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INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................5
DR. R. A. TORREY................................................................................................................................6
I. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THE CARELESS,INDIFFERENT,ANDALL WHO DO NOT FEEL DEEPLY THEIR NEED
OF CHRIST..........................................................................................................................................7
1. The fact and greatness of our sin:.............................................................................................7
2. The consequences of sin and unbelief:......................................................................................7
3. God's love for us:.....................................................................................................................9
II. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW HOW TO BE SAVED........................................10
1. Show them Jesus Christ as a Sin Bearer, the Saviour from the guilt of sin..................................10
2. Show them Jesus Christ as a Risen Saviour, the Saviour from the power of sin. .........................11
3. Show them Jesus Christ as an Everlasting Intercessor...............................................................12
4. Showthemthat all theyhave to do to make thisSaviourandEverlastingIntercessortheirSaviour
fromguiltof sin andfrom the powerof sin,and theirEverlastingIntercessorisjusttoreceive himor
believe on him as such and confess him before the world. ..............................................................13
III. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES.............................................................15
1. “I am too great sinner.”..........................................................................................................15
2. “My heart is too hard.”..........................................................................................................16
3. “I must become better before I become a Christian.” ..............................................................16
4. “I am afraid I cant hold out”; or, “I am afraid I shall fail,if I try.”...............................................17
5. “But I am so weak.”...............................................................................................................18
6. “I have tried before and failed.”.............................................................................................19
7. “I can't give up my evil ways.”................................................................................................20
a. You must...........................................................................................................................20
b. You can. ............................................................................................................................20
8. “I will be persecuted if I become a Christian.”..........................................................................20
9. “It will hurt my business,”; or “I will lose my position.” ............................................................21
10. “There is too much to give up.” ..........................................................................................22
11. “The Christian life is to hard.”.............................................................................................23
12. “I am afraid of ridicule.”.....................................................................................................23
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13. “I will lose my companions.”...............................................................................................23
14. “I have nofeeling.”............................................................................................................23
a. “The joy that Christians talk of”..........................................................................................24
b. “Sorrow for sin”.................................................................................................................24
15. “I have been seeking Christ, but cannot find Him.”...............................................................24
16. “I have sinned away the day of grace”; or “God won't receive me.”......................................25
17. “It is too late.”...................................................................................................................26
18. “Christians are so inconsistent.”.........................................................................................27
19. “God seems to me to be unjust and cruel.” .........................................................................27
20. “There are so many things in the Bible which I cannot understand.”.....................................28
21. “There is someone I can’tforgive.” .....................................................................................29
IV. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES....................................................31
1. The hope of being saved by a righteous life.............................................................................31
2. The hope that “God is too good to damn anyone”...................................................................32
3. The hope of being saved by “trying to be a Christian”..............................................................34
4. The hope of being saved because “I feel saved,” or “I feel that I am going to heaven” ...............35
5. The hope of beingsavedbya profession,orchurch membership,orfaith,thatdoesnotsave us
from sin........................................................................................................................................35
V. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE...................................................................37
VI. THE BEST TEXTS FOR BACKSLIDERS .........................................................................................38
1. Careless Backsliders...............................................................................................................38
2. Backsliders who wish to come back to the Lord.......................................................................38
VII. THE BEST TEXTS FOR SKEPTICS ...............................................................................................42
1. Earnest-minded skeptics........................................................................................................42
2. Skepticswho are triflers.........................................................................................................44
3. Especially for those who doubt the existence of God...............................................................45
4. Those who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God.................................................................46
5. Those who doubt the divinity of Christ....................................................................................47
VIII. THE BEST TEXT FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO POSTPONE A DECISION...........................................49
IX. THE BEST TEXTS FOR ROMAN CATHOLICS................................................................................51
X. THE BEST TEXT FOR JEWS...........................................................................................................53
XI. THE BEST TEXTS FOR SPIRITUALISTS........................................................................................55
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XII. THE BEST TEXTS FOR JEHOVAHS WITNESSES ...........................................................................57
1. The Bible as God's Revelation.................................................................................................57
2. The deity of Christ.................................................................................................................57
3. Man accountable for sins.......................................................................................................58
4. Atonement andeternal life through Christ..............................................................................58
5. Salvation by faith notworks...................................................................................................60
6. The certainty of the future state of man .................................................................................60
XIII. THE BEST TEXTS FOR MORMONS............................................................................................62
1. One God, transcendent to man ..............................................................................................62
2. Christ the only Saviour...........................................................................................................62
3. The sinfulness of man............................................................................................................63
4. Salvation by faith, not works ..................................................................................................63
5. Priesthood of believers and high priesthood of Christ..............................................................64
XIV. BEST SCRIPTURES FOR THOSE INVOLVED WITH CULTS .............................................................65
1. Essential issues common to cults............................................................................................65
a. No leader given unique authority from God.........................................................................65
b. Salvation not through works...............................................................................................65
c. Salvation only through belief in Jesus Christ ........................................................................65
1. For those involved in cults based on Western religions............................................................65
a. The Holy Spirit truly God ....................................................................................................65
b. Jesus Christ truly God.........................................................................................................66
c. Jesus Christ successful in His mission on earth.....................................................................66
2. For those involved in Eastern religions and cults......................................................................66
a. As to beliefs held in commonin Eastern religions.................................................................66
1. God distinct from creation and not a part of everything....................................................66
2. God and Christ not created, but always existent...............................................................66
3. God not a part of a human being until there isfaith in Christ ............................................67
b. For those involved in Transcendental Meditation ................................................................67
1. Ignorance of God, not self, the problem of humanity........................................................67
2. Happiness arising from serving God, not mindlessness.....................................................67
c. For those involved with Krishna Consciousness....................................................................67
1. People born as human beings with only one life on earth; not reincarnated ......................67
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2. Jesus a blameless and perfect Saviour .............................................................................68
XV. THE BEST TEXTS FOR CHRISTIANS WHO NEED HELP .................................................................69
1. For Christians who are neglecting the open confession of Christ...............................................69
2. For Christians who are neglecting the Bible.............................................................................70
3. For Christians who are neglecting prayer ................................................................................71
4. For Christians who are living careless lives ..............................................................................72
5. For Christians who are not working for Christ..........................................................................74
6. For Christians who are undergoing temptation........................................................................77
7. For Christians who are undergoing persecution.......................................................................78
8. For Christians who are undergoing trial...................................................................................80
9. For Christians who have lostloved ones..................................................................................82
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POCKET GUIDE
FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS
IN THE KJV
The best textsfor personal work, classified for practical use, printed in full
and arranged for ready reference by
R. A. TORREY
INTRODUCTION
This little book is prepared in response to a request from one who is,
perhaps, in as good a position as anyone to know what Christian workers
really want. It is not intended to supplant the larger work, How to Bring
Men to Christ. Any who desire more definite and detailed instruction in the
right use of the Scripture given in this book and in the general work of
soul-winning are referred to the larger volume. Opinions of the most
experienced workers may differ as to which are “the Best Texts” for any
given case, but those quoted in this book are those which have approved
themselves as such in the study and experience of the author.
There is medicine in the Bible for every sin sick soul, but every soul does
not need the same medicine. This book attempts to arrange the remedies
according to maladies.
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DR. R. A. TORREY
Dr. Torrey was regarded by multitudes during his lifetime as at the very
top in soul-winning, Bible teaching, and the training of Christian workers.
He was selected by D. L. Moody as the superintendent of Moody Bible
Institute, where he established the Bible Institute curriculum and made
Moody Institute a pattern for Bible institutes around the world. He was also
pastor of Moody Memorial Church, Chicago. His courses on soul-winning
and his practical methods stamped themselves on the lives of Christian
workers by the thousands. Later he was the co-founder of the Bible
Institute of Los Angeles, now Biola College. At the same time he was
pastor of the great Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles.
But Dr. Torrey was primarily an evangelist. After the death of Moody, Dr.
Torrey and Charles M. Alexander held the largest campaigns in America
and then went around the world, winning hundreds of thousands of souls
in great campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, and the British Isles, and on
the mission fields of the Orient.
