Posted on 09/15/2009 8:21:31 AM PDT by Colofornian
HI, wed like to talk to you about Jesus Christ!
Standing tall, two young and well-dressed American boys at my door broke the ice instantaneously. Happy to see them, I said that we were Christians too. What happened next, however, took me by surprise and left me scrambling for words. Stating that they were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they said they wanted to talk about a prophet and a book given to the prophet by God. Though a little shaken, I refused to hear their ideologies they left only to return another day in a bid to coax me.
In todays world, cults are very much a reality. Cults are widely prevalent in our country, in our city too. An unexpected encounter with cult members can leave us disturbed. As Jesus warned, during the last days, there will be many people proclaiming different ideologies in His name. It is our duty to be vigilant and strong in faith.
Gods Word says that many deceptive spirits will be on the loose, waiting to swallow the unaware. So do we know how to discern deceptions? We may know that their claims do not align with Gods Word, we may even understand that their belief is not the Truth but how do we handle encounters with cult members? How do we prepare ourselves to face the challenges of the last days? One way is to be aware of the different cults and to understand their approach.
Take the case of Mormons. Mormonism and polygamy go hand in hand - an attractive proposition for todays world. Mormonism has a good number of followers in the US and several other parts of the world. But the Mormons have been in Chennai as well for nearly a decade now and have slowly yet steadily increased in numerical strength.
A conversation based on such beliefs can perturb anybody, especially if we are not prepared. THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER spoke to a cross-section of senior church leaders, who threw light on how we could tackle such encounters. Each of them shared valuable insights on how to be prepared always, how to answer cult members, and how to watch and pray.
Pastor P Vijayaraghavan of the Apostolic Church said, I know that the Mormons have been around in Chennai for about 10 years. Theyve grown a lot and that wouldnt be possible but for their polygamous behavior. He agreed that as believers, we should know Christian truth well enough to be able to decipher cults.
Cult groups have something novel to offer to people and especially exploit their gullible nature, said he said.
Pastor Arthur Devadoss of Hosanna Ministries had an interesting anecdote to share.
The Mormons gave me their book sometime ago and I didnt even bother to read it. They came back for the book and fought with me, he said.
However, Pastor Devadoss is worried about another new church group.
There is a new group called the Indian Church of Christ that approaches people with visiting cards; they worry me the most. They speak the local language and lure youngsters to join them. They, too, propagate polygamy and immoral relationships, he said.
He has briefed his congregation well about such cults and has asked them to stand up for their beliefs. In case they are unable to do so, he asks them to just invite the cult followers to their church or refer them to the pastor. Theyll never trouble you again, Devadoss affirmed.
Pastor Jayakaran Emmanuel of Power House Church echoes this view.
Its better for you not to entertain them. Since we know their beliefs are misleading and untrue, dont encourage them and they wont approach you further, he said. Is there anything else that a believer needs to be aware of to tackle these cultists?
Rev. D.C. Premraj, Presbyter of St. Georges Cathedral, said: There are just a few things that we should watch out for. First, we should be strong in our beliefs. We must make an effort to understand what we believe in. Second, as our faith and belief grow, we must be grounded Biblically. Our foundation must be clear and strong in Gods Word. Third, during any such encounters, check for Biblical context. Anyone can quote from the Bible, but we must know how relevant and contextual it is.
Confirmation classes and Bible studies conducted by churches are aimed at making the believers steadfast in their faith, Rev. Premraj added.
Pastor Jagadeesan Kalyanakumar of Harvest Christian Assembly quoted Ephesians 4:16: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. He added: The rule of thumb is that if you know the original, you can identify the counterfeit. And the more familiar you are with Gods Word, the better you can discern and safeguard yourself from deceptive doctrines.
In all this, the Bible is the final authority to check any doctrine. Sola Scriptura, meaning the Bible alone, is the key theme in the churchs reformation of the 16th century.
The Jehovah Witnesses, for instance, proclaim Jesus to be an angel with extraordinary powers. But the Bible very clearly says that He is the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God who revealed God and his love to humanity (John: 3:16). Another example, the Mormons scripture includes the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
As Christians, Pastor Joshua Jeyaseelan, Tamil Baptist Church, said: We have one revealed Word of God which is the Holy Scripture (II Timothy 3:16). So any new doctrine or cult has to be analyzed and understood in the light of the Scripture.
Pastor Vijayaraghavan said, We must know how to identify a cult and thats by knowing what they are. Cults are major deviations from orthodox Christianity relative to the Bibles cardinal doctrines such as the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, the second coming, millennial reign, and salvation by the grace of Jesus Christ.
It is our responsibility to understand our beliefs, our stand. Just like the wise man that built his house on the Rock, if our foundation is strong and built on Jesus, it will not be shaken.
Today, it was I who met with the Mormons, tomorrow it could be you. Let us watch and pray for the salvation of cult members and for God to grant us the wisdom to stand strong in His Word.
Yes, the idea of 2 or more MIL should be a deterant for bigamy...
But since there are no real legal 2nd etc marriages but just shack ups...
There are no legit MIL...
:)
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Samson lost his pretty hair over that deal...
Well, Martin Luther said the gospel is so simple a child can understand it; yet so deep it can take a lifetime or eternity to fully comprehend.
You put the caps on "SHALL BE SAVED" -- "NAME OF THE LORD" is as cap-worthy -- IOW, "Name" in the Bible is always an identity identifier, and "Lord" is a specific title of that specific Being.
Why is that relevant? Well the false prophets who opposed Elijah called upon the name of their gods, too.
