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Below are the answers given by Chief Apostle N.Lazar to a few questions to HQ
New Jerusalem Church. Names and other personal details contained in the questions are omitted respecting the privacy of the individual.
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Our Church is named Church of Christ. Who gave this New Jerusalem Name? .... |
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..... Do your men really cut your hair and women cover their head like early church?
In New Jerusalem Church as part of all the Biblical doctrines, statutes, instructions, counsel and commandments that are strictly observed, women wear a covering on their head as mentioned in the Bible and also have long (uncut) hair which is one of the basics.
The Church of Christ is not really a name but rather equivalent to someone saying, "This is Dan's daughter". But you do have a unique name "Sharon". Even so Christ's Church which is His body, the bride, has a name and that name is given in the book of Revelation 21: 2, 10, which is New Jerusalem.
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How can I know who has the true spirit of God ? ... |
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.... Are you pentecostals/charismatics?
We are happy you spent a lot of time reading our homepage and you have very good questions which I was really excited to receive because these are the current problems in the pentecostal/charismatic realm. No we are neither charismatics nor pentecostals. Pentecost is a day not the name of the Church.
We are an independent Church founded on the principles of God's Word and led by the Holy Spirit, living a standard of holiness by the power of God and His grace, openly denouncing anything or any spirit that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
Since all your questions are dealt with in very much detail in our new homepage, we would like to invite you to this page, so you can read the new articles on "Church and Foundation" and "Salvation" including latest articles.
We are very familiar with the experience that you have pointed out and by the gift of discerning spirits we have caught these very people red-handed who said they had the Holy Spirit but were only a part of the disobedient clan of Satan.
Satan will not completely obey God's Word so we need to be clear about the doctrines of God's Word which will aid us in identifying these spirits even before the symptoms you have seen are manifest.
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I believe in five-fold ministries. But which is the true church? .... |
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....... How do you know who is really one of the five, especially the apostles?
To answer your question, if you believe in five-fold ministries, you are sound scripturally. There can be more than 1 apostle on the earth at a time, but it must be from the same body that Christ has chosen to establish His kingdom on earth. Ephesians 4:4 clarifies your question to a very fine detail.
There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith and one baptism, and one God who is the Father of us all. If this verse is true as stated, then there can be only 1 church authorized by God and commanded by God to be His body, established under 1 faith and doctrine. Through this church God will raise up His apostles for that one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith and one baptism, and one God who is the Father of us all.
Consequently, we can conclude that the rest of the so called churches which are actually evangelistic tabernacles, were allowed with God's permission, but not with God's commandment. The gates of hell "sin" cannot prevail against the church and this is the "acid test".
If you read Dr. Roger Sapp's book "The Last Apostles on Earth", Page 138, it clearly states that many organizations we call "churches" and many men we call "pastors" are not truly such in God's eyes. Quoting Dr. Sapp: "Everyone may be perfectly sincere, and the grace of God may be operational in the lives of individual believer, and the organization may have all the trappings of a local church; but if it was not established and planted by the Lord, it is not His local church and He is not responsible for protecting it".
In Acts 4:33, it says, With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurection of the Lord Jesus and "Great Grace" was upon them all. Great grace is upon the real church.
You can see the difference between those who claimed to be the church and those who really were established by God (Acts 2). The rulers, elders and the scribes thought they were the ones appointed by God, but the Bible stands only behind the Apostles who received power, authority and office directly from Jesus Christ from a face to face encounter, not visions or dreams or feelings but a physical appearance of Jesus as He did to Paul.
The authenticity of an apostle can be easily determined by the doctrine he preaches. The apostle Paul says: as a wise (Proverbs 9:1) masterbuilder I laid the foundation 1 Corinthians 3:10. If those who claim to be apostles do not have the foundation doctrines which are seven (Proverbs 9:1), there is no way we can accept them as those having God's wisdom portrayed in Proverbs 9:1 or as apostles.
We will then have to apply Revelation 2:2 to them and declare they are not true apostles but self proclaimed even as the humorous story of Don Quixote who self promoted himself to knighthood but miserably failed when the real test came. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1 Cor 4:20). Apostles have the responsibility and authority to present every man perfect in Christ (Col 1:28).
