4:34 What does the Bible tell us about miracles?
6:09 What about the miracles that the one true God did through the Lord Jesus Christ?
8:30 Now, though the Bible shows us that miracles are true, does that mean to say that absolutely all miracles are true and to be believed in even long ago where all miracles to be believed in?
10:29 Are miracles or wonders the basis for salvation?
14:13 If there are religions nowadays, whose preachers are able to do miracles, such as the healing of the sick or afflicted, in the name of Jesus Christ, is that proof that they are the ones who will be saved on Judgement Day?
23:19 Why is the performance of miracles not to be used as proof, especially nowadays, that one is of God?
25:48 Who is the one who uses as instruments, the false Messiahs and false prophets, who use miracles to get people to believe them?
27:15 Who are the people that end up getting deceived by the false preachers who perform false miracles with the power of the devil?
34:01 What does the truth of the word of God in the Bible tell us that we should know, accept, believe in and stand by so that we can be sure of salvation on Judgement Day?
37:27 What is the body of Christ that people need to become members of?
38:32 Does the Bible identify for us the one true church that Christ is the head of? Does the Bible tell us which church that is?
[Show open]
[Video starts]
[Source: youtube/D L]
Music Video: Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready?
[Video fades]
Brother Johnny Martin: Do you believe in miracles? Should people today believe in miracles as the basis for salvation?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
TOPIC: ARE MIRACLES THE BASIS FOR SALVATION?
Brother Johnny Martin: Are miraculous signs that prove that one belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, and will be saved on Judgement Day. That’s what we’ll discuss today. I’m Johnny Martin, and welcome to the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Joining us this week, our Brother Rod Bruno in Toronto, Canada,
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Rod Bruno
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Brother Bernard Daos in San Francisco, California,
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Bernard Daos
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: and Brother Philip Velasquez in London, England.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Philip Velasquez
London, England
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Good day, Brothers, and thank you for taking the time to be part of our discussion today.
Brothers: Thank you very much, Brother. Hello, Brother Johnny.
Brother Johnny Martin: Dear Brothers and dear viewers. At the start of the program today, we showed a clip of “Are You Ready for a Miracle.” This is a song that is connected with the movies, “Heaven almighty” and “Leap of Faith.” The latter film being about a fake faith healer, who cons or takes advantage of the people attending his shows. Now we’re all familiar with preachers or evangelists in the real world who claim to perform healing miracles in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s take a look at these video excerpts:
[Video starts]
[Source: youtube.com/BringBackTheCross]
Gone! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth Our God is
I have two people pick her up on either side.
Hold her up now. Now come.
[Video ends]
Brother Johnny Martin: Now Brothers after watching those videos and videos lengthen, where they show preachers, evangelists, supposedly healing sick people in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Brothers, what are your initial reactions Brother Philip, if we can begin with you please.
Brother Philip Velasquez: You can see Brother, the effect that you know these people, the so-called prophets are having on the multitudes of people. The followers that they are generating the income, even the wealth that they’re making, you know, all because of the promise of healing, and the claims that they are able to perform miracles in these people’s lives.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Philip Velasquez
London, England
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Rod Bruno: What I can say about the… I think they’re called faith healers. Whether it’s true or not, I think in the course of our discussion this evening, we’ll find out that it’s not something that really should be given great importance when it comes to our desire to be saved. People do miracles all the time, it seems and there’s something the Bible has to say about that.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Rod Bruno
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Brother Rod, let me stay with you please. What does the Bible tell us about miracles? What is the meaning of the miracles and wonders that took place in ancient times?
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, I’d like to first start to read if you don’t mind from the book of Jeremiah, the chapter is 32 and the verse is 20 to 21. We can learn In a little bit about miracles here, where it says:
Long ago you performed miracles and wonders in Egypt, and you have continued to perform them to this day, both in Israel and among all the other nations, so that you are now known everywhere. By means of miracles and wonders that terrified our enemies, you used your power and might to bring your people Israel out of Egypt.
[Jeremiah 32: 20,21 Good News Translation]
Brother Rod Bruno: The Bible is replete with miracles. And these miracles being mentioned here were miracles done by God Almighty, to free his people, the nation of Israel, to bring them out of Egypt. And these miracles are true, because we’re sure that these were done by the Almighty God. The apostles mentioned that the Jews, however, sought miracles as proof. And we will see if those kinds of miracles were the miracles that our Lord agreed to fulfill.
