The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the REVISED STANDARD VERSION ( RSV ).  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 ).  Romans 6:1-4 read as follows:

"What shall we say then?  Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  2 By no means!  How can we who died to sin still live in it?  3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

     Moreover, Colossians 1:9-20 read as follows:

"9 And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  13 He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; 16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities-all things were created through him and for him.  17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.  19 For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Jesus ( cf. verse thirteen, above, and Matthew 16:16; 1:16, for example ) is the head of the church ( as we read in verse eighteen ).  When one is baptized into His death ( see verse three ), he or she is baptized into the death of the head of the body.

     This is one of the basic concepts that the Holy Bible teaches regarding baptism.  When one is baptized in the church of God religious denomination, for example, he or she is baptized into the death of the head of that body, which is the Tomlinson family, for example ( see pages 108 and 111, for example, of the handbook pictured above ).  Since the Tomlinson family did not die on the cross of Calvary ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example; KJV, for example ), for example ) for the sins of all men ( see Romans 6:5-11 ( especially verse 10, for example ), for example ), such a baptism does not save the one who receives it ( see also Acts 2:38, 41, and 47; Colossians 1:15-20 ( especially verse 20, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ): a similar argument can be used with regard to all denominational baptisms, they do not save the ones who receive them.

     To wrongly claim that a denominational baptism is acceptable is to wrongly claim that there is more than one baptism, by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of one's past sins ( see also Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example; KJV, for example ); Romans 3:21-31 ( especially verse 25, for example ); and Ephesians 4:5, for example ).  Those who have received denominational baptisms ( having been baptized into the death of a human head of a denominational body ) must be rebaptized into Christ ( see also Acts 19:1-7 and 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>.

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 concerning why denominational baptisms do not save anyone.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the New Testament, known as The Expanded Bible; being entitled: New Testament: The [ expanded ] Bible: Study The Bible While You Read.  John 8:1-11 read as follows:

"Jesus went to the Mount of Olives [Ceast of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley].  2 But *early in the morning [at dawn] he went back to the Temple [courts; 2:14], and all the people came to him, and he sat and taught them.  3 The *teachers of the law [scribes; Cexperts in the law of Moses] and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery.  They forced her to stand *before [or in the midst of] the people.  4 They said to Jesus, 'Teacher, this woman was caught *having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband [in the very act of committing adultery].  5 The law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this [compare Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22-24].  What do you say we should do?'  6 They were asking this to *trick [trap; test] Jesus so that they could have some *charge [accusation] against him.  But Jesus *bent over [stooped down] and started writing on the ground with his finger [Cwe do not know what he is writing though there has been much speculation].  7 When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he *raised up [straightened] and said, 'Anyone here who *has never sinned [is guiltless; Tis without sin] can throw the first stone at her [Deut. 13:9; 17:7; comp. Lev. 24:14]."  8 Then Jesus *bent over [stooped down] again and wrote on the ground.  9 Those who heard Jesus began to leave one by one, first the *older men [elders] and then the others.  Jesus was left there alone with the woman standing before him.  10 Jesus *raised up [straightened] again and asked her, 'Woman [Ca respectful term of address in Greek; see 2:4], where are they?  Has no one *judged you guilty [condemned you]?'  11 She answered, 'No one, sir.'  Then Jesus said, 'I also don't *judge you guilty [condemn you].  *You may go now, but don't sin anymore [TGo, and sin no more].'"
If you, the reader, will notice, the references at the end of verse five ( above ) teach that both the man and the woman who engaged in the sin of adultery ( see also Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; Romans 13:9; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17; and 1 John 3:4, for example ) were to be put to death.
     The teachers of the law and the Pharisees ( see verse three, above, and note the expansion and the comment, here, which describe who the teachers of the law were ) misinterpreted the law of Moses regarding this issue, since the necessary question would be, "Where is the man?"  The teachers of the law should have known better.  Perhaps the motivation for this misinterpretation was gender discrimination.
     To be sure, the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) commands ( see Ecclesiastes 12:13, for example ) equity, for Solomon ( see Proverbs 1:1 ) wrote the following in verses one through six ( RSV ):
"The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight, 3 receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth- 5 the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill, 6 to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles."
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: Since in-line bullets are not available in the formatting of this weblog, asterisks "*" were used to "show where to begin the replacement of a word or words before the set of brackets with the word or words within the set of brackets."  [  See New Testament, The [ expanded ] Bible, THOMAS NELSON, NASHVILLE, DALLAS, MEXICO CITY, RIO DE JANEIRO, BEIJING, The Expanded Bible, New Testament, Copyright 2009 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., p. xi.  ]