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I. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THE CARELESS, INDIFFERENT, AND ALLWHO
DO NOT FEELDEEPLY THEIR NEED OF CHRIST
1. The fact and greatness of our sin
2. The consequences of sin and unbelief
3. God's love for us
1. The fact and greatness of our sin:
Rom 3:22-23 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us.
1John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his
word is not in us.
Matt 22:37-38 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This
is the first and great commandment.
Ps 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldestmark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
2. The consequencesof sin and unbelief:
Isa 57:20-21 20 But the wicked are like the troubledsea, when it cannot
rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my
God, to the wicked.
John 8:34 Jesus answeredthem, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for
it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which
are written in the book of the law to do them.
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John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on
him.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
that diligentlyseek him.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemnedalready, because he hath not believedin the
name of the only begotten Son of God.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christour Lord.
2Thess 1:7-9 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealedfrom heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming
fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punishedwith everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye
believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek
me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, andunbelieving, andthe abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, andsorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death.
Heb 10:28-29 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under
two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,
shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God,
and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified,
an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
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3. God'slovefor us:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him shouldnot perish, but have everlasting
life.
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christdied
for the ungodly.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Isa 53:5-6 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities:the chastisementof our peace was upon him; and with
his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laidon him the
iniquityof us all.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his
sweat was as it were great drops of blood fallingdown to the ground.
Matt 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast
thou forsaken me?
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a
curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
1Pet 1:18-19 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received
by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as
of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed.
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II. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW HOW TO BE
SAVED.
1. Show them Jesus Christ as a Sin Bearer, the Saviour from the guilt
of sin.
2. Show them Jesus Christ as a Risen Saviour, the Saviour from the
power of sin.
3. Show them Jesus Christ as an Everlasting Intercessor.
4. Show them that all they have to do to make this Saviour and
Everlasting Intercessor their Saviour from guilt of sin and from the
power of sin, and their Everlasting Intercessor is just to receive
him or believe on him as such and confess him before the world.
1. Show them Jesus Christ as a Sin Bearer, the Saviour from the guilt of sin.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way; and the LORD hath laidon him the iniquityof us all.
1Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed.
2Cor 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the
children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is
abolished:
1John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and
sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
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1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but
also for the sins of the whole world.
Col 1:19-20 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness
dwell; 20 And, havingmade peace through the blood of his cross, by him
to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in
earth, or things in heaven.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, accordingto the riches of his grace;
Rom 5:6-11 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcelyfor a righteous man will one die: yet
peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justifiedby his blood, we shall
be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we
were reconciledto God by the death of his Son, much more, being
reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy
in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now receivedthe
atonement.
2. Show them Jesus Christ as a Risen Saviour, the Saviour from the power
of sin.
1Cor 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I
preachedunto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preachedunto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I deliveredunto you first of all that
which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins accordingto the
scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
accordingto the scriptures:
Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth.
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Matt 28:20 Teachingthem to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin
that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I woulddo good, evil is present with
me.
Rom 7:23-25 23 But I see another law in my members, warringagainst
the law of my mind, and bringingme into captivity to the law of sin which
is in my members. 24 O wretchedman that I am! who shall deliver me from
the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So
then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law
of sin.
Jude 1:24-25 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and
to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceedingjoy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen.
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy
God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee,
Fear not; I will help thee.
1Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealedin the last time.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
3. Show them Jesus Christ as an EverlastingIntercessor.
1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christthe
righteous:
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Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christthat died, yea rather,
that is risen again, who is even at the right handof God, who also maketh
intercession for us.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for
them.
4. Show them that all they have to do to make this Saviour and Everlasting
Intercessor their Saviour from guilt of sin and from the power of sin,
and their EverlastingIntercessor is just to receive him or believe on him
as such and confess him before the world.
John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved, and thy house.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him shouldnot perish, but have everlasting
life.
Isa 45:21-22 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel
together: who hath declaredthis from ancienttime? who hath told it from
that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just
God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye
saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Rom 10:9-10 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heartthat God hath raised him from the dead,
thou shaltbe saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on
him.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
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Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justifiedfrom all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
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III. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES
1. “I am too great sinner.”
2. “My heart is too hard.”
3. “I must become better before I become a Christian.”
4. “I am afraid I cant hold out”; or, “I am afraid I shall fail, if I try.”
5. “But I am so weak.”
6. “I have tried before and failed.”
7. “I can't give up my evil ways.”
8. “I will be persecuted if I become a Christian.”
9. “It will hurt my business,”; or “I will lose my position.”
10. “There is too much to give up.”
11. “The Christian life is to hard.”
12. “I am afraid of ridicule.”
13. “I will lose my companions.”
14. “I have no feeling.”
15. “I have been seeking Christ, but cannot find Him.”
16. “I have sinned away the day of grace”; or “God won't receive
me.”
17. “It is too late.”
18. “Christians are so inconsistent.”
19. “God seems to me to be unjust and cruel.”
20. “There are so many things in the Bible which I cannot
understand.”
21. “There is someone I can’t forgive.”
1. “I am too great sinner.”
1Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthyof all acceptation, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christdied
for the ungodly.
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Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red
like crimson, they shall be as wool.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him shouldnot perish, but have everlasting
life.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was
lost.
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that
cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
2. “My heart is too hard.”
Ezek 36:26-27 26 A new heartalso will I give you, and a new spiritwill I
put within you: and I will take away the stony heartout of your flesh, and I
will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and
cause you to walkin my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do
them.
3. “I mustbecome better beforeI become a Christian.”
Matt 9:12-13 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that
be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and
learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not
come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I
have sinnedagainst heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:20-24 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was
yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and
fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I
have sinnedagainst heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be
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calledthy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bringforth the best
robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
And they began to be merry.
Luke 18:10-14 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a
Pharisee, andthe other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus
with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in
the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing
afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon
his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man
went down to his house justifiedrather than the other: for every one that
exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted.
Isa 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a
cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
4. “I am afraid I cant hold out”; or, “I am afraid I shall fail, if I try.”
John 10:28-29 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father,
which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them
out of my Father's hand.
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy
God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee,
Fear not; I will help thee.
1Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealedin the last time.
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2Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am
not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuadedthat he
is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Jude 1:24-25 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and
to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceedingjoy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen.
2Chr 32:7-8 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraidnor dismayed for
the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be
more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the
LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested
themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
2Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you
from evil.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own
master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to
make him stand.
1Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that
ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it.
5. “ButI am so weak.”
2Cor 12:9-10 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficientfor thee: for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities,that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that
19
ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it.
6. “I have tried before and failed.”
Luke 22:31-32 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for
thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy
brethren.
Rom 8:3-4 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through
the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for
sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might
be fulfilledin us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isa 40:29-31 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no
might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Ps 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against
thee.
1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Pet 5:6-10 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of
God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Castingall your care upon him;
for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversarythe
devil, as a roaringlion, walketh about, seekingwhom he may devour: 9
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowingthat the same afflictions are
accomplishedin your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all
grace, who hath calledus unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that
ye have suffereda while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
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7. “I can't give up my evil ways.”
a. You must.
Gal 6:7-8 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the
flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting.
b. You can.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
1Cor 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I
preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preachedunto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I deliveredunto you first of all that
which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins accordingto the
scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
accordingto the scriptures:
8. “I will be persecuted if I become a Christian.”
2Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.
Matt 5:10-12 10 Blessed are they which are persecutedfor righteousness'
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men
shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceedingglad: for great is
your rewardin heaven: for so persecutedthey the prophets which were
before you.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall
lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words
in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man
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be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy
angels.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealedin us.
Acts 14:22 Confirmingthe souls of the disciples, and exhortingthem to
continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into
the kingdom of God.
Acts 5:40-41 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had calledthe
apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in
the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicingthat they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for his name.
2Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also
will deny us:
Heb 12:2-3 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who
for the joy that was set before him enduredthe cross, despisingthe shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him
that enduredsuch contradiction of sinners againsthimself, lest ye be
weariedand faint in your minds.
