Mark wrote: " The question that I’ve been confronted with through my recent experiences and now from a lot of reading has to do with the idea of conversion. Does a Muslim or Jew need to convert to the Christian religion to become, or stay, part of the Kingdom of God? Because I believe that most people who are adherents to the Christian religion are lost, and because Jesus never came to start a new religion, and because I believe that religion is a man-made concept attempting to get to God, I think that the concept of converting to my religion is a detriment to advancing the Kingdom. From an eternal perspective and in regard to the Truth, what is really different from someone who is following Mohammed, or the teaching of Buddha, or adhering to Judaism, or chasing after the “American dream” while calling oneself a Christian? All are separated from God and condemned to an eternal hell. But, when the living God saves someone who IS following Mohammed, or the teaching of Buddha, or adhering to Judaism, or chasing after the “American dream” while calling oneself a Christian, then the reality of eternal life begins along with the process of becoming more like Jesus."
My reply: This part of your reply is what I am going to call your creed section. Your question is put forth so that you can answer it and declare what it is you believe. Most Christian churches which are true churches would contain some sort of statement like this, “The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience..” This is the from the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. There are three areas of doctrine/theology that your creed covers here. They are: 1) The doctrine of conversion. 2) The doctrine of the kingdom of God. 3) The doctrine of the Church.
What does the Bible teach concerning “conversion” or someone who converts? Consider, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
In quoting Isaiah 6:10 Jesus said, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears dull of hearing, and their eyes have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Matt 13:15
And then also consider, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19 In the Authorized Version this word converted, or epistrepho, is translated 39 times as turn, be converted, return, turn about, turn again. It means to turn to, to turn about, or to turn back. The Apostle Peter’s preaching is to these unbelieving Jews telling them to both repent and be converted. He is commanded them to “metanoeo” or repent, that is to have a change in one’s mind, and to turn to or back to the Living and True God, that is to Christ.
Look at who the Word of God is speaking to…Jews. It is speaking to the Covenant people of God and commands them to repent and be turned to Christ Jesus. When God does saves some, be they Jews or Muslims, or Buddhists, they are going to be repenting and turning to Christ Jesus, and by reason of this turning to…turning AWAY from Islam or Judaism or Islam or Romanism or Atheism or anything other god of theirs. And they will turn to Jesus Christ, believing in Him, repenting of their sins and clinging to Jesus Christ ALONE.
You claim that Jesus never came to start a new religion. Well, what did he come to start? What saith the Scripture? “And I say unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 Christ Jesus came to build His church. This is the Christian religion. That Christ Jesus intended to assemble His elect is plainly evident by the Scripture. In Acts 8:3 Saul made havoc of the church, in Acts 9:31 the churches had rest throughout all Judea and Galliee and Samaria, in Acts 11:26 the apostles ASSEMBLED themselves with the church, in Acts 15:22 the church assembled with the apostles and elders and commissioned Paul and Barnabas, in Acts 2:47 the Lord was adding daily to the church such as should be saved.
Nearly all the New Covenant epistles are written to the churches. In the book of Revelation Jesus addresses the elders of the seven churches. God sets His gifts in the church, first apostles, then prophets, third teachers…1 Cor 12:28. The very purposes of God are accomplished by His church. In Ephesians 3:10 it is by the Church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places. The church is Christ’s body, His bride, and He is the head thereof. In Matthew 21:43 the Kingdom of God is TAKEN from the Jews, and given to a nation bringing forth its fruits. To whom did He give it? TO THE CHURCH. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Mark, you do greatly err from the Scripture in your creed.
Mark wrote, "Being a follower of Jesus is not an exclusive right of the Christian religion “club”. Many in the “club” have a special affinity toward Jews, but a bold and outrageous hatred for Muslims. Wouldn’t it be just like our God to save millions of these hated Muslims for the glory of Jesus and as a rebuke of the lukewarm “club”? No one is shouting, “JESUS PLUS NOTHING”, louder than the Father. The harvest is ripe and the “Jesus plus nothing” roar is increasing. This is nowhere more apparent than in the Muslim world and I have chosen to join God where He is at work. To Him be the glory."
My reply: Now this does stir up my zeal. Satan too prances about roaring. And God will crush him under our feet. Being a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ IS the EXCLUSIVE right of God’s elect. “We have an altar, whereof they have NO RIGHT to eat which serve the tabernacle.” Heb 13:10.
It would be NOTHING like God to save millions of Muslims for the glory of Jesus and as a rebuke of the “lukewarm club” as you call it. If God ever saves anyone at any time, and He does, it is for the purpose of His glory and His glory ALONE. Secondly, if there is a lukewarm church out there it is utterly shameful to me that anyone calling themselves a Christian would so disparage the Lamb’s wife.
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” Romans 8:33
You wrote that you have been reading extensively. Let me admonish you to read your Bible more extensively. Seek your answers from the Word of God. And do not seek to join God ANYWHERE the Scripture does not go.
Sola Scriptura.
Mark wrote: " I pray the Lord Jesus will bless you and your family as you consider all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Mark Baxter"
Solus Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Sola Scriptura, Soli Deo Gloria
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