Did you have a point here? If so, I didn't get it. Perhaps you could elaborate.
Do All Religions Lead To God?
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If you're talking about the Catholic church, and from the hint's you're giving I assume you are, then you're wrong.
Acts- And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
It depends on what you're talking about. Baptist vs Wesleyan vs Pentecostal, you're saying because they're a denomination they're all going to hell? That all their doctrines are man made? I don't think so. Please explain if I have taken you wrong.
- Before you read, forgive my English :') I'm trying my best -
In my opinion, after Noahic covenant, God gave "common grace" to all people. Even people in far places, know what is good and bad by their hearts. It does not mean they does not Jesus for salvation. But their conscience leads them to Jesus, and Jesus leads them to Father.
Like my case. I never heard about Christianity and it's theology. But as I wrote in my testimony, by my conscience, I led to the path of Christ.
For example, there are many religions that promote "Godly Love" in many ways. But all have their errors. Because true "Godly Love" embodied as Jesus. So already they know the path to Jesus. But they don't have the willing to accept that fact.
"Godly Love" is the highest form of love. No love can be more pure than God's love, sacrificing his only Son for us (He who is alpha and omega and with all his glory, takes earthly flesh just like us and died a painful death), just because we are. Yes, many religions promote that God is most loving. But only Christ shown what that concept really means.
"Humbleness" also is something that many religions and philosophical frameworks adopted. But again, like "Godly Love" case, Jesus was the ultimate embodiment of Humbleness. Son of God, the Word at the First, our Lord in heaven, came to be a servant to sinful people.
If you study each religion deeply, you will find out that all of the other goodness that they adopted, leads to Jesus.
And Jesus is the only way that leads to our Father in Heaven.
But accepting this fact by them, is something else.
If you read The Parable of the Sower [Matthew 13:1-23], you read that birds (or evil) snatches seeds (word of God) from the path (heart of people who heard words of God).
And later in same chapter, The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast [Matthew 13:31-32], that seed, became a large tree, That same "Birds" (the evil) will "come and perch in its branches". Meaning those evil, sees that words as true and calming.
Religions, false prophets, and evil people, Not necessarily reject the nature and soul of God's words, But take them, adopt them and publish them as their own words.
So I believe, yes, everypath that has goodness of God's words, can lead anyone to Jesus, But not everyone will accept that. Because it's a narrow gate and few will pass it. [Matthew 7:13-14]. If someone knows all the goodness by their hearts, but does not acknowledge that Jesus is Son of God and died for our sins and risen to life again, not going to enter Kingdom of Heaven.
God bless you.
The church is founded on the Rock who is Christ. He is the Head, not any man, not even the Bible. Jesus is the Living Word of God.
By the way, the devil believes every word in the Bible. He is not saved.
You summed it up very well, most preaches run their Church like a business. They're focused on attracting new members, so they're reluctant to preach anything that may offend.
I live in a very crowded city, where there are hundreds of Churches to choose from. We have a large LGBT and progressive community in my area, so most of the Churches here are all inclusive and non judgemental. So the preaching is all about love, love and nothing else.
My Church is 40 mins away from my house, most of our members also travel long distances to attend our Church services.
I spoke to some of the older people in my neighbourhood, and they tell me that all of the Churches in my area used to be faithful. But they have all apostatised over the past 30-40 years.
Most of the young people I know, are only concerned about two main issues. 1. Climate Change and 2. Equality, they see fundamentalist Christians as the biggest threat to world peace and prosperity.
Maybe.
But in real life, in practice; it's not so easy.
Because there are a lot of directions among christians, so the confusion is there. What is the best way of christianity? A pentacostal way, a catholic way, an orthodox way, a lutheran way? Who's got the correct answer?
The Bible is the authority. There is no "way" that man can offer. Lord Jesus is the Way. The church is not a building. It is not even those who attend meetings. The church is all those who are born again. That is the church that God recognises and of which Jesus is the Head.
I spent nearly 9 years in the Navy. I was saved while at sea. I don't even know where or what day. I knew very little about "church". I knew about Anglicans, Catholics and I knew a Methodist preacher. The Navy took me to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Hawaii. I also went to many cities in Australia.
I went to a number of different denominations. While they differed in a number of respects, the fundamentals were the same. I do not include Catholicism. I met born again Catholics, but the organisation is too far from truth to be considered Christian.
So I advise not to judge a fellowship according to its denomination. Even if you find perfect doctrine, you may find that the church is cold and hard. Ephesus was not judged for its doctrinal flaws. Lord Jesus rebuked them for leaving their first love. Right now, I attend an Anglican church. I never expected that. I go to the non traditional meeting.
I appreciate your answer.
But nevertheless; saying that "The Bible is the authority" is not enough for closing the question. It only opens a whole lot of other questions.
The key point is: Every text has to be interpretated. Interpretation, you know. These interpretations come through a human mind, like mine or yours. Our brain - our thinking. So this "authority" of yours has to be filtered through a human brain. Agree ?