1Pet 2:20-21 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your
faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye
take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye
called: because Christ also sufferedfor us, leavingus an example, that ye
should follow his steps:
9. “It will hurt my business,”; or “I will lose my position.”
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you.
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10. “There is too much to give up.”
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace
and glory: no good thing will he withholdfrom them that walk uprightly.
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but deliveredhim up for us all,
how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
1John 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world
passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever.
Heb 11:24-26 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to
be calledthe son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosingrather to suffer
affliction with the people of God, than to enjoythe pleasures of sin for a
season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Luke 12:16-21 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground
of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within
himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow
my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and
build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I
will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years;
take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou
fool, this night thy soul shall be requiredof thee: then whose shall those
things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for
himself, and is not rich toward God.
Phil 3:7-8 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for
Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellencyof
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have sufferedthe loss
of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
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11. “The Christian life is to hard.”
Matt 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Prov 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, andall her paths are peace.
Prov 13:15 Good understandinggiveth favour: but the way of
transgressors is hard.
12. “I am afraid of ridicule.”
Prov 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in
the LORD shall be safe.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words
in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man
be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy
angels.
13. “I will lose my companions.”
Prov 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion
of fools shall be destroyed.
Ps 1:1-2 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night.
1John 1:3 That which we have seen and hearddeclare we unto you, that ye
also may have fellowshipwith us: and truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers andadulteresses, know ye not that the friendshipof
the worldis enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the
world is the enemy of God.
14. “I have no feeling.”
What feeling do you expect?
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a. “The joy that Christians talk of”
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy
Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
1Pet 1:8 Whom havingnot seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him
not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Matt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I
confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heardthe word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were
sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Rom 10:10 For with the heartman believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
b. “Sorrow for sin”
1. Use passages for the careless, section I.
2. Show that it is not feeling sorry for sin, but turning away from
sin and receiving Christ that God demands.
Isa 55:7 Let the wickedforsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for he will abundantlypardon.
John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved, and thy house.
15. “I have been seeking Christ, but cannot find Him.”
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me
with all your heart.
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Luke 15:3-10 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man
of you, havingan hundredsheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the
ninety and nine in the wilderness, andgo after that which is lost, until he
find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders,
rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and
neighbours, sayingunto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep
which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over
one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons,
which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman havingten pieces of
silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house,
and seek diligentlytill she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth
her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have
found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in
the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was
lost.
All passages under section II.
16. “I have sinned away the day of grace”; or “God won'treceiveme.”
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that
cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved.
2Chr 33:1-13 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign,
and he reignedfifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2 But did that which was
evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen,
whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he built
again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he
rearedup altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshippedall the host
of heaven, and served them. 4 Also he built altars in the house of the
LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalemshall my name be for ever.
5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the
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house of the LORD. 6 And he causedhis children to pass through the fire in
the valleyof the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used
enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with
wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to
anger. 7 And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the
house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In
this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of
Israel, will I put my name for ever: 8 Neither will I any more remove the
foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers;
so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them,
accordingto the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the
hand of Moses. 9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of
Jerusalemto err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had
destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 And the LORD spake to
Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11 Wherefore
the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of
Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with
fetters, and carriedhim to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he
besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God
of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and
heardhis supplication, andbrought him again to Jerusaleminto his
kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
17. “It is too late.”
Deut 4:30-31 30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are
come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God,
and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31 (For the LORD thy God is a
merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the
covenantof thy fathers which he sware unto them.
2Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerninghis promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsufferingto us-ward, not willingthat any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
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Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him
take the water of life freely.
18. “Christians are so inconsistent.”
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give accountof himself to God.
Rom 2:1-5 1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art
that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself;
for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the
judgment of God is accordingto truth against them which commit such
things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such
things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and
longsuffering; not knowingthat the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitentheart treasurestup
unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous
judgment of God;
Matt 7:1-5 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment
ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be
measuredto you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother's eye, but considerestnot the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or
how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye;
and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out
the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearlyto cast out
the mote out of thy brother's eye.
19. “God seems to me to be unjustand cruel.”
Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest againstGod? Shall
the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me
thus?
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding
out!
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Isa 55:8-9 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so
are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that
reproveth God, let him answer it.
Heb 12:5-7 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto
you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the
Lord,nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If
ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is
he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:10-11 10 For they verilyfor a few days chastened us after their
own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his
holiness. 11 Now no chasteningfor the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous: nevertheless afterwardit yieldeth the peaceable fruitof
righteousness unto them which are exercisedthereby.
20. “There are so many things in the Bible which I cannot
understand.”
1Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spiritof God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they
are spirituallydiscerned.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding
out!
1Cor 13:11-12 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a
child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish
things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Ps 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of
thy law.
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2Pet 3:16-18 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these
things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that
are unlearnedandunstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto
their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these
things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the
wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now
and for ever. Amen.
21. “There is someoneI can’t forgive.”
Matt 18:23-35 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a
certain king, which would take accountof his servants. 24 And when he
had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten
thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, andall that he had,
and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and
worshippedhim, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee
all. 27 Then the lord of that servantwas moved with compassion, and
loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out,
and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundredpence:
and he laidhands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that
thou owest. 29 And his fellowservantfell down at his feet, and besought
him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he
would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry,
and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after
that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wickedservant, I forgave
thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldestnot thou also
have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34
And his lord was wroth, and deliveredhim to the tormentors, till he should
pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenlyFather do
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also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their
trespasses.
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgivingone
another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Gal 5:22-23 22 But the fruitof the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there
is no law.
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IV. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES
1. The hope of being saved by a righteous life.
2. The hope that “God is too good to damn anyone”
3. The hope of being saved by “trying to be a Christian”
4. The hope of being saved because “I feel saved,” or “I feel
that I am going to heaven”
5. The hope of being saved by a profession, or church
membership, or faith, that does not save us from sin
1. The hopeof being saved by a righteous life.
Gal 2:16 Knowingthat a man is not justifiedby the works of the law, but by
the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believedin Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for
by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom 3:19-20 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it
saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped,
and all the worldmay become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the
deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justifiedin his sight: for by the law
is the knowledge of sin.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for
it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which
are written in the book of the law to do them.
Matt 22:37-38 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This
is the first and great commandment.
Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one
point, he is guilty of all.
Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter
into the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 18:10-14 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a
Pharisee, andthe other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus
with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
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extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in
the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing
afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon
his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man
went down to his house justifiedrather than the other: for every one that
exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves
before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly
esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus
Christ accordingto my gospel.
1Sam 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance,
or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD
seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the LORD looketh on the heart.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
that diligentlyseek him.
John 6:29 Jesus answeredand said unto them, This is the work of God,
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on
him.
Heb 10:28-29 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under
two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,
shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God,
and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified,
an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
2. The hopethat “God is too good to damn anyone”
Rom 2:4-5 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance andlongsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God
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leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart
treasurestup unto thyself wrath againstthe day of wrath and revelation of
the righteous judgment of God;
John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek
me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye
believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on
him.
John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
2Pet 3:9-11 9 The Lord is not slack concerninghis promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsufferingto us-ward, not willingthat any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with ferventheat, the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then
that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to
be in all holy conversation andgodliness,
Ezek 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure
in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live:
turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
2Pet 2:4-6 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them
down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved
unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth
person, a preacher of righteousness, bringingin the flood upon the world
of the ungodly; 6 And turningthe cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into
ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample
unto those that after should live ungodly;
2Pet 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,
and to reserve the unjustunto the day of judgment to be punished:
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
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John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemnedalready, because he hath not believedin the
name of the only begotten Son of God.
Isa 57:20-21 20 But the wicked are like the troubledsea, when it cannot
rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my
God, to the wicked.
3. The hopeof being saved by “trying to be a Christian”
It is not trying what we can do, but trusting what Jesus has done,
and will do, that saves.
