I also wish you a thanksgiving for all the days of coming new year.
Sals opinion on Denominationalism
<<The "Watchers" Mail List - chn-net.com
CHN COMMENTARY - 11/24/98
DENOMINATIONALISM
By Sal Smario
Over the past couple of years I have received many questions concerning
Denominationalism. And, today I received a letter from a Watcher, that
addresses the subject, and what this Ministry's views concerning it is.
I think this subject is important enough for me to comment on publically.
The following letter pointed out to me just how important . . .
_________________________
Dear Sal,
Thank you for sending your video to our little prayer group. Thank you so
much! Tonight at our end --times Bible study we used it. Everyone was so
touched by the message at the beginning of the tape.
Your ministry has certainly been a candle to us, and now from us, to
others. I personally appreciated the fact that you are not judgmental
about denominations. This is important to me and to our groups who are
multi-denominational. Much love.
God bless you.
A Watcher
____________________________
I feel that the message of this Ministry reaches far beyond
denominationalism, because I am addressing Christians with it.
Christians are people who follow Christ. Jesus of Nazareth is Christ!
Everyone out there that I am addressing right now knows Jesus of Nazareth
is Christ! They belong to Him. We are reborn in spirit! We are new
creatures in Christ! We live in the certain knowledge that our names are
written in the book of life! We expect to be Raptured!
All of this, because we are Christians! But, what is required of us?
What are the terms of our covenant?
Ephesians 2:8,9 tell us that we are saved by grace through Faith, and that
not of ourselves, it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should
boast. So Faith is the key to salvation
The word Faith, as defined in the English language means: belief. But God
did not pick the word belief, He picked the word in the Greek: Pistis.
The English translation of Pistis is Faith, but the meaning of Pistis in
the Greek is a little different.
Pistis is defined as: Action, based upon belief, supported by confidence.
I think the perfect example of Faith (Pistis), are the lepers that Jesus
sent to the High Priests to show them that they were cleansed. The faith
was demonstrated in the going . . . the action they took, based on the
belief they had that Jesus could cure them, and supported by the
confidence that they knew if He said go show yourselves, you can count on
it being so. That's what the Greek word Pistis means.
And, it is any act that one performs in his life, that is directed toward
God for that purpose, that God considers Faith of the saving nature.
The way we worship God is not important. The ACT of worship is what God
places such a high value on. None of us, no matter what denomination we
claim, knows how to do it right, because there is no "right" way! There is
only Action!
When you act in faith, whether it is a prayer in private, or major
donation to your favorite preacher, as long as the act is based upon
belief that when God says something he will do it, it is accepted by God
as and act of Faith, and the reward is salvation.
With that understanding, one can readily see that the preferences you have
of the type of fellowship, or need for close adherence to the
commandments, or belief that certain worldly pleasures are sinful, etc.,
etc., etc., don't really have any meaning except that it is your preferred
way of acting on God's word.
That makes all actors on God's word, God's children. And, as such,
entitled to the reward that comes with the promise of salvation. It is
not for us to judge how any individual is working with, or being worked on
by God. The relationship is personal, no matter what kind of a Church
building you are in.
When you meet the requirements as laid down in a last will and testament,
the executor is obliged to carry out the order of the will. It is not his
place to judge how you did it, only that you did do it.
So it is with God's covenant, He gave His word on it, and expected only
that you act on that.
I look at denominations as veins in the body of the Body. Veins carrying
the blood of salvation to every member of every denomination in existence.
We are all under the same covenant! And God uses everything for His own
good.
Thank you for listening.
Jesus is Lord, and we are Watching and passing on the light.
God Bless.
Luke 12:37
Got a Question - I probably have an opinion - email me: chn@chn-net.com>>
Santiago
|
