The True Religion

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Choir Loft
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The churches have pointed toward John 14:6 for a very long time, but have never given a detailed explanation of it. It is like someone saying "I'll show you the way" to a destination, but then is unable to explain how to get there. These have said of "Christian" religions, that "all roads lead to God." However, Jesus said that "narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."(Matt 7:14) This truly "narrows" down the religion that pleases God, being as it is "cramped", with the measurements being tightly confined as to what is right in God's eyes, not broad as the churches across the board have taught. Jesus further said to "exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to get in but will not be able."(Luke 13:24)

Jesus is indeed "the way" (John 14:6), not ways. James wrote that there is only one "pure religion" at James 1:27 (Greek threskeia, literally meaning "form of worship"), one not tainted with false religious teachings, such as hellfire, the immortality of the soul or the trinity, and traditions (Matt 15:3), nor "part of the world" (John 15:19), not partaking in any form in the political arena, even mentally. The apostle Paul wrote that there is only "one faith" at Ephesians 4:5, not faiths, as in many. Jesus called the one true religion, "the truth" (John 8:32), not truths. Of Satan the Devil, Jesus said that he "did not stand fast in the truth"(John 8:44), and that "If you love me, you will observe my commandments; and I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither beholds it nor knows it."(John 14:15-17)

God's name, Jehovah, is in the Bible over 7000 times, yet among the churches, few mention it consistently. None of the churches have taken up the name of Jehovah, to spread it abroad and defend it. It is disturbing that Jesus taught his followers to pray for God's name to "hallowed" or sanctified at Matthew 6:9 and yet among of the churches, it could be said that none are making his name known, instructing ones about it. Could these be then teaching "the truth" ? Could any of these be the one "pure religion" that James spoke of ? How can any religion that professes to be Christian use only titles, such as God or Lord, and still say that they adhere to Matthew 6:9 ? Though the nation of Israel during Jesus brief appointed time of 33 1/2 years had to an extent, stopped using God's name, Jesus used it, such as when quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 at Matthew 4:4, from Deuteronomy 6:16 at Matthew 4:7 and from Deuteronomy 5:9 and 10:20 at Matthew 4:10.

For example, the Catholic hierarchy is seeking to eliminate the use of the divine name in their church services. Two years ago, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments sent instructions on this matter to Catholic bishops’ conferences worldwide. The step was taken “by directive” of the pope. This document, dated June 29, 2008, decries the fact that despite instructions to the contrary, “in recent years the practice has crept in of pronouncing the God of Israel’s proper name, known as the holy or divine tetragrammaton, written with four consonants of the Hebrew alphabet in the form יהוה, YHWH.” The document notes that the divine name has variously been rendered “Yahweh,” “Yahwè,” “Jahweh,” “Jahwè,” “Jave,” “Yehovah,” and so forth. However, the Vatican directive seeks to reestablish the traditional Catholic position. That is to say, the Tetragrammaton is to be replaced by “Lord.” Moreover, in Catholic religious services, hymns, and prayers, God’s name “YHWH is neither to be used or pronounced.”

In support of this position, the Vatican’s document appeals to the “immemorial tradition” of Catholicism. The directive claims that even in the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, dating to pre-Christian times, the divine name was regularly rendered Ky′ri·os, the Greek word for “Lord.” Thus, the directive insists, “Christians, too, from the beginning never pronounced the divine tetragrammaton.” This statement, however, ignores clear evidence to the contrary. Early copies of the Septuagint contained, not Ky′ri·os, but the divine name in the form יהוה. Christ’s first-century followers knew and pronounced God’s name. Jesus himself said in prayer to his Father: “I have made your name known"(John 17:26), and in his well-known model prayer, Jesus taught us to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.”(Matthew 6:9)

Jesus is for a surety "the way" to understand and gain intimacy with God, Jehovah. Hence, who is the only one "pure" or true religion that accepts the challenge of making known Jehovah God and his eternal purposes, being his people ? The churches ? Who are the ones that are his witnesses, that have followed closely Jesus command at Matthew 28:19, 20, to "go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations....teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you" ?

Your long post is very informative both in terms of Catholic documentation and interpretation of scriptures. It also illustrates the point that it isn't a church or a church committee which defines one's way to God. Neither can a church "do the work" for the believer. The chore of seeking, finding and following Christ is solely the responsibility of the individual.

There is no one church WAY - Jesus is the only way.
The church is the watchman. One heeds or ignors the warning it heralds to one's own blessing or curse.

