Conclusion from Peru and Mexico

email from Randall Easter | 25 January 2008 | Randall Easter

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

January 25, 2008

ESV Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

In recent days I have spent time in Lima and Sullana Peru and Mexico City and I have discovered that people by nature are the same. Man has a heart that is inclined to selfishness and idolatry. Sin abounds in the remotest parts of the land because the heart is desperately wicked. Thousands bow before statues of Mary and pray to her hoping for answers. I have seen these people stare hopelessly at Mary icons, Jesus icons, and a host of dead saints who will do nothing for them. I have talked with people who pray to the pope and say that they love him. I talked with one lady who said that she knew that Jesus was the Savior, but she loved the pope. Thousands bow before Santa Muerte (holy death angel) in hopes that she will do whatever they ask her. I have seen people bring money, burning cigarettes, beer, whiskey, chocolate, plants, and flowers to Santa Muerte in hopes of her answers. I have seen these people bowing on their knees on the concrete in the middle of public places to worship their idol. Millions of people come into the Basilica in Mexico City and pay their money, confess their sins, and stare hopelessly at relics in hope that their sins will be pardoned. In America countless thousands are chained to baseball games, football games, material possessions, and whatever else their heart of idols can produce to worship.

My heart has broken in these last weeks because the God of heaven is not honored as he ought to be honored. People worship the things that are created rather than worshiping the Creator. God has been gracious to all mankind and yet mankind has hardened their hearts against a loving God. God brings the rain on the just and unjust. God brings the beautiful sunrises and sunsets upon the just and unjust. God gives good gifts unto all and above all things he has given his Son that those who would believe in him would be saved. However, man has taken the good things of God and perverted them unto idols and turned their attention away from God. I get a feel for Jesus as he overlooked Jerusalem or Paul as he beseeched for God to save Israel. When you accept the reality of the truth of the glory of God is breaks your heart that people would turn away from the great and awesome God of heaven to serve lesser things. Moses was outraged by the golden calf, the prophets passionately preached against idolatry, Jesus was angered that the temple was changed in an idolatrous business, and Paul preached to the idolaters of Mars Hill by telling them of the unknown God.

I arrived back at home wondering how I should respond to all the idolatry that I have beheld in these last three weeks. I wondered how our church here in the states should respond to all of the idolatry in the world. What are the options? First, I suppose we could sit around and hope that people chose to get their life together and stop being idolaters. However, I do not know how that could ever happen apart from them hearing the truth. Second, I suppose we could spend a lifetime studying cultural issues and customs in hope that we could somehow learn to relate to the people of other countries. However, the bible is quite clear that all men are the same. Men are dead in sin, shaped in iniquity, and by nature are the enemies of God. Thirdly, we could pay other people or other agencies to go and do a work for us while we remain comfortably in the states. However, there is no way to insure that there will be doctrinal accuracy or integrity. If we only pay other people to take the gospel we will miss out on all of the benefits of being obedient to the mission of God. Lastly, we could seek where God would have us to do a lasting work and then invest our lives there for the glory of God. The gospel has the power to raise the dead in any culture and we must be willing to take the gospel wherever God would have us take it. It is for sure that our church cannot go to every country and reach every people group, so we must determine where God would have us work and seek to be obedient wherever that is.

It seems that some doors are opening in the Spanish speaking countries below us and perhaps God is beginning to reveal where we are to work. There are some options for work to be partnered with in Peru and there could be a couple of options in Mexico. The need is greater than I can express upon this paper for a biblical gospel to be proclaimed in Peru and Mexico. Oh, that God would glorify his great name in Peru and Mexico by using a small little church in a town that does not exist to proclaim his great gospel amongst a people who desperately need the truth.

