I bring Greetings to everyone. I hope by God's grace we are all doing well. Today is Day 1 of the Mass Indoctrination, and it has already caused a complete change of my understanding of the word of God. Brother Eli Soriano is indeed a deep teacher of Christ's doctrines. I would like to take this opportunity to share my reflection of what was thought, and would like read your comments on it.
Points of Focus:
- What should we accept and follow.
- Why we study Christ's doctrines.
- Christ Doctrines.
- A bit on baptism.
- The importance of Joining the church of God.
Join me let's discuss the word of God.
We began by looking at:
1 John 4:1 KJV
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
We learnt that to believe and follow a person or an organization, we will need to scrutinized them to find out if they are really of God. We must find out whether it is the doctrine of Christ they are teaching or the doctrine of men. Because we learnt in:
Matthew 17:5 KJV
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
That God has commanded us to hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. So any doctrine which is outside what Christ teaches must not be accepted and followed. This voice was also heard by the disciples.
This means the recommendation of the Father on whonwe should listen to and follow is the teaching's of Jesus Christ. This is why it's important for us to study the doctrines of Christ as Brother Eli teaches, so we can know who is lying to us and who is telling the truth and we should follow. Christ is the one appointed by God for us to listen to.
Listening to other doctrines aside Christs has a bad implication.
It is dangerous when we give our ears to the wrong teaches.
Mark 7:7-8 KJV
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
We see from the scriptures that when we listen to a doctrine which is not of Christ our sacrifice in worship will be in vain.
So therefore before we join a religion or a denomination, let's do well to find out whether it's Christ's doctrines being thought there?
Christ's Doctrines:
Brother Eli Soriano made us to understand from the scriptures that to be a member of God's Church there are two Major things that needs to be done.
- To be baptized
- To observe the doctrines of Christ
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
So to be saved:
We are thought - Baptized - Observe his commandments.
Baptism:
Galatians 1:23 KJV
But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Acts 22:15-16 KJV
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. [16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
We studied from the life of Apostles Paul, who was at the beginning in Judaism. The first thing he did or was commanded to do after the word of God had come to him, was to be baptized. We learnt that baptism is the formal way to join the church of Christ, and to wish away the sins of a person.
Acts 2:41 KJV
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Do you see from the scriptures?
They were added to the church after they had received the word and were baptized.
Why it is important to join the church of God:
We saw that there had been some sayings out there, that " a person does not need to join the church, he or she just have to accept Jesus Christ". We realized after studying the Holy scriptures that, it's not so.
Ephesians 3:6 KJV
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Colossians 1:18 KJV
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Ephesians 5:23 KJV
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Romans 12:9 KJV
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
From the scriptures above we realized that we have been commanded by God to join the church, we are the gentiles and we should be part of his body. His body there being the church of God. He is the head of the church, so to reject the church means to reject him. Also Romans said cleave to that which is good. We have been instructed to be part.
Acts 20:28 KJV
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
From this scripture we see the value of the church to God. He purchased it with his own blood. The price a person pays for a thing shows how much he or she values the thing.
So if then he used his own blood. Just think about that.
Ephesians 5:25 KJV
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Let's look at this scripture too:
Ephesians 3:10 KJV
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
The word of God is teaching us that the church will be the instrument He will use to make his manifold wisdom known to all men.
This is as long as the world remained.
So brethren we see that the church is very important to God and that it needs to be important to us and a place where we dwell.
Remember what Christ said to Peter:
Matthew 16:18 KJV
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Finally churches were adviced to name themselves according to the name of Good.
For example MCGI (members church of God International) not something like the Lutheran Church. When you say that are you meaning the people are the people of Lutheran? It's just a little understanding from the scriptures we are trying to see.
Isaiah 43:7 KJV
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
I hope reading this has been a blessing to you. I encourage you to watch the rebroadcast on YouTube and I promise you, you will be blessed. I hope to see you tomorrow, the Day 2 as we continue to learn the true Doctrines of Christ. Stay blessed.