The warning by the Apostle Peter about those who teach falsehoods amongst God's people also cries out from the Bible. Peter tells us,

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (2Peter 2:1).

Bible prophecy fulfilled before our eyes!

Those who seek the faith of Abraham supposing that it still looks ahead for the first arrival of the Messiah err in their disbelief. The Savior of man, answering those claiming spiritual descent from Abraham and inheritors of the true faith of God exclaimed,

"If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham (in the flesh, not spiritually) rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:54-56).

Even Abraham, the father of the faithful (Rom. 4:16), knew of Jesus Christ and accepted His eventual arrival as Savior of the earth. Those who reject Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the New Testament do not have a relationship with God the Father. They may have rules, regulations and a religion, but they have no relationship with the Creator.

How can we be overcomers in this spiritual battle against the disobedient spirits and twisted logic of those who discard God's New Testament word and witness for something "better"? This article points out some of the basic, yet foundational proofs of Christianity which the Eternal gives each person who is called and converted. The words of Jesus Christ and the testimony of His disciples are LIVING utterances. They produce growing, tangible fruit in the lives of those who accept, understand and practice their dynamic principles. We can come to a steadfast conviction and rock solid faith in God by meditating on His ongoing work in us. We can receive peace and confidence of heart by reminding ourselves of the evidences God scatters around us that testifies to the path of righteousness. It is with the truth of the entire Bible, coupled with the lead of the Holy Spirit in us, that we can inoculate or recover ourselves from these diseased doctrines of the Devil.

A Spirit of a difference

One of the inspiring and convicting signs of the validity of the New Testament is the contrast of a Christian's life before and after conversion. Our pilgrimage with God began with Him softening our stony, disobedient hearts. This enabled us to embrace Jesus as Savior, the one who rescued us from our bankrupt and sin-filled existence. After repentance we immersed in cleansing baptismal waters that signified the death of our carnal way of living. Lastly, we acquired the Holy Spirit, the divinely-granted seed enabling us to dedicate our lives to righteousness. This process of our calling and acceptance of Christ's dwelling in us will forever be the most profound period of our lives. As the sands of time accumulate after this conversion commitment, we experience a life gradually transformed through the miracle of God's intervention.

Do you remember the lifestyle you walked in before God called you? What were the attitudes and behaviors you exhibited that preceded awakening to a relationship with your Creator? Although the fruits before our dedication to righteousness were shameful (Rom. 6:20-21), recalling our behavior apart from God showcases His impact since our profession of faith.

As we probe our memories we recall our character before God's Spirit entered us. Our life before baptism centered on the SELF, and the Devil held sway over our human nature. Even if religiously inclined subsequent to conversion, we still operated our lives without the internal compass of God's presence. Paul the apostle confirms this rebelliousness when he says,

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Eph. 2:2).

It was human nature, not God, that we served.

Before the Eternal, through Jesus Christ, reached down to enlighten us, we indulged in the lusts of our flesh and spent our time seeking to fulfill its desire (Eph. 2:3). Sin seemed to be so much fun! Going in the same direction as the rushing water of our carnality was easy and gave us the short-term payoffs we craved. We may have pursued sexual immorality, stealing, lying, drunkenness, violence and a host of other behaviors to please our self-obsessed nature. We nurtured destructive attitudes such as jealousy, envy, anger, hatred, competitiveness, lust and vanity. In our ignorance and deception we acted unwisely, oblivious to the fullness of God's way. We did what we felt was right, hoping it would produce an abundant, overflowing and joyous life. Yet in retrospect we reaped the long-term, empty harvest of sin and opposition to the laws of God that, if continued, would ultimately lead to our eternal death (Rom. 6:23; 7:5).

When we partook of the healing symbolism of water baptism, God freed us from being a slave of our "old man," our human nature (Rom. 6). God granted us the gift of acknowledging our breaking of His holy, righteous laws, and redirected our hearts to make Him the focal point of our existence. With God's Holy Spirit we became servants of righteousness (v. 18) and lights of service and love in a world of self-serving darkness.

Daily, Christians become active participants in the renewing of their minds (Eph. 4:22-24). God consistently teaches us righteous character development through the classroom of the world. There are no doubt times when we backslide or fail to overcome the pulls of sin still swirling within our bodies. Our peace comes, however, when we realize that as a fish on a line God "hooked" us to Him by His Spirit and will not let us swim totally away. If we are truly God's possession through Christ, He is faithful to reel us in, motivate us to repent and learn the needed lessons fit for eternity. It is through the trials, troubles and transformation from rebellion to righteousness that we "...prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2).

