Kindness is the
language which
the deaf can hear
and the blind can
see. Mark Twain
You cannot do a
kindness too
soon, for you
never know how
soon it will be too
late. Ralph Waldo
Emerson
My religion is very
simple. My religion
is kindness. Dalai
Lama
If there is any
kindness I can
show, or any good
thing I can do to
any fellow being,
let me do it now,
and not deter or
neglect it, as I
shall not pass this
way again. William
Penn
Too often we
underestimate
the power of a
touch, a smile, a
kind word, a
listening ear, an
honest
compliment, or the
smallest act of
caring, all of which
have the
potential to turn a
life around. Leo
Buscaglia
You have not
lived a perfect
day, unless you
have done
something for
someone who will
never be able to
repay you. Ruth
Smeltzer
What wisdom can
you find that is
greater than
kindness? Jean
Jacques Rousseau
So shines a good
deed in a weary
world. William
Shakespeare
Our deeds
determine us, as
much as we
determine our
deeds. George
Eliot
Be kind, for
everyone you
meet is fighting a
hard battle. Plato
He who waits to
do a great deal of
good at once, will
never do
anything. Samuel
Johnson
Kindness is the
sunshine in which
virtue grows.
Robert Green
Ingersoll
Always aim at
complete
harmony of
thought and word
and deed. Always
aim at purifying
your thoughts
and everything
will be well.
Mohandas Gandhi
He that has done
you a kindness
will be more ready
to do you
another, than he
whom you
yourself have
obliged. Benjamin
Franklin
Goodness is
uneventful. It
does not flash, it
glows. David
Grayson
Let us remember
that, as much has
been given us,
much will be
expected from us,
and that true
homage comes
from the heart as
well as from the
lips, and shows
itself in deeds.
Theodore
Roosevelt
A kindness
spontaneously
offered to him
who needs it, is
doubly gratifying.
Jonathan Swift
It is when you
give of yourself
that you truly
give. Kahil Gibran
Do more than
belong:
participate. Do
more than care:
help. Do more
than believe:
practice. Do more
than be fair: be
kind. Do more
than forgive:
forgett.Do more
than dream: work.
William Arthur
Ward
Kindness is the
golden chain by
which society is
bound together.
Johann Wolfgang
Von Goethe
The smallest good
deed is better
than the grandest
good intention.
Japanese Proverb
There is no better
exercise for your
heart than
reaching down
and helping to lift
someone up.
Bernard Meltzer
Kindness can
become its own
motive. We are
made kind by
being kind. Eric
Hoffer
Kindness begets
kindness. Greek
Proverb
A kind heart is a
fountain of
gladness, making
everything in its
vicinity freshen
into smiles.
Washington Irving
Be kind to those
that meet you as
you rise, you may
pass them again
as you fall. Irish
Proverb
Complete
possession is
proved only by
giving. All you are
unable to give
possesses you.
Andre Gide
One kind word can
warm three
winter months.
Japanese Proverb
Whenever you are
to do a thing,
though it can
never be known
but to yourself,
ask yourself how
you would act
were all the world
looking at you
and act
accordingly.
Thomas Jefferson
Life's most
persistent and
urgent question
is, What are you
doing for others?
Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Wherever there is
a human being
there is an
opportunity for
kindness. Seneca
Kind words can be
short and easy to
speak but their
echoes are truly
endless. Mother
Teresa
To be able under
all circumstances
to practice five
things constitutes
perfect virtue;
these five things
are gravity,
generosity of
soul, sincerity,
earnestness and
kindness.
Confucius
Shall we make a
new rule of life
from tonight -
always try to be a
little kinder than
is necessary. Sir
James M. Barrie
Good actions
ennoble us, we
are the sons of
our own deeds.
Jean Paul Richter
If you haven't
any charity in
your heart, you
have the worst
kind of heart
trouble. Bob Hope
Kind words will
unlock an iron
door. Turkish
Proverb
To cultivate
kindness is a
valuable part of
the business of
life. Samuel
Johnson
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
DIFFICULT TIMES
"If you're feeling low, don't despair. The sun has a sinking spell every night, but it comes back up every morning. The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." Dolly Parton
"To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist." Gail Sheehy
It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe. Mahummad Ali
"Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate." Chuang Tzu
You may not be responsible for getting knocked down, but you're certainly responsible for getting back up. Wally Amos
"I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended and patient when there is no redress." Elizabeth Montagu
Bad things are not the worst things that can happen to us. "Nothing" is the worst thing that can happen to us! Richard Bach
"The part can never be well unless the whole is well."
Plato
"Mountains cannot be surmounted except by winding paths." Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Approach each new problem not with a view of finding what you hope will be there, but to get the truth, the realities that must be grappled with. You may not like what you find. In that case you are entitled to try to change it. But do not deceive yourself as to what you do find to be the facts of the situation. Bernard M. Baruch
"Challenges and difficult times aren't just those things that occur to someone else. The secret is in learning to turn problems into positives and attacking each issue with action not inaction." Byron Pulsifer
"Never underestimate your problem or your ability to deal with it." Robert H. Schuller
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. Henry Ward Beecher
"Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned." Charles W. Chesnutt
When fate hands us a lemon, let's try to make lemonade. Dale Carnegie
Bless a thing and it will bless you. Curse it and it will curse you...If you bless a situation, it has no power to hurt you, and even if it is troublesome for a time, it will gradually fade out, if you sincerely bless it. Emmet Fox
You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. Walt Disney
Inspirational Quotes . . . Inspiring Quotes . . . Family Quotes. . . Broken Heart Quotes. . . Funny Quotes. . . Leadership Quotes. . . Motivational Quotes. . . Christmas Quotes. . . Success Quotes. . . more Inspirational Quotations. . . Famous People . . . Inspirational Sayings . . . List of Proverbs . . . List of Slogans . . . Phrases . . . Resources
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quotes for difficult times
Every problem has a gift for you in its hands. Richard Bach
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie
Grief is the agony of an instant, the indulgence of grief the blunder of a life. Benjamin Disraeli
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. " Bernice Johnson Reagon
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Dr. Wayne Dyer
"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." Bruce Lee
I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Thomas Edison
Obstacles are only insurmountable when you allow your goal to be placed in second position. Byron Pulsifer
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. Gandhi
There are no solutions when you are focused on the negative. Byron Pulsifer
Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit. Napoleon Hill
The real questions are the ones that obtrude upon your consciousness whether you like it or not, the ones that make your mind start vibrating like a jackhammer, the ones that you "come to terms with" only to discover that they are still there. The real questions refuse to be placated. They barge into your life at the times when it seems most important for them to stay away. They are the questions asked most frequently and answered most inadequately, the ones that reveal their true natures slowly, reluctantly, most often against your will. Ingrid Bengis
There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. Aldous Huxley
The only people who find yesterdays satisfying are those who see no better tomorrows. Byron Pulsifer The easiest thing to do, whenever you fail, is to put yourself down by blaming your lack of ability for your misfortunes. Washington Irving
An inventor fails 999 times, and if he succeeds once, he's in. He treats his failures simply as practice shots. Charles F. Kettering
A great rock is not disturbed by the wind; the mind of a wise man is not disturbed by either honor or abuse. Dalai Lama
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela
Don't take it on yourself. Forget now. Live. Arthur Miller
Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. Norman Vincent Peale
Sorrows are like thunderclouds, in the distance they look black, over our heads scarcely gray. Jean Paul Richter
It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it's your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you're going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny. Anthony Robbins
You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight. Jim Rohn
Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. Henry David Thoreau
Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. Denis Waitley
We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them. William Arthur Ward
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. John Wooden
Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us. Oprah Winfrey
A problem is something you can do something about. If you can't do something about it, then it's not a problem. It's a predicament. That means it's something that must be coped with, endured. John C. Maxwell, The Difference Maker, Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset
The appearance of a problem of any kind in your life means that the time has come to take a step forward and the taking of that step will, of course, be signalized by the solving of the problem
"To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist." Gail Sheehy
It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe. Mahummad Ali
"Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate." Chuang Tzu
You may not be responsible for getting knocked down, but you're certainly responsible for getting back up. Wally Amos
"I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended and patient when there is no redress." Elizabeth Montagu
Bad things are not the worst things that can happen to us. "Nothing" is the worst thing that can happen to us! Richard Bach
"The part can never be well unless the whole is well."
Plato
"Mountains cannot be surmounted except by winding paths." Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Approach each new problem not with a view of finding what you hope will be there, but to get the truth, the realities that must be grappled with. You may not like what you find. In that case you are entitled to try to change it. But do not deceive yourself as to what you do find to be the facts of the situation. Bernard M. Baruch
"Challenges and difficult times aren't just those things that occur to someone else. The secret is in learning to turn problems into positives and attacking each issue with action not inaction." Byron Pulsifer
"Never underestimate your problem or your ability to deal with it." Robert H. Schuller
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. Henry Ward Beecher
"Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned." Charles W. Chesnutt
When fate hands us a lemon, let's try to make lemonade. Dale Carnegie
Bless a thing and it will bless you. Curse it and it will curse you...If you bless a situation, it has no power to hurt you, and even if it is troublesome for a time, it will gradually fade out, if you sincerely bless it. Emmet Fox
You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. Walt Disney
Inspirational Quotes . . . Inspiring Quotes . . . Family Quotes. . . Broken Heart Quotes. . . Funny Quotes. . . Leadership Quotes. . . Motivational Quotes. . . Christmas Quotes. . . Success Quotes. . . more Inspirational Quotations. . . Famous People . . . Inspirational Sayings . . . List of Proverbs . . . List of Slogans . . . Phrases . . . Resources
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quotes for difficult times
Every problem has a gift for you in its hands. Richard Bach
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie
Grief is the agony of an instant, the indulgence of grief the blunder of a life. Benjamin Disraeli
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. " Bernice Johnson Reagon
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Dr. Wayne Dyer
"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." Bruce Lee
I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Thomas Edison
Obstacles are only insurmountable when you allow your goal to be placed in second position. Byron Pulsifer
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. Gandhi
There are no solutions when you are focused on the negative. Byron Pulsifer
Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit. Napoleon Hill
The real questions are the ones that obtrude upon your consciousness whether you like it or not, the ones that make your mind start vibrating like a jackhammer, the ones that you "come to terms with" only to discover that they are still there. The real questions refuse to be placated. They barge into your life at the times when it seems most important for them to stay away. They are the questions asked most frequently and answered most inadequately, the ones that reveal their true natures slowly, reluctantly, most often against your will. Ingrid Bengis
There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. Aldous Huxley
The only people who find yesterdays satisfying are those who see no better tomorrows. Byron Pulsifer The easiest thing to do, whenever you fail, is to put yourself down by blaming your lack of ability for your misfortunes. Washington Irving
An inventor fails 999 times, and if he succeeds once, he's in. He treats his failures simply as practice shots. Charles F. Kettering
A great rock is not disturbed by the wind; the mind of a wise man is not disturbed by either honor or abuse. Dalai Lama
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela
Don't take it on yourself. Forget now. Live. Arthur Miller
Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. Norman Vincent Peale
Sorrows are like thunderclouds, in the distance they look black, over our heads scarcely gray. Jean Paul Richter
It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it's your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you're going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny. Anthony Robbins
You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight. Jim Rohn
Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. Henry David Thoreau
Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. Denis Waitley
We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them. William Arthur Ward
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. John Wooden
Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us. Oprah Winfrey
A problem is something you can do something about. If you can't do something about it, then it's not a problem. It's a predicament. That means it's something that must be coped with, endured. John C. Maxwell, The Difference Maker, Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset
The appearance of a problem of any kind in your life means that the time has come to take a step forward and the taking of that step will, of course, be signalized by the solving of the problem
Thursday, September 22, 2011
SUCCESS
No one can possibly
achieve any real and
lasting success or 'get
rich' in business by being
a conformist." J. P. Getty
"To climb steep hills
requires slow pace at
first." William
Shakespeare
"There's no secret
about success. Did you
ever know a successful
man who didn't tell you
about it?" Kin Hubbard
"The secret of man's
success resides in his
insight into the moods
of people, and his tact
in dealing with them."
Josiah Gilbert Holland
"Do you stop yourself
by your own attitude?"
from Quotations on Life
"There is no passion to
be found playing small -
in settling for a life that
is less than the one you
are capable of living."
Nelson Mandela
Goals have made a
tremendous difference
in my life. They have
allowed me to achieve
success, and to
accomplish what I had
previously only dreamed
of, or wished for.
Catherine Pulsifer
We are prone to judge
success by the index of
our salaries
or the size of our
automobiles, rather
than by the quality of
our service relationship
to humanity. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.
To have succeeded is to
have finished one's
business on earth, like
the male spider, who is
killed by the female the
moment he has
succeeded in his
courtship. I like a state
of continual becoming,
with a goal in front and
not behind. George
Bernard Shaw
Never confuse
movement with action.
Ernest Hemmingway
Success is getting what
you want. Happiness is
wanting what you get.
Dale Carnegie
In everything we do,
our own thoughts can
help us succeed, or they
can help us fail. Maintain
a positive attitude.
Catherine Pulsifer
Most of the successful
people I've known are
the ones who do more
listening than talking.
Bernard M. Baruch
Making a success of the
job at hand is the best
step toward the kind
you want.
Bernard M. Baruch
You cannot measure a
man by his failures. You
must know what use
he makes of them.
What did they mean to
him. What did he get
out of them. Orison
Swett Marden
If one advances
confidently in the
direction of his dream,
and endeavors to live
the life which he had
imagines, he will meet
with a success
unexpected in common
hours. Henry David
Thoreau
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Success Quotes that
are inspiring
Don't confuse fame
with success. Madonna
is one; Helen Keller is
the other. Erma
Bombeck
Successful minds work
like a gimlet, - to a
single point. Bovee
Either do not attempt
at all, or go through
with it." Ovid
One fails forward
toward success. Charles
F. Kettering
Genius is the ability to
put into effect what is
in your mind. F. Scott
Fitzgerald
How to succeed: try
hard enough. How to
fail: try too hard.
