Requirements to Enter Heaven
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INC INTERNATIONAL EDITION
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
BOB PELLIEN
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Bob Pellien: There is a very common perception that so long as one leads a, generally, so-called “good life” they will get into heaven. Being good and, for example, doing no harm to others many believe that, well, that’s enough to merit entrance into heaven or enough to be saved.
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TODAY’S TOPIC
Who Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Brother Bob: But the question, dear friends, do all good people go to heaven? You know, just that question itself seems to imply or say that there are good people in the first place, but who are good? What is considered good, it would be actually a basis of getting into heaven. I’m Bob Pellien and that’s what we’ll be discussing here today on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition.
Joining us in this week’s discussion is Brother Ruben Bustos there in Los Angeles.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
RUBEN BUSTOS
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Bob: Welcome to the program, Brother Ruben. We have also Brother Matt Talens there at our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.. We welcome you as well to the program Brother Matt.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
MATT TALENS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Bob: And we have Brother Andrew Fisher there in Australia.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
ANDREW FISHER
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Bob: Brothers, we welcome you all to this very important discussion. Thank you for being here.
So today, Brothers, we’re asking how the Bible introduces who truly is good, is righteous, and as such they’ll be worthy to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many may have their own answers to that, but we’ll turn to the Scriptures for today of course. You know, some people would cite versions, verses rather, of the Holy Scriptures,for example the book of Matthew 7:12. They might cite this particular verse. Let me go ahead and read Matthew 7:12, it says this:
“Do for others what you want them to do for you: …
[Matthew 7:12 Good News Bible]
Brother Bob: Or possibly they would cite Luke 6:31 which says this:
Do for others just what you want them to do for you.
[Luke 6:31 Good News Bible]
Brother Bob: They would cite these verses, Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31, and they would say therefore then well that’s the basis of what many call the “golden rule”. What do those verses say? Well, it says what many believe would be rendering one worthy to enter the Holy Kingdom. They also would cite, for example, Matthew chapter 22 which makes mentions [of] the importance of loving one another. So people will say that, ‘Okay, Jesus said love one another. Do for others what you would want them to do for you,’ which they have tagged as the “golden rule.”
But we posed this question: “Is it enough, dear friends, to follow this so-called “golden rule”, or as others would want to say follow ten commandments that God gave to the Israelites, do these kinds of things and that will be enough to get into heaven?
Dear friends there’s even other religions of this world that have similar teachings. For example if we will cite an excerpt from Confucianism, I quote:
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CONFUCIANISM
Analects 15:23
“Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.”
Brother Bob: There’s a world religion known as Hinduism, which has a very similar teaching. Again, I quote:
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HINDUISM
Mahabharata 5:1517
“This is the sum of duty: do not [do] unto others what would cause pain if done to you.”
Brother Bob: And there’s also Buddhism, also a very well-known religion in the world. It says:
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BUDDHISM
Udanavarga 5:18
“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
Brother Bob: So, dear friends, some may have accused Jesus of borrowing the idea of the “golden rule” from these kinds of eastern religions, but the texts for Confucianism, for Hinduism, for Buddhism mentioned in these quotes, they were all written about the time 500 or 400, between that 100 years period of time, 500 to 400 BC at the earliest. Jesus takes the “golden rule” or those quotes from Leviticus, the book of Leviticus in the old testament, written about 1450 BC. So, Jesus’s source for the “golden rule” long predates these other religions by about a thousand years. So who borrowed from whom, right?
But we’re here to discuss whether this way of thinking is safe, and if you really want to know details about the “golden rule”, relative to the teachings here in the Holy Bible, we have one whole program, one episode, here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition about the “golden rule” and a deep study of all its principles etcetera. Please tune in to that episode.
But today we’re asking if this way of thinking is safe for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Well, we’ll just be treating others well, treating others good, some may say. Like, for example, not quarreling with our neighbor, or being a good helper of others, and that’s what will render us worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Brothers, before we get started then, let’s take a look at this video clip of one woman’s opinion on what it takes to get to heaven. Let’s have a look before we discuss it.
(video source: youtube.com/Living Waters)
Interviewer: What do I have to do to go to heaven?
Woman: I guess be a genuinely good person.
Interviewer: Are you a genuinely good person?
Woman: For the most part.
Interviewer: What about the other part?
