The Good Person In God's Sight

The Good Person In God's Sight

Letter to the Editor:

PASUGO, March 1996, p.3

THERE IS A ravaging illness that  runs in the family I belong to. It  has already taken the lives of a  number of my uncles and aunts.   I  am not afraid of the illness or the death it brings but of what is in store for me when I die.

As a Catholic I have learned that the good go to heaven and hell is for evildoers.  But, it is unclear to me as to what kind of good deed it is to be done for one to be worthy of God's kingdom.

Is there a way that I could be considered good in spite of the unintentional mistakes I make once in a while?

Consuelo, Obina

Cavite, Philippines

Editor's reply:

It is commendable that you have the foresight to prepare for death, an inevitable  reality that will overtake all of us sooner or later.   That you have this viewpoint shows that you are concerned about what will take place after death, that is, when we all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due us, according to our deeds be it good or bad (cf. II Cor. 5:10). 

 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 

(II Corinthians 5:10, NKJV)

Thus, your query as to what good needs to be done to be worthy of God's  kingdom is a wise question.    Why did we say so?   Because most people presume that they know what is good. What are some of these presumptions?

1. Some believe that by being upright by one's own standard, one will be saved.
2. For others, all one is to do is believe  in our Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior and he is saved.  
3. Still others hold on to the belief that using the Savior's name in performing "miracles" and other wondrous deeds will merit a person the salvation of his soul.   

In effect the good that needs to be done to be worthy of salvation depends on one's personal beliefs and values.   Good to them, then, is a relative thing.    Is this so?   Let us first examine  these presumptions in the light of the truths  of the Holy Scriptures.

1.     Does the Bible approve of the belief that it is only by being righteous that one is saved?   Apostle Paul answers us accordingly:

 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, " (Titus 3:5, New King James Version)

 A case in point is the centurion named  Cornelius, If we will be the ones to decide over his salvation he would pass with flying colors for he was a devout man, God-fearing and  charitable. (cf. Acts 10 :l-2), However, the good  deeds he had done were not enough.

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, ² a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. (Acts 10:1-2, NKJV)

He was instructed by the angel of God to send for Simon Peter in order for him and his household to hear the words of God (cf. Acts;10:3-8, 33-34).

About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”  So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” ⁷ And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. ⁸ So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 

So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” ³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. Acts;10:3-8, 33-34, NKJV)

Not only did Cornelius and his whole household receive God's words, but   more importantly, they believed in the gospel and received baptism (cf. Acts 10:34-48).

 It is quite clear, therefore that being upright is not enough for one to be saved.

2.     What about those who simply believe and call upon the Lord Jesus' name, one is saved?     Christ answers them thus: 

 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21, NKJV)

Simply calling upon the Savior's name will not guarantee a person of salvation. 

 

3.     What if he not only call upon Jesus' name but use it to do many wonderful deeds?  This is what the Lord Jesus Christ's answer:

"Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ " (Matthew 7:22-23, NKJV)

If the above-mentioned things which many people consider as good, merits no weight for salvation, what then is the good  that needs to be done by man for him to be saved?   In the first place, what is it that is good?   The Bible says:

"Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." (Romans 7:12, Ibid.)

What is good, therefore, is God's, law―His will as written in the Scriptures. This is the good that man needs to do in order for him to enter the kingdom of God (cf. Mt. 7:21).

     ^"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."    (Mt. 7:21, NKJV)

What is God's will regarding all men?  All men must be gathered in Christ and this is done by becoming members of His body, the Church (cf. Eph. 1:9-10; Rom. 12:4-5; Col 1:18).

  

⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,¹⁰ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (Eph. 1:9-10, NKJV)

⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Rom. 12:4-5, NKJV)

¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col. 1:18, NKJV)

Which church is being referred to by Apostle Paul? This is the Church of Christ which the Lord    Jesus Christ purchased with His blood:

"Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood." (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

Joining the Church of Christ, therefore, is the good deed that needs to be done by man for him to be saved. But, those who have joined His Church must remain faithful to the commandments of God and endure to the end (Mt 24:13).

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Note: Verses in smaller font were added for clarity. Emphasis ours.

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. 

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Link to StudyIglesiaNiCristo.com

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Sapat Na Nga Ba?

Aral Ba Ng Bibliya  Na Sumampalataya

Lamang Upang Maligtas?

