The Roman Catholic Church has had much influence on Christianity, as we know it. Not all of those influences are bad. There have been very good examples of people leaving wealth to serve Jesus, and living a very good life. Not everyone in every form of religion is a bad apple or example. Religion in a sense does serve the world's population. We see many good religious groups feeding hungry children and helping pay for schools and shelter for the needy. We have to be very careful in attacking false teachings not to attack the sincerity of those caught up in them, but realize that regardless there are those who are sincerely wrong. We also need to keep in mind that the same principle we are applying in study needs to apply in all areas. If we are to take the stance that steeples are wrong then what of the pulpit? If we are to stand against the use of the word "Christian", then we are to also take into account that more than likely Jesus or the Apostles did not wear a "Cleric Collar". If we are to see clearly, taking the beam out of our own eyes is a prerequisite before reaching out to helping others remove the "mote" that is interfering with their vision. Yet, we have to stand up for Biblical Truth regardless of associations or institutions. As Jesus does surgery with the Word in our own hearts let us share the truth in love remembering who it is that has called us out. It is not by any works that we have done but by the precious blood of Christ Jesus that we have the privilege of serving others. The old hymn,"To Be Like Jesus", should be our goal. Let us measure all things by the Cross and Sacrifice He made for the souls of men and women.
Examples:
Pulpit
Laity
Collar around the cleric's neck
Christian (God's people in Scripture didn't call themselves Christians they were called Christians by others.)
Apostolic Doctrine (God's Word uses the words "Apostle" and "Doctrine")
New Testament (New Covenant)
Old Testament (Old Covenant)
Church Steeples
Pews etc.
May we share the sincere truth of the Word
In Jesus,
Dr. Bruce & Dana Klein
