Monday, December 30, 2013

The Blessed hope keeps us eternally secure

I start with the first jpeg file from the other blogspot and that is the written letter from May 20, 2009 signed anonymously “A Group of Brethren”.  There were earlier letters and sermons before this letter; however, I feel this letter was the delimitating argument for when the schism started.  I understand this letter was read before all churches mixed at times in with the reading of the memorandum [an annual custom of the ACCA].  Several elders wanted to get names of those who contributed to the letter, much to no avail though.  It was a rabbits trail and the ultra-conservative members were marked and that lead to stronger reproach among them.  Hence leading to the elder letter of “Thus we continue to believe” of July 2010.  So, you can see that the schism began in the summer of 2009 with conservative elders and then leading to separation in 2012 forming ACFI.  The conservative elders are namely: Peter Petrovic, Lawrence Luthi, Art Nohl, Roy Koehl, and Dennis Warner.  There were some other unnamed elders and ministers who contributed to the schism also.

They say they have reasons for this treatise to:
Express beliefs
Clarify false doctrines and practices
Defend the faith

It is ok (in America) to express beliefs, just as I am doing on this blog spot.  But to sign it anonymously they must fear the leadership of the churches which is wrong.  Contrastly, the leaders should fear the lay brothers more.  So, that is a false approach to start with.  To clarify false doctrines and practices is ok, but little in the letter really speaks of true doctrine.  And to defend the faith is again thinking that we are being persecuted as in communist countries.  There are many churches to choose from in the USA.  To try and hold believers in bondage and say they alone preach the one true religion is false at the start.

Now, eternal security is the real root of all this trouble.  Once saved, always saved is false.  but to worry that you go to hell for believing it is wrong also.  There are many strong believing Christians in seminaries and Bible believing churches who believe that very doctrine and are saved now and in the future, too.  It is some  conservative AC members who can not extend the right hand of fellowship with these other believers that is causing the schism.

Christ's blood is ever sufficient to cover all sins

The next page contains articles about faithfulness and Christ’s blood covering all sins and then salvation through faith alone.  The first line (underlined in red) is a Para logical statement that eternal security is in contrast to living a life from sin.  Isn’t it sad that there are believers who think works based salvation is what earns their reward in heaven.  Yet, if this would be true than where is their promise after they fulfilled all the works of righteousness unto death and they still lack security of heaven.  They can only base eternity on a small hope to get to heaven.  How false that is and displeasing to God and Jesus.  God wants us to live free of sin of course; but also in a full assurance of winning the heavenly prize at the end of life, too.  Their false belief in works will never earn enough goodness for God to say well done good and faithful servant.  It is purely having the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ covering our sins.  Works follow faith and is pleasing to God.

Faith is followed by works unto salvation

The very first sentence here says about the outward appearances being very modest and forsaking worldly activities are works of self-righteous.  They are self-righteous because anyone in public who sees the outward appearance do not see Jesus Christ but a religious order.  Jesus looks at the heart.  Faith alone is what is most important.  Works of using God given talents follow spiritual maturity and do not mean self-righteous works.  There are many God given gifts and talents that should be used for the growth of the body of Christ.  Those are gifts of missionaries, ministers, pastors, elders and deacons, prophesies, teachers, etc.  Any service activity that enhances the work of Christ is helpful for spiritual growth.  You look at the Pharisees and rulers of the law in Jesus time and see they based everything on the law and outward appearances.  So, faith with works is important; but, works should not be those outward appearances that indicates self-righteousness.  God abhors a ‘Holier than thou attitude’.

The promise and a simple conversion

A saved soul who is dying still doesn’t have a promise of heaven.  This is false teaching.  So, if someone who is completely obedient to the church concerning their works of righteousness, dies they have no guarantee to get to heaven yet.  Doesn’t God give a promise in baptism as a covenant for eternity if you stay true and faithful.  But the church wants you to live in bondage unto self-righteous works and therefore they don’t understand the complete promise (covenant) of eternal life with God in heaven.

