Friday, February 03, 2017

So-called Christians?

Posts

LikeShow more reactions
Comment
Chronological
Comments
Russell Norman Murray This editor is difficult. My apologies.

Interesting on Telus tonight, I caught the end of Tomorrow's World from the Living Church of God which is a Worldwide Church of God off-shoot. I have already disagreed with binitarianism 

http://drrnm.blogspot.ca/2017/01/binitarianism-in-brief.html

The more cultic, legalistic head showed its ugly self this evening as churches that do not hold to the Hebrew Bible, Sabbath were called 'so-called Christian churches.' So, Sabbatarianism must be followed or people are damned? To hell from an orthodox, Christian view. To annihilation in their view.

(I note that from my problem of evil and theodicy work in the United Kingdom, annihilation is considered a theory on hell.)

That sure reads and sounds like salvation by works to me (see Ephesians 1-2). Hmm, and who exactly follows the law perfectly enough to be saved on that basis (see Romans, Galatians, Hebrews)?

So, one follows the Sabbath (Christians) and therefore is saved, unlike those Lord's Day Christians. Hmm, are you sure you do not lust in your heart? (Matthew 5-7). And that is just one of the other commandments. If I secretly followed you around for a day.and vice versa...

On second thought; are we all going to hell now? Or with the Armstrong view, are we all going to be annihilated? Because no one can always follow the law without sin.

https://www.lcg.org/statement-of-beliefs.shtml

Cited

'THE SECOND DEATH

The "second death" is eternal death—total annihilation. Those who experience the second death shall never again regain consciousness (Malachi 4:1; Matthew 10:28; 25:46). The second death is, in fact, total extinction, (Revelation 20:14-15). "If we sin willfully" after having received the knowledge of the truth, there is no forgiveness of such willful sin (Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-31).'

Cited

'SALVATION

Salvation is God’s gift by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Romans 5:10). Upon repentance and baptism, God justifies us from our past sins. We then begin an ongoing process of "being saved" as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Our salvation will be complete at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). In observing the biblical Festivals and Sabbaths, we come to understand more deeply God’s plan of salvation, and the steps toward salvation that we take as Christians.' 

Apparently then believing in the biblical Jesus Christ (John 3, John 14, Acts 4) in the atonement and resurrection is not enough. There is a 'plus the law' stipulation. The law correctly understood.

Just read Romans, Galatians and Hebrews to see that is error. There is a new covenant with the old practices not transferred, but the spirit of the law is summed up in the great commandment and in gospel teaching. 

This view from a Reformed perspective misunderstands sinful nature. There would be no point in God forgiving past sins alone, because until the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) the sinful nature remains. The atoning work of Christ covers all sins for those in Christ.

Cited

'ANNUAL FESTIVALS PICTURE GOD’S MASTER PLAN OF SALVATION

God’s annual Festivals are listed in Leviticus 23 and in Deuteronomy 16. These God-given holy days were commanded to be observed "forever" (Leviticus 23:14, 21, 31, 41). The Apostolic Church observed the annual Sabbaths (Acts 2; 12:3-4; 18:21; 20:6, 16; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 16:8). These Sabbaths will continue to be observed during Christ’s millennial rule (Zechariah 14:1, 9, 16-19).

God’s annual Festivals picture the seven vital steps in His plan of salvation:'

There is some reasonable debate on whether the Church could or should meet on Saturday or Sunday, but it is not a matter of being the true Church. 

Any church that claims the Sabbath versus the Lord's Day is a heaven/hell/annihilation divider is itself cultic. I realize these people call upon the Lord, and I will let God judge in regard to salvation (Hebrews 9:27, Matthew 7).

It is so human for a group that denies the deity of the Holy Spirit to imply that those that hold to the Lord's Day and not the Sabbath, are heading to destruction. 

Do I get any salvation points by attending Northview Community Church on a Saturday sometimes? But, is that cancelled out because I attend on Sunday too? I went to a Wednesday class as well. Is this adding up as bad points against me?

P.S. I do in the spirit of the law, take a Sabbath, day of rest. Sunday usually.

This sort of misguided, cultic, theological dogmatism is a problem of evil...

Romans 14 New American Standard Bible (NASB) In part

14 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the [a]servant of another? To his own [b]master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person [c]regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, [d]does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall [e]give praise to God.”
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)