Brother Johnny Martin: Well, Brothers, what about the miracles that the one true God did through the Lord Jesus Christ? Brother Bernard, what is the reason that our Lord Jesus Christ did miracles?
Brother Bernard Daos: Well, we can read the biblical account as recorded here in the book of John. And we will read Chapter 4 from verses 46 to 54. During the time of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is what the Bible teaches us.
Then Jesus went back to Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. A government official was there whose son was sick in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to go to Capernaum and heal his son, who was about to die. Jesus said to him, “None of you will ever believe unless you see miracles and wonders.” “Sir,” replied the official, “come with me before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live!” The man believed Jesus’ words and went. On his way home his servants met him with the news, “Your boy is going to live!” He asked them what time it was when his son got better, and they answered, “It was one o’clock yesterday afternoon when the fever left him.” Then the father remembered that it was at that very hour when Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his family believe. This was the second miracle that Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
[John 4:46 and 54 Good News Translation]
Brother Bernard Daos: The biblical account that we read proves that our Lord Jesus Christ performed these miracles, because he said, “None of you will ever believe, unless you see miracles and wonders.” So the miracles that our Lord Jesus Christ performed, were so that people will know that he was the Messiah, he was the Son of God, he was sent by God.
Brother Johnny Martin: Now Brother Philip, Brother Rod read earlier passages in the Scripture about how our Almighty God performed miracles when the people of ancient Israel were the people of God. And then we have Brother Bernard read passages of the Scriptures, verses of the Bible showing us how God also performs miracles through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, though the Bible shows us that miracles are true, does that mean to say that absolutely all miracles are true and to be believed in even long ago where all miracles to be believed in?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
TOPIC: ARE MIRACLES THE BASIS FOR SALVATION?
Brother Philip Velasquez: Not necessarily, Brother, because the Bible states clearly here, even from the time of the Israelites in Deuteronomy 13:1-4. This is what we can read, Deuteronomy 13:1-4:
“Prophets or interpreters of dreams may promise a miracle or a wonder, in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before. Even if what they promise comes true, do not pay any attention to them. The LORD your God is using them to test you, to see if you love the LORD with all your heart. Follow the LORD and honor him; obey him and keep his commands; worship him and be faithful to him.
[Deuteronomy 13:1-4 Good News Translation]
Brother Philip Velasquez: So we’ve read here, Brother, yes, there were miracles that were performed and there are miracles being performed today. But since the beginning, our Almighty God already mentioned that not all miracles should be believed in, even if a so-called prophet or an interpreter was to come along and perform a miracle and even if that miracle was genuine. Even if it came to pass, it doesn’t necessarily mean that that person has to be heard or listened to, or let alone followed. So the kind of Prophet that will perform a miracle should not be listened to or followed. The one who would turn a servant away from God from following Him or to worship other gods.
Brother Johnny Martin: But you know, Brother Rod, some think that preachers who do miracles must be men of God. And this can lead people to salvation. So are miracles or wonders, the basis for salvation?
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, that’s the big question here, Brother Johnny, because a lot of people use miracles as a basis that they’re in the truth, and that they’re definitely going to be saved. But let’s listen to what the Bible teaches about this with an incident involving our Lord Jesus Christ. I’d like to read from the book of Luke this time. And the chapter is 10, verse 17, continuing the verse 18. And then, let’s read also, verse 19, and verse 20.
The seventy-two men came back in great joy. “Lord,” they said, “even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your name!” And Jesus answered them,… Listen! I have given you authority, so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the Enemy, and nothing will hurt you. But don’t be glad because the evil spirits obey you; rather be glad because your names are written in heaven.
[Luke 10: 17, 18, 19, 20 Good News Translation]
Brother Rod Bruno: Miracles are wonders should not be the basis of anyone. Whether or not they are going to be saved as we learn here from our Lord Jesus Christ. When the 72 disciples returned to our Lord, those whom He sent out, they were glad and told him that even evil spirits and demons submitted to their command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Did our Lord Jesus Christ, tell them to be glad that evil spirits and demons obey them at the command using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ? No, he told them that they should be glad that their names are registered or written in the book of life in heaven.
