Who Should Determine True Religion?-What the Bible Record Shows

What The Bible Record Shows

That the above conclusion has solid Scriptural support is clear from the Bible record. By searching this record, you will find that God dealt with his people through one system of worship. Early in mankind's history, God used patriarchs, or family heads, as his representatives. Prominent among them were Noah, Abram (Abraham), Isaac and Jacob. -Genesis 8:18-20; 12:1-3; 26:1-4; 28:10-15.

The people who descended from Jacob came to be enslaved in Egypt. While there, they were cruelly oppressed yet grew to number into the millions. God delivered them from captivity, miraculously bringing them through the Red Sea. Then he adopted them as his people, providing them laws by means of the mediator Moses. They became the ancient nation of Israel, God's nation. -Exodus 14:21-28; 19:1-6; 20:1-17.

Significantly, God did not approve of the forms of worship practiced by people in the nations surrounding Israel. In fact, he punished his people when they deviated from his laws and adopted such forms of worship -Leviticus 18:21-30; Deuteronomy 18:9-12.

What about individuals from other nations who wanted to worship the true God? they needed first to abandon their former false worship and then join Israel in the worship of Jehovah God. Many of them gained God's approval and became his loyal servants. These included women, such as Rahab, the Canaanite and Ruth the Moabite; men, such as Uriah the Hittite and Ebed-melech the Ethiopian; and groups of people, such as the Gibeonites. Israel's King Solomon offered a heartfelt prayer in behalf of all who, like them, joined in true worship with God's people. -- 2 Chronicles 6:32, 33.

Next time: Who Should Determine True Religion? - After Jesus Came To Earth

Awake! 2008