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Biyernes, Disyembre 13, 2019
ANG TUMATAWAG SA DIYOS NA TIYAK NA MALILIGTAS
ANG TUMATAWAG SA DIYOS NA TIYAK NA MALILIGTAS
Sabbath days are over
Sabbath days are over
Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, July 1995, p.2
I AM A Catholic who has attended the worship
services of different religious denominations.
I also read the Holy Scriptures.
In the Bible, specially in Exodus 20:8-9, it is
stated that the Sabbath should be remembered and kept holy. It is
also stated in the verse that for six days a man should work and on
the seventh day he should rest.
My question is this: Why is the Sabbath not
observed anymore in our time, the Christian era?
Is the non-observance of the Sabbath in our time based on the Bible?
Jimer Henson
Isabela, Philippines
Isabela, Philippines
Editor's reply:
The observance of the Sabbath, along
with the other decrees given by God comprising the Ten Commandments,
was exclusively given to
Israel. This can be read in
Deuteronomy 5:1-3, 12-14, thus:
“Moses summoned all Israel and said:
Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing
today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. The LORD our God made
a covenant with us at Horeb. It was not with our fathers that the
LORD made this covenant, but with all of us who are alive here
today.
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it
holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall
labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the
LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor
your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your
ox, your donkey or any of your gates, so that your manservant and
maidservant may rest, as you do.” (New International Version)
With the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ
came a new dispensation of time. This is known as the Christian era.
In the present dispensation, a new law supersedes the law of Moses.
Why was there a change in the law? Because with the birth of the
Savior came a change in the priesthood. This change also
necessitated a change in the law (cf. Heb. 7:12).
12 For when the priesthood is changed,
the law must be changed also.
(Heb. 7:12,
NIV)
Thus, the law of Moses and the
writings of the prophets were in effect only up to the time of John
the Baptist (cf. Lk. 16:16).
16 “The
Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets were in effect up to
the time of John the Baptist; since then the Good News about the
Kingdom of God is being told, and everyone forces their way in.
(Lk. 16:16,
Today’s English Version).
This can also be gleaned in Matthew
22:37-40, thus:
“Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’.
This is the greatest and the most important commandment is like it:
‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself’. The whole Law of Moses
and the teachings of the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
(TEV)
The Sabbath is no longer observed in the
Christian era. Neither the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (cf. John 5:18) nor the apostles observed the
Sabbath (cf. Lk. 6:1-5).
18 This
saying made the Jewish authorities all the more determined to kill
him; not only had he broken the Sabbath law, but he had said that
God was his own Father and in this way had made himself equal with
God.
(John 5:18,
TEV)
Jesus was walking through some wheat fields on a Sabbath. His
disciples began to pick the heads of wheat, rub them in their hands,
and eat the grain.
2 Some Pharisees asked, “Why are you
doing what our Law says you cannot do on the Sabbath?”
3 Jesus answered them, “Haven't you read
what David did when he and his men were hungry?
4 He
went into the house of God, took the bread offered to God, ate it,
and gave it also to his men. Yet it is against our Law for anyone
except the priests to eat that bread.”
5 And Jesus concluded, “The Son of Man
is Lord of the Sabbath.”
(Lk. 6:1-5, TEV)
Which is why the Apostle Paul stated:
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat,
or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of
the Sabbath days.” (Col. 2:16, KJV)
Miyerkules, Disyembre 11, 2019
ANG PAGHUHUKOM AT ANG PAGKABUHAY NA MULI
ANG PAGHUHUKOM
AT ANG PAGKABUHAY NA MULI
By Estelito G. Vertucio Sr.
