September 26, 2013

“What Does One Believe Called Christian” (an essay)

 
“What Does One Believe Called Christian”
 
cji
9/26/13
 
(Preface: this is written to my friends to share with you some of my intense research on what is believed and taught in religion today. In it will be some of my beliefs – but more importantly what I’ve learned over 58 years of trying to discern the literal Holy Bible – and separate out the teachings of the world which are not in harmony – or do not make common sense with the word, the truth and the light (i.e. our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.)
 
Over time and space I’ve written much concerning religion starting at a very young age of 11-13 and continuous ever since the middle 1950’s. Indeed it was after reading the Bible cover to cover at the age of 11 years old (1955) that my search began to find a church which matched the literal teachings found in the KJV Bible of that day and time. (Note: the revisions of the Bible since 1955 have been fast and furious and continue even today to meet the definition of someone’s current belief which supplants that of the original Prophet’s and Apostles – and indeed even the Father and the Son.) Current teachings in almost every church defined by men/women either reformed or otherwise (with one exception) do not take the Bible literally any more except to say two things: 1) what’s in the Bible (their version) is all that there is in Scripture and that there is nothing more ending with the final verses of Revelations; and 2) that there is no longer Revelations and or Miracles – indeed that the heavens are closed and have been for quite some time. These two points are very important and while I will not specifically reference any of the creeds of the various churches (they are all referenced at the end of this essay) it is to be noted that these creeds are based on 1 and 2 above.
 
The first of these two statements from almost every church begun or controlled by men and or women – denies almost everything taught in the Scriptures and denies facts about the Books in the Bible as well. Most importantly Revelations was written far before some of the other Books of the New Testament and second – the same verse is found in Books of the Old Testament; and third we know in the Old Testament that commandments were given to the tribes of Joseph and Judah to keep their own records of Revelations from the Father and the Son. The findings of the various deposits of records all over the world testify that there were more than one record being kept to include but not limited to: the Dead Sea Scrolls; the Nag Hammadi  Scrolls (which are mostly gnostic); The Book of Mormon (which almost all of the leaders of world Christendom deny vehemently as being a fraud – while otherwise being unable to produce any documentation of the same); the Shabako Stone (3000BC writings placed on this stone in about 800BC); the Lachish Letters (about 588BC); and many more to numerous to mention. It must be remember in the many captivities of the various Jewish Nations – much was destroyed of the writings of the Old Testament – and with the exception of the records kept by Ezra – who when returning to Jerusalem in the era of Cyrus. Further after the teachings of Malachi there is a void of over 450 years with no records being kept until the time of John the Baptist and then the Savior. In 70AD the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed – but the religion and sacred texts available were taken by the Rabbis/Rabbi’s who gained permission from the Roman leaders to supplant all of the religious responsibility for the Jewish people. In total it is estimated that over 3400 Books of the Old and New Testament are missing and presumed lost. (Note: from time to time some of these Books show up having been found in the tombs of various monastery’s in various parts of Europe, Asia or the Middle East. It is well known that Syria has volumes of records that no is allowed to translate.
 
As a following observation to the above paragraph – it is impossible to believe that the only group of people being taught by the Prophets or the Savior would be located in one (very small) location. In the New Testament the Savior tells the Apostles he has other sheep to feed which are not of this fold – and surely He knew where the Ten Lost Tribes had been scattered throughout the world. Also, it was prophesized that the tribe of Joseph would leave Jerusalem before the Babylonian captivity (approximately 600BC). What happened to the people at the time of the Tower of Babel – surely when they were scattered they too had sacred records. It is also known that from the time of Adam and Eve written records were kept – while to the knowledge of mankind these records are not available – but surely the Father and the Son know where these records are. To pretend that there are no more records and that no one but the people of the Middle East could read or write requires more faith than could be expected of anyone.
 