I give thanks to the LORD for allowing me the privilege of going to these countries and broadening my horizons. The things that I have seen will be forever engraved upon my heart. I will long remember the pastors that I spent time with in Peru and I will never forget Adolfo who translated for me in Mexico. I will relish the time that I spent with Paul Washer and the others. When I think of church I will forever remember being on top of that mountain in Sullana at that church which had no electricity and no roof. I am convinced that heaven was looking down on that little church on top of that mountain and very few people on earth even know that it exist. Oh, God I pray that the things of this world will continue to grow dim and that God’s people will be caught up in his glorious presence.

Because of the truth: Pastor: J. Randall Easter II Timothy 2:19 "Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases."(Ps. 115:3) "He predestined us according to the good pleasure of His will."(Eph. 1:5) Those who have been saved have been saved for His glory and they are being made holy for this is the will of God. Are you being made holy? Spurgeon says, "If your religion does not make you holy it will damn you to hell."

[wmfights]

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. – Romans 8:9

Amen.

The Holy Spirit is the glue that puts together the Church Militant not man.

ICor. 12:13-14 For by one Spirit we were baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.

[Campion]

We are the Reformed and we have the cure for what ails the Church in Rome. We have the gospel....

You have a false gospel. If your "cure" is so wonderful, why are all your previous patients dissolving in disunity and disbelief?

What happened to the Calvinist Netherlands?

What happened to Calvinist Scotland?

What happened to the Puritan Calvinist Massachusetts colony? (Incidentally, Calvinism fell apart there long before the Irish arrived, so don't blame them.)

Why don't you peddle your cure back to your own spiritual forebearers? They're a good deal sicker than we are; we still say the Nicene Creed with a straight face while they do not.

[ScubieNuc]

Rev 3:20 is not an evangelical Scripture. The Lord is standing at the door of a church (the church of the Laodiceans), to see if anyone alive in Him is there. The context:

I understand what you are saying about the specific context in Revelations, but are you saying that that verse can NOT be used as an example of Jesus wanting fellowship with unbelievers?

What is your basis for such a belief?

[Pyro7480]

I think the best thing to do at this point is END THIS THREAD! It’s toxic as a New Jersey Superfund site.

[Lord_Calvinus]

***If your “cure” is so wonderful, why are all your previous patients dissolving in disunity and disbelief?***

The truth is often a bitter pill. The Reformers turned turning their back on the truth went back to Rome in theology. For some reason they think that a works based gospel is more comforting. Nevertheless, the Lord has still reserved for himself those of us who will not bow our knee to any other than the Lord.

But, before the great movement of the Reformation ran out of steam, we birthed this little nation called the United States. And, we are reviving and coming alive once again.

And, no matter our numbers, we stand with the Lord, which makes us the majority.

post tenebras lux

[wmfights]

As Uncle Chip and ftd said (both of whom belong to different denominations than I) the primary belief that unites all Bible-believing Christians is that they know and believe and hold most dear the truth that Christ has paid for every one of their sins, and thus they stand today acquitted and redeemed by their Saviour who gave Himself a ransom for all those who believe on His name, by the grace of God alone.

We are united by THE GOSPEL.

We argue all kinds of things, but not Salvation by Grace Alone through Faith Alone by Christ Alone.

I believe the stumbling block for RC's, as it has been explained to me by RC's, is that they perceive defense of their church as defense of their Faith. As a result admitting error would be to admit their Faith is flawed.

[Religion Moderator]

That may become necessary.

[ScubieNuc]

Acts 10, Acts 16 and 1 Cor 1 are all ‘household baptisms’. One presumes that the infants were present in at least one of them. Scriptures do not forbid it, and, anyway, the early Church fathers wrote in support of its practice.

I suppose you could presume that if you don't examine all of the other verses that talk about baptism. When you look at the verses that talk about baptism you always see belief or repentance before it. How does a baby believe or repent?

Scriptures also don't forbid baptising pets, but I would guess you would be against that. The point is that it is a bad idea to justify doing something just because the Bible doesn't expressly say you can't.

When you resort to saying "the early Church fathers wrote in support of it." you are no longer on common ground with me. I don't elevate what "the early Church fathers wrote" to be equal to Scripture. There is a HUGE difference between the inspired Word of God and the writtings of early Church fathers.