Moreover, since the superscript function is also not available in the formatting of this weblog, the smallest font size was used for the characters "T" and "C," associated with their respective markers ( or sigla ): the complete list of the ones employed in this weblog posting is provided below:

"[ ] EXPANSION: Other possible ways of translating a word, phrase, clause, or sentence. . . ."  [  Ibid.  ]
"[or] ALTERNATE: A different translation possibility that takes the meaning of the original language in a different direction than the base text does. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. xii.  ]

"T TRADITIONAL: Provides familiar terms and well-known renderings from past translations, especially those in the King James tradition. . . ."  [  Ibid.  ]

"C COMMENT: Briefly provides historical, cultural, theological, or other explanatory information to help readers better understand a verse or passage. . . ."  [  Ibid.  ]

"REFERENCE: Provides cross-references to parallel passages, quotations from or allusions to another part of the Bible.  These usually appear within a bracket. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. xiii.  ]

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the New Testament, known as The Expanded Bible; being entitled: New Testament: The [ expanded ] Bible: Study The Bible While You Read.  John 8:1-11 read as follows:

"Jesus went to the Mount of Olives [Ceast of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley].  2 But *early in the morning [at dawn] he went back to the Temple [courts; 2:14], and all the people came to him, and he sat and taught them.  3 The *teachers of the law [scribes; Cexperts in the law of Moses] and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery.  They forced her to stand *before [or in the midst of] the people.  4 They said to Jesus, 'Teacher, this woman was caught *having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband [in the very act of committing adultery].  5 The law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this [compare Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22-24].  What do you say we should do?'  6 They were asking this to *trick [trap; test] Jesus so that they could have some *charge [accusation] against him.  But Jesus *bent over [stooped down] and started writing on the ground with his finger [Cwe do not know what he is writing though there has been much speculation].  7 When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he *raised up [straightened] and said, 'Anyone here who *has never sinned [is guiltless; Tis without sin] can throw the first stone at her [Deut. 13:9; 17:7; comp. Lev. 24:14]."  8 Then Jesus *bent over [stooped down] again and wrote on the ground.  9 Those who heard Jesus began to leave one by one, first the *older men [elders] and then the others.  Jesus was left there alone with the woman standing before him.  10 Jesus *raised up [straightened] again and asked her, 'Woman [Ca respectful term of address in Greek; see 2:4], where are they?  Has no one *judged you guilty [condemned you]?'  11 She answered, 'No one, sir.'  Then Jesus said, 'I also don't *judge you guilty [condemn you].  *You may go now, but don't sin anymore [TGo, and sin no more].'"

Moreover, Jesus ( see Matthew 5:1 ) said the following in verse seventeen: "17 'Don't think that I have come to *destroy [abolish; do away with] *the law of Moses or the teaching of  the prophets [Lthe Law and the Prophets; Creferring to the OT].  I have not come to destroy them but to *bring about what they said [fulfill/complete them].'"

     Furthermore, the apostle Paul ( see Colossians 1:1 ) wrote ( see 4:18, for example ) the following in ( 2:11-14; KJV; with center-column references, for example ): 

"11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

The Greek word ( Greek [ 5498 ] ) for the word "handwriting," in verse fourteen ( above ), is defined as follows: ". . . metaph. applied in Col. ii. 14 [(where R.V. bond)] to the Mosaic law, which shows men to be chargeable with offences for which they must pay the penalty.*"  [  See THE NEW THAYER'S GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, Thayer, Joseph Henry, D.D., HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS, PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS 01961-3473, Copyright 1979, 1981, by Jay P. Green, Sr., p. 668.  ]

This means that Jesus, in bending over and writing on the ground ( as we read in verses six and eight, above ), was demonstrating that He is the fulfillment of the law of Moses ( as He stated in verse seventeen, above ).