Secondly the idea of no more Revelations and/or Miracles needs to be understood in a meaningful way. How would any of those reformers of the Church as established by the Savior in the meridian of time know that there would be no more Revelations and/or Miracles? This would indicate that no child or adult would get an answer to prayer – for is not an answer to prayer individual and personal revelation? It would mean that whoever began this ‘false teaching’ had to have had revelation to know that this was the case – yet they deny that there is any more revelation. As for the miracles – one must clearly understand that what the Father and the Son did – the Apostles and Prophets could also do – why? The Prophets and Apostles held the Priesthood of Melchizedek – and therefore had the power and authority to act in the name of the Father (the same as the Son had).
 
Next in the acts of men/women and not the Father and the Son – they introduced false gods from the days of Adam and Eve – for the most part much of what we have in the Holy Bible is about an unrighteous people – who even upon seeing great signs and some even hearing the voice of the Father and or the Son – continuously strayed (as much of the literate world of today has) – paying priests and others to provide religion for them – rather than accepting the words of living Prophets and Apostles – instead stoning these men called of the Father and the Son. If this is difficult to comprehend one of the greatest Prophets of the Old Testament was taken by his grandson who’d become king of Judah – and murdered – some records indicate that he was placed inside a hollow log and cut in half. And the Bible tells of the deaths of many Prophets and Apostles especially those in the New Testament that most men/women know something about. Due to the unrighteousness of the Jewish people they had at the time of Malachi 613 Commandments which they were supposed to obey.
 
As of these 613 Commandments – when the Rabbinical school took over the Jewish religion they decided the best way to obey the commandments was to make an additional set of commandments. i.e. if one was not to take the name of God in any profane way – then they made a law that no one could ever mention the name of God – this way they could never take His name in a profane way! Another commandment was they could not “boil a (kid) goat in its mother’s milk,” therefore, the Rabbis made a law that they could not eat meat and drink milk at the same meal. Thus, they made laws to make breaking of a commandment impossible. They in fact were overriding the Commandments of God with their own. The list could continue but the rabbinical laws soon overrode the Commandments of God. (Note: most have no idea why these laws are in effect – and why they continue today.)
 
Returning now to the creeds of men/women – if you belong to any organized religion – then you must be responsible for knowing what you have agreed to believe and practice in your life! These creeds and the theology taught in the various schools of divinity (to become a priest, rabbi, minister, cleric, nun, father, and any other title to be a licensed preacher) you must abide by these teachings. It matters not what you might personally believe – what these schools teach you must follow. In addition, those who lead all but one of the churches in this world are bound by the laws of their respective governments and only have authority in their local areas of practice. Thus the laws of men/women override the laws, statutes and commandments of Heavenly Father and his Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
 
As an example you and I can both read the Scriptures. We’ll take a very simple one – Stephen is about to be stoned – Acts 7:55-59:
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the fright hand of God,
 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
First off many forget that Stephen had just recounted the history of Israel to the people – so they knew what he had said was true! What do you see in the above five verses? Maybe you see and read the same thing I do – that Stephen saw Jesus Christ in a physical form standing at the right hand of God (meaning Heavenly Father) in a physical form.
 
Okay now the next Scripture:
 
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
 
 What do you see in this Scripture? That when those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ (this is the name which Paul was told to call the Church) that they do it the name of Jesus Christ and then give thanks to the Father – two separate individuals!
 
Mark 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
What do you see in this Scripture? That the Apostles understood after death there would be a physical resurrection in their next estate – therefore they could ask to sit at either the right or the left hand of the Savior. How can one sit without a physical body? Or sit at the right or the left hand without the Savior having a physical body.
 
Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
 
Again what do we read? There came a voice (whose voice?) obviously it was the Father for he referenced his beloved Son! How then could the Savior and the Father be one? They are one because they have the same goals, same understandings, which is why we’re commanded to be one with each other – united under God’s Law – especially for a husband and wife – to be one is a commandment.
 
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
 
This Scripture is repeated many, many times in the New Testament – the Savior does the will of his Father – not his own – thus again testifying to two separate and distinct individuals!
 
