The message of Jesus was one of love, but he never taught religious tolerance, that was a fabrication of man. Jesus, speaking to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, said, "You hypocrites, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you...they worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men" (Matthew 15:7-9). Does that ring of placability? Jesus, conversing, again with the Pharisees, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God...you belong to your Father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire..." (John 8:42-47) Does that reveal an indulgent Jesus?
If Jesus did not teach religious tolerance, then where do Christians get their directive for mingling with false teachers in our assorted union fellowships? Can you imagine the apostle Paul participating in a Good Friday communion service with the Judaizers, Sadducees and Pharisees? No. He said the exact opposite. " I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause division and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teachings you have learned. Keep away from them" (Romans 16:17). Does that sound like a resolution to endure erroneous religious instructors?
The absence of a Biblical directive authorizing inter-religious activities in which Christians may participate seems of little consequence to the contemporary church. For example men join in interdenominational and inter-religious worship. It may take the form of a Good Friday communion , a musical concert, a teaching seminar, or other ways in which we show our tolerance, in not our-right acceptance of those who pervert the doctrines of God! Why would we want to give credence to those who deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus, pray to the Virgin Mary, negate the essentiality of water baptism, claim sprinkling is valid Biblical baptism, advocate once saved always saved, or deny Jesus as the Christ and the only Son of the living God?
How important is doctrinal purity? Can we deny the central principles of the Gospel and still be saved? What do the Scriptures say in that regard? Many of the religious groups with whom we fraternize DENY THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES.
The Resurrection (Romans 10:9): "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Water Baptism(John 3:5): "Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (also see: Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16).
Immersion (Romans 6:4-5): " Were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly be united with him in his resurrection" (also see: Acts 8:38-39, Mark 1:9-10)
One Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5): " For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, that man Jesus Christ."
One Way (John 14:6): "Jesus answered, I am the way,the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
Once Saved Always Saved (Luke 8:13): " Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in time of testing they fall away."
The Scriptures teach that there will be false apostles who will masquerade as apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4-15). The Living Bible paraphrased says it well. " Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about, yes, if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed" (Galatians 1:8)
Considering what the Bible clearly teaches about religious tolerance, we can only conclude that Jesus taught us to love those in error, to pray for them, to study God's Word with them, but He never suggested we accept them in their present state as joint heirs, heaven bound.
There are those who would excuse the honestly ignorant, but will self imposed ignorance be excused come judgement day? However , ignorance is not the problem with most, after having read the Scriptures they simply reject what dose not suit their particular tradition or concept of TRUTH!
Religious Tolerance may help us cultivate friendships, but will it save anyone?
If Jesus did not teach religious tolerance, then where do Christians get their directive for mingling with false teachers in our assorted union fellowships? Can you imagine the apostle Paul participating in a Good Friday communion service with the Judaizers, Sadducees and Pharisees? No. He said the exact opposite. " I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause division and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teachings you have learned. Keep away from them" (Romans 16:17). Does that sound like a resolution to endure erroneous religious instructors?
The absence of a Biblical directive authorizing inter-religious activities in which Christians may participate seems of little consequence to the contemporary church. For example men join in interdenominational and inter-religious worship. It may take the form of a Good Friday communion , a musical concert, a teaching seminar, or other ways in which we show our tolerance, in not our-right acceptance of those who pervert the doctrines of God! Why would we want to give credence to those who deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus, pray to the Virgin Mary, negate the essentiality of water baptism, claim sprinkling is valid Biblical baptism, advocate once saved always saved, or deny Jesus as the Christ and the only Son of the living God?
How important is doctrinal purity? Can we deny the central principles of the Gospel and still be saved? What do the Scriptures say in that regard? Many of the religious groups with whom we fraternize DENY THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES.
The Resurrection (Romans 10:9): "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Water Baptism(John 3:5): "Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (also see: Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16).
Immersion (Romans 6:4-5): " Were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly be united with him in his resurrection" (also see: Acts 8:38-39, Mark 1:9-10)
One Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5): " For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, that man Jesus Christ."
One Way (John 14:6): "Jesus answered, I am the way,the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
Once Saved Always Saved (Luke 8:13): " Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in time of testing they fall away."
The Scriptures teach that there will be false apostles who will masquerade as apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4-15). The Living Bible paraphrased says it well. " Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about, yes, if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed" (Galatians 1:8)
Considering what the Bible clearly teaches about religious tolerance, we can only conclude that Jesus taught us to love those in error, to pray for them, to study God's Word with them, but He never suggested we accept them in their present state as joint heirs, heaven bound.
There are those who would excuse the honestly ignorant, but will self imposed ignorance be excused come judgement day? However , ignorance is not the problem with most, after having read the Scriptures they simply reject what dose not suit their particular tradition or concept of TRUTH!
Religious Tolerance may help us cultivate friendships, but will it save anyone?
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