ANG IGLESIA NI Cristo ay sumasampalataya na mayroong Araw ng Paghuhukom. Ito ay aral na itinuturo ng Biblia:
"Sapagka't siya'y nagtakda ng isang araw na kaniyang ipaghuhukom sa sanglibutan ayon sa katuwiran sa pamamagitan ng lalaking kaniyang itinalaga; na ito'y pinatunayan niya sa lahat ng mga tao, nang siya'y buhayin niyang maguli sa mga patay." (Gawa 17:31)
Ang Araw ng Paghuhukom ay isang katotohanang hindi mapapasubalian. Ito ay magaganap sa Ikalawang Pagparito ng Panginoong Jesucristo o sa katapusan ng sanlibutan (Jud. 1:14-15). Ang isa sa matitibay na katunayan na may Araw ng Paghuhukom ay ang kamatayan:
"At kung paanong itinakda sa mga tao ang mamatay na minsan, at pagkatapos nito ay ang paghuhukom." (Hebreo 9:27)
Dahil sa kaniyang mga kasalanan, ang tao ay tinakdaan ng Diyos ng kamatayan - ang pagkagot ng hininga (Roma 5:12). Ang pagdating ng kamatayan ay hindi niya mapipigilan (Ecles. 8:8). At kung paanong ang kamatayan ay natutupad sa marami, tiyak ding magaganap ang paghuhukom dahil ang Diyos din ang nagtakda nito. Ang pagkakaroon ng kamatayan ang katonayang magaganap din ang paghuhukom.
MGA TANDA NA MALAPIT NA
ANG PAGHUHUKOM
Ang mga alagad ng Panginoong Jesus ay nagtanong sa Kaniya kung kailan magaganap ang Kaniyang Ikalawang Pagparito o ang katapusan ng sanlibutan (Mat. 24:3). Bilang tugon, nagbigay Siya ng mga palatandaan. Ganito ang sinabi ng Panginoong Jesucristo:
ANG PAGHUHUKOM
Ang mga alagad ng Panginoong Jesus ay nagtanong sa Kaniya kung kailan magaganap ang Kaniyang Ikalawang Pagparito o ang katapusan ng sanlibutan (Mat. 24:3). Bilang tugon, nagbigay Siya ng mga palatandaan. Ganito ang sinabi ng Panginoong Jesucristo:
"Gayon din naman kayo, pagka nangakita ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito, ay talastasin ninyo na siya'y malapit na, nasa mga pintuan nga." (Mat. 24:33)
"At mangakakarinig kayo ng mga digmaan at mga alingawngaw ng mga digmaan; ingatan ninyo na huwag kayong magulumihanan: sapagka't kinakailangang ito'y mangyari datapuwa't hindi pa ang wakas.
" Sapagka't magsisitindig ang bansa laban sa bansa, at ang kaharian laban sa kaharian; at magkakagutom at lilindol sa iba't ibang dako.
"Datapuwa't ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito ay siyang pasimula ng kahirapan." (Mat. 24:6-8)
Ayon kay Jesus, ang isa sa mga palatandaang magbabadya na malapit na ang katapusan ng sanlibutan ay ang digmaang aalingawngaw o mapapabalita at kasasangkutan ng mga bansa. Sa katuparan, ang digmaang ito'y sumiklab noong Hulyo 27, 1914; ito ay tinawag na Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Gayundin, ang patuloy na paglalabanan ng mga bansa, ang pagkakaroon ng kagutom, kahirapan, at paglindol sa iba't ibang dako ay pawang natupad na at patuloy pang natutupad. Kaya, totoong malapit na ang Araw ng Paghuhukom.
Ang mga taong hindi naniniwala sa Ikalawang Pagparito ni Cristo at sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay tuwirang lumalapastangan sa kapangyarihan ng salita ng Diyos. Tandaan natin na sa pamamagitan ng salita ng Diyos ay nilalang Niya ang langit at lupa. Sa pamamagitan din ng Kaniyang salita ay nagkaroon ng bahang-gunaw sa panahon ni Noe (II Ped. 3:3-6. At sa pamamagitan din ng Kaniyang salita ay ganito ang kakikakilabot na magaganap sa mga taong masama sa Araw ng Paghuhukom:
"Nguni't ang sangkalangitan ngayon, at ang lupa, sa pamamagitan ng gayon ding salita ay iningatang talaga sa apoy, na itinataan sa araw ng paghuhukom at ng paglipol sa mga taong masama.
