[Emily]

Every now and then I flip through some of my wms literature and come across something that stands out to me and I ask myself:  Where did they get that from? or Where does it say that in the Bible?  I started this thread so that we can discuss quotes that are found in wms official literature or websites.  Here are some examples of what I have come across lately.

 

"Without putting on Mother's love, none of us can enter the kingdom of heaven; we are expelled from heaven, we can never enter by ourselves."  God The Father And God The Mother p.159

[Emily]

[Emily]

 

"We are apt to consider preaching to be a sacrificial mission to benefit only others.  But actually, preaching is the way to save ourselves.  That's why God commanded us to preach."  My Sheep Listen To My Voice p. 271

Here's another that just seems like a BS reason to tell members to recruit more members.  Where does it say in the Bible that converting members to Christianity is the way to save yourself?

[Love'n Honey]

Well, the way it was explained to me was that when you're constantly preaching, you're constantly reminded of the Scripture and are less likely to sin. This is how we save ourselves.

[Emily]

renita.payno wrote:

Well, the way it was explained to me was that when you're constantly preaching, you're constantly reminded of the Scripture and are less likely to sin. This is how we save ourselves.

I get where you're coming from but I know that some members would not tell potential recruits that they were from the World Mission Society Church of God but instead just the Church of God (just in case they heard anything negative about them in the past).  Members who go out to recruit pretend to shop in stores so that they can approach people and avoid getting kicked out by security.  Is this behavior ok?  It seems deceptive to me.

But where does it say in the Bible that you can save yourself?  The New Testament consistently talks about being saved by the grace of God.

Also, where does God command us to preach?

[Love'n Honey]

You know, when I was in VA and went preaching with a member there, he said to pretend to look at TVs and then start preaching to people. I didn't feel comfortable with that at all. I felt like if we had the true God we didn't need to come at people side ways like that. And this was around the time I started to make my exit.

And I think when Jesus said to make disciples of all nations and teach them what He taught was His command to preach.

[Sarah2013]

We are instructed to spread the gospel.

[Love'n Honey]

Spread the gospel to all nations

[Emily]

Ook I know which verse you are referring to.  I think it's Matthew 28:19-20.  Who was Jesus talking to when he said these words?  Was he addressing the believing members of the congregation?  Verse 16 tells us that Jesus was addressing the 11 disciples.  I am not saying that Chrisitans shouldn't share the good news with others, but I don't think this verse was a command for the general population of believers since we do not all baptize, nor are we all meant to be teachers.

[Love'n Honey]

There are many times when Jesus was just talking to a group of people that people take as a command for them too

[Emily]

So do you believe that Jesus commanded you to baptize members and teach in the church as well?  The reason I want to clarify this is because the wms isn't the only group that uses this verse to pressure members to recruit.

[Love'n Honey]

I believe we all have different things we are supposed to do. Each person has their own gift, talent, mission, etc. I think what Jesus said throughout the bible was a general message to everyone. And those who pray to God to reveal the path He wants them to take, the things Jesus said will stand out more than other commands.

[Emily]

True we all have different gifts from God.  Totally agree.  The verses specifically say "go and make disciples…baptizing…and teaching".  Here are some verses that specifically say that everyone should not teach in the church and that there are certain requirements for church leaders.

1 Corinthians 12:28-30, 1 Timothy 3:1-9, James 3:1-2

So taking the context into consideration, I think it's fair to say that Jesus did not command everyone to "preach" and he certainly never said that this was the way to "save yourself".  Do you see how this can be misused to mislead someone and pressure them to go into stores and pretend to shop in order to approach strangers?  Do you see how this can be used to justify why a member would lie to a friend or loved one in order to get them to agree to come to the wms to study?  They can get you to do anything for them if they convince you that your salvation depends on it.

[Emily]

Btw, in the wms, in order to teach some of the lessons, what do you need like 3 signatures?  

[Love'n Honey]

I think those are 3 seperate commands. If they were specific to only them, then Christianity should be dead by now.

[Sarah2013]

Emily, I have to think about your responses on the issue of preaching. You may be right. I am not totally sure. I do know that not all are meant to be teachers. I don’t, however, have a concrete answer on the All preaching issue. God will reveal. But if we don’t speak about Jesus how will others know Him? The more the better. No?

[Love'n Honey]

I think a way you know if you're meant to be something is to try. I know I'm not meant to work with children…… I've tried. Multiple times. God didn't give me that gift. Lol.

[Emily]

Yes like I said I agree that Christians should share the good news about the gospel.  But there is a difference between what you say and saying that it is a command from God and that your salvation depends on it.  Read the quote by Joo Cheol Kim again.  He says that:

"We are apt to consider preaching to be a sacrificial mission to benefit only others.  But actually, preaching is the way to save ourselves.  That's why God commanded us to preach." My Sheep Listen To My Voice p. 271

It seems that the "save ourselves" part instead of "benefit[ing] only others" is selfish and not for others to know Him.  He basically concludes that preaching is for saving ourselves and not a sacrificial mission to benefit others.

[Sarah2013]

Not all have the patience for certain things, just like the disciples. Doesn’t make them bad or non-believers. A completely different doctrine is a problem.

[Sarah2013]

Now…. I see your point Emily. Selfish motives, pretty much. It isnt real love to Begin with.

[Emily]

renita.payno wrote:

I think a way you know if you're meant to be something is to try. I know I'm not meant to work with children…… I've tried. Multiple times. God didn't give me that gift. Lol.

Lol.  Exactly.  You came to that conclusion on your own, not the church or some other authority 🙂

 

Sarah2013 wrote:

Now…. I see your point Emily. Selfish motives, pretty much. It isnt real love to Begin with.

Yes 🙂

[Sarah2013]

Keep it coming, at least we are sincere in disagreement and agreement.