Malcolm S. Forbes
Whether you think you
can or you can't, you're
right! Henry Ford
A wise man turns
chance into good
fortune. Thomas Fuller
Success is simple. Do
what's right, the right
way, at the right time.
Arnold H. Glasow
It's better to succeed
at something small
than fail at something
big. Mira Kirshenbaum,
The Gift of a Year
Formula for success:
Rise early, work hard,
strike oil. John Paul
Getty
The dictionary is the
only place where
success comes before
work. Mark Twain
Life is succession of
moments. To live each
one is to succeed. Corita
Kent
One secret of success
in life is for a man to be
ready for his
opportunity when it
comes. Benjamin Disraeli
Four things for success:
work and pray, think
and believe. Norman
Vincent Peale
Flaming enthusiasm,
backed up by horse
sense and persistence,
is the quality that most
frequently makes for
success. Dale Carnegie
Try not to become a
man of success, but
rather try to become a
man of value. Albert
Einstein,/font>
The most important
single ingredient in the
formula of success is
knowing how to get
along with people.
Theodore Roosevelt
I do not like to repeat
successes, I like to go
on to other things. Walt
Disney
The man of virtue
makes the difficulty to
be overcome his first
business, and success
only a subsequent
consideration. Confucius
"Like children all over the
globe, he (Elmo) teaches
us that we can always
reach a little higher,
jump a little farther, do
a little better." Clash,
Kevin. My Life as a Furry
Red Monster Broadway
Books, 2006, p. 207.
"Any individual can
choose to change his or
her life with little steps
that, over time, will
accumulate into a great
life." Sharma, Robin.
2010. "Sharma Brings
Leadership Message To
Saint John." Progress.
Vol. 17, No. 05, p. 24.
"One of the common
traits of successful
people is their
understanding of the
importance of time,
effort, and
commitment to achieve
success!" Pulsifer,
Catherine. Wings of
Wisdom. Anncath-Roby
Books, 1998, p. 23.
"Too many people
overvalue what they
are not, and undervalue
what they are."
Powers, Margaret
Fishback. The Footprints
Book of Daily
Inspirations. Collins,
2008.
"Think like a champion in
the game of life. Play
well. Believe in yourself -
all the time, every
time." Richards,
Shadonna. Think and Be
Happy. Infinity
Publishing, 2009, p. 49.
"Focused will is
incredible. If you have a
dream and you don't
give up no matter what
obstacles come up,
then life's problems will
fall away and you will
get what you want. It
happens. It works."
Yanni. Yanni in Words.
Miramax Books, 2002, p.
209.
"Imagine yourself
enjoying your better
future in such specific,
believable detail that
you soon enjoy doing
what takes you there!"
Johnson, Spencer. Peaks
and Valleys. Atria
Books, 2009, p. 57.
"Do not allow your
current circumstances
to limit the nature of
your dreams." Long,
Weldon. 2010 Winter.
"Who I Am Now."
Motivated Magazine. p.
21.
"Always believe that
you can, and you will
find that you can."
Peale, Norman Vincent.
The Positive Principle
Today. Ballantine Books,
1988, p. 212.
"Personal initiative is a
trait much admired and
if carried out with
discretion and logic, can
very quickly put you
ahead of the crowd."
Hill, Napoleon and
Keown, Harold. Succeed
and Grow Rich Through
Persuasion. Ballantine
Books, 1970, p.81.
"Don't waste time
waiting for inspiration.
Begin, and inspiration
will find you." H. Jackson
Brown, Jr. Life's Little
Instruction Book,
Volume II. Rutledge Hill
Press, 1993.
"We weren't born to
think negatively, we
were taught to do so."
Cypert Samuel. Believe
and Achieve. Avon
Books, 1991, p. 27.
"Entrepreneurs have
many other unusual
telltale signs, but
persistence is what
makes the difference."
Gilfoy, Neville. 2011.
"The Magic Elixir."
Progress Vol. 18, No. 01,
p. 8.
"Dedication will allow
you to attain success in
areas that YOU want."
Pulsifer, Catherine,
Wings for Goals
Always bear in mind
that your own
resolution to succeed is
more important than
any other one thing."
Lincoln, Abraham,/
font>, Great Quotes
from Great Leaders
"If you want to
succeed, first help
others to succeed."
Japanese Proverb, A
Wealth of Wisdom
Success tends to
become habitual. David
Campbell, Ph.D., If You
Don't Know Where
You're Going, You'll
Probably End Up
Somewhere Else
Trying ultimately leads
to success, but success
can never happen
without trying. Greg
Henry Quinn, 365
Meditations for
Teachers
Many successful people
arrived at their niche in
life through exposure
and experimentation in
areas that interested
them. Seymour Schulich,
Get Smarter Life and
Business Lessons
Success quotes are
many, and we could
write a book on all the
different ones. Here is a
quote with our
thoughts on it:
"Just because you know
where you want to end
up doesn't mean
you will not be faced
with obstacles, or
challenges along the
way.
Instant success rarely
happens."
Catherine Pulsifer
Sometimes, success
quotes lead you to open
your mind to
possibilities that you
may have never known
before. In other times,
a success quote may
have lead you to believe
that success comes
through simply defining
a goal, or in other
words, where you want
to end up, and that goal
will be realized without
any problems or
difficulties. This is not
necessarily true.
To succeed in a new
venture means that
you have not only
defined your goal or
what the ultimate
success means, but you
have clearly defined the
path you need to take
to get there. And, while
all of this seems to be
straight forward, there
is a lot more to it.
One of the simplest of
tasks is to specify a
series of action steps
to accomplish what you
want. I say this is the
simplest because all
that needs to be done
is a matter of writing a
series of action steps in
chronological order that
appears to give you a
map to follow similar to
simply following a
series of arrows in a
straight path. If this
was all there was to it,
anyone could get what
they wanted with
dedicated time and a
small amount of work.
Unfortunately, success
does not happen in a
linear fashion.
To truly understand the
success formula is to
also understand that
roadblocks, obstacles
and issues will greet
you at almost every
step of the way. And,
each step is not
necessarily one of
following each step in
succession because
many steps will require
partial completion
because another needs
to also start. Then,
there are those
obstacles that you may
not have thought
about, or that crop up
without warning. So,
now what do you do?
A really smart planner
will also attempt to
develop action plans
that account for as
many unforeseen
obstacles as possible
and have a contingency
plan for each of these.
One method is to
engage the help of
others who have also
faced similar problems
and were successful in
overcoming them.
These people are your
mentors and you may
need more than one
along the way. Some
people assume that
others who have been
successful in a similar
endeavour will not help.
Do not fall into t his
trap. It will be a
pleasant surprise to you
to find that most
people who have
become successful will
be only too glad to help
you along the way. You
may ask why? Well, the
usual answer is this:
They got help from
others too and so they
will return the favour to
others.
Success comes to
those who have
determination,
perseverance, and are
open and receptive to
asking and receiving
help from others who
have also overcome
obstacles. You do not
live in a vacuum, and
success is not
accomplished in a
vacuum either
achieve any real and
lasting success or 'get
rich' in business by being
a conformist." J. P. Getty
"To climb steep hills
requires slow pace at
first." William
Shakespeare
"There's no secret
about success. Did you
ever know a successful
man who didn't tell you
about it?" Kin Hubbard
"The secret of man's
success resides in his
insight into the moods
of people, and his tact
in dealing with them."
Josiah Gilbert Holland
"Do you stop yourself
by your own attitude?"
from Quotations on Life
"There is no passion to
be found playing small -
in settling for a life that
is less than the one you
are capable of living."
Nelson Mandela
Goals have made a
tremendous difference
in my life. They have
allowed me to achieve
success, and to
accomplish what I had
previously only dreamed
of, or wished for.
Catherine Pulsifer
We are prone to judge
success by the index of
our salaries
or the size of our
automobiles, rather
than by the quality of
our service relationship
to humanity. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.
To have succeeded is to
have finished one's
business on earth, like
the male spider, who is
killed by the female the
moment he has
succeeded in his
courtship. I like a state
of continual becoming,
with a goal in front and
not behind. George
Bernard Shaw
Never confuse
movement with action.
Ernest Hemmingway
Success is getting what
you want. Happiness is
wanting what you get.
Dale Carnegie
In everything we do,
our own thoughts can
help us succeed, or they
can help us fail. Maintain
a positive attitude.
Catherine Pulsifer
Most of the successful
people I've known are
the ones who do more
listening than talking.
Bernard M. Baruch
Making a success of the
job at hand is the best
step toward the kind
you want.
Bernard M. Baruch
You cannot measure a
man by his failures. You
must know what use
he makes of them.
What did they mean to
him. What did he get
out of them. Orison
Swett Marden
If one advances
confidently in the
direction of his dream,
and endeavors to live
the life which he had
imagines, he will meet
with a success
unexpected in common
hours. Henry David
Thoreau
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Success Quotes that
are inspiring
Don't confuse fame
with success. Madonna
is one; Helen Keller is
the other. Erma
Bombeck
Successful minds work
like a gimlet, - to a
single point. Bovee
Either do not attempt
at all, or go through
with it." Ovid
One fails forward
toward success. Charles
F. Kettering
Genius is the ability to
put into effect what is
in your mind. F. Scott
Fitzgerald
How to succeed: try
hard enough. How to
fail: try too hard.
Malcolm S. Forbes
Whether you think you
can or you can't, you're
right! Henry Ford
A wise man turns
chance into good
fortune. Thomas Fuller
Success is simple. Do
what's right, the right
way, at the right time.
Arnold H. Glasow
It's better to succeed
at something small
than fail at something
big. Mira Kirshenbaum,
The Gift of a Year
Formula for success:
Rise early, work hard,
strike oil. John Paul
Getty
The dictionary is the
only place where
success comes before
work. Mark Twain
Life is succession of
moments. To live each
one is to succeed. Corita
Kent
One secret of success
in life is for a man to be
ready for his
opportunity when it
comes. Benjamin Disraeli
Four things for success:
work and pray, think
and believe. Norman
Vincent Peale
Flaming enthusiasm,
backed up by horse
sense and persistence,
is the quality that most
frequently makes for
success. Dale Carnegie
Try not to become a
man of success, but
rather try to become a
man of value. Albert
Einstein,/font>
The most important
single ingredient in the
formula of success is
knowing how to get
along with people.
Theodore Roosevelt
I do not like to repeat
successes, I like to go
on to other things. Walt
Disney
The man of virtue
makes the difficulty to
be overcome his first
business, and success
only a subsequent
consideration. Confucius
"Like children all over the
globe, he (Elmo) teaches
us that we can always
reach a little higher,
jump a little farther, do
a little better." Clash,
Kevin. My Life as a Furry
Red Monster Broadway
Books, 2006, p. 207.
"Any individual can
choose to change his or
her life with little steps
that, over time, will
accumulate into a great
life." Sharma, Robin.
2010. "Sharma Brings
Leadership Message To
Saint John." Progress.
Vol. 17, No. 05, p. 24.
"One of the common
traits of successful
people is their
understanding of the
importance of time,
effort, and
commitment to achieve
success!" Pulsifer,
Catherine. Wings of
Wisdom. Anncath-Roby
Books, 1998, p. 23.
"Too many people
overvalue what they
are not, and undervalue
what they are."
Powers, Margaret
Fishback. The Footprints
Book of Daily
Inspirations. Collins,
2008.
"Think like a champion in
the game of life. Play
well. Believe in yourself -
all the time, every
time." Richards,
Shadonna. Think and Be
Happy. Infinity
Publishing, 2009, p. 49.
"Focused will is
incredible. If you have a
dream and you don't
give up no matter what
obstacles come up,
then life's problems will
fall away and you will
get what you want. It
happens. It works."
Yanni. Yanni in Words.
Miramax Books, 2002, p.
209.
"Imagine yourself
enjoying your better
future in such specific,
believable detail that
you soon enjoy doing
what takes you there!"
Johnson, Spencer. Peaks
and Valleys. Atria
Books, 2009, p. 57.
"Do not allow your
current circumstances
to limit the nature of
your dreams." Long,
Weldon. 2010 Winter.
"Who I Am Now."
Motivated Magazine. p.
21.
"Always believe that
you can, and you will
find that you can."
Peale, Norman Vincent.
The Positive Principle
Today. Ballantine Books,
1988, p. 212.
"Personal initiative is a
trait much admired and
if carried out with
discretion and logic, can
very quickly put you
ahead of the crowd."
Hill, Napoleon and
Keown, Harold. Succeed
and Grow Rich Through
Persuasion. Ballantine
Books, 1970, p.81.
"Don't waste time
waiting for inspiration.
Begin, and inspiration
will find you." H. Jackson
Brown, Jr. Life's Little
Instruction Book,
Volume II. Rutledge Hill
Press, 1993.
"We weren't born to
think negatively, we
were taught to do so."
Cypert Samuel. Believe
and Achieve. Avon
Books, 1991, p. 27.
"Entrepreneurs have
many other unusual
telltale signs, but
persistence is what
makes the difference."
Gilfoy, Neville. 2011.
"The Magic Elixir."
Progress Vol. 18, No. 01,
p. 8.
"Dedication will allow
you to attain success in
areas that YOU want."
Pulsifer, Catherine,
Wings for Goals
Always bear in mind
that your own
resolution to succeed is
more important than
any other one thing."
Lincoln, Abraham,/
font>, Great Quotes
from Great Leaders
"If you want to
succeed, first help
others to succeed."
