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We
call ourselves simply and only christians not for
fanatic or false pretence, but because this was
the name by which the Lord's disciples were called.
We feel that this was the only name which God still
today has authorized "..if you suffer as
a christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that
you bear that name" (I Peter
4:16)
We
make every effort to be simply christians in accordance
with the Gospel. To this end
it is necessary to come to know Jesus and to recapture
the genuine christianity as was taught to us by
Him: the one brought to our knowledge by his disciples.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me."
(John 14:6)
God knows what we need and has given us all the
means we need to be simply christians "His
divine power has given us everything we need for
life and godliness through our knowledge of him
who called us by his own glory and goodness"
(II Peter 1:3)
Observing
the present confusion reigning in the religious
world, we instinctively desire to search for the
truth in the origin, the purity of the message of
Christ at the source and to put into practice his
words just as he has taught us, without adding doctrines
adapted by man for man and uselessly superfluous
"If anybody is preaching to you a gospel
other than what you accepted, let him be eternally
condemned!" (Galatians 1:9)
The creeds of men are a source of division, and
they suffer their own limitations and imperfections;
therefore, from time to time, they must be revised
and updated to respond to the needs of the people
and to the needs of the leading class. "And
if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy,
God will take away from him his share in the tree
of life and in the holy city, which are described
in this book" (Revelation
22:19)
The
first step on the road toward the unity of believers
is to abolish such creeds, "..contending
as one man for the faith of the gospel without being
frightened in any way by those who oppose you."
(Philippians 1:28)
and trusting in the prayer of Jesus who asked
the Father to sanctify men in the truth of His Word
"May they be brought to complete unity"
(John 17:23)
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