1. The Bible An Objective Standard One Standard For All People For All Time Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. (Acts 10:34-35)

2. The Bible An Objective Standard For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1:16-17)

3. The Bible - An Objective Standard - God’s Standard O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. (Jer. 10:23) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. (Rom. 10:1-3)

4. The Bible Objective Standard Man Subjective Standard These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13) “I feel” or “I think…” “My family believes…” Tradition – “We’ve always done it this way.” “Preacher so & so said…” “The elders made that decision.”

5. The Bible The Objective Standard If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God….that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 4:11) Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written… (1 Cor. 4:6) If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 Cor. 14:37) …When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. (1 Thess. 2:13)

6. The Bible The Objective Standard Speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). Don’t think of man above what is written (1 Cor. 4:6). Written Word is the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37). Receive it as the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13). Inspired Word; Complete (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Words chosen by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9-13).

7. Man Subjective Standard “I feel” or “I think…” “My family believes…” Tradition – “We’ve always done it this way.” “Preacher so & so said…” – “My priest said…” “The elders made that decision.” Salvation “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) Worship “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (Jn. 4:24) Cancer Dr. asks, “What do you think we should do?”

8. Man Subjective Standard “I feel” or “I think…” “My family believes…” Tradition – “We’ve always done it this way.” “My Preacher said…” – “My priest said…” Adultery "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." (Matt. 19:9) Cancer Dr. asks, “What do you think we should do?” My preacher said God just wants me to be happy. My first wife didn’t treat me right.

9. Man Subjective Standard “I feel” or “I think…” “My family believes…” Tradition – “We’ve always done it this way.” “My Preacher said…” – “My priest said…” Drinking For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. (1 Peter 4:3) Cancer Dr. asks, “What do you think we should do?” Jesus turned water to wine. Paul told Timothy To drink wine.

10. Man Subjective Standard “I feel” or “I think…” “My family believes…” Tradition – “We’ve always done it this way.” “My Preacher said…” – “My priest said…” Assembling not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10:25) Cancer Dr. asks, “What do you think we should do?” He didn’t say Wednesday night. That means 1 hour on Sunday. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… (Matt. 6:33)

11. Man Subjective Standard “I feel” or “I think…” “My family believes…” Tradition – “We’ve always done it this way.” “My Preacher said…” – “My priest said…” Discipline And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. (2 Thess. 3:14) Cancer Dr. asks, “What do you think we should do?” Brother so-so said we couldn’t discipline if they left us. I read where a preacher said family didn’t count. And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12)

12. Man Subjective Standard “I feel” or “I think…” “My family believes…” Tradition – “We’ve always done it this way.” “My Preacher said…” – “My priest said…” Obedience And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Hebrews 5:9) Cancer Dr. asks, “What do you think we should do?” I don’t think baptism is necessary. I have dear family members that weren’t baptized. Jesus says: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)