Brother Johnny Martin: Well, you know, Brother Bernard, people are going to obviously ask the question, “Why did our Lord Jesus Christ say that? Why should people be glad if their names are written in heaven? What does that mean?
Brother Bernard Daos: For the answer, Brother Johnny works again, we’ll turn to the Bible. And this time in the book of Daniel, we will read in chapter 12, verse 1, and this is what the Bible teaches:
The angel wearing linen clothes said, “At that time, the great angel Michael, who guards your people, will appear. Then there will be a time of troubles, the worst since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, all the people of your nation whose names are written in God’s book will be saved.
[Daniel 12:1 Good News Translation]
Brother Bernard Daos: Now why did our Lord Jesus Christ say that one should be glad if their name is written in the book in heaven? According to what we have read, when that time comes, all the people whose names are written, they will be saved. That’s why our Lord Jesus Christ said even more than the ability to perform miracles or wonders, if your name is written in heaven, or in God’s book, the Bible clearly teaches, then you belong to the nation that belongs to God, and more importantly, you will be saved.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Bernard Daos
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Now, Brother Philip, people may say, But wait a minute. I’m looking at these preachers, I see these evangelists, they’re carrying with them, the Bible, preaching in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they’re performing those miraculous things like healing those who are sick, all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, if there are religions nowadays, whose preachers are able to do miracles, such as the healing of the sick or afflicted, in the name of Jesus Christ, is that proof that they are the ones who will be saved on Judgement Day?
Brother Philip Velasquez: Well, that’s the thing Brother Johnny, as you see, it’s a very popular belief today, that if one’s preacher can perform miracles, or the church they belong to, you know, miracles are performed there. That’s what will lead them to salvation. But our Lord Jesus Christ says something opposite, says something different to what is commonly believed today. And we can read this here in Matthew 7:22 to 23. This is what our Lord Jesus Christ teaches here:
When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name, we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’
[Matthew 7:22-23 Good News Translation]
Brother Philip Velasquez: So you see, there are those who perform miracles, even using Christ’s name. They perform miracles in the name of Christianity. But as we read, there are those who will not be safe. Therefore, performing miracles or a preacher who is able to perform miracles. Let’s accept even if they are true, genuine miracles. It is not an indication, it is not a guarantee that following that preacher will lead you to salvation. The same can be said for belonging to a church where miracles are performed, it is again, not a guarantee, it is not an indication that in that church, you will be saved.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Philip Velasquez
London, England
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Well, you know, dear friends and dear viewers, others may ask, well, how come? Why is the performance of miracles not to be used as proof, especially nowadays, that one is of God? That’s up next on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Don’t go away.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Johnny Martin
Quezon City, Philippines
Minister of the Gospel
[On-screen logo graphic]
INC International Edition
Brother Johnny Martin: Welcome back, everyone to the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. We’re talking about miracles and how other preachers use them in their religious services, which has resulted in others believing in them and their messages. We saw how other preachers or evangelists claimed to be able to heal the sick, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before people put their faith in such persons. It might be a good idea to watch this next video.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Johnny Martin
Quezon City, Philippines
Minister of the Gospel
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
TOPIC: ARE MIRACLES THE BASIS FOR SALVATION?
[Video starts]
[Source: youtube.com/ExposingChariatans]
Host: Call him the prophet who profits. Twenty years ago, Peter Popoff was a televangelist who just declared bankruptcy after his preaching methods were exposed as a fraud. Now our inside edition investigation reveals he’s back. And as Matt Mohar reports, his style of living is better than ever.
Peter Popoff: Let this anointing and power flow through our sister now.
Matt Bahar: He claims he’s a healer that the power of God flows through him and can cure whatever ails you knew. He’s the televangelist Peter Popoff appearing on infomercials seen across the country. He claims he can perform miracles.
Peter Popoff: What happened to the pain?
Congregationalist: It’s gone.
Matt Bahar: And Popoff doesn’t just heal your body. He says he can heal your wallet too.
Peter Popoff: I’ll never be broke another day in my life. Say it again!