Woman: Well, not so much. [laughs]
Interviewer: Have you ever lied and stolen?
Woman: Absolutely.
Interviewer: So, you’re a lying thief.
Woman: I was at one point, yes.
Interviewer: Have you used God’s name in vain?
Woman: Yes, I have.
Interviewer: Do you know what you’re doing when you do that?
Woman: Blasphemy.
Interviewer: Now, Jesus said if you look with the lust you commit adultery in the heart. Have you ever looked at someone with lust?
Woman: Yes.
Interviewer: So, by your own admission you’re a lying thief, a blasphemer, and an adulterer at
heart. That’s four of the ten commandments. So, if God judges you by the ten commandments on the Day of Judgment do you think you’d be innocent or guilty?
Woman: Innocent.
Interviewer: Why?
Woman: Because I’ve made peace with myself and the higher power.
Interviewer: How did you do that?
Woman: I believe in forgiveness.
Interviewer: That’s all you have to do, believe in forgiveness?
Woman: Pretty much.
(video clip ends)
Brother Bob: So, we all heard it. This particular woman said that what she believes it takes to be a
genuinely good person, and what would make her enter the Kingdom of Heaven and it’s what many people today believe. They believe the very same thing.
So we pose these questions then, Brothers: “Is this belief that many people are espousing, is it correct? Is it biblical? Some say that as long as that I believe, as long as a person is basically good in their measurement of good, they believe in God, don’t bother anyone or commit any major crime, that they will be saved. Is this biblical, Brothers, or not? Is their belief, those who think that way, are they correct? Brothers, let’s go to you first, Brother Andrew, let’s get to the answers to all these questions.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
ANDREW FISHER
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Andrew Fisher: Well, simply put, Brother Bob, the answer is no. But before we get into our discussion, we want to make it clear that these answers that we’re giving you aren’t based on our own opinions. We’re just getting answers from the Bible, so no one can be upset or angry with the answers that we’ll be discussing, because all of those answers will be coming straight from the Holy Bible.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
MATT TALENS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Matt Talens: That is true, Brother Andrew. Sometimes when we are told the truth it hurts, meaning maybe our feelings may be hurt because what we hear is not in accordance to what we want to hear or what we want to accept, that it is against our own idea of what is the truth.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
RUBEN BUSTOS
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Ruben Bustos: But, Brothers, everyone should understand that as we read from the Bible it is God’s words or the truth they are hearing. Now, these truths God wants us to hear, to know, and believe in to be saved or to get into heaven. Now, what does the Bible say about what God really wants for us so we could be saved and enter into His kingdom? Does God say that we just need to be nice to people or just to be a nice individual in general? Let’s listen to what the apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy, chapter 2, verses 3 through 4:
This is good and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth.
[1 Timothy 2:3-4 Good News Bible]
Brother Ruben: Now, yes God wants everyone to know the truth so that all could be saved when
Christ comes again, and knowing the truth also will deliver us from having wrong ideas or wrong beliefs.
Brother Matt: As to the question, “Is it right to believe that all are good?” Well, we have to turn to our Lord Jesus Christ for the answer. Allow me to read Luke, chapter 18 and the verse is 19, this is what it said:
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked Him. “No one is good except God alone.
[Luke 18:19 Good News Bible]
Brother Matt: My friends, if you’ve noticed our Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, “No one is good” except the Almighty God.
Brother Bob: And that’s the words of Jesus. So, Brother Andrew, why did he say that? Why did He say that no one is good? Many people would be saying, “No, this person is good, that person is good.” Why did Jesus say no one is good except God?
Brother Andrew: Well of course, Brother Bob, we do try to be good but the apostle Paul explains
here in the book of Romans, in chapter 3, verses 10 up to 12, it says this:
As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
[Romans 3:10-12 New King James Version]
Brother Andrew: Dear viewers, and even to our Brothers in this discussion, we do try to be good and many people strive to be good. However the apostle Paul explained that there is none who
are righteous, not even one. There is none who do good. The Bible said, “No, not one.”
Brother Bob: Many might not accept that, Brother Andrew, so I want to repeat my question again: “Why is it so? Why is it said, there, that there are none that are good?” Many might simply not agree with that.
Brother Andrew: You know, we do strive to be good, and I want to reiterate that many people are
trying. But the apostle Paul explained because all have turned aside.