Japanese Proverb, A
Wealth of Wisdom
Success tends to
become habitual. David
Campbell, Ph.D., If You
Don't Know Where
You're Going, You'll
Probably End Up
Somewhere Else
Trying ultimately leads
to success, but success
can never happen
without trying. Greg
Henry Quinn, 365
Meditations for
Teachers
Many successful people
arrived at their niche in
life through exposure
and experimentation in
areas that interested
them. Seymour Schulich,
Get Smarter Life and
Business Lessons
Success quotes are
many, and we could
write a book on all the
different ones. Here is a
quote with our
thoughts on it:
"Just because you know
where you want to end
up doesn't mean
you will not be faced
with obstacles, or
challenges along the
way.
Instant success rarely
happens."
Catherine Pulsifer
Sometimes, success
quotes lead you to open
your mind to
possibilities that you
may have never known
before. In other times,
a success quote may
have lead you to believe
that success comes
through simply defining
a goal, or in other
words, where you want
to end up, and that goal
will be realized without
any problems or
difficulties. This is not
necessarily true.
To succeed in a new
venture means that
you have not only
defined your goal or
what the ultimate
success means, but you
have clearly defined the
path you need to take
to get there. And, while
all of this seems to be
straight forward, there
is a lot more to it.
One of the simplest of
tasks is to specify a
series of action steps
to accomplish what you
want. I say this is the
simplest because all
that needs to be done
is a matter of writing a
series of action steps in
chronological order that
appears to give you a
map to follow similar to
simply following a
series of arrows in a
straight path. If this
was all there was to it,
anyone could get what
they wanted with
dedicated time and a
small amount of work.
Unfortunately, success
does not happen in a
linear fashion.
To truly understand the
success formula is to
also understand that
roadblocks, obstacles
and issues will greet
you at almost every
step of the way. And,
each step is not
necessarily one of
following each step in
succession because
many steps will require
partial completion
because another needs
to also start. Then,
there are those
obstacles that you may
not have thought
about, or that crop up
without warning. So,
now what do you do?
A really smart planner
will also attempt to
develop action plans
that account for as
many unforeseen
obstacles as possible
and have a contingency
plan for each of these.
One method is to
engage the help of
others who have also
faced similar problems
and were successful in
overcoming them.
These people are your
mentors and you may
need more than one
along the way. Some
people assume that
others who have been
successful in a similar
endeavour will not help.
Do not fall into t his
trap. It will be a
pleasant surprise to you
to find that most
people who have
become successful will
be only too glad to help
you along the way. You
may ask why? Well, the
usual answer is this:
They got help from
others too and so they
will return the favour to
others.
Success comes to
those who have
determination,
perseverance, and are
open and receptive to
asking and receiving
help from others who
have also overcome
obstacles. You do not
live in a vacuum, and
success is not
accomplished in a
vacuum either
Thursday, September 8, 2011
INSPIRATIONAL BEST QUOTES
Royalty is either
going to do very
well with cloning,
or it's going to
disappear
completely.
*************
*
The time you feel
lonely is the time
you most need to
be by yourself.
*************
*
Nature always
wears the colors
of the spirit.
*************
*
Win as if you were
used to it, lose as
if you enjoyed it
for a change.
*************
*
With the past, I
have nothing to
do; nor with the
future. I live now.
*************
*
Whatever words
we utter should be
chosen with care
for people will hear them and be
influenced by
them for good or
ill.
*************
****
View life as a
continuous
learning
experience.
*************
****
Sex and religion
are closer to each
other than either
might prefer.
*************
****
The artist is
nothing without
the gift, but the
gift is nothing
without work.
*************
****
I'd kill for a Nobel
Peace Prize.
*************
****
Life's an Ocean Sail It.
*************
****
The less their
ability the more
their conceit.
*************
****
True religion is real
living living with all
one's soul with all
one's goodness
and
righteousness.
*************
****
No problem can
withstand the
assault of
sustained
thinking...
*************
****
The artist is
nothing without
the gift, but the
gift is nothing
without work....
*************
****
The only way to
get rid of a
temptation is to
yield to it...
*************
****
Facts are the
enemy of truth.
*************
****
I think I always
disappoint people
because thy
always expect
someone very
pretty, very done.
*************
****
Anybody who sees
a paints a sky
green and
pastures blue
ought to be
sterilized.
*************
****
I find that the
harder I work, the
more luck I seem
to have.
*************
****
If a man hasn't
discovered
something that he
will die for, he isn't
fit to live.
*************
****
There are no
speed limits on the
road to excellence.
*************
****
The only way to
get rid of a
temptation is to
yield to it.
*************
****
For those who
understand no
explanation is
needed, ...For
those who don't
none will do.
*************
****
Whenever I climb I
am followed by a
dog called 'Ego'
*************
****
I've had a
wonderful
evening, but this
wasn't it
*************
****
Maybe this world is
another planet's
Hell
*************
****
We all agree that
your theory is
crazy, but is it
crazy enough
*************
****
Glory is fleeting,
but obscurity is
forever.
*************
****
Love is the only
game that is not
called on account
of darkness.
*************
****
Faith is the
substance of
things hoped for,
the evidence of
things not seen.
*************
****
Religions are kept
alive by heresies,
which are really
sudden explosions
of faith.
*************
****
Victory goes to the
player who makes
the next-to-last
mistake.
*************
****
You can avoid
reality, but you
cannot avoid the
consequences of
avoiding reality.
*************
****
I can write better
then anybody who
can write faster,
and I can write
faster then
anybody who can
write better.
*************
****
Try to learn
something about
everything and
everything about
something.
*************
****
Talent does what
it can; genius does
what it must.
*************
****
We keep updating our site regularly for Good
Quotes and We are sure that
you will
recommend this
site to your
friends if you like
our database of
Good Quotes.
Please keep
visiting this blog
again and again
for best quotes.
going to do very
well with cloning,
or it's going to
disappear
completely.
*************
*
The time you feel
lonely is the time
you most need to
be by yourself.
*************
*
Nature always
wears the colors
of the spirit.
*************
*
Win as if you were
used to it, lose as
if you enjoyed it
for a change.
*************
*
With the past, I
have nothing to
do; nor with the
future. I live now.
*************
*
Whatever words
we utter should be
chosen with care
for people will hear them and be
influenced by
them for good or
ill.
*************
****
View life as a
continuous
learning
experience.
*************
****
Sex and religion
are closer to each
other than either
might prefer.
*************
****
The artist is
nothing without
the gift, but the
gift is nothing
without work.
*************
****
I'd kill for a Nobel
Peace Prize.
*************
****
Life's an Ocean Sail It.
*************
****
The less their
ability the more
their conceit.
*************
****
True religion is real
living living with all
one's soul with all
one's goodness
and
righteousness.
*************
****
No problem can
withstand the
assault of
sustained
thinking...
*************
****
The artist is
nothing without
the gift, but the
gift is nothing
without work....
*************
****
The only way to
get rid of a
temptation is to
yield to it...
*************
****
Facts are the
enemy of truth.
*************
****
I think I always
disappoint people
because thy
always expect
someone very
pretty, very done.
*************
****
Anybody who sees
a paints a sky
green and
pastures blue
ought to be
sterilized.
*************
****
I find that the
harder I work, the
more luck I seem
to have.
*************
****
If a man hasn't
discovered
something that he
will die for, he isn't
fit to live.
*************
****
There are no
speed limits on the
road to excellence.
*************
****
The only way to
get rid of a
temptation is to
yield to it.
*************
****
For those who
understand no
explanation is
needed, ...For
those who don't
none will do.
*************
****
Whenever I climb I
am followed by a
dog called 'Ego'
*************
****
I've had a
wonderful
evening, but this
wasn't it
*************
****
Maybe this world is
another planet's
Hell
*************
****
We all agree that
your theory is
crazy, but is it
crazy enough
*************
****
Glory is fleeting,
but obscurity is
forever.
*************
****
Love is the only
game that is not
called on account
of darkness.
*************
****
Faith is the
substance of
things hoped for,
the evidence of
things not seen.
*************
****
Religions are kept
alive by heresies,
which are really
sudden explosions
of faith.
*************
****
Victory goes to the
player who makes
the next-to-last
mistake.
*************
****
You can avoid
reality, but you
cannot avoid the
consequences of
avoiding reality.
*************
****
I can write better
then anybody who
can write faster,
and I can write
faster then
anybody who can
write better.
*************
****
Try to learn
something about
everything and
everything about
something.
*************
****
Talent does what
it can; genius does
what it must.
*************
****
We keep updating our site regularly for Good
Quotes and We are sure that
you will
recommend this
site to your
friends if you like
our database of
Good Quotes.
Please keep
visiting this blog
again and again
for best quotes.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
SECRET ON DREAMS
A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown. Denis Waitley
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dream, and endeavors to live the life which he had imagines, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. Henry David Thoreau
I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet. William Butler Yeats
Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements. Napoleon Hill
If you can dream it, you can do it. Walt Disney
We've got to have a dream if we are going to make a dream come true. Denis Waitley
Dreams are the touchstones of our character. Henry David Thoreau
A goal is a dream with a deadline. Napoleon Hill
No matter how carefully you plan your goals they will never be more that pipe dreams unless you pursue them with gusto. W. Clement Stone
Do more than dream: work. William Arthur Ward
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. Robert Browning
It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else. Erma Bombeck
Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes! Milton Berle
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt
Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more bright the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears more clear. What has puzzled us before seems less mysterious, and the crooked paths look straighter as we approach the end. Jean Paul Richter
Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you. African Proverb
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dream, and endeavors to live the life which he had imagines, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. Henry David Thoreau
I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet. William Butler Yeats
Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements. Napoleon Hill
If you can dream it, you can do it. Walt Disney
We've got to have a dream if we are going to make a dream come true. Denis Waitley
Dreams are the touchstones of our character. Henry David Thoreau
A goal is a dream with a deadline. Napoleon Hill
No matter how carefully you plan your goals they will never be more that pipe dreams unless you pursue them with gusto. W. Clement Stone
Do more than dream: work. William Arthur Ward
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. Robert Browning
It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else. Erma Bombeck
Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes! Milton Berle
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt
Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more bright the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears more clear. What has puzzled us before seems less mysterious, and the crooked paths look straighter as we approach the end. Jean Paul Richter
Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you. African Proverb
RESPECT
I respect people and expect that kind of respect back." Dennis Franz
"This world of ours - must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect." Dwight D. Eisenhower
"Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power." Clint Eastwood
"We must not permit our respect for the dead or our sympathy for the living to lead us into an act of injustice to the balance of the living." Davy Crockett
The American city should be a collection of communities where every member has a right to belong. It should be a place where every man feels safe on his streets and in the house of his friends. It should be a place where each individual's dignity and self-respect is strengthened by the respect and affection of his neighbors. It should be a place where each of us can find the satisfaction and warmth which comes from being a member of the community of man. This is what man sought at the dawn of civilization. It is what we seek today. L.B. Johnson
Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when we suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful, we have served it; knowing the truth we have spoken it. Whitney Griswold
That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong. William J.H. Boet
"I did learn that it was the greatest thing in the world to respect yourself. Respect other people." Little Milton
"Respect yourself and others will respect you." Confucius
"An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law." Martin Luther King
"But really, we also need to learn how to love one another as women. How to appreciate and respect each other." Chaka Khan
"An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Would that there were an award for people who come to understand the concept of enough. Good enough. Successful enough. Thin enough. Rich enough. Socially responsible enough. When you have self-respect, you have enough." Gail Sheehy
"I have a rule on my team: when we talk to one another, we look each other right in the eye, because I think it's tough to lie to somebody. You give respect to somebody. " Mike Krzyzewski
"The individual woman is required... a thousand times a day to choose either to accept her appointed role and thereby rescue her good disposition out of the wreckage of her self-respect, or else follow an independent line of behavior and rescue her self-respect out of the wreckage of her good disposition." Jeannette Rankin
"Respect is one of the most important things you can teach a child. C. Pulsifer
"Respect the masterpiece. It is true reverence to man. There is no quality so great, none so much needed now." Frank Lloyd Wright
"Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?" Confucius
"This world of ours - must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect." Dwight D. Eisenhower
"Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power." Clint Eastwood
"We must not permit our respect for the dead or our sympathy for the living to lead us into an act of injustice to the balance of the living." Davy Crockett
The American city should be a collection of communities where every member has a right to belong. It should be a place where every man feels safe on his streets and in the house of his friends. It should be a place where each individual's dignity and self-respect is strengthened by the respect and affection of his neighbors. It should be a place where each of us can find the satisfaction and warmth which comes from being a member of the community of man. This is what man sought at the dawn of civilization. It is what we seek today. L.B. Johnson
Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when we suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful, we have served it; knowing the truth we have spoken it. Whitney Griswold
That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong. William J.H. Boet
"I did learn that it was the greatest thing in the world to respect yourself. Respect other people." Little Milton
"Respect yourself and others will respect you." Confucius
"An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law." Martin Luther King
"But really, we also need to learn how to love one another as women. How to appreciate and respect each other." Chaka Khan
"An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Would that there were an award for people who come to understand the concept of enough. Good enough. Successful enough. Thin enough. Rich enough. Socially responsible enough. When you have self-respect, you have enough." Gail Sheehy
"I have a rule on my team: when we talk to one another, we look each other right in the eye, because I think it's tough to lie to somebody. You give respect to somebody. " Mike Krzyzewski
"The individual woman is required... a thousand times a day to choose either to accept her appointed role and thereby rescue her good disposition out of the wreckage of her self-respect, or else follow an independent line of behavior and rescue her self-respect out of the wreckage of her good disposition." Jeannette Rankin
"Respect is one of the most important things you can teach a child. C. Pulsifer
"Respect the masterpiece. It is true reverence to man. There is no quality so great, none so much needed now." Frank Lloyd Wright
"Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?" Confucius
HOPE
"Once you choose hope, anything's possible."
Christopher Reeve
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."
Dale Carnegie
"To give hope to someone occurs when you teach them how to use the tools to do it for themselves."
Byron Pulsifer
"All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let's live with hope."
Henri J. Nouwen
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill
Hope, deceitful as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route.
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death.