The role of the church is to point the way, to act as guide and to provide an assembly in which the individual may express his personal relationship with Christ.

One uses a blueprint as a guide to build a house. The blueprint is not itself a shelter and neither is a church.

The argument cuts both ways, however.
Just as no particular church is the way, neither can the church or its staff be blamed for the failures of man.
 

Guestman

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Your long post is very informative both in terms of Catholic documentation and interpretation of scriptures. It also illustrates the point that it isn't a church or a church committee which defines one's way to God. Neither can a church "do the work" for the believer. The chore of seeking, finding and following Christ is solely the responsibility of the individual.

There is no one church WAY - Jesus is the only way.
The church is the watchman. One heeds or ignors the warning it heralds to one's own blessing or curse.

The role of the church is to point the way, to act as guide and to provide an assembly in which the individual may express his personal relationship with Christ.

One uses a blueprint as a guide to build a house. The blueprint is not itself a shelter and neither is a church.

The argument cuts both ways, however.
Just as no particular church is the way, neither can the church or its staff be blamed for the failures of man.

God established the nation of Israel as the one religion or "form of worship" that pleased him, which was a "tutor leading to the Christ, that we might be declared righteous due to faith."(Gal 3:24) Jesus established "the way"(John 14:6) the "one faith"(Eph 4:5) that is the one true religion. James wrote that the one true religion or "pure religion" would be "undefiled before God and the Father" by visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction" (especially in the Christian congregation, Gal 6:10) and keeps itself "unspotted from the world"(James 1:27, King James Bible).

Very few would be observing it, for Jesus said that the road of this "pure religion" would be "cramped".(Matt 7:14; "restricted", Encarta Dictionary) Thus, there is only one "pure religion" that stands "undefiled before God" by being "no part of the world."(John 15:19) Because the "pure religion" is so "restricted" or "cramped", the vast majority of people that profess to be Christian are unwilling to follow it, ' seeking to get in but will not be able.' (Luke 13:24)

The apostle Paul that "with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation."(Rom 10:10) Who are making "public declaration for salvation", witnessing to all they meet about "the only true God"(John 17:3), Jehovah ? Paul further wrote, quoting from Joel 2:32, that "everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Rom 10:13)

How many are calling upon "the name of Jehovah" in faith so as to "be saved" ? Isaiah 55:6 say to "search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near." Thus, this is a requirement to gain God's favor and thus everlasting life, whether on the earth (Ps 37:11, 29) or in heaven as "kings and priests" of God's kingdom.(Rev 5:10)

The Catholic Church has violated God's command in this. Therefore, can Catholicism be the one "pure religion" that is "unspotted from the world" ? Pope Benedict XVI having issued a "directive" to eliminate the Divine Name of Jehovah from all Catholic bishops using it, has committed another of the sins that have "massed clear up to heaven" (Rev 18:5), with the Catholic Church being part of the world-wide religious empire called Babylon the Great.(Rev 17:5) Hence, all religious organizations that are not calling "on the name of Jehovah" in faith will be removed from the earth, never to exist again.(Rev 18:8)
 

aspen

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It seems to me that the Catholic Church should be able to speak for itself, before it is relegated to the tired, 19th century pseudo-protestant comparisons to the Babylonian Whore.

Peace
 

bingyroy

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“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27 NRSV).
Contrary to what many would have us believe, the gospel we profess to embrace is a social gospel. The Christian’s calling does not consist entirely of preaching, proselyting and telling others they are wrong and bound for Hell. Being a follower of Christ means living the way he lived. He went about doing good, immersed in his mission “to preach the gospel to the poor; ...to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18).
 

aspen

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“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27 NRSV).
Contrary to what many would have us believe, the gospel we profess to embrace is a social gospel. The Christian’s calling does not consist entirely of preaching, proselyting and telling others they are wrong and bound for Hell. Being a follower of Christ means living the way he lived. He went about doing good, immersed in his mission “to preach the gospel to the poor; ...to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18).

A remarkable post!!

