This is a mirror of "Frequently Asked Questions" by Darwin Fish. i
Q1. Are you the only true church/believers?
We suggest you take a look at our Statement of Faith to understand why we say, we do not know. There was a church in Murfreesboro, TN, but that has since dissolved. Other than that, we have not yet, as of this date, found another church that is in the truth, ii and we have been to many. Will we find one? Actually, the real question is, will Christ find one?
When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? iii
Some foolishly iv judge us to be in error because we can not name another true church, but their standard is a standard of men, not the word of God. v
In regards to other Christians, we believe God has always had His remnant, vi and there is at least one Rechabite vii and a few true Jews on the planet. viii But, we have yet to meet any other disciples of Christ who we are convinced are among those who continue in the faith. ix We long to meet other saints, but the days we live in are dark, x and most are deceived. xi To our recollection, we have only met one believer that was already in the truth before they met us, and in this case, they had just recently repented. Other than this one exception, everyone we have met has been in some way caught in the deceit of this age. xi We ourselves were caught in such deception, but the Lord delivered us from those who speak perverse things; and He continues to deliver us. xii
Q2. Can you name any other true believers/teachers in history xiii since the early church xiv until now?
No, and some are aghast that we would answer in such a way. They erroneously conclude, therefore, that we must be a cult. But, here again is another man-made standard by which fools judge. iv Where in the Word of God does it say we should be able to name true believers of the past? Nowhere. For a more detailed response to this question, see our article, Believers Of The Past.
Q3. How many people are in your church?
Currently there are about 50 people. We have often been wrongly accused of evil because our size is small. But we know truth is not by majority vote, xv and narrow is the way and few find it. xvi
Q4. Do you ever sin?
Please see Ecclesiastes 7:20 and 1 John 1:8-9 for the answer to this one.
Q5. Has Darwin ever been convicted of a crime?
No, as of this date Darwin has never even been arrested. Actually, Darwin served as a Probation Officer for several years.
Q6. Are you in any way militant xvii or reclusive or communal? xviii
No. We live in our own homes. Some have guns. Some do not.
We believe in obeying the governing authorities. xix We also believe many of the preachers today like MacArthur, Hayford, Stanley, Catholicism, etc., that teach a "Christian" can commit suicide and yet still end up in heaven are akin to the type that have served lethal Flavor Aid in the past. If they do not actually serve literal suicidal grape drink, they certainly offer the spiritual poison that leads to hell.
Q7. How much about Him must you believe to be saved?
On your statement of faith you must have faith in the testimony of who Jesus really is. How much about him must you believe to be saved? You can keep on learning more and more about the word as you read the bible and hear preachers, but when is it exactly that you believe enough about him to "have faith in the true jesus?" xx
xxi Abraham was saved and he simply believed, "So shall your descendants be." xxii It is not a matter of how much. It is a matter of where. Where is the trust. xxiii If it is in what God says, and only in what God says, xxiv therein is salvation. xxv
A test in doctrine reveals where the trust is. Those who truly trust what God says xxvi heed whatever the Word says. xxvii Those who claim to have faith in God, but heed not His word, prove themselves to be liars. xxviii Doctrine separates the sheep from the goats. xxix
Q8. Do you think your theology is 100% correct?
We certainly have not attained perfection. As it is written,
And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. xxx
We know in part, xxxi but what we do know we hold fast to xxxii and fight for. xxxiii We know we are still capable of sin, xxxiv so we know we are quite capable of being wrong. That's why we love Biblical correction. It is the way of life. xxxv
Sadly, because of this human error factor, people typically believe the truth cannot be known on a vast amount of Scripture. But, we know otherwise. xxxvi We hold fast to what we know to be true and are ready to repent if shown otherwise via the Word of God. Because, we believe this is the only way to eternal life - faith in God's word, all of it. xxxvii
You may want to read The Unity Of The Saints and What Must I Do To Be Saved?.
Q9. Why is your exegesis superior to that of others?
Why is your exegesis superior to that of others?
Thanks. xxxviii
xxxix Any true believer will have a proper exegesis xl compared to any other unbeliever. xli See, for example, John 8:47. For an example of proper exegesis as compared to eisegesis, see the article on Paul Washer. xlii
Q10. Are you saying that you have to do more than just believe on Christ's death and resurrection to be saved?
Yes, you need to believe in Christ Himself, xliii not just what He did. Jesus Christ is all of the Bible, the word of God. xliv Your trust must be in God's word, because that's who Jesus is. xlv
Q11. Are you saying that you worship the Bible?
Yes, not the paper, ink, or cover, but all that it says we worship and live by. xlvi
Q12. What if a person believes in Jesus and trusts Him with their life, but has some theological issues wrong? What if they have misinterpreted some Scriptures? Do you believe that person will still be saved?
