simple—the Catholic Church makes it complicated—and they are not the only church that makes it complicated.
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Is there a test, a rule of thumb, something to check if a church is keeping things simple, Biblical ?
Yes.
Does the church teaching and preaching quote and emphasize what the Bible says more than what the church says ?
Can the listener tell when the leader is saying words from the Bible or saying words from people ?
Does the church’s theology start with Bible passages or with the church’s doctrinal statements ?
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Can a church offer half Christianity—what the Bible says, plus what man says ?
Trusting any theologian, however educated or revered, is more dangerous than trusting someone from the government, however impressive or persuasive.
Trust the Bible, first, last, always—know what’s in it yourself—read it, study it, live it—then you will discern what teaching is directly from the Bible.
“If anyone desires to do God’s will, he will know the doctrine, whether my teaching is from God, or whether I speak on My own.”—–Jesus said that, and every preacher should also.