Ni CRISPIN N. FLORENTINO

PASUGO/October 1999

     Isang aral na tinatanggap at pinaniniwalaan ng marami ang sapat nang sumampalataya upang maligtas ang tao at hindi na raw kailangan pa ang pag-anib sa alinmang iglesia.  Marami ang naaakit sa paniniwalang ito sapagkat natuon ang kanilang pansin sa malaking pakinabang na kanilang matatamo na ang tanging gagawin ay pagsampalataya lamang.

     Totoong mahalaga na ang tao ay magtaglay ng pananampalataya.  Kailangan ito upang maligtas. Ngunit nangangahulugan bang pagsampalataya na lamang ang kailangan at wala nang gagawin?

Simulaing Protestante

     Ang paniniwalang sumampalataya lamang upang maligtas ay simulaing Protestante.  Ganito ang sinasabi sa kanilang aklat:

     "Mga Simulaing Protestante

     "Inaaring-ganap sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kay Cristo.  Ang tao ay maaaring maligtas sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya lamang kay Cristo, hindi sa pamamagitan ng mabubuting mga gawa."  20 Centuries of Christianity, p. 32, isinalin mula sa Ingles)

     Diumano, ang aral na ito'y may batayan sa Biblia na nakasulat daw sa Efeso 2:8-9, Roma 3:20 at 28, at Tito 3:5.  Ganito pa ang sinasabi sa isang pang aklat:

     "Makapagtatamo ba tayo ng kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ng mabubuting gawa?

     "Ang ating mabubuting gawa ay di makapagdudulot sa atin ng kapatawaran ng ating mga kasalanan, ni hindi tayo madadala ng mga ito sa isang matuwid na pakikipag-ugnay sa Dios.  Sa ibang salita, tayo'y di inaaring ganap (di tayo magiging katanggap-tanggap sa Dios, ang Ama) sa pamamagitan ng ating pagiging kaanib ng Iglesia, ni sa pagsunod sa mga tuntunin nito, ni ng kautusan ng Diyos,

... (Tingnan ang... Roma 3:20 ...; Epe. 2:8, 9; Tito 3:5)."  (Ang Pananampalataya Nating Protestante, p. 17)

     Hindi raw magiging katanggap-tanggap sa Diyos o aaring-ganap ang tao sa pamamagitan ng pagiging kaanib ng Iglesia, ni sa pagsunod sa mga tuntunin, ni ng kautusan ng Diyos.  Para sa kanila, sapat nang sumampalataya lamang.

Sapat nga ba?

     Sipiin natin ang nilalaman ng Efeso 2:8-9 at alamin natin kung totoong sapat na ang sumampalataya lamang:

     "Sapagka't sa biyaya kayo'y nangaligtas sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya; at ito'y hindi sa inyong sarili, ito'y kaloob ng Dios;

     "Hindi sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa, upang ang sinoman ay huwag magmapuri."

     Sinasabi sa talata na " ... kayo'y nangaligtas sa pamamagita ng pananampalataya; ... Hindi sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa,... " ngunit hindi sinabing sapat na ang sumampalataya lamang .  Hindi sinabing "kayo'y nangaligtas sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya lamang at hindi na kailangan pang gumawa ng anuman."  Hindi rin mapagbabatayan ang nakasulat sa Roma 3:20 at 28.  Ang gawa na tinutukoy sa talatang ito na hindi ikaaaring-ganap ng tao ay ang gawa ng kautusan:

     "Sapagka't sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa ng kautusan ay walang laman na aariing-ganap sa paningin niya; sapagka't sa pamamagitan ng kautusan ay ang pagkilala ng kasalanan.

     "Kaya nga maipasisiya natin na ang tao ay inaaring-ganap sa pananampalataya na hiwalay sa mga gawa ng kautusan."