Peace
 

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Choir Loft
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The Catholic Church has violated God's command in this. Therefore, can Catholicism be the one "pure religion" that is "unspotted from the world" ? Pope Benedict XVI having issued a "directive" to eliminate the Divine Name of Jehovah from all Catholic bishops using it, has committed another of the sins that have "massed clear up to heaven" (Rev 18:5), with the Catholic Church being part of the world-wide religious empire called Babylon the Great.(Rev 17:5) Hence, all religious organizations that are not calling "on the name of Jehovah" in faith will be removed from the earth, never to exist again.(Rev 18:8)

Protestants have been damning the Catholic church and its communicants since the days of the European reformation. When the wave of Irish Catholics hit American shores the prejudice followed. It's been over one hundred years and the Catholic church doesn't appear to have suffered any divine retribution.

Yet.

An old preacher once addressed such talk at a tent meeting. "Our Lord is able to pluck His own geese," he said. The fellow was referring to gossip about a fallen minister in town, but the same premise can be applied to our bretheren in the Roman church as well.
 

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Choir Loft
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“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27 NRSV).
Contrary to what many would have us believe, the gospel we profess to embrace is a social gospel. The Christian’s calling does not consist entirely of preaching, proselyting and telling others they are wrong and bound for Hell. Being a follower of Christ means living the way he lived. He went about doing good, immersed in his mission “to preach the gospel to the poor; ...to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18). Read all about it here.

The "social gospel" was invented in the late nineteenth century by left wing theological and political progressives.
It's employment experiences success in direct proportion to economic down turns and during periods of social unrest.
It wanes when the economy is good and when the population is content.

The intent of the promoters of the social gospel was to dilute the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Instead of promoting the saving grace of Christ which leads to forgiveness and fellowship with God, the social gospel uses Christian ethics as a political solution for the problems of mankind.
The movement generally supports labor unions and Marxist ideology which in turn is fundamentally opposed to Christian tradition and the founding principles of the several States of America and the general government which they created in 1787.

WE Christians do not generally support the social gospel as a political ideology or as a set of theological principles.
 

Duckybill

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As far as being "damned" for not believing in Christianity per se, the Scriptures do not say that. On the contrary, there are a great many passages declaring that Christ will restore all of humanity at some point, according to His nature which is Love, and not the inevitable so-called suffering many have been mislead into believing. We must not limit God according to our beliefs, but allow Him to fulfill His declarations as He sees fit. This is faith.
Satan loves that doctrine. The Truth is that there is no salvation except for those who believe in Jesus/God:

Acts 4:12 (NKJV)
[sup]12 [/sup]Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
 

jiggyfly

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Satan loves that doctrine. The Truth is that there is no salvation except for those who believe in Jesus/God:

Acts 4:12 (NKJV)
[sup]12 [/sup]Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Yes indeed Ducky, and just what must one do to be saved?
 

jiggyfly

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Believe and obey.

What do you make of these scriptures?

For the Scriptures say, " `As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.' " Romans 14:11


Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11









 

Duckybill

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What do you make of these scriptures?

For the Scriptures say, " `As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.' " Romans 14:11

Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Every knee will bow and everyone will confess, but for the majority it will be too late for salvation.
 

Duckybill

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Again have you gfot some scripture that supports "it will be too late"?
Those who die wicked will always be wicked.

Revelation 22:11 (NKJV)
[sup]11 [/sup]He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."
 

tomwebster

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What do you make of these scriptures?

For the Scriptures say, " `As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.' " Romans 14:11


Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Duckybill, Every knee will bow and everyone will confess, but for the majority it will be too late for salvation.

jig, you need to look at the context of those verses you quoted. Duck is correct here, for most of those bowing it will all ready be to late. In the Romans text they are bowing at the judgement seat of Christ (see Romans 14: 10) The Phillippians text is the same, it happens when Christ is "exalted" (see vs 9)
 

jiggyfly

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Those who die wicked will always be wicked.

Revelation 22:11 (NKJV)
[sup]11 [/sup]He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."

Read it again and show me where it says the wicked will always be wicked?

Heres another translation.
Let the one who is doing wrong continue to do wrong; the one who is vile, continue to be vile; the one who is good, continue to do good; and the one who is holy, continue in holiness." NLT


It only proves that we must surrender to God and other scriptures indicate that God will be patient until everyone has surrendered.
 

tomwebster

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Tis your opinion, I personally think that God accomplishes His will. My hope is in Christ and that He is victorious in all that He was sent to accomplish. Where is your hope???

Our "hope" is in Christ. Your theology is universalism and it is false.
 

jiggyfly

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Our "hope" is in Christ. Your theology is universalism and it is false.

Tis your opinion and and your wrong about my theology as you put it, there are many types of universalism the same as there are many types of protestantism. Seems you believe that God is not able to accomplish His will also.