     Additionally, His response to the teachers of the law and the Pharisees ( cf. verses three and seven, above ) was based on the law of Moses ( note the references at the end of verse seven ).  The prophets "based their teachings upon the laws of Moses."  [  See BIBLE ALMANAC, PACKER, JAMES I., A.M., D.Phil., TENNEY, MERRILL C., A.M., Ph.D., WHITE, WILLIAM, JR., Th.M., Ph.D., THE OLD-TIME GOSPEL HOUR, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, Copyright 1980 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, p. 349.  ]

This means that Jesus, in giving His response to them, was demonstrating that He is the fulfillment of the prophets.  Therefore, these passages from the Holy Bible clearly reveal to us that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law of Moses and the prophets.

     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: Since in-line bullets are not available in the formatting of this weblog, asterisks "*" were used to "show where to begin the replacement of a word or words before the set of brackets with the word or words within the set of brackets."  [  See New Testament, The [ expanded ] Bible, THOMAS NELSON, NASHVILLE, DALLAS, MEXICO CITY, RIO DE JANEIRO, BEIJING, The Expanded Bible, New Testament, Copyright 2009 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., p. xi.  ]

Moreover, since the superscript function is also not available in the formatting of this weblog, the smallest font size was used for the characters "L," "T," and "C," associated with their respective markers ( or sigla ): the complete list of the ones employed in this weblog posting is provided below:

"[ ] EXPANSION: Other possible ways of translating a word, phrase, clause, or sentence. . . ."  [  Ibid.  ]
"[or] ALTERNATE: A different translation possibility that takes the meaning of the original language in a different direction than the base text does. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. xii.  ]

"L LITERAL: A more literal rendering of the original language, allowing the reader to see why translations make varying choices. . . ."  [  Ibid. ]
"T TRADITIONAL: Provides familiar terms and well-known renderings from past translations, especially those in the King James tradition. . . ."  [  Ibid.  ]

"C COMMENT: Briefly provides historical, cultural, theological, or other explanatory information to help readers better understand a verse or passage. . . ."  [  Ibid.  ]

"REFERENCE: Provides cross-references to parallel passages, quotations from or allusions to another part of the Bible.  These usually appear within a bracket. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. xiii.  ]

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  1 Kings 16:29-34 read as follows:

"29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.  30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.  31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.  32 He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria.  33 And Ahab made an Asherah.  Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.  34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho.  He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun."

From this context, it is clear that the evil king Ahab reigned during the period of the divided kingdom: he began his reign over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa's reign over Judah ( see verse twenty-nine, above ).

     Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding the kings during the period of the united kingdom, 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 ).  1 John 1:5-10 read as follows:

"5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

The phrase "If we confess our sins," in verse nine ( above ), has three cross-references, one of which is to Proverbs 28:13, which reads as follows: "13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."

     The Hebrew word ( Hebrew [ 5800 ] ) for the word "forsaketh," in verse thirteen of the King James Version ( KJV ) of the Holy Bible, is defined as follows: "to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. . . ."  [  See Strong's EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS, PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS  01961-3473, ( A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF THE WORDS IN THE HEBREW BIBLE; WITH THEIR RENDERINGS IN THE AUTHORIZED ENGLISH VERSION.  BY JAMES STRONG, S.T.D., LL.D., p. 86. ).  ]

The word "relinquish," in the above-given definition, is defined as follows:

". . . v.t.  1   To give up; abandon; surrender.  2   To cease to demand; renounce: to relinquish a claim.  3   To let go (a hold or something held).   See synonyms under ABANDON, SURRENDER. . . ."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY  10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 817.  ]

The word "abandon," in sense one of the above-given definition, is defined as follows: ". . . v.t.   1   To give up wholly; desert; forsake, as an effort or attempt. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. 1.  ]