"Datapuwa't darating ang araw ng Panginoon na gaya ng magnanakaw; na ang sangkalangitan sa araw na iyan ay mapaparam na kasabay ng malaking ugong, at ang mga bagay sa langit ay mapupugnaw sa matinding init, at ang lupa at ang mga gawang nasa lupa ay pawang masusunog." (II Ped. 3:7, 10)
"Datapuwa't darating ang araw ng Panginoon na gaya ng magnanakaw; na ang sangkalangitan sa araw na iyan ay mapaparam na kasabay ng malaking ugong, at ang mga bagay sa langit ay mapupugnaw sa matinding init, at ang lupa at ang mga gawang nasa lupa ay pawang masusunog." (II Ped. 3:7, 10)
Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay lilipulin ng Diyos ang lahat ng taong masama.
ANG MGA TAONG
HINDI HAHATULAN
Matagal pa bago dumating ang Araw ng Paghuhukom ay itinuro na ng Banal na Kasulatan kung sinu-sino ang mga taong hindi hahatulan sa araw na iyon. Ganito ang nasusulat:
HINDI HAHATULAN
Matagal pa bago dumating ang Araw ng Paghuhukom ay itinuro na ng Banal na Kasulatan kung sinu-sino ang mga taong hindi hahatulan sa araw na iyon. Ganito ang nasusulat:
"Ngayon nga'y wala nang anomang hatol sa mga na kay Cristo Jesus. (Roma 8:1)
Ang mga kay Cristo ang tinitiyak ng Biblia na wala nang anumang hatol o parusa sa Araw ng Paghuhukom. Ipinakilala ng Panginoong Jesucristo kung sino ang mga taong Kaniya:
"At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, na ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking iglesia; at ang mga pintuan ng Hades ay hindi magsisipanaig laban sa kaniya." (Mat. 16:18)
Tiniyak ng Tagapagligtas kung sino ang mga taong kinikilala Niyang Kaniya. Sila ang mga kaanib sa Iglesiang Kaniyang itinayo. Pinatunayan ito ni Cristo nang Kaniyang sabihin na "...aking iglesia." Ang itinawag ng mga apostol sa Iglesiang kay Cristo ay Iglesia Ni Cristo:
"Magbatian kayo ng banal na halik. Lahat ng iglesya ni Cristo ay bumabati sa inyo." (Roma 16:16, New Pilipino Version)
Kaya, napakahalagang ang tao ay umanib sa tunay na Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo - sa Iglesia Ni Cristo. Sa pamamagitan nito ay makatitiyak silang mapapabilang sa mga ililigtas ni Cristo sa Kaniyang muling pagparito.
MAY PAGKABUHAY
NA MULI
Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom magaganap ang muling pagkabuhay ng mga patay. Ang mga kay Cristo na inabot ng kamatayan bago ang muli Niyang pagparito ay unang bubuhaying muli. Ganito ang mangyayari sa araw na iyon:
NA MULI
Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom magaganap ang muling pagkabuhay ng mga patay. Ang mga kay Cristo na inabot ng kamatayan bago ang muli Niyang pagparito ay unang bubuhaying muli. Ganito ang mangyayari sa araw na iyon:
"Sapagka't ang Panginoon din ang bababang mula sa langit, na may isang sigaw, may tinig ng arkanghel, at may pakakak ng Dios: at ang nangamatay kay Cristo ay unang mangabubuhay na maguli." (I Tes. 4:16)
Si Apostol Pablo ay nagbigay ng isang matibay na katunayan na may pagkabuhay na muli ng mga patay. Ganito ang kaniyang patotoo:
" Kung si Cristo nga'y ipinangangaral na siya'y muling binuhay sa mga patay, bakit ang ilan sa inyo ay nagsisipagsabi na walang pagkabuhay na maguli ng mga patay?
