Posted by Rev. Mike
on October 25, 2009, 7:34 pm
69.133.158.99
I have been reading the post reference differences in how and what we believe and I am beginning to see a lot of legalism or perhaps a better statement would me a rigidity of beliefs. When we become so rigid in our thoughts and beliefs that we tell other denominational beliefs that their beliefs are incorrect we run the risk of sitting in judgment of others and it is my understanding that judgment is God's area. It is enough for us to state what we believe and why. Are we to say that Catholics are not Christians because they believe that the communion is transmuted into the body and blood of Jesus. Or do we believe that to be 'correctly' baptized you have to be immersed or sprinkled or dunked three times forward and two back? What of the different beliefs of the different mainstream Protestant denominations -Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.? Each has different theological and denominational beliefs so who is right? One believes that 'once saved – always saved?, while others believe that it is an ongoing process, while others believe that salvation can be lost.
The Catholic church has the Catholic Bible which contains books that Protestant denominations do not have in theirs, so are Catholics not Christians? I personally know a lot of Catholics who believe and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and they still worship as Catholics. The same is said of Messianic Jews – Jews who have accepted Jesus as their Savior but still follow Jewish traditions. Do you say they are not part of God's Kingdom?
The last paragraph of the Christians At Large doctrinal statement reads: “We believe that all men are, by nature and by choice, sinners, destitute of all power to save themselves. We believe that the gift of salvation is by grace only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that is the greatest gift of God the Father. This is the primary message of Christians At Large Ministry, taking precedence over all differences, whether they are theological, denominational, ideological or physical in nature.”
The deciding factor in whether or not someone is Christian is their statement of faith. It is the same statement that Peter made when Jesus asked “Who do you say that I am?' and Peter replied, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Peter believed in Jesus as the Son of God and knew in his heart that Jesus was the Messiah and followed Him. That is the basis of our belief – that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It doesn't matter is we believe that communion is transmuted into the body and blood of Jesus or it is just a remembrance. It doesn't matter if we are dunked, sprinkled, or turned upside down and plunged in head first.
We we begin to say that if someone believes in the Gospel of Thomas, the Catholic Bible, how they are baptized, or take communion, we set ourselves in judgment. The question that needs to be answered is, “do you believe that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior?” On the other stuff, I plan on letting God work that out. I urge that you let God work it out for you also. It is our job to show others what we believe and why in love. When we dictate that what they believe is wrong, we begin to sit in judgement. Personally, I think that God has a great sense of humor and He is sitting around laughing at our silliness in this.
On this last note, I ask that you remember the doctrinal statement of this ministry when you deal with other Christians. About other religions such as Mormonism, Islam, Buddhism, and others, we know that they believe differently and do not follow what we know is the true and only path to salvation but that does not mean that we do not treat them with respect and love. When we dictate, downgrade, browbeat, and demean others, we are not showing the love of Jesus. Jesus taught with love. Can we do no less?
This message board was set up in the belief that we could have discourse with others in love. We are not to degrade or be offensive in, not only what we say, but how we say it. Please remember that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. My mother had a great saying (which I know isn't original but it still stands true today) - "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it."
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