The closing verses of Acts 16 show Paul and Silas leaving Philippi, where Paul had established the first church on the continent of Europe. Acts 17 has them arriving at Thessalonica. There, as was Paul’s custom (we are told in verse two), they went into the Jewish synagogue and reasoned with them from the Scriptures on three Sabbaths (Saturdays).
Those in counterfeit religions, such as Mormons, ask people to believe what they teach based on a person’s personal feelings, even in spite of reason. Some years ago, two Mormon “elders” asked me to pray, asking God if the things they said were so--and it would be revealed to me that they were true. The authority for that is not found in the Bible, but in the Book of Mormon (Moroni 10:4). It is just one of the multitudes of things that have been added to God’s word by the Mormons, a thing that God forbids in Deuteronomy 4:2 and other places.
True religion is based on evidence, explanation, reason, proof, and--above all--Scripture. Neither The Book of Mormon, nor any other teaching, which adds to, takes from, changes and contradicts God’s revelation in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, can be from God. We are warned in Galatians 1:8, 9 not to accept any claim, even if from “an angel from heaven,” that proposes any change in the Gospel of Christ revealed there. The Mormons claim an angel named Moroni delivered a “modern day revelation” to Joseph Smith.
John 4:1 warns us to test the spirits of those who claim to be “prophets,” as Joseph Smith and others did and continue to do because many false prophets are in the world. What they say cannot be tested through prayer. Their teaching can only be “tested” by what the Scriptures say. God commends those who test what they hear, as we see in Acts 17:11. There are no apostles, prophets or inspired preachers or teachers in the world today--despite the claims of many. God’s inspired word was committed to the Scriptures and His revelations to its writers ended with the completion of the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Ephesians 4:11-13). All so-called claims of “modern day revelations,” have none of the confirmations from God that the writers of the New Testament Scriptures were able to present (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:4). Satan uses false prophets in his work of deceiving the world.
The church of Christ at Monticello adds nothing to what God has said but observes His warnings not to do so. Come and visit with us and see if this is not so. Inquiries and comments welcomed. Call 706-468-8499, e-mail eallard@bellsouth.net, or write P.O. Box 564, Monticello GA 31064. Visit us Sundays at 1866 Hwy. 212 West at 10 & 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursdays at 6 p.m.