“That you may
with one mind and with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” Romans 15:6 (NKJV)
In
the only name given among men by which we must be saved, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,”
greetings.
When biblical truths collide with man’s understanding of
them, some would call them sermons. I
call them misleading. God’s increase is
guaranteed when the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached in truth. Everyone that hears it should expect God’s
increase to come their way. There’s
nothing wrong with quoting [Scripture], but if one treats them as insufficient on
their own and adds to them it leads to false teachings.
Sam and Ellen work for a rather large company. They’ve met on few occasions, but the only thing
one knows about the other is work related.
An opportunity for the company to expand has made itself available. They
are being sent to a meeting at a location two hours away. With little time to waste, they gather up
their things and meet in the parking lot.
Safely on the road, Ellen says to Sam, “Congratulations Sam,
this is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to working together with
you.”
“Congratulations to you as well. I’ve been praying for an opportunity like
this and here we are smack dab in the middle of it,” said Sam happily.
Caught off guard by Sam’s remark, “I’ve been praying for it
as well, are you a Christian?” Ellen said joyfully.
“Born again. Bought
by the blood of Jesus. I am. This is working out better than I thought,”
said Sam with great relief.
“Praise God! What
we’re bringing to the table Sam, will sell itself. All we have to do now is let go, and let
God,” Ellen said.
“Let go and let God.
I like that. So tell me about
your church, are you doing anything special for Christmas,” asked Sam.
“We’re focusing on the usual, Jesus’ birth, singing songs,
things like that, and water baptism,” replied Ellen.
“I love this time of year… did you say water baptism,” asked
Sam.
Quickly Ellen replied, “I did!”
“In all my years I’ve yet to witness anyone getting baptized
on Christmas Day,” said Sam.
“Have you been baptized in water Sam?” asked Ellen.
“No. I’ve thought
about it but we don’t have a water tank at our church. It’s a small church and on a good day we’ll
have fifteen to twenty people,” said Sam.
“What then do you believe?” asked Ellen with great concern.
“I believe in Jesus, that He is the way, the truth, and the
life,” said Sam.
“No one can come to the Father except through Him,” Ellen
interrupted.
“At our church, in addition to Jesus, we teach the
significance of creeds, doctrines, and having to believe the doctrine of the trinity
to be saved. There is no emphasis put on
water baptism but I have a feeling you’re concerned about me not being baptized
in water,” said Sam.
“I am concerned.
You’re not saved without having been baptized in water,” replied Ellen.
“What about the person in the middle of the desert, just
prior to them taking their last breathe here on earth, now confessing Jesus is
the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, and there’s no water to
be found, is that person not saved,” asked Sam.
“I could say the same to you. I confess Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord
and the Savior of my life, and I reject the Anthanasian Creed altogether and
thus the doctrine of the trinity, am I not saved,” asked Ellen.
Obviously having to believe [or else] the doctrine of the
“Trinity” or to be baptized in water to be saved has absolutely nothing to do with
the salvation of one’s soul. There is no
[Biblical] mandate stating one has to believe the doctrine of the “Trinity” or
to be baptized in water, to be saved.
Knowing God’s increase is guaranteed when the gospel
of Jesus Christ is preached in truth, I can safely say, the person confessing
Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, is saved.
God bless.
In His Care… Jim
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