Baptism is very much NOT required. Please see http://www.carm.org/questions/baptnec.htm for a complete Scriptural proof.

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed. Thank you so much for the beautiful Scripture!

[Campion]

The Reformers turned turning their back on the truth went back to Rome in theology.

We don't claim them; don't blame their treason to your "Gospel" on us. Maybe it simply doesn't work and simply doesn't make sense and simply can't last, so they turned to something else.

Have you considered that?

But, before the great movement of the Reformation ran out of steam, we birthed this little nation called the United States.

We birthed a little something called "modern Western Europe," without which you'd be speaking Chinese. And it was Catholic Europeans who got here first.

But neither of us should make an idol of our past accomplishments.

And, we are reviving and coming alive once again.

I don't see it. All you can do is to undermine the simple faith of people who love God in their own way and turn them to the "gospel" of every man being his own Pope.

And we already know how that ends.

You want a real challenge? Re-convert Scotland or the Netherlands. I'll even be rooting for you in that endeavor.

[WileyPink]

I think the best thing to do at this point is END THIS THREAD! It’s toxic as a New Jersey Superfund site.

Is this the only action, or better yet reaction, that we can get from those who oppose Scripture. It seems to me that the only ones who what to end not only this thread but others as well are those who have no argument against Scripture. Are other's opinions so "toxic" that they are to shut up? They shouldn't be.

If certain persons require rebuke by the RM or site Administrator, so be it. But don't punish free speech just because some don't like what's being said! IMO

In Christ...Alone!

[Gamecock]

As a good Presbyterian, I move for a vote.

Objection. As a good Presbyterian I demand we move it to committee.

[wmfights]

No, Thank You!

I really enjoy your heart felt posts and the Scripture you always include.

[Forest Keeper]

I think the missionaries encounter problems from the RC's because by introducing the preeminence of Scripture the argument for exclusivity falls apart and a great deal of what they do comes into question.

Yes, I couldn't agree more. I see a big part of it being a matter of W(w)ho is in control and W(w)ho has the power. Men by nature will always seek power, control, and exclusivity. Men who actually have the (human) power will naturally feel threatened by anyone who comes in and says that it is truly God Who holds all the power. That would be unacceptable.

[Pyro7480]

Don’t ever presume to read my mind, and don’t ever presume to think I “oppose Scripture!”

[wmfights]

Objection. As a good Presbyterian I demand we move it to committee.

I object. As a good Baptist, I demand the whole congregation have a say!

[MarkBsnr]

***How is this not making it personal, the idea that I either post drunk or drink for inspiration?***

Did I post either statement? Did I give the general idea? Maybe you’re reading into it what is not there. I know what I posted.

***Weren’t you also the one that made a rude disparaging remark on this thread about Dr. Eckleburg being a woman? ***

I don’t believe so. I think that women are equally as responsible or irresponsible about their beliefs as men are.

***Reformed: declared righteous, a.k.a. “Forensic Justification,” Sola Fide, alien righteousness, etc.
Catholic: made righteous, a.k.a. in their OWN person. ***

Nice to see that you’ve grasped some of the ideas there. Keep it up. You may wind up swimming the Tiber; there is the hope of Peter and Paul for you yet.

Rev 21:

23
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.
24
The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure.
25
During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night there.
26
The treasure and wealth of the nations will be brought there,
27
but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any (one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Nothing unclean (unholy) will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore one MUST be made holy or righteous. Not merely be declared it.

***God justifies the UNGODLY.***

Very good. Unlike the Reformed, we Catholics take that very seriously. We are His creatures; He is our Creator.

***Your objection is a fiction and you really ought to not accuse others of being on a bottle when they obviously know exactly what they are talking about. ***

I take Scripture, the Catechism and the Church Fathers to be of greater worth than anything that I can add to. Methinks that thou doth protest too heartily about bottles.

I’d suggest a reading of Matthew 5-7 to go along with your newfound verses.