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Larry Ray Hafley
Regarding the right to eat meat, Paul said, "I know, and am persuaded by the
Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself" (Rom. 14:14). From whence
did Paul's persuasion come? It came from "the Lord Jesus." He was convinced by
the Christ. He was persuaded "by the Lord Jesus." Hence, he could say, "I know"
it to be a fact, for I have been persuaded by the Lord.
Have You Been Persuaded:
That salvation is by faith only? The Bible says that faith alone is "dead"
(Jas. 2:17, 26). The Spirit says that we are justified by faith, but "not by
faith only" (Rom. 5:1; Jas. 2:24). Hence, if you are persuaded that salvation is
by faith only, you were not "persuaded (or convinced) by the Lord Jesus"!
That baptism has no part in salvation, that baptism is not necessary to
receive the forgiveness of sins? The Bible says, "Repent, and be baptized...for
the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Thus, "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord
Jesus that" "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16).
That sprinkling is baptism? The Bible says that baptism is a burial, an
immersion (Rom. 6:3; Col. 2:12). Bible baptism required that both the one being
baptized and the one doing the baptizing should go "down into" and "come up out
of the water" (Acts 8:36-38). Therefore, "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord
Jesus that" sprinkling is not baptism.
That all churches are acceptable and approved of God? If so, where did you
learn this? The Bible says, "There is one body" (Eph. 4:4). Since the body of
Christ is the church, and there is one body," then there is "but one body," or
church (Eph. 1:22, 23; 1 Cor. 12:20). If all churches are built by the Lord, why
did He say, "I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18)? If all are built by Him, why
did He not say, "I will build a variety of different churches"? "I know, and am
persuaded by the Lord Jesus that" He built His church, as He said He would.
Where does Jesus persuade us that He built the Baptist Church, the Methodist,
Church, the Pentecostal Church, or the Catholic Church?
That it does not matter what doctrine or tradition one follows? If so, you
cannot object to the teaching of this article, for if all doctrines are
acceptable to God, then this one is, too. "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord
Jesus that" one's worship is "in vain" if it follows the doctrines and
traditions of men (Matt. 15:8, 9). The Holy Spirit convinces us that only the
doctrine of Christ is acceptable and that deviation from it results in spiritual
death (Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 1:3; 4:16; Jas. 5:19, 20; 2 Jn. 9).
That what you did to become what you are in religion is described in the
Bible? Did anyone in the New Testament ever do what you did and become what you
are? If you are a Baptist or a Presbyterian, for example, you went through a
process, a program, or you had an "experience" and gave your "testimony," in
order to be a member of your particular church. Now, where is what you did found
in the Bible? Did obedience to the apostles' preaching ever make one a member of
the church of which you are a member? "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord
Jesus that" those who believed, repented, and were baptized for the remission of
sins were added to the church of the Lord (Acts 2:36-38, 41, 47; 1 Cor.
12:13).
My friend, does your belief and practice have the convincing power and
persuasion of the word of God behind it? Can you take your Bible, point to a
passage, and say regarding any doctrine, "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord
Jesus"?
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