Brother Matt: And let’s turn to the Bible once again. What is the meaning of what apostle Paul said when he said that all have turned aside? Let us read Romans, 5 and 12:
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
[Romans 5:12 New King James Version]
Brother Matt: What is the meaning of what apostle Paul said a while ago that everyone had turned aside? Apostle Paul clarified that everyone has sinned. Therefore, no one is really good.
Brother Bob: What is sin then, Brothers? What is sin that everyone has done, making it such
that none can be measured as good or worthy to enter the kingdom of God?
Brother Ruben: You know, Brother Bob, if we read 1 John, chapter 3, verse 4, it mentions there that sin is the transgression or the breaking of God’s laws and commandments.
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
[1 John 3:4 New King James Version]
Brother Ruben: It is for this reason the Bible says that no one is good, because everyone, except of course the Lord Jesus Christ, has committed sin. Our Lord Jesus Christ alone is the one who is without sin as apostle Peter states in 1 Peter, chapter 2, verses 21 through 22.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
[1 Peter 2:21-22 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: But Brother Ruben, isn’t it possible, is it possible at all, is man even capable of being good, being holy by his own means, by his own intent, his own desire, on his own?
Brother Ruben: Brother Bob, no. Man is not capable of doing this.
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TODAY’S TOPIC
Who Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Brother Bob: Brother Ruben, again, many might disagree with that. They may even say that they know someone who is good. Haven’t you heard that before? People will say, “Oh, that guy is
really good. That person is really good.” Are they?
Brother Ruben: Well you know, Brother Bob, since we’re trying to find out the truth we need to refer to the teachings of God written in the Bible, as recorded in Jeremiah, chapter 13, verse 23, this is
what the Bible teaches to us. Please listen to this, dear viewers:
Can people change the color of their skin, or a leopard remove its spots? If they could, then you that do nothing but evil could learn to do what is right.
[Jeremiah 13:23 Good News Translation]
Brother Ruben: Now, just as a person cannot change the color of his skin or even a leopard its spots, a person who was accustomed to doing evil cannot become good or do good on his own.
Brother Matt: And the reason for this, Brothers and to our viewers, is that man on his own cannot do the good that he wants to. There is a conflict or enmity within Him that prevents Him from doing the good that he knows he should do. And how did apostle Paul elaborate on this? Allow me to read what is recorded in Romans, in chapter 7, the verses are 18 up to 20, this is what it said:
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what
is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
[Romans 7:18-20 New International Version 1984]
Brother Matt: Apostle Paul says a person may have the desire to do good, but the good he should
do, he does not do but rather the evil he keeps doing. Hence, he concludes that is why sin lives in a person.
Brother Andrew: And, Brother Matt, that truth that you just read from the apostle Paul also gives us a deeper understanding into what our Lord Jesus Christ taught about the weakness of mankind, and he taught that in the book of Matthew, chapter 26, here in verse 41, this is what the Lord Jesus Christ said:
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
[Matthew 26:41 New King James Version]
Brother Andrew: You know, beloved viewers and to our Brothers as well, we can see that our Lord Jesus Christ thought though we are willing, like to be willing to do what is good, as human beings we are weak.
Brother Bob: But what exactly, Brothers, what what exactly is the good being referred to that a person should do but he’s unable to do it on his own and as you read just there, Brother Andrew, is
unable to do the good that he should do because man is weak?
Brother Andrew: Well, the good being referred to, Brother Bob, are the laws and commandments of our Lord God that are written in the Bible. Because although as human beings we may be wanting to follow what God wants us to do, but because of our human weaknesses, we find ourselves unable to, and therefore we become unworthy in the sight of God and also unworthy to be with God in His kingdom. You know let’s remember, dear friends, this isn’t our own opinion that we’re studying here. In fact, what does the Bible teach is that which is good, that which we may want to do but are unable to do it? We can read that in the book of Romans, in chapter 7, and here in verse 12, this is what the apostle Paul also taught:
Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
[Romans 7:12 New King James Version]
Brother Andrew: You know, that good that people are meant to be doing, but because of our human weaknesses we are unable to do, are indeed the commandments of our Lord God. This is what should be obeyed, this is what is holy and good according to the apostle Paul.
Brother Bob: But how is it, how will God’s words, which are good, how will it make a person good? How would God’s words, that are good, make a person good and worthy for entrance into heaven?
