Biblical Teachings Misunderstood and Ignored By Millions of Christians: A Contextual Study

By ABRAHAM PHILIP BLA, MA, BLibInfSc, MLibInfSc, , Professor of Religion, History, and Information Science

The teachings and directions found in the Bible given by God (between 1500 BC and AD 100) are meant to remain alive and practiced by believers till the second coming of Jesus Christ.

From my conversations with Christians in different countries and continents, it has been noticed that a large majority of Christians are culturally and traditionally tuned to biblical teaching modified from centuries. Needless to add that Satan has an active part in these changes. As a result, now we are a fractured Christianity. When religion becomes confused, the truth becomes distorted.

Life is too busy for many to read the Bible and contextually understand it. The Holy Spirit is the real author of the Bible; we cannot negotiate with him.

This book is divided into twelve topics. Each topic is presented and explained exactly as it is given in the Authorized King James Version (presentation not impacted by any denomination). Millions of Christians have differences of opinion on these topics, and they interpret and follow them differently against the unchanging God's command--"I am the Lord I change not"--as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:14; Malachi 3:6; Revelation 22:18-19, besides others.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Yes, the emergence and formation of the church on this earth is because of the Bible and its everlasting truth. Deuteronomy 7:9 says , "Those who love Him and keep His commandments, God's mercy is with them for a thousand generations."

Get connected with God through prayer and through reading his Holy Word regularly and contextually. It is the author's hope and prayer that the readers of this book will be inspired by the leading of the Holy Spirit and led to a spiritual restoration.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886167429

Book preview

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Biblical Teachings Misunderstood and Ignored By Millions of Christians

A Contextual Study

ABRAHAM PHILIP BLA, MA, BLibInfSc, MLibInfSc, PhD, Professor of Religion, History, and Information Science

ISBN 979-8-88616-741-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-742-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Abraham Philip

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

A Note to All the Readers

(In This Age of Deception and Doctrinal Pluralism)

Topic 1

The Seventh-Day Sabbath Observance (God's Choice)

Topic 2

The First Day Sunday Observance (Man's Choice)

Topic 3

Ceremonial Sabbaths, Annual Sabbaths, Jewish Feasts, etc.

Topic 4

The Ordinance of Foot Washing Preceding the Lord's Supper

Topic 5

Baptism Sprinkling, Pouring, or Immersion: Do We Have a Choice?

Topic 6

Predestination: The Biblical Teaching on This Subject

Topic 7

The State of the Dead

Topic 8

Clean and Unclean Flesh Foods, Meats, etc. according to the Bible

Topic 9

The Biblical Meaning of Soul and Spirit

Topic 10

Secret Rapture of the Believers (Secretly Carried Away or Snatched Away by God's Angels)

Topic 11

Signs of Christ's Soon Return (We Are Living In a Borrowed Time)

Topic 12

The Biblical Teaching of Hell (The Fate of the Wicked and the Devil)

Conclusion

References

(Sources Consulted to Get Information)

Acknowledgment

About the Author

Abraham Philip

2021

Jesus said You are lighted to lighten

—Matthew 5:14–16

To Christian Faith Publishing

Attn. Lisa

Introduction

This book grows out of my conversations and encounters with Christians of different denominations and belief systems from different countries and continents where I had the privilege of working during the forty years of my working experience.

The teachings, value systems, directions, and ideas found in the Bible (Genesis to Revelation) given by God our heavenly Father is not for reading or recitation of history. They are meant to remain alive and practiced by God's children, Christians, and all the believers till He (Jesus) comes to take us to heaven, the second coming which is biblically very near and even at the door.

I recognize the risks of presenting this way which will not go well with a large majority of Christians who are culturally and traditionally tuned to biblical teachings modified from many centuries. As a result, we have a fractured Christianity now (different belief systems project their own views). My argument, however, is that we Christians and all believers have no other choice than the eternal, loving God's word, which was given to us through forty prophets in a period of 1,600 years (1500 BC to AD 100) for the salvation of mankind, all who choose to be with Him.

Human beings have no right to modify what God has stated. In fact, God has made it very clear in his word: I am the Lord I change not (Mal. 3:6). God further makes it very clear in the very last chapter of the Bible:

If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book, of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev. 22:18–19)

Whether we are (A) Roman Catholics, (B) Orthodox groups, (C) Protestant denominations, (D) Reformed churches, or (E) any other belief system, the challenge is for everybody. If we don't change the course soon, we individually and collectively may not only run out the grace and mercy period of God, but also leave behind a weaker, fractured, and confused generation which is against the Christian's mission.

I would like to offer my personal reflections on the teachings and values of the Bible contextually, which has led me to be a biblical Christian. Some biblical teachings, interpretations, and practices unnecessarily divide us. But I want to present that the Bible teachings are a guide for Christians to be united, giving stability in what otherwise would be unbalancing experiences. These teachings feed the human intellect and establish goals that inspire Christians and motivate them for concern for others.

As a college and university professor, husband, father, and grandfather, above all as a Christian and as an investigating biblical student, I am presenting this book for our common good and to show God's way to eternal salvation.

I have written this book to lead Christians and other believers to a deeper relationship with Christ through the study of the Bible. Knowing Him and His will is vitally important in this age of deception, doctrinal pluralism, and apathy. Such knowledge is the Christians' only safeguard against those who will come speaking perverse things in order to subvert truth and destroy the faith of God's people (Acts 20:29–30).

Especially in these last days to keep from being tossed to and from and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:14).

There is a need for every Christian (not only the pastors or bishops) to read and reread the Bible, our heavenly