How Important are the Teachings of Jesus?
R.V.4us2
R aV4us2
At What Cost Will We Have Unity?
"... apostate Christians, uniting with their half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most essential features of the doctrines of Christ."
Could some of these be the most- "essential features of the doctrines of Christ"? =>
John 6:54,63 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ... 63 It is the spirit who gives life... The words that I speak... are spirit, and are life.
John 12:48-50 He who... doesn't receive my sayings... The word that I spoke... will judge him... I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me... his commandment is eternal life... as the Father has said to me, so I speak."
John 14:6 ... I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
John 17:1,3 ... Father... This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
John 14:18 ... I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Matthew 28:20 ... and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Is it possible to have unity with those who direct "warfare" against these most- "essential features of the doctrines of Christ"?
The apostles encountered those in the church who professed godliness while they were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and Sapphira acted the part of deceivers, pretending to make an entire sacrifice for God, when they were covetously withholding a portion for themselves. The Spirit of truth revealed to the apostles the real character of these pretenders, and the judgments of God forever rid the church of this foul blot upon its purity. This signal evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a terror to hypocrites and evil-doers. They could not long remain in connection with those who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives of Christ; and as trials and persecution came upon his followers, those only who were willing to forsake all for the truth's sake desired to become his disciples. Thus, as long as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively pure. But as it ceased, converts were added who were less sincere and devoted, and the way was opened for Satan to obtain a foothold. 4SP 45.1
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers. When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half converted from paganism, they entered upon a path which led farther and farther from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in deceiving so large a number of the followers of Christ. He then brought his power to bear more fully upon them, and inspired them to persecute those who remained true to God. None could so well understand how to oppose the true Christian faith as could those who had once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting with their half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most essential features of the doctrines of Christ. 4SP 45.2
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful to stand firm against the deceptions and abominations which were disguised in sacerdotal garments and introduced into the church. The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith. The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated and proscribed. 4SP 46.1
After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry. They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil the faith of their children and children's children. To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war. 4SP 46.2
Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God's professed people. There is an alarming indifference in regard to the doctrines which are the pillars of the Christian faith. The opinion is gaining ground, that, after all, these are not of vital importance. This degeneracy is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, so that false theories and fatal delusions which the faithful in ages past imperiled their lives to resist and expose, are now regarded with favor by thousands who claim to be followers of Christ. 4SP 46.3
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Gen. 1:1 In cathe beginning bGod created the heaven and the earth. aJoh 1:1,3 bRev. 4:11 Heb. 11:3 Col. 1:16 Rom. 1:20 Isa. 44:24 Job 38:4 cHeb. 1:10
"Regarding the angels, he says, 'He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire'... angels are only servants - spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?"
(Hebrews 1:7,14 thru Hebrews 2:3)
Amos 1:6 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Gaza, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole people, to deliver them up to Edom: 7 but I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, and it shall devour the palaces thereof. 8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon; and I will turn my hand against Ekron; and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord Jehovah.
Isaiah 59:20 “The Redeemer(Jesus) will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says [Jehovah]
Romans 11:26-29 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one(Jesus) who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. 27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”(Is59:20) 28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. (Paul)
Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one(Jesus) who comes in the name of the Lord !’ ”
Revelation 1:7 Look! He(Jesus) comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!
Zechariah 12:10 “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me(Jesus) whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died.