Brother Matt: Well, Brother Bob, the important point here is this: when we obey the commandments of our Almighty God, it has the power to sanctify us or to make a person holy.
Brother Bob: What do you mean there, Brother Matt? What proves that?
Brother Matt: Well, let’s read the answer of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in John 17 and
17, he said:
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
[John 17:17 New King James Version]
Brother Matt: According to our Lord Jesus Christ, the word of God will sanctify, or will cleanse, or will make holy, a person.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
BOB PELLIEN
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Bob: What then is necessary? Is it still necessary, then, for a person to do good and to be holy or that’s not important anymore? Does doing good or being holy have any relevance at all to a person’s entrance into heaven?
Brother Ruben: You know, Brother Bob, the obvious answer is yes. As the apostles teach us, without holiness, without obeying God’s commandments, well, no one will be able to see the Lord. Now, we can read this in the book of Hebrews, in chapter 12, and the verse is 14, this is what we could read:
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
[Hebrews 12:14 New International Version]
Brother Ruben: We should remember doing good, obeying God’s commandments, is what will make us holy and worthy before our Lord God and we’ll be able to see or be with Him in heaven. As the Bible teaches, it is only those who keep the commandments of God who will enter the Holy City or get into heaven and dwell with our Lord God. Now, why are we sure about this? We can read this in the book of Revelation, chapter 22, verse 14, the Bible gives us our answer. Please take note:
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
[Revelation 22:14 New King James Version]
Brother Ruben: Now, those who obey the Lord’s commands will enter His kingdom. Only them, not just anyone who is considered good by man’s standards of goodness but those who obey the
commandments of God.
Brother Bob: So before continuing, Brothers, let’s recap. Let’s take a look at a little bit of a summary of what we’ve got so far from the Scriptures in our discussion. No one is good, that’s what our Lord Jesus Christ said is no one is good. Why? Because everyone has committed sin, disobeyed the commandments and laws of God. But there’s good that must be done in order to get into heaven, and without doing good and being holy we will not see the Lord or get into heaven.
So, the obvious question then is, because some might be seeing some kind of a conflict here, how can we do the good that we should do, that that we should be doing, when we are weak, we are unable to do what God wants? Does all this render, and here’s the important question we need to pick up with Brothers, does all of this then render entering heaven impossible? That question and others we will seek the answers from the Holy Bible when the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition returns. Stay with us
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INC INTERNATIONAL EDITION
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TODAY’S TOPIC
Who Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Brother Bob: Welcome back everyone to our program, the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Now, as we continue with our discussion, earlier we learned the good that we should do in order to get into heaven are the commandments of God, but the problem is man is weak and by himself is unable to do the good that he should do. So, Brother Andrew, how can we do good when in fact we are weak?
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
ANDREW FISHER
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Andrew: You know, Brother Bob, though man may be weak, and of course God knows that, God created us, that’s why He also provided a way for us to achieve the good works that can gain us entrance into the holy kingdom. How did God do that? We can read the answer here in the book of Ephesians, chapter 2, and the verse is 10:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
[Ephesians 2:10 New King James Version]
Brother Andrew: How is it that we can achieve the good that as human beings none of us were able to achieve? Well according to the apostle Paul, God intended that people be created in Christ Jesus, and what can we achieve if we are created in Christ Jesus? The apostle Paul explained, we are created in Christ Jesus to achieve those good works and walk in them.
Brother Bob: But why is it that God intends that people would be created in Christ and, by means of that, they could do the good works they need to do to enter into heaven, Brother Matt?
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
MATT TALENS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Matt: Well because, Brother Bob, our Almighty God’s purpose is for people to be adopted by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brother Bob: Well, how does that happen?
Brother Matt: Well, let us read from that same book, this time in chapter 1, the verses are 5 and 7, this is what apostle Paul had mentioned:
For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [[because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]—In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,
[Ephesians 1:5, 7 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition]
Brother Matt: So, our friends, our Almighty God has foreordained or planned ahead. Since the beginning, people would be adopted as His children through whom? Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the purpose of our Almighty God or His intent for mankind.
Brother Bob: Yes, but how is a person adopted by Christ?
Brother Matt: Well, through His redemption or the forgiveness of sins, and through this redemption man has the hope of deliverance of salvation.