Matt Bahar: But this isn’t the first time Popoff’s have been on television. Two decades ago on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Popoff was exposed as a fraud.
James Randi: And we picked up something interesting
Matt Bahar: The expose was carried out by this man, well known skeptic James Randi. Popoff claims God spoke directly to him, and he seemed to know everything about the people attending his crusades, including their health problems.
But Randy took a scanner to some of the Popoffs crusades and picked up radio transmissions. Turns out the voice pop off heard wasn’t God’s but his wife’s.
Soundbite of Popoff’s wife:…talking to you. Can you hear me? If you can’t, you’re in trouble.
Matt Bahar: You see, Popoff’s wife Elizabeth had previously gotten personal information from people in the audience and then fed it to her husband electronically through a tiny earpiece.
Soundbite of Popoff’s wife: Jodi Jodi Dean
Soundbite of Popoff: Jody…
Soundbite of Popoff’s wife: It’d be right there on your right side. Okay, she lives at 4267 Masterson
Soundbite of Popoff: 4267 Masterson, I can see the angels of God all around your house.
Johnny Carson: Disturbing when you see it
Matt Bahar: After the scam was exposed, Popoff dropped out of sight and declared bankruptcy in 1987. But that was then and this is now. Popoff is back and business is better than ever. He operates out of this giant facility east of Los Angeles. According to tax returns, the Popoffs ministry took in more than $23 million in 2005. He paid himself more than $600,000 He paid about $600,000 more to his wife and two kids. He drives this $100,000 Porsche and he lives in this home worth $2.1 million. Where does all the money for this lavish lifestyle come from? Well, people who watch Popoff shows are encouraged to send away for his free miracle spring water.
Peter Popoff: That’s what I want you to have, the miracle spring water.
Matt Bahar: But is it really free? Our miracle water came with what Popoff calls a bag of sacred dead sea salt. I’m supposed to sprinkle it over a check made out to Popoff for $27. It’s really just a tiny package of salt that you would get at a deli or fast food restaurant. As for the miracle water, I’m supposed to drink it. Wait five days and I’ll be blessed with riches. Of course I’m supposed to send Popoff another check
Peter Popoff: You see it’s not the water that releases the power. It’s your obedience to the instructions of the prophet of God.
Matt Bahar: Kathy Row and her disabled husband Donald fell for Popoff’s pitch. Kathy Row: Surely God would see our pain and bless us.
Matt Bahar: They borrowed 1000s of dollars from relatives saying they were going to pay their bills, but instead, they sent it to Popoff $4,500 in all.
Kathy Row: I just look back on it and think you know, “I’m a pretty stupid person.”
Matt Bahar: We wanted to ask a few questions.
Peter Popoff: Yes.
Matt Bahar: Matt Bahar with Inside Edition. Can I ask you a few questions about your ministry? Hey! You’re squeezing me! How can you justify taking all of this money from people that are desperate? Can you just answer one question?
Peter Popoff: Can you just move away? Please?
Matt Bahar: Would you talk to us later, please?
Peter Popoff: No
Matt Bahar: James Randi says he’s not surprised that Popoff his
James Randi: Con is his profession. That’s what he does best. He’s very good at it. And naturally he’s gonna go back to it.
Host: Kathy Row, the lady you met says she only stopped sending Popoff money two months ago, when she had no money left for food. She said she now feels that she was brainwashed by watching pop off.
[Video ends]
Brother Johnny Martin: Well, okay, Brothers, we just watched that very interesting video. Well, what would you like to say to people who get exposed to preachers like that? Brother Bernard, if we could begin with you, please?
Brother Bernard Daos: Well, Brother Johnny, one of the things that we should notice about the preachers and the faith healers that we’ve seen in this program, is that they use the miracles that they’re performing as their basis that they have the power of God, or that they have the Spirit of God, or that this is their authority coming from God. But if that basis would be removed or disproved, then what do they have to fall back on being that they’re not bringing the Word of God or they’re not referring to any prophecies written in the Holy Scriptures? So again, once this basis for why they are of God, this ability to perform miracles is disproven or even shaken, then everything else seems to crumble.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Bernard Daos
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Brother Philip, what is your reaction when you see something like that preacher who was claiming to perform miracles in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and then this is revealed about them?
