At bible study this week we read Acts 10. Peter is called from Joppa to meet with Cornelius and begin the conversion of the Gentiles (as I’m sure you know!)
I couldn’t help but think of the many different Christian sects in light of this passage and wonder if the message of God here (do not call anything impure that God has made clean) should not apply to them as well. Who am I to question the way they are inspired by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel?
I thought I would share that with you all and see what thoughts you had?
18/11/2009 at 5:22 pm Permalink
It is not only common sense to me, but also the divine logic to embrace all those who have been cleansed. As you are probably aware Ross, I may not think like the average believer, inasmuch as I consider the Church of Rome to be the “historical Church,” and I do basically see every other group as a “sect,” yet with this in mind I certainly consider myself as having been “cleansed,” even though I belong to such a “sect.”
The truth is, I must accept those who have been cleansed, just as Peter had to accept it. Sometimes I don’t like it, and I want to exclude certain groups because I think they have crossed a line of theology that I can’t reconcile in my mind. For example, here in this area we have many “Oneness” of “Jesus Only” Christians and I have always been deeply disturbed by their denial of the Trinity, and I cannot reconcile in my mind that they are even believing in the same God that I believe in, when their conception of God is radically different. Yet they look to the blood of Christ for salvation, many of them speak in tongues just as those who gathered in Cornelius’ home, and many bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. As much as I may dislike their doctrine, I cannot easily dismiss these who appear to have been “cleansed” as well as others that may believe more perect doctrine.
Can we tell who God has cleansed? I believe we can, and I think this goes right back to what I just mentioned; the fruit of the Spirit, and even the gifts of the Spirit are an evident sign as Peter observed.
Ultimately I believe it is evident that inidivuals and even entire organizations can have thoroughly erroneous beliefs on many issues and points of doctrine and yet they can still be “cleansed” or “saved.” Are there lines that cannot be crossed doctrinally and one cleansed, I think we would all have to agree that the answer is yes here, or the necessity of Truth in salvation would be mitigated. One can hardly be cleansed without believing in the power of the blood of Christ, His atoning death, and His resurrection.
We would do well accept all those who freely proclaim that they look to Jesus Christ as the Author and Finisher of their salvation.