Rom 3:23-25 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Beingjustifiedfreely by his grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 4:3-5 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God,and it
was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is
the rewardnot reckonedof grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh
not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for
righteousness.
Jude 1:24-25 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and
to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceedingjoy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen.
John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved, and thy house.
2Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am
not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuadedthat he
is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
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Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the
LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my
salvation.
4. The hopeof being saved because “I feel saved,” or “I feel that I am going
to heaven”
Show that we should build our hope not on what we feel, but on
what God says.
Prov 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end
thereof are the ways of death.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised
before the worldbegan;
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on
him.
Luke 18:9-14 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in
themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men
went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, andthe other a
publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank
thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or
even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I
possess. 13 And the publican, standingafar off, would not lift up so much
as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be
merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house
justifiedrather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
5. The hopeof being saved by a profession, or church membership, or
faith, that doesnot save usfrom sin
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man
shall see the Lord:
1Cor 6:9-10 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inheritthe
kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
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adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall
inheritthe kingdom of God.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him,
being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith,
and have not works? can faith save him?
John 3:3 Jesus answeredand said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that
doeth righteousness is born of him.
1John 5:4-5 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and
this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he
that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of
God?
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, andunbelieving, andthe abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, andsorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death.
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V. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE
1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name
of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye
may believe on the name of the Son of God.
John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on
him.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlastinglife, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
1John 5:11-12 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the
world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life.
Isa 55:7 Let the wickedforsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for he will abundantlypardon.
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VI. THE BESTTEXTS FOR BACKSLIDERS
1. Careless Backsliders
2. Backsliders who wish to come back to the Lord.
1. Careless Backsliders
Jer 2:5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquityhave your fathers found in me,
that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are
become vain?
Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me
the fountain of livingwaters, and hewedthem out cisterns, broken cisterns,
that can hold no water.
Jer 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correctthee, and thy backslidings
shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter,
that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee,
saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Amos 4:11-12 11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew
Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrandpluckedout of the
burning: yet have ye not returnedunto me, saith the LORD. 12 Therefore
thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee,
prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
1Kgs 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was
turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appearedunto him twice,
Prov 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filledwith his own ways: and a
good man shall be satisfied from himself.
2. Backsliderswho wish to come back to the Lord.
Jer 3:12-13 12 Go and proclaimthese words towardthe north, and say,
Return, thou backslidingIsrael, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine
anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep
anger for ever. 13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast
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transgressedagainstthe LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the
strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith
the LORD.
Jer 3:22 Return, ye backslidingchildren, and I will heal your backslidings.
Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
Hos 14:1-4 1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen
by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto
him, Take awayall iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the
calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses:
neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for
in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. 4 I will heal their backsliding, I will
love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
Isa 43:22 But thou hast not calledupon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been
wearyof me, O Israel.
Isa 43:24-25 24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither
hast thou filledme with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to
serve with thy sins, thou hast weariedme with thine iniquities. 25 I, even I,
am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not
remember thy sins.
Isa 44:20-22 20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceivedheart hath turned him
aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right
hand? 21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I
have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten
of me. 22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a
cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Jer 29:11-13 11 For I know the thoughts that I think towardyou, saith the
LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will
hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall
search for me with all your heart.
Deut 4:28-31 28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands,
wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29 But if
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from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou
seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 30 When thou art in
tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days,
if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31
(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither
destroy thee, nor forget the covenantof thy fathers which he sware unto
them.
2Chr 7:14 If my people, which are calledby my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land.
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1John 2:1-2 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin
not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
2Chr 15:4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of
Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
2Chr 33:12-13 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD
his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And
prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication,
and brought him again to Jerusaleminto his kingdom. Then Manasseh
knew that the LORD he was God.
Luke 15:11-24 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the
younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods
that falleth to me. And he dividedunto them his living. 13 And not many
days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journeyinto
a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And
when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he
began to be in want. 15 And he went and joinedhimself to a citizen of that
country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he wouldfain
have filledhis belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave
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unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with
hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I
have sinnedagainst heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy
to be calledthy son: make me as one of thy hiredservants. 20 And he
arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his
father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and
kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be calledthy son. 22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on
him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither
the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son
was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to
be merry.
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VII. THE BESTTEXTS FOR SKEPTICS
1. Earnest-minded skeptics
2. Skeptics who are triflers
3. Especially for those who doubt the existence of God
4. Those who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God
5. Those who doubt the divinity of Christ
1. Earnest-minded skeptics
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether
it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
1Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spiritof God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they
are spirituallydiscerned.
John 1:45-49 45 Philipfindeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have
found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of
Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there
any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philipsaith unto him, Come and
see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Beholdan
Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence
knowest thou me? Jesus answeredand said unto him, Before that Philip
calledthee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael
answeredand saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the
King of Israel.
John 20:24-29 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, calledDidymus, was not
with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto
him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, ExceptI shall see in his
hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails,
and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days
again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus,
the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
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27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands;
and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless,
but believing. 28 And Thomas answeredand said unto him, My Lord and
my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me,
thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have
believed.
John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
John 14:9-11 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you,
and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen
the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest
thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I
speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me,
he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in
me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them
not, because ye are not of God.
John 3:17-21 17 For God sent not his Son into the worldto condemn the
world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth
on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemnedalready,
because he hath not believedin the name of the only begotten Son of
God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light,
lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to
the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wroughtin
God.
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and
seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
John 20:30-31 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of
his disciples,which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written,
that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believingye might have life through his name.
44
John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other
man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated
both me and my Father.
Acts 26:9-20 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things
contraryto the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thingI also did in
Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, havingreceived
authorityfrom the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave
my voice against them. 11 And I punishedthem oft in every synagogue,
and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedinglymad against
them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went
to Damascus with authorityand commission from the chief priests, 13 At
midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness
of the sun, shiningroundabout me and them which journeyedwith me. 14
And when we were all fallen to the earth, I hearda voice speakingunto me,
and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutestthou me? it is
hard for thee to kick againstthe pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord?
And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand
upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee
a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of
those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Deliveringthee from
the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open
their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctifiedby faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O
king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenlyvision: 20 But
shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, andthroughout all
the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and
turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
2. Skeptics who are triflers
1Cor 1:18 For the preachingof the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
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2Cor 4:3-4 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In
whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe
not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine unto them.
John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek
me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye
believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
2Thess 1:7-8 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealedfrom heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming
fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Thess 2:10-12 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in
them that perish; because they receivednot the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong
delusion, that they shouldbelieve a lie: 12 That they all might be damned
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
3. Especially for those who doubt the existence of God
Rom 1:19-22 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifestin
them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him
from the creation of the worldare clearlyseen, being understood by the
things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him
not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professingthemselves to be wise,
they became fools,
Ps 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalmof David. The heavens declare the
glory of God; and the firmamentsheweth his handywork.
46
Ps 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalmof David. The fool hath said in his
heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable
works, there is none that doeth good.
4. Those who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God
Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition,
which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass
away.
Matt 5:18 For verilyI say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
John 10:35 If he calledthem gods, unto whom the word of God came, and
the scripture cannotbe broken;
Luke 24:27 And beginningat Moses and all the prophets, he expounded
unto them in all the scriptures the things concerninghimself.
Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake
unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerningme.
1Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because,
when ye receivedthe word of God which ye heardof us, ye received it not
as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually
worketh also in you that believe.
2Pet 1:19-21 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowingthis
first, that no prophecyof the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of
God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
1John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in
himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he
believeth not the recordthat God gave of his Son.
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John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them
not, because ye are not of God.
5. Those who doubt the divinity of Christ
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching
peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
2Cor 2:7-8 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and
comfort him, lest perhaps such a one shouldbe swallowedup with
overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye wouldconfirm your
love toward him.
Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
John 20:28-29 28 And Thomas answeredand said unto him, My Lord and
my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me,
thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have
believed.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God; and that believingye might have life through his
name.
John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the
Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which
hath sent him.
