The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  Below it is a copy of the Handbook OF Denominations IN THE UNITED STATES: NEW TENTH EDITION ( by FRANK S. MEAD, REVISED BY SAMUEL S. HILL, Abingdon Press, NASHVILLE, Copyright 1985, 1990, 1995 by Abingdon Press ).  The following quotation is taken from page nineteen of this handbook:

"Of course, any author/editor receives help from many people in putting together a book.  I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the contact people of the denominations who responded to my request for assistance.  I hope that they and their fellow members read here an accurate reporting of their statistics, history, and beliefs.  But more, I hope that the description of their religious body, which means so much to them, elicits pride and celebration."

     This is a portion of the preface written by Mr. Samuel S. Hill, in which he also stated that Abingdon Press asked him to continue the pattern carried on by Dr. Mead.  Since the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Matthew 16:17, 18; Romans 16:16; and Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), for example ) is the only religious body which belongs to Christ ( see also Matthew 1:16, for example ), there is no reason to be proud and celebrate the existence of religious denominations.  Rather, the apostle Paul ( see Ephesians 1:1 ) wrote ( see 1:15; 3:1; and 4:1, for example ) the following in ( 5:11 ): "11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

     Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  In making this statement, He rules out Buddha, Confucius, John Smyth, Mohammed, and everyone else.  Therefore, the United States of America, yea, even the whole world, is wrong: He is right.

     Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  Ecclesiastes 7:1-13 read as follows:

"A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death that the day of birth.  2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.  3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.  4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.  5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.  6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.  7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.  8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.  9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.  10 Say not, 'Why were the former days better than these?'  For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.  11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.  12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.  13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?"

Solomon teaches that the heart of the wise is "in the house of mourning" ( see verse four, above ).

     The phrase "house of mourning," here, is most likely in reference to a funeral.  We find the phrase "day of death" in verse one, and the phrase "end of all mankind" in verse two.  If there were one place in this world that would force us to reflect on the meaning of life, it would be at such an event.

     To be sure, those who are engaged in mirth are not reflecting on the purpose of life on this earth.  Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding the book of Ecclesiastes, for example:

Also, please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).
     If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on in, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  Romans 8:12-17 read as follows:

"12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba!  Father!'  16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

The phrase "adoption as sons," in verse fifteen ( above ), has a cross-reference to Isaiah 56:5: verses four through six read as follows: "4 For thus says the LORD: 'To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, 5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.  6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant.'"

     Moreover, verse sixteen has a cross-reference to Ephesians 1:13, 14, for example: verses eleven through fourteen read as follows: "11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."  The point at which one is adopted as a son of God ( see the first verse fourteen and, again, verse fifteen ) is the point at which one holds fast the LORD's covenant ( see verses four and six ): this is also the point at which one is "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" ( see the second verse thirteen ).  All of this occurs when one believes in Christ ( see the second verse twelve and, again, verse thirteen ).

     What does it mean to believe in Christ ( see Matthew 1:16; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:6; Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ); Colossians 2:8, 9 ( KJV, for example ); and 1 John 5:7 ( KJV, for example ), for example )?  Peter ( see Acts 10:34 ) said the following in verse forty-three: "43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."  He also said in ( 2:38 ), "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

     To believe in Christ is to be baptized, by immersion in water, in His name, for the forgiveness of one's past sins ( see Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example; KJV, for example ); Romans 3:21-26 ( especially verse 25, for example; KJV, for example ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); and Colossians 2:8-15 ( especially verse 12, for example ), for example ).  Therefore, one is adopted as a son of God, holds fast His covenant, and is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when he or she is baptized into Christ ( see Galatians 3:26, 27, for example ).  Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).

     If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the REVISED STANDARD VERSION ( RSV ).  Acts 5:12-26 read as follows:

"12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles.  And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.  13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor.  14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.  16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.  17 But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison.  19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, 20 'Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.'  21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught.  Now the high priest came and those who were with him and called together the council and all the senate of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.  22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, 23 'We found the prison securely locked and the sentries standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside.'  24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.  25 And some one came and told them, 'The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.'  26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people."