Brother Bob: So, Brothers, can a person obtain this kind of wonderful grace of God just by doing good things, kind deeds for our fellow men, because that’s what so many insist. They just insist that that’s it, that’s all they need. They don’t need to be adopted by Christ, created in Him, redeemed by Him and by His blood. Just do good things they say, Brother Matt.
Brother Matt: Well that’s a widespread belief, but the answer is no, Brother. The Bible says God’s grace of forgiveness is only through the shedding of blood.
Brother Andrew: You’re spot on, Brother Matt, and that’s exactly right, because you know the proof is even in the Holy Scriptures. You know, what did the apostle Paul teach about the shedding of the blood and if it’s necessary according to the Bible? This is what we can read in the book of Hebrews, in chapter 9, and in verse 22, this is what he taught:
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
[Hebrews 9:22 new International Version 2011]
Brother Andrew: So, who are those that can do good works, benefiting then from those good works, because they were redeemed by the blood shed by our Lord Jesus Christ?
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
RUBEN BUSTOS
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Ruben: Brother Bob, reading what the Bible says, it is the Church Of Christ. Apostle Paul teaches this in Acts, chapter 20, verse 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 Lamsa Translation]
Brother Ruben: The teaching of the Bible is very clear, beloved friends. It is the Church Of Christ that was purchased or redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. God then calls people to be created in our Lord Jesus Christ, as a member of His Church, so that they may do what is good
and live in obedience to the will and commandments of God, and hence be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Brother Bob: But why is it, why is it Brothers, that those who are inside the Church Of Christ are able to do good? I thought, as we read earlier, man is weak when it comes to doing good and in
fact unable to do what God wants.
Brother Andrew: You know, Brother Bob, people might look at members of the Church Of Christ like
us and say, you know, “You’re no different than I am. We’re all human beings. Physically, we have the same qualities and characteristics.” However, what makes us different in the Church Of Christ, we are given the strength to do what God wants.
Brother Bob: How is that, Brother Andrew? What makes that difference?
Brother Andrew: Well, the apostle Paul gave the explanation in the book of Philippians, chapter 4, and here in verse 13, I quote what he says:
for I can do everything God asked me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
[Philippians 4:13 Living Bible]
Brother Andrew: You know, dear friends, how is it that members of the Church Of Christ are able to have the strength to accomplish that which is good or to do the will of our Lord God? Well, according to the apostle Paul, it is through the strength given by our Lord Jesus Christ, that help to do everything that our Lord God asks us to do. And you know why is that important for us to be able to do that? Remember, on our own we can’t do what is good. You know, that’s why being a member of the Church Of Christ is so vital, because that’s how we can obtain the strength and even the ability to do that which God wants from us.
Brother Ruben: Now, why will our Lord Jesus Christ, Brothers, give such strength and love to the Church? This is what the Bible teaches us [as] to the relationship of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Church. We can read the answer from Colossians, chapter 1, verse 18:
Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body…
[Colossians 1:18a New Living Translation 2015]
Brother Ruben: This is also why our Lord Jesus Christ shows His love and care for the Church and its members—the Church is His body.
Brother Matt: And the apostles also teach how our Lord Jesus Christ feeds or strengthens and nourishes the members of the Church Of Christ, because we are members of His body, and how does He do that? This is what is written in the book of Ephesians, in chapter 5, the verses are 28 up to 30:
Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. (None of us ever hate our own bodies. Instead, we feed them, and take care of them, just as Christ does the church; for we are members of his body.)
[Ephesians 5:28-30 Good News Bible]
Brother Matt: Friends, we hope for all of you viewers to also become a part of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because, as what the Bible had mentioned, the members of the Church Of Christ will be the ones to receive this great blessing coming from our Lord Jesus Christ—the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are the ones who will be cared for by our Lord Jesus Christ as well.
Brother Bob: Some may not yet understand fully yet, Brothers, the importance of this. So, well what is the importance of being able to have the strength to do good works and obey the teachings and the commandments of God?
Brother Ruben: Well, Brother Bob, as the apostles teach, this is what we could read in the book
of Philippians, chapter 1, verse 11:
being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
[Philippians 1:11 New King James Version]
Brother Ruben: A person, then, will be able to bear the fruits of righteousness for the praise and glory of our Lord God. You know, friends, this is the reason God calls people to be a member of the Church Of Christ, so as to abound in good works or fruits of righteousness.
