Prepare-for-War

in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few." Acts 17:10-12

You will note that the Bereans not only were commended for studying and searching out the scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas was preaching was true or not, they also received God's greatest blessing- salvation through Jesus Christ. How many precious souls are there in the world today who miss God's gift of salvation simply because they have not searched out the scriptures? We would be overwhelmed if we knew the number! These souls, most of them, sit in many different churches, assuming that because they follow what the leaders of the church tell them to do that they will "get to heaven" in the end. How tragic! It is ONLY through personal searching, and a personal decision to make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior that anyone gets to heaven. We could spend pages and even books looking into the doctrines of many different churches who claim to be "Christian." But, I am commanded by the Lord to specifically look at one religious belief system at this time. That is the Roman Catholic Church. I want to make a clear statement that I am NOT writing in hatred or prejudice. I am writing out of love. I am NOT saying that "all Roman Catholics are going to hell." I am NOT saying that they are terrible people. I want to gently challenge them as I challenge myself and anyone else who claims to be a "Christian." Have you measured your actions and beliefs against God's word as found in the Bible? If not, would you please do so now? It is my prayer that every person reading this book will soberly and carefully consider their own doctrines as well as the Roman Catholic doctrines in the light of what the Bible has to say about them.

First, let us look at some scriptures.

148