"Datapuwa't kung walang pagkabuhay na maguli ng mga patay, ay hindi rin nga muling binuhay si Cristo:" (I Cor. 15:12-13)
Ang muling pagkabuhay ni Cristo ang matibay na katunayang may pagkabuhay na muli ang mga patay. Kung walang pagkabuhay na muli ay hindi rin nga muling binuhay si Cristo. Si Cristo ang pangunahing bunga sa mga patay; ang susunod na bubuhayin sa Kaniyang Ikalawang Pagparito ay ang lahat ng mga taong ibinibilang na Kaniya (I Cor. 15:20). Ang kapalaran ng mga kay Cristo sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay ipinakita ng Diyos kay Apostol Juan sa pangitain:
"Mapalad at pinagpalang lubos ang mga nakasama sa unang pagkabuhay sa mga patay. Walang kapangyarihan sa kanila ang pangalawang kamatayan; sila'y magiging mga saserdote ng Diyos at ng Mesias, at maghahari silang kasama niya sa loob ng sanlibong taon." (Apoc. 20:6, Magandang Balita Biblia)
May mga kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo na nakaranas ng unang kamatayan o pagkalagot ng hininga (Awit 104:29). Gayunman, ang ikalawang kamatayan - ang dagat-dagatang apoy (Apoc. 20:14) - ay wala nang kapangyarihan sa kanila. Ito ang kanilang magandang kapalaran.
Sila - kasama ng mga kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo na aabutang buhay sa Araw ng Paghuhukom - ay titipunin upang dalhin sa kaharian ng langit, sa gayon ay hindi sila mararamay sa gagawing paglipol sa mga makasalanan:
Sila - kasama ng mga kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo na aabutang buhay sa Araw ng Paghuhukom - ay titipunin upang dalhin sa kaharian ng langit, sa gayon ay hindi sila mararamay sa gagawing paglipol sa mga makasalanan:
"Pagkatapos, tayong mga buhay pa ay titipunin niya sa ulap at isasama sa mga binuhay upang salubungin sa papawirin ang Panginoon. Sa gayo'y makakapiling niya tayo magpakailanman." (I Tes. 4:17, MB)
Ngunit bago sila sama-samang dalhin sa kaharian ng Diyos sa langit ay may kahanga-hangang pagbabago naangyayari sa kanila:
"Pakinggan ninyo ang hiwagang ito: hindi mamamatay ang lahat, ngunit lahat tayo'y babaguhin sa isang sandali, sa isang kisap-mata, kasabay ng huling tunog ng trompeta. Pagtunog ng trompeta, ang mga patay ay muling bubuhayin at di na mamamatay. Babaguhin tayong lahat, sapagkat itong katawang nabubulok ay dapat mapalitan ng di nabubulok at ang katawang namamatay, ng di namamatay. Kapag napalitan na ng walang pagkabulok ang nabubulok at napalitan na ng walang kamatayan ang namamatay, matutupad ang nasasaad sa Kasulatan: 'Nalupig na ang kamatayan; ganap na ang tagumpay!'" (I Cor. 15:51-54, Ibid.)
Kapag napalitan na ng katawang walang pagkabulok at kamatayan ang katawang nabubulok at namamatay, matutupad ang nasasaad sa Kasulatan: "Nalupig na ang kamatayan: ganap na ang tagumpay!" Ano ang kahulugan nito?
"Sapagka't hindi na sila maaaring mangamatay pa: sapagka't kahalintulad na sila ng mga anghel; at sila'y mga anak ng Dios, palibhasa'y mga anak ng pagkabuhay na maguli." (Lu. 20:36)
Sa kaharian ng Diyos sa langit maninirahan ang mga maliligtas. Doon ay makakapiling nila ang Diyos at si Cristo magpakailanman.
