True Religion
Brother Bob: Hello and thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s in the Bible. I’m Brother Bob Pellien. This time from Sasha Blackman from Garden Grove, California. Here’s her question:
There are a lot of religions out there. How can you justify which one is true and which one is false?
Brother Bob: The reason that there are so many different religions out there, and there needs to be proper discernment of what is true and what is false, is because the fulfillment of what was prophesied by the Prophet Ezekiel a long, long time ago. Here in Ezekiel, chapter 22, verse 28, it says this:
“Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken.
[Ezekiel 22:28 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: The reason is because there are many saying the Lord said this, the Lord said that, when in fact, the Lord didn’t say it. What then needs to be done by any true seeker of the truth? 1 John, chapter 4. What they need to do is to follow this instruction. It’s clearly stated here in chapter 4, verse 1. Here’s what it says there:
BELOVED, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
[1 John 4:1 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: The instruction is very direct. Put them to the test, don’t just believe, test them to see whether or not they’re from God. What’s the criteria? Because maybe someone will say, “Well, hey, I’m not a theologian. How do I know how to test someone who’s preaching there, so that I could know that that’s really from God?” God is the one who gives the criteria that we should use to evaluate, use to put them to the test. What’s that criteria? The answer of the Bible. I go to the writings of the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah chapter 8, and what I’ll read is verse 20 where it says this:
To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
[Isaiah 8:20 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: The criteria then to use to determine whether or not there is light in them is two basic criteria. He said first, to the law and secondly, to the testimony. Let’s take the second one first. What testimony is being referred to there that should be used as a criteria to determine whether or not there is light or truth in them? Revelation chapter 19, verse 10:
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
[Revelation 19:10 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: What’s that one criteria? The testimony. Whose testimony? The Bible said it’s the testimony of Jesus. What’s the testimony of Jesus? Prophecy. They first and foremost, therefore, must be able to present the biblical prophecy concerning their authority to stand there and preach. Without that biblical testimony, that prophetic statement of the Lord Jesus, then they cannot profess to have that authority or right. Second criteria was also mentioned by our Lord Jesus Christ in John, chapter 7, verse 16 and 17:
Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. ”If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
[John 7:16-17 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: The second criteria was the law, the doctrine. If they do not speak the doctrine that comes from God contained here in the word of God, then they cannot be from God, and are not preaching the truth. Those two elements or criteria must therefore be put to the test. Here inside the Church Of Christ, the test is passed. Prophecies are presented regularly on this television station in the various programs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ. The testimony of Jesus, the prophecies concerning the emergence of this Church, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ, and the doctrines and teachings, the law we embrace here, all founded upon the truths contained in the Holy Bible. That’s what a person needs to do to find the true Church Of Christ.
Make sure to list and subscribe to this podcast of That’s in the Bible and turn on your notifications for new episodes. Please feel free to email your questions about the Bible, about salvation, at answers@incmedia.org. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and I hope you join us next time for more programming of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, or Church Of Christ. To watch episodes of That’s in the Bible go to incmedia.org. Thanks again for listening, and God bless.
