Dear Saints,
I have re-written the 95 theses article that was released almost 2 years ago. It was originally titled: "95 Theses to the Evangelical Church" but after reviewing these again I felt some of the theses were more critical of the church then helpful and more tearing down then edifying. So even the title I felt was more suitable that the theses are "for" not "to" which shows that they should be embraced and will be helpful for local churches. I want to try and take out any leaven in my heart towards being critical of the "Church" and just writing against its problems. We must also give solutions for we are part of this "Church" that Christ died for and shed His precious blood.
My hope and prayer is that these theses will help encourage, uplift and if needed rebuke some who are straying in the faith of our wonderful Lord. You are free to re-post these theses on your blogs, websites, forums, Facebook, or twitter. God bless.
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1. The chief end of men is to glorify God. This should be the magna carta of mankind. (Rom 16:27; 1Cor 6:20; Mt 6:9; 1Cor 10:31)
2. As Christians, we are not to ignore the methods, practices and principles found in the book of Acts. Rather, they are to be our example. (Acts 2:42,44; Acts 2:46; Acts 2:38)
3. Church attendance and participation is not to be treated like a social club or sports event. (Acts 2:46; Heb 10:25; Acts 1:14)
4. Christianity is about a self-less life lived among a community of believers. (Rom 12:5; 1Cor 12:12; 2Tim 4:16)
5. The priesthood of all believers is not much understood or realized. (1Pt 2:9; 1Cor 12:12; Eph 4:11-13)
6. We are ingrafted into the promises of Israel and therefore should as a whole be more humble with our standing. (Rom 11:15, 17-18, 20, 25)
7. Expository teaching is needed in the church to preach the whole counsel of God and not pet doctrines. (Acts 20:27; 1Tim 4:6, 2Tim 2:15)
8. Having bibles in our possession is a great honour and we must take this more seriously. (Ps 119:16; Acts 13:44; Neh 8:9)
9. Bible reading and studying has been neglected in an age of bible awareness and availability. (1Tim 4:13; Neh 8:1-3; Ps 119:59)
10. The purpose of bible study is to obey and walk in the truths we study. (Jam 1:22; Mt 7:21; 3Jn 4)
11. Worship music has been the unhealthy focus in many churches and the mixture with worldly music and produced little results. (Amos 5:23; Phil 4:8; 1Jn 5:21)
12. The worlds culture and ways seem to be unhealthy influencing the church in our day. (Rom 12:2; Mt 5:13; 1Cor 1:22-23)
13. Giving to missions is still a problem. We spend much more on ourselves then others. (2Cor 9:6; Lk 21:2; Acts 4:34-35)
14. Denying our lives and taking up the cross is a fundamental teaching of Jesus Christ. (Lk 14:33; Lk 14:26-27; Mt 8:19-20)
15. The call to make disciples not just converts is the great commission. (Mt 28:20; 2Tim 2:2; 2Tim 2:14)
16. Our entire live is to be devoted to Jesus Christ not just parts of it. (1Pt 4:2; Col 3:3; 1Jn 2:6)
17. Many do not understand the call to sacrifice all for Christ because they have not seen His great love for them. (Phil 2:21; Jam 3:16; Rom 12:1-2)
18. Disciplines in the Christian life are needed to be encouraged (fasting, prayer, etc). (2Tim 2:21; 2Tim 1:8; Mt 6:17)
19. A new realization that many are on their way to a Christless eternity is needed. (Phil 3:8; Gal 2:20; Heb 10:34)
20. There is an epidemic of people treating grace cheaply when there is little conscreation in their lives. (Lk 14:28-30; Lk 14:26; Jam 4:8)
21. Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel had the requirements of repentance and discipleship. (Acts 2:38; Lk 14:26; Jn 8:31)
22. Jesus taught the way is narrow and many modern preachers say it is wide. (Heb 10:29; 4:11; Lk 13:24)
23. Introspection, sorrow over sin, and confession are healthy aspects of Christian life. (Acts 2:37; Ps 119:9; Heb 6:1-2)
24. We are called to love our neighbours before ourselves. (1Cor 3:3; Gal 5:13; Phil 2:3)
25. Business principles have no place in the activity of the church. (2Cor 2:17; 1Cor 3:5; 1Cor 12:23)
