While the verdict is still out on foot washing, I find myself agreeing with the reason behind Elder Epley's words. It's hard for me to explain and why I usually don't say anything much about things like this. lol
Your post is why I think it should be approached cautiously from the pulpit and when addressing new converts.
And, even when taught, I think the emphasis should be on relationship vs rules. But the rules become part of that relationship, and that may be a controversial statement I guess. It's just how it worked in my life in the past. I'm not to that point now, but I was years ago.
I think the only thing a person needs to do to be saved is to seek after God with their whole heart. But, while seeking after God with their whole heart, a person is going to find commands and rules and requirements and do those things, or chose not to. Chosing not to obey is where things start getting a little shaky.
Oh, I also believe that no man can say whether another person is saved, still saved, or never was saved. Only God knows that. I also believe only God can hold a person accountable for obeying a command, because only God knows if the revelation of that command was something a person ever had. Man just can't create a list of rules and expect the revelation to fall on all who hear those rules. Following rules doesn't save anyone, following God does. And, that's my very off topic post in this thread for the day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneAccord
Please don't think I'm ridiculing anyones convictions over any of the above. What I find disturbing is that its seems NO ONE is ever "quite" saved. The list seems to be growing day by day. Salvation is dangled in front of peoples eyes, just out of reach, like a carrot. At the beginning of Hs earthly ministry, Jesus simply said Repent. Peter comes along and says Repent and be baptized and get the Holy Ghost. The requirements for salvation has grown now (depending on who you listen to) to incude everything from the name on your church building to whats in your medicine cabinet. No wonder people are confused and are turning away from the Apostolic church.
Salvation has become an unreachable goal. Its out there... just in front of us...but we can never quite reach it. The brand of Apostolic Doctrine being preached in many quarters today offers no salvation. Only a promise of salvation that can never quite be attained. What is being preached today offers no joy. It offers no liberty in Christ. It does not set the captive free. It offers only bondage, restriction and regulation. Those enslaved in these "Prisons with Stained Glass Windows" as one evangelist described them, are burdened with guilt and bound with a yoke of fear. Thank God there is true salvation, available and free to all who obey the call of Christ to come unto Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
And thats my opinion.
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