Phil 2:9-10 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exaltedhim, and given him
a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth;
Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world,
he saith, And let all the angels of God worshiphim.
1John 2:22-23 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the
Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever
denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth
the Son hath the Father also.
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1John 5:1-5 1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christis born of God:
and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten
of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love
God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we
keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory
that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh
the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye
believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
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VIII. THE BESTTEXT FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO POSTPONE A DECISION.
Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while
he is near:
Prov 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day
may bringforth.
Prov 29:1 He, that being often reprovedhardeneth his neck, shall suddenly
be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Matt 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not
the Son of man cometh.
Matt 25:10-13 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and
they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was
shut. 11 Afterwardcame also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to
us. 12 But he answeredandsaid, VerilyI say unto you, I know you not. 13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son
of man cometh.
Luke 12:19-20 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But
God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be requiredof thee:
then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
1Kgs 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye
between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then
follow him. And the people answeredhim not a word.
Jas 4:13-14 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go
into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your
life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth
away.
Luke 13:24-25 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto
you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master
of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand
without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he
shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
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John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with
you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that
walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Matt 6:33-34 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take
therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for
the things of itself. Sufficientunto the day is the evil thereof.
2Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the
day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted
time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not
your hearts, as in the provocation.
Eccl 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the
evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no
pleasure in them;
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IX. THE BESTTEXTS FOR ROMAN CATHOLICS.
John 3:3 Jesus answeredand said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that
doeth righteousness is born of him.
1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1John 3:14-17 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in
death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no
murderer hath eternal life abidingin him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love
of God, because he laiddown his life for us: and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved, and thy house.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth
the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
1Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus;
Ps 32:5 I acknowledgedmy sin unto thee, and mine iniquityhave I not hid.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest
the iniquityof my sin. Selah.
1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name
of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye
may believe on the name of the Son of God.
52
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justifiedfrom all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me.
1Pet 2:1-2 1 Wherefore layingaside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies,and envies,and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire
the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2Tim 3:13-17 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which
thou hast learnedand hast been assuredof, knowingof whom thou hast
learned them; 15 And that from a childthou hast known the holy
scriptures,which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in ChristJesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughlyfurnished
unto all good works.
Mark 7:7-8 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For layingaside the
commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washingof
pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition,
which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Matt 22:29 Jesus answeredand said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing
the scriptures,nor the power of God.
53
X. THE BESTTEXT FOR JEWS
Isa 53:1-12 1 Who hath believedour report? and to whom is the arm of
the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant,
and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and
when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we shoulddesire him. 3 He
is despised and rejectedof men; a man of sorrows, and acquaintedwith
grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we
esteemed him not. 4 Surelyhe hath borne our griefs, and carriedour
sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruisedfor our
iniquities:the chastisementof our peace was upon him; and with his stripes
we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every
one to his own way; and the LORD hath laidon him the iniquityof us all. 7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is
dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from
judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of
the landof the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death;
because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10
Yet it pleasedthe LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou
shalt make his soul an offeringfor sin, he shall see his seed, he shall
prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his
knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their
iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he
shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul
unto death: and he was numberedwith the transgressors; andhe bare the
sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Zech 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spiritof grace and of supplications: andthey
shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him,
54
as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one
that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but
not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy
the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and
unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
55
XI. THE BESTTEXTS FOR SPIRITUALISTS
Isa 8:19-20 19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that
have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should
not a people seek unto their God? for the livingto the dead? 20 To the law
and to the testimony: if they speak not accordingto this word, it is because
there is no light in them.
1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christis come in
the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have
heardthat it should come; and even now alreadyis it in the world.
Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after
wizards, to be defiledby them: I am the LORD your God.
Lev 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and
after wizards, to go a whoringafter them, I will even set my face against
that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
Deut 18:10-12 10 There shall not be found among you any one that
maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth
divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a
charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and
because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out
from before thee.
2Thess 2:9-12 9 Even him, whose coming is after the workingof Satan
with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness
of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receivednot the love
of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might
be damned who believednot the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.
2Kgs 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and
reignedfifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was
Hephzibah.
56
2Kgs 21:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after
the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the
children of Israel.
2Kgs 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times,
and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he
wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to
anger.
1Chr 10:13-14 13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed
againstthe LORD, even againstthe word of the LORD, which he kept not,
and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
14 And enquirednot of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the
kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
57
XII. THE BESTTEXTS FOR JEHOVAHS WITNESSES
1. The Bible as God's Revelation
2. The deity of Christ
3. Man accountable for sins
4. Atonement and eternal life through Christ
5. Salvation by faith not works
6. The certainty of the future state of man
1. The Bible as God'sRevelation
2Pet 1:20-21 20 Knowingthis first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of
any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the
will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost.
2Tim 3:14-17 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned
and hast been assuredof, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15
And that from a childthou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able
to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of
God may be perfect, throughly furnishedunto all good works.
Rev 22:18-19 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of
the prophecyof this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any
man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this book.
2. The deity of Christ
Exod 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers
Pocket Guide for Christian Workers

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Pocket Guide for Christian Workers

  • 1. 1 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................5 DR. R. A. TORREY................................................................................................................................6 I. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THE CARELESS,INDIFFERENT,ANDALL WHO DO NOT FEEL DEEPLY THEIR NEED OF CHRIST..........................................................................................................................................7 1. The fact and greatness of our sin:.............................................................................................7 2. The consequences of sin and unbelief:......................................................................................7 3. God's love for us:.....................................................................................................................9 II. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW HOW TO BE SAVED........................................10 1. Show them Jesus Christ as a Sin Bearer, the Saviour from the guilt of sin..................................10 2. Show them Jesus Christ as a Risen Saviour, the Saviour from the power of sin. .........................11 3. Show them Jesus Christ as an Everlasting Intercessor...............................................................12 4. Showthemthat all theyhave to do to make thisSaviourandEverlastingIntercessortheirSaviour fromguiltof sin andfrom the powerof sin,and theirEverlastingIntercessorisjusttoreceive himor believe on him as such and confess him before the world. ..............................................................13 III. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES.............................................................15 1. “I am too great sinner.”..........................................................................................................15 2. “My heart is too hard.”..........................................................................................................16 3. “I must become better before I become a Christian.” ..............................................................16 4. “I am afraid I cant hold out”; or, “I am afraid I shall fail,if I try.”...............................................17 5. “But I am so weak.”...............................................................................................................18 6. “I have tried before and failed.”.............................................................................................19 7. “I can't give up my evil ways.”................................................................................................20 a. You must...........................................................................................................................20 b. You can. ............................................................................................................................20 8. “I will be persecuted if I become a Christian.”..........................................................................20 9. “It will hurt my business,”; or “I will lose my position.” ............................................................21 10. “There is too much to give up.” ..........................................................................................22 11. “The Christian life is to hard.”.............................................................................................23 12. “I am afraid of ridicule.”.....................................................................................................23
