Opinion:

You say that the statutes of Jesus, Mary and other saints placed in the

church are not for worship but to show the emblance of Mary, Jesus and

other saints to people. However, this is only your opinion and not the

truth.

Truth: The truth is, "Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near

unto the altar of the Lord thy God which thou shalt make thee. Neither

shalt thou set thee up any image which the Lord thy God hateth."(Deut 16:21-22) (KJV).

Opinion: How can one believe without the Holy Spirit acting within him?

Therefore, one could have received the Holy Spirit the moment he

believes in Jesus. This is your opinion and not the truth.

Truth: The truth is that the Samaritans believed in Jesus and were

baptized but none of them had received the Holy Spirit. They received

the Holy Spirit only when the apostles, knowing that the Samaritans had

heard God's Word came from Jerusalem, prayed and laid their hands on

them (Acts 8:12-18).

Opinion: Is not a child under the complete influence and control of the

mother? Therefore we Mary can intercede with Jesus on our behalf.

Again, this is your opinion and not the truth.

Truth: Let's check this human opinion with God's holy will. For example,

there is a clear account of hapennings at the wedding in Cana of

Galilee to which Jesus and His mother were invited. John 2:3-4 reads:

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, "They

have no wine". Jesus saith unto her, "What have I to do with thee?

mine hour is not yet come". In this incident, Mary's intercession did not

find favor with the Lord. The Lord acted only at His appointed time.

Opinion: It has been pointed out in Acts 16:33, that the jailor and his

family were baptized immediately after they believed. It is possible that

his family could have included children and therefore it is not wrong to

baptize children. Now, this is only your opinion and not the truth.

Truth: The family that was baptized might also have pregnant women

among them and therefore it could be implied that the child in the womb

was also baptized with the mother. Thus one may let loose a

preposterous doctrine that if the mother is baptized, it is not necessary

for the child also to receive baptism separately.

To obtain salvation, one should repent of his sins, believe,

and for the remission and cleansing of sins, obtain baptism from a man

sent of God (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Ephes 5:26). This

is the truth. Children can neither believe nor repent of their sins.

Therefore baptism to children is not necessary.

Opinion: The robber on the cross did not receive baptism, yet he went

to paradise. Therefore, we too may go to paradise without baptism.

Once again, this is your opinion and not the truth.

Truth: The truth is that Jesus took baptism in order to fulfill

righteousness (Matt 3:15-16). Christ has left an example for us to

follow His footsteps (I Pet 2:21). Don't follow in the footsteps of the

robber and become a robber yourself.

Opinion: The experience of speaking in tongues belongs to the past

and cannot be seen anywhere today. This is your opinion and not the

truth.

Truth: The truth is: With stammering lips and another tongue will He

speak unto this people to whom He said, "This is the rest and the

refreshing, yet they would not hear" (Isaiah 28:11-12; 1 Cor 14:39).

These are prophetic words which are being fulfilled in you today. As

mentioned above, you are fulfilling this prophesy by not listening to

God's Word which exhorts, "This is the rest wherewith you may cause

the weary to rest and this is the refreshing. Woe unto you! ". For the

gifts and calling of God are without irrevocable (Rom 11:29).

Opinion: Washing one another's feet is only a symbolic gesture of

expressing one's humility. Therefore it is not necessary to wash one

another's feet. This is your opinion and not the truth.

Truth: The truth is: "....You also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to

you...Happy are you if you do them." (John 13:14-17).

Opinion: Numerous persons turn to Christ through the preaching of

women preachers. Therefore women can be involved in ministry which

may include preaching, holding positions of authority in the church, and

leading the church. This is once again your opinion and not the truth.

Truth: "Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not

permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under

obedience, as also saith the law (1 Cor 14:34-35). Let the women learn

in silence with all subjection. But Isuffer not a woman to teach nor to

usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." This is the truth.

Opinion: Believe in Jesus Christ. Confess all your sins to Jesus in your

prayers. Believe that your sins are forgiven and you are saved at once.

This also is your opinion and not the truth.

Truth: Salvation is the remission of sins (Luke 1:77). He that believeth

and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). Necessarily, one should

confess his sins before the man of God who baptizes. Then he would

be cleansed of his sins by being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38;

Mark 1:4-5; Acts 22:16). If a person commits any sin after

baptism, it should be confessed in the church or before the elder of the

church and thus get cleansed from time to time (Matt 18:18; James 5:14-17;

John 13:10). Jesus has given authority to the ministers sent by

Him to forgive the sins of the congregation (John 20:21-23). Some point

to the verse 9 and conclude that one can directly confess sins

to the Lord. This is similar to saying that you will not give your

offering to ministers, but only to God directly, since He has said "Give

and it shall be given unto you". Is this realistic?

A certain government official had been accepting bribes openly. When

his friends advised him against this practise, he retorted that he didn't

understand why he alone should refrain from accepting bribes when his

superiors, policemen and judges were accepting bribes, and even the

ministers were no exception to this. His good grandfather advised him

that accepting bribes is an unlawful practise to which he replied, "I

don't see anything wrong in that. After all I don't demand from the poor, but

only accept a little gift from those who have plenty". His wife warned

him that if he gets caught he will be in serious trouble. He brushed

aside her objection saying he could not afford expensive purchases if

he listens to her advice. When his activities aroused the suspicion of

the anti-corruption enforcement officials, he was caught red-handed in a

surprise check. He was brought before the judge who found him guilty

and sentenced him to five years of rigorous imprisonment according to

the law. All the explanations he offered to his friends, grandfather and

his wife were of no avail in front of judge (before law). When a worldly

judge who is imperfect can judge rightly based on the law, how much

more judicious God's judement will be on the basis of the immutable

Word of God, the Bible. God is not going to be persuaded by your

explanations such as: "Oh, I had been thinking differently; this is how

my pastor explained it to me" or "I acted according to the instructions of

my ancestors". The Lord said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth

not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken,

the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). The word of God

is the truth. The judgement of God will be on the basis of truth and

certainly not on the basis of your opinions. Turn! Stop leaning on your

opinions and turn to the truth. If any man speak, let him speak as the

oracles of God (I Pet 4:11). For our gospel came not unto you in word

only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance

(1 Thes 1:5).

"But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the

commandments of men (Matt 15:9).