You can read our web site and use the keyword search "apostles" so you can be aware of the qualifications of an apostle.
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Isn't baptism only washing the filth of the flesh? |
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Regarding baptism, the Bible says Repent and be baptised for the remission of sins Acts 2:38. Filth of the flesh is the dirt that sticks in our body externally, not the internal sin.
Confession should precede baptism Mathew 3:6. In Acts 22:16 we read that Ananias instructed Paul to be baptised and wash away sins. Yes filth of the flesh is not washed, you need to use soap and shampoo for that, but confession and baptism is important for washing away sins and putting on Christ. 1 John 1:9.
You need to be baptized by a man of God sent by Him, after you have confessed your sins. This man of God should be filled with the Holy Spirit and sent by God. Else your baptism will not be approved by God how many times you do it.
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Do you believe in eternal security? |
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The only eternal security we have is ensured by our abiding in Christ. When we abide in Christ and His Word we are secure eternally just as we enjoy the shade in hot summer Psalm 91:1. Once saved always saved unless disengaged by choice.
Therefore we rejoice because His sheep are in His hands and no one can pluck them out even if they come in bands mighty and strong for the God whom we serve is almighty and will deliver so we may serve Him eternally. So let us cling on to Him as He holds our hands for the nails that affixed Jesus to the cross are the same that will carry us across so let's deny ourselves take up our cross daily and follow Him for He that endureth to the end the same shall be saved for Jesus said, Be faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life. |
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I am confused about baptism, tongues, Holy Spirit .... |
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.... baptismand confession plus evidence of speaking in tongues the sign for Holy Spirit baptism. Can you help?
Praise the Lord for choosing you. I am very happy that you have accepted the Lord as per the verse "Oh youth, remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" (Ecc. 12:1). Keep your life holy. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psa.119:11). "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord" (Ps. 119:1).
Your desires are clear. I praise the Lord for that clarity. You must receive the Holy Spirit. Before that you must take immersion baptism through a minister with proper authority. God has already given his children through his promise the baptism of Holy Spirit. It has been left to them to have faith, tarry and receive the Holy Spirit. You can ask a minister who has been anointed with Holy Spirit, to lay his hands on your head and pray for the Holy Spirit. In case there is no such possibility, I will pray for the same from here and Lord will give.
The baptism of Holy Spirit will be with signs and power. That experience is something, which can be seen and heard (Acts 2:33). You have written that Jesus Christ did not talk in tongues when Holy Spirit descended on Him. God Jesus had the fullness of Holy Spirit (John 3:33). You have also written that Paul did not talk in tongues. But Paul did talk in many tongues (1 Cor. 14:18,19).
The tongue, that one gets when he receives Holy Spirit, is different from the tongues that come as gift. It is not necessary that others should understand the tongue that one gets as a sign of Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 14:2,4,5). On all the occasions when people received Holy Spirit openly, there was the sign of tongues (Acts. 2:1-4, 10:44-48, 19:1-6).
About confessions of sins: The meaning of confession itself is that you should say openly so that others can see and hear. We do acknowledge our sins and pray to God. But confession is declaring them to a priest or a spiritual leader so that they can hear (Josh. 7:19). Confessing to Lord is the same as confessing to God's ministers. In the same way, David also confessed before Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord and obtained the remission (II Cor. 12:13).
When a sinner or a person fleeing from getting killed, goes to a city of refuge, he has to declare his cause in the ears of the elders of the city (Josh. 20:1-6). "He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profiteth me not; (Job 33: 27-28). Men cover their sins not from God, but from men. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him (Heb. 4:13).
Hence the moment a man decides to commit a sin, He knows about it. He is also watching when he commits it. And then how can one cover it from Him? He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy (Pro. 28:13). The true church and the apostles have the authority to remit sins (John 20:23). Lord Jesus forgives.
He forgives through His representatives. May God bless you, Kyle Hendrickson! Continue to keep fellowship with the church and with me (I John 1:3). I will guide you. May the Holy Spirit explain all the doctrines in your mind, which I have touched briefly above! May your friends and all those who thirst after the truth, may get to find New Jerusalem Church! Did the surgery on your grandfather go successfully? I am eager to know that.