Before conversion and acceptance of Jesus as our High Priest and King, we read the Bible with a "veil" over our hearts (2Cor. 3:13-16). We did not fully understand the writings of the New Testament, nor did we comprehend how completely the Old Testament pointed to Jesus Christ as Savior. Now with the Holy Spirit, sent by the authority of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38), we drink in the living words of the Bible and experience first-hand their power. We now explore the dimensions of God's love and knowledge in Jesus Christ He has for His children (Eph. 3:17-19).

To assign to Satan the miraculous replacement of our former self-righteous hearts with our blossoming Godly obedience is to plow the darkest depths of deception. The evidence of our converted lives compels us to conclude that only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice has our change become possible. Our accumulated fruit from the Holy Spirit stands as a monument and advertisement of the plan and purpose of Almighty God through our Savior. To assert that a true Christian's new life derives from a belief in pagan-inspired stories and a demonically-created Messiah is to tempt the flames of the lake of fire. We know that the New Testament is of divine origin and that Jesus is the genuine Savior of man because we have experienced their effectiveness in our minds and bodies.

Our relationship through prayer

Before baptism, Christians were cut-off from a close relationship with the Creator. We were aliens and strangers to the riches of knowledge and blessings of God. Yet by the grace of the Eternal we were brought near to Him through Jesus Christ, the only way given in all creation to access the Father (John 14:6). Once baptized, how do Christians maintain this connection to the Godhead? What would be the mortar used to cement a bond with God and build a familial relationship to last for eternity? What supernatural mechanism exists to aid those converted to comprehend the pure truth of deity and chase away doubts from the Devil? It is the divine miracle of prayer that enables the called of God to draw nigh to Him and confirm the writings of life known as the Bible.

The Holy Spirit in us, through prayer, offers Christians the supreme privilege of calling God "Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15, Gal. 4:1-6). It is by using the conduit of prayer that we become intimate with God and Christ. In our conversations with them we learn what they love and hate, what principles they stand for, their will and plans for us, and the life they want us to lead. Our prayerful interaction convicts us of the love of God manifested by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. While the Sabbath is the Eternal's created weekly assembly of worship, Christians initiate prayer time as the daily quality time to grow in their friendship with the Godhead. This communion through prayer is as a sweet smelling incense wafting before the majestic setting of the throneroom of Heaven (Rev. 5:8, 8:3-4). Our prayers remind God that He through Christ is making us into His image of righteous character. Prayer establishes a foundation of familiarity and trust with God and underpins the developing of a relationship that is unshakable and undeniable.

Prayer also leads our hearts into all truth. When we pray we create a type of Holy "circuit of confirmation" with God. His Spirit moves us to pray and to search out answers to our questions. We then talk to God and He opens and directs our heart to His eternal truth and to comprehend how righteous are His words. Prayer aligns the gyroscope of our hearts toward the center of God's will and truth so that we can navigate safely on the sea of life. When we pray through the name of our Savior, our soul steadies and we become renewed spiritually in truth. Prayer is the means by which Christians enter into probing the deep mysteries of God, and it leads us to perceive knowledge and wisdom hidden from the rest of the world. Prayer is a gift and an empowerment given by our Creator to direct His children in the paths of righteousness and integrity of belief.

What would you say if someone told you that your relationship with your close friend or mate was totally founded on lies? What would you think if someone stated that a friendship you developed over years of laughter and tears did not exist? Deceivers wish to promulgate the false notion that a Christian's relationship to God derives from a massive "deception" known as the New Testament. Our fellowship and friendship with God and our Savior, according to this logic, are nothing more than a fabrication of our imaginations. Christians need not fear these vain pronouncements. Prayer, through God's Spirit in us, confirms the faith we maintain in the validity of the New Testament. Our daily personal contact and friendship with God and Jesus Christ through prayer prove beyond a doubt the reality of their existence. Prayer enables Christians to know truth, because by it we maintain an ongoing relationship with the Godhead, which is the source of all truth.

Answered prayer and Gifts of service

God gives His spiritual organism of believers answers to prayer to strengthen their commitment to the truth, and to express His eternal mercy. The Father also grants Christians divinely-sanctioned spiritual gifts so that He may bless the rest of His creation through them. These outpourings of grace soar believers beyond their uncertainty and fears and aid their transformation to the servant attitude of the Messiah.

