06-15-2007, 10:46 AM
True Religion Who?
Which belief system will we choose? The critical question is. Will it be the right choice? Some of us have made this choice in the past and now question that choice. This is not wrong because acts17: 10 say “Immediately by night the brothers sent both Paul and Silas out to Be·roe´a, and these, upon arriving went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·ni´ca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.â€
This example was not put in the bible for a history lesson. It’s telling us to look before we leap.
Our creator does not want us to give our life to something that is not true and he has given us the greatest guidance we could ask for. But a word of caution we need to be aware of inaccurate verses in bibles. To illustrate this lets say you were building your own home and your spirit level was out then your walls will obviously be out. This in turn would affect the placing of wood trusses once you reach roof height. The overall size will be larger of smaller and that will just not do. Likewise a bible that is slightly out will not help you build on Christ. So its imperative to have a number of bibles and interlinear.
Who is or what is true religion? Lets examine some well-meaning men who appeared to champion truth.
Martin Luther was willing to debate the entire Roman Catholic Church. Some think that this was the truth that overcame the bondage Rome that held power over the world. He gave 95 Theses that challenged the Pope and ideas that helped to inspire The Protestant Reformation. A grand challenge indeed. Yes a well-meaning man was Luther and a good example. Nevertheless Luther’s friend Melanchthon, who was a Greek scholar, had persuaded him to be party to a proposal now known as the Augsburg Confession and this turned out to be a compromise.
Augsburg Confession
C T Russell was also well meaning, as was Luther. The Proclamers book says “Russell and his associates studied the Scriptures, it did not take them long to see that the God portrayed in the Bible is not the god of Christendom. This was an important matter because, as Jesus Christ said, people’s prospects for eternal life depend on their knowing the only true God and the one whom he sent forth, his Chief Agent of salvation. (John 17:3; Heb. 2:10) C. T. Russell and the group that shared with him in Bible study discerned that the justice of God is in perfect balance with divine wisdom, love, and power, and that these attributes are displayed in all of his works. On the basis of the knowledge that they then had of God’s purpose, they prepared a discussion of why evil is permitted and included this in one of their earliest and most widely distributed publications, the 162-page book Food for Thinking Christians, issued first as a special edition of Zion’s Watch Tower in September 1881. Their study of God’s Word helped them to realize that the Creator has a personal name and that he makes it possible for humans to know him and to enjoy a close relationship with him. (1 Chron. 28:9; Isa. 55:6; Jas. 4:8) The Watch Tower of October-November 1881 pointed out: “JEHOVAH is the name applied to none other than the Supreme Being—our Father, and him whom Jesus called Father and God.â€â€”Ps. 83:18; John 20:17. Sadly just like M Luther C T Russell compromised. Russell compromised by putting the Masonic symbols on his literature's covers. thus indicate to other Masons his involvement in this "secret society," This appears to be an important part of his life and beliefs. The 33dg Masonic "winged-sun-disc" is also to be found on the Studies in the Scriptures book. It is unashamedly displayed on his other books also.. What a great compromise to the truth.
We must ask the question therefor, did Jesus intend to form a true religious Organization at all? An examination of the first century setup reveals Jesus mind on this most important issue of all. Did Jesus set up a religious Organization for his followers? If the answer is no then this could mean that there has never been a true religious organization but rather true Christians who follows only one religion Jesus.
Lets look at the setup in the first century. 1 Cor 15:1 “ And certain men came down from Ju·de´a and began to teach the brothers: “Unless YOU get circumcised according to the custom of Moses, YOU cannot be saved.†2 But when there had occurred no little dissension and disputing by Paul and Bar´na·bas with them, they arranged for Paul and Bar´na·bas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and older men in Jerusalem regarding this dispute.
