In the book of Matthew chapter 10:22 this is documented:
“But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
This verse could very well be the foundation of some other verses that tell us we must remain in the Church until the end to be saved. This is where the belief that there is no salvation outside the Church of Christ is concretely premised upon. Other passages are:
Acts 20:28, Take heed, therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which He purchased with His blood”
1 Corinthians 5:13, “But those who are outside God judges.”
John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved,….”
There certainly is nothing wrong with the passages taught to us and neither is the application of the said verses. The general rule is that we know as we have been taught is that there is no salvation for those outside the Church and to those who refuse to join the Church in spite of numerous attempts at enlightenment that this is the Church that our Lord Jesus Christ will save on Judgement Day. But as they say, “in every rule there is an exception” so let’s dig in for some exceptional circumstances. Are there cases or instances where those outside the Church are saved? We could probably get some headway from the Book of Revelation.
We were taught that the Book of Revelation is like a summary of the past, present and future of the Church. In chapter 18:1-4 we can read the following:
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily[a] with a loud voice, saying.
“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”
4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.
As we already know since our indoctrination, these verses points to the Roman Catholic Church following the Apostasy. But prior to the falling away from the faith, this Church used to be the first century Church of Christ, the same Church where Apostle Paul prophesied the falling away that is about to take place after his death. This is the very precise reason why God said “Come out of her, my people” because the brethren that were in the Church when the Apostasy took place are God’s people; the Jews and Gentiles that were product of the preaching function of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
It is worth mentioning that the Book of Revelation, last book of the Bible containing the visions of Apostle John was written at around circa 95 AD and the author also mentioned the presence of the Antichrist during his time. In the second letter of Apostle John verses 7 to 11 he even forewarned the brethren about these deceivers:
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an Antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we[b] do not lose those things we worked for, but that we[c] may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses[d] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
We now learned that the deceivers have gone out into the world known as the Antichrist and are mainly responsible in corrupting the doctrine about the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what came out at the Council of Nicaea in 375 AD where a man-made doctrine became an article of faith in the first century Church of Christ declaring that Jesus Christ is God.
To substantiate, here are among the notable quotes from the early Church fathers that replaced the Apostles of our Lord Jesus:
• Clement of Rome was believed to be the fourth Pope and Bishop of Rome. His epistle written in circa 96 was the earliest epistle written “outside” of the New Testament. To quote one of the passages in his writings are the following: "It is fitting that you should think of Jesus Christ as of God."
• Ignatius of Antioch (Circa 35-110) was the third Bishop or Patriarch of Antioch and a student of the Apostle John. He was the first to write that "God Himself was manifested in human form" (A.D. 105).
• Irenaeus: "He is God, for the name Emmanuel indicates this" (A.D. 180). He maintained that the bishops of the Church provided the only safe guide to the interpretation of Scripture. He emphasised the unique position of authority of the bishop of Rome.
• Justin Martyr: "The Father of the universe has a Son. And He...is even God" (A.D. 160).
• Tertullian: "...Christ our God" (A.D. 200).
• Origen: "No one should be offended that the Savior is also God..." (A.D. 225).
• Cyprian: "Jesus Christ, our Lord and God" (A.D. 250).
• Methodius: "...He truly was and is...with God, and being God..." (A.D.290).
• Lactantius: "We believe Him to be God" (A.D. 304).
• Arnobius: "Christ performed all those miracles...the...duty of Divinity" (A.D. 305).
• Novation: "...He is not only man, but God also..." (A.D. 235).
• Clement: "It is fitting that you should think of Jesus Christ as of God" (A.D. 150).
• Athanasius: “The Son of God became man so that we might become God. (A.D. 325).
This is what led to the Apostasy, an entirely different teaching than what was taught by our Lord Jesus and the Apostles. This prompted the call from God to His people to “come out of her” so that they may not share in her sins and receive any of her plagues.”
We now return to the topic of our discussion. Are there instances where those who are outside the Church are saved? Yes, there are. As it was God himself who called on His nation to come out of the Church that has turned away from the true Christian faith, it is safe to assume, therefore that there were those who most definitely heeded the call. What had become of those brethren who heeded God’s call? Let us go back to the words of Apostle Paul’s prophecy:
29“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
Apostle Paul mentioned very clearly that the flock will not be spared. What was the similar pronouncement from our Lord Jesus Christ prior to his ascent to heaven that could shed light on what Apostle Paul mentioned? In the book of Matthew 24:9-11 this is what we can read:
9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 At that time many will [d]fall away and will [e]betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”
It is clear from the foregoing that those in the flock that will not be spared will be killed. These were the brethren who heeded the call of our Lord God and came out of the Apostate Church. This is the answer to the nagging question of many why the Apostasy was a resounding success in the first century Church of Christ. Because the would-be defenders of the faith who stood up for what is true and stood up on the side of God and our Lord Jesus were not spared and ultimately killed. The question now is “Can anyone in the Church of Christ today have the courage to say that those brethren who were no longer in the Church for heeding God’s call will not be saved?