Answers to prayer uplift us and authenticate the authority found in the name of Jesus Christ. Shortly after the riveting events of Pentecost, the Apostles Peter and John had their first major confrontation with the religious powers of the temple. After Peter, through the Holy Spirit, healed a lame man in the name of Jesus Christ at the temple and preached repentance to the multitudes, the priests and Sadducees arrested them. Their testimony about Jesus to these leaders was authoritative and mighty. After their release, they reported all that had transpired to brethren in the church. Sensing the need to petition God for more boldness to speak His words and miracles to witness to the truth of Christ, the fellowship began to diligently pray. When they finished praying:

"...the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31).

What a fantastic personal reply from the Father!

God still "shakes" the lives of His children as effectively as He did in the first century. We may ask for daily food, or forgiveness, or deliverance from evil, or healing of our bodies. We may call upon the Eternal through Christ for wisdom, a good job, help with relationships or for the strengthening and well-being of fellow humans. Whatever we request, God hears our cries, and through fatherly wisdom fills our need. In fact, God has already answered one of the most important requests a person could ask of the Creator of the universe. If we are true Christians, the prayer we lifted up to God to receive the Holy Spirit was answered when our Father gave it to us at our baptism (Luke 11:11-13)!!

Answered prayer reminds us of the bond of love our Heavenly Parent has with His children. This personal bond becomes reinforced when, through the sacrifice and suffering of Christ, we receive spiritual or physical healing (Isa. 53:4-5, 1Pet. 2:24). Healing is one of the many ways we become beneficiaries of the Godhead's devotion and mercy toward us. When our Father answers any of our petitions, it calls our attention to His singular interest in our lives, and to the awesome knowledge that Jesus is our personal Savior. Answered prayer is one of the basic characteristics proving God's mark on us as His special treasure and as co-inheritors with Christ of the universe.

Our Creator not only answers our prayers, but through His devotion He gives those who are converted differing abilities and talents to edify His church and serve the world. The Apostle Paul testified of this grace when he wrote,

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." (Eph. 4:7-8).

It is by the Holy name of Jesus Christ that Christians receive gifts through grace so that we do not lack the equipment to serve while eagerly awaiting our Savior's return (1Cor. 1:4-7). Our Father's empowerment through Christ equips our spiritual tool belt to be ready for every good work and opportunity to serve that comes our way.

The diversities of spiritual gifts in the church bear witness of the divine mandate of power from which these skills draw their strength. Godly talents are beacons directing the world to the consummate sacrifice of Jesus Christ that made such blessings in us possible. Christians may have the gift of a deep faith in God, the ability to pray and heal others or the gift of teaching. They may have the ability to discern spirits, encourage and guide others or be exceptionally merciful (1Cor. 12:8-10, Rom. 12:6-8). There is a bountiful, cornucopia of talents our Father can shower on us. God draws from the eternal wellspring of His innermost being to pour out gifts to members of His spiritual family. Whenever Christians utilize their individual gifts of service, they proclaim to all creation that God's New Testament promises to His called and chosen people are sure.

Both answered prayer and spiritual gifts are visible manifestations of our Father's mercy and tenderness toward those who are inheritors of salvation. They help Christians become living bearers of the light of a repentant, obedient existence to God's way, and messengers of the hope of the coming Kingdom of God. Those who willfully scoff, ridicule and disregard the Eternal's presence through Christ in His people will answer to the King of Glory for their error. To observe the power of Almighty God yet attribute it to the working of Satan and deception is to race toward the unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:31-32). The elect, however, need not worry or concern themselves with such declarations if they remember they are recipients of the personal visitation of God's might. It is our Maker's joy to instill peace and an abundant, serving life in His called-out ones through answered prayer and spiritual gifts.

Faith

What is Godly faith? "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1). Faith is not just a belief that God exists, for even demons know who God is (James 2:19). Faith is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8). It is the seed of conviction planted in a person's mind that God's way is righteousness, His promises are sure and that He and Jesus are worthy of worship, obedience and love. Christians know that faith is real because it is the spiritual substance they did not possess before their conversion by Jesus the Messiah. Faith is the divine essence, the power from the Eternal to confidently rely on His words and promises given in both the Old and New Testaments.

