CHANGES!

 Changes! We are often confronted by this fact. Yet in reality, this brings either something good and will influence us to the wrong way. The significant changes in belief and practice from the apostolic age all the way through the Dark Ages created a great twist to what the Bible really says.

In this study I learned that knowing what we believe is very important. The Roman Catholic Church teaches wrong doctrine which is totally different from what the Bible teaches. To study the Scripture more intensely is really a must. Another thing is that I learned that I have to stand with what I believe and on what God truly teaches in His word. I have to learn to interpret God's word correctly anytime and anywhere. With these learning, I have to be more than eager to learn more about God and be more acquainted with what the Bible teaches for it is God's message to all people and it is meant to be understood correctly and to be applied properly. As a child of God, I have to study God's word sincerely and put it in my heart and mind, putting into practice what I have learned from it. I realize that people don't know the truth because many religious organization taught the wrong way. In fact, they even used Scripture verses and how they interpreted them is absolutely wrong. When given opportunity to deal with Roman Catholics, I have to share the truth to them patiently and politely for they need to understand what the Bible teaches and I should not judge them for behaving the wrong way. Instead, I have to be more friendly and be more concerned about them.

In application, I really have to share the Gospel to others who are still lost and to tell them that only Jesus can save us from our sins and it only by grace through faith alone that salvation is obtained. Baptism and Lord's Supper are just ordinances and symbol of what truly happens and it is not a means of salvation. I have to share the good news and let others understand that the Bible is God's word to us and it is truth. I am more accountable to God for telling them for I already know the truth. I realize that in dealing with the Roman Catholics, or any other cultic religion, I should not argue with them but lead them to what the Bible teaches and to discover the truth and pray that they will believe and live with what they believe. I have a task to do, a mission to accomplish because I have the message to proclaim. I have to be more active in sharing my faith to other people for they are lost and need the Lord.

The Truth Will Prevail

 Where there is wrong belief, opposition is also present. This truth confronted Roman Catholic Church when they started claiming that the pope is the supreme ruler of the church and that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true Christian Church. This is really a big lie. Because of this wrong belief, it leads them in becoming more authoritative which in turn resulted to conflicts and different oppositions. They taught wrong doctrines contrary to what the Bible teaches.

I learned how intentional they are in handling the church in their own power and authority, their false claims and their incorrect teachings of Scripture. They wanted to say that they have authority over other churches. I realize all the more that interpreting God's word correctly is very important. Roman Catholics use verses to support what they believe. But the problem is, they misinterpret them and it strongly affected how they handle the church and people who do not know the truth would easily believe them. Another important thing I learned is that no matter what happens, the truth will still prevail. Roman Church's claim never succeeded and in fact I have seen how it brought trouble to Christianity. They never win because at the end, the church still remained under state authority. I have seen here how God works and how He intervenes in the evil deeds of man. Indeed, God is truth and He wants us to stand with it.

I realize that as I serve the Lord I have to always bear in my heart and mind that Christ is the head of the church. There is no other above Him. My faithfulness and loyalty should be in Him alone. However, I have to respect human authority for it is God who placed them there not as supreme but as His representatives and His chosen servants to lead His people. I also have to know the truth that is only found in His word.

In application, I have to sincerely pray and ask God to illumine my mind that I may understand His word and guidance of the Holy Spirit as well so I can interpret and teach it to others correctly and apply it properly in my life. Second, I have to keep praying for the leaders in the Church that they will always acknowledge that Christ is the head of the church and He is above all, that they may serve the Lord with a humble and pure heart and also all Christians can correctly handle the word of truth.