So, if you have an address book, hard copy or e-version, and you have more than one entry under "G" for "God" -- that's a problem. It can make the difference between calling upon Elijah's God -- the God of Rom. 10:13 -- and the false gods who opposed Elijah.
I know who I’m calling on, it’s 1-800-JESUS-SAVED-ME.
Thank you. That is a wonderful message....it is THE only message that IS wonderful!
Not only THAT! You have to be judged by a bishop to be a "temple worthy mormon"....only a select few are chosen via certain rules and regulations as seen below....
Secret, secret, secret
Fulness of the gospel NOT in the Book of Mormon. Secret to prospects - they'd look in vain for the primary Mormon teachings to be taught there.
Original "old plates" Joseph supposedly found. Secreted away.
Joseph not telling Emma about women he had affairs with (Fanny & others) 1831 & beyond. Secret.
Mormons not putting the polygamy doctrine in writing until the 1850s. Secret.
Bloody victims' clothes & orphans from Mountain Meadows Massacre, 1857. Secret for two years.
Mountain Meadows Massacre culprits. Conspired amongst each other to never tell. Secret.
Mormonism openly false 19th century teachings like Adam-is-god and blood atonement. Unacknowledged as former teachings. They wish these were a secret.
Mormon polygamists hiding out from the feds in 1880s. Secret hideaways.
Lds Plural marriages 1890-1910. Secret.
Still today:
Lds temple ceremonies. Secret.
Lds weddings in temples. Secret.
Secret underwear power. Very secret.
Mormons believe thousands of deceased Mormons practicing polygamy in another realm. "Open" Secret.
History not "faith promoting" to Lds church and former leaders. Tendency to tuck away. Secreted away.
fLDS families -- the "living daguerreotype" of what 19th century Mainstream Mormon families were often like -- tucked away in out-of-the-way communities. Treated like the crazy aunt to lock away in the basement closet.
No wonder a BYU history prof wrote a book, "Early Mormonism and the Magic World View." "Magic" is a sub-category of the occult. And what does the word "occult" mean? (Yup, Latin for "hidden" -- as in secret).
Lds lurker. You have a high position in the Lds church. You know of "secret" documents tucked away "in the vault" -- one of the most secret hard to reach places in Mormondom. Consider Jesus' call to let light shine on dark places -- and then act:
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. (Luke 8:17)
Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. (Luke 12:3)
The FLDS are NOT Mormons and you know it. They broke w/LDS a hundred years ago. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would be excommunicated for such an offense.
Where do you find the “sinners prayer” in the Word of God?
“If any unsaved soul prays that prayer, then according to the Word of God THEY ARE SAVED! AMEN!”
According to who?
The FLDS are NOT Mormons and you know it. They broke w/LDS a hundred years ago
___________________________________________
Only thing I know is that those there so called “LDS” you speak of apostacized in 1890...
And broke with the real mormons who kept on going practicing the principal that Joey had taught them...
And the rest apostacized in dribs and drabs along the way..
Unless a member is following the “prophet” and what he taught, that member is not a true mormon...
The principal of polygamy was the true and everlasting covenant for the mormons...the only way for a mormon male to get into the mormon after life..
Not for the Christians or mormon females... for the mormon males...
(Mormon women are abused 2nd class sex slaves for the mormon males in the mormon after life)
The Christian men AND WOMEN have always had ...
Jesus saying, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. NO man or woman comes to the Father except by ME.” John 14:6
More historical exaggeration. (Can't you be on the money any time?)
A rift occurred in the 1930s during the Grant presidency of the Mormon church. The fLDSdid not formally break with the Mormon church until the 1940s. (That means less than 70 years ago -- which means a number of fLDS were born mainstream Mormon -- and have never been ex-communicated by the LDS!!!)
Since the true church is NOT an earthly organization, but an earthly and heavenly organism of the Body of Christ. Does this pronouncement of yours mean that if Brigham & Joseph & other Lds polygamists are in the celestial kingdom, that they've also been "excommunicated" from that realm?
If not, why not?
If polygamy is so Mormon-glorious in the celestial kingdom, why is it so excommunicable" here on earth?
If it's so morally pure up there, what makes it so "damnable" for current Mormons?
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would be excommunicated for such an offense.
____________________________________________
Say what ???
Joey Smith and Brigham Young are rolling stones roughly rolling over in their graves are your words...
OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH
I’m shocked Saundra, Shocked I say...
What would your bish think if he could read your words ???
Temple Recommend questions.
3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days? (this would include the restoration of polygamy because Josy Smith did what the old prophets did blah blah blah)
5 Do you live the law of chastity? (Joey Smith and BY et al said that Christianity was an abomination and monogamy was not a vrtue... Only polygamy was of the mormon god and could save ..males...)
7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? (Like Christians who have always been monogamous)
14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been? (Again Joey Smith and BY et al said that monogamy was a sin)
polygamy placemarker
I know JUST what you mean!
Why, if we let this kind of Free Speech go on, FreeRepublic will be nothing but a white-washed tomb, filled with vipers and hypocrits!
Why... others might go as far as to suggest physical violence in the manner of cutting ones own gonads off!
Mighty?
MIGHTY!!
I think I LIKE that!
(Tain't necessarily TRUE; but I STILL like it...)
Mighty?
MIGHTY!!
I think I LIKE that!
(Tain't necessarily TRUE; but I STILL like it...)
Mighty?
MIGHTY!!
I think I LIKE that!
(Tain't necessarily TRUE; but I STILL like it...)
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