Brother Philip Velasquez: What astounds me Brother, because it was already so blatantly you know, revealed already he was exposed. He was being dictated to; he was being coached with an earpiece, you know, which gave the illusion that he was able to read people’s minds, and you know, pick out people from the audience without any supposedly prior knowledge of them. The amazing thing is that I’m sure there are still people who fall for this stuff. It’s like they seek it. It’s like they want to believe in it. And it’s actually quite amazing, even though it’s been proven to be false many times.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Philip Velasquez
London, England
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Now, Brother Rod, some of you others are working miracles as evidence that they are people of God, and then they will be saved. Why is the performance of miracles not to be used as proof, especially nowadays, that one is of God?
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, definitely that video that we saw should not be used as proof that the one performing the miracle is from God, because what they’re doing is horrendous, deceiving people who are just yearning for the blessing of God and healing.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Rod Bruno
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Rod Bruno: But to be frank and to be honest, Brother Johnny, we should not be surprised if there are fakes and deceivers out there like that because our Lord Jesus Christ, answering the response of the question of His apostles said the following:
For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God’s chosen people, if possible. As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him in private. “Tell us when all this will be,” they asked,” and what will happen to show that it is the time for your coming and the end of the age.”
[Matthew 24:24 and 3 Good News Translation]
Brother Rod Bruno: Based on Matthew 24, verse 24, and verse 3. According to our Lord Jesus Christ, when the time is near the end, He foretold that there will be false messiahs. He foretold that there will be false prophets and He said that they will perform miracles, wonders and signs but this not to establish their faith but to deceive them.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
TOPIC: ARE MIRACLES THE BASIS FOR SALVATION?
Brother Rod Bruno: And another rendition of that same verse, it says: They will perform spectacular miraculous signs, wonderful things, to deceive, even if possible, those chosen by God. These miracles are not for the benefit of people to strengthen their faith. These miracles were being done to deceive, to fool people, and take them away from God.
Brother Johnny Martin: So the performance of miracles cannot really be used as the basis or the evidence that one is of God and that one is going to receive salvation on the Day of Judgment. Now, Brother Bernard, let me go to you please. Who is the one who uses as instruments, the false messiahs and false prophets, who use miracles to get people to believe them?
Brother Bernard Daos: To find out Brother Johnny, let’s turn again to the Bible in the book of Second Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 9 to 10. And this is what Apostle Paul will explain to us.
The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders, and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved.
[II Thessalonians 2:9-10 Good News Translation]
Brother Bernard Daos: The question is, who was the one that uses them as instruments, these false prophets, these false messiahs, who are performing miracles and wonders? Well, the Bible says the wicked one will use the power of Satan to perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders. But why would they use this power of Satan to perform these miracles and wonders? The Bible teaches us it will be used to deceive those who will perish. But how will those who will perish be deceived? The Bible says they will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth, which is what will save them.
Brother Johnny Martin: Now, Brother Philip, let me go to you with this question. Let’s talk about this a little bit more? Who are the people that end up getting deceived by the false preachers who perform false miracles with the power of the devil?
Brother Philip Velasquez: Well, the question is really simple. They’re the ones who don’t want to or refuse to accept the truth. And we can read that here in the Second Thessalonians 2:11 to 12:
And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned.
[II Thessalonians 2:11-12 Good News Translation]
Brother Philip Velasquez: You know, many people will think, ‘Well, you know, I’m not going to be deceived.’ Why would anyone be deceived? It’s because there are those who don’t want to accept the truth, they cannot accept it. And what is the truth? The truth? Is the Word of God written in the Holy Scriptures. John 17:17, Second Timothy 3:15 to 17. So we can see that these are people who don’t want to hear the truth, but instead, they want to hear things that you know, they want, things that tickle their fancy, things that you know, please them. If the truth is difficult, if the truth is inconvenient, they shut it. They don’t want to accept it. And the result of this? Well, the Bible says, they will be condemned. Condemnation will be theirs.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Philip Velasquez
London, England
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bernard Daos: Thus, if we don’t want to be deceived by false prophets, false messiahs, even if they’re performing wonders, and miracles, then what we need to do is be alert to the truth. So we should be willing to know, to accept, to believe in and stand by the word of God, which is written in the Holy Bible.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Bernard Daos
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, we want to caution our listeners, then, basically, miracles are not the basis that we should use to know whether we are in the truth or not, or the preacher is true or not. Because we have seen that there are deceivers, and we even witnessed one on the video that was discovered and revealed. There are miracles however, that are from God. So we’re not saying that all miracles are false or all miracles are inspired by the enemy of God, Satan. There are miracles that are done by God himself. But these should not be a basis whether we have the truth or not, or are going to be saved.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Rod Bruno
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Brothers interviewers people really should be interested in knowing what the truth or the word of God tells us. What does the truth of the Word of God tell us that we should know, accept, believe in, and standby so that we can be sure of salvation on Judgement Day? That question is what we’ll tackle next, as the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition, continuous. Stay with us.
