People pray to Jesus. They pray to the Holy Spirit. They pray to God the Father. That there is a tremendous amount of confusion about where to address our prayers is not difficult to observe. Literally thousands of religious bodies in the United States are teaching different things about where to address our prayers. We know God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33); so therefore, He is not the origin of denominations and their doctrines. One particular doctrine that has been on the rise is that a person is saved from sin through "the sinner's prayer.

Each denomination has a different slant about this, but one way or another they pray to Jesus to receive forgiveness of sins; by this they "accept Jesus." His followers asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Lk. 11:1). He taught that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us, answers our petitions (I Jno. 5:14,15). Only Jesus forgives sins. He came for that purpose (I Tim. 1:15). While walking the earth, Jesus forgave sins immediately (Mt. 9:1-6). Jesus ascended into heaven, so now we pray directly to the Father through Christ (Heb. 4:16). Jesus is our heavenly advocate before the Father's throne of grace (I Jno.1:8-2.2). Now before the throne of grace we approach in the name and by the authority of Jesus (Col. 3:17; Acts 4:7).

In the mountain sermon, Jesus told the crowd to pray to the Father in heaven. Prayers are to be directed only to the Father in heaven through the name of Jesus (Mt. 6:5-15). Again He said, "And In that day you will ask Me nothing, Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you" (Jno. 16:23). We do not pray TO Jesus, nor TO the Holy Spirit, nor BY any authority the Spirit might possess. We pray TO the Father THROUGH Christ. God gave all authority in heaven and in earth to Jesus only (Mt. 28:18). That authority is enabled in the all authoritative words of Jesus. And His Words will be the basis and standard of judgment on the last day (Jno. 12:48-50). It is at repentance and baptism one loses his sins by the blood of Jesus, not through prayer. Kindly take notice to carefully observe 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."

via P.O. Box 3 75, Hillsboro, TX 76645

Whoever is afraid of submitting a question to the test of free discussion is more in love with his own opinion than with truth.

Gospel Meeting
The Eagle Lake church of Christ is hosting a Gospel Meeting set to begin today and running through Wednesday (10th–13th). The speakers and songleaders are the students at the Florida School of Preaching and the theme is, “Living Lessons From Jesus and the Prophets”. Weeknight services begin at 7 pm. 

Ladies’ Day
Next Saturday, April 16
Here at Orange Street

Next Saturday
April 16 - 8 am
at N. Jackson Ave.
church of Christ - Bartow

Ghana Campaign
Several of our number are planning to accompany Bob Bauer on a missionary journey to Ghana, West Africa, May 19th through June 6th, 2005. Those who are able and would like to help with this good work can make single contributions and the moneys will be split up as needed among the group of missionaries. Contribution checks should be clearly marked for the “Ghana Fund”.

Examine your life regularly. Before we can help anyone else to know God we must first be Christians ourselves. We should examine our lives daily. (2 Cor. 13:5) If we are not in a right relationship with God, we need to rectify the matter immediately. Life is too short. Eternity too long to do otherwise.