“ 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: WWW Communication & 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 lands Christianity – Judaism – Islam – Bahia -Zoroastrianism Common beliefs  One God – monotheism  Creation of man  Reward / Punishment

Comparisons 2. Originating in India Hinduism – Jainism – Buddhism - Sikhism Common beliefs Reincarnation 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 philosophers 1.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 nature 2. Hinduism Caste system - spread by inheritance 3. Buddhism Political power 4. Christianity Gospel is power – Rom.1:16 Personal 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. 6:4 2.There is only one Savior - John 8:24 3.There is only one Gospel - Rom.1:16 4.There is only one Body [Church] - Eph.4:4-6 5.There is only one Plan of Salvation Only one True way to God Faith Repentance 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

 History  Major teachings  Worship  Sacred books  Contrast with Christianity

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening Mar. 20, 2011