Truth Be Told: A Blog by Pastor Bill Alderson

  The Roman Catholic Church believes it has authority from God to be the arbitrator of that which is Biblically true or accurate. With that authority, they have created a number of doctrines that contradict the Scriptures, including their treatment of Mary, the mother of Jesus as deity, the recognition of a special class of people as “saints” and the existence of purgatory as a place where many Christians go before heaven. This happens when a man-centered organization or institution is given absolute authority. In contrast, the arbitration of Biblical truth belongs to God and His Word, by His Holy Spirit. Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son o...

  There is much confusion surrounding the words “Calvinism” and “Arminianism” since they have been used throughout the centuries as a means of dividing Christians along denominational lines. They create schisms within the family of God - true believers in Christ, that are very destructive within the Body of Christ and its call to evangelize the world with the Gospel. This confusion is complicated by the fact that the definition of each term has been altered from its original meaning such that the labels create more dissension than agreement. I have come to the conclusion that utilizing these terms, because of misperceptions is less advantageous and more divisive.   J.I. Packer wrote a provocative article entitled “Arminianisms” addressing this very subject.   When comparing the two alternatives, Packer determined:   To Calvinism, predestination is essentially God’s unconditional decision about the destiny of individuals; to Arminianism it is essentially God’s unc...

  As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life .             John 3:14-16 Christianity is split over the role of a man’s free will in receiving salvation. Most of Christianity is derived from four basic doctrinal positions: Universalism, Calvinism, Arminianism, and Pelagianism. Understanding the differences and the role that free will plays as it relates to salvation provides a framework to appreciate the dynamics of a deeper relationship with God through the new covenant. Many heresies were born in the 1 st and 2 nd century and they pervert the gospel in a way that distorts the character and nature of God. A Brief History   Gnosticism - a prominent heretical movement of the late 1 st and...

  "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left [ aphiemi – to send away, to dismiss] your first love . Therefore remember [ mnemoneuoe – call to mind, bear in mind] from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to ea...