[On-screen logo graphic]
INC International Edition
Brother Johnny Martin: Welcome back everyone to the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. We’ve been talking about miracles and salvation. So far we’ve learned from the Bible that miracles and wonders are not the basis for salvation. And that such art should not be used as the basis for determining who is of God and will be saved. When it comes to salvation. This is what others believe, check this out:
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Johnny Martin
Quezon City, Philippines
Minister of the Gospel
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
TOPIC: ARE MIRACLES THE BASIS FOR SALVATION?
[Video starts]
[Source: youtube.com Robert Lyte]
Robert Lyte: Salvation is the result of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Because Jesus Christ is salvation, people are so deceived now about the way to salvation, because they left the simple truth about Jesus Christ. And so now we have big churches and organizations, for instance, the Catholic Church, that will say that the way to salvation is to be part of that church. And if you’re outside of the church or excommunicated from that church, then you do not have salvation. But that’s a lie. Because Jesus said the way to salvation, and it is written for all to see that, to follow Him is the way to have life. He said, ‘All who believe and accept me will have eternal life’. It is that simple. Jesus is salvation, not a church, not the church, not the Catholic Church, not your other religions. They are our lies, there is one salvation, and that is Jesus, he is salvation. So if you want salvation, it is him. To him you must go. If you want to have his salvation, which is himself, then it is to him you must have faith in.
[Video ends]
Brother Johnny Martin: Okay, Brothers, we just watched that video where that gentleman was talking about salvation. Now, what we noticed here is the man was talking about how important the Lord Jesus Christ is when it comes to receiving salvation. But at the same time, he’s saying, basically, no need for the church in order to receive salvation. Now, what are your reactions to what the gentleman said, Brothers?
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, if I can start, Brother Johnny, I have to say that that individual said a lot of things on camera. But one thing he didn’t do, which makes us proud in the Church Of Christ, he didn’t open the Bible. He didn’t read from the Bible. But that’s really the big one of the biggest differences between the Church Of Christ and other religions. And that’s what makes us proud as members of the Church Of Christ. When we speak, we just read from the Holy Bible this way we can be sure what we’re hearing is the truth.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Rod Bruno
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bernard Daos: Brother Johnny, what Brother Rod said is very correct, because according to what we watched, he said to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, have faith in what our Lord Jesus Christ teaches. But it seems from watching the video, he seemed to simplify Christ’s message, or his teachings, or he simply pick and chose what our Lord Jesus Christ was teaching for the way to salvation.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Bernard Daos
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: Brother Rod, let me ask you this question. You mentioned earlier about how in the Iglesia Ni Cristo, we really just let the Bible speak for itself. We asked the question, we let the Bible give the answer. Well, what does the truth of the Word of God in the Bible tell us that we should know, accept, believe in and stand by so that we can be sure of salvation on Judgement Day?