This is the apostasy that Jesus told us would happen. True believers remain true. We are in the time when people will not endure sound doctrine. They want preachers to tell them how wonderful they are. That's why Joel Osteen is so popular.
The absurdity is that while "Christians" (I use the word loosely) adopt the attitudes and morals of the world, Islam is becoming more and more influential. Good luck finding equality in Islam, especially women and the LGBTQI whatever brigade. God is not mocked. Friendship with the world is enmity with God.
Jesus came to set the captives free, not to condone sinful lifestyles. There will be a lot of "pastors" hearing those terrible words, "Depart from me, I never knew you".
No. God gives us His Holy Spirit. One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to lead us into the truth.
For example, early in my Christian life, the pastor of the church I attended was preaching about the rebellion of Israel in the wilderness. After a while, (it was a series) it became clear that he saw himself as Moses leading a rebellious flock to the promised land that lived in his imagination. Some people blindly went along with this. I had a knowing in my spirit that this was wrong, but I did not know why. So I prayed and asked God to show me the truth. I did see the error and I spoke to the pastor of my concerns. I was not the only one, so he said.
The church imploded. By then, the Lord had warned me as to what would happen if the pastor did not change course. It was obvious that he was not going to change, so I left.
Around 45 years later, I met the pastor again. He's nearly 90 and going strong. He is a different person in many ways, and for the better.
The spirit of man is where God speaks. The mind is the realm of the soul. The mind is vital for understanding, but the spirit is where we receive revelation from God. The mind is the spirit's servant, not its master.
From your constant judging of believers who are not you, you claim to be the only one who knows and follows the rules. I don't follow rules. I follow Jesus.
I don't see it this way.
What if different people with different opinions all claim that their "truth" is from the Holy Spirit ? How to choose ?
How to choose between all the "Holy Spirit" opinions ? Who's got the truth ?
The problem is that many people approach God's word from an intellectual point of view alone. The only way to discern is to first seek God for revelation and then compare what you believe with the Word of God. For example, to me it is obvious that sprinkling babies does not make them born again. RC, Lutherans, Anglicans and others do believe it. They have their scriptures to back them up. I have mine.
In reality, mostly it does not matter. I'm a Bible teacher so I believe that truth is vital. I also know that everyone comes to Christ with differing experiences and points of view. That is why it is so important to have a renewed mind, renewed by scripture. However, God does not have a theological entrance exam for heaven. He has a heart monitor. He seeks to know if you are alive or dead. Believers may have different opinions but we all have the same life - if we are truly born again.
My learning has been over a period of 53 years and I'm still barely scratching the surface. No one knows the full gospel. We do not live long enough to find out. That's why Lord Jesus raises up various ministries.
Many denominations are a result of doctrinal disputes that could easily be resolved by agreeing to disagree. I've heard of a church splitting over whether a person should be baptised going forward into the water or backwards. That's nuts.
My advice is to spend time with God, both in prayer and in study. Ask God for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation. Write down what you believe you see and ensure that it is not contradicted by scripture. Ask God to show you what something means, not just what it says. Be persistent.
I had a question that bugged me. Why did God not allow Adam and Eve to perish and start again? I asked to to show me. I did this for several days and then God spoke. He said that in effect, that is what He did. The cross is like the flood, putting an end to the old creation. Lord Jesus is the "Last Adam", forming a new race of beings we call Christians. Those who come to Christ are crucified with Him. This is the end of the nature we inherited from Adam. Then we rise again with Lord Jesus, becoming new creations in Him.
I checked this out against the Word of God and yes, it fits. God is far more willing to reveal Himself to His people than we imagine. However, we must be genuine. Insincerity gets you nowhere with God. There is also the risk of religious pride. God will not reveal Himself to those who want to boast in how spiritual they are.
This question is addressed systematically in the Apologetics thread, but the bottom line is to read GW with an open mind.
Comment:
Jesus Christ not only followed the "rules" to perfection but HE and the Father have follow their own rules forever, eternal rules THEY put in place!
and every human that has ever lived should be thankful of that fact. unless you would like to live under the rules of the greek gods or Baal ?
So I will follow my Father and His Son.
I do not judge, that is the job of Christ, and He judges according the the Rules He and the Father have put in place. I point out why all should be living by the same "rules" put in place so men could live in peace.
The problem, men refuse to live in peace --- Proof: look where the entire world is headed right now.
I keep pointing out if the whole world kept only the last 6 commandments the world would be at peace.
But here, I am slammed for saying so.
Agreed. After 3 years of language studies years ago, after learning how to deal with the logic and grammar and structures of the words and clauses so we knew what was being said, I asked the question one day at the end of analyzing part of the Text - 'OK, now what does it mean' - as they say, the silence was deafening.
We're in a relationship with the Teacher and it's meant to be an interactive one.