3 Accordingly, after being conducted partway by the congregation, these men continued on their way through both Phoe·ni´cia and Sa·mar´i·a, relating in detail the conversion of people of the nations, and they were causing great joy to all the brothers. 4 On arriving in Jerusalem they were kindly received by the congregation and the apostles and the older men, and they recounted the many things God had done by means of them. 5 Yet, some of those of the sect of the Pharisees that had believed rose up from their seats and said: “It is necessary to circumcise them and charge them to observe the law of Moses†In view of this scr above we can see that Paul asked this body of men in Jerusalem about circumcision. Is there any other time this body gathered together to decide upon an issue, recorded in the bible? No. Why? Because this body was not set up by Jesus to set rules over the congregations. They were a free people no longer under the laws of the Jews. Although Paul consulted the apostles in Jerusalem he was not under their authority. Notice how Paul releases himself from the authority of a religious organization or governing body. Gal 1:10:17 “Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave. 11 For I put YOU on notice, brothers, that the good news which was declared by me as good news is not something human; 12 for neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught [it], except through revelation by Jesus Christ.
13 YOU, of course, heard about my conduct formerly in Ju´da·ism, that to the point of excess I kept on persecuting the congregation of God and devastating it, 14 and I was making greater progress in Ju´da·ism than many of my own age in my race, as I was far more zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called [me] through his undeserved kindness, thought good 16 to reveal his Son in connection with me, that I might declare the good news about him to the nations, I did not go at once into conference with flesh and blood. 17 Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles previous to meâ€
So hear we have Paul acting independent of any religious Org. Could it be therefor that true religion is not to be found in organised religion? Jesus set up not an Organisation but rather himself. Mt 16:18. 18 Also, I say to you, You are Peter, and on this rock-mass (Jesus) I will build my congregation.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the cultivator. Every branch in me not bearing fruit he takes away, and every one bearing fruit he cleans, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in union with me, and I in union with you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, in the same way neither can you, unless you remain in union with me. I am the vine, you are the branches. . . . My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples. Just as the Father has loved me and I have loved you, remain in my love. If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love.â€â€”John 15:1-10.
So Jesus is the true religion and we must look to him.
Which belief system will we choose? The critical question is. Will it be the right choice? Some of us have made this choice in the past and now question that choice. This is not wrong because acts17: 10 say “Immediately by night the brothers sent both Paul and Silas out to Be·roe´a, and these, upon arriving went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·ni´ca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.â€
This example was not put in the bible for a history lesson. It’s telling us to look before we leap.
Our creator does not want us to give our life to something that is not true and he has given us the greatest guidance we could ask for. But a word of caution we need to be aware of inaccurate verses in bibles. To illustrate this lets say you were building your own home and your spirit level was out then your walls will obviously be out. This in turn would affect the placing of wood trusses once you reach roof height. The overall size will be larger of smaller and that will just not do. Likewise a bible that is slightly out will not help you build on Christ. So its imperative to have a number of bibles and interlinear.
Who is or what is true religion? Lets examine some well-meaning men who appeared to champion truth.
Martin Luther was willing to debate the entire Roman Catholic Church. Some think that this was the truth that overcame the bondage Rome that held power over the world. He gave 95 Theses that challenged the Pope and ideas that helped to inspire The Protestant Reformation. A grand challenge indeed. Yes a well-meaning man was Luther and a good example. Nevertheless Luther’s friend Melanchthon, who was a Greek scholar, had persuaded him to be party to a proposal now known as the Augsburg Confession and this turned out to be a compromise.