People we have faith or trust in lead us to act in certain ways. If we trust someone, we may lend them money or our car, ask them to baby-sit our children, reveal personal information about ourselves or work closely with them on projects. If we trust a bank, we put our money in it. If we have faith in a doctor's or dentist's skill, we permit them to work on our bodies. Faith in God and His Messiah is also a "cause" that produces righteous "effects" or actions. The righteous men and women of old through faith conquered kingdoms, performed righteous deeds and overcame obstacles. They endured persecution for the sake of the truth, and sacrificed their lives on the altar of obedience to God (Heb. 11:32-40). The faith we obtained from our glorious calling from God also requires us to be holy in conduct, and at peace even when unrighteous opposition comes our way (Phil. 1:27-28). When Christians suffer such persecution for the sake of Christ, it is evidence of their faith and salvation through Him (v. 28-29). The exercising of faith produces a faithful life filled with the effects of a steadfast loyalty to God's words.

Jesus Christ is both the author AND finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Is faith in the Godhead, made possible through the Messiah, in vain? Far from it!! Cultivation of the seed of faith through the Holy Spirit, aided by Bible study, prayer, obedience and good works become the foundation for the divine nature growing in us. As we Christians progress in our lives, we perceive the expanded knowledge of God, greater self-control, more patience, enhanced kindness and enduring love in us rising forth from faith (2Pet. 1:4-7). Over time our minds, and the fruit generated through faith, conform more to that of our Savior when He was on the earth.

The presence of a Godly faith that rests on the teachings of Jesus given through His disciples influences a life of inner peace. By faith we know that Jesus Christ died not only for our sins, but the sins of the whole world (John 3:16, 1John 2:2). After God forgives us all our sins, He promises to cleanse our lives from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). If we look into our past we will no doubt remember times we felt somehow unforgiven or condemned by God, even after we admitted our sins. Christians, though, can take comfort in remembering and believing that the Father is GREATER than our heart and feelings, and knows everything about us (1John 3:20). Faith moves us to lay hold of the promise that there is no condemnation from God for those who have Christ in them, and who seek to walk according to His precepts (Rom. 8:1-2).

The faith of God introduced in the Old Testament, and enlarged in the New Testament through the work of Christ, is not blind or without proof. Rather, an effect of the metamorphosis of an unconverted mind to a heart renewed is the ability to prove what is the good and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2). Christians proclaim to the world the righteousness and truth of the whole Bible by their attitudes and actions motivated by the faith of Christ in them. Because Christians believe in the sacrifice of the Messiah and maintain faith in Him as their advocate to God the Father, their works through Christ exceed what He did (John 14:12). Those who observe this faith and these works but dismiss and deride them have themselves fallen into the snare of the deceptions of the Devil. Unfortunately, they work to deceive others about the true faith of God, not knowing they are captives themselves of the lie. Thankfully, the shield of faith exists for utilization by Spirit-led Christians to quench these and other fiery darts of deception and wickedness thrown by the Devil and those who oppose God (Eph. 6:10-12, 16). It is with faith that Christians rest in the spiritual peace of God, assured in their conversion and conviction of God's truth.

Christianity in fellow believers

The examples of fellow believers both past and present testify of the effectiveness of the words and work of Jesus Christ. Reading the exploits of brethren who existed before us rivets our attention and stirs the embers of our soul to meditate on their confession and fruit of conversion. We can also note the converted conduct of brethren alive today who have the same Spirit and relationship to the Father and Jesus Christ that we enjoy. As we read of or personally witness the selfless toil for God of our brothers in Christ, we become warmed by the radiating glow of their good works. When these ministering Christians direct their love and mercy empowered by the Holy Spirit toward us, we rejoice and praise God for His work in them. The truth, love and service in those converted, both yesterday and today, remind us of our calling as Christians and confirms the reality of Christ dwelling in those blessed by Him.

The Bible records the men and women who, by example, were announcements of our Father and Jesus' way of life and the righteousness they exemplified. Their living faith displayed through actions speak more about the reality of Christ than a hundred sermons. Noah believed God's words, preached righteousness and built an ark for the physical salvation of man and animal in the midst of a sin-laden society. Abraham left the place of his birth and trusted God to lead him into a strange land. This father of the faithful willingly obeyed God's command to offer his beloved son as a sacrifice. God saw Abraham's devotion to Him and spared the life of his child. Moses, "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt" (Heb. 11:26), walked away from a lifestyle most humans fantasize about to be a part of God's chosen nation of former slaves. Rahab the harlot risked her own life at the hands of her countrymen by shielding Israelites spying out the promise land. Young King David loved God and was rightly zealous enough to overcome what seemed sure death at the hands of the giant Goliath. The accomplishments of the Old Testament faithful stand as memorials of the effects of hearts directed Godward.