Being saved equals coming to the knowledge of the truth. xlvii Therefore, theological error is greatly diminished in true salvation. Anyone whose theology characteristically contradicts Scripture is lost. xxviii They do not believe in Jesus, no matter what they claim. They do not have God. xlviii
There are certain things Scripture identifies as theologically damning. In other words, if they have this theological error, they are not saved and do not believe in Jesus no matter what the person claims.
For example, believing in a false gospel is damning. xlix There is no salvation in a false way. l If part of the person's theological error is a false way, as the false way in the prevailing false Christianity, then their claim to believe in Christ is false.
Another example of this is faith in a false Christ. li If the person you speak of "believes in Jesus and trusts Him," but that "Jesus" he believes in is a false Jesus, then this theological issue is damning. There is no salvation in a false Christ. And, that is what false Christianity promotes, a false Jesus. lii
Moreover, no matter what the theological error is, if they continue in it, even after being shown the truth, liii they manifest they do not believe in Jesus, liv because he who is of God hears God's word. xxvii
The crux of salvation is finding the truth and remaining in it. lv Therefore, theological error, no matter what the issue, has the potential to damn the soul, as Peter wrote,
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. lvi
Furthermore, there is a huge difference between someone who is on an entirely false way, lvii a false religion, lviii and someone who is in the truth. lix One is completely caught in lies and deception, idolatry/demons, and false religion. The other is in the Truth, lx knows in part, xxxi and is growing in knowledge. lxi As it says in Proverbs 9:9, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." See also Proverbs 1:5.
A fool and a scoffer, lxii that is, someone caught in false Christianity, will not increase in learning, lxiii because they haven't learned anything to begin with. Their heart is darkened, lxiv and they know nothing. lxv Because, the beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord. lxvi The men we expose and those involved in false Christianity do not fear God, thus they have not even begun to have knowledge, because they "despise wisdom and instruction." lxvi Therefore, the "knowledge" they appear to have is only part of the Satanic deception lxvii to create the delusion that they are in the truth. But, actually, they twist all of the Bible, lxviii and they hate the Truth and are pawns of the devil. lxix
Therefore, there is a massive difference between those caught in false Christianity and those in the Truth. The liars, xxviii the false teachers, are simply propagating their lies, their false religion, and will only grow worse. lxx True believers, who will be wrong on occasion, correct their errors lxxi and grow in truth, lxi because they are on the way of truth xv which is the way of life. lx As it is written,
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life. xxxv
He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray. lxxii
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility. lxxiii
Q13. I thought saving us was Jesus' job. Doesn't the blood of Christ save us from damnation and not our "knowledge?"
Man's self-inflicted ignorance and lack of knowledge and understanding lxxiv is what is bringing him to hell. As it is written,
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. lxxv
Jesus is the only One who gives the knowledge it takes to be saved. lxxvi That knowledge is faith in His word. lxxvii His blood is only applied to those who have this knowledge. lxxviii As it is written, God our Savior,
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. lxxix
Q14. How do you know the Bible is true?
The Bible is self evident, just as God is self evident. lxxx and the Bible lxxxi and God are one and the same. lxxxii It does not say the physical paper, ink, or cover is God, but what is said is the Word, and the Word is God. lxxxiii
Romans 1:18-21 reveals men are without excuse, because God is clearly seen in His creation. lxxxiv Since the Word of God liv is God, His Word is as well clearly seen lxxxv in creation, as it is written:
The heavens declare the glory of God. lxxxvi
In other words, the heavens speak forth God's word, as Paul wrote, quoting Psalm 19:4,
Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. lxxxvii
Paul speaks in the context of the gospel being proclaimed, thus Paul reveals the gospel lxxxviii is proclaimed in creation, in particular in the heavens.
But that's not the only place His word is being proclaimed. It is proclaimed in the outside, in the streets, in the open squares, at the gates of cities, on high hills, where paths meet, to men everywhere, wisdom, who is Christ Himself, lxxxix who is the word of God, xc is being proclaimed to men; xci but they refuse to listen. xcii And God holds them to account for not taking heed. xciii
This is another way you can see that the Bible lxxxviii is self evident, via God's response to those who do not believe. It is judgment, eternal judgment, for not believing. xciv
For example, when a man who was a son of a prophet spoke the word of the Lord to his neighbor, "Strike me, please," and the man refused to strike him, God killed him for not hitting him, for not obeying His word. xcv And so it is for everyone who does not believe the testimony God has given of His Son. liv If you don't believe the Bible, no matter who you are, you make God a liar. xcvi Everyone will be held accountable and be judged by His word. xcvii
Sadly, because men are desperately wicked, xcviii they do not heed His word however it may come to them, and they are in the bondage of the devil xcix and in great darkness. c The beginning of breaking out of this darkness is to literally fear God. ci As Jesus said,
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God . . . cii
Salvation breaks the vicious cycle of sin and unbelief, and brings the knowledge of God and His word. ciii
Peter G. Habegger sent Darwin the book, The Journey from Texts to Translations, by Paul D. Wegner. The following is Darwin's email civ to Mr. Habegger after receiving the book.
