By Louis Rushmore
It is important to emphasize biblical fundamentals, especially when they differ from contemporary religion. The churches of Christ belong to Jesus Christ, and consequently, they are obligated to conduct themselves according to what Jesus authorizes (Romans 16:16; Colossians 3:17). People living in the Gospel Age must heed the words of Jesus Christ rather than Moses or the Old Testament prophets (Matthew 17:1-5; John 12:48). Jesus Christ is the Lawgiver and Mediator of the New Testament, to which people living today must turn for religious instruction (James 4:12; Hebrews 9:15). Jesus Christ condemns alteration of the Gospel with “the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9), and the apostle Paul condemned false Gospels and the human will when substituted for the divine will (Galatians 1:6-9; Colossians 2:23). One must turn exclusively to the New Testament to learn what God has authorized respecting Christianity.
The churches of Christ are obligated to emphasize exactly what the New Testament teaches. The churches of Christ are obligated to adhere to what the New Testament teaches regarding every divine doctrine. Consequently, the churches of Christ teach what the New Testament teaches about Christian worship. The churches of Christ teach what the New Testament teaches about Christian living. The churches of Christ teach what the New Testament teaches about Christian service. Therefore, the churches of Christ teach what the New Testament teaches about salvation.
The New Testament consistently teaches that baptism is the point at which one’s sins are removed. Jesus taught the faith and baptism results in salvation (Mark 16:16). The apostle Peter taught that through repentance and baptism one’s sins are remitted (Acts 2:38). The apostle Paul observed regarding his own salvation that his sins were washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16). The apostle Peter wrote that baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21).
Of course, though baptism is the point at which one’s sins are taken away, other things also affect one’s salvation. God’s grace and mercy toward obedient souls affect salvation (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 5:8-9). The blood of Jesus makes salvation possible (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Revelation 1:5). Preceding baptism, a person must have Bible faith, repent of sins and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God (Hebrews 11:6; Luke 13:3; Acts 8:37).
Part of emphasizing baptism has to do with identifying biblically what it is, as well as showing what it is not. The world around us has taken upon itself the redefinition of baptism. Some denominations dispense with baptism altogether. Some denominations relegate baptism to an optional activity, except that something called baptism may be required to join some denominations. Many religious people have decided that any of a number of different actions constitute baptism (e.g., sprinkling or pouring water or being immersed in water).
However, the churches of Christ are obligated to define baptism the way in which the New Testament defines baptism. Not only does Bible baptism save one’s soul (1 Peter 3:21), the Greek words for baptism and baptize mean to dip, immerse or plunge (any Greek lexicon [dictionary] will so indicate). Biblically, baptism is called a burial or a planting (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12). Consequently, biblical baptism involves going down into and coming up out of a water source (Acts 8:38-39), hardly something that corresponds to pouring or sprinkling water. Therefore, when John the Baptist baptized in the Jordan River, he did so at a location where there was “much water” (John 3:23).
In conclusion, the churches of Christ emphasize baptism because the New Testament emphasizes baptism. The churches of Christ emphasize baptism because the New Testament teaches that baptism is the point at which (after faith, repentance and acknowledging Jesus Christ) that one’s sins are taken away. The churches of Christ emphasize that Bible baptism is immersion because many denominations either have dispensed with baptism or changed it into sprinkling or pouring water over a person. The churches of Christ emphasize baptism because rather than being an optional activity or the way one joins a denomination, Bible baptism is the point at which one’s sins are taken away.
The churches of Christ realize that they are duty bound to preach and teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Baptism of penitent souls is merely a part of the whole counsel of God (Mark 16:16). Erring Christians must repent and pray (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of [by the authority of] the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

