Yesterday I Wrote About How To Be Saved

 

One reason for the many branches shown above - and many that are not even mentioned - has to do with mankind's interpretation of God's requirements for salvation beyond what Jesus and Paul so succincly added. There are a couple of reasons common to many. First is man's traditions. The Bible speaks of this often. My favorite verses are:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:36-39)

The Ten Commandments were given to Moses as he led the Israelites from Egypt to the home God promised them. The first four have to do with our relationship to God - Jesus cut those four down to one: love God. The next six have to do with our relationship to everyone in our lives - again that one: love everyone around us.

Every split above was done by people who interpreted the Bible differently than the people in the room with them. Just as the Bereans, when they first heard Paul's gospel message:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. (Acts 17:11-13)

God's messages to people are usually disturbing. Just as disturbing as it was to Adam and Eve. We become complacent in comfortable lives where a certain amount of sinfulness surrounds us with a level of comfort. God's messages usually cover specific sins, and are unwelcome by those wrapped in that comfort. Don't think of examples out of your sight - count the ones that have made themselves (and you) comfortable. Yep, that's a toe-stepper. I know. I've had to look at those. And I've had to face God in prayer and discuss their disappearance.

Jesus continues to build His church - His assembly of believers. Some belong to a specific denomination - but not all to the same denomination. Some are members of underground churches in countries where congregations are not allowed. They are just as saved as church members in centuries-old cathedrals. The organization, the building, the prayers, the attendance, the membership written on a ledger does not create followers of Christ. That's what a Christian is a follower, a disciple:

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)

Some Christians meet on the Sabbath - that is still Saturday, the last of seven days - to fulfill the fourth of the Ten Commandments. Other Christians meet on Sunday, the day of resurrection for our Lord, the Lord's day. Jesus spoke in the synagogue on the Sabbath, but He also picked grain, and told the naysayers:

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: (Mark 2:27)

Once again, my answers to religious questions/debates/arguements has to come down to the Bible. No - I do not have it all memorized, nor do I know what all of it means.I don't have to. I have to use it for my life and my relationship with God. What I have to change in my life may not be what you have to change in yours. What we both are to change is what separates us from God.

The primary separation from God is unbelief. How do we come to know Him whom we do not know?

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:12-15)

Paul was well versed in scripture. Just as Nicodemus, he was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin:

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Romans 10:16-18)

If you've read this page this far, you've heard the good news of God's salvation for mankind. What choice do you make of it?