     Ang gawa ng kautusan na kahit gawin ng tao ay hindi niya ikaaaring ganap ay ang kautusan ni Moises:

     "At sa pamamagitan niya ang bawa't nananampalataya ay inaaring ganap sa lahat ng mga bagay, na sa mga ito'y hindi kayo aariing ganap sa pamamagitan ng kautusan ni Moises."  (Gawa 13:39)

     Hindi saligan ng kaligtasan ang kautusan ni Moises.  Halimbawa, ang isa sa mga gawang ayon sa kaugalian ni Moises ay ang paghahalas (Gawa 15:1-2),  kaugaliang hindi ginagawa ng mga Gentil.  Itinuro ng mga Judio sa mga Gentil na malibang sila'y mangaghalas ay hindi sila maliligtas.  Nagkaroon ng pagtatalo ukol dito kaya't ipinasiya nilang dalhin ang suliraning ito sa Jerusalem, and sentro ng Iglesia noong unang siglo.  Doon ay ipinasya ng Pamamahala ng unang Iglesia na huwag nang gambalain pa ang mga Gentil (Gawa 15:19).  Hindi na ipinatupad sa kanila ang paghahalas na kabilang sa kautusan ni Moises sapagkat ang kautusan ni Moises ay hanggang kay Juan Bautista lamang:

     "Ang kautusan ni Moises at ang sinulat ng mga propeta ay hanggang kay Juan Bautista.  Buhat noon, ipinangaral ang Mabuting Balita tungkol sa kaharian ng Diyos, at bawat isa'y sapilitang pumapasok dito."  (Lu. 16:16,  Magandang Balita Biblia)

Sa Pamamagitan Ng Gawa

     Paano aariing ganap ang tao?  Ang isang halimbawa sa Biblia na inaring ganap ng Diyos ay si Abraham.  Sinabi ni Apostol Santiago ang ganito:

     "At natupad ang kasulatan na nagsasabi, At si Abraham ay sumamapalataya sa Dios, at yao'y ibinilang na katuwiran sa kaniya; at siya'y tinawag na kaibigan ng Dios."  (Sant. 2:23)

     Walang pagtatalong si Abraham ay inaring-ganap sa Diyos.  Subalit paano siya  inaring-ganap?  Sumampalataya lamang ba siya at wala nang ginawa?  Hindi.  May ginawa si Abraham:

     "Hindi baga ang ating amang si Abraham ay inaring ganap sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa, dahil sa kaniyang inihain si Isaac na kaniyang anak sa ibabaw ng dambana?" (Sant. 2:21)

     Si Abraham ay hindi sumampalataya lamang.  Pinatunayan niya ang kaniyang pananampalataya sa pamamagitan ng gawa.  Mahalaga na magtaglay ang tao ng panamnampalataya subalit dapat niya itong lakipan ng gawa upang siya ay ariing-ganap ng Diyos.  Gayunpaman, hindi nangangahulugang kahit anong gawa na lamang ang gagawin niya.  Ang dapat niyang gawin ay ang mabubuting gawa:

     "Tapat ang pasabi, at tungkol sa mga bagay na ito ay ninanasa kong patotohanan mong may pagkakatiwala, upang ang mga nagsisisampalataya sa Dios ay maging maingat na papanatilihin ang mabubuting gawa.  Ang mga bagay na ito ay pawang mabubuti at mapapakinabangan ng mga tao." (Tito 3:8)

     Ang mabubuting gawa ang pakikinabangan ng tao.  Ang mga ito ang dapat na maingatan niyang panatilihin na kalakip ng kaniyang pananampalataya.  Niliwanag ni Apostol Pablo kung aling gawa ang hindi kailangan na binabanggit sa Tito 3:5.  Ganito ang sinasabi niya sa talatang ito:

     "Na hindi dahil sa mga gawa sa katuwiran na ginawa nating sarili, kundi ayon sa kaniyang kaawaan ay kaniyang iniligtas tayo, sa pamamagitan ng paghuhugas sa muling kapanganakan at at pagbabago sa Espiritu Santo."

     Ang gawang hindi ikaliligtas ay ang mga gawang ginawa lamang ng tao sa ganang kaniyang sarili.  Kahit pa sabihing ang mga gawang ito ay mabubuti sa panukat ng tao ngunit kailanma't ginawa lamang niya sa kaniyang sarili ay hindi mapanghahawakan sa kaniyang ikaliligtas.  Ganito ang patotoo ni Apostol Pablo:

     "Iniligtas niya tayo, hindi dahil sa mabubuting ginawa natin, kundi dahil sa kanyang kahabagan.  Iniligtas niya tayo sa pamamagitan ng paglilinis ng muling kapanganakan at pagbabagong likha ng Espiritu Santo." (Tito 3:5, New Pilipino Version)