(Acts 9:19-20) And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

The Apostle Paul’s conversion was instant and not progressive over a long period of time.  He was drastically changed from a being murderer to a preacher within a few days.  Can anyone tell me if this is or was ever allowed in these churches?  I don’t think it ever has.  Maybe the Brother Froelich had an impact on the beliefs of conversion, but those beliefs need to be checked again with the Holy Bible and see that there were many examples of instant conversion.  In contrast to the statement, “Just as a natural birth does not take place instantly, so it is spiritually”  this is false in that they think it is only new birth, but in reality it is a death and death means instant and forever.  Conversion in the Bible is an instant change from a non-believer to a full believer with a death to the old sinful ways and desires.  Sure a whole life of spiritual growth occurs as found in 2 Peter 1:4-8 and bearing the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Finally, the horrible error with the statement Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished”.  The authors put this in very dangerously in error.  Jesus said those words to be the complete and final supreme sacrifice on the cross for the atoning of all mankind’s sins.  Those words have nothing to do with a conversion.  They simply mean that the full price of sin was paid for and all sins are covered under his blood.  There is power in the blood.  Nothing more nor anything else can be added to gain salvation but simply believing in Jesus Christ alone.  As I said above in contrast to their beliefs, it is a death that makes conversion and not supposedly a new life.  The new life is a growth unto perfect works and we won’t have to worry about the second death (Revelations 20:14) which is hell fire.

The greater good for Christians

The misguided brethren who think there is this false Ecumenical movement are being deceived not thinking of the overall greater good for Christians.  Are they thinking that they are the only ones going to heaven?  The apostle Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration that there are diversities of spirits and different administrations of the people (1 Corinthians 12).  

Also this letter about Doctrinal Fornication is completely erroneous.  This is only a way for the leadership to keep the church in bondage unto legalism.  Much like a cult.  The only Spiritual fornication happens when someone tries to bring in idolatrous religions of the east completely denying the authority and worship of God alone.

Jesus Christ alone gives salvation

This page starts out clearly marking a line in the sand that they can not accept another gospel or follow another spirit.  They erroneously think that the church offered them salvation; whereas, salvation comes about by Jesus Christ alone.  They think the covenant is salvation but really it is the atoning blood alone.  No man can give salvation and no one can take it from anyone else.  Jesus Christ alone holds a saved soul in his hands, by his grace not a law of legalism.

In this late day and time, the Holy Spirit will inspire many true pastors, preachers, ministers, and elders to begin to speak the true doctrines of Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles.  There have been many false teachings throughout the years and centuries of time; but, now a great awaking is happening and we begin to realize that bondage to legalism is a false doctrine.

Loving all peoples unto salvation

This page speaks of evangelizing souls to Christ.  There are many lost souls in the inner cities and they need to hear the gospel, too.  For those who want to go to those parts and not be afraid takes much grace and faith in God.  This can be a real blessing and should be esteemed as a true method to help save souls.  The conservative brethren who don’t want to do this only live sheltered lives and don’t realize so many people need Jesus.  Whither it is simple “accepting Christ” or repenting, salvation comes about by simple faith.  Look at the Ethiopian eunuch when Philip was lead of the spirit to approach him and answer his question about Jesus Christ the true Messiah (Acts 8:26-40).  The eunuch was baptized that very day after he fully believed on Jesus.

Spiritual unity

This page speaks of unity.  When, if all the brethren would know and understand true doctrine, there might be full unity.  True doctrine is first and foremost to redeem a lost soul unto salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8).  These conservative brethren think there must be works.  Works follow a true Christian as in Eph. 2:10.  Salvation has no pre-requisite of works of any sort.  Faith is a mystery that all believers must first have for without it we can not please God (Hebrews 11:6).  It is a simple seed that when sown into good soil will grow and bear fruit at the harvest ending (St. Matthew 13:23).

So we all must realize that we are individuals with individual ideas and interpretations and we must blend together as one body in Christ.  There are distinct separate entities of the body all functioning for the good of the Church (Romans 12:3-9).  As humans we act with our mind and brain alone, not like a robot.  Therefore God wants to respect our freedom from the law and legalism, and yet not offend our brother in spiritual matters.  These false doctrines offend many; therefore, they need to be rooted out to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

The closing comments

This letter is signed “A Group of Brethren” and should of been called A treatise of false doctrine.  It is filled with so many false doctrines throughout all because of bondage and fear being taught by some elders, ministers, and teachers in the ACCA and ACFI churches.  Since they wanted to remain anonymous they could have done this treatise differently.  God knows precisely who you are.