BUBUHAYIN DIN
Yaong mga hindi kay Cristo ay bubuhayin din ngunit pagkaraan pa ng 1,000 taon:
Yaong mga hindi kay Cristo ay bubuhayin din ngunit pagkaraan pa ng 1,000 taon:
"Ito ang unang pagkabuhay sa mga patay. Bubuhayin ang iba pang mga patay pagkaraan ng sanlibong taon." (Apoc. 20:5, MB)
Ayon sa pangitain ni Apostol Juan, nang mabuhay na muli ang ibang mga patay ay may huling pandarayang gagawin si Satanas. Ngunit ganito ang gagawin ng Diyos:
"Pagkatapos ng 1,000 taon palalayain si Satanas. Lalabas siya upang dayain ang mga bansa sa buong sanlibutan - ang Gog at Magog. Titipunin sila ni Satanas at isasama sa pakikidigma. Kasindami ng buhangin sa tabing-dagat ang hukbong ito. Kumalat sila sa buong sanlibutan at pinaligiran ang kuta ng mga hinirang ng Diyos at ang pinakamamahal niyang lunsod. Ngunit bumaba ang apoy mula sa langit at tinupok sila. At ang Diyablong nandaya sa kanila ay itinapon sa lawang apoy at asupre na pinagtapunan din sa halimaw at sa mga bulaang propeta; magkakasama silang pahihirapan, araw at gabi, magpakailanman." (Apoc. 20:7-10, Ibid.)
Yaong makakasama sa muling pagkabuhay ng mga patay pagkalipas ng 1,000 taon ay tiyak na masasadlak sa kapahamakan. Sila ay ibubulid sa apoy - sa ikalawang kamatayan - at doo'y pahihirapan magpakailanman.
Kaya, sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay dalawa lamang ang maaaring patunguhan ng tao: kaligtasan o kapahamakan. Itinuro ng Biblia ang paraan ng kaligtasan. Nasa tao ang pagpapasiya. At ang pagpapasiya tungo sa ikaliligtas ay dapat niyang isagawang madali sapagkat:
"Kaya nga kayo'y magsihanda naman; sapagka't paparito ang Anak ng tao sa oras na hindi ninyo iniisip." (Mat. 24:44) ®
Kinopya mula sa:
PASUGO GOD'S MESSAGE
October 2001
Pahina 26-29
PASUGO GOD'S MESSAGE
October 2001
Pahina 26-29
MALUGOD PO NAMIN KAYONG INAANYAYAHAN SA AMING MGA PAGSAMBA.
KUNG MAY KATANUNGAN PO KAYO, MAAARI PO KAYONG MAGTUNGO SA PINAKAMALAPIT NA KAPILYA O BAHAY SAMBAHAN SA INYONG LUGAR.
Martes, Disyembre 10, 2019
THE ONLY AUTORIZED PREACHERS OF GOD’S WORDS (Last of Two Parts)
THE ONLY AUTORIZED PREACHERS OF GOD’S WORDS
(Last of Two
Parts)
“Comparing spiritual things with spiritual"
By BENILDO C. SANTIAGO
MANY MODERN-DAY PREACHERS who profess to be evangelicals
confidently cite Apostle John’s warning to “not believe all who claim to have
the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God”
(I John 4:1, Today’s English Version), and so they immediately seem to their
listeners to be the ones who truly have the Holy Spirit. However, one’s mere pointing out of this
apostolic warning DOESN’T NECESSARILY MAKE HIM DIVINELY COMMISSIONED AND
SPIRIT-INSPIRED. Why, even Satan himself
cited the Scriptures, as when he tried to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt.
4:6).
Non-divinely
commissioned preachers—presumptuous for assuming the role of God’s messenger
(to preach) albeit not having the divine gift (“to know the mystery”)—certainly
will not speak as if they are uninspired.
Ever claiming to have the true Spirit of God, self-styled preachers, in
fact, often succeed in appearing to speak with authority. Their being
unapproved of God inconspicuous in their countenances and not easily detectable
in their utterances, THEY LOOK and SOUND LEGITIMATE and CONVINCING most of the
time.
In the first
place, using the same Bible, HOW COULD THEY BE FALSE? In the second place, by quoting Christ’s
teachings to believe in Him, be born again, and love your enemies, among
others, HOW COULD THEY BE WRONG? To the
unsuspecting, they must have some authority from above. To them, they must have the true Spirit of
God. Besides, who would dare question
their purpose and sincerity in preaching about the Savior?