We see, here, that an angel of the Lord miraculously freed the apostles from prison ( see verses seventeen through nineteen, above ).

     They did what the angel told them to do and entered the temple and taught ( see verses twenty and twenty-one ).  Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding the comparison of Jesus with angels, for example:

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).

     If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  First Corinthians 13:1-7 read as follows:

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.  4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

The phrase "does not insist on its own way," in verse five ( above ), has a cross-reference to ( 10:24 ) which reads as follows: "24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor."

     The sin ( see John 3:16, 17; 8:26; Romans 1:16, 17, and 20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ); 10:17; Colossians 2:8, 9 ( KJV, for example ); and 1 John 5:7 ( KJV, for example ), 17, for example ) of selfishness is diametrically opposed to love.  Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding 1 John 4:8, for example:

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).

     If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the King James Version ( KJV ).  Romans 7:1-6 read as follows:

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?  2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.  4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.  5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.  6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."

The phrase "dead to the law by the body of Christ," in verse four ( above ), has a cross-reference to Galatians 2:19: verses nineteen and twenty read as follows: "19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.  20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

     The phrase "crucified with Christ," in verse twenty ( above ), has a cross-reference to Romans 6:6, which reads as follows: "6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."  Verses three and four of this chapter read as follows: "3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."  Since one is baptized into Jesus Christ's death, and He died on the cross of Calvary ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ), for example ), the phrase "crucified with Christ" is a reference to being baptized into Jesus Christ.

     The phrase "dead to the law by the body of Christ" must therefore mean that when one is baptized into Jesus Christ, he or she becomes dead to the law.  Which law is this?  The phrase "in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter," in the first verse six ( above ), has a cross-reference to ( 2:29 ), which reads as follows: "29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

     Circumcision is mentioned as a covenant between the LORD and Abram ( see Genesis, chapter 17 ( especially verses 1, 2, 5, 9, and 10, for example ), for example ).  Since the book of Genesis is part of the law of Moses ( the books of Genesis through Deuteronomy ), one becomes dead to the law of Moses when he or she is baptized into Jesus Christ ( see Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ); 10:43; and Romans 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), for example ).  Since the second verse four ( above ) makes reference to Christ being raised up from the dead, it is to Him Whom we are married when we are baptized into Him ( as is indicated in the first verse four, above ).

     Therefore, every Christian ( see Acts 11:26 and Galatians 3:26, 27, for example ) is a spiritual wife of Christ.  In this context, Jesus Christ has many wives.  King Solomon had "seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines" ( see 1 Kings 11:3 and please read verses one through three to get the immediate context ) and, thus, he was a type of Christ in this regard.

     However, since Jesus ( see John 8:28 ) always does those things that please the Father ( see verse twenty-nine, for example ), His spiritual wives will never turn away His heart after other gods ( cf. 1 Kings 11:4, for example ): He is without sin ( see Hebrews 4:15, for example ).  Finally, since Christians are Christ's servants ( see Leviticus 25:44, 45; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:22, 23; 9:21; Ephesians 1:1-7 ( especially verse 7, for example ); Colossians 1:9-23 ( especially verse 20, for example ); and Revelation 1:5, for example ), all of Jesus' spiritual wives are His servants.  The relationship of the wife as the servant of her husband is beautifully portrayed here.

     In the context of the physical marriage relationship, the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) has determined from the beginning that it involve one man and one woman, for life ( see Genesis 2:18-24 ( especially verses 23 and 24, for example ); Ecclesiastes 9:9; and Romans 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), for example ).  Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the REVISED STANDARD VERSION ( RSV ).  James 5:19, 20 read as follows:

"19 My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

James, the half-brother of Jesus, in writing to Christians ( see 1:1; Genesis 35:22-26; Exodus 3:7-12 ( especially verse 10, for example ); Matthew 6:11; Romans 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); Galatians 3:26, 27; 4:30; and Colossians 2:8-15 ( especially verse 14, for example ), for example ), teaches that as soon as one wanders from the truth, the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) considers ( see Psalm 92:5; 111:2; 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ) that one to be a sinner ( as we read in verses nineteen and twenty, above ).