May God bless you, your family and your friends! May the Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion!
May God bless you! Chief Apostle N.Lazar.
P.S. You can contact our representative Eld.Bro. Daniel Christodoss in USA for any more information.
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Why do you keep talking about the trinity? There is no such word in the Bible! |
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Response to your questions will be covered in future articles in our homepage if not covered already in existing articles or by direct email to you.
Thanks for taking the time to visit our website. The following verses speak clearly about trinity.
When Jesus was baptized there was a voice from the Father and the Holy Spirit came as a dove and rested on Jesus. The word trinity is an offshoot of the word three in 1 John 5:7 (Authorized King James Version) and signifies unity in the triune Godhead:
Mathew 3:16, 17 1 John 5:7
These verses will definetely clear your confusion unless you have decided to close your eyes and ears Isaiah 6:9,10
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my opinion is: There is Jesus Alone and No Trinity. What do you think ? |
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For several reasons that are very clear, you have almost turned a blind eye to every important and plain teachings of the Bible, regarding the doctrine of the Trinity. In the first place, your argument for an Only Jesus view is based on bible passages which in fact disproves your own false assumptions. Improper understanding of Scriptures leads to false interpretations, the foundation of dangerous heresies. But what surprises me, is the selection of some choice verses to defend a non-biblical idea and trying to explain them out of context. You have tried your best to defend the Only Jesus view on irrational analogy, rather than proper expressions of the real matter.
The "Only Jesus" belief is fundamentally a flawed narrow thought lacking biblical support. All evidences shown in favor of the Only Jesus view is totally false, an outcome of poor calculation of the Scriptures. No where in the Bible did Jesus or His apostles taught any kind of Only Jesus teachings, indifferent to the doctrine of God who is composed of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit united as ONE GOD in His essential Being or Essence. The misunderstanding of the doctrine of Trinity has deepened your doubts about Jesus, His relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. None of the proofs shown to strengthen your point has any sort of biblical basis.
You have to recognise some of the basic Bible doctrines without which the Biblical Christian faith falters. One among them is the profound, rich and blessed doctrine of Trinity. Without the proper knowledge of the Biblical concept of God, the Person and Work of Jesus will give a shattered image leading to false belief, useless for genuine Christian life.
I would like to present some of the illogical, poor explanations given in your response. The argument has several loopholes, non-biblical human ideas to back up the Only Jesus teaching not found anywhere in the Bible.
Myth # 1. We are made in the Image of God the Father; We are the offspring of the Godhead-Singular, who is Jesus.
Could you please give me one single Bible passage to prove your crooked idea? Where does the Bible say that man was created in the Image of God the Father? When you believe only in Jesus then from what source did you got God the Father? You could subtly say that Jesus is the same God the Father. What a nonsense! Nothing can be further from the truth.
To whom did Jesus prayed when He was on earth? About whom did He said gave Him authority and mission to accomplish on earth? In Jn. 14:1 Jesus said, ".....BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME". Here Jesus claimed equality with the Father and asked His followers to believe on Him and the Father in an equal way. No NT writers have portrayed Jesus as the God, who changes identity to reveal Himself as the Father and the Holy Spirit in different situation to carry out divine works. If the apostles knew only about Jesus as the Messiah and God, then why did Philip asked Him to show a particular person called the Father? The truth is, Jesus, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity is a distinct Person from God the Father. Jesus had always spoke of differentiation between Himself and the Father.
When Philip asked Jesus to show the Father, He replied that, whosoever saw Him has seen the Father also. This means there is a separate Person called the Father who can be seen and approached through the agency of Jesus. It is Jesus who reveals the Father, because He is the One who was sent by the Father to save the lost sheep, redeem fallen mankind from sin. Without Jesus no one can approach God. They completely share all the divine attributes and characters in equal proportion to exist as ONE ETERNAL GOD.
This is the primary truth of the Bible. When a person believes in Jesus, not only on His Name but also on His Person fully, he comes in fellowship with the Father and the Son. This is clearly stated in 1 Jn. 1:3 - "..... "TRULY OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER, AND WITH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST". John never meant a Christian fellowship is with the Father and Son Jesus Christ as if it was a double title of a single divine Person. Throughout the Scriptures God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ is shown as separate Persons within the Godhead.