Therein lies
the danger—people do not usually question Bible-wielding preachers by whose
authority they preach. They hardly
investigate whether these preachers are truly sent by God. It does not even occur to them to demand
proofs of their supposedly having a divine commission and the Spirit of
God. And even if they are told, HOW COULD
THEY BE SURE?
‘COMPARING SPIRITUAL THINGS
WITH SPIRITUAL’
Well aware of this problem, Apostle Paul cited as the
unmistakable characteristic of the Holy Spirit-inspired preachers their unique
method of teaching:
“Which things
also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy
Ghost teacheth; COMPARING SPIRITUAL THINGS WITH SPIRITUAL.” (I Cor. 2:13, King James Version)
The preachers
who are sent by God and inspired by the Holy Spirit speak in words which the holy
Spirit teaches, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
It is
interesting to note that Bible Scholars and students consider some parts of the
bible historical, other parts prophetical, poetical, and practical, and still
others doctrinal. However, inasmuch as
the Bible in its entirely is God’s Word, and Apostle Paul categorically states
that “GOD IN HIS WISDOM MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW HIM BY MEANS OF
THEIR OWN WISDOM” (I Cor. 1:21, TEV), and that “GOD HAS, THROUGH THE SPIRIT, LET
US SHARE HIS SECRET” (I Cor. 2:10, Phillips Modern English Bible), therefore,
all parts of the Bible are most aptly described as “SPIRITUAL TRUTHS” (I Cor.
2:13, TEV, New International Version, Revised Standard Version).
Spiritual
truths when compared with other spiritual truths manifest NOT EVEN AN IOTA OF
CONTRADICTION. In no way do they show
any inconsistency, any disagreement, any contrariety—ONLY HARMONY, CONSONANCE,
and UNITY. They go together perfectly at
all times. With this apostolic method of
teaching, NOTHING IS ADDED TO or TAKEN AWAY from the Word of God. The Word is its own best commentary—it
interprets itself.
Corollarily,
when a verse seems to clash in meaning with another verse in the Bible (please
remember that all correctly translated Bible verses contain “spiritual truths),
either the former or the latter is mistranslated, or misinterpreted, or as
Apostle Paul says, “distorted.” And the
MESSENGERS OF GOD, having the Holy Spirit, are sure to be able to “SPIRITUALLY
DISCERN” (I Cor. 2:14, RSV) or DETECT THE DISTORTION.
As it is,
“comparing spiritual things with spiritual” is, like it or not, the only
acceptable and right method of teaching the gospel, being guaranteed not to
result in error. And IF the things
taught through this method seem to be “NONSENSE” (I Cor. 2:14, TEV) TO HIM who
DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT, IF HE “CAN’T UNDERSTAND AND CAN’T ACCEPT them, if
they “SOUND FOOLISH TO HIM,” it is precisely “BECAUSE ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE THE
HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN THEM CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS. Others just can’t take it in” (I Cor. 2:14,
Living Bible).
Thus, rather
than posing any exegetical problem, the fact that the things taught through
this method are perceived to be “foolish” by “him who does not have the Spirit”
all the more substantiates the so unpopular, so unwelcome—yet so
Christian—concept of exclusivism as far as the divine gift of knowing the
gospel mystery is concerned (Mark 4:11-12, New King James Version).
To determine,
them, if a preacher is truly sent by God and Christ, inspired by the Holy
Spirit, and does not pervert or distort the gospel, WE NEED ONLY TO CHECK OUT
IF HIS TEACHINGS ARE IN PERFECT HARMONY WITH THE SCRIPTURES. This means that no single doctrine being
taught by him runs counter to any “spiritual truths” because, according to
Apostle Paul, all his teachings are spiritually comparable and compatible with
the entire gospel (I Cor. 2:13).
‘EVANGELICAL AND ROMAN
CATHOLIC BELIEFS COMPARED’
—WITH THE BIBLE
It behooves us to examine whether no contradiction exists
between the doctrines of the numerous churches, which profess to be Christians,
and the spiritual truths of God written in the Bible.
