By Alfio La Spina May 24, 2021
I heard this recently from the pulpit of a COG.
- “Beliefs cannot save us.”
- “Doctrine does not save us”
- “I do not know a list of beliefs that we need for salvation”
- “If someone is teaching that you need those things for salvation run.”
Jesus was referring to the Pharisees in this verse.
Matthew 15:13-14 (NIV)
13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Having our doctrines correct makes a huge difference in our relationship with our Father and others.
Acts 5:32 (NIV)
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
In order to obey God, we need to know what He requires of us.
We need to search the scriptures to make sure what we believe is correct. The above statements are all false made by a false teacher. However, many brethren do not check such incredible statements to see if that is what the scriptures say. They blindly accept what is being taught as if it were coming directly from God. This is the blind leading the blind. They are both headed for serious trouble.
What does scripture say about this?
2 Peter 2:1-2 (NIV)
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them —bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
We are to look to our Father to teach and guide us rather than follow a man behind a pulpit. I am not saying not to listen to sermons. I am saying to be careful and verify what is being taught by asking our Father for guidance in checking the scriptures to see if what is being taught is correct. I believe the best way to conduct Sabbath services is to include interactive bible study along with the person speaking.
John 6:45 (NIV)
45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.
1 John 2:27 (NIV)
27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Our Father has given all of us abilities that we are supposed to use to edify the body of Christ. That can not be done if the majority is listening to one person teaching all the time. If the abilities or gifts that have been given to each of us are not exercised the body does not benefit from the various gifts, it then becomes stagnant. I have seen this in many COG’s.
Romans 12:4-5(NIV)
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Paul uses the analogy of our own bodies with different parts working together to achieve the tasks set before us. When a part of our body is hurt the whole body is affected and works together to heal the hurt part.
So, it is with the Body of Christ. We need to function in unity each person using their gifts to strengthen the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Matthew 24:4-5 (NIV)
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.
Are we to take this verse literally? I believe we certainly can. There are many that have inserted themselves in the place of Christ. They have brethren hanging on their every word believing any thing they say.
Brethren when we meet on Sabbath, we should be each exercising our gifts. Each of us has different insights in the Word. We have been given them so we can share with each other. This way everyone is looking to Christ as the head of the church
We must be active and add to the abilities that Jesus has given us. Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the talents.
He gave them talents according to their ability. Two servants doubled their talents. One servant did nothing with his. This is why I say everyone has something to contribute and I encourage everyone to do so.
Matthew 25:15-30 (ESV)
15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
John 15:1-2 (NIV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
We see how very important it is to be exercising and adding to our abilities that we have received. The apostles and disciples did and they turned the world upside down.
Acts 17:6 (ESV)
6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
Jesus gave us an example of how we are to be with one another. We are to serve one another
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I believe that the Great Tribulation is very near and the the Body of Christ has a huge part in it. I also believe those of us counted worthy to escape this time of trouble will be protected where we are so we can be part of preaching the gospel etc. I can not prove this in scripture however the early church was not hidden away when the persecution began. So in like manor it is very possible it will be the same during the tribulation for the church. I understand that it says in revelation that the woman is taken into the wilderness.
Could it be that the scattered brethren will be protected from the evil in the area they are in by being sent to a secluded place near by them? I have more questions than answers. We will likely only know when the time draws closer. If anyone has insight on this and wants to discuss it please contact me at laspina352gmail.com
Revelation 11:3-4 (NIV) 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”
The two Lampstands could represent the end time churches. The Laodicean and Philadelphian churches.