Yes and No!

A

s Paul trained Timothy, his son in the gospel, he wrote these instructions:

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Every false teaching in the history of religion has come from a failure to study and rightly divide God’s word of truth. Therefore, when Bible questions are asked, they can be answered “Yes” or “No” because of false teaching.            Please observe some examples of such questions:

Question 1-A: Is it important to believe there is a God? YES.

Yes, if one wants to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Yes, if we want the hope of eternal life. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Yes, if we want someone for us who is greater than ourselves. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Question 1-B: Is it important to believe there is a God? NO.

No, if we want to be a fool. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ “ (Psalms 14:1).

No, if we do not want to ever receive gifts from above. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Question 2-A: Is a sinner saved by faith? YES.

Yes, if it is faith that comes from hearing the word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

Yes, if it is faith that receives the grace of God by meeting God’s terms of obedience. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8).

Yes, if it is a faith that works by love. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).

Yes, if it is the kind of faith that makes one a child in God, by putting on Christ in baptism. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26,27).

Question 2-B: Is a sinner saved by faith? NO.

No, if one has faith like the demons. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19).

No, if one just says, “Lord, Lord,” but does not do God’s will. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” Matthew 7:21).

No, if one does not have enough faith to obey Jesus, the author of salvation. “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” (Hebrews 5:9).

No, if one has a dead faith—faith only. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17).

Question 3-A: Is obeying the commandments of God essential to be saved?  YES.

Yes, if we want to love Jesus. "If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Yes, if we want Jesus to be the author of our salvation. “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

Yes, if we want to be like Jesus. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Yes, if we want to enter the kingdom of heaven. “Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Question 3-B:  Is obeying the commandments of God essential to be saved? NO.

No, if we want to foolishly build our houses on the sand. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:” (Matthew 7:26).

No, if we want to receive to receive vengeance of flaming fire from Jesus. “...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

No, if we want to receive at the end the judgment of God. “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).

Question 4-A: Is it important how we worship God?  YES.

Yes, if we want to worship according to the teaching of Jesus. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Yes, if we want to obey God rather than the devil. “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve'" (Matthew 4:10).

Yes, if we do not want to serve the creature more than the Creator. “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.” Amen (Romans 1:25).

Question 4-B: Is it important how we worship God?  NO.

No, if we want our hearts to be far from God. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Mt. 15:8).

No, if we want our worship to be vain. “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men“ (Matthew 15:9).

No, if we want a worship of ignorance. “For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore the One whom you ignorantly worship, Him I declare to you” (Acts 17:23).

Question 5-A: Is it essential to partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday? YES.

Yes, if we want to follow the example of Christians in the New Testament. “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7).

Yes, if we want to continue steadfastly in breaking bread. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

Yes, if we want to remember often the Lord’s death. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Question 5-B: Is it essential to partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday? NO.

No, if we do not consider it important to remember the body of Jesus that was sacrificed on the cross. “...the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me’ “ (1 Corinthians 11:23-24).

No, if we do not consider it important to remember the blood of Jesus that was sacrificed on the cross. “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me’ “ (1 Corinthians 11:25).

No, if we do not consider it important to remember His death until He comes. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Question 6-A: Is music an essential part of God’s truth for worship? YES

Yes, if the music used is psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. “...teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

Yes, if we sing with the spirit and understanding. “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15).

Yes, if the instrument we use is the heart. “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).

Question 6-B: Is music an essential part of God’s truth for worship? NO.

No, if we do not want to praise God according to His word in our singing. “Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power” (Psalms 21:13).

No, if we add a mechanical instrument to God’s command to use the heart. “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18).

Question 7-A: Is one church as good as another? YES.

Yes, if we don’t mind following the doctrines of men that take us from God.
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).

Yes, if we don’t mind having our religion uprooted. “But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted’ “ (Matthew 15:13).

Yes, if we don’t mind facing God and being accursed by following just any kind of gospel. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Question 7-B: Is one church as good as another? NO.

No, if we want only Jesus to be the builder. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

No, if we want only Jesus to be the head. “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).

No, if we want a church with a doctrine that is approved by Christ—a church that He will not removed. “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. `Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:15-16).

No, if we want a church that wears a name that honors God and His Son, the Christ. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16).

Question 8-A: Is it possible for a Christian to fall from grace?  YES.

Yes, if we do not abide in Jesus. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6).

Yes, if we think it is impossible to fall. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Yes, if we look to the law of the Old Testament to give salvation rather than to Christ. “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4).

Yes, if we turn from the way of righteousness. “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them” (2 Peter 2:21).

Question 8-B: Is it possible for a Christian to fall from grace?  NO.

No, if we never stop walking in the light of God. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

No, if we make our calling and election sure. “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;” (2 Peter 1:10).

No, if we abide in His word. “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

No, if we are faithful until death. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). —BBBristow