Can the Roman
Catholic Church, the chief claimant to being the Church built by Jesus, for
example, prove that all of her doctrines are in total agreement with the
teachings of the Bible? Can any of the
Protestant or so-called “evangelical” churches or any religions or religious
movements that supposedly base their doctrines on the Bible prove that as well?
Most theologians,
Church historians, Bible commentators, scholars, priests, pastors, and even
ordinary Bible students acknowledge the fact that many of the doctrines of the
Catholic and Protestant churches will fail when placed side by side with the
doctrines of the Bible. The reference
materials written by authorities of these churches themselves are too many for
anyone to refute this fact.
One such book
is Evangelical and Roman Catholic Beliefs Compared, written by Protestant
Albert J. Sanders. Its foregone
conclusion is sweeping as it is candid:
“THERE ARE
MANY DOCTRINES CONTRARY TO GOD’S REVEALED TRUTH that through the centuries have
crept into the teachings of the Catholic Church and into Evangelical Churches.”
(p. 16)
Declaring that
“many doctrines contrary to God’s revealed truth … have crept into the
teachings of the Catholic church and into ‘Evangelical’ or Protestant Churches”
is just another way of saying that many of the doctrines of the Catholic and
Protestant churches ARE NOT “spiritually comparable” with the Scriptures.
It is a
virtual admission, too, that preachers of these religions are DEVOID of the
Spirit of God. For even just one
anti-gospel doctrine they preach already establishes, without a doubt, that
THEY ARE NOT SENT BY GOD.
TRINITY: NOT
“SPIRITUALLY
COMPARABLE” WITH THE GOSPEL
One of the Catholic and Protestant churches’ “many
doctrines contrary to God’s revealed truth” is the so called Trinity.
The Trinity,
the belief that there are three persons in one god, is described by the
Catholic Encyclopedia as “the central doctrine” of the Catholic and Protestant
churches. The book states:
“I. THE DOGMA OF THE TRINITY.—The Trinity is the
term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion.” (p.
47)
Yet, no less
than the New Catholic Encyclopedia itself, among so many tomes, acknowledges
that “THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY TRINITY IS NOT TAUGHT IN THE O[LD] T[ESTAMENT]”
(P. 306).
Nor is the
Trinity taught in the New Testament, for even the entire Bible was written,
there still was no belief in this doctrine:
“AND SO BY THE
END OF THE PERIOD OF THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS THERE WAS NO BELIEF IN A PREEXISTENT
TRINITY.” (The Philosophy of the Church Fathers, p. 191)
Catholic
authorities are quick to admit that the Roman Catholic Church was behind the
formulation of this doctrine:
“The Church
began to formulate its doctrine of the Trinity IN THE FOURTH CENTURY.”
(Systematic Theology, p. 82)
Another fatal
blow to this “central doctrine” of the Catholic and Protestant Churches is
dealt in this straightforward acknowledgment by Protestant Albert J. Sanders:
“The Doctrine
of the Trinity IS NOT FOUND IN THE BIBLE.” (Christian Beliefs, p. 32)
One of the
nails to seal the doctrinal coffin of the so-called Trinity is hammered in by
Catholic authorities, as recorded in the Dictionary of the Bible:
“Trinity. The trinity of God is defined by the Church
as the belief that in God are three persons who subsists in one nature. The belief as so defined WAS REACHED ONLY IN
THE 4TH AND 5TH CENTURIES AD AND HENCE IS NOT EXPLICITLY
AND FORMALLY A BIBLICAL BELIEF.” (p. 899)
What is
noteworthy in all these straightforward confession by its very adherents is
that it is the Trinity doctrine itself, not just the term, that is not found in
the Bible. Rightly so for this doctrine
is entirely is conflict with God’s revealed truth in both the Old and New
Testaments on His absolute oneness (Deut. 4:35, 39; 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:8; John
17:1, 3; I Cor. 8:4-6).
