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"Creed Index"... Part II An "index" of the author's spiritual understanding, and beliefs. Click HERE to see "Creed Index Part I" Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
"Doctored": 12/00; 7/01; 8/01; 11/01; 2/02; 5/02; 6/02; 7/02; 11/02; 3/03; 5/03; 8/03; 3/04; 2/05; 3/05; 7/05; 10/05; 10/19/06 CLICK HERE to GO TO the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author SEE the introductory remarks preceding Creed Index, Part I (link). CLICK on the links (below) to see the full "tablets" (chapters), on the subjects indicated. (Links to other pages in this website are shown in RED.) The Bible tells me that my salvation (link) Is from the Lord God -- determined by Him, only -- And not by a group of humans in ecclesial garb. God's Bible also tells me That my righteousness (link) is a decision belonging to God; And that my ignorant misdeeds, and humanly errors -- Sometimes called SIN (link) -- are matters evaluated by God.... And that I am not to be "judged" by human-beings. Likewise, my "obedience", my sharing and giving; My loving, and my forgiving -- And whether I "do" enough for the "church" -- or for God; And whether I have "served mankind" sufficiently.... All of these are "judgments" and decisions That belong to God; And they are not determinations to be made By my fellow man -- or by a minister or priest, Or by any earthly organization -- Or by my evaluation of myself. The Bible tells me that: I cannot perform human works or deeds (link) To make myself worthy to be "acceptable" to God. It is God's favor, unmerited by me, That makes me "worthy".... God's "grace", a gift to me, Given to His chosen (link) ones, For reason's known only to Him. The Bible tells me, and I believe -- That because of my being "accepted" by God, And because of my God-inspired allegiance to God -- I have become a child of God (link); And that therefore I "do not come up for judgment" (link), And that I have "already passed from death to life", And that "salvation" is mine, All because of God's decision; A decision not dependent upon the notions of a "church", A minister, a priest, a pope, or a board of deacons. Therefore, I do not have to spend all my days Wondering, and worrying: "What will happen to me?" "Will I live or die?" "Have I done enough to please God?" "How much is enough?" "How can I appease God?" "Am I going to Hell, because I do not satisfy God?" God's Bible tells me that I will be taught by God; Guided by God; Protected by God's right hand; Loved like a son; Disciplined like a son; Led on the right road; And that my plans will be established; And that I will learn to recognize the will of God. The Word of God tells me: That God has ENEMIES; (link) And that he destroys His enemies; And that the enemies of God's people Are God's enemies; And that God protects His own people. The Bible also says that vengeance belongs to God; and that God will repay His enemies. The Bible tells me That God was, and is, the same -- Forever -- Yesterday, today, and for eternity. And that the message from God, and about God, Is the same, whether in the "Old Testament" From the "Law and the Prophets" of God; Or in the "New Testament", From, and about, the Lord Jesus, Who came "not to change" the "Law and the Prophets", But to complete the "Law and the Prophets". My Bible tells me: That the message of the Bible is for God's people Wherever they are, and in whatever NATION They may be scattered. I believe that I am an "Israelite", Though I was not born a "Jew", And though I am not descended from Abraham, And though I have never lived in Israel. The Bible tells me that It is not the natural born descendants of Abraham Who are considered to be the children of God, But that it is the children of God's promise Who are "reckoned" as descendants of Abraham (Israelites). And, the Bible says: "If you belong to Christ, You are the issue of Abraham, And so heirs (Israelites) by promise." And the Bible also says: "Israel is the people God claims as His own." So I believe that if I am chosen by God, Selected by God to be His own; Then I "belong to Christ", And I am an "Israelite".... by promise. And, because of this covenant, The "Old Testament" promises of God, To "God's people", the "Israelites", Are promises to me -- In the same way that the promises of the "New Testament" From our God, the Lord Jesus, Are promises to me. I believe, because the Holy Bible states it, That God Himself "blinds" certain people, Some individuals; And that He "deafens" some; and "hardens" some, To the truth about Himself...... So that not everyone sees and hears and understands God And the language of God, And the Biblical statements about God, And about God's message -- As told in the Bible. I believe it -- when the Bible says: (Quoting three times the Lord Jesus): "No one comes to the Father except through me". And: "No one comes to me, Unless he is drawn by the Father." And: "All that the Father gives to me Will come to me." Jesus also said, (in John 12: 44 ) "Whoever believes in me, believes NOT IN ME.... But in Him who sent me. And, whoever SEES me.... SEES Him who sent me." Therefore, since God is Jesus, And Jesus is God (link) -- I conclude that: No one comes unto God -- except THROUGH God. I believe in the Kingdom of God, As proclaimed in the Bible: The "spiritual dwelling-place of God -- And God's people". And, as God's word says, "Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, And saying, 'The time is fulfilled, And the Kingdom of God is at hand.' " And, Jesus's words: "I must preach the Kingdom of God, For I was sent for this purpose." I believe that the Biblical references to the "Kingdom of God" mean this: THE KING OF THE "KINGDOM OF GOD", is GOD ! The "King of the Kingdom" Is not a man, not a rabbi or priest, Not the "church", not "religion", Not the churchly authorities, Not the church "laws", or church "tradition", Nor the ancient "rites" and "sacraments". I believe that in God's Kingdom, God, and God alone, is King. God's people answer to God -- To God only. All the power, all the authority, all the Sovereign decisions, Belong to God, alone. I believe in "The church".... The "aggregation of God's people" -- The "company" of God's people -- The "army" of God's people. God's church -- Those individuals includud by God -- To be God's own. I recognize the need for the institutional church -- Denominational churches, Churchly associations formed by men, Buildings where people may gather To learn about God, and about Jesus..... (God-Incarnate)..... And about the Holy Bible of God. All of us humans need an "organized church" -- Where some people go to worship God, To praise God, and to pray -- And to be with others seeking God. I lovingly appreciate those human beings Who dedicate themselves To "the ministry", in the "church" -- Preachers, priests, rabbis, bishops, and popes -- Human beings employed in the church, By the church, To direct and manage and oversee The functions and businesses of Earthly denominational organizations. I especially love and appreciate Those ministers of God who serve God In God's "true church" -- Out in the "real world". I sense that there are countless "ministers" -- Servants of God, Who are not "employed" by denominational churches. These servants who are "called" -- "called by God", To do God's work -- apart from the "organized" church: Like mothers, and nurses, and teachers; Like farmers, and carpenters, and housewives; Like doctors, and legislators, and firemen; Like those in the military service; Like janitors, and like bankers -- All of these are "ministers" for God, And servants of God. (Indeed, are not all of God's people Truly "ministers" of God -- doing God's work -- In God's "world?) There is much, much more, Which I hope to "document", And include in "Creed Index III"..... soon. |