One of the tenets of the main stream churches, albeit in Africa is the fact that one has to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and savior as well stipulated in the Bible. This is of course after one has had an opportunity to hear the good news from a preacher or an evangelist. This is a wonderful beginning but at the same time the beginning of all problems. This is because, there seems to be some aspects of the Bible that are easily accepted whereas others that are pushed to the side for one reason or the other. One would then really wonder whether these churches are evangelical as it purports to be or not. Let me explain.
Evangelical, a term literally meaning "of, or pertaining to the Gospel," and was employed from the eighteenth century onwards to designate the school of theology adhered to by those Protestants who believed that the essence of the Gospel lay in the doctrine of salvation by faith in the death of Christ, which atoned for man's sins. Evangelicalism therefore, stressed the reality of the "inner life," insisted on the total depravity of humanity (a consequence of the Fall) and on the importance of the individual's personal relationship with God and Savior. They put particular emphasis on faith, denying that either good works or the sacraments (which they perceived as being merely symbolic) possessed any salvational efficacy. Evangelicals, too, denied that ordination imparted any supernatural gifts, and upheld the sole authority of the Bible in matters of doctrine. This teaching is well found and based in the bible. The fact that one cannot atone for his or her own sins but is indebted to Jesus for the saving grace and the remission of sin is essential a belief. This is what I believe the Quakers insist as the “inner light”.
Where some of these mainstream churches have erred (my humble view) is when she (church)decides to what she wants or what she thinks is the best thing to do as opposed to what the Lord Jesus instructs us to do (John 15:14). Jesus goes on further to tell us that “From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. VS 15-16” The truth is that she knows the truth as it is given in the Word of God – the Bible but has chosen to be strange even to her Lord. How?
She has decided that she will not participate in the Lords sacraments even when it’s allover the Bible. What perturbs me is the reason given. For example, as one said in regards to water baptism, “you can enter a pool of water a dry sinner and leave as a wet sinner.” True as it may, who judges the hearts? Who knows the motives of men and women? Are people led into baptism just for the sake of it or are they taught and baptized based on their confession of Christ as Savior? It is not in the place of the shepherd decide whether one has or is experiencing the inner change? This is because this is wholly the work of the Holy Spirit. Granted, many have fallen by the way even after being undertaking these sacraments as it were but many more in their silence.
Could this be the reason why we do not have true believers ie those who worship in truth and in spirit? (John 4). When one looks at our musicians (not all but quite a number) who have never been disciple, and do not recognize biblical authority one may not be surprised by the productions that we see and hear on our radios and televisions and computers. The depravity in character and depth in the working knowledge of Christ is wanting. Will He find us faithful when He returns?
Therefore, back to the thought, when she throws out sacraments as symbols or outward signs, there are many questions that remain unanswered not only from Christians without but even those within it. This is one of the reasons why when some are confronted or asked about their faith find it difficult to explain because they read it in the word and chose to jump ship. Does Christ tell us to perform symbols or follow his commands? He says, do this in remembrance of me! Luke 22:19.
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