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, let’s read from the Bible, which, as I mentioned a moment ago, makes us proud to be members of the Church Of Christ that what we teach is based on the Bible, so we’re talking about salvation. Let’s ask our Lord Jesus Christ, what must we do to be saved? And here is his answer recorded in the book of John, the chapter is 10, in verse 7, and let’s continue to verse 9:
So Jesus spoke again: ‘In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold.’ I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe…
[John 10:7, 9 Revised English Bible]
Brother Rod Bruno: Our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself speaking here, says, ‘I am telling you the truth or in very truth I tell you.’ So what he is saying is indeed, the truth. One of the truths that he taught, and this is it, he said, ‘I am the door of the sheep fold and that anyone who comes into the fold through him will be safe.’ or they will be saved. This is the truth, according to our Lord Jesus Christ, so that a person can be saved on Judgment Day. And this is what we need to know. We need to accept this is what we need to believe in, so that we might be saved on the day of judgment based on what our Lord Jesus Christ taught, not based on an opinion, not based on an idea, not just picking and choosing verses from the Bible at random without really reading them. Because that’s the only way that we can make a mistake. And this is something we can’t afford a mistake in because we’re talking about the truth and salvation.
Brother Johnny Martin: Brother Bernard Rogers read for us a passage of Scripture, showing us that it’s the teaching of the Bible, not opinion, that for a person to be safe or saved, their to come into the fold through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, here’s the question, are the ones who have come into the fold through Christ, the ones who have simply said a prayer of repentance, and expressed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who have truly come into the fold through our Lord Jesus Christ?
Brother Bernard Daos: Well, we should turn again to the Bible to find the answer. And here in the book of First Corinthians chapter 12, verse 27, this is what we can read:
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
[I Corinthians 12:27 King James Version]
Brother Bernard Daos: So Brother Johnny to answer the question who truly has followed our Lord Jesus Christ, who truly belongs to the fold that will be saved? Well, Apostle Paul makes it clear they are the members of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not simply those who accept, or those who pray to Our Lord Jesus Christ, but they are in the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
Brother Johnny Martin: Brother Bernard, let me stay with you please. What is the body of Christ that people need to become members of?
Brother Bernard Daos: Well, again, we’re going to turn to the Bible for the answer. And here in the book of Colossians, and chapter 1, verse 18, this is what we can read:
And he is the head of the body, the church…
[Colossians 1:18 New King James Version]
Brother Bernard Daos: So according to the truths written in the Holy Scriptures, the body that people need to become members of to be saved, is none other than the Church. So as we go back to what we saw earlier in that video, where he was saying, the church is not important, or the church is not necessary, the Bible teaches us that the church is in fact important, because it is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that body we must become members have to be saved. However, Brother Johnny, we should note that it is not just any church, that people need to become a member to be saved, they must make sure that they become members of the Church, that which Christ is the head of.
Brother Johnny Martin: Well, Brother Philip, does the Bible identify for us the one true church that Christ is the head of? Does the Bible tell us which church that is?
Brother Philip Velasquez: Absolutely, Brother, I mean, we’ve come this far already. The Bible has given us all the answers. And it tells us which church is, we can read this and Acts 20, and 28:
Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ, which he has purchased with his blood.
[Acts 20:28 George M. Lamsa]
Brother Philip Velasquez: So the Bible does identify which church is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head, and it is the Church Of Christ named after him because it belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s not named after England. It’s not named after Rome, or any country or concept. It’s named after the owner, who is our Lord Jesus Christ. And one becomes a part of that church by being a member. And we read the early one and one of the verses so that guy who said earlier on in the video, that you don’t need to be a member of any kind of church of a denomination is absolutely untrue. One must become a member of the church and one, when one becomes a member of the Church Of Christ, he is assured of salvation, and the one who made the assurance is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior himself.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Philip Velasquez
London, England
Minister of the Gospel
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
TOPIC: ARE MIRACLES THE BASIS FOR SALVATION?
Brother Johnny Martin: But Brother Bernard What if other people say that what matters for salvation is not a church, but a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Even earlier in the video that we watched where the gentleman is talking about salvation, he was talking about Jesus Christ, the Lord having a relationship with him. So for other people, well, they think that to be saved, you just need a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and no need for the church. But what is the answer of the Bible to those who are thinking along those lines?
Brother Bernard Daos: Well, let’s turn to the Bible once again, for the answer here in the book of First John, chapter 5:11, to 12. This is what we can read:
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
[I John 5:11-12 New King James Version]
Brother Bernard Daos: So to answer the question, the Bible says, God has given eternal life. Well where one can find this eternal life or salvation, the Bible clearly states, this life is in His Son. That’s why the apostles teach if one would have the Son, or one would have our Lord Jesus Christ, then they would have this eternal life, they would have salvation.
