Certified By God
Albert E. Farley
We have, hanging on our wall, two prized “certificits.” They were written by our youngest daughter when she was in early elementary school. One reads, “Certificit of Award … I hearby pronounce Nancy A. Farley for being the best MOM!” It is authenticated with its own “seal.”
To certify is to declare. Certificates are issued by many authorities and agencies to establish and guarantee authenticity, qualification, and quality. They guard against deceit, fraud, imitations, and false claims. They are issued by governments, schools, regulation boards, commissions, etc. We see them displayed in professional offices. They are printed on food and clothing labels. Official papers are certified with signatures and seals.
When the apostle Paul traveled in the Roman province of Galatia on his three missionary journeys, he preached the gospel of Christ without addition or subtraction. Later, when he wrote to the congregations there, he said, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11, 12.
Paul certified that the gospel he preached was genuine; it was authentic. It was from Jesus Christ! He declared that, if anyone – apostles, angels, or any other man – would preach any other gospel than that which he had preached and which they had received, “Let him be accursed.” 1:6-10. He repeated this warning for emphasis.
Today, the certified gospel of Jesus Christ has been perverted by man. That is, the true, genuine, certified gospel of Christ has been twisted, turned, and converted – converted from the pure, saving gospel of Christ to a mixture of denominational doctrines that are based upon the commandments of men! These are not other gospels; they are the perversions of the genuine, true gospel. These cannot save and those who are responsible for them are accursed by God! Notice. Please read these scriptures closely!
The Bible certifies only one faith, but the denominational world declares many unscriptural and perverted faiths. Acts 6:7; Ephesians 4:4; 2 Timothy 4:7; Jude 3, etc.
The Bible certifies only one plan of salvation: faith in Jesus as Christ, repentance from sin, confession of Jesus as Christ, and baptism into Christ for the remission of sins; but the denominational world declares unscriptural salvations by faith only and other perverted sectarian doctrines. Mark 16:15, 16; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:36-38; 8:26-39; 16:30-34; 22:16; Romans 6:1-18; Galatians 3:26, 27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21, etc.
The Bible certifies only one baptism (immersion in water for the remission of sins), but the denominational world declares many perverted, unscriptural baptisms (sprinkling, pouring, and dipping, but not for the remission of sins). Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 4:5; etc.
The Bible certifies only one church (the one built by Christ and purchased with His own blood), but the denominational world declares many perverted and unscriptural denominations. Matthew 16:18, 19; John 17:19-20; Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 12:13; etc.
The Bible certifies only one true worship, but the denominational world declares many unscriptural, humanly devised worships. Matthew 15:9; John 4:24; Acts 2:41, 42; 17:25; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10: 16, 17; 11:23-34; 16:1, 2; etc.
The Bible certifies only one reason for divorce and remarriage, but the denominational world declares many unscriptural and perverted divorces and remarriages. Matthew 19:1-9; etc.
The Bible certifies only one hope of eternal life, but the denominational world declares many false, unscriptural hopes. John 14:6; Acts 2:47; 4:12; Ephesians 4:4; 5:23; etc.
This list could go on-and-on, but these are sufficient to prove the truthfulness of God’s Holy Word, the Bible.
Yes, there are many certificates issued in the world for many valid reasons. However, when it comes to our faith, our salvation, and our hope of eternal life, the only certification that means anything is the certification of God.
Dear friends, what about your religion? What about your faith? Are you putting your hope and trust in the many perverted, damnable, humanly-devised doctrines in the world that are not certified by God, by Christ, by the Holy Spirit, nor by the Bible! Is your faith certified by God or by man? Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5:39, 40.