To ensure that the existing followers of a certain religious group will continue to follow their self-made leader and even to attract more followers; the leader and his cohorts may devise some “miracles”.
With the recent technological advancements; these deceptions may appear in any of these forms:
1. Take advantage of cloning; the aged leader may disappear and later on, his clone will surface and will tell the story that they wish to tell to their unsuspecting members. The story may be of physical transformation with blessings from Above.
2. One may deceive others by taking advantage of drugs. Have you watch a tv series entitled “Flatliners”? Here, a guy injected a drug to his system that literally stops the beating of his heart for a few minutes; that at this moment, his spirit may communicate with the other spirit he wished to. His friends will revive him later on. This scheme may reenact the rising from the dead of Jesus. And, an ambitious religious figure may take the risk for this scheme just to gain more followers.
3. Those religious groups that worship idols or religious images, figures and statues may make use of Hollywood Magic just to entice their followers’ loyalty.
Monday, May 18, 2009
TRADITION vs SCRIPTURES
The Holy Week Tradition
Is this tradition really holy? Firstly, how come one became holy or what is the procedure to become holy? Let us examine the Scriptures to shed light for this. What the scripture sayeth? Quote verse here…..
As regards to days; certain religious groups that regard these days as holy has all their rights to do so but, other groups also may not consider these days as such. Apostle Paul had this to say in Romans 14:5-6…” One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth averyday…he that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord, and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard…”. For me; I regarded everyday as holy because, everyday is of the Lord. If I may add; there’s no such day as being cursed; like this Friday the 13th thing. The Lord made all days good. It is man’s doings that make days evil. And so, this is plainly an activity that is up to man to do but, not required of God. Thus, it has no bearing or weight whatsoever this activity may present unto our Living God; especially on man’s salvation.
If I may say something about the activities of some religious individuals on these days; I think what they are doing is a mockery upon the Lord. Why, because it reenacts the grievous and cruelest act of men to the Lord. Besides, the self-inflicted pain and wound on ones body that they believed as an act of repentance of their sins; is an act of vandalism upon the temple of God. This body is not ours; it is of God. We have no authority whatsoever on this body. Moreover, repentance is to be sorry of our sins. And the right action is to refrain from committing sins and, not to harm ones body like what these men are doing. This reenactment of Jesus’ experience in the hands of wicked and unbelieving men has nothing to gain spiritually. It’s a shame-it is useless.
Related to this is the abstinence of meat and fasting. This is also being connected to this repentance thing. Again, repentance is the act of accepting that we are sinners and should be sorry about it. Now, to be sorry and to eat not and to refrain from eating meat is far apart from repentance. You can do it as a token of being sorry for but again there is no worth for it the eyes of God; especially for our salvation.
If anyone thinks that by doing these things could blot out sins and bring one to heaven; then forget it. For the Scripture sayeth:
1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of
persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass
the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:
1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your
vain conversation [received] by tradition from your
fathers;
1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot:
1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of
the world, but was manifest in these last times for
you, 1st Letter of Peter
IDOLATRY
The Doctrine of Creation is important to the proper worship of God. If there is a
supreme God who has created everything that exists, then none of these things
is a worthy object of worship. Hence it follows that God alone is due all of man's
allegiance and worship. Man could never become an idolater as long as he really
believed in the Biblical doctrine of creation. Paul approaches idolatry in this light
in Romans 1:19-23. He shows that man did not like to retain God in his
knowledge, with the result he changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an
image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and
creeping things, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator,
who is blessed forever.
Is this tradition really holy? Firstly, how come one became holy or what is the procedure to become holy? Let us examine the Scriptures to shed light for this. What the scripture sayeth? Quote verse here…..