No question
that the so called Trinity is UNBIBLICAL—as proclaimed from the rooftops by the
very teachers and preachers of this doctrine—is an indisputable proof that it
is not “spiritual comparable” with the Lord God’s revealed truth.
No doubt, they
who teach and preach it DO NOT HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY ARE NOT SENT BY GOD. And it comes as no surprise that their
doctrine about God CONTRADICTS the gospel.
For ONLY the messengers of God can teach the true knowledge of God:
“IT IS THE
DUTY OF THE PRIESTS TO TEACH THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. People SHOULD GO THO THEM to learn my will,
because they are the messengers of the Lord Almighty.” (Mal. 2:7, TEV)
“Have we not
all ONE FATHER? Has not ONE GOD created
us? …? (Mal. 2:10, NKJV)
It is
interesting to note that the Trinity doctrine is described by its adherents as
a mystery. However, unlike the mystery
of God, which is KNOWABLE to God’s messengers through the Holy Spirit, the
purported mystery of the so-called Trinity is BEYOND THE KNOWLEDGE AND
UNDERSTANDING of EVEN its MOST advocates, prominent among whom are “the most
learned theologian, the holiest Pope, [and] the greatest saint.”
This is the
frank confession of Catholic priest Martin J. Scott, which is concurred in and
given imprimatur by higher Catholic authorities:
“The Trinity
is a wonderful mystery. NO ONE
UNDERSTAND IT. The most learned
theologian, the holiest Pope, the greatest saint, all are as mystified by it as
the child of seven. It is one of the things which we shall know only when we
see God face to face.” (God and Myself:
An Inquiry Into the True Religion, p. 118)
THE ONLY AUTHORIZED
PREACHERS OF GOD’S WORD
The proliferation today of preachers—equipped with human
wisdom yet wanting in inspiration of the Holy Spirit, licensed by schools of
theology but unapproved of God—and their flagrant, unabated preaching of
“ANOTHER GOSPEL” are RIGHTLY TO BLAME for the CONTINUED MUSROOMING of various
religions and religious movements professing to believe in the Bible but
espousing beliefs and doctrines that contradict one another and the Bible.
Their
incessant, wanton distorting of the gospel on radio, television, and the
Internet as well as in the books, magazines, leaflets, etc., which inevitably
results in the emergence of diverse interpretations of biblical tenets,
likewise accounts for many people’s incredulity of the inerrancy of this
divinely inspired Book.
In spite of
all this, however, the fact remains absolute and indisputable: THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD AND ONLY THE
DIVINELY COMMISSIONED MESSENGERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO PREACH IT. A plethora of Bible verses, some of which are
cited in this article, well establish this fact, that only the unblushing
opponents of divine truth will dare gainsay it.
To quote the Apostle Paul again, “AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY
BE SENT? …” (Rom. 10:15, KJV)
The messengers
of God are not just the “BEST” authorized preachers of God’s Word—they are the
“ONLY” authorized preachers of God’s Word.
In all
honesty, BROTHER FELIX Y. MANALO, whom we, members of the CHURCH OF CHRIST,
firmly believe is the messenger of God IN THESE LAST DAYS, and who is the
FULFILLMENT of the many prophecies in the Bible, did possess the attributes of
a true messenger of God. One of which is the method of teaching. He did not even once preach any single
doctrine that is contrary to spiritual truths.
All the doctrines he preached are unadulterated spiritual truths. Every member of this Church bears witness to
the fact that his teaching method was perfectly akin to that of the
apostles—the divinely legitimate teaching method, which only the Holy
Spirit-inspired are able to do, namely, “COMPARING SPIRITUAL THINGS WITH
SPIRITUAL.”
Copied from:
PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE | DECEMBER 2005 | VOLUME 57 | NUMBER
12 | PAGES 24-27
E-mail: pasugo@iglesianicristo.org.ph
or
Emphasis:
Admin.
WE CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICES TO OUR ALMIGHTY GOD.
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If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.
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Bible Study Suggestion:
If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.
Directory: http://iglesianicristo.net/directory
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