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Roger Hillis
Hell. What an awful sounding word. It brings up all kinds of bad thoughts. Many prefer to ignore it, never think about it, and act like it really is not there. But hell is real and people need to be warned about this other “home of the soul” that awaits the unrighteous.
It is easier to be lost than to go to heaven. More people will spend eternity in hell, separated from God and his glory than will gather around that heavenly throne. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).
There are 234 references in the New Testament to hell, punishment, and God’s judgment on the wicked. Jesus had much more to say about hell than he did about heaven.
Hell is not some unpleasant experience we have here on earth, it is not merely a condition of an unhappy mind, it is not simply a person’s anguish, sorrow, and trials in this life. It is a real place of torment. It was said of Judas Iscariot, after his betrayal of the Master and subsequent suicide, that he went “to his own place” (Acts 1:25).
The Description
Please carefully read this series of passages about hell and notice both the descriptive phrases that are used and the absolute certainty with which the writers spoke of its existence.
But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, “You fool!” shall be in danger of hell fire (Matt. 5:22).
And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profit-able for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell (Matt. 5:29-30).
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:41-42).
Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:13).
Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “De-part from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Matt. 25:46).
… where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44, 46, 48).
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thess. 1:9).
In summary, these verses teach us that hell is a place of fire, wailing, gnashing of teeth, weeping, outer darkness, prepared for Satan and his followers. But, perhaps the worst thing about hell is that it is eternal! Just as heaven is de-scribed as unending bliss and glory for the saved, hell is unceasing torment for the lost.
Notice these verses.
And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name (Rev. 14:11).
And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev. 20:10).
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15).
The fires of hell are unquenchable. Hell is a place of misery, confusion, and honor, forever and ever. There is no comfort, not even if some of your earthly family and friends are there with you. And in 50 million years (that’s accommodative language; time will not be measured in eternity as it is now), God will not change his mind and bring everyone up to heaven.
Some have tried to lessen the honors of hell by suggesting that the fire will consume rather than punish the ungodly and after a brief period, they will feel no more pain. But there is nothing in the Bible that justifies such a conclusion. If God could speak to Moses in a burning bush that was not consumed by the fire, he has the power to create such a place as hell, the unquenchable lake of fire and brimstone.
The Inhabitants of Hell
Who will be in hell? This is perhaps the most important part of this study. We should do all we can to make certain that we will not be in this place of eternal torment.
Satan and his servants (Matt. 25:41). Hell was never intended for man, but those who serve the devil will spend eternity with him.
The ungodly (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8). The wicked people of all time will be there. From the Bible, it includes people like Cain (the first murderer), the homosexuals from Sodom and Gomorrah, Jezebel, Judas Iscariot, the Roman Caesars, Nero, and Domitian. From secular history, it includes such people as Benedict Arnold, Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler, and many others.
Some religious people (Matt. 7:21-23). There are many who care nothing for biblical authority and have substituted the teachings of men for the doctrine of Christ (Matt. 15:9; Col. 3:17; 2 John 9-11). In spite of their sincerity, such will be lost because they have not obeyed God.
Lukewarm Christians (Rev. 3:15-17). God will not accept any less than our very best. If we have been apathetic and lukewarm in our service to him, we will hear him say, “Depart from Me, I do not know you.”
All those who have not obeyed the gospel (2 Thess. 1:6-10). This includes all of those who were good, moral people but who did not become Christians moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, dentists, school teachers, neighbors, doctors, friends, classmates, and spouses. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death . . .” (Rom. 6:23). Sin separates man from God and, unless one is cleansed by the blood of Christ, sin will cause that one to be lost eternally.
The good news is that no one HAS TO go there. By the grace of God, through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and our obedient faith, we can escape the fires of hell and enjoy eternal life in heaven. May we all have the courage to obey the Lord and then share that message of salvation with a lost and dying world.

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​The Scriptures are very clear about what it takes to become a child of God. Here is the simple plan revealed in God’s word:

• Step 1: We must HEAR the Word. Without first hearing the Word of God we would never know we are sinners and that the “wages of sin” is death Romans 3.23; Romans 6.23. Without hearing, we wouldn’t know of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and our need for him. It’s also where our faith comes from Romans 10.17! Further, we should only listen to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Matthew 17.5; Hebrews 1.1-2; Matthew 28.18.
• Step 2: We must BELIEVE what we hear. Merely hearing the Word of God doesn’t save. We must believe what we hear or we are not likely to obey God’s commands. In John 8.24, Jesus says, “…if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” Yet, belief is not enough James 2.24, we must “do” what God demands, that is, His will Matthew 7.21!
• Step 3: We must REPENT of our sins. Sin is what separates us from God Isaiah 59.2. Therefore, if we intend to seek God’s forgiveness, we must be willing to repent of our sins. Repentence means “turning away from sin” and making the effort to sin no more 1 Corinthains 6.9-11. If we aren’t willing to repent of our sins, we cannot be saved Acts 3.19; Acts 17.30-31.
• Step 4: We must CONFESS our faith. Those that wish to be saved must confess their faith in Jesus Romans 10.9-10. It was Jesus Christ Himself who said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 10.32. The Scriptures give us an example of one who confessed their faith Acts 8.26-39, note verse37.
• Step 5: We must be BAPTIZED. There is considerable religious confusion about baptism. Some think baptism isn’t necessary, others believe we are saved before we are baptized. Note what the Scriptures say baptism does:
  Baptism shows a good conscience toward God / The Apostle Peter clearly confirms, “baptism doth also now save us” 1 Peter 3.21.
  Baptism washes away sins Acts 22.16
  Baptism gives entry “into” Christ Romans 6.3; Galatians 3.27.
  Jesus, our authority, made baptism necessary when he gave the command in Mark 16.16.In other words, our sins are not washed away, and we are not “in Christ” until we are baptized.
  Since baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2.38), we are still in our sins (and lost) until we are baptized.
  We should also realize that baptism is a burial or immersion–not sprinkling Romans 6.3-4and baptism is for believers, not infants Mark 16.16.
  Many folks say “we aren’t saved by works!” Yet, is baptism a work? It is a work of God Colossians 2.12. Jesus says belief is a work too John 6.29. James says we must have faith plus works James 2.14-26, note verse 24. We are saved by the mercy and grace of God, but He demands we be baptized to wash away our sins. He does the work through His Son’s blood if we follow His instructions.
  Step 6: We must remain FAITHFUL. While baptism puts us into Christ and His blood washes away our sins, we must still be obedient and faithful to God, otherwise, we will lose our souls. The Bible tells us “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” Revelation 2.10.
  If you haven’t met these conditions and you want to obey the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ today, please let us know!