Robert Fulghum
Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. You gradually struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything.
Thomas Merton
Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them.
Louisa May Alcott
Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime, Therefore, we are saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; Therefore, we are saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone. Therefore, we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite a virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own; Therefore, we are saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.
Reinhold Niebuhr
Things which you do not hope happen more frequently than things which you do hope.
Titus Maccius Plautus
In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man's torments.
Friedrich Nietzsche
There is nothing so well known as that we should not expect something for nothing - but we all do and call it Hope.
Edgar Howe
Hope itself is a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords; but, like all other pleasures immoderately enjoyed, the excesses of hope must be expiated by pain.
Samuel Johnson
Hoping just doesn't get it done; taking positive and consistent action over time does.
Byron Pulsifer
The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination.
Marian Zimmer Bradley
Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.
George Iles
When a person has true hope it means that they have taken a wish and turned it into a goal. And, from that goal, detailed action is taken that turns hope to reality.
Byron Pulsifer
Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, sickness, of captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable.
Samuel Johnson
We do learn something about ourselves when we are up against the wall, and we do most certainly come out stronger.
Sloan, Tina. Changing Shoes. Gotham Books, 2010, p. 142.
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it destination full of hope.
Maya Angelou
If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.
Thomas Fuller
The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.
Martin Luther King
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.
Ronald Reagan
Hope is the dream of a soul awake.
French Proverb
Never lose hope no matter how long it takes! Believe in yourself even when you feel alone in your battles.
Shadonna Richards, A Gift of Hope
He who hopes to avoid all failure and misfortune is trying to live in a fairyland; the wise man realistically accepts failure as a part of life and builds a philosophy to meet them and make the most of them.
Wilferd Peterson, The Art of Living
Christopher Reeve
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."
Dale Carnegie
"To give hope to someone occurs when you teach them how to use the tools to do it for themselves."
Byron Pulsifer
"All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let's live with hope."
Henri J. Nouwen
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill
Hope, deceitful as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route.
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death.
Robert Fulghum
Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. You gradually struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything.
Thomas Merton
Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them.
Louisa May Alcott
Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime, Therefore, we are saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; Therefore, we are saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone. Therefore, we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite a virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own; Therefore, we are saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.
Reinhold Niebuhr
Things which you do not hope happen more frequently than things which you do hope.
Titus Maccius Plautus
In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man's torments.
Friedrich Nietzsche
There is nothing so well known as that we should not expect something for nothing - but we all do and call it Hope.
Edgar Howe
Hope itself is a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords; but, like all other pleasures immoderately enjoyed, the excesses of hope must be expiated by pain.
Samuel Johnson
Hoping just doesn't get it done; taking positive and consistent action over time does.
Byron Pulsifer
The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination.
Marian Zimmer Bradley
Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.
George Iles
When a person has true hope it means that they have taken a wish and turned it into a goal. And, from that goal, detailed action is taken that turns hope to reality.
Byron Pulsifer
Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, sickness, of captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable.
Samuel Johnson
We do learn something about ourselves when we are up against the wall, and we do most certainly come out stronger.
Sloan, Tina. Changing Shoes. Gotham Books, 2010, p. 142.
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it destination full of hope.
Maya Angelou
If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.
Thomas Fuller
The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.
Martin Luther King
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.
Ronald Reagan
Hope is the dream of a soul awake.
French Proverb
Never lose hope no matter how long it takes! Believe in yourself even when you feel alone in your battles.
Shadonna Richards, A Gift of Hope
He who hopes to avoid all failure and misfortune is trying to live in a fairyland; the wise man realistically accepts failure as a part of life and builds a philosophy to meet them and make the most of them.
Wilferd Peterson, The Art of Living
WHO ARE WE?
“Who was at the door?” you may have asked. In case you are wondering who we are and what we represent, I would like to give you a brief explanation. Let me begin by telling you who we are not. We are not Jehovah’s Witnesses or Seventh Day Adventists. We are not Baptists, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, or Mormons. We are not part of any Catholic or Protestant body nor are we members of any alliance, council, or union of religious bodies. We are not a cult, or part of any denomination.
However, we are Christians (Acts 11:26). We strive to glorify God in that holy name (I Peter 4:16; James 2:7). We refuse to wear the names of men or the doctrines of men. We do not wear the names of nations or cities. We honour Christ by wearing His name only. We are Christians just like the ones you can read about in the New Testament.
The church to which we belong is the one you can read about in the New Testament. It is not a building, but a body of baptized believers. It was built by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18). It was bought with His blood (Acts 20:28). Therefore, we represent no one but Jesus Christ. Jesus built one church. It began nearly 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem (Acts 2). If Jesus built one church, you may be wondering where all the thousands of other churches have come from. The only answer is that they were started by men. Jesus said: “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13).
Jesus Christ is the builder, purchaser, and founder of the one church that we read about in the New Testament. He is also its foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11). He is the chief cornerstone of the church (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Jesus prayed that all believers in Him would be united. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17: 20, 21). Many people do not believe in Jesus today because of all the divisions among those who claim to be His followers. These divisions are known as “denominations”. They are condemned in the New Testament. “Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10). Divisions are also known as “seditions” ad “heresies” and are condemned as works of the flesh which will keep people out of Heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).
We can only be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed on the cross (I Peter 1:18,19). It only can wash away our sins (Revelation 1:5). Since Jesus purchased His church with His blood, we must belong to His church to be saved. If a person can be saved outside of the church of Christ, then he can be saved without the blood of Jesus. Those who are saved are added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:36-47). One does not join the church, but the Lord adds him when he obeys the gospel and is thereby cleansed by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:16-18).
In the New Testament, we have been given “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). We have complete instructions for living the Christian life. We are told how we are to worship to please God. We can learn how to conduct the work of the church from the New Testament. We need no creed book, manual, or book of church discipline beside the Bible (I Timothy 3:14, 15). Most denominations have some book besides the Bible that they use to tell them what to believe and how to conduct their affairs, but the Bible alone is sufficient (II Timothy 3:16, 17).
Perhaps you are asking, “What is the name of this church?” Since Christ built the church, it belongs to him (Matthew 16:18). Therefore, it is the church of Christ. The groups or congregations of Christians which meet at various places are simply known as “the churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16). The church is described in the New Testament as a body, house, kingdom, etc. It is also called the “ church of God” (I Corinthians 1:2). Any of these are correct designations for the Lord’s one true church.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope you will take time to read the other articles which follow. Be sure to check everything you read by the Scriptures (Acts 17:11,I Thessalonians 5:21). Everything we believe, teach, and practice must be according to the Bible, God’s Holy Word (Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 4:4; II John 9; Revelation 22:18, 19).
However, we are Christians (Acts 11:26). We strive to glorify God in that holy name (I Peter 4:16; James 2:7). We refuse to wear the names of men or the doctrines of men. We do not wear the names of nations or cities. We honour Christ by wearing His name only. We are Christians just like the ones you can read about in the New Testament.
The church to which we belong is the one you can read about in the New Testament. It is not a building, but a body of baptized believers. It was built by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18). It was bought with His blood (Acts 20:28). Therefore, we represent no one but Jesus Christ. Jesus built one church. It began nearly 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem (Acts 2). If Jesus built one church, you may be wondering where all the thousands of other churches have come from. The only answer is that they were started by men. Jesus said: “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13).
Jesus Christ is the builder, purchaser, and founder of the one church that we read about in the New Testament. He is also its foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11). He is the chief cornerstone of the church (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Jesus prayed that all believers in Him would be united. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17: 20, 21). Many people do not believe in Jesus today because of all the divisions among those who claim to be His followers. These divisions are known as “denominations”. They are condemned in the New Testament. “Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10). Divisions are also known as “seditions” ad “heresies” and are condemned as works of the flesh which will keep people out of Heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).
We can only be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed on the cross (I Peter 1:18,19). It only can wash away our sins (Revelation 1:5). Since Jesus purchased His church with His blood, we must belong to His church to be saved. If a person can be saved outside of the church of Christ, then he can be saved without the blood of Jesus. Those who are saved are added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:36-47). One does not join the church, but the Lord adds him when he obeys the gospel and is thereby cleansed by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:16-18).
In the New Testament, we have been given “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). We have complete instructions for living the Christian life. We are told how we are to worship to please God. We can learn how to conduct the work of the church from the New Testament. We need no creed book, manual, or book of church discipline beside the Bible (I Timothy 3:14, 15). Most denominations have some book besides the Bible that they use to tell them what to believe and how to conduct their affairs, but the Bible alone is sufficient (II Timothy 3:16, 17).
Perhaps you are asking, “What is the name of this church?” Since Christ built the church, it belongs to him (Matthew 16:18). Therefore, it is the church of Christ. The groups or congregations of Christians which meet at various places are simply known as “the churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16). The church is described in the New Testament as a body, house, kingdom, etc. It is also called the “ church of God” (I Corinthians 1:2). Any of these are correct designations for the Lord’s one true church.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope you will take time to read the other articles which follow. Be sure to check everything you read by the Scriptures (Acts 17:11,I Thessalonians 5:21). Everything we believe, teach, and practice must be according to the Bible, God’s Holy Word (Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 4:4; II John 9; Revelation 22:18, 19).
WHY DO WE WORSHIP ON SUNDAY?
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ meets on the first day of the week (Sunday) for regular worship. At that time, the members of the church eat the Lord’s supper. This is done in memory of the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. Teaching and exhorting from the Word of God is done. Prayers and songs of praise are offered up to God. A contribution it taken for the poor and for the preaching of the gospel. The Lord’s church meets on Sunday because some very important events happened on that day.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, arose from the dead on he first day of the week: “Now when He arose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons” (Mark 16:9; see also Matthew 28:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20: 1-10). The resurrection of Christ is very important to Christians. It proves beyond all doubt that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. It also gives us the assurance that we too will be raised to life again (see I Corinthians 15).
The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles upon the first day of the week: “When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly here came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). “Pentecost” actually means “fifty days.” Pentecost was a special feast of the Jews which was to be observed fifty days after their Passover feast. It is also called “the feast of harvest” or “firstfruits.” Sometimes it is called “the feast of weeks” because it was seven weeks after Passover. “And you shall count for yourselves from the day after Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:15,16; see also Exodus 23:14-19). Since the Sabbath was Saturday, the seventh day of the week, the day after the Sabbath would be Sunday, the first day of the week (Exodus 20:9,10).
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ began on this Pentecost day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. On that day, they preached the gospel. Men heard, believed, repented, and were baptized for the remission of sins. They were added by the Lord to His church, which is the church of Christ (Acts 2:36-47). Thus, the church had its beginning on Sunday, the first day of the week.
The early church met on the first day of the week to remember Jesus Christ by eating the Lord’s supper” “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight”(Acts 20: 7). Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem (Acts 20:16). But in spite of that, when he came to Troas, he stayed seven days (Acts 20:6). Without doubt, he was waiting for the first day of the week so he could worship with the church.
Some perverted translation of the Bible, such as the so-called “Good News Bible” and the “New English Bible,” mistranslated this passage. They make the breaking of bread, which is the Lord’s supper, to be a fellowship meal. They put “Saturday evening” instead of the first day of the week. This is misleading, dishonest, and wrong! The Greek words here for “the first day of the week” are the same as in Luke 24:1, where it is correctly translate “the first day of the week.” Those who really want to follow God’s Word will not use perverted translations such as the Good News Version and the New English Version
Not only did the early Christians meet on the first day of the week for the Lord’s supper, but they also engaged in the other acts of worship. It is on this day that Christians are commanded to give for the work of the Lord: “On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (I Corinthians 16:2). Christians must exhort one another not to forsake the assembly on the first day of the week (Hebrews 10:25).
Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). He also commanded them to teach the ones baptized “to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Now, when one sees the early churches observing the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week, it follows that the apostles taught them to observe it on that day. We must follow the New Testament pattern in order to be the true church today.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, arose from the dead on he first day of the week: “Now when He arose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons” (Mark 16:9; see also Matthew 28:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20: 1-10). The resurrection of Christ is very important to Christians. It proves beyond all doubt that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. It also gives us the assurance that we too will be raised to life again (see I Corinthians 15).
The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles upon the first day of the week: “When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly here came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). “Pentecost” actually means “fifty days.” Pentecost was a special feast of the Jews which was to be observed fifty days after their Passover feast. It is also called “the feast of harvest” or “firstfruits.” Sometimes it is called “the feast of weeks” because it was seven weeks after Passover. “And you shall count for yourselves from the day after Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:15,16; see also Exodus 23:14-19). Since the Sabbath was Saturday, the seventh day of the week, the day after the Sabbath would be Sunday, the first day of the week (Exodus 20:9,10).
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ began on this Pentecost day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. On that day, they preached the gospel. Men heard, believed, repented, and were baptized for the remission of sins. They were added by the Lord to His church, which is the church of Christ (Acts 2:36-47). Thus, the church had its beginning on Sunday, the first day of the week.
The early church met on the first day of the week to remember Jesus Christ by eating the Lord’s supper” “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight”(Acts 20: 7). Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem (Acts 20:16). But in spite of that, when he came to Troas, he stayed seven days (Acts 20:6). Without doubt, he was waiting for the first day of the week so he could worship with the church.
Some perverted translation of the Bible, such as the so-called “Good News Bible” and the “New English Bible,” mistranslated this passage. They make the breaking of bread, which is the Lord’s supper, to be a fellowship meal. They put “Saturday evening” instead of the first day of the week. This is misleading, dishonest, and wrong! The Greek words here for “the first day of the week” are the same as in Luke 24:1, where it is correctly translate “the first day of the week.” Those who really want to follow God’s Word will not use perverted translations such as the Good News Version and the New English Version
Not only did the early Christians meet on the first day of the week for the Lord’s supper, but they also engaged in the other acts of worship. It is on this day that Christians are commanded to give for the work of the Lord: “On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (I Corinthians 16:2). Christians must exhort one another not to forsake the assembly on the first day of the week (Hebrews 10:25).
Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). He also commanded them to teach the ones baptized “to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Now, when one sees the early churches observing the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week, it follows that the apostles taught them to observe it on that day. We must follow the New Testament pattern in order to be the true church today.
QUESTION ON MARRIAGE
God’s original law of marriage might be summed up simply as “one man, one wife, for life” (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:1-4). Because of the hardness of their hearts, God permitted His people in the Old Testament to deviate from His plan. Polygamy was practiced and divorce was permitted (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:14-16). When our Lord Jesus Christ came, He restored God’s original plan for marriage (Matthew 19:3-9).
The general law of Jesus on marriage and divorce is found in Mark 10:1-2 and Luke 16:18. The Lord allowed only one exception to this general law: “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Matthew 19:9).
If one puts away his marriage partner, and marries another person, he is guilty of adultery (I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21: Hebrews 13:4). Of one marries a person who has been put away by another, he also commits adultery. The exception is “except it be for fornication.” If one’s marriage partner commits fornication, the one who has not committed fornication can divorce the fornicator and marry another! Divorce for any other cause is sinful!
First Corinthians seven contains Paul’s answers to questions which were asked by the Corinthians (7:1). These questions were not about God’s law of marriage and divorce. The church was under persecution. Under those circumstances, was it best for a person to be married at all? Verse 26 is the key to understanding Paul’s answers to the questions: “I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.”
Considering the “present distress” (time of persecution), Paul states: “It is not good for a man to touch a woman” (7:1). Even though it would be easier to be unmarried during a time of persecution, yet, it is better to marry than to commit fornication. Sexual activity outside of marriage is sin (7:2-5). Paul wished that everyone had the strength to remain unmarried and not be tempted. Because everyone was not that strong, he said they should marry (7:6-10).
Those who were already married should not separate. If a separation did take place, they did not have the right to marry another (7:10, 11). Concerning a believer married to an unbeliever, Paul said the marriage was a holy union. If it were not, then the children would be illegitimate. If the unbeliever in such a marriage refused to live with the Christian, the Christian was not bound to keep the marriage together (7:12-17).
Some may have become Christians after their marriages and wondered if they should remain with an unbeliever. One can be a Christian in any relationship as long as it is not sinful. If one is a slave or a free man, a Jew or a Gentile, married or unmarried, he could still be a Christian (7:17-24).
“What about virgins? Should they marry?” Because of persecution, it would be better not to marry. But if they married, it was not wrong (7:25-28). One who is married will have care and concern about his marriage partner and children. It will be more difficult for him in the time of persecution. Instead of marrying, Paul says it would be better to give oneself fully to the Lord’s work (7:29-35).
“What about a man who has a daughter who is old enough to marry?” It is alright if the daughter is married, but it is better for her not to marry (7:36-38).
“What about a woman whose husband is dead?” She is free to marry again, but she must marry a Christian. If a woman’s marriage partner dies, she would bring trouble upon herself to marry a pagan when pagans where persecuting Christians (7:39,40).
In order to understand First Corinthians seven, we must remember several things: (1) God’s general law for marriage is “one man, one wife, for life.” There is only one exception to this; (2) Paul is answering specific questions asked by the Corinthians; (3) What Paul is saying is because it was a special time of persecution. He was not stating general rules dealing with the general laws for marriage which are found elsewhere in the New Testament.
The general law of Jesus on marriage and divorce is found in Mark 10:1-2 and Luke 16:18. The Lord allowed only one exception to this general law: “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Matthew 19:9).
If one puts away his marriage partner, and marries another person, he is guilty of adultery (I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21: Hebrews 13:4). Of one marries a person who has been put away by another, he also commits adultery. The exception is “except it be for fornication.” If one’s marriage partner commits fornication, the one who has not committed fornication can divorce the fornicator and marry another! Divorce for any other cause is sinful!
First Corinthians seven contains Paul’s answers to questions which were asked by the Corinthians (7:1). These questions were not about God’s law of marriage and divorce. The church was under persecution. Under those circumstances, was it best for a person to be married at all? Verse 26 is the key to understanding Paul’s answers to the questions: “I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.”
Considering the “present distress” (time of persecution), Paul states: “It is not good for a man to touch a woman” (7:1). Even though it would be easier to be unmarried during a time of persecution, yet, it is better to marry than to commit fornication. Sexual activity outside of marriage is sin (7:2-5). Paul wished that everyone had the strength to remain unmarried and not be tempted. Because everyone was not that strong, he said they should marry (7:6-10).
Those who were already married should not separate. If a separation did take place, they did not have the right to marry another (7:10, 11). Concerning a believer married to an unbeliever, Paul said the marriage was a holy union. If it were not, then the children would be illegitimate. If the unbeliever in such a marriage refused to live with the Christian, the Christian was not bound to keep the marriage together (7:12-17).
Some may have become Christians after their marriages and wondered if they should remain with an unbeliever. One can be a Christian in any relationship as long as it is not sinful. If one is a slave or a free man, a Jew or a Gentile, married or unmarried, he could still be a Christian (7:17-24).
“What about virgins? Should they marry?” Because of persecution, it would be better not to marry. But if they married, it was not wrong (7:25-28). One who is married will have care and concern about his marriage partner and children. It will be more difficult for him in the time of persecution. Instead of marrying, Paul says it would be better to give oneself fully to the Lord’s work (7:29-35).
“What about a man who has a daughter who is old enough to marry?” It is alright if the daughter is married, but it is better for her not to marry (7:36-38).
“What about a woman whose husband is dead?” She is free to marry again, but she must marry a Christian. If a woman’s marriage partner dies, she would bring trouble upon herself to marry a pagan when pagans where persecuting Christians (7:39,40).
In order to understand First Corinthians seven, we must remember several things: (1) God’s general law for marriage is “one man, one wife, for life.” There is only one exception to this; (2) Paul is answering specific questions asked by the Corinthians; (3) What Paul is saying is because it was a special time of persecution. He was not stating general rules dealing with the general laws for marriage which are found elsewhere in the New Testament.
SHOULD BABIES BE BAPTIZED?
What is baptism? Who should be baptized? What is the purpose of baptism? Men have argued over these questions for many years. Is there an answer that we can all understand? Yes, there is. God has given the answer. It is found in the Bible.
What is Baptism?
There are three ways by which denominations baptize people today--sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. Which one is correct baptism?
In the Bible, baptism is called a burial. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). If we want to bury a dead body, we will not sprinkle a little dirt on the head. We will cover the body completely with dirt. Baptism is like that. It is a burial in water. Sprinkling water on the head of a person does not baptize him. He must be completely buried under the water. “Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized” (John 3:23). John chose a place to baptize where there was much water. Sprinkling requires only a little water. A burial in water requires much water. John did not baptize by sprinkling. He baptized by burying in water.
“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38,39).
When Philip baptized the eunuch, both of them went down into the water. After the baptism, both of them came up out of the water. To sprinkle a person, it is not necessary to go down into the water. To baptize a person by burying him in the water, it is necessary to go down into the water. Therefore, Philip baptized the eunuch by a burial, not by sprinkling.
Who Should Be Baptized?
The Bible says there are certain things a person must DO BEFORE he can be baptized. A person MUST BELIEVE in Jesus Christ before he can be baptized. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). How do we come to believe in Jesus as the Son of God? It is by hearing the Word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Therefore a person MUST have faith in Christ BEFORE he can be baptized. To be baptized before a person believes is wrong. That baptism is no good! Now let’s ask a question, Can a baby believe in Jesus as the Son of God? We all know the answer is “no!” Then, babies are NOT to be baptized.
A person MUST REPENT of his sins before he can be baptized. The Bible says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). To repent means to change one’s life from bad to good. To repent means to have a change of mind. A person no longer wants to do things his way, but now he wants to do what the Lord says. Can a baby repent? Can he change his mind and way of life? In no way! Therefore a baby is not to be baptized!
Before a person can be baptized, he MUST also CONFESS his faith in Christ. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). A good example of this is in Acts 8. The man from Ethiopia was being taught by Philip. They came to some water (v. 36). The man from Ethiopia wanted to be baptized. Before Philip baptized him he confessed, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (v. 37). After his confession, he was baptized. Baptism came AFTER confession, not before. Can a baby confess his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God? The answer is a definite “no!” Therefore, a baby is not ready for baptism. What have we learned so far? A person must hear the Word of God. He must believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Then he must repent of his sins. After that, he must confess his faith in Christ as the Son of God. All of this must be done BEFORE a person can be baptized. A person cannot be baptized and then believe, repent and confess. The Bible doesn’t teach it that way. That is why a baby is not to be baptized. A baby CANNOT have faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT confess his faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT repent of his sins for two reasons. First, he has no sins. Second, he couldn’t repent of them if he did have them. Let’s follow what the Bible teaches and then we can all agree. The Bible says, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12).
Why Be Baptized?
There are several reasons mentioned in the Bible as to why we must be baptized. First, we must be baptized if we want to be saved. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The apostle Peter said, “There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism. . .” (1 Peter 3:21). To be saved and to have our sins forgiven is the same thing. If a person wants to be saved, then he must be baptized in order to be saved. If a person wants to have his sins forgiven, then he must be baptized. Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost to “. . .Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38). There is no way a person can be saved, or have his sins forgiven, without being baptized (buried in water).
Another reason to be baptized is to put a person “into Christ.” To be “in Christ” means “to be a Christian.” You are not a Christian if you are not “in Christ.” How does a person get “into Christ?” The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). You get “into Christ” through baptism. That makes you a Christian. That baptism is a burial in water. It also saves you and forgives you of your sins.
Baptism also puts us into the body of Christ. The body of Christ is Christ’s church. “. . .and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. . .” (Ephesians 1:22,23). Christ built only one church (Matthew 16:18). That church is His body. The church is the saved. Christ is the Saviour of the church. If one wants Christ as His Saviour, then he must be in Christ’s church. The only way one can get in Christ’s church is through baptism (a burial in water).
WHAT does the Bible say about WHAT baptism is? The Bible teaches that baptism is putting a person completely under water for a short time. This is called a burial or immersion.
WHY should a person be baptized? So that he can be saved and have his sins forgiven. This baptism makes him a part of Christ and His church.
WHO should be baptized? The Bible says the one who is to be baptized MUST believe, repent and confess his faith BEFORE he is baptized.
Have YOU been baptized the Bible way? Did you believe, repent and confess your faith BEFORE you were baptized? Were you buried in water for your baptism? Were you baptized FOR the forgiveness of your sins? If you cannot answer YES to ALL of these questions, then your baptism is not according to the Bible.
If you have more questions about baptism or you wish to be baptized according to the Bible, let us know.
What is Baptism?
There are three ways by which denominations baptize people today--sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. Which one is correct baptism?
In the Bible, baptism is called a burial. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). If we want to bury a dead body, we will not sprinkle a little dirt on the head. We will cover the body completely with dirt. Baptism is like that. It is a burial in water. Sprinkling water on the head of a person does not baptize him. He must be completely buried under the water. “Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized” (John 3:23). John chose a place to baptize where there was much water. Sprinkling requires only a little water. A burial in water requires much water. John did not baptize by sprinkling. He baptized by burying in water.
“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38,39).
When Philip baptized the eunuch, both of them went down into the water. After the baptism, both of them came up out of the water. To sprinkle a person, it is not necessary to go down into the water. To baptize a person by burying him in the water, it is necessary to go down into the water. Therefore, Philip baptized the eunuch by a burial, not by sprinkling.
Who Should Be Baptized?
The Bible says there are certain things a person must DO BEFORE he can be baptized. A person MUST BELIEVE in Jesus Christ before he can be baptized. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). How do we come to believe in Jesus as the Son of God? It is by hearing the Word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Therefore a person MUST have faith in Christ BEFORE he can be baptized. To be baptized before a person believes is wrong. That baptism is no good! Now let’s ask a question, Can a baby believe in Jesus as the Son of God? We all know the answer is “no!” Then, babies are NOT to be baptized.
A person MUST REPENT of his sins before he can be baptized. The Bible says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). To repent means to change one’s life from bad to good. To repent means to have a change of mind. A person no longer wants to do things his way, but now he wants to do what the Lord says. Can a baby repent? Can he change his mind and way of life? In no way! Therefore a baby is not to be baptized!
Before a person can be baptized, he MUST also CONFESS his faith in Christ. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). A good example of this is in Acts 8. The man from Ethiopia was being taught by Philip. They came to some water (v. 36). The man from Ethiopia wanted to be baptized. Before Philip baptized him he confessed, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (v. 37). After his confession, he was baptized. Baptism came AFTER confession, not before. Can a baby confess his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God? The answer is a definite “no!” Therefore, a baby is not ready for baptism. What have we learned so far? A person must hear the Word of God. He must believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Then he must repent of his sins. After that, he must confess his faith in Christ as the Son of God. All of this must be done BEFORE a person can be baptized. A person cannot be baptized and then believe, repent and confess. The Bible doesn’t teach it that way. That is why a baby is not to be baptized. A baby CANNOT have faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT confess his faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT repent of his sins for two reasons. First, he has no sins. Second, he couldn’t repent of them if he did have them. Let’s follow what the Bible teaches and then we can all agree. The Bible says, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12).
Why Be Baptized?
There are several reasons mentioned in the Bible as to why we must be baptized. First, we must be baptized if we want to be saved. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The apostle Peter said, “There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism. . .” (1 Peter 3:21). To be saved and to have our sins forgiven is the same thing. If a person wants to be saved, then he must be baptized in order to be saved. If a person wants to have his sins forgiven, then he must be baptized. Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost to “. . .Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38). There is no way a person can be saved, or have his sins forgiven, without being baptized (buried in water).
