One of my favorite verses is:
"Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
This would be a good approach to a non-believer who is scheduled to
die at the hands of capital punishment, or to someone who was going
down with you on a doomed jetliner.
I often wonder what
MORE we can do to receive Christ and subsequent
salvation than just what is in that verse. My upbringing in the 2x2 Organization
that required the need to "profess" to unity with that group of believers always
seemed questionable. More emphasis was put on separating from other believers
and churches and following the ways of the "Truth" as they called themselves; than
there was put on the need to accept Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and
saviour. "Follow Jesus" was a common suggestion. Others were "become more like
Jesus", "listen to the still small voice" and of course the all time favorite to "profess".
It seemed to me that Romans 10:9 was not thorough enough for these people
as they required membership in their home meetings and disciplines by the "workers"
whom they looked up to and reverened.
It's been 40 years since I left that group; only to learn that Catholicism requires
much the same thing.
Departure from other believers(Protestants) ....the need
to join their church (Catholic) and high regard (to the point of worship) of their
leaders (the pope) .
The topic of this thread ([To] call upon the name of the Lord) seems a simple thing
to me. How could one sect or individual justifiably deride another in their pursuits
of calling upon the Lord? This is what takes place in these exclusive sects that I have
mentioned and there are plenty more. The favorite verse seems to hinge on a
needed action by the participants, and the topic is "Believe". I've been told it is
not enough to "believe in the name of the Lord", but that it requires me to do this
and do that and join X Church or (in the case of the 2x2s....No Church) and follow
the advice of certain leaders because they have the authority based on historical
proof that makes them superior to others. The 2x2s claim to be based on Christ
himself and that their mode of worship is what Christ established on earth.....including
meeting in homes and sending out their ministers (workers) in pairs. Anything
less than than was a sign of a heretical church. And, all churches themselves were
said to be manmade and therefore the "blind leading the blind". They said there
would be many who would say "Lord Lord" and would still be rejected as "I never
knew you". This preaching would scare many to tow the line and join their ''way'' or
at least stay in it once involved.
"I never knew you"........is used by Catholics also. I don't recall Protestant churches
using scripture in a threatening way for the purpose of exalting itself. The RCC does.
Our friend, Kelly is busy studying so I can talk safely about her church
......referring to
the Sabbath thing and the emphasis that the SDA puts on resting on Saturday. Those
people may have also "called on the Lord" for salvation, but I cannot honor the
emphasis they put on baptismal regeneration, a succession of papal authority and
church authority, Sabbath rest etc.
Can't the prisoner about to receive the death penalty also call upon the name of
the Lord, confess with the mouth and believe in thy heart unto salvation without
going to Mass, receiving baptism, or joining one of the many sects or (cults) that
exist today. The association with one of these sects would only bring approval
by
THAT sect's members and the rest would reject his approach to God anyhow.
This is what is happening on this forum also.
In my witnessing, I
STOP with Romans 10:9 without suggesting churches
in a prejudiciall manner.