Brother Bob: Dear friends, everything that we’ve learned up to this point has been what the Bible has to say. The Bible has been answering the various questions that we’re posing to it. Everyone
needs to be a member of the Church Of Christ, herein being created in Christ. What will we be able to do? As we’ve read, that’s when we’ll be able to do what is good that God is seeking from us all, and this can be done because Christ first removes sin by virtue of His shed blood. Christ gives them the strength and ability to do what is good in the eyes of God, and the result then is we can bear fruits of righteousness. The things that we do in obedience to the Lord would be viewed as true and genuine righteousness, and that’s what renders praise and glory to God. Therefore, members of the Church Of Christ will enter the kingdom of heaven.
But here’s the thing, Brothers, here surely is what our viewers would want to ask next no doubt: “Do we have to be a member of the Church Of Christ, is that what you’re saying? We have to be a member of the Church Of Christ [to be] able to do such good? Can’t a person merely believe in Jesus, and therefore then he’s qualified to do what he perceives to be good, that God’s expecting, and he would then enter into the kingdom of heaven?
Dear friends, this, among other important questions like this, we will direct to the Holy Bible and get the answers from the Holy Bible when we return once again. Stay with us.
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INC INTERNATIONAL EDITION
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
BOB PELLIEN
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
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TODAY’S TOPIC
Who Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Brother Bob: Welcome back as we continue with our discussion today concerning doing good
and having that good be worthy for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Many would say, Brother Andrew, that “Hey, I can do good things even though I don’t enter inside the Church Of Christ. I’m in this religion or that religion, and I’m doing nice things and good things. So, I don’t need to join the Church Of Christ in order to have the good things that I do, and want to do, make me worthy for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.” It’s that way of thinking that some who are simply saying, “Can’t the good things that God wants us to do also be done from outside the Church Of Christ?” Brother Andrew, can it?
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
ANDREW FISHER
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Andrew: To be frank, Brother Bob, that’s false and again that’s not our own personal
conclusions. This is also based on the Bible, because what did our Lord Jesus Christ Himself teach if one is not part of His church, or outside His body or His church? Let’s read this in
the book of John, chapter 15, and here in verse 5, these are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart
from me you can do nothing.
[John 15:5 New International Version 2011]
Brother Andrew: You know, dear friends, our Lord Jesus Christ is the one who said that apart
from Him a person can do nothing. Therefore, we cannot accomplish the good works if we are apart from our Lord Jesus Christ, which is why what did the Lord Jesus Christ instruct us to do? Well, He said, “Remain in me.” What does that mean, to remain in our Lord Jesus Christ? Well, like a branch has connection to a vine, we must also have that connection or union with our Lord Jesus Christ. Like what we studied earlier, the apostle Paul taught,Christ is the head and the Church is the body. Therefore, in order for us to accomplish the good works we need to be inside the Church Of Christ, parts of the body of Christ. And apart from the body of Christ, or outside the Church Of Christ, we can’t do those good good works. In fact, we can do nothing.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
MATT TALENS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Matt: And aside from that, our Lord Jesus Christ also said that in remaining in Him a person should also remain in His words.
Brother Bob: Well, Brother Matt, what does it mean to remain in His words?
Brother Matt: Well, let’s read. We have just read verse 5, allow me to read verse 7, and this is
what it said:
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
[John 15:7 New International Version 2011]
Brother Matt: My friends,what does it mean to remain in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ? It means to continue to obey them. One of the benefits of remaining in our Lord Jesus Christ, as a member of His body or a member of the Church Of Christ, and in obeying His words is a person can ask what they wish, and that is when we pray we will receive what we are praying for.
Brother Bob: And, dear friends, I think it’s easy to agree, who doesn’t need help in these troublesome times that we’re all living in nowadays? We need someone to turn to who can help us, we need someone who can provide the protection, can provide the safety that is so needed in this life nowadays.
Brother Ruben, what does our Lord Jesus Christ give as an instruction though to His people? What does He instruct them to do so they would be in that condition to receive His protection and be safe?