Another reason to be baptized is to put a person “into Christ.” To be “in Christ” means “to be a Christian.” You are not a Christian if you are not “in Christ.” How does a person get “into Christ?” The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). You get “into Christ” through baptism. That makes you a Christian. That baptism is a burial in water. It also saves you and forgives you of your sins.
Baptism also puts us into the body of Christ. The body of Christ is Christ’s church. “. . .and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. . .” (Ephesians 1:22,23). Christ built only one church (Matthew 16:18). That church is His body. The church is the saved. Christ is the Saviour of the church. If one wants Christ as His Saviour, then he must be in Christ’s church. The only way one can get in Christ’s church is through baptism (a burial in water).
WHAT does the Bible say about WHAT baptism is? The Bible teaches that baptism is putting a person completely under water for a short time. This is called a burial or immersion.
WHY should a person be baptized? So that he can be saved and have his sins forgiven. This baptism makes him a part of Christ and His church.
WHO should be baptized? The Bible says the one who is to be baptized MUST believe, repent and confess his faith BEFORE he is baptized.
Have YOU been baptized the Bible way? Did you believe, repent and confess your faith BEFORE you were baptized? Were you buried in water for your baptism? Were you baptized FOR the forgiveness of your sins? If you cannot answer YES to ALL of these questions, then your baptism is not according to the Bible.
If you have more questions about baptism or you wish to be baptized according to the Bible, let us know.
SHOULD BABIES BE BAPTIZED?
What is baptism? Who should be baptized? What is the purpose of baptism? Men have argued over these questions for many years. Is there an answer that we can all understand? Yes, there is. God has given the answer. It is found in the Bible.
What is Baptism?
There are three ways by which denominations baptize people today--sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. Which one is correct baptism?
In the Bible, baptism is called a burial. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). If we want to bury a dead body, we will not sprinkle a little dirt on the head. We will cover the body completely with dirt. Baptism is like that. It is a burial in water. Sprinkling water on the head of a person does not baptize him. He must be completely buried under the water. “Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized” (John 3:23). John chose a place to baptize where there was much water. Sprinkling requires only a little water. A burial in water requires much water. John did not baptize by sprinkling. He baptized by burying in water.
“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38,39).
When Philip baptized the eunuch, both of them went down into the water. After the baptism, both of them came up out of the water. To sprinkle a person, it is not necessary to go down into the water. To baptize a person by burying him in the water, it is necessary to go down into the water. Therefore, Philip baptized the eunuch by a burial, not by sprinkling.
Who Should Be Baptized?
The Bible says there are certain things a person must DO BEFORE he can be baptized. A person MUST BELIEVE in Jesus Christ before he can be baptized. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). How do we come to believe in Jesus as the Son of God? It is by hearing the Word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Therefore a person MUST have faith in Christ BEFORE he can be baptized. To be baptized before a person believes is wrong. That baptism is no good! Now let’s ask a question, Can a baby believe in Jesus as the Son of God? We all know the answer is “no!” Then, babies are NOT to be baptized.
A person MUST REPENT of his sins before he can be baptized. The Bible says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). To repent means to change one’s life from bad to good. To repent means to have a change of mind. A person no longer wants to do things his way, but now he wants to do what the Lord says. Can a baby repent? Can he change his mind and way of life? In no way! Therefore a baby is not to be baptized!
Before a person can be baptized, he MUST also CONFESS his faith in Christ. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). A good example of this is in Acts 8. The man from Ethiopia was being taught by Philip. They came to some water (v. 36). The man from Ethiopia wanted to be baptized. Before Philip baptized him he confessed, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (v. 37). After his confession, he was baptized. Baptism came AFTER confession, not before. Can a baby confess his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God? The answer is a definite “no!” Therefore, a baby is not ready for baptism. What have we learned so far? A person must hear the Word of God. He must believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Then he must repent of his sins. After that, he must confess his faith in Christ as the Son of God. All of this must be done BEFORE a person can be baptized. A person cannot be baptized and then believe, repent and confess. The Bible doesn’t teach it that way. That is why a baby is not to be baptized. A baby CANNOT have faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT confess his faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT repent of his sins for two reasons. First, he has no sins. Second, he couldn’t repent of them if he did have them. Let’s follow what the Bible teaches and then we can all agree. The Bible says, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12).
Why Be Baptized?
There are several reasons mentioned in the Bible as to why we must be baptized. First, we must be baptized if we want to be saved. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The apostle Peter said, “There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism. . .” (1 Peter 3:21). To be saved and to have our sins forgiven is the same thing. If a person wants to be saved, then he must be baptized in order to be saved. If a person wants to have his sins forgiven, then he must be baptized. Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost to “. . .Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38). There is no way a person can be saved, or have his sins forgiven, without being baptized (buried in water).
Another reason to be baptized is to put a person “into Christ.” To be “in Christ” means “to be a Christian.” You are not a Christian if you are not “in Christ.” How does a person get “into Christ?” The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). You get “into Christ” through baptism. That makes you a Christian. That baptism is a burial in water. It also saves you and forgives you of your sins.
Baptism also puts us into the body of Christ. The body of Christ is Christ’s church. “. . .and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. . .” (Ephesians 1:22,23). Christ built only one church (Matthew 16:18). That church is His body. The church is the saved. Christ is the Saviour of the church. If one wants Christ as His Saviour, then he must be in Christ’s church. The only way one can get in Christ’s church is through baptism (a burial in water).
WHAT does the Bible say about WHAT baptism is? The Bible teaches that baptism is putting a person completely under water for a short time. This is called a burial or immersion.
WHY should a person be baptized? So that he can be saved and have his sins forgiven. This baptism makes him a part of Christ and His church.
WHO should be baptized? The Bible says the one who is to be baptized MUST believe, repent and confess his faith BEFORE he is baptized.
Have YOU been baptized the Bible way? Did you believe, repent and confess your faith BEFORE you were baptized? Were you buried in water for your baptism? Were you baptized FOR the forgiveness of your sins? If you cannot answer YES to ALL of these questions, then your baptism is not according to the Bible.
If you have more questions about baptism or you wish to be baptized according to the Bible, let us know.
What is Baptism?
There are three ways by which denominations baptize people today--sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. Which one is correct baptism?
In the Bible, baptism is called a burial. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). If we want to bury a dead body, we will not sprinkle a little dirt on the head. We will cover the body completely with dirt. Baptism is like that. It is a burial in water. Sprinkling water on the head of a person does not baptize him. He must be completely buried under the water. “Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized” (John 3:23). John chose a place to baptize where there was much water. Sprinkling requires only a little water. A burial in water requires much water. John did not baptize by sprinkling. He baptized by burying in water.
“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38,39).
When Philip baptized the eunuch, both of them went down into the water. After the baptism, both of them came up out of the water. To sprinkle a person, it is not necessary to go down into the water. To baptize a person by burying him in the water, it is necessary to go down into the water. Therefore, Philip baptized the eunuch by a burial, not by sprinkling.
Who Should Be Baptized?
The Bible says there are certain things a person must DO BEFORE he can be baptized. A person MUST BELIEVE in Jesus Christ before he can be baptized. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). How do we come to believe in Jesus as the Son of God? It is by hearing the Word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Therefore a person MUST have faith in Christ BEFORE he can be baptized. To be baptized before a person believes is wrong. That baptism is no good! Now let’s ask a question, Can a baby believe in Jesus as the Son of God? We all know the answer is “no!” Then, babies are NOT to be baptized.
A person MUST REPENT of his sins before he can be baptized. The Bible says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). To repent means to change one’s life from bad to good. To repent means to have a change of mind. A person no longer wants to do things his way, but now he wants to do what the Lord says. Can a baby repent? Can he change his mind and way of life? In no way! Therefore a baby is not to be baptized!
Before a person can be baptized, he MUST also CONFESS his faith in Christ. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). A good example of this is in Acts 8. The man from Ethiopia was being taught by Philip. They came to some water (v. 36). The man from Ethiopia wanted to be baptized. Before Philip baptized him he confessed, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (v. 37). After his confession, he was baptized. Baptism came AFTER confession, not before. Can a baby confess his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God? The answer is a definite “no!” Therefore, a baby is not ready for baptism. What have we learned so far? A person must hear the Word of God. He must believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Then he must repent of his sins. After that, he must confess his faith in Christ as the Son of God. All of this must be done BEFORE a person can be baptized. A person cannot be baptized and then believe, repent and confess. The Bible doesn’t teach it that way. That is why a baby is not to be baptized. A baby CANNOT have faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT confess his faith in Christ. A baby CANNOT repent of his sins for two reasons. First, he has no sins. Second, he couldn’t repent of them if he did have them. Let’s follow what the Bible teaches and then we can all agree. The Bible says, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12).
Why Be Baptized?
There are several reasons mentioned in the Bible as to why we must be baptized. First, we must be baptized if we want to be saved. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The apostle Peter said, “There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism. . .” (1 Peter 3:21). To be saved and to have our sins forgiven is the same thing. If a person wants to be saved, then he must be baptized in order to be saved. If a person wants to have his sins forgiven, then he must be baptized. Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost to “. . .Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38). There is no way a person can be saved, or have his sins forgiven, without being baptized (buried in water).
Another reason to be baptized is to put a person “into Christ.” To be “in Christ” means “to be a Christian.” You are not a Christian if you are not “in Christ.” How does a person get “into Christ?” The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). You get “into Christ” through baptism. That makes you a Christian. That baptism is a burial in water. It also saves you and forgives you of your sins.
Baptism also puts us into the body of Christ. The body of Christ is Christ’s church. “. . .and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. . .” (Ephesians 1:22,23). Christ built only one church (Matthew 16:18). That church is His body. The church is the saved. Christ is the Saviour of the church. If one wants Christ as His Saviour, then he must be in Christ’s church. The only way one can get in Christ’s church is through baptism (a burial in water).
WHAT does the Bible say about WHAT baptism is? The Bible teaches that baptism is putting a person completely under water for a short time. This is called a burial or immersion.
WHY should a person be baptized? So that he can be saved and have his sins forgiven. This baptism makes him a part of Christ and His church.
WHO should be baptized? The Bible says the one who is to be baptized MUST believe, repent and confess his faith BEFORE he is baptized.
Have YOU been baptized the Bible way? Did you believe, repent and confess your faith BEFORE you were baptized? Were you buried in water for your baptism? Were you baptized FOR the forgiveness of your sins? If you cannot answer YES to ALL of these questions, then your baptism is not according to the Bible.
If you have more questions about baptism or you wish to be baptized according to the Bible, let us know.
EASTER AND CHRISTIAN
Almost everyone who believes in Jesus Christ would answer “yes” to the question in our title. For millions of people around the world, Easter is one of the holiest days of the year. It is second only to Christmas as the most sacred of all religious holidays. They think of Easter as the time to remember the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Special church services are held at Easter. Multitudes of professed believers in Christ attend church services only at Christmas and Easter. They think this is all that is necessary in order for them to be faithful Christians.
What does the Bible say? Is Easter from God, or is it from man? Certainly, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ arose from the dead. The apostle Paul wrote: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Paul also wrote concerning Christ that “He was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). The question is not, “Did Jesus Christ arise from the dead?” The evidence is indisputable that He did! Rather the question is, “Did God appoint one special day of the year to be set aside to remember that Christ arose from the dead?” What does the Bible say?
The word “Easter” is found only one time in a common English version of the Bible and it is a wrong translation! In the King James Version of the Bible (1611), we read of King Herod putting the apostle Peter in prison: “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (Acts 12:4). The word “Easter” is a mistranslation of the Greek word “pascha.” The American Standard Version (1901), the New King James Version, and nearly every other version of the Bible, correctly translates “pascha” as “passover.” The respected Greek scholar, W. E. Vine, in his well known work, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pointed out that “pascha” should be translated as “passover.” He says that the Passover was a Jewish religious festival. It was not an observance of the early church! Mr. Vine further points out that the word “Easter” is of pagan origin. According to him, it is a form of “Astarte,” one of the names for an ancient Chaldean goddess. He also says that the pagan festival of Astarte was introduced into the apostate church in an attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity.
Many of the customs associated with Easter come from pagan religions. The World Book Encyclopedia says of Easter: “In most countries, Easter comes in the early spring, at a time when green grass and warm sunshine begin to push aside the snow and ice of winter. Its name may come from Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of spring or from the Teutonic festival of spring called Eostur... Eggs represent the new life that returns to nature about Easter time. The custom of exchanging eggs began in ancient times. The ancient Egyptians and Persians often dyed eggs in spring colors and gave them to their friends as gifts. The Persians believed the earth had hatched from a giant egg. In ancient Egypt, the rabbit symbolized birth and new life. Some ancient peoples considered it a symbol of the moon. It may later have become the Easter symbol because the moon determines the date of Easter. Many customs connected with the Easter season come from pagan festivals of spring. Others stem from the Passover celebration.”
Since Easter observance is of pagan origin, and is therefore not authorized by the Word of God, when should Christians remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? The Bible teaches that this is to be done every first day of every week! Christ arose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-13; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18). He met with His apostles on the first day of the week (John 20:19-26). The church of Christ began on Pentecost day (Acts 2). Pentecost came fifty days after the Passover. The Jews counted seven sabbaths from the Passover. On the following day was Pentecost. Since the sabbath was the seventh day (Saturday), then the day following it would be Sunday, the first day of the week (Leviticus 23: 4-11; see also Exodus 23:14-17). Therefore, Sunday, the first day of the week, was the day the Lord’s church began (Acts 2:1-47).
Christians in the first century, under the direction of inspired men, always met on the first day of every week to worship God. The Lord’s Supper, in which the death of Christ for our sins is remembered, was eaten on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Paul commanded that the contribution for the work of the church be taken up every first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1,2). The first day of the week is the “Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10).
The death, burial and resurrection of our Lord should be remembered by Christians every first day of every week, not just one day a year! If we want to be pleasing to God, we must reject everything that comes from man, especially days and observances which have their origin in paganism. We dare not add to, nor take away from, the inspired teachings of God’s Holy Word (Revelation 22:18,19). If we do so, our worship will be vain and unacceptable to God (Matthew 15:7-13).