     Ang mga gawang ikaliligtas ay hindi ang mabuti lang sa panukat ng tao.  Ang mabuti ay ang mga utos ng Diyos:

"Gayon din, ang

pananampalatayang

walang gawa

ay patay" 

     "Kaya nga ang kautusan ay banal , at ang utos ay banal, at matuwid at mabuti." (Roma 7::12)

     Kaya ang mga gawang mabuti ay ang pagsunod sa mga kalooban ng Diyos.  Ito ang hinahanap ng Diyos na dapat ilakip sa pananampalataya.  Ang halimbawa ng mga gawang mabuti ay ang binabanggit ni Apostol Pablo sa I Timoteo 6:18-19:

     "Na sila'y magsigawa ng mabuti, na sila'y magsiyaman sa mabuting gawa, na sila'y maging handa sa pamimigay, maibigin sa pamamahagi;

     "Na mangagtipon sa kanilang sarili ng isang mabuting kinasasaligan para sa panahong darating, upang sila'y makapanangan sa buhay na tunay na buhay."

     Ang pamimigay o paghahandog  at ang pamamahagi ng pananampalataya ay mabubuting gawang ikaliligtas.  Iba ito sa mabubuting gawa na ginawa lamang ng tao sa ganang kaniyang sarili. Ang mga ito'y mga gawang ipinagagawa ng Diyos.

Kautusan Ni Cristo

     Sa panahong Cristiano, ang ipinangangaral na ay ang mabuting balita tungkol sa kaharian ng Diyos.  Sinasabing bawat isa'y magpumilit na pumasok sa kahariang ito upang maligtas:

     "Ang kautusan at ang mga propeta ay nanatili hanggang kay Juan:  mula noo'y ang evangelio ng kaharian ng Dios ay ipinangangaral, at ang bawa't tao ay pumapasok doon na nagpipilit." (Lu. 16:16)

     Ang kaharian na dapat pasukan ng tao na may pagpupumilit ay ang kaharian ng Anak na kinaroroonan ng katubusan.  Sinabi ni Apostol Pablo:

     "Na siyang nagligtas sa atin sa kapangyarihan ng kadiliman, at naglipat sa atin sa kaharian ng Anak ng kaniyang pagibig;

     "Na siyang kinaroroonan ng ating katubusan, na siyang kapatawaran ng ating mga kasalanan." (Col. 1:13-14)

     Ang kaharian na tinubos ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo gaya ng pinatunayan ng mga Apostol:

     "Ingatan ninyo kung gayon ang inyong mga sarili at ang buong kawan na rito'y hinirang kayo ng Espiritu Santo na mga katiwala, upang pakanin ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya ng kaniyang dugo." (Gawa 20:28, Lamsa Translation, isinalin mula sa Ingles)

     

     Ang tao ay dapat magpumilit na pumasok sa Iglesia ni Cristo.  Ito'y ipinag-utos mismo ng Tagapagligtas na si Cristo:

     "Ako ang pintuan; sinumang pumasok sa kawan sa pamamagitan ko ay magiging ligtas." (Juan 10:9, Revised English Bible, isinalin mula sa Ingles)

    Hindi sinabi ni Cristo na sumampalataya lamang ang tao ay maliligtas na.  Mayroon pa siyang ipinag-utos--ang pagpasok sa kawan na siyang Iglesia ni Cristo (Gawa 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

     Itinuro ni Apostol Pablo na dapat tuparin ng tao ang kautusan ni Cristo.  Sinabi niya na "Mangagdalahan kayo ng mga pasanin ng isa't-isa, at tuparin ninyong gayon ang kautusan ni Cristo" (Gal. 6:2).  Ang ibang tawag sa kautusan ni Cristo ay kautusan ng pananampalataya (Roma 3:27).

     Kaya, hindi totoo ang sinasabi ng mga Protestante na hindi aariing-ganap o katanggap-tanggap sa Diyos ang tao sa pamamagitan ng pagiging kaanib sa Iglesia.  Ang totoo, ito ang unang dapat gawin ng tao upang maligtas.

