Dan S. Shipley was the author of this article which appeared in the May 1970 edition of Plain Talk, a publication of the Oaks-West Church of Christ in Burnet, Texas. Robert F. Turner was the editor.
Early in the first century, Christ sent the Spirit of truth to guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13; Acts 2:1ff). The New Testament records that truth which these inspired men wrote and taught. This gospel truth was being preached, believed and obeyed before the middle of that first century. Over 1900 years ago souls were being saved from sin through the knowledge of this truth. The implications of this simple fact are profound.
Think if it! A sinner could be saved in obedience to this gospel over 250 years before the Nicene Creed was formulated; long before there was a Catholic church to establish "Divine Tradition" or "interpret" the Scriptures. It was over 500 years before Catholicism had a universal Pope; before Catholic doctrine of celibacy, sprinkling for baptism, instrumental music in worship, transubstantiation, purgatory, extreme unction, holy orders, Mary-worship, confession before priests and over 1800 years before the doctrine of Papal infallibility.
Think of it! An individual could be reconciled to God through Christ over 1450 years before the Catholic monk Martin Luther made his historic protest; before he advanced the false notion of justification by faith only, before his name was worn by anyone except his family.
Think of it! Men and women could become CHRISTIANS, live and die with the hope of Heaven, over 1450 years before there was a Church of England (Episcopal) or a Presbyterian church; before John Calvin and his false teaching on predestination, direct operation of the Holy Spirit and infant baptism!
Think of it! Men were being redeemed by the blood of Christ over 1500 years before John Smyth began his work which resulted in the establishment of the first Baptist church; over 1650 years before John Wesley and the Methodist church; over 1750 years before Joseph Smith, the father of Mormonism, received his alleged revelation, which was was about the same time the Adventist group had its beginning under the leadership of William Miller. It was over 1800 years before Mary Baker Eddy's "revelation" and Christian Science, over 1800 years before there was a Jehovah's Witness sect to knock on the door or distribute the Watchtower paper!
Think of it! The simple gospel of Christ was providing men with ALL THINGS pertaining to life and godliness over 1,900 years ago! (Second Peter 1:3) It was furnishing men completely unto every good work at that early date (Second Timothy 3:17). That gospel truth provides the basis for man's becoming, being and doing ALL that God requires of him. It is further evidenced by the fact that men will one day be judged by this very gospel (John 12:48).
Think of it! If all of the combined religious creeds, ideas, doctrines, concepts, opinions, "revelations" and traditions of the past 2000 years should perish, men could STILL know how to serve God and be saved! Is it not time you considered uncluttered, unadulterated New Testament Christianity?
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