Christianity, Cults and Culture

COGR – We Are the Criteria You Are Judged By.

January 29, 2024

Transcript:

Someone’s going to watch this and say, that’s not true. I don’t believe you, that’s okay. You don’t have to believe if you don’t want to. We believe it if you don’t believe it. But we’re not going to not believe it because you don’t believe it. We’re going to believe it. No matter what you believe, although, we invite you to come sit down with us and open up your Bibles, so we can talk about it with you, and maybe you’ll see what we see, and maybe you’ll be believing it too. It would do you some good if you did.

Commentary:

What do you think of someone who claims that if you don’t think and believe as they do, you’ll be lost? Notably, there’s no Biblical basis; it’s their interpretation, what they believe they hear from God, for which we’re held accountable.

In the transcript, we discover:

1. In the past, salvation was through Paul’s way, who held the everlasting Gospel.
2. Or perhaps reading another book, salvation was through John’s way.
3. More recently, Danny Layne claimed the standard. Salvation was through his way.
4. Today, salvation supposedly comes from hearing and believing the end-time apostles; hearing them is hearing God, and accepting what they say leads to salvation.

However, there are problems:

1. Original apostles knew Christ and carried his message.
2. Paul and John directed people back to Christ.
3. Initially, the message was oral, and the Scriptures were rare.
4. The apostles’ authoritative message later found its place in Scripture as the apostles died.
5. No one can claim their personal message can save people as salvation is through Christ.
6. Modern-day pretenders seek glory and power denying or granting salvation.
7. Salvation comes from following Christ.
8. Basing salvation on whether one follows a person may be a power trip, a rush, but it’s a display of hubris and against Scripture.

This aspect of Addison Everett’s message is concerning. He asserts that those who don’t believe what he teaches are lost, suggesting the original apostles expected people to believe their message, so we should have no problem believing present-day apostles.

Is there validity to this? Addison is right that Paul and John expected people to follow their teachings. Their teaching was rooted in their special bond with Jesus and pointed people to Jesus, not themselves. Initially, there were no Scriptures and people were dependent on believing the message brought to them; now, with the Word and the Spirit, we can find salvation through study and prayer. Guidance from pastors or others is present, but we don’t need to believe as they do for salvation. Instead, we rely on Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

There are no modern-day apostles in the original sense. Some claim to be apostles but the reality is that cultists come and go, but none bring salvation by believing and following them. Orthodox Christians believe salvation is God’s gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Elevating any human figure to a position where salvation depends on their interpretation is to be avoided. Paul proclaimed his Gospel and that gospel centered on Christ’s redemptive work. Salvation, as understood in orthodox Christianity, is rooted in Jesus. Scriptures teach it’s a gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus as the Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9). While Paul emphasized a correct understanding, he pointed to Christ as the cornerstone.

Relying on others’ acceptance to validate our beliefs is an error. Truth isn’t subject to a vote; it requires careful examination of Scripture. We shouldn’t elevate any person to a position where salvation depends on accepting their understanding. Our focus should be on Christ and His redemptive work. Salvation, according to orthodox Christianity, is rooted in Jesus.

Addison has crossed a line; his position is indefensible.