Pananampalatayang Patay

     Sinumbatan ni Cristo ang mga tumatawag lamang sa Kaniya ng "Panginoon" ngunit hindi naman ginagawa ang kaniyang sinasabi:

     "At bakit tinatawag ninyo ako, Panginoon, Panginoon, at di ninyo ginagawa ang mga bagay na aking sinasabi?" (Lu. 6:46)

     Sinabi ni Cristo na dapat sumampalataya sa Kaniya:

     'Sinabi ko nga sa inyo, na kayo'y nangamamatay sa inyong mga kasalanan:  sapagka't malibang kayo'y magsisampalataya na ako nga ang Cristo, ay mangamamatay kayo sa inyong mga kasalanan," (Juan 8:24)

     Mahalaga na magtaglay ang tao ng pananampalataya kay Cristo.  Ang totoo sinabi ni Cristo na " ... malibang kayo'y magsisampalataya na ako nga ang Cristo, ay mangamamatay kayo sa inyong mga kasalanan."  Subali't hindi Niya sinabing sasampalataya lang.  Hinahanap Niya sa mga sumasampalataya sa Kaniya na magsipanatili s Kaniyang salita:

     "Sinabi nga ni Jesus sa mga Judiong yaon na nagsisisampalataya sa kaniya, Kung kayo'y magsisipanatili sa aking salita, kung magkagayo'y tunay nga kayong mga alagad ko.'  (Juan 8:31)

      Ang kausap dito ni Cristo ay mga sumasampalataya na.  Ngunit hindi sinabi ni Cristo na sapat na ang kanilang pananampalataya.  Sinabi Niyang " ... Kung kayo'y magsisipanatili sa aking salita, kung magkagayo'y tunay nga kayong mga alagad ko."

     Ang pananatili sa mga salita ni Cristo na binabanggit ay ang pagsunod sa Kaniyang mga aral:

     "Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa mga Judiong naniniwala sa kanya, 'kung patuloy kayong susunod sa aking aral, tunay ngang kayo'y mga alagad ko'.'  (Juan 8:31, MB)

     Ang pananatili o pagsunod sa mga salita ni Cristo ang ikapagiging tunay na alagad ng mga nagsisisampalataya  sa kaniya.  Hindi maliligtas ang tao kung walang kalakip na gawa ang kaniyang pananampalataya.  Pinatunayan ito ni Apostol Santiago:

     "Anong pakikinabangin, mga kapatid ko, kung sinasabi ng sinoman na siya'y may pananampalataya, ngunit walang mga gawa? makapagliligtas baga sa kaniya ang pananampalatayang iyan?"  (Sant. 2:14)

     Walang pakikinabangin ang tao sa pananampalataya lamang dahil hindi siya aariing-ganap sa pamamagitan lamang nito:

     "nakikita ninyo na sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa'y inaaring ganap ang tao, at hindi sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya lamang."  (Sant. 2:24)

     Kaya nga ang tawag sa pananampalatayang walang gawa ay patay.  Ang sabi ni Apostol Santiago:

     "Gayon din, ang pananampalatayang walang gawa ay patay" (Sant. 2:17, NPV)

     Ang patay ay walang magagawa.  kaya, ang pananampalatayang walang kalakip na gawa--ang pananampalatayang patay--ay hindi ikaliligtas ng tao.  Hangal ang tawag ng Biblia sa mga taong ayaw maniwalang ang pananampalatayang walang gawa ay walang kabuluhan:

     "Ikaw na hangal, gusto mo ba ang katibayan na walang kabuluhan ang pananampalatayang walang gawa?"  (Sant. 2:20, Ibid.)

     Kahangalan ang paniniwalang sumampalataya lang kahit walang gawa ay ligtas na.  kailangang gumawa, at ang isa sa ipinagagawa ng Tagapagligtas ay ang pag-anib sa Iglesia ni Cristo.  Ngunit hindi naman nangangahulugang aanib lamang sa Iglesia ni Cristo ang tao ay maliligtas na siya.  Ang mga umanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo ay may gagawin pa rin.  Ganito ang patotoo ni Apostol pablo:

     "Kaya nga, mga minamahal, higit na kailangang maging masunurin kayo ngayon kaysa noong kasama ninyo ako.  May takot at panginginig na magpatuloy kayo sa paggawa hanggang sa malubos ang inyong kaligtasan."  (Filip. 2:12, MB)

     Ang ikalulubos ng kaligtasan ay ang patuloy na pagsunod sa lahat ng utos ng Diyos.  Ngunit ang mga ito'y dapat gawin sa loob ng Iglesia ni Cristo.