26. The role of pastor is not to be used to make money off God's people. (Jn 10:12-13; 1Pt 5:2-3; Rev 2:15)
27. God clearly defines those he desires in leadership yet we choose those we want instead. (1Tim 3:2-3; 1Tim 3:5; 1Tim 1:5-7)
28. Being a professional pastor is wrong, God uses those who are not wise in their own eyes. (2Cor 11:13; Gal 3:1; Gal 2:6)
29. The idolization of leaders in the church is wrong. We must look to all as simply servants of Jesus Christ. (3Jn 9; Jer 17:5; 1Cor 12:22)
30. We are to trust in the Spirit of God not in statistics. (2Sam 24:1; 1Cor 1:25; Rom 8:14)
31. We persecute modern day prophets by neglect and lack of financial support. (2Tim 4:3-4; Gal 1:10; Jer 1:7-8)
32. Still in our day prophets are treated with scorn as being too extreme but they are simply declaring God's unadulterated word. (Jer 6:10; Isa 6:9-10; Gal 4:16)
33. False prophets are speaking out of their own authority and many are loving their messages. (Mt 24:4, 11-12; 1Cor 1:19, Jude 8 )
34. In the evangelical church there are false gospels being preached today. (2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:8-9; Jude 16)
35. To be merely correct in doctrine is not enough, it has to be real in our lives. (2Cor 3:6; 1Jn 5:11-12; Rom 8:9)
36. A salvation message without making men holy is not the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Jude 4; Rom 8:1; Rom 6:17-18)
37. Unbelief is still one of the major sins that hinder us from being fruitful for the Lord. (Eph 1:1; Heb 6:11-12; Heb 10:26-27)
38. The bible declares all believers as saints. Not in just title but in actual living too! (1Jn 2:29; Col 3:5-8; Tit 3:8)
39. Some modern theologians and preachers are hindering people to be a part of the body of Christ. (Mt 23:13; Ps 119:1-2; 2Pt 1:3-4)
40. Humanistic preaching today is the focus. (Jn 6:26; Rom 4:20; 1Pt 4:11)
41. Smooth kind words are all we hear in pulpits today. Very little speaking against sin happens! (Jer 6:14; Pro 1:23; 1Tim 5:20)
42. We must go away from any gospel that preaches financial success is godliness. (Jn 2:16; Acts 20:33; Jer 6:13)
43. We must go away from preachers who just preach on how you can be a better person. (1Tim 6:5; Heb 12:14; Jam 4:14)
44. We must go away from preachers who just promote and esteem men. (Col 1:18; Jude 25; Jn 16:14)
45. We must go away from preachers who do not preach the precious blood of Jesus. (1Pt 1:18-19; Eph 3:13; Rev 1:5)
46. We must go away from churches where you never sense the presence of God. (1Cor 5:4; Ps 80:14-15; Jer 12:11)
47. We must go away from churches where you can live comfortably in your sin. (1Cor 14:25; Heb 10:30-31; Heb 4:13)
48. We must go away from preachers who use the pulpit for personal agendas and not to proclaim God's truth. (Jude 10-11,19; 3Jn 9)
49. We must go away from preachers who speak of division between race and cultures. (Jam 2:4, Gal 3:28, Rev 5:9)
50. We must go away from churches where there is endless empty prophesying. (Jer 5:13; 1Cor 14:33, 1Jn 2:16)
51. We must go away from preachers who tell mostly stories and jokes. (Eph 5:4; Tit 1:8; 2:12)
52. We must go away from preachers who use one gimmick after another to get your money. (2Pt 2:3; 2Cor 12:14; 1Cor 9:18)
53. To pray for salvation without repentance is not the true Gospel message. (Rom 10:9-10; Col 1:13; Acts 26:20)
54. If a person is saved there will be evidences of his salvation in the life. (1Jn 2:6; 1Jn 4:17; Mt 7:20)
55. God is not only a God of love but also of justice. (Rom 1:18; Acts 5:11; Ps 2:12)
56. The message of salvation is for the purposes of God not just for our good. (Rom 3:19; Acts 26:18; Phil 3:18-21)
57. The law should be preached before the Gospel is given, so that men may know they are sinners in need of a Saviour. (2Tim 4:3-4; Rom 2:4-5; 3:19)
58. Modern philosophy and thought has been mixed with the word of God in the church. (Col 2:8; Rom 1:25; Gal 1:6)
59. Assurance in the sinners prayer alone has caused many false conversions in the church in our day. (2Pt 2:1-2; Eph 2:4-5; 2Cor 5:17-18)
60. Many sadly, will be surprised to hear Jesus say, “I never knew you, depart from me.” (Mt 7:22-23; 1Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21)
61. Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit in assuring men of their eternal security. (1Jn 2:3-5; 2Ths 1:8; Gal 6:12-15)
62. The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is very neglected by many in our day. (Mt 13:42; Jam 5:1; Ps 9:17)
63. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to bear account for our lives. (2Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; 1Cor 3:13)
64. The second coming of Christ should be in our thoughts more. (1Jn 3:2-3; Col 3:4-6; 1Ths 4:14-17)
65. The church has lost the fear of God and has only preached the love of God. (Heb 12:28-29; Lk 12:5; Heb 10:31)
66. Evangelism is left to a few trained professionals instead of calling everyone to this work. (Acts 8:1,4; Acts 4:29; Rom 10:14)
67. Repentance is considered a one-time instead of a daily way of life. (Rev 3:19; Heb 12:17; 2Pt 3:9)
68. The Lordship of Jesus Christ in the believer should be the experience of all Christians. (Acts 2:36; 1Cor 12:3; Rom 6:18)
69. Church discipline and correction is hardly done. (1Cor 5:5; 1Cor 11:31-32; Heb 12:7-9)
70. Salvation is thought as a theory instead of having men come to the living Christ. (Jn 5:40; Col 1:28; 2Cor 4:5)
71. The full message of the Gospel, forgiveness and victory over sin has been neglected in our day. (1Tim 1:11; Jude 25; Rom 15:29)
72. Sin and the depravity of men needs to be preached more in our churches. (Jn 3:20; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5)
73. Covetousness and accumulating goods does not appear wrong to modern Christians. (Jer 22:17; 1Jn 2:15-16; 1Tim 3:3)
74. The missing element of evangelism is the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1Cor 15:14-15; Acts 4:10, 33)
75. We easily can rely more on technology then God's Spirit. (Zech 4:6; 1Cor 1:21; 2:4)
76. Prayer meetings are not even considered important in some modern churches. (1Tim 2:1; Acts 4:31; Phil 4:6)
77. Prayerlessness in the pulpits and pews is a major problem. (Jer 10:21; Phil 2:21; Eph 6:18-19)
78. We must wait on God for His direction for the church. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. (Eph 1:11; Ps 37:7; Isa 40:31)
79. Weeping over sin and the lost is rarely seen. (Phil 3:18-19; Rom 9:1-3; Jer 9:1)
80. The gifts of the Spirit need to be restored to the Church again. (2Tim 4:2; 1Cor 14:39; 1Cor 12:31)
81. To be sober-minded and serious is important at times. (2Pt 3:11; 1Pt 4:7; Jude 3)
82. Prayer is the secret weapon of the Church of Jesus Christ. (1Jn 3:22; Acts 6:4; 1Ths 5:17)
83. Traditions can sadly be more important to us then the working of God's Spirit. (Mk 7:13; Acts 16:6; Acts 13:2)
84. Many pastors teach that you cannot be free from sin. This goes against the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. (Rom 16:18; Rom 6:1-2; 2Pt 2:1)
85. The message of victory over sin was a major theme in the New Testament. (Tit 2:11-12; 1Pt 1:14-16; Rom 6:19)
86. We are saved to be conformed the image of Christ and to abound in good works. (Rom 6:13; Eph 2:10; 2Pt 3:14)
87. Justification is not only a legal term but also it happens practically. (2Tim 2:19; 1Pt 4:17-18; 2Tim 3:12)
88. A demonstration of holy living in needed in our day. (1Tim 6:3; 2Ths 3:6; 2Ths 2:13)
89. The early church put great emphasis on good works. (Tit 3:8; Jn 10:32; Rev 3:15)
90. Being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ is the great purpose of God for the believer. (1Pt 1:14-16; 1Jn 2:6; 1Pt 4:1)
91. God gave His Son for the church so that it could accomplish His will. (Eph 5:27; Tit 2:14; Col 4:12)
92. God makes the heart of the believer clean so that Christ can reside there. (2Cor 5:17; Mt 5:8; Eze 18:31)
93. We are called by God to be a holy church that is a light to the world. (Mt 5:14,16; Eph 4:1; 1Ths 2:12)
94. Out of appreciated for the salvation Jesus Christ gives us we are to live to please God. (2Ths 3:6-7; 1Ths 4:1,11-12)
95. The Scriptures share the possibility of falling away from Gods grace. Therefore we myst seek to abide in Jesus daily. (Heb 3:12-14; 2 Timothy 4:10; John 15:5-6).