Is Jesus the same Father, Son and Holy Spirit as often claimed by the infamous Jesus Only group? They are at loss of words to clearly describe the "Only Jesus" idea against the Biblical revelation of the Triune God. The Only Jesus group rely only on a small part of the Scriptures, not in accordance with the rich and immeasurable Truth, which shapes a Christian believer's life in association with the Triune God. The blind belief of the Only Jesus group is unscriptural, negligence of the other two Persons of the Godhead makes them to fall into confusion and mix up the Separate Personal Entity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We suggest you to get rid of all those misconceptions and come to the correct knowledge of the Scriptures, lest you slip into still more erroneous teachings!
Myth # 2. We are made in the image of God the Father - Singular. Are humans made in the image of God the Father? Nothing is found in the Bible to match your crude idea.
In Gen. 1: 26, "AND GOD SAID, LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE, AFTER OUR LIKENESS....." Why does God converse within Himself in a plural manner, rather than singular? Was there anyone beside Him to consult the details about how to create man? In the opening passages of the Scriptures an implicit indication of Trinity is found. The Heb. name Elohim, a plural noun in form suggests plurality in Deity. The divine plan to create man was enacted in the Godhead between Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Notice the UNITY of GOD mentioned in v. 27, "SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE OF GOD CREATED HE HIM".
Man was not created in the image of three divine Persons. Here the scene is shifted to singularity signifying GOD is ONE and not three separate "gods" of different natures, wills, and works. See 1 Cor. 11: 7. Now the problem that makes us to ask is, if there are three persons in the Godhead do human beings have "three images"? The answer lies in Gen. 1:27. Originally man was created in the Image of God, not the Father. There is no question whether he has any impression of "three images" representing the three Divine Persons found in the Godhead. After the fall man lost his original Image of God, wherein he was created. Nevertheless he retained the ability of being rational, to know His creator and submit to His will as it was originally intended. Still humans do possess the identity of His Creator's Image implanted in his original creation, in a somewhat shattered visage, marred by sin.
The Bible says in Heb. 2:16 that "For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed of Abraham". Because man was created in the Image of God, a special quality distinguishing him from all other creation material or immaterial, he is favored to receive redemption and return to his Master and Creator God. In order to regain the Image of God, he has to be conformed to the "Image of Christ" That is the will and purpose of God for every true Christian believers. Apostle Paul says in Rom. 8:29 "For whom did He forknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the IMAGE of HIS SON, that HE might be the firstborn among many brethren" Read carefully 2Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:24; Col. 1:28; 3:10 to understand the True Image humans need for a correct restoration of their original state.
An unsaved person is in the sinful image of his "human progenitor", Adam the father of mankind. He has to attain the Image of God, which is found in JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. He is the "TRUE IMAGE" of the invisible GOD. Jesus, the Son of God was manifested in sinful human flesh, to make us rich and attain the original intention God purposed in Christ before the foundation of the world.
Do the Only Jesus group preach Jesus as He is found in the Bible? Did the apostles preached the modern day evil teaching of Only Jesus? The Bible is a sure witness against this heretical spiritless teaching. "..... HOW GOD ANNOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT; WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, AND HEALING ALL THAT WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL; FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM" Acts. 10:38.
A united work of the Triune God in the salvation of mankind is well marked. God the Father sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ into the world to save the sinners. The incarnated Christ ministered under the authority of Him who has sent with the help of the Holy Spirit. The early apostles had the same experience like their Master Christ. In their periodical letters to the churches all apostles wrote the deep and rich doctrine of the Triune God. Almost all letters penned by the apostles to various churches opened with Trinitarian blessings.
Also it ended with the same Trinitarian benediction.
THE PRECARIOUS POSITION OF THE ONLY JESUS GROUP:-
1. The Only Jesus group believes only on the "name" of Jesus. But, sadly Jesus doesn't believe such men who has totally failed to believe on Himself and His Person. Read carefully Jn. 2:23-25. These people trust the "name" of Jesus and not Jesus. In contrast, the true disciples of Jesus keep their trust, confidence, and faith on and in JESUS. Jn. 2:11. This is called the COMPLETE CHRISTIAN FAITH. This is the belief of the early apostolic Church. Any other belief contrary to this Biblical standard is incomplete. Falling anything short from this Faith will be dangerous in the long run.