  • 2. 2 13. “I will lose my companions.”...............................................................................................23 14. “I have nofeeling.”............................................................................................................23 a. “The joy that Christians talk of”..........................................................................................24 b. “Sorrow for sin”.................................................................................................................24 15. “I have been seeking Christ, but cannot find Him.”...............................................................24 16. “I have sinned away the day of grace”; or “God won't receive me.”......................................25 17. “It is too late.”...................................................................................................................26 18. “Christians are so inconsistent.”.........................................................................................27 19. “God seems to me to be unjust and cruel.” .........................................................................27 20. “There are so many things in the Bible which I cannot understand.”.....................................28 21. “There is someone I can’tforgive.” .....................................................................................29 IV. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES....................................................31 1. The hope of being saved by a righteous life.............................................................................31 2. The hope that “God is too good to damn anyone”...................................................................32 3. The hope of being saved by “trying to be a Christian”..............................................................34 4. The hope of being saved because “I feel saved,” or “I feel that I am going to heaven” ...............35 5. The hope of beingsavedbya profession,orchurch membership,orfaith,thatdoesnotsave us from sin........................................................................................................................................35 V. THE BEST TEXTS FOR THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE...................................................................37 VI. THE BEST TEXTS FOR BACKSLIDERS .........................................................................................38 1. Careless Backsliders...............................................................................................................38 2. Backsliders who wish to come back to the Lord.......................................................................38 VII. THE BEST TEXTS FOR SKEPTICS ...............................................................................................42 1. Earnest-minded skeptics........................................................................................................42 2. Skepticswho are triflers.........................................................................................................44 3. Especially for those who doubt the existence of God...............................................................45 4. Those who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God.................................................................46 5. Those who doubt the divinity of Christ....................................................................................47 VIII. THE BEST TEXT FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO POSTPONE A DECISION...........................................49 IX. THE BEST TEXTS FOR ROMAN CATHOLICS................................................................................51 X. THE BEST TEXT FOR JEWS...........................................................................................................53 XI. THE BEST TEXTS FOR SPIRITUALISTS........................................................................................55
  • 3. 3 XII. THE BEST TEXTS FOR JEHOVAHS WITNESSES ...........................................................................57 1. The Bible as God's Revelation.................................................................................................57 2. The deity of Christ.................................................................................................................57 3. Man accountable for sins.......................................................................................................58 4. Atonement andeternal life through Christ..............................................................................58 5. Salvation by faith notworks...................................................................................................60 6. The certainty of the future state of man .................................................................................60 XIII. THE BEST TEXTS FOR MORMONS............................................................................................62 1. One God, transcendent to man ..............................................................................................62 2. Christ the only Saviour...........................................................................................................62 3. The sinfulness of man............................................................................................................63 4. Salvation by faith, not works ..................................................................................................63 5. Priesthood of believers and high priesthood of Christ..............................................................64 XIV. BEST SCRIPTURES FOR THOSE INVOLVED WITH CULTS .............................................................65 1. Essential issues common to cults............................................................................................65 a. No leader given unique authority from God.........................................................................65 b. Salvation not through works...............................................................................................65 c. Salvation only through belief in Jesus Christ ........................................................................65 1. For those involved in cults based on Western religions............................................................65 a. The Holy Spirit truly God ....................................................................................................65 b. Jesus Christ truly God.........................................................................................................66 c. Jesus Christ successful in His mission on earth.....................................................................66 2. For those involved in Eastern religions and cults......................................................................66 a. As to beliefs held in commonin Eastern religions.................................................................66 1. God distinct from creation and not a part of everything....................................................66 2. God and Christ not created, but always existent...............................................................66 3. God not a part of a human being until there isfaith in Christ ............................................67 b. For those involved in Transcendental Meditation ................................................................67 1. Ignorance of God, not self, the problem of humanity........................................................67 2. Happiness arising from serving God, not mindlessness.....................................................67 c. For those involved with Krishna Consciousness....................................................................67 1. People born as human beings with only one life on earth; not reincarnated ......................67
  • 4. 4 2. Jesus a blameless and perfect Saviour .............................................................................68 XV. THE BEST TEXTS FOR CHRISTIANS WHO NEED HELP .................................................................69 1. For Christians who are neglecting the open confession of Christ...............................................69 2. For Christians who are neglecting the Bible.............................................................................70 3. For Christians who are neglecting prayer ................................................................................71 4. For Christians who are living careless lives ..............................................................................72 5. For Christians who are not working for Christ..........................................................................74 6. For Christians who are undergoing temptation........................................................................77 7. For Christians who are undergoing persecution.......................................................................78 8. For Christians who are undergoing trial...................................................................................80 9. For Christians who have lostloved ones..................................................................................82
  • 5. 5 POCKET GUIDE FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS IN THE KJV The best textsfor personal work, classified for practical use, printed in full and arranged for ready reference by R. A. TORREY INTRODUCTION This little book is prepared in response to a request from one who is, perhaps, in as good a position as anyone to know what Christian workers really want. It is not intended to supplant the larger work, How to Bring Men to Christ. Any who desire more definite and detailed instruction in the right use of the Scripture given in this book and in the general work of soul-winning are referred to the larger volume. Opinions of the most experienced workers may differ as to which are “the Best Texts” for any given case, but those quoted in this book are those which have approved themselves as such in the study and experience of the author. There is medicine in the Bible for every sin sick soul, but every soul does not need the same medicine. This book attempts to arrange the remedies according to maladies.
  • 6. 6 DR. R. A. TORREY Dr. Torrey was regarded by multitudes during his lifetime as at the very top in soul-winning, Bible teaching, and the training of Christian workers. He was selected by D. L. Moody as the superintendent of Moody Bible Institute, where he established the Bible Institute curriculum and made Moody Institute a pattern for Bible institutes around the world. He was also pastor of Moody Memorial Church, Chicago. His courses on soul-winning and his practical methods stamped themselves on the lives of Christian workers by the thousands. Later he was the co-founder of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, now Biola College. At the same time he was pastor of the great Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles. But Dr. Torrey was primarily an evangelist. After the death of Moody, Dr. Torrey and Charles M. Alexander held the largest campaigns in America and then went around the world, winning hundreds of thousands of souls in great campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, and the British Isles, and on the mission fields of the Orient.
  • 7. 7 I. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THE CARELESS, INDIFFERENT, AND ALLWHO DO NOT FEELDEEPLY THEIR NEED OF CHRIST 1. The fact and greatness of our sin 2. The consequences of sin and unbelief 3. God's love for us 1. The fact and greatness of our sin: Rom 3:22-23 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Matt 22:37-38 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. Ps 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldestmark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 2. The consequencesof sin and unbelief: Isa 57:20-21 20 But the wicked are like the troubledsea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. John 8:34 Jesus answeredthem, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
  • 8. 8 John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligentlyseek him. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemnedalready, because he hath not believedin the name of the only begotten Son of God. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christour Lord. 2Thess 1:7-9 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealedfrom heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punishedwith everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Rev 21:8 But the fearful, andunbelieving, andthe abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, andsorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Heb 10:28-29 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
  • 9. 9 3. God'slovefor us: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shouldnot perish, but have everlasting life. Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christdied for the ungodly. Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Isa 53:5-6 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:the chastisementof our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laidon him the iniquityof us all. Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood fallingdown to the ground. Matt 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 1Pet 1:18-19 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
  • 10. 10 II. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW HOW TO BE SAVED. 1. Show them Jesus Christ as a Sin Bearer, the Saviour from the guilt of sin. 2. Show them Jesus Christ as a Risen Saviour, the Saviour from the power of sin. 3. Show them Jesus Christ as an Everlasting Intercessor. 4. Show them that all they have to do to make this Saviour and Everlasting Intercessor their Saviour from guilt of sin and from the power of sin, and their Everlasting Intercessor is just to receive him or believe on him as such and confess him before the world. 1. Show them Jesus Christ as a Sin Bearer, the Saviour from the guilt of sin. Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laidon him the iniquityof us all. 1Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 2Cor 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 1John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
  • 11. 11 1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Col 1:19-20 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, havingmade peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, accordingto the riches of his grace; Rom 5:6-11 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcelyfor a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justifiedby his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciledto God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now receivedthe atonement. 2. Show them Jesus Christ as a Risen Saviour, the Saviour from the power of sin. 1Cor 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preachedunto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preachedunto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I deliveredunto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins accordingto the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day accordingto the scriptures: Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
  • 12. 12 Matt 28:20 Teachingthem to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I woulddo good, evil is present with me. Rom 7:23-25 23 But I see another law in my members, warringagainst the law of my mind, and bringingme into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretchedman that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Jude 1:24-25 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceedingjoy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 1Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealedin the last time. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 3. Show them Jesus Christ as an EverlastingIntercessor. 1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christthe righteous:
  • 13. 13 Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christthat died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right handof God, who also maketh intercession for us. Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 4. Show them that all they have to do to make this Saviour and Everlasting Intercessor their Saviour from guilt of sin and from the power of sin, and their EverlastingIntercessor is just to receive him or believe on him as such and confess him before the world. John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shouldnot perish, but have everlasting life. Isa 45:21-22 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declaredthis from ancienttime? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Rom 10:9-10 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heartthat God hath raised him from the dead, thou shaltbe saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
  • 14. 14 Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justifiedfrom all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
  • 15. 15 III. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES 1. “I am too great sinner.” 2. “My heart is too hard.” 3. “I must become better before I become a Christian.” 4. “I am afraid I cant hold out”; or, “I am afraid I shall fail, if I try.” 5. “But I am so weak.” 6. “I have tried before and failed.” 7. “I can't give up my evil ways.” 8. “I will be persecuted if I become a Christian.” 9. “It will hurt my business,”; or “I will lose my position.” 10. “There is too much to give up.” 11. “The Christian life is to hard.” 12. “I am afraid of ridicule.” 13. “I will lose my companions.” 14. “I have no feeling.” 15. “I have been seeking Christ, but cannot find Him.” 16. “I have sinned away the day of grace”; or “God won't receive me.” 17. “It is too late.” 18. “Christians are so inconsistent.” 19. “God seems to me to be unjust and cruel.” 20. “There are so many things in the Bible which I cannot understand.” 21. “There is someone I can’t forgive.” 1. “I am too great sinner.” 1Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthyof all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christdied for the ungodly.
