This weekend I upgraded the operating syatem on my Mac to OS X (pronounced "ten.) I absolutedly love this OS. It's built on Unix, a very stable operating system and one that programmers like Randy love. It has many cool features; here is a sample: a customizable "Dock" that contains icons which launch your programs; windows that can be displayed three ways: icon view, list view, and column view (very nifty); over 30 free programs like ichat, iphoto, itunes, and imovie; a translucent "aqua" graphical user interface that is unlike anything I have ever seen on a computer. Did I tell you that I love this OS?

In fact, this new operating system (version 10.2, and code named "Jaguar") has completely transformed my computer from what it was when it ran OS 9. My screen looks like nothing it did before. That's because Apple started from scratch and designed a completely brand new operating system. It's so unlike what we Mac users have been used to all these years that there is a small learning curve in adjusting to it. I bought a book that explains OS X in great detail to help me out. I still have to boot up in OS 9 occasionally when working with my older files but ten will be the OS I predominantly use in the future.

But is newer always better? Not when you're talking about serving God. Since the gospel was revealed 2000 years ago, men have been trying to improve it. They've added instruments to improve the music and the social gospel to extend the gospel's mission. They've trimmed away unpopular doctrines like baptism for the forgiveness of sins, expanded women's roles, including those living deviant lifestyles, all in an attempt to improve the gospel and make it more attractive to the 21st century, post-modern culture. But is it better? I think not.

The apostles preached a gospel that persuaded men to believe in Jesus, convicted them of their sins, beseeched them to repent and be immersed to obtain forgiveness. People obeyed in droves. In those early years, the church increased mightily. In time, the gospel came to the Gentiles (Acts 10). Saul of Tarsus became a Christian and the Lord's emissary to the Gentiles. Paul and others established churches throughout the empire. The spreading of the gospel was proceeding smoothly.

But then some Judaizers came along saying the Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the law in order to be saved (Acts 15). Paul and the other apostles vehemently opposed their teachings, insisting that Jews and Gentiles are saved alike, by faith in Christ (vv.9-11). A letter was sent to all the churches discrediting these men who were spreading these false doctrines (vv.23-29). But that didn't stop them. They continued peddling the perverted gospel that they had concocted. Their success at deceiving the Galatians prompted Paul to write them a letter. All Christians should heed this warning, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (Gal1:8)

Sadly, religious folks have not listened. Through the centuries, the gospel has evolved leaving a trail of division and confusion. The remedy for all this is to go back to the Bible. We need to go back to speaking as the oracles of God. We need to stay within what has been written. To our religious neighbors who may be visiting, we invite you to study with us. Let's open up our Bibles and read the word of God together. Let's have an open mind. Let's resolve together to follow only the apostles' traditions and forsake the traditions of men, the catechisms and creeds that have divided us for too long.

I love my new Mac OS; it's so much better than the old one. But as far as salvation goes, give them that 2000 year old gospel; it's more than good enough. It's the only gospel that can do the job!

Mark 1:26-27 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Acts 17:18-19 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Colossians 3:8-11 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.