INTERFAITH MINISTRY? BY STEVE FINNELL
Is interfaith ministry a Christian concept found in Scripture? Yes, it is, however, the interfaith ministry found the Bible teaches converting men of all faiths or no faith at all to accept Jesus as The Christ the Son of the living God and the only way to the Father. The interfaith gatherings in the Bible were not a forum used to proclaim that there were many roads that lead to heaven. The interfaith meetings were not used a symposium to agree that all religions may lead to salvation.
THE APOSTLE PAUL'S INTERFAITH MEETINGS
Acts 17:1-3...they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And accord to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ."
At his interfaith meetings Paul did say we are all trying to reach heaven, but we are just traveling different avenues. The apostle Paul did not preach a compromised gospel.
Acts 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
If your teaching and preaching is not stirring up the crowds, is it possible, it is because your gospel message has been amended to mollify your listeners or readers?
Acts 17:22-34 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said. "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, " TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you......32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this." 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed..........
When Paul was preaching at the interfaith conference at Athens what took place?
1. He did not tell them it does not make any difference what you believe as long as you are sincere.
2. He told them they worshiped in ignorance.
3. Most rejected Paul's preaching.
4. Some believed the truth of the gospel.
The apostle Paul did not change the gospel to make it more palatable to the crowd. He did not tell them that all religions are approved by God.
Galatians 1:6-8 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven , should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you , he is to be accursed!
Paul was preaching to a interfaith/interdenominational group, the Judaizers at Galatia. Judaizers were Jewish Christians who were advocating keeping Jews customs in order to be saved. The apostle Paul did not say that all denominations could teach different terms for pardon. He said if they taught a gospel contrary to what the apostles taught that they should be accursed.
WHAT WERE THE TERMS FOR PARDON TAUGHT BY THE APOSTLES?
1. FAITH: John 3:16
2. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10
3. REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38
4. WATER BAPTISM: 1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38
The apostle Paul was not a fan of interfaith/interdenominational meetings that advocated all faiths or that all terms of pardon bring about salvation.
The apostle Paul believed in the ONES: (Ephesians 4:4-6)
One body.
One Spirit.
One hope.
One Lord.
One Faith.
One Baptism.
One God.
One Father.
THE APOSTLE PAUL'S INTERFAITH MEETINGS
Acts 17:1-3...they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And accord to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ."
At his interfaith meetings Paul did say we are all trying to reach heaven, but we are just traveling different avenues. The apostle Paul did not preach a compromised gospel.
Acts 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
If your teaching and preaching is not stirring up the crowds, is it possible, it is because your gospel message has been amended to mollify your listeners or readers?
Acts 17:22-34 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said. "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, " TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you......32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this." 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed..........
When Paul was preaching at the interfaith conference at Athens what took place?
1. He did not tell them it does not make any difference what you believe as long as you are sincere.
2. He told them they worshiped in ignorance.
3. Most rejected Paul's preaching.
4. Some believed the truth of the gospel.
The apostle Paul did not change the gospel to make it more palatable to the crowd. He did not tell them that all religions are approved by God.
Galatians 1:6-8 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven , should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you , he is to be accursed!
Paul was preaching to a interfaith/interdenominational group, the Judaizers at Galatia. Judaizers were Jewish Christians who were advocating keeping Jews customs in order to be saved. The apostle Paul did not say that all denominations could teach different terms for pardon. He said if they taught a gospel contrary to what the apostles taught that they should be accursed.
WHAT WERE THE TERMS FOR PARDON TAUGHT BY THE APOSTLES?
1. FAITH: John 3:16
2. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10
3. REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38
4. WATER BAPTISM: 1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38
The apostle Paul was not a fan of interfaith/interdenominational meetings that advocated all faiths or that all terms of pardon bring about salvation.
The apostle Paul believed in the ONES: (Ephesians 4:4-6)
One body.
One Spirit.
One hope.
One Lord.
One Faith.
One Baptism.
One God.
One Father.
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