     The Greek word ( Greek [ 3340 ] ) for the word "repent," in Luke 13:3, 5 ( KJV ), for example, is defined as follows: "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (mor. feel compunction). . . ."  [  See Strong's EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS, PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS  01961-3473, ( A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF THE WORDS IN THE GREEK TESTAMENT; WITH THEIR RENDERINGS IN THE AUTHORIZED ENGLISH VERSION.  BY JAMES STRONG, S.T.D., LL.D., p. 47 ).  ] 

The word "reconsider," in the above-given definition, is defined as follows: ". . . v.t.   1   To consider again, especially with a view to a reversal of previous action. . . ."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY  10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, pp. 809, 810.  ]

Thus, to forsake ( relinquish, give up, or abandon ) one's sins implies that one must first repent ( think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider ( reverse one's previous action ))  regarding those sins.

     This means that repentance is implied in the concept of forsaking one's sins.  Therefore, the phrase "If we confess our sins," as referenced above, includes the concepts of repenting of, and forsaking, one's sins.  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 King James Version ( KJV ).  Jeremiah 6:19 reads as follows:

"19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it."

The phrase "the fruit of their thoughts," in verse nineteen ( above ), has a cross-reference to Proverbs 1:31: verses thirty and thirty-one read as follows: "30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.  31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."

     The phrase "shall they eat of the fruit of their own way," in verse thirty-one, has a cross-reference to Job 4:8: verses seven and eight read as follows: "7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?  8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same."  The prophet Jeremiah teaches, in verse nineteen, that those who reject the heavenly Father's ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) words ( His law ) shall reap the fruit of their evil thoughts.  This is the same message that the apostle Paul ( see Galatians 1:1 ) wrote ( see 1:11-14, 20; 5:2; 6:11; and Acts 9:1; 13:9, for example ) in ( 6:7 ): "7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

     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 ).  Hebrews 12:3-8 read as follows:

"3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted.  4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  5 And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?- 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him.  6 For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'  7 It is for discipline that you have to endure.  God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."

Considering verses three and seven together, it is for discipline that we, as Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), endure hostility from sinners against ourselves: the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) is treating us as sons in this regard.

     Moreover, James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote the following in ( 1:2, 3 ): "2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."  Our faith is being tested ( see also Jeremiah 20:12, for example; ESV, for example ) when we experience such hostility, and we will become better Christians as a result.  Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding discipline, 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 REVISED STANDARD VERSION ( RSV ).  Psalm 116:10 reads as follows:

"10 I kept my faith, even when I said, 'I am greatly afflicted.'"

The psalmist, here, teaches that one must keep his or her faith, even in times of great affliction.

     This verse in the Holy Bible has a cross-reference to 2 Corinthians 4:13: verses seven through fifteen read as follows:

"7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.  8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  11 For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.  13 Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we too believe, and so we speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.  15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

The apostle Paul ( see 1:1 ) wrote ( see 10:1 and 13:1, for example ) of affliction ( as we read in verse eight, above ), and cited the first verse ten in verse thirteen.  This means that Paul and Timothy, in suffering affliction ( see also 1:4, for example ), kept their faith and spoke according to it.

     How do we know that they spoke according to that one faith ( see Ephesians 4:5, for example )?  We know this from verse fourteen.  Moreover, the phrase "the same spirit of faith," in verse thirteen ( ESV; with inside-margin references ), has a cross-reference to 1 Corinthians 12:9, which reads as follows: "9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by by the one Spirit."

     This means that faith is by the Holy Spirit.  Since there is only one of Him ( see also John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:6; 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, for example; KJV, for example ), there can only be one faith.  Therefore, those who wrongly claim a plurality of faiths are also wrongly claiming more than one Holy Spirit.

     If one is raised from the watery grave of baptism stating that he or she is a Baptist, for example, he or she speaks based on his or her claim that salvation is in the name of John the Baptist, for example.  Salvation is not in his, or any other human being's, name: it is only in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ( see Acts 4:5-12 ( especially verses 10-12, for example ), for example ).  This is clear evidence that denominational baptisms are invalid: they do not save those who receive them.

     Finally, 1 Peter 4:16 reads as follows: "16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God."  Anyone who suffers as a Baptist, for example, is suffering for nought.  Such an one is not saved, and God is not glorified under that name, 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.