This humble piece has just effectively negated the traditional belief that one is not saved if he is outside the Church of Christ. It depends on the events and the attending circumstances that led one to get out of the Church. In the case of the defenders today, what are the compelling reasons that led to our departure from the Church of Christ voluntarily or by expulsion? There are so many; in fact, too many to enumerate but let us zoom in only to one of the most important commandment that our Lord Jesus Christ gave us prior to his crucifixion. From the words of our Lord Jesus himself this is written in John 13:34-35;
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Said commandment was echoed 20 times in the New Testament by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The same commandment we hear time and time again in our worship services and has been the backbone and pillar of the Church’s teachings from the time of the Last Messenger up until the demise of Ka Erdy. This is where we were molded, every action we do and every decision we make is anchored in this teaching which is the love of the brotherhood. Sad to say, however, that this is the same teaching that Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo violated blatantly when he deliberately refused to talk to his mother and siblings after which he himself orchestrated their expulsion from the Church. All because of their honest refusal to acknowledge him as the Executive Minister because he is not. The family is very much aware of the amendments introduced by the late Executive Minister Erano G. Manalo on the process by which his successor will be named. Yes, dear brethren, we can go on and on and have a laundry list of this Church’s doctrinal and human rights violations until we ran out of space. This is it, the bone of contention, the compelling reasons why we decided to step up on the side of the truth; to be one with God and with our Lord Jesus Christ. This is us heeding the call once again of our God to “Come out of her so we don’t share in her sins and we don’t receive her plagues”. We did it in obedience to God, to defend the Church, defend the doctrines and above all to insure that a complete falling away will not succeed in this Church that we so love. Many were blinded by the god of this world just as Lucifer was able to gather a throng of angels of his own. Angels who were with God from the beginning, witnesses as God’s creation unfolded before their very eyes yet still managed to side with the devil. Just like the brethren who at the wink of an eye so easily and expeditiously switched loyalty from God in favor of a man and in the process totally negating the teachings they received from God Himself through the Last Messenger. The battle is far from over but God in His time will restore this Church just as He promised in the book of the prophet Isaiah. This is what we have been waiting and longing for; a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. The God who promised is faithful and true, His words will surely come to pass:
It is clear from the foregoing that those in the flock that will not be spared will be killed. These were the brethren who heeded the call of our Lord God and came out of the Apostate Church. This is the answer to the nagging question of many why the Apostasy was a resounding success in the first century Church of Christ. Because the would-be defenders of the faith who stood up for what is true and stood up on the side of God and our Lord Jesus were not spared and ultimately killed. The question now is “Can anyone in the Church of Christ today have the courage to say that those brethren who were no longer in the Church for heeding God’s call will not be saved?
This humble piece has just effectively negated the traditional belief that one is not saved if he is outside the Church of Christ. It depends on the events and the attending circumstances that led one to get out of the Church. In the case of the defenders today, what are the compelling reasons that led to our departure from the Church of Christ voluntarily or by expulsion? There are so many; in fact, too many to enumerate but let us zoom in only to one of the most important commandment that our Lord Jesus Christ gave us prior to his crucifixion. From the words of our Lord Jesus himself this is written in John 13:34-35;
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Said commandment was echoed 20 times in the New Testament by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The same commandment we hear time and time again in our worship services and has been the backbone and pillar of the Church’s teachings from the time of the Last Messenger up until the demise of Ka Erdy. This is where we were molded, every action we do and every decision we make is anchored in this teaching which is the love of the brotherhood. Sad to say, however, that this is the same teaching that Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo violated blatantly when he deliberately refused to talk to his mother and siblings after which he himself orchestrated their expulsion from the Church. All because of their honest refusal to acknowledge him as the Executive Minister because he is not. The family is very much aware of the amendments introduced by the late Executive Minister Erano G. Manalo on the process by which his successor will be named. Yes, dear brethren, we can go on and on and have a laundry list of this Church’s doctrinal and human rights violations until we ran out of space. This is it, the bone of contention, the compelling reasons why we decided to step up on the side of the truth; to be one with God and with our Lord Jesus Christ. This is us heeding the call once again of our God to “Come out of her so we don’t share in her sins and we don’t receive her plagues”. We did it in obedience to God, to defend the Church, defend the doctrines and above all to insure that a complete falling away will not succeed in this Church that we so love. Many were blinded by the god of this world just as Lucifer was able to gather a throng of angels of his own. Angels who were with God from the beginning, witnesses as God’s creation unfolded before their very eyes yet still managed to side with the devil. Just like the brethren who at the wink of an eye so easily and expeditiously switched loyalty from God in favor of a man and in the process totally negating the teachings they received from God Himself through the Last Messenger. The battle is far from over but God in His time will restore this Church just as He promised in the book of the prophet Isaiah. This is what we have been waiting and longing for; a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. The God who promised is faithful and true, His words will surely come to pass:
How the faithful city has become a harlot!
It was full of justice;
Righteousness lodged in it,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
Your wine mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebellious,
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves bribes,
And follows after rewards.
They do not defend the fatherless,
Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.
24 Therefore the Lord says,
The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel,
“Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,
And take vengeance on My enemies.
25 I will turn My hand against you,
And thoroughly purge away your dross,
And take away all your alloy.
26 I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counsellors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”
27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice,
And her penitents with righteousness.
28 The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together,
And those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