As regards to days; certain religious groups that regard these days as holy has all their rights to do so but, other groups also may not consider these days as such. Apostle Paul had this to say in Romans 14:5-6…” One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth averyday…he that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord, and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard…”. For me; I regarded everyday as holy because, everyday is of the Lord. If I may add; there’s no such day as being cursed; like this Friday the 13th thing. The Lord made all days good. It is man’s doings that make days evil. And so, this is plainly an activity that is up to man to do but, not required of God. Thus, it has no bearing or weight whatsoever this activity may present unto our Living God; especially on man’s salvation.
If I may say something about the activities of some religious individuals on these days; I think what they are doing is a mockery upon the Lord. Why, because it reenacts the grievous and cruelest act of men to the Lord. Besides, the self-inflicted pain and wound on ones body that they believed as an act of repentance of their sins; is an act of vandalism upon the temple of God. This body is not ours; it is of God. We have no authority whatsoever on this body. Moreover, repentance is to be sorry of our sins. And the right action is to refrain from committing sins and, not to harm ones body like what these men are doing. This reenactment of Jesus’ experience in the hands of wicked and unbelieving men has nothing to gain spiritually. It’s a shame-it is useless.
Related to this is the abstinence of meat and fasting. This is also being connected to this repentance thing. Again, repentance is the act of accepting that we are sinners and should be sorry about it. Now, to be sorry and to eat not and to refrain from eating meat is far apart from repentance. You can do it as a token of being sorry for but again there is no worth for it the eyes of God; especially for our salvation.
If anyone thinks that by doing these things could blot out sins and bring one to heaven; then forget it. For the Scripture sayeth:
1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of
persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass
the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:
1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your
vain conversation [received] by tradition from your
fathers;
1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot:
1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of
the world, but was manifest in these last times for
you, 1st Letter of Peter
IDOLATRY
The Doctrine of Creation is important to the proper worship of God. If there is a
supreme God who has created everything that exists, then none of these things
is a worthy object of worship. Hence it follows that God alone is due all of man's
allegiance and worship. Man could never become an idolater as long as he really
believed in the Biblical doctrine of creation. Paul approaches idolatry in this light
in Romans 1:19-23. He shows that man did not like to retain God in his
knowledge, with the result he changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an
image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and
creeping things, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator,
who is blessed forever.
Doctrines of Religions versus Teachings of the Holy Scriptures
1. Sainthood: Other religions declare some to sainthood after death but, the Bible declare believers as saints while still alive.
2. Heaven or Hell: Others are not sure where their spirit will be going while still alive but the Bible tells us that while still alive; one could decide where for eternity his spirit will go and live.
3. Food: Others will not eat certain kind of foods while the Bible already declared that it may be eaten; it is of no importance today what to eat or not.
4. Day: Others are particular on the day of worship but the Bible says that it is of no importance.
5. Teachers: Others permit their woman to teach and even worst to become pastors but the Bible clearly opposes this role of a woman in the church.
6. Priests: Others still have priests that according to the Bible; their role is to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. But now, they are no longer needed because Christ is the ultimate offering and sacrifice for sins. Priests are no longer needed nowadays. Their role simply ceased after Christ’s death on the cross. There is no more sacrifices for sins now.
7. Faith Healing: This was a gift before to the Apostles but now no more; this gift was discontinued or withdrawn. Their gift was not just ordinary healing but instant healing, right there and then. (Tell me one you knew that could do it the way the Apostles did. I knew of one but, their patients were kept on coming back since they were not right away healed. ) This even up to the point of bringing the dead back to life. Other gifts also like speaking of tongues and prophesying were withdrawn. Sad but true.
8. Whom to Follow: Others follow all the teachings written in the Bible but, the Bible said to rightly divide the truth. Because, there are teachings intended for the Jews, so if you are a Jew, you should follow it. What are these teachings? The teachings of Jesus while still walking here on earth and the gospels of the 12 Apostles. What about the non-Jew? The non-Jews; referred to as Gentiles in the Bible should follow the teachings of Apostle Paul. These teachings are revealed to him also by Christ himself after His resurrection. And, I think that you and I are the Gentiles referred to in the Bible thus, we should follow St. Paul. With Paul, the seeming contradictions in the Bible are solved.
