“Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” Acts 26:5

Gal. 1:13-14 “the Jews’ religion”

James 1:26-27 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.27. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

“The service and worship of God or the supernatural” Web.

Questions that men ask: How did we get here ? Why are we here ? What should we do ? Where are we going ? Is there life after death ?

Religion gives answers to these questions

Shrunk the globe:WWWCommunication & Transportation

More likely to come in contact

World religions more militant and aggressive

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Pet.3:15

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3

24 Great religious movements in world

12 are still alive

8 came into existence before Christ

Comparisons 1. Originating in Biblical landsChristianity – Judaism – Islam – Bahia -Zoroastrianism

Common beliefs

One God – monotheism

Creation of man

Reward / Punishment

Comparisons 2. Originating in India

Hinduism – Jainism – Buddhism - Sikhism

Common beliefsReincarnation Each person is reborn into world

Goal – to escape the cycle of rebirth

Comparisons 3. Originating in East Asia

Taoism – Confucianism – Shintoism

Common beliefs Blended with forms of Buddhism No belief in a creator god

Blend nature and ancestor worship

Comparisons Deity

Six have strong belief in a supreme being

Two started without a belief in a deity and later accepted their founders as deity

Three believe in many gods – polytheism

Four are monotheistic – belief in one God

Comparisons Sacred writings

Near East religions emphasize that their writings contain the final revealed truth.

Emphasize that it is necessary to obey this revealed will.

Human philosophers1.Islam Mohammed

Vision from Gabriel Man created from clots of blood

Errors

2. Buddhism Gautama Buddha Believed in Reincarnation

1. Islam Spread by military force

Appeal to sensual nature2. Hinduism

Caste system - spread by inheritance

3. BuddhismPolitical power

4. ChristianityGospel is power – Rom.1:16Personal contact - Acts 8:4

Are they different paths leading to the same destination ?

Are we simply finding “God” according to our own religion ?

There is no real difference in all these religions of the world !

1. There is only one God - Deut. 6:42. There is only one Savior - John 8:243. There is only one Gospel - Rom.1:164. There is only one Body [Church] - Eph.4:4-65. There is only one Plan of Salvation

Only one True way to God

FaithRepentance

Confession Baptism

Man is a religious being !

Religion separates man from the animals

God has revealed the one true religion

John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

22.Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Islam

Hindu

Buddhism

Confucianism

Christianity

Judaism

HistoryMajor teachingsWorshipSacred booksContrast with Christianity

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening Mar. 20, 2011