Thank you again for the book. I enjoyed reading it. Sadly, it is evident the author is a false teacher caught in the prevailing false Christian world, but it was interesting nonetheless.
On page 101, speaking of the OT Wegner writes,
The books that were later placed into the Old Testament canon were of a self-authenticating nature and did not derive their authority from a person or an ecclesiastical decree.
Similiarly, on page 147 speaking in the context of the New Testament Wegner writes,
It is important to remember that the Christian church did not canonize any book. Canonization was determined by God.
That is true.
Scripture is self-evident, since Scripture is God Himself. cv As God is self-evident in creation, cvi so He is self-evident in His word. It does not take a church counsel or two or three to know God's word is God's word, it takes the Spirit of God working in a man cvii to know. Otherwise, men are left to the darkness and blindness of their own hearts cviii held captive by Satan cix and the god of this age. cx The confusion and debate over what is Scripture discussed by Wegner well illustrates the darkened mind of man.
It is immaterial what the false church cxi has done. Even God's chosen people cxii were corrupt, yet they were keepers of His Holy Word. cxiii So, whether God used unholy men or not to preserve His word is immaterial. He nevertheless has preserved His word, and it is only by the Spirit of God any man will ever know it is His word and respond to it properly. It is not via Church counsels. It is via the Spirit of God.
Two sentences after the above quote Wegner writes,
The little we know regarding this process . . . cxiv
Throughout the book Wegner uses the terms "seems," "probably," "appears," "suggest," etc.. That well sums up the sandy ground of history. It is not solid ground, cxv especially when it comes to ones eternal soul. No trust should be placed there, as it is trust in man and his writings. cxvi
So, we know the Bible is God's word, not because of history or what man has done with it, but because of the Spirit of God that gives light to every man who comes into the world. cxvii
In fact, this is something Mr. Wegner denies, that is, that God's word, the very gospel and message that saves, cxviii is given to every man, apart from any in hand physical written text. Wegner quotes cxix the Westminster Confession of Faith, stating,
Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable [Rom. 1:17-20; 2:14]; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation [John 17:3; 1 Cor. 1:21; 2:13-14]: cxx
That is lie. Nowhere does the Bible teach it is not sufficient. In fact, the very text Wegner cites speaks of the knowledge of God men know, but reject, cvi and another passage notes that it is the knowledge of God that is eternal life. cxxi Men reject the very knowledge that would save them. cxxii
Moreover, Paul explicitly declares that the gospel is preached in creation, cxxiii and the Bible exemplifies men being saved with no mention of any written text. cxxiv
You stated in your first email,
If you believe that the early church leaders, whose writings God used to help establish the New Testament canon, were false teachers, and were unsaved according to the Bible, then how then can you trust the New Testament Canon? You cannot.
Yes we can, because the New Testament is God's word, regardless of what wicked men have done.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE ADDED?
You can email us at: [email protected] or call 1-800-HOW-TRUE.
Notice: If you contact us, in no matter what form or way you contact us, we may make your communication to us public. Phone calls may be recorded and/or made public. Emails may be distributed and/or made public. If you do not desire such exposure, cxxv do not contact us. cxxvi
- Last updated, October, 2016. ^
- 1 John 4:6 ^
- Luke 18:8, see also 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2 ^
- Matthew 7:1-2 ^ ^
- Matthew 15:8-9 ^
- Romans 11 ^
- Jeremiah 35:18-19 ^
- Romans 2:28-29; 11:2-5, 25 ^
- Romans 2:7; 1 John 2:3-5 ^
- Revelations 12:9 ^
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2 ^ ^
- Proverbs 2:12 ^
- outside of the Bible ^
- 100 AD ^
- 2 Peter 2:2 ^ ^
- Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24 ^
- like David Koresh ^
- like Jim Jones ^
- Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13 ^