THE TRIUNITY OF GOD
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
Have you ever considered that God's image is stamped upon all creation? The whole universe bears the image of God. Just ask yourself what the universe is made of. It bears the image of its Creator.
The Universe is made of three elements: Time, Space, and Matter. And each one of these is a triunity in itself:
Time is Past, Present, and Future.
Space is Length, Width, and Height.
Matter is Energy, Motion, and Phenomena.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them" (Gen.1:26,27).
When God created man, He said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Gen.1:26). Paul the Apostle tells us that man is "...spirit, soul, and body..." yet one man (IThes.5:23)! In John 1:1 the Lord Jesus Christ is called, The Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1,2). In I John 5:7 we read most clearly these words concerning the Trinity: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
It's a shame the New World translation leaves these verses out because, not only does nature itself confirm the Triunity of God, but the Bible also clearly declares that God--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three Persons, yet one God--stamped His "image" and "likeness" upon all creation. In Colossians 2:9 the Deity of "the Man Christ Jesus" is confirmed: "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
Much, much more could be said on a subject so involved as the Triunity of God.
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him" (ICor.8:6).
"...and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (ICor.12:3).
OUR SALVATION ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES
Contrary to common and popular beliefs concerning salvation which rely on man’s own good works; the following verses will prove that our salvation is purely of God’s grace and mercy, and not according to our own making.
(Mark 7:6-7) 6 He said to them: “Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with [their] lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. 7 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.. . .
Did you scrutinize your beliefs if those are doctrines of men? Maybe you are worshiping in vain unknowingly.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) 8 By this undeserved kindness, indeed, YOU have been saved through faith; and this not owing to YOU, it is God’s gift. 9 No, it is not owing to works, in order that no man should have ground for boasting.
If you believe that your good works will save you then, you are boastful and hopeless.
(Titus 3:5-7) 5 owing to no works in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us through the bath that brought us to life and through the making of us new by holy spirit. 6 This [spirit] he poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that, after being declared righteous by virtue of the undeserved kindness of that one, we might become heirs according to a hope of everlasting life.
(Romans 3:22-24) . . .. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus. . .
According to the book of Isaiah; our good works are like dirty rags or garments due to our sins…….. ( Isaiah 64:6) in the eyes of our Lord. What then; does it mean that we no longer need to do good works for it is worthless? No, it’s not worthless. However, that’s the very reason why God created us-to do good works..
(Ephesians 2:10) 10 For we are a product of his work and were created in union with Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to walk in them. . .
Since, salvation is a gift of God, it’s free-without charge; man’s part is only to accept Jesus Christ as his Redeemer. Accept Him with this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I accepted that I have sinned and needed your forgiveness. I repented all of my sins and accepted you as my Lord and Savior. I will commit my whole life to you. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
My friend, by accepting Jesus Christ at this very moment; you are now saved…
(2 Corinthians 6:2) 2 For he says: “In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.” Look! Now is the especially acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation.
1. Sainthood: Other religions declare some to sainthood after death but, the Bible declare believers as saints while still alive.
2. Heaven or Hell: Others are not sure where their spirit will be going while still alive but the Bible tells us that while still alive; one could decide where for eternity his spirit will go and live.
3. Food: Others will not eat certain kind of foods while the Bible already declared that it may be eaten; it is of no importance today what to eat or not.
4. Day: Others are particular on the day of worship but the Bible says that it is of no importance.
5. Teachers: Others permit their woman to teach and even worst to become pastors but the Bible clearly opposes this role of a woman in the church.
6. Priests: Others still have priests that according to the Bible; their role is to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. But now, they are no longer needed because Christ is the ultimate offering and sacrifice for sins. Priests are no longer needed nowadays. Their role simply ceased after Christ’s death on the cross. There is no more sacrifices for sins now.
