Is The New Testament Church Exclusive Or Inclusive? Yes
Posted: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
The church (kingdom) which Jesus gave his life on the cross to purchase, is totally and completely inclusive, in one sense. That is Jesus died to create a plan…through his church… whereby every person on earth could become a member of it and reap the rewards of heaven, IF they would only accept his doctrine and “do the will of the Father which is in heaven“.
The statement “once for all” simply means that Jesus sinless life sacrificed on the cross, was adequate to remove any and all sins, before and after the cross, for those who would keep his commandments. So, if anyone tells you that Christianity is too exclusive, just tell them they know not what they say. There are other such statements, here is one especially of value:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV) Just how many does “all” exclude?
But of course, when people refer to the kingdom of God, in Christ, as being too exclusive, they mean that it excludes all who don’t believe the holy scriptures, who do not believe that Jesus was literally the son of God, and those who refuse to diligently seek to follow his word.
So in that respect it is quite exclusive.
What people often do not understand is that God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, have done everything possible to create a way that capricious man could be forgiven for his many sins. They successfully formulated the plan and made the awful sacrifice of giving Jesus life on the most cruel method of killing known to man. And yet the vast majority of mankind is unwilling to give up their pleasures of sinful living to receive his promise. Jesus makes this statement in his sermon on the mount concerning many who are religious, but doing what they like to do with religion, not what is laid out by the Father. Pay close attention here to Jesus as he is speaking before a multitude of Jewish people.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)
That statement is very clear. Those who desire to be religious and do things their way and/or for a show of piety, are also excluded. God knows men’s hearts, even to the extent of knowing his thoughts and intents. Three score and ten years may seem to be a long time to have to discipline one’s self and forgo certain pleasures but this lifespan means nothing when compared to eternity…infinity, forever and ever.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Amen.Thank you elle, I appreciate your reading and "amen".
As always, Joel, a good word. God bless you as you continue your ministry!Thank you Lorrie, for your kind remarks. Guess what? Another stray cat took up here and won our hearts over. She's black and white, lot's of short hair and may have the sweetest nature I've ever seen in a cat. We can't afford 3 cats, but we decided to keep her anyway. I took her to the vet to have her spayed, and when he sedated here and shaved her underside, he discovered she had allready been done!! I can never figure why anyone would dump such a pretty cat which was aqlready spayed. But I'm thankful, I was able to pay her out with a rabies shot included for $28. Spaying is ridiculourly high. That is probably partly responsible for the hughe population of stray cates.Joel, you are a softie! That cat is blessed to have you and your sweet wife in her life. And what a blessing from God that keeping her is not as costly as you first thought!Lorrie, you got it just right. I know that I really am a softie when it comes to animals. I have an idea that I have shed more tears over animals than I have over people. It's not that I don't love people, it's just that people can understand their hard luck. That little old sweet cat would come running and rub around my feet as I went to the paper box or the mail box. In the cold rain or anything else, bless her tiny heart. I just couldn't bear it. She licks my hand when I rub her and every now and then she lovingly bites me...not hard enough to break the skin.
Great article of truth! Thank you for upholding the ministry of Jesus Christ.Thank you Marcia, I sincerely appreciate your reading my article and the nice comment.
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