Rev. David Holwick * Evening study
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
June 25, 2006
Acts 4:12
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I. The great presumption.
A. Out of thousands of religions in world, how can Christians
say they are only way to heaven?
1) We are not the only ones - Muslims do as well.
2) Hinduism tolerates anyone who accepts their approach
to syncretism.
B. Truth is, by definition, exclusive. It excludes the opposite.
1) But truth must be undergirded by love.
2) Christians have been guilty of smugness and harshness.
3) Yet our message, not the messengers, is often the real
stumbling block.
II. Jesus himself claimed to be the only way to God.
A. His resurrection, and consistent message, support this.
B. Do other religions teach the same thing at their core?
1) Fatherhood of God - Buddhism doesn't really believe in God.
2) Brotherhood of humanity - apart from God, we are all
divided.
3) Other religions have aspects of the truth, but not the
whole.
a) It is not like a committee of blind men describing an
elephant, with each being partially right.
b) It is not a bunch of parts, but an elephant.
C. Morality does not replace theology.
1) How we live is important, but it doesn't trump all else.
2) Dilemma of Gandhi being more "christian" than Christians.
a) Why would he go to hell and not us?
1> Only God sends people to hell.
2> God can be trusted to do what is right. Gen 18:25
3> Heaven is a gift of God's grace.
A> Are those who reject that grace "good"?
B> Only the redeemed can be righteous.
b) Salvation of notorious sinners like "Son of Sam."
III. The dilemma of those who have not heard.
A. God sovereignly decides which culture we are born into.
1) He can reach us with the gospel in his own way. Acts 17:26
a) Some believe because of a loving Christian.
b) Others have visions or dreams.
2) All know enough to be condemned.
a) Do we all know enough to be saved?
B. Why people reject Jesus.
1) Other religions are easier.
2) Jesus calls us to die to ourselves.
a) He is the way, the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through him. John 14:6
b) There is no other name under heaven by which
we can be saved. Acts 4:12
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This evening series was adapted from Lee Strobel's book "The Case For Faith."
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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