7. Faith Healing: This was a gift before to the Apostles but now no more; this gift was discontinued or withdrawn. Their gift was not just ordinary healing but instant healing, right there and then. (Tell me one you knew that could do it the way the Apostles did. I knew of one but, their patients were kept on coming back since they were not right away healed. ) This even up to the point of bringing the dead back to life. Other gifts also like speaking of tongues and prophesying were withdrawn. Sad but true.
8. Whom to Follow: Others follow all the teachings written in the Bible but, the Bible said to rightly divide the truth. Because, there are teachings intended for the Jews, so if you are a Jew, you should follow it. What are these teachings? The teachings of Jesus while still walking here on earth and the gospels of the 12 Apostles. What about the non-Jew? The non-Jews; referred to as Gentiles in the Bible should follow the teachings of Apostle Paul. These teachings are revealed to him also by Christ himself after His resurrection. And, I think that you and I are the Gentiles referred to in the Bible thus, we should follow St. Paul. With Paul, the seeming contradictions in the Bible are solved.
THE TRIUNITY OF GOD
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
Have you ever considered that God's image is stamped upon all creation? The whole universe bears the image of God. Just ask yourself what the universe is made of. It bears the image of its Creator.
The Universe is made of three elements: Time, Space, and Matter. And each one of these is a triunity in itself:
Time is Past, Present, and Future.
Space is Length, Width, and Height.
Matter is Energy, Motion, and Phenomena.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them" (Gen.1:26,27).
When God created man, He said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Gen.1:26). Paul the Apostle tells us that man is "...spirit, soul, and body..." yet one man (IThes.5:23)! In John 1:1 the Lord Jesus Christ is called, The Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1,2). In I John 5:7 we read most clearly these words concerning the Trinity: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
It's a shame the New World translation leaves these verses out because, not only does nature itself confirm the Triunity of God, but the Bible also clearly declares that God--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three Persons, yet one God--stamped His "image" and "likeness" upon all creation. In Colossians 2:9 the Deity of "the Man Christ Jesus" is confirmed: "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
Much, much more could be said on a subject so involved as the Triunity of God.
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him" (ICor.8:6).
"...and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (ICor.12:3).
OUR SALVATION ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES
Contrary to common and popular beliefs concerning salvation which rely on man’s own good works; the following verses will prove that our salvation is purely of God’s grace and mercy, and not according to our own making.
(Mark 7:6-7) 6 He said to them: “Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with [their] lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. 7 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.. . .
Did you scrutinize your beliefs if those are doctrines of men? Maybe you are worshiping in vain unknowingly.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) 8 By this undeserved kindness, indeed, YOU have been saved through faith; and this not owing to YOU, it is God’s gift. 9 No, it is not owing to works, in order that no man should have ground for boasting.
If you believe that your good works will save you then, you are boastful and hopeless.
(Titus 3:5-7) 5 owing to no works in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us through the bath that brought us to life and through the making of us new by holy spirit. 6 This [spirit] he poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that, after being declared righteous by virtue of the undeserved kindness of that one, we might become heirs according to a hope of everlasting life.
(Romans 3:22-24) . . .. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus. . .
According to the book of Isaiah; our good works are like dirty rags or garments due to our sins…….. ( Isaiah 64:6) in the eyes of our Lord. What then; does it mean that we no longer need to do good works for it is worthless? No, it’s not worthless. However, that’s the very reason why God created us-to do good works..
(Ephesians 2:10) 10 For we are a product of his work and were created in union with Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to walk in them. . .
Since, salvation is a gift of God, it’s free-without charge; man’s part is only to accept Jesus Christ as his Redeemer. Accept Him with this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I accepted that I have sinned and needed your forgiveness. I repented all of my sins and accepted you as my Lord and Savior. I will commit my whole life to you. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
My friend, by accepting Jesus Christ at this very moment; you are now saved…
(2 Corinthians 6:2) 2 For he says: “In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.” Look! Now is the especially acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation.
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