After reading the above Scriptures – are these in line with what your religion teaches? Are the creeds found below for your religion teaching literally from the Holy Bible? If not – why not? Have you taken the time to carefully read and ponder the Holy Bible? This is each person’s individual responsibility! Most have no idea of the intense sacrifices made by so many that we might have this book of Scriptures. Little children were burned at the stake by many professing to be Christians between – 200-1900 (and in some parts of the world this genocide continues). Augustine approved of the massacre of any professing the beliefs of the Church as established by the Savior – as the only way to get them to accept his version of Christianity. Kings and Queens of all the nations of Europe, Asia, and throughout the world used genocide to convert – as does Islam today – allowing for no deviation of beliefs – even if without any authority from the Father or the Son.
 
A couple of last thoughts and questions for each to ponder and this will be ended. First: it is my fervent belief that everyone has the right to believe what they choose to believe. There is a caveat to this in that I also fervently believe that one should do their ‘own’ homework and ask a question if something doesn’t make common sense (one could say even as Socrates’ did). He did not ask meaningless questions but ones which questioned why people believed what they did – and to think for themselves and not be a lemming heading for the cliffs. Second: everything I present is researched and have multiple sources to give credibility to what has been written. Why is this important – because it is factual – thus found in the doctrine of the Savior – and therefore ‘truth’. Remember if anything is not true it is not of the Savior but of the adversary. Thus if it is the doctrine of the Savior and therefore the literal Scriptures – one can easily go and find it on their own. (Note: it has been my long experience that most will never do this – so why do I continue to write – because those who receive this are good, honest, responsible, and most of all my friends. Why would I not share with you that which can lead you to eternal life and salvation with your progenitors and posterity?) Third: If anything is of contention, confusion, guile, misrepresentation, or any other untruth it is not of the Father or the Son. Therefore I try to be clear, concise and without enmity towards anyone or anything.
 
Questions one might want to ask are as follows: 1) what does my creed say? 2) Who am I and why am I here on this earth at this time? 3) Why did the Savior say I could become like him and the Father? 4) Why do I say or ask prayers if there is no more revelation or miracles (see James 1:5)? 5) Why would the heavens ever be closed? 6) if we ever needed a Prophet on earth wouldn’t it in this day and time? 6) If everyone is expecting the Second Coming – then isn’t the Church supposed to be restored in its fullness before this happens? 7) When will the Savior return – (remember when the Apostles enquired of him this – he simply told them he would return when the Father would come with him and only the Father knew)? 8) are the Father and the Son two separate beings (see all of the above Scriptures and John 13:23/28; John 17:21-24)?  Are the heavens closed, if so where then is John the beloved?
 
There could be so much more – as the Holy Bible is alive – and testifies of Jesus Christ – as does the Book of Mormon – which primary purpose is to be the second witness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without the Book of Mormon there is no second witness – and this is why the critic of the Holy Bible are destroying it verse by verse – which started after the death of the Savior (c. 30AD) and then the Apostles (about 150AD) (except John) – and then in the 3rd and 4th Centuries when Christianity became 90%+ philosophy and less than 5% Scriptures – and taught by those professing to be the new fathers of the church. Each has to consider or not these things – for each is individually accountable.
 
I leave you my testimony that Jesus is Christ – our Lord and Savior and that he came and did the will of his Father who sent him; and that the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. (a mere youth) as the Savior told his Apostles in the New Testament; further that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored and there  is a living Prophet on the earth today – Thomas S. Monson – and that there are twelve Apostles – in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – amen!  c/ork
 
 
 