Farai Chingondi

Most things have value, but the value is based on different criteria – sentimental, age, materials, etc. The value placed on an object to be sold is usually different based on the perspective of the seller or buyer. The seller generally places a higher value on an object than does the buyer.
But what about our soul? Many devalue their soul by giving little or no thought to the eternal nature or destiny of the soul (Romans 1:20-32). A majority of people discount the existence of a fiery hell either due to indifference or they rationalize that a loving God would not condemn anyone to hell.
The world is focused on building self-esteem – we want to feel good about ourselves. But when it comes to our soul, we lower our self-esteem by devaluing the worth of our soul.
Consider the value that God the Father has placed on your soul. In Genesis 1 and 2 we are told that we were created in the image of God. Paul says “God has demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NKJV). In addition to the provisions He has made for the salvation of our souls, He has made provision for the eternal residence of the soul when this world ceases to be (I Peter 1:3-4; Romans 2:6-7).
Also consider the value Christ places on your soul. He willingly gave himself for us that we might be redeemed from the bondage of sin (Philippians 2:5-8; John 10:17-18). The price paid must be equal to the value of that which is being redeemed (I Peter 1:18-19). In addition to His sacrifice on the cross, He established His Kingdom (His church) as the residing place of the saved here on earth (Mark 9:1; Luke 24:49; Acts 2). His willingness to come to this earth, take on the form of man, and suffer the death on the cross has qualified him to be our Savior and intercede on our behalf before the Father (Hebrews 2:17; 4:14-16; I John 2:1-2)
In addition to the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit also places a high value on your soul. Jesus promised His apostles that it was necessary that He go away in order that He might send another helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 16:13). It was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come in order to reveal to us the mind of God and His commands and conditions of salvation by which we may appropriate the blessings of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to our own salvation (Romans 1:20; I Corinthians 2:7-13; Jude 3). When the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, He gave power to the apostles to reveal the word of God and confirm that which was being delivered by miracles, signs and wonders (Mark 16:20).
So the question is, what value do you place on your soul? We may focus our energies on earthly treasure, but we must realize that these are corruptible things that will cease to exist when Christ comes again (Matthew 6:19-20; II Peter 3:10). We must raise our valuation of the soul by becoming a child of God (Acts 2:38; Rom 6:1-4,17), growing in our knowledge of His Word (Colossians 1:9; I Timothy 4:13; II Peter 3:18; John 12:48), and teaching others (II Timothy 2:2).
God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9 NKJV). Failure to obey will only bring condemnation (Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 3:23). Our response to God’s Word indicates the value we place on our soul.
Kerry Arnold

We don’t like to think of God being a God of judgment (Eccl. 12:13-14) and wrath (Rom. 1:18). However, we need to keep in mind the reason for His exhibiting those particular characteristics – sin, unrighteousness, unfaithfulness, wickedness, evil – all of which are contrary to God’s very nature and self-destructive to those who practice such. God is totally righteous, and He created us in His own image. He holds us accountable for living up to that image as best we can. While God condemns sin and warns us to abstain from it (1 Thess. 5:22), He is also merciful and eager to forgive when we repent and seek His forgiveness (Dan. 8:8-9).
God not only has the ability and willingness to forgive, He also wants to forgive. But forgiveness must be preceded by repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Repentance is not just being sorry (2 Cor. 7:9). Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change in behavior. It entails a turn around in practice that includes a turning away from sin.
When Jesus forgave the woman taken in adultery He told her to “sin no more” (Jn. 8:11); that’s repentance. Jesus taught His disciples to forgive a brother who might sin against them, even if he should sin against them on a repeated basis and in the same day. The condition for the forgiveness, however, was that the brother repent (Lk. 17:3-4). Repentance is required in the process of conversion (Acts 3:19), preceding being baptized for the remission of one’s sins (Acts 2:38).
All of us, in our walk through life, stumble and sin (Rom. 3:23). The consequence of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). But that same verse encourages us that God has a gift of eternal life. He wants to give us that gift. Obviously, forgiveness is available if we will repent and properly seek His forgiveness.
How can we know that God really wants to forgive us? How much does He want to forgive us? Both questions have the same answer – God sent Jesus to die on the cross to pay the price for the guilt of our sins (Rom. 5:6-10). God offered His Son as the ultimate sacrifice to bear our sins (Heb. 9:26, 28). No greater statement of desire to forgive, or of seriousness in that desire, could possibly be made.
God offers us forgiveness through Christ (Col. 1:13-14). We receive that forgiveness as we’re baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16) for the remission of our sins. God has emphatically demonstrated His desire to forgive. Now, we must take the initiative and seek His forgiveness, on His terms. How blessed we are, and how thankful we should be, to serve such a God, a God of forgiveness!…