Tag Archives: 1 Corinthians 13:10

Christian, Inspirational

Believing the Lie

The Church I’m attending (mainly because of my mom) hired a new preacher. He started off his first day stating that he wasn’t here to preach denominational doctrine nor doctrine he learned at the Memphis School of Preaching, but only the Bible.

Would that this were true. You can lie to me because I know the Holy Bible, but perhaps the most dangerous lie is the one you tell yourself.

This is the second young Church of Christ preacher I’ve dealt with and older preachers, though perhaps less obvious, are no different. They honestly believe they don’t belong to a denomination.

How can you point out doctrinal error to the person who doesn’t think they belong to a denomination? Or tell them that their opinion is clearly reflected in the denominational doctrine they put forward as the only truth?

I’ve heard the Church of Christ referred to as a cult and have vehemently disagreed with that characterization. Nonetheless, you could describe those that cling to and promote a lie as cultish. Believing their own lie that they are not a denomination only leads to further error. They don’t believe in the power of God – to do miracles – and that is grievous denominational error based on misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10 KJV.

Don’t get caught up in your denomination. I have yet to find a denomination that does everything correctly. Get caught up in the Word of God, so that when your denomination is errant you know the difference.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Unbelief

At one point, I thought I would spend my life in the Church of Christ denomination. Not because they do everything right, but because of the churches I am aware of, the Church of Christ seemed the lesser of error and evils. At the very least it has the right name. The COC understands baptism and offers the Lords Supper weekly.

Yet, I have concluded to leave the Church of Christ denomination. Here’s why. As a denomination they misinterpret 1 Corinthians 13:10 KJV But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. They erroneously declare this verse to mean an end of miracles because Jesus was perfect, he has been here, and thus the season of miracles is over.

Why is this crucial. Read the warning in 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV which accurately describes the modern Church of Christ denomination! Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

They sing songs, they pray, they offer the Lord’s Supper, but they do not believe in the very real power of God to perform miracles today.

It goes further than this, as I have spoken with and overheard members of the COC speak unbelief and dissension. One preacher said, regarding Pharoah and the plagues, he didn’t believe the Lord could reach inside a person and harden a heart. This is more than unbelief. It is argument against the word of God which clearly says God hardened Pharaohs heart. One said God couldn’t grant knowledge miraculously, but rather only through study and work. I was told this was logical. Another said he didn’t believe God could help a man walk perfectly before the Lord. These not only reflect disbelief they actively contradict the Word of God.

I suspect these opinions are mirrored in Church of Christ churches all over the nation.

This is serious enough that one should dissassociate with the COC. Why? Because God says to turn away. I have speculated maybe their deafness to truth and discernment is connected to their unbelief. I have also wondered if they are secretly and by majority the people described in 2 Timothy 3:2-7. If verse 5 is true could the inverse description of the people also be true?

All speculation aside, God commands we leave them in 2 Timothy 3:5 and He knows what’s best for us, his children. When someone wants to argue logic, remind them our relationship with God is not only logical, but passionate as well!

Standard
Inspirational

Power of God

2 Timothy 3:5 KJV
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This verse I think describes many churches. They sing psalms, they pray, they offer the Lord’s Supper, but do they believe in the power of God?
The following are a few things I have heard and observed at the Church of Christ I attend:
Miracles are ended because Jesus is perfect and he has already come. 1 Corinthians 13:10. This is misinterpretation and contrary to James 5:14-15 that tells us God will do miracles in the Church if you follow his word with performance.
I believe perfection of a man occurs only in Christ. He can provide the strength to help us be sinless. Philippians 4:13 Yet, a member did not believe Christ could help us walk perfectly. I say believe. His intent in dying was to show us how to live.

When discussing the gift of wisdom, one member said God grants it through study not miraculously. I do not say do not study, but the Bible says in James 1:5 the Lord giveth wisdom to those that ask. Therefore ask and believe.

The preacher once said of God when he said he hardened Pharaoh’s heart it doesn’t actually mean God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but rather Pharaoh set his mind against the Lord. Why do you doubt scripture? Why argue against the Lord? If the Holy Bible speaks, listen. Your own interpretation is not better. If you cannot believe God has the power to harden a man’s heart and to heal, do you really truly believe God has the power to Save? Or sadly are you just going through the motions? Does your church have the form of godliness, but not truly believe in God’s power?

I say again to you and to me Believe!

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Hurdles

I have had a few conversations recently that disturbed me. One was that all Catholics are going to Hell. The other was that unless you’re Church of Christ you’re unrighteous.

My viewpoint is that God’s chosen, Christ’s Bride will be taken from among various denominations. These chosen are people that learn the Word and follow it. Nonetheless there are people attending certain denominations which have greater hurdles to overcome to be among those going to Heaven.

Catholics – The greatest challenge is proper baptism. Sprinkling water on babies or baptizing children with no understanding does nothing. Children must be able to understand who Jesus is. Repenting of their sins requires knowledge of sin. Proper baptism is confession of Jesus as Christ, repentance of sin, and being completely immersed in water, or baptized, by another in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Another concern is praying to Saints and Angels instead of Jesus only. Confession is appropriate, but penance in the form of repeating prayers is not scriptural.

Church of Christ – Believing in the power of God and discerning the law of Jesus. They misinterpret 1 Corinthians 13:10 to mean an end of miracles. They cannot read New Testament commands such as those found in Corinthians. Additionally, they do not understand the Lord’s Prayer, nor can they see that all the Ten Commandments are still to be followed.

Baptist – Again baptism is an issue. From my understanding they consider it a public profession of Christ. It is more than that. It is being baptized into the family of Christ and being forgiven of previous sins by his blood. They also do not offer the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Mormon – I am convinced there are decent Mormons, but they face a large hurdle. They follow a false prophet and a false book. I think to obtain salvation their best course would be to leave the Mormon Church.

I realize there are many more denominations, but one of the hurdles listed above probably applies.  It bothers me greatly that one denomination or preacher should say to all others – we are going to Heaven and everyone else is going to Hell. Take a good long look in the mirror. To those that have shall be given more. To those that have not, even what they think they have shall be taken away.

I do not know if people with partial deafness can make it to Heaven. Remember 1 John 1:9. It is the only opportunity for forgiveness after receiving water baptism. When you find the strength correct others with the Word. Hearing comes by the Word of God. If they do not listen, you did your part and yet remains James 5:20!

Standard