     This means that all of those who are members of the liberal or institutional number, for example, are sinners and not saints.  Furthermore, anyone who is raised from the watery grave of baptism stating that he or she is a member of this number is not saved: his or her baptism is not valid.  The one who makes such a statement indicates that he or she believes ( see 2 Corinthians 4:13, for example ) that salvation is in the names of those individuals who split off from the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Matthew 16:17, 18; Romans 16:16; and Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), for example ), rather than in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ( see Acts 4:5-12 ( especially verses 10-12, for example ), for example ).

     These people are not disciples of Jesus ( see John 8:31, for example ): they are not our brethren.  Those who were members of the New Testament church and have left to join the liberal or institutional number must repent ( see Luke 13:3, for example ) and come back from the error of their ways.  Those who are members of the liberal or institutional number, having received that baptism, must be rebaptized ( see Acts 19:1-7, for example ) and assemble with the saints ( see Hebrews 10:19-25 ( especially verse 25, for example ), for example ).

     When the heavenly Father states that there is only one New Testament church, He means that there is only one, and not two or more.  Those who wrongly claim that the liberal or institutional number are our brethren have fallen into a dangerous mentality, and are believing something contrary to what the Holy Bible teaches ( as has been demonstrated above ).  Those individuals need to wake up ( spiritually speaking ) and realize that the liberal or institutional number are a religious denomination just like the Baptists and Methodists, for example.

     Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: Please read the Thursday, October 29, 2015, Friday, October 30, 2015, and Saturday, October 31, 2015 entries to this weblog to find additional facts regarding why denominational baptisms do not save anyone.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  Luke 17:11-19 read as follows:

"11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.'  14 When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.'  And as they went they were cleansed.  15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan.  17 Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed?  Where are the nine?  18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?'  19 And he said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'"

We find, here, that out of the ten lepers who were cleansed by Jesus, only one was thankful for what He had done ( see verses fourteen through sixteen, above ).

     Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding responses to Jesus' miracles, for example:

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ).  Below it is a copy of the Handbook OF Denominations IN THE UNITED STATES: NEW TENTH EDITION ( by FRANK S. MEAD, REVISED BY SAMUEL S. HILL, Abingdon Press, NASHVILLE, Copyright 1985, 1990, 1995 by Abingdon Press ).  The following quotation, regarding the American Ethical Union religious denomination, is taken from page forty-one of this handbook:

"The Ethical Movement in the U.S. builds its thought and program upon moral philosophy and the ethical traditions of the great religions of humankind.  Its main emphasis is on ethics rather than creed or ceremony, and members include both theists and nontheists.  A statement of principles declares: 'The search for ethical values and their progressive realization are inherently a religious enterprise. . . .  All human beings, however different in their abilities or backgrounds, have an equal right to such fulfillment as encourages the fulfillment of their fellowmen.  Such a goal requires diversity in beliefs and practices, and therefore freedom of conscience, thought, and expression. . . .  Our attitude toward that which is beyond present knowledge, including questions about cosmic matters, is one of free and cooperative exploration, and respect for individual experience.'"

     Colossians 2:8 reads as follows: "8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ."  Here, we see that philosophy is contrary to Christ: He is not a philosopher.  Therefore, the Ethical Movement in the U.S. is contrary to Him.

     I recommend the handbook, pictured above, so that others will become aware of the various false religions that exist; hating them ( see Psalm 119:104, for example ).  Jesus is opposed to the concept of freedom of religion ( or the justifying of false religion - see John 14:6, for example ), for example.  He is the only way into the sanctuary ( see Hebrews 9:8, for example ).

     Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: Please read the Tuesday, December 22, 2015 entry to this weblog to find additional facts regarding John 14:6, for example.      