Should Christians observe Easter or any other religious holiday which came from man? Absolutely not! Faithful Christians will be content to follow God’s Word and remember the death, burial and resurrection of God’s Son every first day of every week.
What does the Bible say? Is Easter from God, or is it from man? Certainly, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ arose from the dead. The apostle Paul wrote: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Paul also wrote concerning Christ that “He was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). The question is not, “Did Jesus Christ arise from the dead?” The evidence is indisputable that He did! Rather the question is, “Did God appoint one special day of the year to be set aside to remember that Christ arose from the dead?” What does the Bible say?
The word “Easter” is found only one time in a common English version of the Bible and it is a wrong translation! In the King James Version of the Bible (1611), we read of King Herod putting the apostle Peter in prison: “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (Acts 12:4). The word “Easter” is a mistranslation of the Greek word “pascha.” The American Standard Version (1901), the New King James Version, and nearly every other version of the Bible, correctly translates “pascha” as “passover.” The respected Greek scholar, W. E. Vine, in his well known work, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pointed out that “pascha” should be translated as “passover.” He says that the Passover was a Jewish religious festival. It was not an observance of the early church! Mr. Vine further points out that the word “Easter” is of pagan origin. According to him, it is a form of “Astarte,” one of the names for an ancient Chaldean goddess. He also says that the pagan festival of Astarte was introduced into the apostate church in an attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity.
Many of the customs associated with Easter come from pagan religions. The World Book Encyclopedia says of Easter: “In most countries, Easter comes in the early spring, at a time when green grass and warm sunshine begin to push aside the snow and ice of winter. Its name may come from Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of spring or from the Teutonic festival of spring called Eostur... Eggs represent the new life that returns to nature about Easter time. The custom of exchanging eggs began in ancient times. The ancient Egyptians and Persians often dyed eggs in spring colors and gave them to their friends as gifts. The Persians believed the earth had hatched from a giant egg. In ancient Egypt, the rabbit symbolized birth and new life. Some ancient peoples considered it a symbol of the moon. It may later have become the Easter symbol because the moon determines the date of Easter. Many customs connected with the Easter season come from pagan festivals of spring. Others stem from the Passover celebration.”
Since Easter observance is of pagan origin, and is therefore not authorized by the Word of God, when should Christians remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? The Bible teaches that this is to be done every first day of every week! Christ arose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-13; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18). He met with His apostles on the first day of the week (John 20:19-26). The church of Christ began on Pentecost day (Acts 2). Pentecost came fifty days after the Passover. The Jews counted seven sabbaths from the Passover. On the following day was Pentecost. Since the sabbath was the seventh day (Saturday), then the day following it would be Sunday, the first day of the week (Leviticus 23: 4-11; see also Exodus 23:14-17). Therefore, Sunday, the first day of the week, was the day the Lord’s church began (Acts 2:1-47).
Christians in the first century, under the direction of inspired men, always met on the first day of every week to worship God. The Lord’s Supper, in which the death of Christ for our sins is remembered, was eaten on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Paul commanded that the contribution for the work of the church be taken up every first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1,2). The first day of the week is the “Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10).
The death, burial and resurrection of our Lord should be remembered by Christians every first day of every week, not just one day a year! If we want to be pleasing to God, we must reject everything that comes from man, especially days and observances which have their origin in paganism. We dare not add to, nor take away from, the inspired teachings of God’s Holy Word (Revelation 22:18,19). If we do so, our worship will be vain and unacceptable to God (Matthew 15:7-13).
Should Christians observe Easter or any other religious holiday which came from man? Absolutely not! Faithful Christians will be content to follow God’s Word and remember the death, burial and resurrection of God’s Son every first day of every week.
IS IT WRONG TO DRINK?
Drinking beer, wine, whiskey and other beverages which contain alcohol, and therefore make one drunk, is a very old practice. The first time drinking is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis, chapter 9. Noah, a righteous man, became drunk and lay naked in his tent. This good man had his sense of right and wrong dulled by the evil effects of drinking. In Genesis 19, we read of another righteous man, Lot, who was overcome by the evil effects of alcohol. While drunk, he had sexual relations with his own daughters! Again, a good man lost his sense of right and wrong when under the influence of alcohol. The writer of Proverbs warned: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).
Some people try to support their sinful habit of drinking by going to the Bible. They point out that some passages in the Bible speak of drinking wine as a good thing(Genesis 14:18; Amos 9:14; Zechariah 10:7, etc). But there are also many other passages which condemn the drinking of wine (Genesis 9:20,21; 19:30-35; Leviticus 10:8-10; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4,5; Daniel 1:8; Isaiah 5:22; 28:7; Habakkuk 2:15). How can the drinking of wine be both commended and condemned? Does the Bible contradict itself? If it does, then it cannot be the Word of God!
The Bible does not contradict itself. The Bible is the Word of God. A correct understanding of the word “wine” in the Bible depends upon the meaning of the words which are translated “wine” in our English Bible. The Old Testament was first written in the Hebrew language. There are eleven different Hebrew words which are all translated “wine.” The New Testament was first written in Greek. There are two different Greek words which are translated “wine” in our English New Testament.
In his book, Bible Wines, William Patton quotes the Bible scholar, Moses Stuart, who correctly says: “. . .whenever the Scriptures speak of wine as a comfort, a blessing, or a libation to God, and rank it with such articles as corn and oil, they mean, they can only mean, such wine as contained no alcohol that could have a mischievous tendency; that whenever they denounce it, and connect it with drunkenness and reveling, they can only mean alcoholic or intoxicating wine.”
The word “wine” simply refers to the juice of the grape. Whether it means fermented wine, which could make one drunk, or unfermented wine, which would not make one drunk, depends upon the context. For example, Isaiah 65:8 says: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it.’” The context makes it very clear that unfermented wine is being spoken of. The cluster refers to the grapes which are still on the vine. It is not possible they could be fermented, and, therefore, intoxicating, while the juice was still in the grapes on the vine. The Bible is filled with warnings of the dangers of drinking intoxicating wine. The wise man wrote, “Who has woe? Who has sorrows? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine. Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things. And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’” (Proverbs 23:29-35).
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the wicked rulers of his day: “Woe to men mighty at drinking wine. Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man” (Isaiah 5:22,23). Isaiah also condemned the shameful conduct of the priests and prophets in his day: “But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink . . . ” (Isaiah 28:7,8). The prophet, Habakkuk, said: “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness” (Habakkuk 2:15)!
In the New Testament, there are many strong condemnations of drunkenness. In 1 Corinthians 5:11,13, Paul wrote: “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. . . Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.” In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul lists the sins of which the Corinthians had been guilty before they became Christians. Drunkards are listed along with fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, extortioners, and revilers. Those who are guilty of these things, “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In the list of the “sins of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21, “drunkenness, revelries, and the like” are included along with such sins as adultery, fornication and murder. It is clearly said: “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Some have argued that it is all right to drink as long as one does not get drunk. However, Ephesians 5:18 says: “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation: but be filled with the Spirit.” According to Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible, the verb which is translated: “Do not be drunk” actually means, “Do not begin to be softened” with wine. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines this verb as: “to make drunk, or to grow drunk (an inceptive verb, marking the process of the state expressed in methuo), to become intoxicated. . . .” In other words, Paul is saying, “Do not even begin the process of becoming drunk.” (See also Luke 12:45 and 1 Thessalonians 5:7). Since the process of becoming drunk begins with the first drink, then one is forbidden to take even one drink of an alcoholic beverage.
It is a well known fact that people do many evil things while drinking. Hundreds of people are injured and die every day in motorcar accidents which are caused by drunk drivers. Many violent crimes are committed by those who have been drinking. Drinking alcohol contributes to many of the major health problems facing us today such as heart disease and cancer.
One who wishes to please God will not drink any alcoholic drink, in any amount, for any purpose, at any time! Remember, the process of becoming drunk begins with the first drink. Those who are guilty of drunkenness cannot go to Heaven!
Some people try to support their sinful habit of drinking by going to the Bible. They point out that some passages in the Bible speak of drinking wine as a good thing(Genesis 14:18; Amos 9:14; Zechariah 10:7, etc). But there are also many other passages which condemn the drinking of wine (Genesis 9:20,21; 19:30-35; Leviticus 10:8-10; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4,5; Daniel 1:8; Isaiah 5:22; 28:7; Habakkuk 2:15). How can the drinking of wine be both commended and condemned? Does the Bible contradict itself? If it does, then it cannot be the Word of God!
The Bible does not contradict itself. The Bible is the Word of God. A correct understanding of the word “wine” in the Bible depends upon the meaning of the words which are translated “wine” in our English Bible. The Old Testament was first written in the Hebrew language. There are eleven different Hebrew words which are all translated “wine.” The New Testament was first written in Greek. There are two different Greek words which are translated “wine” in our English New Testament.
In his book, Bible Wines, William Patton quotes the Bible scholar, Moses Stuart, who correctly says: “. . .whenever the Scriptures speak of wine as a comfort, a blessing, or a libation to God, and rank it with such articles as corn and oil, they mean, they can only mean, such wine as contained no alcohol that could have a mischievous tendency; that whenever they denounce it, and connect it with drunkenness and reveling, they can only mean alcoholic or intoxicating wine.”
The word “wine” simply refers to the juice of the grape. Whether it means fermented wine, which could make one drunk, or unfermented wine, which would not make one drunk, depends upon the context. For example, Isaiah 65:8 says: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it.’” The context makes it very clear that unfermented wine is being spoken of. The cluster refers to the grapes which are still on the vine. It is not possible they could be fermented, and, therefore, intoxicating, while the juice was still in the grapes on the vine. The Bible is filled with warnings of the dangers of drinking intoxicating wine. The wise man wrote, “Who has woe? Who has sorrows? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine. Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things. And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’” (Proverbs 23:29-35).
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the wicked rulers of his day: “Woe to men mighty at drinking wine. Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man” (Isaiah 5:22,23). Isaiah also condemned the shameful conduct of the priests and prophets in his day: “But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink . . . ” (Isaiah 28:7,8). The prophet, Habakkuk, said: “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness” (Habakkuk 2:15)!
In the New Testament, there are many strong condemnations of drunkenness. In 1 Corinthians 5:11,13, Paul wrote: “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. . . Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.” In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul lists the sins of which the Corinthians had been guilty before they became Christians. Drunkards are listed along with fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, extortioners, and revilers. Those who are guilty of these things, “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In the list of the “sins of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21, “drunkenness, revelries, and the like” are included along with such sins as adultery, fornication and murder. It is clearly said: “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Some have argued that it is all right to drink as long as one does not get drunk. However, Ephesians 5:18 says: “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation: but be filled with the Spirit.” According to Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible, the verb which is translated: “Do not be drunk” actually means, “Do not begin to be softened” with wine. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines this verb as: “to make drunk, or to grow drunk (an inceptive verb, marking the process of the state expressed in methuo), to become intoxicated. . . .” In other words, Paul is saying, “Do not even begin the process of becoming drunk.” (See also Luke 12:45 and 1 Thessalonians 5:7). Since the process of becoming drunk begins with the first drink, then one is forbidden to take even one drink of an alcoholic beverage.
It is a well known fact that people do many evil things while drinking. Hundreds of people are injured and die every day in motorcar accidents which are caused by drunk drivers. Many violent crimes are committed by those who have been drinking. Drinking alcohol contributes to many of the major health problems facing us today such as heart disease and cancer.
One who wishes to please God will not drink any alcoholic drink, in any amount, for any purpose, at any time! Remember, the process of becoming drunk begins with the first drink. Those who are guilty of drunkenness cannot go to Heaven!
WILL ALL GOOD PEOPLE BE SAVE
Many times we have heard people say, “God will save all good people.” This implies that there are good people in all churches who will be saved. It also implies that there may even be good people who have never been members of any church who will also be saved. Will all good people be saved? What does the Bible say?
The Bible teaches that one can never be good enough to be saved by his own goodness. If people could be saved by their good deeds, then it would not have been necessary for Christ to die for our sins. The Apostle Paul wrote: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
Paul also wrote: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).
Even the very best people, who have lived long enough to know the difference between right and wrong, have sinned. The Bible says: “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:9,10,23).
In Acts, chapter 10, we read about a man named Cornelius. Cornelius was a very good man. He was also a very religious man, but he was not saved. Please notice the Bible’s description of this good man: “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:1,2). Please observe that Cornelius was a worshiper of the true God and had taught his family also to fear God. Too, Cornelius was a man of prayer. He was also kindhearted and generous for “he gave much alms to the people.”
In spite of his faith and good deeds, Cornelius was not saved. He was told by an angel of God to “Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:13,14).
Will all good people be saved? The answer is “no,” for even the best people have sinned and just one sin can keep a person out of heaven. John wrote, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). The only way to remove sin is by the blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:5). This is done in our obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We read in Acts 22:16, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
All good people will not be saved. Neither will all religious people be saved. It is not enough to be religious, but one must be right religiously. Jesus said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13). He also said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Not all good people will be saved. Those who will be saved are those who humbly submit to our Lord Jesus Christ in obedience to His gospel and who ever after live for Him doing His Will. “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:8,9).
Dear reader, have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you have not, you are lost! Please obey Christ today. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
The Bible teaches that one can never be good enough to be saved by his own goodness. If people could be saved by their good deeds, then it would not have been necessary for Christ to die for our sins. The Apostle Paul wrote: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
Paul also wrote: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).
Even the very best people, who have lived long enough to know the difference between right and wrong, have sinned. The Bible says: “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:9,10,23).