  • 16. 16 Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shouldnot perish, but have everlasting life. Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 2. “My heart is too hard.” Ezek 36:26-27 26 A new heartalso will I give you, and a new spiritwill I put within you: and I will take away the stony heartout of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walkin my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 3. “I mustbecome better beforeI become a Christian.” Matt 9:12-13 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinnedagainst heaven, and before thee, Luke 15:20-24 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinnedagainst heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be
  • 17. 17 calledthy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bringforth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 18:10-14 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, andthe other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justifiedrather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Isa 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 4. “I am afraid I cant hold out”; or, “I am afraid I shall fail, if I try.” John 10:28-29 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 1Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealedin the last time.
  • 18. 18 2Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuadedthat he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Jude 1:24-25 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceedingjoy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 2Chr 32:7-8 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraidnor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 1Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 5. “ButI am so weak.” 2Cor 12:9-10 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficientfor thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 1Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that
  • 19. 19 ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 6. “I have tried before and failed.” Luke 22:31-32 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Rom 8:3-4 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilledin us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Isa 40:29-31 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Ps 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1Pet 5:6-10 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Castingall your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversarythe devil, as a roaringlion, walketh about, seekingwhom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowingthat the same afflictions are accomplishedin your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath calledus unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffereda while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
  • 20. 20 7. “I can't give up my evil ways.” a. You must. Gal 6:7-8 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. b. You can. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 1Cor 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preachedunto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I deliveredunto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins accordingto the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day accordingto the scriptures: 8. “I will be persecuted if I become a Christian.” 2Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Matt 5:10-12 10 Blessed are they which are persecutedfor righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceedingglad: for great is your rewardin heaven: for so persecutedthey the prophets which were before you. Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man
  • 21. 21 be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealedin us. Acts 14:22 Confirmingthe souls of the disciples, and exhortingthem to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 5:40-41 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had calledthe apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicingthat they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 2Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: Heb 12:2-3 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him enduredthe cross, despisingthe shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that enduredsuch contradiction of sinners againsthimself, lest ye be weariedand faint in your minds. 1Pet 2:20-21 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also sufferedfor us, leavingus an example, that ye should follow his steps: 9. “It will hurt my business,”; or “I will lose my position.” Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  • 22. 22 10. “There is too much to give up.” Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withholdfrom them that walk uprightly. Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but deliveredhim up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 1John 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Heb 11:24-26 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be calledthe son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosingrather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoythe pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Luke 12:16-21 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be requiredof thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Phil 3:7-8 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellencyof the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have sufferedthe loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
  • 23. 23 11. “The Christian life is to hard.” Matt 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Prov 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, andall her paths are peace. Prov 13:15 Good understandinggiveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 12. “I am afraid of ridicule.” Prov 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 13. “I will lose my companions.” Prov 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Ps 1:1-2 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 1John 1:3 That which we have seen and hearddeclare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowshipwith us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers andadulteresses, know ye not that the friendshipof the worldis enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 14. “I have no feeling.” What feeling do you expect?
  • 24. 24 a. “The joy that Christians talk of” Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 1Pet 1:8 Whom havingnot seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Matt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heardthe word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Rom 10:10 For with the heartman believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. b. “Sorrow for sin” 1. Use passages for the careless, section I. 2. Show that it is not feeling sorry for sin, but turning away from sin and receiving Christ that God demands. Isa 55:7 Let the wickedforsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantlypardon. John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 15. “I have been seeking Christ, but cannot find Him.” Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
  • 25. 25 Luke 15:3-10 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, havingan hundredsheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, andgo after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, sayingunto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman havingten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligentlytill she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. All passages under section II. 16. “I have sinned away the day of grace”; or “God won'treceiveme.” John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 2Chr 33:1-13 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reignedfifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he rearedup altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshippedall the host of heaven, and served them. 4 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalemshall my name be for ever. 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the
  • 26. 26 house of the LORD. 6 And he causedhis children to pass through the fire in the valleyof the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 7 And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: 8 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, accordingto the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. 9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalemto err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carriedhim to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heardhis supplication, andbrought him again to Jerusaleminto his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. 17. “It is too late.” Deut 4:30-31 30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenantof thy fathers which he sware unto them. 2Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerninghis promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsufferingto us-ward, not willingthat any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
  • 27. 27 Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18. “Christians are so inconsistent.” Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give accountof himself to God. Rom 2:1-5 1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is accordingto truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowingthat the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitentheart treasurestup unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Matt 7:1-5 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measuredto you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerestnot the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearlyto cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 19. “God seems to me to be unjustand cruel.” Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest againstGod? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
  • 28. 28 Isa 55:8-9 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Heb 12:5-7 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Heb 12:10-11 10 For they verilyfor a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chasteningfor the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterwardit yieldeth the peaceable fruitof righteousness unto them which are exercisedthereby. 20. “There are so many things in the Bible which I cannot understand.” 1Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spiritof God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spirituallydiscerned. Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 1Cor 13:11-12 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Ps 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
  • 29. 29 2Pet 3:16-18 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearnedandunstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 21. “There is someoneI can’t forgive.” Matt 18:23-35 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take accountof his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, andall that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshippedhim, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servantwas moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundredpence: and he laidhands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservantfell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wickedservant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldestnot thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and deliveredhim to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenlyFather do
  • 30. 30 also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgivingone another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Gal 5:22-23 22 But the fruitof the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
  • 31. 31 IV. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES 1. The hope of being saved by a righteous life. 2. The hope that “God is too good to damn anyone” 3. The hope of being saved by “trying to be a Christian” 4. The hope of being saved because “I feel saved,” or “I feel that I am going to heaven” 5. The hope of being saved by a profession, or church membership, or faith, that does not save us from sin 1. The hopeof being saved by a righteous life. Gal 2:16 Knowingthat a man is not justifiedby the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believedin Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Rom 3:19-20 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the worldmay become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justifiedin his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Matt 22:37-38 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Luke 18:10-14 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, andthe other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
  • 32. 32 extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justifiedrather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ accordingto my gospel. 1Sam 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligentlyseek him. John 6:29 Jesus answeredand said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Heb 10:28-29 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 2. The hopethat “God is too good to damn anyone” Rom 2:4-5 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance andlongsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God
  • 33. 33 leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurestup unto thyself wrath againstthe day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 2Pet 3:9-11 9 The Lord is not slack concerninghis promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsufferingto us-ward, not willingthat any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with ferventheat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation andgodliness, Ezek 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 2Pet 2:4-6 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringingin the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turningthe cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 2Pet 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjustunto the day of judgment to be punished: Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
  • 34. 34 John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemnedalready, because he hath not believedin the name of the only begotten Son of God. Isa 57:20-21 20 But the wicked are like the troubledsea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. 3. The hopeof being saved by “trying to be a Christian” It is not trying what we can do, but trusting what Jesus has done, and will do, that saves. Rom 3:23-25 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Beingjustifiedfreely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Rom 4:3-5 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God,and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the rewardnot reckonedof grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Jude 1:24-25 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceedingjoy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 2Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuadedthat he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
  • 35. 35 Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 4. The hopeof being saved because “I feel saved,” or “I feel that I am going to heaven” Show that we should build our hope not on what we feel, but on what God says. Prov 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the worldbegan; John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Luke 18:9-14 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, andthe other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standingafar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justifiedrather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 5. The hopeof being saved by a profession, or church membership, or faith, that doesnot save usfrom sin Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 1Cor 6:9-10 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inheritthe kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
  • 36. 36 adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inheritthe kingdom of God. Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? John 3:3 Jesus answeredand said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 1John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 1John 5:4-5 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Rev 21:8 But the fearful, andunbelieving, andthe abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, andsorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
  • 37. 37 V. THE BESTTEXTS FOR THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE 1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. John 1:12 But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlastinglife: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlastinglife, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 1John 5:11-12 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Isa 55:7 Let the wickedforsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantlypardon.
