Return to the Old Paths

2 God Pleads with Man to Return to Him Days of Noah, 2 Peter 2:5 Days of Noah, 2 Peter 2:5 Isaiah, Isaiah 1:16-20 Isaiah, Isaiah 1:16-20 The remnant, Zech. 1:3; Mal. 3:7; 4:4 The remnant, Zech. 1:3; Mal. 3:7; 4:4 John the baptizer, Matthew 17:11-13 John the baptizer, Matthew 17:11-13 God’s pleas were mostly ignored, Jeremiah 6:16-21; 8:4-7 God’s pleas were mostly ignored, Jeremiah 6:16-21; 8:4-7

3 The ONLY Way of Salvation God’s will through Jesus, Acts 4:12 (Jno. 14:6) God’s will through Jesus, Acts 4:12 (Jno. 14:6) Returning to God’s ways… OLD PATHS…is at the heart of the gospel we believe, obey and teach, 2 Pet. 1:12-15 (1 Peter 4:11) Returning to God’s ways… OLD PATHS…is at the heart of the gospel we believe, obey and teach, 2 Pet. 1:12-15 (1 Peter 4:11)

4 Return to Absolute Respect for the Inspired Scripture The word of God, 1 Cor. 2:6-13; 14:37; 1 Ths. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16- 17; 2 Peter 1:3 The word of God, 1 Cor. 2:6-13; 14:37; 1 Ths. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16- 17; 2 Peter 1:3 Respect for Bible has been and continues to be eroded Respect for Bible has been and continues to be eroded

5 Return to Absolute Respect for the Inspired Scripture Secular humanism Secular humanism “We believe...that traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species.” (Humanist Manifesto II, 1973) “We believe...that traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species.” (Humanist Manifesto II, 1973)

6 Return to Absolute Respect for the Inspired Scripture Immorality (Col. 3:5-6) Immorality (Col. 3:5-6) Hypocrisy (Matt. 23:2-3) Hypocrisy (Matt. 23:2-3) Doctrines that deny Scripture Doctrines that deny Scripture New revelation doctrines, Holy Spirit guidance apart from the word doctrines, liberal theology, etc. New revelation doctrines, Holy Spirit guidance apart from the word doctrines, liberal theology, etc.

7 Return to using Bible as our Only Source of Authority Return to Book-Chapter-Verse Preaching, Acts 17:2-3; 18:28 (Rom. 3:9-19) Return to Book-Chapter-Verse Preaching, Acts 17:2-3; 18:28 (Rom. 3:9-19) Return to contending for the faith, Jude 3-4 (Acts 6:9-10) Return to contending for the faith, Jude 3-4 (Acts 6:9-10)

8 Returning to the Old Paths of the Gospel Will return hearts to God, Mal. 4:5-6 (Luke 1:16-17) Will return hearts to God, Mal. 4:5-6 (Luke 1:16-17) The gospel has the power to turn sinful hearts to God, Eph. 4:20-24 (Acts 2:37; Luke 8:15) The gospel has the power to turn sinful hearts to God, Eph. 4:20-24 (Acts 2:37; Luke 8:15)

9 Returning to the Old Paths of the Gospel Will return to Christ’s law of pardon, Acts 3:17-20, 26 Will return to Christ’s law of pardon, Acts 3:17-20, 26 Unity on how to be saved (Eph. 4:5) Unity on how to be saved (Eph. 4:5) Not prayer…faith only…HS experience Not prayer…faith only…HS experience New Testament: Hear, believe, confess faith, repent, baptized (Acts 2: 21, 38, 40-41; 8:35-38; 16:30-34) New Testament: Hear, believe, confess faith, repent, baptized (Acts 2: 21, 38, 40-41; 8:35-38; 16:30-34)

10 Returning to the Old Paths of the Gospel Will return to purity in worship (Lev. 10:1-2) John 4:24 Will return to purity in worship (Lev. 10:1-2) John 4:24 Sing (Eph. 5:19); Pray (Acts 2:42); Give (1 Cor. 16:2); Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7); Preach (Acts 20:7) Sing (Eph. 5:19); Pray (Acts 2:42); Give (1 Cor. 16:2); Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7); Preach (Acts 20:7) When the heart is not right what it offers to God is not accepted, cf. Isa. 1:10-15 (Jas. 4:6-10) When the heart is not right what it offers to God is not accepted, cf. Isa. 1:10-15 (Jas. 4:6-10)

11 Returning to the Old Paths of the Gospel Will return the local church to its proper order, Acts 16:4-5 Will return the local church to its proper order, Acts 16:4-5 Organization, Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2 Organization, Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2 Work, Acts 6:1-4, 7 Work, Acts 6:1-4, 7 Unity, 1 Cor. 1:10 (Eph. 4:16) Unity, 1 Cor. 1:10 (Eph. 4:16)

12 Returning to the Old Paths of the Gospel Will return to doctrinal accuracy, 1 Tim. 4:1 (1:3); Gal. 1:6-10 Will return to doctrinal accuracy, 1 Tim. 4:1 (1:3); Gal. 1:6-10 End the spirit of compromise End the spirit of compromise End acceptance “as long as you are sincere and open to study…” (1 Kgs. 18:21) End acceptance “as long as you are sincere and open to study…” (1 Kgs. 18:21)

13 Returning to the Old Paths of the Gospel Will return to pure morals and holy living, 1 Peter 1:13-16 Will return to pure morals and holy living, 1 Peter 1:13-16 Modest clothing, 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Modest clothing, 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Not adulterous remarriages, Matt. 19:9 Not adulterous remarriages, Matt. 19:9 Self-control (not smoking, drinking, drugs, profane language) 1 Cor. 9:25 Self-control (not smoking, drinking, drugs, profane language) 1 Cor. 9:25

14 Returning to the Old Paths of the Gospel Not idealistic fairy tale, 2 Pet. 1:16 Not idealistic fairy tale, 2 Pet. 1:16 Not brainwashed fanaticism, Gal. 4:19 Not brainwashed fanaticism, Gal. 4:19 Jesus requires it! Matthew 7:21-27 Jesus requires it! Matthew 7:21-27 Old path is the good way of rest for the soul, Jer. 6:16 (Col. 3:17; Matt. 28:18) Old path is the good way of rest for the soul, Jer. 6:16 (Col. 3:17; Matt. 28:18) Pattern of sound words, 2 Tim. 1:13 Pattern of sound words, 2 Tim. 1:13