Augsburg Confession
C T Russell was also well meaning, as was Luther. The Proclamers book says “Russell and his associates studied the Scriptures, it did not take them long to see that the God portrayed in the Bible is not the god of Christendom. This was an important matter because, as Jesus Christ said, people’s prospects for eternal life depend on their knowing the only true God and the one whom he sent forth, his Chief Agent of salvation. (John 17:3; Heb. 2:10) C. T. Russell and the group that shared with him in Bible study discerned that the justice of God is in perfect balance with divine wisdom, love, and power, and that these attributes are displayed in all of his works. On the basis of the knowledge that they then had of God’s purpose, they prepared a discussion of why evil is permitted and included this in one of their earliest and most widely distributed publications, the 162-page book Food for Thinking Christians, issued first as a special edition of Zion’s Watch Tower in September 1881. Their study of God’s Word helped them to realize that the Creator has a personal name and that he makes it possible for humans to know him and to enjoy a close relationship with him. (1 Chron. 28:9; Isa. 55:6; Jas. 4:8) The Watch Tower of October-November 1881 pointed out: “JEHOVAH is the name applied to none other than the Supreme Being—our Father, and him whom Jesus called Father and God.â€â€”Ps. 83:18; John 20:17. Sadly just like M Luther C T Russell compromised. Russell compromised by putting the Masonic symbols on his literature's covers. thus indicate to other Masons his involvement in this "secret society," This appears to be an important part of his life and beliefs. The 33dg Masonic "winged-sun-disc" is also to be found on the Studies in the Scriptures book. It is unashamedly displayed on his other books also.. What a great compromise to the truth.
We must ask the question therefor, did Jesus intend to form a true religious Organization at all? An examination of the first century setup reveals Jesus mind on this most important issue of all. Did Jesus set up a religious Organization for his followers? If the answer is no then this could mean that there has never been a true religious organization but rather true Christians who follows only one religion Jesus.
Lets look at the setup in the first century. 1 Cor 15:1 “ And certain men came down from Ju·de´a and began to teach the brothers: “Unless YOU get circumcised according to the custom of Moses, YOU cannot be saved.†2 But when there had occurred no little dissension and disputing by Paul and Bar´na·bas with them, they arranged for Paul and Bar´na·bas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and older men in Jerusalem regarding this dispute.
3 Accordingly, after being conducted partway by the congregation, these men continued on their way through both Phoe·ni´cia and Sa·mar´i·a, relating in detail the conversion of people of the nations, and they were causing great joy to all the brothers. 4 On arriving in Jerusalem they were kindly received by the congregation and the apostles and the older men, and they recounted the many things God had done by means of them. 5 Yet, some of those of the sect of the Pharisees that had believed rose up from their seats and said: “It is necessary to circumcise them and charge them to observe the law of Moses†In view of this scr above we can see that Paul asked this body of men in Jerusalem about circumcision. Is there any other time this body gathered together to decide upon an issue, recorded in the bible? No. Why? Because this body was not set up by Jesus to set rules over the congregations. They were a free people no longer under the laws of the Jews. Although Paul consulted the apostles in Jerusalem he was not under their authority. Notice how Paul releases himself from the authority of a religious organization or governing body. Gal 1:10:17 “Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave. 11 For I put YOU on notice, brothers, that the good news which was declared by me as good news is not something human; 12 for neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught [it], except through revelation by Jesus Christ.
13 YOU, of course, heard about my conduct formerly in Ju´da·ism, that to the point of excess I kept on persecuting the congregation of God and devastating it, 14 and I was making greater progress in Ju´da·ism than many of my own age in my race, as I was far more zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called [me] through his undeserved kindness, thought good 16 to reveal his Son in connection with me, that I might declare the good news about him to the nations, I did not go at once into conference with flesh and blood. 17 Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles previous to meâ€
So hear we have Paul acting independent of any religious Org. Could it be therefor that true religion is not to be found in organised religion? Jesus set up not an Organisation but rather himself. Mt 16:18. 18 Also, I say to you, You are Peter, and on this rock-mass (Jesus) I will build my congregation.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the cultivator. Every branch in me not bearing fruit he takes away, and every one bearing fruit he cleans, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in union with me, and I in union with you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, in the same way neither can you, unless you remain in union with me. I am the vine, you are the branches. . . . My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples. Just as the Father has loved me and I have loved you, remain in my love. If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love.â€â€”John 15:1-10.
So Jesus is the true religion and we must look to him.