The New Testament is also full of demonstrations of Christ's strength in humans who the Father calls to eternal life. The Bible tells us about Mary who, because of the grace of God and her ready acceptance of His will, became a chosen vessel to bear the Savior of mankind (Luke 1:26-38). Although Stephen was a person initially assigned the responsibility of distributing food to widows, God's Spirit moved him to proclaim the truth of Christ. His wisdom, faith and willingness to risk and lose his life for the sake of the gospel put us in awe of the accomplishments that come through the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 6,7). When persecuted, Christians in the fledgling church of God in Jerusalem scattered far and wide and preached the truth (Acts 8:1,4). Rather than be ashamed or fearful, these faithful proclaimed the word of God to those they met, and the Eternal blessed their efforts (Acts 11:19-21). Jesus took twelve men who were ordinary by first-century standards and made them into extraordinary witnesses and foundational teachers of the good news of the kingdom of God. The Apostles exhibited to the world the masterful result of our Messiah's personal efforts to change the heart of man into the character image of God. A man named Saul went from persecutor to preacher due to Christ's direct intervention in his life. Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, is one of the most profound models for patience, service, sacrifice and perseverance. His character, developed over years, speaks volumes for the conversion process through which God leads all His children. Christians have these and countless other men and women as a spiritual heritage from which to draw strength, courage and hope. They stand as remembrances of how God through Christ has worked in those who came before us, and how he will work in us today.

The character we recognize in our brothers and sisters in Christ fortifies our confidence in the work of God. The Apostle Paul commends us to note those who pattern their behavior after Christ when he says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I am also of Christ." (1Cor 11:1). The Apostle John reminds us to "...follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God..." (3John 11). When we consider the outcome of God's miracle of conversion in our brethren's life, there is no doubt that they have learned from Jesus, the Teacher of mankind. When someone is sick, they console, comfort and pray for them. When a fellow human hungers or lacks shelter or needs clothes, they willingly alleviate the deficiency. We see these servants of God bring cheer and encouragement to the down-hearted and fill the spiritual tanks of those running low on strength. When they speak of Christ and His way of life, their words resonate with the Spirit dwelling in us, verifying what is the truth of God. Even when personal trials and troubles arrive at their doorstep, they are steadfast in the faith, and their patience and perseverance is a pattern for us all. They are an oasis of mercy along the sometimes dry and dusty road of life we walk in this world.

Christians are eyewitnesses of fellow brethren who are leaders of love and soldiers of service, whose conduct is evidence of the mind of Christ given by God. Their labors for the sake of the Kingdom are part of God's gift to His church, continually reminding us of our Father's kindness. This evidence fortifies our will to reject the cunning craftiness of men who whisper deceptive words to try to rob believers of their salvation and inheritance in God. Christians can withstand the enticing statements and smooth arguments that desire to put them under the bondage of disbelief and disobedience. Our brethren in the past, and those called of God who sit beside us during worship service, are living signs that Jesus the Messiah not only lives but dwells in the character of His people.

Conclusion

Once more the roaring lion of deception stalks true believers in the gospel of God, looking for those unprepared for its assault. Clever arguments have arisen to challenge the authenticity and genuineness of the New Testament words of life and the divine anointing of Jesus Christ as Savior. It is a Christian's duty to stand firm and confront the blasphemous attacks leveled against the Holy One of Israel, His Messiah and His written witness to mankind. As offspring of our Father in Heaven, we possess living proofs confirming the validity of Christ and His work in the lives of each Christian. We have the testimony of our changed lives, our relationship through prayer, and the gifts of service and answered prayer that bear record of God's labor in us through Christ. We also have faith and the character of fellow believers that add to the evidence of the marvelous New Testament truth and fulfilled promises given by God through the disciples of the Master. The words of both the Old and New Testaments ignite a fire in our souls to comprehend the depths of God's way and His plan and purpose for all mankind. It is by God the Father through Jesus the Messiah that we quench this spiritual thirst, achieve confirmation of our conversion and withstand the doctrinal poisons concocted by the adversary. It is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in us, given by Jesus Christ, that we will find our ultimate salvation and joy in the Kingdom to come.

Written by: THE Bible Study Web Site
Editorial Assistance by Pam Dewey and Richard Fox