Paul's Passing Thoughts

The meme displayed in this post, and also the subject of this post is just one more piece of evidence pointing to the false religion of church. Church banks on lazy thinkers; however, if one gives this meme but a little thought, it speaks to the horrid reality of church and its history.

The most overt message of this meme follows: “You are obligated to be faithful to church no matter what happens there, and if you leave church for whatever reason, you never knew God. So, in order to prove that you have faith in God, you remain faithful to church. Part of persevering in the faith is being faithful to church no matter what. After all, church involves people, and where you have people—you have sin.”

Therefore, if something really, really bad happens that the leadership will not deal with; one does not dare question the premise of church, but rather finds another salvation franchise where they can continue to get salvation on the installment plan. Plainly, in the black and white pages of orthodoxy, the church has always proclaimed itself as God’s salvific authority on earth. Martin Luther and John Calvin were not the least bit ambiguous about it. Calvin clearly stated that water baptism made a person an official member of church, and continued forgiveness for present sin is only available through church membership.

4.15.1 – Baptism is the initiatory sign by which we are admitted to the fellowship of the Church, that being ingrafted into Christ we may be accounted children of God. Moreover, the end for which God has given it (this I have shown to be common to all mysteries) is, first, that it may be conducive to our faith in him; and, secondly, that it may serve the purpose of a confession among men. The nature of both institutions we shall explain in order. Baptism contributes to our faith three things, which require to be treated separately. The first object, therefore, for which it is appointed by the Lord, is to be a sign and evidence of our purification, or (better to explain my meaning) it is a kind of sealed instrument by which he assures us that all our sins are so deleted, covered, and effaced, that they will never come into his sight, never be mentioned, never imputed. For it is his will that all who have believed, be baptised for the remission of sins. Hence those who have thought that baptism is nothing else than the badge and mark by which we profess our religion before men, in the same way as soldiers attest their profession by bearing the insignia of their commander, having not attended to what was the principal thing in baptism; and this is, that we are to receive it in connection with the promise, “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved” (Calvin Institutes).

4.15.3 – Nor is it to be supposed that baptism is bestowed only with reference to the past, so that, in regard to new lapses into which we fall after baptism, we must seek new remedies of expiation in other so-called sacraments, just as if the power of baptism had become obsolete. To this error, in ancient times, it was owing that some refused to be initiated by baptism until their life was in extreme danger, and they were drawing their last breath, that they might thus obtain pardon for all the past. Against this preposterous precaution ancient bishops frequently inveigh in their writings. We ought to consider that at whatever time we are baptised, we are washed and purified once for the whole of life. Wherefore, as often as we fall, we must recall the remembrance of our baptism, and thus fortify our minds, so as to feel certain and secure of the remission of sins. For though, when once administered, it seems to have passed, it is not abolished by subsequent sins. For the purity of Christ was therein offered to us, always is in force, and is not destroyed by any stain: it wipes and washes away all our defilements. Nor must we hence assume a license of sinning for the future (there is certainly nothing in it to countenance such audacity), but this doctrine is intended only for those who, when they have sinned, groan under their sins burdened and oppressed, that they may have wherewith to support and console themselves, and not rush headlong into despair. Thus Paul says that Christ was made a propitiation for us for the remission of sins that are past (Rom. 3:25). By this he denies not that constant and perpetual forgiveness of sins is thereby obtained even till death: he only intimates that it is designed by the Father for those poor sinners who, wounded by remorse of conscience, sigh for the physician. To these the mercy of God is offered. Those who, from hopes of impunity, seek a license for sin, only provoke the wrath and justice of God (Calvin Institutes).

Hence, you may not like what is going on in church, but according to Protestant orthodoxy, it is the only place that you can get continued forgiveness; ie., salvation. Many churches will vehemently deny this, but watch how they function; they strongly emphasize getting people saved and repentance while putting little emphasis on practical Christian living lest we have a “righteousness of our own.” Rather than love/obedience, we must instead, “revisit our baptism.”

But, if you are in a church that totally looks the other way in regard to scandalous sin, or isn’t relevant to real life, you may find a “good church.” Or can you? Such people are often labeled “church hoppers” or brought up on church discipline and declared unregenerate. And besides, “no church is perfect anyway,” right?

Secondly, note the grammar shell game always invoked by the Protestant liars. This meme, in true Protestant tradition, subtly denies the new birth. Notice that church is only God’s actual family when it serves their purpose, but when referring to reprehensible behavior, church is made up of mere…”people.” Otherwise, if true biblical grammar was actually utilized, it would read: “If being hurt by God’s family causes you to lose faith in God; then your faith was based on being in God’s family and having expectations accordingly.” Ya think?

Thirdly, the meme subtly endorses Protestantism’s Gnostic roots. This goes along with the denial of the new birth and a literal family of God state of being. There is a strict dichotomy between a godly spiritual realm and “people” who are of the material realm. The “Christian” is called on to accept church as the only conduit between the material and the spiritual while expecting any and every kind of evil to take place in the church accordingly.

Fourthly, and lastly, the reality of new birth is rejected while making the so-called authority of church foundational to true faith.

In contrast, wherever born again believers are, the body of Christ is manifested. Whether gathering together for fellowship or serving, the assembly of Christ’s body is present. “People” are not the church, and besides, there is NO “church” to begin with. There is only the manifestation of God’s family members edifying each other and serving with their individual gifts.

paul