Standing for their beliefs
FAIRFAX, Va. — Eight Virginia churches that voted Sunday to quit their Episcopal diocese and align with a more conservative African Anglican bishop Monday reached a "standstill" pact for the next 30 days, agreeing to offer spiritual care for all believers and not to sue for control of multimillion dollar church properties.
The dissenting congregations, including two of the wealthiest and oldest in the nation, object to the 2003 consecration of openly gay New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson, and the more liberal views of Scripture and salvation held by the national denomination, the Episcopal Church, the American branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
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May God grant these churches and thier priests and bishop grace and courage to stand for the Faith in the midst of serious departures in the ECUSA. There comes a point where those who hold to the verities of the Scriptures must come out of apostate and erring bodies, regardless of the cost.
Posted on December 19, 2006 7:34 PM
Seems that an awful lot of people get a great deal of satisfaction from "standing still." But, as Frank Zappa said, "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
Posted on December 21, 2006 1:17 PM
"Frank"ly I'll take the advice of Yeshua and St. Paul any day over the whacko Zappa. Besides, God's “norm” is the way of divine life, real peace and eternal truth. Departing from it is not “progressive” at all, but retrograde deception. The ECUSA, UCC and parts of the other major mainline Protestant denominations, and portions of the RRC as well, have virtually jettisoned God's moral Law and butchered His Word, as they slide gleefully down the slippery slope of liberalism into the abyss of apostasy and moral decadence, with the arch-heretic John Spong and company leading the way to hell.
There is a great separation occurring between those who know the Messiah through saving grace and love His Word - and those who are merely ripping off God language to keep the pew folk supporting their radical delusions by dropping their coins into the box. They see the doctrinal and practical cesspool the apostate aspect of the Church is headed toward, and have the discernment and moral courage to bail out of the sinking ship.
Like Moses of old, these champions of orthodoxy, must not let the enemy intimidate or dissuade them, for God is leading them out of the “land of bondage” into His glorious promises. As Moses put it:
13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. “Stand still,” (mine) and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14)
Preach it, borther!
Posted on December 22, 2006 4:00 PM