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Basahin din:

[Interesting Questions about "Faith - Belief"]
[How Does Faith Come To A Man]

Visit:
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Bible Study Suggestion: Malugod po namin kayong inaanyayahan sa mga pagsamba ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa ating Lumikha.
Kung mayroon po kayong mga katanungan ukol sa mga aral na sinasampalatayanan ng Iglesia ni Cristo, maaari po kayong magtungo sa kapilya o bahay-sambahan na malapit sa inyo at makipag-ugnayan po kayo sa ministrong nakadestino rito.  Nagagalak po silang kayo'y paglingkuran.  Sa Diyos po ang lahat ng kapurihan!
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Twice A Week

Twice A Week

Question from a God's Message reader:

ONCE A WEEK, our religious congregation holds a fellowship which I be­lieve is the counter­part of your wor­ship service. I learned from my officemate who is a member of your Church that you attend such gathering twice a week. Why does your Church hold two worship services weekly? Is it not going beyond what is taught in the Bible? 

Vicky R. Bermudez Waipahu, Hawaii (Editorial from the June 2006 issue)

 

Editor's reply:

The first-century Christians gathered for worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), or on Sundays, but there were also times when they held their worship services in the Temple "every day" (Acts 2:46) or in all the days of week. Conducting worship services on any other day besides Sunday is not something new, nor is it unbiblical, because such practice was likewise observed during the administration of the apostles. As the ones appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ to administer the Church after His ascension to heaven, the apostles had the divine authority to decide on matters pertaining to the faith. It is important to subject one's self to the authority of those whom Christ entrusted to administer the Church, for the decisions they make in behalf of the Church are affirmed by God in heaven. Thus declared Christ to the administrators of His Church:

"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matt. 18:18-19, New Revised Standard Version)

Taking into consideration not only the spiritual needs of the brethren but, most of all, God's will that every member of the Church be brought to the condition worthy of receiving salvation on Christ's Second Advent, the Church Administration today has deemed it necessary for all the congregations of the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) to hold worship services twice a week—on the midweek and on weekends.

For their part, the faithful members of the Church of Christ heed the Administration's exhortation not to neglect such congregational worship services, firmly believing that doing so edifies their faith (Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 14:26).

For questions, comments, and suggestions, send your letters to any of our editorial offices (see staff box, p.1). Or, e-mail us at pasugo@inc.org.ph We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity. Sender's name may be withheld upon request.

(June 2006 Issue | God's Message Magazine)

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Infant Baptism

Infant Baptism

MAILBOX , GOD'S MESSAGE
(April 2010)

Readers Question: 

 BEING BORN TO and raised in the dominant religion in our country, I find it surprising to find out that my classmate, who is a member of your Church since birth, did not receive baptism when he was an infant. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't biblical verses like Luke 18:15 and Matthew 19:13 prove that Christ Himself demonstrated that infants or little children should be baptized?

Name withheld upon sender's request

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Editor's reply: 

The verses you mentioned state, thus:

"Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them." (Luke 18:15, New King James Version)

"Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them." (Matt. 19:13, Ibid.)

Notice what Christ did to the infants or young children who were brought to Him—He laid His hands on and prayed for them. This is not baptism and is different from what is done to one who is baptized (Matt. 3:13-16 [13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.]; Acts 8:36-38 [36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.]).

Baptism is not for infants, but for those who have been taught the gospel and believed in it as the Lord Jesus Christ Himself taught:

"And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned'." (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV)

Having no capacity to understand yet, infants and little children can not believe in the gospel. Faith or belief in the gospel is attained by listening to the message as preached by the messenger sent by God (Rom. 10:17 [17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.], 14-15 [14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"]). For the listener to have genuine faith, he should have the faculty to comprehend and believe, which infants do not have. Hence, infants should not be baptized.

Thus, in the Church of Christ today, infants are dedicated to God through prayer as set by the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the very verses that you cited: "Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them, but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these' When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there." (Matt. 19:13-15, New International Version)

But, when they grow up and reach the age of 12, Iglesia ni Cristo children are given instructions in biblical doctrines and then baptized, in consonance with the Lord's command that all those who are made disciples shall be baptized (Matt. 28:19 [19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,]).

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For questions, comments, and suggestions, send your letters to any of our editorial offices (see staff box, p.1). Or, e-mail us at pasugo@inc.org.ph We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity. Sender's name may be withheld upon request.

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