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
RUBEN BUSTOS
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Ruben: Well, Brother Bob, this is what our Lord Jesus Christ instructs all to do, in the book of John, chapter 7, rather chapter 10, verses 7 and 9:
So Jesus spoke again: “In very truth I tell you, … I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …
[John 10:7, 9 Revised English Bible]
Brother Ruben: Now, the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ is clear. He said, “I am the door.” Come in and you will be safe.
Brother Bob: But, Brother, which is that fold that Christ is referring to, that a person has to enter into if he wants, really, to be safe?
Brother Ruben: Well, Brother Bob, it is the Church Of Christ, which we can read in the book of Acts, chapter 20, verse 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 Lamsa Translation]
Brother Ruben: The savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, gave the instruction that all who want to do good in the sight of God, to find His care and protection, to be safe now and more so on the day of judgment, must enter or become a member of His church, which in the Bible is called the Church Of Christ.
Brother Matt: But let us remember, my friends, the Bible does not teach that it is enough to join
the Church Of Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself taught that a person must remain in His words. And what does it mean to remain in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and what is the blessing that will come from doing so? Let us allow our Lord Jesus Christ to give us the answer once again. This time I will be reading from Matthew, in chapter 24, and the verse is 13, this is what He said:
But everyone who continues to believe and follow Me until the end of the world or until the end of their lives, will be saved.
[Matthew 24:13 Plain English Translation]
Brother Matt: My friends, our Lord Jesus Christ said, everyone who continues to believe, following Him, being obedient to His words what will be given them? They will be given salvation or they will be saved come the Day of Judgment. That is why we cannot separate ourselves from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are also the good that comes from our Almighty God. But until when should we be faithful in upholding the commandments of God, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as well? Until the end of the world or, as what our Lord Jesus also said, until the end of one’s life.
Brother Bob: Brothers, when it comes, though, to obeying the gospel and should people still…are we saying that we’re not supposed to do good, it’s totally irrelevant, not supposed to be good and help people? Should people still do good for their fellow men, like loving their neighbor as they love themselves, as Christ said in Matthew 22:39. I mentioned that in the opening to this particular episode. Or are all these good deeds no longer no longer needed? It can only be done if you are inside the Church Of Christ. It’s not important anymore.
Brother Andrew: Well, no Brother Bob. We should absolutely still strive to do good things, especially to our fellow men. And why is that? This is what the apostles taught, in the book of Galatians, in chapter 6, and in verse 10, we can read this:
So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.
[Galatians 6:10 Good News Bible]
Brother Andrew: You know, dear viewers, the apostles exhort us that as often as we can, we should do good to everyone. You know, doing good to everyone is loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. We’re taught to be good neighbors. You know, that’s why even during these times when we live with sheltering in place, the social distancing, the protocols and advice given to us by the various authorities because of this pandemic, you know, we can still strive to do good and to help our neighbor and our fellow men. We do that by observing the guidelines and the health protocols in place in the various places. If we have elderly neighbors who might be in need, of course following the local health protocols, why not cook them a meal. Why not help them with their groceries.Why not help them out with everyday tasks that they may need assistance with.
And of course when we go out in public, we strive to be good neighbors by, for example, a simple thing like wearing a face mask, not just to protect ourselves but even to protect and show our care for our neighbor or our fellow men.
Brother Ruben: You know, Brothers, aside from this, the Church Administration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church Of Christ, in times of calamity and distress, often hold Aid to Humanity projects to help those affected by the disaster. We also have neighborhood appreciation days held in the local congregations. There are teacher, police, fire department appreciation day, elders appreciation and in nursing homes, and much more to help our neighbors and fellow men, all of this in fulfillment of the gospel, the will of God, about doing good to others.
Brother Bob: So this, dear friends, is what we in the Church Of Christ are taught to do. Whatever happens in life, smooth sailing or rough times as we’re all going through right now, faithfulness and obedience to God’s will will always remain paramount in our priorities in our lives.
Brother Matt: And, Brothers, there’s something else that God assures those who will uphold faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ, and what is that? Allow me to read what is recorded in Revelation, in chapter 14, the verses are 12 up to 13, this is what it said:
This means that God desires each of us who’ve been made holy by Him to keep enduring in obedience to all of His commands and to keep believing in Christ! Then I heard a voice from heaven which said, “Write down this announcement: From now on, everyone who dies in oneness with the Lord Jesus is really happy!” And that statement was ‘affirmed with an amen’ by God’s spirit Himself who said, “Yes, it’s true! Their lives will be happy and they’ll rest calmly!” They won’t ever experience any more trouble because of following the Lord, and they’ll be given a reward because of all their good deeds.”
