With respect: I agree entirely that the New Testament apostolic faith plus the guidelines of the early centuries of the Christian Church should define our faith, but I find it confusing that the Mormons should be included in any list of Christians, because they have clearly gone way off the mark with the Book of Mormon and Mormon doctrine which contradict the Scriptures… I wonder why you mention the LDS alongside true historical churches. Would it not be better to keep denominations togerther, but steer clear of sectarian groups? Many thanks for the contact – I await your reflections! Tony Somervell, Paraguayan Anglican Church
First, “the New Testament apostolic faith” about which anyone can read in the Bible constitutes authority in religion (Jude 3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, it is not the case that “the guidelines of the early centuries of the Christian Church should define our faith.” Jesus claimed all authority for himself (Matthew 28:18, ASV). He delegated authority to his apostles (Matthew 16:16-19; 18:18). The Holy Spirit in the first century inspired additional men to write New Testament books (e.g., John Mark, Luke, James, Jude). No changes were permitted to the Gospel already delivered in the first century (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19).
Second, it is almost laughable for members of any denomination to cite another contemporary religious group as “way off the mark” when all the denominations are either a remake of the apostate Catholic Church or equally distant in organization, doctrine and worship from the church anyone can read about in the New Testament. Only congregations that practice Christianity identical to what the New Testament reveals respecting that church for which Jesus Christ died and over which he is the head can successfully and unhypocritically contrast themselves with an “off the mark” contemporary church.
Third, the reason that some of our articles in Gospel Gazette Online list the Mormon Church when mentioning denominations is because the Mormon Church and denominations share the infamous distinction of being manmade churches. Neither Mormonism nor any other denominational church has a biblical right to exist. Jesus came to establish his church (Matthew 16:18), only one body or church (Ephesians 4:4). It was established in Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago, not in Italy, England, the United States of America or anywhere else at any other time in history. Being an apostate church whose history is lengthier than an apostate church of more recent origin is immaterial; there is nothing to be gained by being a so-called ‘historical church.’
It is not my intention to be harsh or even exclusive, but to be all of what and only what the New Testament teaches that every accountable person ought to be. There would be no denominations, including Anglican Church, and no Mormon Church either if everyone would follow the New Testament alone. Aside from denominational doctrine, creeds, dogma, etc. and relying upon the Bible alone, only one church, the Lord’s church, over which he is head and for which he will return one day would exist on earth. My prayer is that as many as possible will become Christians only and members of the one true church of the Bible (Romans 16:26; 1 Corinthians 1:2).