  • The Apostle's Creed
  • The Creed of Nicaea as approved by the Nicene Council (A.D. 325)
    • The First Ecumenical council of Nicaea was called by emperor Constantine. The council met to deal with the schism created by Arianism. The Arians wished to avoid the heresy of Sabellius who believed in a divine monad which, by expansion, projected itself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit--a form of Modalism. The Arians separated the Son from God entirely so that they believed he was a creature having a beginning. "There was when he was not." The Son was but God's first creation, yet out of nothing and hence has preeminence over the rest of creation.
    • The symbol answers the question, "Who is Jesus Christ."
      Its answer: God
  • The Nicene Creed as approved by the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
  • -- The Nicene Creed -- Constantinopolitan Creed -- Creed of 150 Fathers
    • Usually associated with the Council of Constantinople this symbol is an expansion and revision of the earlier Creed of Nicaea with which it is often confused. This is the creed recited in churches. The council met to refute Apollinarianism. Apollinarius taught that Jesus was a combination of the divine Logos spirit, a sensitive human soul and a human body. He taught that Jesus did not have a human spirit. His views were based on the platonic tripartite view of human nature. The council condemned this view in order to show that Christ, as truly human, could redeem the whole person.
    • The symbol emphasizes the Trinitarian faith.
    • The symbol is very suitable for liturgical use and was used as an early baptismal and eucharistic creed. It goes beyond the Creed of Nicaea in its affirmation of the full deity of the Spirit though it uses biblical rather than philosophical terms to do so. The filioque clause found in the Western version of this creed is one of the major disagreements between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity. This clause was not accepted even by the Western Church until the turn of the first millennium.
    • Further Notes on the Nicene Creed
    • Notes on the Filioque Clause Controversy
    • The Church in the Nicene Creed
    • Other documents of the First Council of Constantinople
    • Notes from the ecumenical councils
  • The Council of Sardica Canon V (A.D. 343)
    • The council of Sardica was the first synod, which in some sense asserted Roman primacy.
  • Confession of Saint Patrick (A.D. 390-461)
  • The Definition of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
    • The council of Chalcedon met to resolve the Monophysite controversy in which Eutyches had refused to confess the existence of two natures in Christ both after the union as well as before. The definition summarizes the Church's teaching on the natures of Christ largely in negative terms.
  • Canons of the Council of Orange (A.D. 529)
    • The Council of Orange was an outgrowth of the controversy between Augustine and Pelagius. This controversy had to do with degree to which a human being is responsible for his or her own salvation, and the role of the grace of God in bringing about salvation. The Pelagians held that human beings are born in a state of innocence, i.e., that there is no such thing as a sinful nature or original sin. As a result of this view, they held that a state of sinless perfection was achievable in this life. The Council of Orange dealt with the Semi-Pelagian doctrine that the human race, though fallen and possessed of a sinful nature, is still "good" enough to able to lay hold of the grace of God through an act of unredeemed human will. As you read the Canons of the Council of Orange, you will be able to see where John Calvin derived his views of the total depravity of the human race.
  • Quicumque vult (Athanasian Creed) (ca. A.D. 500) (Encarta® article)
    • The fullest statement of the Trinitarian faith in abstract metaphysical terms.
    • Part one: Augustinian definition of the Trinity
      • Each persona of the Trinity is fully divine
      • Each is unique to itself
      • Each is within the other, in perpetual intercommunication and motion, coequal and coeternal.
      • Damnatory clause for those who do not accept this teaching.
    • Part two: The doctrine of Christ
      • Anti-
        • Appollinarian
        • Nestorian
        • Eutychian
        • Monophysite
      • Reaffirms Ephesian and Chalcedonian council decisions.
      • Damnatory clause for those who do not accept this teaching.
  • Anathemas of the Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 533)
  • Creeds and Statements - from the Period after A.D. 600
  • Later Creeds