In Acts, chapter 10, we read about a man named Cornelius. Cornelius was a very good man. He was also a very religious man, but he was not saved. Please notice the Bible’s description of this good man: “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:1,2). Please observe that Cornelius was a worshiper of the true God and had taught his family also to fear God. Too, Cornelius was a man of prayer. He was also kindhearted and generous for “he gave much alms to the people.”
In spite of his faith and good deeds, Cornelius was not saved. He was told by an angel of God to “Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:13,14).
Will all good people be saved? The answer is “no,” for even the best people have sinned and just one sin can keep a person out of heaven. John wrote, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). The only way to remove sin is by the blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:5). This is done in our obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We read in Acts 22:16, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
All good people will not be saved. Neither will all religious people be saved. It is not enough to be religious, but one must be right religiously. Jesus said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13). He also said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Not all good people will be saved. Those who will be saved are those who humbly submit to our Lord Jesus Christ in obedience to His gospel and who ever after live for Him doing His Will. “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:8,9).
Dear reader, have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you have not, you are lost! Please obey Christ today. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
REPENTANCE
The word “repent” in its various forms occurs more than 100 times in the Bible. This shows the great importance of repentance. Nearly every church requires repentance from sin of those who wish to be members. However, repentance is a greatly misunderstood command of God. It is also a very difficult command. Some have said it is the most difficult command in all the Bible.
What is Repentance?
Sometimes the best way to learn the meaning of a word is first to look at what it is not before looking at what it is. Many people think repentance is just being sorry for one’s sins. This is not what repentance is! The apostle Paul wrote: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). If one is sorry for the sins he has committed, it will cause him to repent of them. On Pentecost Day, the Jews who heard Peter preach Christ “were cut to the heart.” This shows they were very sorry for their sin of crucifying Jesus, but their sorrow for sin was not repentance. Peter still had to tell them to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:37, 38).
If repentance is not being sorry for one’s sins, then what is repentance? According to all the teaching of the Bible, repentance is a change of one’s mind toward sin. It is produced by godly sorrow for one’s sins. The result of this change of mind toward sin will be a change of life. A good example of what is involved in repentance is a parable that Jesus told: “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went” (Matthew 21:28,29). The son disobeyed his father. When he regretted (was sorry ) for his disobedience, he changed his mind about his decision. He then did what his father had asked him to do.
Repentance involves restitution. “Restitution” means that we will make right the things we have done wrong in so far as possible. If one has murdered another person, he can not restore that person back to life. He can, however, help the widow and children of the man he has killed. If one has stolen money from another person, when he repents, he must return the money he has stolen. John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
Who Should Repent?
Those who are not Christians must repent of their sins in order to be saved. Jesus commanded “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Paul told the people of Athens that God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). On Pentecost Day, Peter told the Jews who heard the Gospel and had cried out, “What shall we do?” to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”(Acts 2:37, 38).
Christians who have sinned also need to repent. When Philip preached in Samaria, Simon, who had been a sorcerer, became a Christian. When he saw the apostles giving the gifts of the Holy Spirit by laying their hands on the Christians, he wanted to buy this power. “But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:20-22).
Why Should One Repent?
We have already learned that godly sorrow produces repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). In Jesus’ parable of the two sons, we learned that the son who refused to obey his father regretted his decision. Therefore, he changed his mind and did his father’s will. His regret (godly sorrow for his disobedience) caused him to repent and obey his father’s command (Matthew 21:28, 29). One will repent if he is sorry for his sins.
One will also repent of his sins when he understands God’s goodness toward him. Paul asked, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). God loves us and sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:6-8). God’s goodness should make us want to repent of our sins against Him.
One will also repent of his sins because the Day of Judgment is coming. Paul told the idolaters in Athens: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30, 31). Christ is now ruling from the right hand of God in Heaven, but one day He will come again to raise the dead and judge the whole world (Acts 1:9-11; John 5:28, 29 ). Everyone who is living and who has ever lived will be judged (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We must repent of our sins so that we will not be condemned at the Judgment!
When Should One Repent?
The Jews on Pentecost repented the same day they heard the Gospel. They were then baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:37, 38, 41). Since one can not be saved without repentance, then one should want to repent as soon as possible (Luke 13:3). Life is short and uncertain (James 4:13-15). Death is certain and will come to each one of us sooner or later (Hebrews 9:27). We are going to be judged for our sins at the Last Day. Therefore, we should repent immediately! The apostle Peter wrote: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Dear Reader, what about you? Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not, please do so today so that you will be prepared to meet the Lord.
What is Repentance?
Sometimes the best way to learn the meaning of a word is first to look at what it is not before looking at what it is. Many people think repentance is just being sorry for one’s sins. This is not what repentance is! The apostle Paul wrote: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). If one is sorry for the sins he has committed, it will cause him to repent of them. On Pentecost Day, the Jews who heard Peter preach Christ “were cut to the heart.” This shows they were very sorry for their sin of crucifying Jesus, but their sorrow for sin was not repentance. Peter still had to tell them to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:37, 38).
If repentance is not being sorry for one’s sins, then what is repentance? According to all the teaching of the Bible, repentance is a change of one’s mind toward sin. It is produced by godly sorrow for one’s sins. The result of this change of mind toward sin will be a change of life. A good example of what is involved in repentance is a parable that Jesus told: “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went” (Matthew 21:28,29). The son disobeyed his father. When he regretted (was sorry ) for his disobedience, he changed his mind about his decision. He then did what his father had asked him to do.
Repentance involves restitution. “Restitution” means that we will make right the things we have done wrong in so far as possible. If one has murdered another person, he can not restore that person back to life. He can, however, help the widow and children of the man he has killed. If one has stolen money from another person, when he repents, he must return the money he has stolen. John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
Who Should Repent?
Those who are not Christians must repent of their sins in order to be saved. Jesus commanded “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Paul told the people of Athens that God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). On Pentecost Day, Peter told the Jews who heard the Gospel and had cried out, “What shall we do?” to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”(Acts 2:37, 38).
Christians who have sinned also need to repent. When Philip preached in Samaria, Simon, who had been a sorcerer, became a Christian. When he saw the apostles giving the gifts of the Holy Spirit by laying their hands on the Christians, he wanted to buy this power. “But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:20-22).
Why Should One Repent?
We have already learned that godly sorrow produces repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). In Jesus’ parable of the two sons, we learned that the son who refused to obey his father regretted his decision. Therefore, he changed his mind and did his father’s will. His regret (godly sorrow for his disobedience) caused him to repent and obey his father’s command (Matthew 21:28, 29). One will repent if he is sorry for his sins.
One will also repent of his sins when he understands God’s goodness toward him. Paul asked, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). God loves us and sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:6-8). God’s goodness should make us want to repent of our sins against Him.
One will also repent of his sins because the Day of Judgment is coming. Paul told the idolaters in Athens: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30, 31). Christ is now ruling from the right hand of God in Heaven, but one day He will come again to raise the dead and judge the whole world (Acts 1:9-11; John 5:28, 29 ). Everyone who is living and who has ever lived will be judged (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We must repent of our sins so that we will not be condemned at the Judgment!
When Should One Repent?
The Jews on Pentecost repented the same day they heard the Gospel. They were then baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:37, 38, 41). Since one can not be saved without repentance, then one should want to repent as soon as possible (Luke 13:3). Life is short and uncertain (James 4:13-15). Death is certain and will come to each one of us sooner or later (Hebrews 9:27). We are going to be judged for our sins at the Last Day. Therefore, we should repent immediately! The apostle Peter wrote: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Dear Reader, what about you? Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not, please do so today so that you will be prepared to meet the Lord.
REPENTANCE
The word “repent” in its various forms occurs more than 100 times in the Bible. This shows the great importance of repentance. Nearly every church requires repentance from sin of those who wish to be members. However, repentance is a greatly misunderstood command of God. It is also a very difficult command. Some have said it is the most difficult command in all the Bible.
What is Repentance?
Sometimes the best way to learn the meaning of a word is first to look at what it is not before looking at what it is. Many people think repentance is just being sorry for one’s sins. This is not what repentance is! The apostle Paul wrote: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). If one is sorry for the sins he has committed, it will cause him to repent of them. On Pentecost Day, the Jews who heard Peter preach Christ “were cut to the heart.” This shows they were very sorry for their sin of crucifying Jesus, but their sorrow for sin was not repentance. Peter still had to tell them to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:37, 38).
If repentance is not being sorry for one’s sins, then what is repentance? According to all the teaching of the Bible, repentance is a change of one’s mind toward sin. It is produced by godly sorrow for one’s sins. The result of this change of mind toward sin will be a change of life. A good example of what is involved in repentance is a parable that Jesus told: “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went” (Matthew 21:28,29). The son disobeyed his father. When he regretted (was sorry ) for his disobedience, he changed his mind about his decision. He then did what his father had asked him to do.
Repentance involves restitution. “Restitution” means that we will make right the things we have done wrong in so far as possible. If one has murdered another person, he can not restore that person back to life. He can, however, help the widow and children of the man he has killed. If one has stolen money from another person, when he repents, he must return the money he has stolen. John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
Who Should Repent?
Those who are not Christians must repent of their sins in order to be saved. Jesus commanded “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Paul told the people of Athens that God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). On Pentecost Day, Peter told the Jews who heard the Gospel and had cried out, “What shall we do?” to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”(Acts 2:37, 38).
Christians who have sinned also need to repent. When Philip preached in Samaria, Simon, who had been a sorcerer, became a Christian. When he saw the apostles giving the gifts of the Holy Spirit by laying their hands on the Christians, he wanted to buy this power. “But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:20-22).
Why Should One Repent?
We have already learned that godly sorrow produces repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). In Jesus’ parable of the two sons, we learned that the son who refused to obey his father regretted his decision. Therefore, he changed his mind and did his father’s will. His regret (godly sorrow for his disobedience) caused him to repent and obey his father’s command (Matthew 21:28, 29). One will repent if he is sorry for his sins.
One will also repent of his sins when he understands God’s goodness toward him. Paul asked, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). God loves us and sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:6-8). God’s goodness should make us want to repent of our sins against Him.
One will also repent of his sins because the Day of Judgment is coming. Paul told the idolaters in Athens: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30, 31). Christ is now ruling from the right hand of God in Heaven, but one day He will come again to raise the dead and judge the whole world (Acts 1:9-11; John 5:28, 29 ). Everyone who is living and who has ever lived will be judged (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We must repent of our sins so that we will not be condemned at the Judgment!
When Should One Repent?
The Jews on Pentecost repented the same day they heard the Gospel. They were then baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:37, 38, 41). Since one can not be saved without repentance, then one should want to repent as soon as possible (Luke 13:3). Life is short and uncertain (James 4:13-15). Death is certain and will come to each one of us sooner or later (Hebrews 9:27). We are going to be judged for our sins at the Last Day. Therefore, we should repent immediately! The apostle Peter wrote: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Dear Reader, what about you? Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not, please do so today so that you will be prepared to meet the Lord.
What is Repentance?
Sometimes the best way to learn the meaning of a word is first to look at what it is not before looking at what it is. Many people think repentance is just being sorry for one’s sins. This is not what repentance is! The apostle Paul wrote: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). If one is sorry for the sins he has committed, it will cause him to repent of them. On Pentecost Day, the Jews who heard Peter preach Christ “were cut to the heart.” This shows they were very sorry for their sin of crucifying Jesus, but their sorrow for sin was not repentance. Peter still had to tell them to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:37, 38).
If repentance is not being sorry for one’s sins, then what is repentance? According to all the teaching of the Bible, repentance is a change of one’s mind toward sin. It is produced by godly sorrow for one’s sins. The result of this change of mind toward sin will be a change of life. A good example of what is involved in repentance is a parable that Jesus told: “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went” (Matthew 21:28,29). The son disobeyed his father. When he regretted (was sorry ) for his disobedience, he changed his mind about his decision. He then did what his father had asked him to do.
Repentance involves restitution. “Restitution” means that we will make right the things we have done wrong in so far as possible. If one has murdered another person, he can not restore that person back to life. He can, however, help the widow and children of the man he has killed. If one has stolen money from another person, when he repents, he must return the money he has stolen. John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
Who Should Repent?
Those who are not Christians must repent of their sins in order to be saved. Jesus commanded “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Paul told the people of Athens that God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). On Pentecost Day, Peter told the Jews who heard the Gospel and had cried out, “What shall we do?” to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”(Acts 2:37, 38).
Christians who have sinned also need to repent. When Philip preached in Samaria, Simon, who had been a sorcerer, became a Christian. When he saw the apostles giving the gifts of the Holy Spirit by laying their hands on the Christians, he wanted to buy this power. “But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:20-22).
Why Should One Repent?
We have already learned that godly sorrow produces repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). In Jesus’ parable of the two sons, we learned that the son who refused to obey his father regretted his decision. Therefore, he changed his mind and did his father’s will. His regret (godly sorrow for his disobedience) caused him to repent and obey his father’s command (Matthew 21:28, 29). One will repent if he is sorry for his sins.
One will also repent of his sins when he understands God’s goodness toward him. Paul asked, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). God loves us and sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:6-8). God’s goodness should make us want to repent of our sins against Him.
One will also repent of his sins because the Day of Judgment is coming. Paul told the idolaters in Athens: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30, 31). Christ is now ruling from the right hand of God in Heaven, but one day He will come again to raise the dead and judge the whole world (Acts 1:9-11; John 5:28, 29 ). Everyone who is living and who has ever lived will be judged (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We must repent of our sins so that we will not be condemned at the Judgment!
When Should One Repent?
The Jews on Pentecost repented the same day they heard the Gospel. They were then baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:37, 38, 41). Since one can not be saved without repentance, then one should want to repent as soon as possible (Luke 13:3). Life is short and uncertain (James 4:13-15). Death is certain and will come to each one of us sooner or later (Hebrews 9:27). We are going to be judged for our sins at the Last Day. Therefore, we should repent immediately! The apostle Peter wrote: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Dear Reader, what about you? Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not, please do so today so that you will be prepared to meet the Lord.
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