Broken Cisterns That Can Hold No Water


Vernon Kerns


“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)


People can access God, the fountain of living waters, through His word, thereby receiving eternal life. When the Jewish people left God’s teaching and went to pagan teaching, they left the fountain of living waters. Attempting to catch life-giving water, they hewed out cisterns through these pagan doctrines. They hewed out cisterns through these pagan doctrines attempting to catch life-giving water. The Jewish people ended up with broken cisterns that could hold no water. 


Religious teachings originating from man are broken cisterns. Not knowing the difference between human tradition and Christ’s teaching that is able save them, many people believe and trust in the preacher to lead them to salvation. Today, many people believe in “broken cisterns” while declaring they believe the Bible. These “broken cisterns” do not come from God.

The doctrine, “saved by faith only” is a broken cistern that can hold no water. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24) Those who teach that people are “saved by faith only” are following man; not God.

“Once in grace always in grace” is a broken cistern that can hold no water. The Bible says, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4) If Christ has no effect on them, how can they be saved?

“Baptism does not save us” is a broken cistern that can hold no water. In 1 Peter 3:21, the Bible clearly states, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us . . .” Many preachers insert the word “not” in Galatians 5:4 and 1 Peter 3:21. This is what Satan did in the Garden of Eden. God said, “... you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17) The devil said, “... you shall not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4) All Satan did was add the word “not.” We must guard against following the devil’s pattern of adding “not” to God’s word. 


Consider, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11) We must follow the pattern set forth by the Bereans and search the scriptures.

We must stop following doctrines of men and just be Christians; reading, studying, believing, and doing the word of God. -2259 Tanner Fork Road, Shock, WV 26638. 304-364-5460.


Return to West Virginia Christian