Adventists

Baptist & Anabaptist

Christian Church - Disciples of Christ

Evangelical Free Church of America

Episcopal/Anglican

Lutheran

  • The Augsburg Confession of Faith (& a whole lot more) - Philip Melancthon (1530)
  • The Book of Concord
    The Book of Concord     (Link 2) - The Lutheran Confessions from 1529-1580
    • The Augsburg Confession(1530,1540) - Philip Melanchthon
    •  
      • Written on behalf of the Protestant territories of Northern Germany for presentation to emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg. Melanchthon's twenty one original articles were composed as a response to John Eck's attack on the Protestants as guilty of being ancient heresies. Thus the articles attempt to show that the Protestant faith is in line with the ancient Church. Many, but not all, of the articles were acceptable to Rome. In 1540 Melancthon revised the confession to be acceptable to Calvin. The Lutherans rejected this revision and Melancthon himself. Melancthon's followers would then join the reformed camp.
      • Appendix - Catalog of Testimonies
    • Luther's Large Catechism
    • Luther's Little Book
    • The Smalcald Articles of Martin Luther
      • Written for Elector Frederick and the Smalcald League stipulating matters that could be discussed with Roman Catholics at a council they were invited to by Pope Paul III at Mantua. The Articles were written at a time when Luther felt death was near and hence they are a powerful expression of his personal faith.
    • Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope - (1563) Melancthon
      • When Luther's Smalcald Articles were added to the Book of Concord this small tract was attached to smooth over Luther's condemnation of the pope.
  • 95 Theses - Martin Luther (1517)
  • Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod (1932)
  • Confession of Faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • The Large Catechism - Martin Luther
    • The Large Catechism is an expansion of the Short Catechism through a collection and revision of several of Luther's sermons. Both catechisms were incorporated into the Book of Concord.
  • Luther's Small Catechism - Martin Luther
  • Lutheran and other Christian resources on the net - OK it's not a creed but it's a good link!
  • Porvoo Agreements with Anglicans
  • Project Wittenberg - Everything Luther(an)

Mennonite/Anabaptist

Methodist/Arminian

Orthodox

Pentecostal

Puritan &Pilgrim

Reformed

Religious Society of Friends

Roman Catholic

     Independent Old Catholic Church

United Church of Christ

Miscellany

Since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was omitted from this list of various Christian churches I’ve posted below – the Articles of Faith (Note: these are the reason Joseph Smith, Jr. was murdered – and in the Bible one will see they’re the same reasons the Savior was crucified):
 
The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
1 We abelieve in bGod, the Eternal Father, and in His cSon, Jesus Christ, and in the dHoly Ghost.
 2 We believe that men will be apunished for their bown sins, and not for cAdam’s transgression.
 3 We believe that through the aAtonement of Christ, all bmankind may be csaved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
 4 We believe that the first principles and aordinances of the Gospel are: first, bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, cRepentance; third, dBaptism by eimmersion for the fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ghands for the hgift of the Holy Ghost.
 5 We believe that a man must be acalled of God, by bprophecy, and by the laying on of chands by those who are in dauthority, to epreach the Gospel and administer in the fordinances thereof.
 6 We believe in the same aorganization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, bprophets, cpastors, dteachers, eevangelists, and so forth.
 7 We believe in the agift of btongues, cprophecy, drevelation, evisions, fhealing, ginterpretation of tongues, and so forth.
 8 We believe the aBible to be the bword of God as far as it is translated ccorrectly; we also believe the dBook of Mormon to be the word of God.
 9 We believe all that God has arevealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet breveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
 10 We believe in the literal agathering of Israel and in the restoration of the bTen Tribes; that cZion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will dreign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be erenewed and receive its fparadisiacal gglory.
 11 We claim the aprivilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the bdictates of our own cconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them dworship how, where, or what they may.
 12 We believe in being asubject to bkings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in cobeying, honoring, and sustaining the dlaw.
 13 aWe believe in being bhonest, true, cchaste, dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to gendure all things. If there is anything hvirtuous, ilovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith.
 
“Thinking or Pondering”
 
cji
9/26/13
 
So much information in the world
unavailable to the greater number
thus available to only a very few
the literate – the free – the learned
leaving only a very few to think
and even fewer who’ll yet ponder
most in the malls left to wander
music, videos, tv, movies their link
with taking no for truth discerned
in dark and the fog able to view
unwanting the Savior to encumber
so little information left in the world!
 
Copyright © 2013 – cji

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