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, according to the verse also that our Brother read, we should allow this to call our attention that if a person does not have Christ, it’s because they don’t have a genuine relationship with Christ. And therefore they do not belong to Christ. And therefore what does not belong to them, is this promise of eternal life, meaning, those who do not have Christ do not have a genuine, genuine relationship with grace will not be saved.
Brother Philip Velasquez: Absolutely, if people want to receive salvation and eternal life, they must have our Lord Jesus Christ in their life. They have to have that genuine relationship, they have to belong to Him. But this is the question. If one is separated from his church, does he have Jesus Christ? Does he have that genuine relationship, even if he’s separated from the church, but he does pray? He does conduct his own form of worship, that he still has that genuine relationship with Christ?
Brother Johnny Martin: Well, you know, Brothers, those are difficult questions to answer. So Brother Rod, what does the Bible say? Has Christ have a real relationship with him and belongs to him?
Brother Rod Bruno: Well, if we can find the answer to this question, all of our problems will be solved with our desire to be saved, because a lot of people are saying, you don’t need the church, you don’t need an organized religion. All you have to do is have a relationship with Christ. So what is this relationship? Is there really the term relationship in the Holy Bible, and those who have this relationship with Christ? Allow me to read Brothers and to our view is the book of Ephesians, the chapter is 5 and the verses 32. It says here:
This is a great mystery. (I’m talking about Christ’s relationship to the church.).
[Ephesians 5:32 God’s Word Translation]
Brother Rod Bruno: Or another rendition of the same verse from the Amplified Version of the Bible.
This mystery [of two becoming one] is great; but I’m speaking with reference to [the relationship of] Christ and the church.
[Ephesians 5:32 Amplified Bible]
Brother Rod Bruno: So we can see that the Bible shows us here that the church is that which has the relationship with Christ. So if a person wants to be in a true genuine relationship with Christ, and not just saying you have a relationship when you don’t, you have to be part of the church because we learn that the church is that which has relationship with Christ, according to who? According to the Holy Scriptures. Thus, if people are members inside that church, the Church Of Christ, they now these are those who have the relationship with Christ, a genuine relationship and belong to him, therefore, fulfilled in them will be the promise of eternal life.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Rod Bruno
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bernard Daos: Therefore, viewers and friends, if people want to have that eternal life, their prayers, their expression of their faith, their desire to follow our Lord Jesus Christ should not lead them away or to reject the Church. But in fact, it should move them to accept and embrace the biblical truth that the Church is needed for salvation. We need to have faith, we need to have our Lord Jesus Christ. And we need to have membership in that body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Church so that we could have salvation and eternal life.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Bernard Daos
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Philip Velasquez: And I’m sure I can speak for all of us. This is the reason why we ourselves became members of the Church Of Christ along with millions of our fellow brethren throughout the world. And this is why we can also say that we are very thankful and also proud that we are members of the true Church Of Christ.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Philip Velasquez
London, England
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Johnny Martin: We would like to think Brother Ron Bruno in Toronto, Canada, Brother Bernard Daos, in San Francisco, California, and Brother Philip Velazquez in London, England, for giving us Bible-based answers so that as the Apostle Peter said, to the members of the church, ‘you will be ready to speak up until anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are,’ which we read in first Peter 3:15.
Brother Johnny Martin: Well, that does it for us here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. We hope you’ll join us again next time. I’m Johnny Martin. And thank you so much for watching. And as we come to the end of the program, we invite you to join us for a short prayer.
Brother Rod Bruno: Our loving and merciful Father in heaven, please accept the thanksgiving of your humble servants. May You bless Your words that have been taught this day Father. May it come to the hearts and minds of our dear friends and viewers, loved ones and acquaintances that we may all come to an understanding of what is Your truth, Father, that we may truly inherit the promise of everlasting life. May You bless our friends who have watched this program, and may they continue to have Your blessings of knowledge and wisdom as we study continuously Your holy words. It is our faith Father, you grant our prayer. You bless the teachings of Your words, You bless the entire Church of Christ, as we remain united as one man before Your holy sight. For all these we beg in the name of Your Son, Our Dear Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
INCTV
All rights reserved 2017
[Show Closes]