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ).  Below it is a copy of the Handbook OF Denominations IN THE UNITED STATES: NEW TENTH EDITION ( by FRANK S. MEAD, REVISED BY SAMUEL S. HILL, Abingdon Press, NASHVILLE, Copyright 1985, 1990, 1995 by Abingdon Press ).  The following quotation, concerning the Baptist denomination, is taken from page forty-nine of this handbook:

"It is often heard among them that they have no founder but Christ and that Baptists have been preaching and practicing from the days of John the Baptist.  This is true in a limited sense; men and women then certainly held what have come to be considered distinctly Baptist principles.  But organized Baptist churches first appeared in Holland and England."

     Matthew 16:17, 18 read as follows:

"17 And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, by my Father in heaven.  18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.'"

From this passage in the Holy Bible, we see that there is one New Testament church ( Jesus used the word "church," in singular form, as we read in verse eighteen, above ), and that it belongs to Him ( He used the word "my" in reference to it, again, as we read in verse eighteen, above ).

The apostle Paul ( see Romans 1:1 ) wrote ( see 11:13; 15:15; and 16:22, for example ) the following in ( 16:16 ): "16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ greet you."  Thus, the phrase "churches of Christ" is specifically used in reference to local congregations of the one, universal New Testament church.

     John 1:15 reads as follows: "15 (John testified to him and cried out, 'This was he of whom I said, '"He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me."'')"  John the Baptist ( see also 3:22-30, for example ) said that Jesus ranked ahead of him ( please read verses one through eighteen to get the immediate context ).  He also confessed, "I am not the Messiah" ( see verse twenty ).

     He also said of Jesus, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" ( See verse twenty-nine. )  Peter said of Jesus Christ of Nazareth in Acts 4:12, "12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved" ( please read verses one through twelve to get the immediate context ).  Paul said, concerning John the Baptist ( see Matthew, chapter 3, for example ), in Acts 19:4, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus."

     Upon hearing this, those disciples were rebaptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus" ( see verse five, and please read verses one through ten to get the immediate context ).  This latter example demonstrates that John the Baptist's baptism was obsolete, and that one must be baptized, by immersion in water, in the name of the Lord Jesus, for the remission of one's past sins, to be saved ( see Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38, 41, and 47; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example; KJV, for example ); and Romans 3:21-31 ( especially verse 25, for example; KJV, for example ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), for example ).  To be sure, denominational baptisms ( baptisms in the name of a human being after John the Baptist's baptism became obsolete ) do not save anyone ( see Acts 5:32; 8:4-25 ( especially verses 14-17, for example ); chapter 10 ( especially verses 34-48, for example ); and 2 Corinthians 4:13, for example ).

     All of this evidence points away from John the Baptist and towards the Christ ( see the footnote for John 1:20 ).  Why, then, would anyone claim to be a Baptist?  There is no salvation in that name.

     The handbook pictured above provides us with a myriad of examples of what the New Testament church is not.  However, I would recommend it to anyone who desires to have a knowledge of what the various religious denominations believe and practice.  It is important to realize, though, that there is only one correct way to believe ( see Ephesians 4:5, for example ).

     The name "church of Christ" appears in this handbook in various forms, but none of these is the New Testament church.  The New Testament church is not a religious denomination.  Moreover, you will find no references to liberal or institutional local congregations or brethren in the New Testament.  Such people are not disciples of Jesus ( see John 8:31, for example ).

     Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: Please read the Thursday, October 29, 2015, Friday, October 30, 2015, and Saturday, October 31, 2015 entries to this weblog to find additional facts regarding why denominational baptisms do not save anyone.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ).  Matthew 18:15-20 read as follows:

"15 'If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.  If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.  16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.  18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.'"

Jesus ( see verses one and two ), here, teaches us, as Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), how to address the one who offends us.

     Initially, the proper method is to approach the offender directly ( as we read in verse fifteen, above ).  We find this difficult to do, and sometimes commit the sin ( see 1 John 3:4, for example ) of telling others first.  If necessary, it is only after the first attempt to resolve the issue that one or two others are to be involved ( as we read in verse sixteen, above ).

     Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding the subject of deciding between believers ( see 1 Corinthians 6:5, for example ), for example:

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.