04/15/2026
To those who share a deep love for the Lord and a hunger for His truth, consider some things with me. It is easier to reach many this way than to try to reach you individually. If what I post pricks your heart, or encourages you to study, please let me know! I would love to be involved in your journey to have your eyes opened to the Truth in God's Word that has been hidden from you. Bible study is perhaps my favorite thing to do (besides spending time with my wife and children).
It is always on my mind that as we walk through our lives of faithfulness, we must regularly ask ourselves a vital question: Are we standing exactly where the Bible tells us to stand? It is easy to lean on the traditions we were raised in or the doctrines of a specific denomination or to follow the men and women we or those we love trust, but our only 'Northern Star' must be the Word of God. If those we follow only follow God, then it is okay to follow that person's direction.
Often, the Truth is hard to accept because it has a way of proving us wrong. It challenges the things we have been taught since childhood and the traditions we hold dear. However, accepting that Truth is necessary if we truly desire to follow the Lord. If we find that our practice does not align with the New Testament pattern, we must have the courage to change.
Throughout the religious world, many have drifted from the simple instructions found in the New Testament. Some have added human traditions, such as mechanical instruments in worship, which the New Testament does not authorize.
Others have changed the organization of the church, appointing leaders or roles that were never established by the apostles. We see modern ideologies that elevate men to positions only God should hold. Whether it is calling men "Father" in a religious sense—which Jesus explicitly forbade—or following the charismatic personality of a preacher rather than the Word of God, these are forms of modern idolatry.
Matthew 23:9—"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven."
When we prioritize the traditions of men or the "sacrifices" of our own preferences over the commands of Christ, we are essentially worshipping the creature rather than the Creator.
Romans 1:25—"who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
One of the most significant areas of departure in modern teaching is when and how a person is saved. Many teach that salvation comes at the point of "faith only," before baptism. Many of those who teach this doctrine do not treat it seriously and thus we are often asked why we care so much about Baptism or told that we should not care so much. But the New Testament presents a different picture. Jesus Himself connects belief and baptism as the path to being saved.
Mark 16:16—"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
When the crowd on the day of Pentecost asked what they must do, Peter did not say "just believe." He provided a clear command for the forgiveness of their sins.
Acts 2:38—"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
The message to Saul of Tarsus was equally direct, indicating that sins are washed away at the point of baptism, not before.
Acts 22:16—"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Even the apostle Peter plainly states that baptism is not merely a symbolic act, but is linked to our salvation through the resurrection of Christ.
1 Peter 3:21—"There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
While many emphasize "faith only," the Bible never uses that phrase in a positive sense regarding salvation. In fact, it says the opposite. This does not mean we earn our salvation, but it means that an obedient faith—one that responds to God's commands—is the only faith that justifies.
James 2:24—"You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."
Hebrews 5:9—"And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him."
To obey is not the same as believing, but a person must believe and obey. Faith is believing to the point of obeying, no matter what.
The New Testament does not describe a world of various denominations with different names, creeds, and conflicting doctrines. It shows us one body following one truth.
Ephesians 4:4—"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;"
Ephesians 1:22–23—"And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
Instead of identifying with man-made names, idols of personality, or labels, the New Testament church is identified by its relationship to Christ. Because Jesus bought the church with His own blood, we should strive to be simply Christians, members of the body He established.
Romans 16:16—"Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you."
Acts 20:28—"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."
It matters that we get this right. Sincerity is a wonderful trait, but sincerity alone is not the standard for judgment—truth is.
John 17:17—"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
Galatians 1:8–9—"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed."
The call for every one of us is to go back to the Bible alone. Let us set aside human manuals, creeds, and traditions. It may be difficult to admit when we have been following a path that isn't found in Scripture, but our eternal salvation depends on our willingness to submit to God's Word.
If we follow exactly what the New Testament teaches—believing, repenting, confessing Christ, and being baptized for the remission of sins—we can have the biblical assurance that we are doing what God has asked. Let us all strive to stand before God one day and say with confidence: "I followed Your Word."
In Christ,
Caleb