From: Matt Davis
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 4:43 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: who jesus really is
From: Darwin Fish
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 6:24 AM
To: Matt Davis
Subject: Re: who jesus really is- Genesis 15:5-6; Romans 4:3 ^
- faith ^
- Proverbs 4:27a ^
- Matthew 4:4; John 1:1; 14:6 ^
- and no other ^
- John 8:47 ^ ^
- 1 John 2:4 ^ ^ ^
- 2 John 9; 1 John 4:6 ^
- 1 Corinthians 8:2 ^
- 1 Corinthians 13:9 ^ ^
- Philippians 2:16; Titus 1:9 ^
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Jude 3 ^
- 1 John 1:8-10 ^
- Proverbs 6:23 ^ ^
- Psalm 25:14 ^
- Matthew 4:4; James 1:21 ^
From: tommy mason
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 12:45 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please Explain Why
From: Darwin Fish
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 4:35 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Please Explain Why- characteristically ^
- though, they claim to be a believer, as in 1 John 2:4 ^
- particularly points II and III ^
- John 3:16 ^
- Revelation 19:13; Hebrews 4:12-13; James 1:21; Matthew 4:4 ^
- John 1:1, 14 ^
- Psalm 56:4, 10; 130:5; 138:2; Isaiah 66:2 ^
- 1 Timothy 2:4; John 14:6; Hebrews 10:26 ^
- 2 John 9 ^
- Galatians 1:8-9 ^
- Matthew 7:13-14 ^
- as in Matthew 24:24 or 2 Corinthians 11:4 ^
- e.g. see our article on Greg Laurie ^
- as in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 ^
- the Bible ^ ^ ^
- John 14:6;15:1-6 ^
- 2 Peter 3:17-18 ^
- the broad way, Matthew 7:13-14 ^
- false Christianity ^
- true Christianity, which is true Judaism, Romans 2:28-29 ^
- John 14:6 ^ ^
- 2 Peter 3:18 ^ ^
- synonymous terms, e.g. Proverbs 9:7/14:3/17:21/21:24/Psalm 10:4/14:1 ^
- Proverbs 14:6; 17:10, 16; 27:22 ^
- Romans 1:21-22; Ephesians 4:18 ^
- as in 1 Timothy 6:4 ^
- Proverbs 1:7 ^ ^
- Revelation 12:9 ^
- 2 Peter 3:16 ^
- e.g. 2 Timothy 2:26 ^
- 2 Timothy 3:13 ^
- Proverbs 9:9 ^
- Proverbs 10:17 ^
- Proverbs 15:31-33 ^
- Romans 1:18-22; Ephesians 4:18 ^
- Hosea 4:6 ^
- Psalm 25:14; Matthew 11:25-27; Mark 4:11-12; Romans 9:16, 18 ^
- John 1:1, 14; 3:16; Revelation 19:13 ^
- Romans 5:1-2, 9; Revelation 21:8 ^
- 1 Timothy 2:4 ^
- e.g. Romans 1:18-21 ^
- the Scriptures ^
- e.g. John 10:35; Galatians 3:8; Revelation 19:13 ^
- John 1:1 ^
- Romans 1:20 ^
- i.e. self evident ^
- Psalm 19:1 ^
- Romans 10:18 ^
- God's word ^ ^
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 ^
- Revelation 19:13 ^
- Proverbs 1:20-23; 8:1-7 ^
- Proverbs 1:24; Romans 1:18-21 ^
- Proverbs 1:24-33 ^
- e.g. John 3:36; Revelation 21:8 ^
- 1 Kings 20:35-36 ^
- 1 John 5:10 ^
- Hebrews 4:12-13 ^
- Jeremiah 17:9 ^
- Acts 26:18 ^
- Ephesians 4:17-18 ^
- Proverbs 9:10 ^
- John 7:17 ^
- Proverbs 2:1-12; John 8:47 ^
- edited.
From: [email protected]
To: Peter G. Habegger
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 1:43 PM
Subject: The Holy Scriptures - John 1:1, 14; Galatians 3:8; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 19:13 ^
- Romans 1:18-20 ^ ^
- John 7:17; 8:47; 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 ^
- Ephesians 2:1; 4:18 ^
- 2 Timothy 2:26 ^
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 ^
- yes, false church, Catholic, etc., as the book discusses ^
- the Jews ^
- Jeremiah 2:8 ^
- that is, "this process of canonization." p. 147 ^
- Eccesiastes 1:11 ^
- Jeremiah 17:5 ^
- John 1:9 ^
- James 1:21 ^
- in agreement with ^
- p. 27 ^
- John 17:3 ^
- Romans 1:28; Proverbs 1:24-29 ^
- Romans 10:18/Psalm 19:1-4 ^
- e.g. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Job, etc., See Psalm 147:19-20 and Acts 10:35; Hebrews 11 ^
- Ephesians 5:13 ^
- John 3:19-21 ^
[...] We do not claim to be the only true church. "It says so in your FAQ. Sorry, I don't believe that God is going to send all but 50 people to hell. Moving on." It says that we don't know of any other true churches; that is not a statement affirming that we are the only ones. [...]
[...] From our FAQ: Q10. [...]
[...] In anticipation of your next likely question (the difference between the errors of a true believer and the errors of those who are false), please see our FAQ #12 [...]
Stay out of our discord and please get some help.
With what do I need help?
There is many places to stick your penis, an electrical outlet. Is not a good spot for one
I agree, that's not a good place to put your penis.