[Revelation 14:12-13 Plain English Translation]
Brother Matt: This is the assurance, the promise of our Almighty God, to those who will keep on enduring in their obedience to the commandments of our Almighty God and in upholding their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why, for the members of the Church Of Christ, we make the necessary sacrifice to obey the commandments of our Almighty God, not only the things that we want to obey but every commandment that our Almighty God has given us through the Church Administration. And as our Almighty God said Himself, our lives will be happy. We will rest calmly. Why? Because we won’t experience troubles anymore. The reward for doing good deeds in obedience will follow us into the Holy City. Such are the ones who will get into heaven.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
ANDREW FISHER
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Andrew: That’s why we want to take this opportunity to invite all of our friends and our guests, who are tuning in to this program, to come and join us inside the Church Of Christ. You can join any of our worship services conducted in any of the local congregations near you. You may go
To incmedia.org and you can find the nearest congregation to wherever you may be.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
MATT TALENS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Matt: And please continue to join us in our Bible-based discussions that will help guide and direct us in life to find God’s blessings always.
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TODAY’S TOPIC
Who Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Brother Bob: Dear friends, the words of God are truly valuable in our life,a light amidst the storms of life, a light that brings calm and safety. That’s why we continue to make the effort to bring to you the truth of God’s word, so that in obeying them from within the Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, we’ll be blessed with eternal life.
Brother Ruben, when our friends viewing us in this program, when they decide to continue listening and want to join with us inside the Church Of Christ, so that the good works that they’re doing will be viewed by God as truly good, because they’re not rejecting the Lord’s instruction to enter into the sheepfold, into His body, into the church, so the good works that they’re doing in their life will be viewed as truly good—if they do this—what will they experience?
Brother Ruben: Well, Brother Bob, this is what the apostle Paul said in Romans, chapter 2, verses 6 through 7:
For God will repay every person according to his deeds. There are people who seek eternal life and are always diligent to do good, who live in a way that brings praise and honor to God. He’ll give eternal life to people like that.
[Romans 2:6-7 Plain English Translation]
Brother Ruben: Beloved friends, what is it that we will experience if we make the decision of continuing to listen and join with us inside the Church Of Christ and in doing what is truly good in the sight of God? Well, the apostle Paul made it very clear that we will gain eternal life because God will repay every person that does what is good in the sight of our Father in heaven.
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WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
BOB PELLIEN
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Bob: Thank you, dear friends, for making the time to join us in our program today, and
please continue to join us as we take up your questions and turn to the Scriptures, always, for Bible answers. Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition.
You know we’d like to thank our three panelists, Brother Ruben Bustos in Los Angeles, California. Thank you, Brother, for your input to our discussion, as well as our Brother Matt Talents there in Washington, D.C.. Brother Matt, thank you as well for your wonderful input, and to you too, Brother Andrew Fisher there in Australia, the land down under. Thank you, all three of you Brothers, for
always giving us Bible-based answers so that as the apostle Peter said to the members of the Church, “You’ll be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are.” That’s 1 Peter 3:15.
Well, dear friends, that does it for us today here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. We hope you will join us again next time. I’m Bob Pellien. Thanks for watching. As we come to the
end of our program, as always, we invite you to join us for a short prayer.
Brother Matt: Our loving and merciful Father in heaven, we humbly call before You. Thank You so much for guiding us in the study of Your holy words. Your words help us become sanctified before You, and this is also the reason, our Father, we humbly beg that You give unto us a heart that is filled with love toward your commandments, that we be humble enough to obey You completely, not only for Your honor and Your praise but also for our salvation.
Our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, please bless each one of us with the strong faith that we need, that we be able to set aside what we know, what we desire, and submit to the will of our Almighty God, that we be able to copy You, our Lord, who has been truly obedient to the Father in heaven.
Father, as we come back unto You in prayer, we humbly ask that You heal those who are sick. Continue to provide us the long life and the strength that we need, because we truly would like to obey You until we rest, until we receive the salvation that You have promised. Father, above everyone, please bless the Church Administration. Please bless Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Church, for the benefit of Your humble servants.
We humbly ask all these things through the name of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Brothers: Amen.
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