I received the following letter in February of 2007...
I am not a Christian parse, but I am always intrigued with understanding how people are so compelled with promoting their point of view. Because, from where I am standing, all religions offer pretty much the same salvation. Really, if you think about it, you would have been Muslim if you were born in the middle east, Hindu if you were born in India, Mormon if you were born in Utah, etc... I guess I'm just looking for someone to convince me why their religion is so much better than every one else's religion.
Hello,
Excellent question, and I have a solid answer.
Biblically, salvation is not found in ANY
religion, but in a Person—The Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word Of God Stand Alone, Apart From All Religions
If you'll study the various religions, you'll find that most of them in one way or another try to incorporate Christianity into their beliefs. Why not just follow the Word of God by itself? Why the Book of Mormon? Why the Jehovah's Witness brainwashing literature (such as AWAKE magazine)? Why the Catholic Catechism? Why the Lutheran catechism? Why the writings of Ellen G. White for the Seventh-day Adventists? The reason is because they've perverted the truth and need OTHER books to deceive their followers. I need only the King James Bible, nothing else!
Jesus never started a religion. He started the New Testament church—which didn't have a fancy building, air conditioning, plush carpeting, padded pews nor a fleet of vehicles. The purity of the church is that Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Jesus said in Luke 17:21 that the Kingdom of God is within men's hearts (not in buildings made with hands). 1st Corinthians 3:16-17 says the believer's body is the temple of The Holy Spirit.
Christianity began as a new birth in Jesus Christ, God in the flesh (1st Timothy 3:16). When Christianity went to Greece, it became a philosophy. When it went to Rome, it became an organization. When it spread throughout Europe it became a culture. And when it came to America it became a business.
Lew Wallace was antagonistic toward Christianity, and determined he would study the life of Christ so thoroughly, and then write so convincingly, that he would be able to kill the story of Christ. He wanted to prove that Jesus, if He had lived, was not God, but merely a man, that He never rose from the dead, and that Christianity was a hoax. So he studied. This great and enormous subject drew him further and further into his research until the evidence overwhelmed him. He dropped to his knees and cried out to Jesus to be his Savior. Then, instead of writing a book to prove to the world that Jesus was not God, he wrote Ben Hur, to try to prove to the world that Jesus was God.
If you believe that Jesus is THE CHRIST, Who died, was buried and raised up from the dead three days later, then you will be born-again and go to Heaven (John 3:3; Romans 10:13). We don't go to Heaven because we join a religion; but rather, because we trust upon the Savior who shed His blood to pay for our sins (1st Peter 1:18,19). Only through Jesus can anyone go to Heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
We read in Isaiah 45:22, "...and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." The way to be saved is to look to Jesus, i.e., the Jesus of the Word of God. Mormons and JW's pervert the character of Christ, denying His deity; thus worshipping a false god. The Word of God is the divine standard by which we must test all doctrines and religions (1st John 4:1; John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12, John 17:17). With a little study you will find that most religions horribly butcher the Word of God.
Of course, 1st Corinthians 3:14-17 teaches that
only a believer can understand the Bible. So it is of the utmost important
that we be in the faith, that is, that our sins forgiven in Christ Jesus.
Acts 4:10-12 says there's no other name given among men whereby we can be
saved, other than the precious name of JESUS.
The Origin Of The Scriptures
Study history and you'll discover that everything centers around Christianity. If you want proof that Christianity is the truth, the Word of God should suffice by Itself. But consider the miraculous manner in which the Bible was given to mankind. Forty men were used as pens by God over a 1,500 year time span, who spoke various languages and came from different countries. These men were of all different ages and nationalities. Yet, today we have a Bible that is complete, perfectly harmonizing and filled with prophecy. It's nothing less than a complete miracle of God!!!
Luke 16:31 warns, "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the
prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Howbeit, here is MUCH secular evidence to consider... Please read,
RELIGIONS:
The Occult Connection. It is obvious that there is an
occult connection between most of today's mainstream religions. Anytime you see the
All Seeing Eye and The Great Pyramid (occult symbols),
you KNOW that Satan is in control of that religion (2nd Corinthians 4:4). These
symbols are used to magnify and project the image of the Antichrist,
preparing the world stage for when he comes. This is why Nebuchadnezzar
erected a 90 x 9 foot golden image for the people to worship at the sound of
the music (Daniel 3:2-7). That is, the image projected a bigger-than-life
image of Nebuchadnezzar. Images are powerful, which is why the occult loves
them.
Most Mainstream Religions Are Occult Connected
Study all religions today and you'll trace them back to an individual. Seventh-Day Adventism began with Ellen G. White. Mormonism began with Joseph Smith. JW's began with Charles T. Russell. Catholicism began with Constantine. Christian Science began with Mary Baker Eddy. Islam began with Muhammad. Scientology began with Ron Hubbard... and so forth. Christianity began with the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the foundation (1st Corinthians 3:11).
Also, several religious/inspirational leaders are 33rd degree occult Freemasons: Charles T. Russell, Joseph Smith, Jesse Jackson, Robert Schuller, Louis Farrakhan, Billy Graham, Norman Vincent Peale, and many others. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, called renowned Satanist Aleister Crowley his "good friend." Satan is behind most of the world's religions (2nd Corinthians 11:13,14). I realize this may seem strange, but the truth is always strange than fiction. Satan operates through the occult because Christians would expose his works of darkness immediately of he didn't (Ephesians 5:11).
So to answer your question. I know that I am write because I know that the Bible is right. Most religions today stray away from the Bible, teaching instead the traditions of men and doctrines of devils. So the question really boils down to whether or not a person believes the Bible are God's inspired Words.
~by David J. Stewart