  • 38. 38 VI. THE BESTTEXTS FOR BACKSLIDERS 1. Careless Backsliders 2. Backsliders who wish to come back to the Lord. 1. Careless Backsliders Jer 2:5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquityhave your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of livingwaters, and hewedthem out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jer 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correctthee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. Amos 4:11-12 11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrandpluckedout of the burning: yet have ye not returnedunto me, saith the LORD. 12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. 1Kgs 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appearedunto him twice, Prov 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filledwith his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 2. Backsliderswho wish to come back to the Lord. Jer 3:12-13 12 Go and proclaimthese words towardthe north, and say, Return, thou backslidingIsrael, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. 13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast
  • 39. 39 transgressedagainstthe LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Jer 3:22 Return, ye backslidingchildren, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. Hos 14:1-4 1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take awayall iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. 4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. Isa 43:22 But thou hast not calledupon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been wearyof me, O Israel. Isa 43:24-25 24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filledme with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast weariedme with thine iniquities. 25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isa 44:20-22 20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceivedheart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? 21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. 22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Jer 29:11-13 11 For I know the thoughts that I think towardyou, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Deut 4:28-31 28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29 But if
  • 40. 40 from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenantof thy fathers which he sware unto them. 2Chr 7:14 If my people, which are calledby my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John 2:1-2 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 2Chr 15:4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 2Chr 33:12-13 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusaleminto his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. Luke 15:11-24 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he dividedunto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journeyinto a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joinedhimself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he wouldfain have filledhis belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave
  • 41. 41 unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinnedagainst heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be calledthy son: make me as one of thy hiredservants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be calledthy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
  • 42. 42 VII. THE BESTTEXTS FOR SKEPTICS 1. Earnest-minded skeptics 2. Skeptics who are triflers 3. Especially for those who doubt the existence of God 4. Those who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God 5. Those who doubt the divinity of Christ 1. Earnest-minded skeptics John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 1Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spiritof God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spirituallydiscerned. John 1:45-49 45 Philipfindeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philipsaith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Beholdan Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answeredand said unto him, Before that Philip calledthee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answeredand saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. John 20:24-29 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, calledDidymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, ExceptI shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
  • 43. 43 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answeredand said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. John 14:9-11 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. John 3:17-21 17 For God sent not his Son into the worldto condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemnedalready, because he hath not believedin the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wroughtin God. John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? John 20:30-31 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples,which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believingye might have life through his name.
  • 44. 44 John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. Acts 26:9-20 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contraryto the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thingI also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, havingreceived authorityfrom the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punishedthem oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedinglymad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authorityand commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shiningroundabout me and them which journeyedwith me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I hearda voice speakingunto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutestthou me? it is hard for thee to kick againstthe pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Deliveringthee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctifiedby faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenlyvision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, andthroughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 2. Skeptics who are triflers 1Cor 1:18 For the preachingof the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
  • 45. 45 2Cor 4:3-4 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 2Thess 1:7-8 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealedfrom heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2Thess 2:10-12 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receivednot the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they shouldbelieve a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 3. Especially for those who doubt the existence of God Rom 1:19-22 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifestin them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the worldare clearlyseen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professingthemselves to be wise, they became fools, Ps 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalmof David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmamentsheweth his handywork.
  • 46. 46 Ps 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalmof David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 4. Those who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matt 5:18 For verilyI say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. John 10:35 If he calledthem gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannotbe broken; Luke 24:27 And beginningat Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerninghimself. Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerningme. 1Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye receivedthe word of God which ye heardof us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 2Pet 1:19-21 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowingthis first, that no prophecyof the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 1John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the recordthat God gave of his Son.
  • 47. 47 John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 5. Those who doubt the divinity of Christ Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 2Cor 2:7-8 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one shouldbe swallowedup with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye wouldconfirm your love toward him. Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. John 20:28-29 28 And Thomas answeredand said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believingye might have life through his name. John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Phil 2:9-10 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exaltedhim, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worshiphim. 1John 2:22-23 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
  • 48. 48 1John 5:1-5 1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christis born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
  • 49. 49 VIII. THE BESTTEXT FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO POSTPONE A DECISION. Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Prov 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bringforth. Prov 29:1 He, that being often reprovedhardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Matt 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matt 25:10-13 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterwardcame also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answeredandsaid, VerilyI say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Luke 12:19-20 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be requiredof thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 1Kgs 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answeredhim not a word. Jas 4:13-14 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Luke 13:24-25 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
  • 50. 50 John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. Matt 6:33-34 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficientunto the day is the evil thereof. 2Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Eccl 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
  • 51. 51 IX. THE BESTTEXTS FOR ROMAN CATHOLICS. John 3:3 Jesus answeredand said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 1John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1John 3:14-17 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abidingin him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laiddown his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 1Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Ps 32:5 I acknowledgedmy sin unto thee, and mine iniquityhave I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquityof my sin. Selah. 1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
  • 52. 52 Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justifiedfrom all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 1Pet 2:1-2 1 Wherefore layingaside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,and envies,and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 2Tim 3:13-17 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learnedand hast been assuredof, knowingof whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a childthou hast known the holy scriptures,which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in ChristJesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughlyfurnished unto all good works. Mark 7:7-8 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For layingaside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washingof pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Matt 22:29 Jesus answeredand said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures,nor the power of God.
  • 53. 53 X. THE BESTTEXT FOR JEWS Isa 53:1-12 1 Who hath believedour report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we shoulddesire him. 3 He is despised and rejectedof men; a man of sorrows, and acquaintedwith grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surelyhe hath borne our griefs, and carriedour sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruisedfor our iniquities:the chastisementof our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laidon him the iniquityof us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the landof the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleasedthe LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offeringfor sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numberedwith the transgressors; andhe bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Zech 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spiritof grace and of supplications: andthey shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him,
  • 54. 54 as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
  • 55. 55 XI. THE BESTTEXTS FOR SPIRITUALISTS Isa 8:19-20 19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the livingto the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not accordingto this word, it is because there is no light in them. 1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christis come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heardthat it should come; and even now alreadyis it in the world. Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiledby them: I am the LORD your God. Lev 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoringafter them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Deut 18:10-12 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 2Thess 2:9-12 9 Even him, whose coming is after the workingof Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receivednot the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believednot the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Kgs 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reignedfifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.
  • 56. 56 2Kgs 21:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. 2Kgs 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 1Chr 10:13-14 13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed againstthe LORD, even againstthe word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; 14 And enquirednot of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
  • 57. 57 XII. THE BESTTEXTS FOR JEHOVAHS WITNESSES 1. The Bible as God's Revelation 2. The deity of Christ 3. Man accountable for sins 4. Atonement and eternal life through Christ 5. Salvation by faith not works 6. The certainty of the future state of man 1. The Bible as God'sRevelation 2Pet 1:20-21 20 Knowingthis first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2Tim 3:14-17 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assuredof, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a childthou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnishedunto all good works. Rev 22:18-19 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecyof this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 2. The deity of Christ Exod 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.