2. Bogus Christians strongly believe on the "name" of Jesus and happily live a sinful life Mt. 7:21-23. They serve both God and the devil.
"SOME INDEED PREACH CHRIST EVEN OF ENVY AND STRIFE; AND SOME ALSO OF GOOD WILL" Phil. 1:15.
Preaching Christ with proud and envy is from the flesh. They don't have any portion with the LORD.
"WE PREACH CHRIST, WHO IS BLESSED FOR EVER WITH FULL AUTHORITY FOR THE GLORIFICATION OF GOD THE FATHER WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO HAS ANOINTED US TO DO HIS GLORIOUS MINISTRY".
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Do you know when Jesus is really coming? |
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Concerning the Second coming of Christ there is no indication at present. No prediction can be made that He will return as prophesied in the scriptures. Political scenarios,apostacy,growing immoralities,New age system is fast growing from which we can understand this can be the time that christ will appear to receive His redeemed people.
As for your question we can tell you that there is no personal revelation and announcement that Christ will appear in such a such particular year or date His saint's have privilege to know the Lord's coming because it is pointed in the scriptures 1 Pt 1:11. O.T Saint's prophesied on His First & Second advent in what time,manner, & circumstances He will come in the same way N.T saint's also have widely written about His second advent,rapture of saint's and final judgment at the end of the ages. this will continue in this age of Grace where His holy saint's can know and understand His appearance. Jesus Christ is going to come to His church. |
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Isn't baptism only an outward ceremony like Jesus did? |
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Your reason for Christ's baptism does not match with Christ's statement but rather contradicts it. Jesus said, "Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness Mathew 3:15. We should be very careful not to help God or to cite our own opinions on any incident in the scripture for the scripture is prophesy and is not of any private interpretation 2 Pt 1:20, 21.
You have written almost a page about your opinion on baptism but yet to cite a single verse in the Bible. Our opinion does not count! It is God's opinion that is important for scripture did not come casually but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pt 2:21.
His Word alone is Truth!
Versus in the Scripture Confirm Baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism in general refers to water and spirit Baptism Mathew 3:11. Anything to the contrary is the deception of Satan:
Mk 16:16 He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved
Lk 7:30 Pharisees reject God's counsel against themselves by refusing baptism
Acts 2:38 Confession and baptism for remission of sins (sins confessed and baptised Mt 3:6)
Titus 3:5 (saved by washing of regeration-baptism and renewal of Holy Ghost-Spirit baptism)
1 Pt 3:21 (baptism saves us)
Rom 6: 4, 5 (by baptism we are buried into Christ's death and those who refuse this will not be resurrected to life as Christ was)
Eph 5:26 (washing of water-baptism- in obedience to His word to sanctify and cleanse)
Acts 22:16 Be baptized and wash away thy sins
Jn 3:5 Baptism of water and Spirit essential to enter God's kingdom
Mt 28:20 Apostolic comission to teach and observe all that Jesus commanded
Rev 22:14 God's kingdom is for the obedient and those who do God's will
Math 7:21 Only those who do God's will enter God's kingdom.
Major Conclusions from above verses:
1. Baptism necessary for salvation
2. Confession of sins to precede baptism for remission of sins
3. All commandments of God handed over to us by the Apostles are to be obeyed, not just baptism, and only the obedient will enter God's kingdom. That is why Jesus said we need to fulfill all righteousness for holiness is obeying God's Word and commandment and without holiness no man shall see the Lord! Hebrews 12:14.
4. Solemn warning to those who add or take away from God's Word should be taken very seriously and in utmost fear Rev 22:18, 19
5. The Bible is the book of the Law by which all shall be judged
6. The Lord says, "I have written to him the great things of my law but they were counted as a strange thing.
7. Washing with water is the commandment that was followed even in the old testament (Exodus 29: 1, 4)so the converted Jews understood its importance in the first century.
8. God's Word cannot be changed even by God Himself for He is true and how dare man alter His Word. For if the law of the Medes and Persians cannot be altered (Daniel 6:8, 12), how much more God's Law?
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