What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

By Rev. Dr. Curian Kaniyamparambil

Question 65. What are the objectives of the Church?

1) Liturgical

2) Missionary

3) Doctrinal

4) Pastoral

Note that the Holy Spirit acts on the church and acts through the church. It is of special importance to note that St. John chapters 14, 15, and 16 are addressed to the apostles alone. But many intentionally or being ignorant, forgets this fact. John 14:16 is addressed to the apostles alone and not to the public, which says "And I will ask of my Father, and he will give you another Comforter, to be with you for ever. But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom my Father send in my name will teach you everything, and remind you of everything which I tell you." (John 14:26). So the Spirit of Truth a Comforter was given to the apostles alone and not to anyone else at that time.

However, when He the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you in all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come? (John 16:13). This is very significant. Christ says that the Spirit will guide the apostles or their successors. He did not say that "the Holy Spirit will teach and guide into all truth anyone who reads the gospels." Many forget the fact that the apostles or their successors only would (or could) guide the church.

Here are other proofs that show that the Holy Spirit acts in the church:

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.? (Acts 15:28)
They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia? (Acts 16:5)
The Holy Spirit appoints the priests. "As they fasted and prayed to God, the Holy Spirit said to them, appoint for me Saul and Barnabas for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2).
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock on which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood? (Acts 20:28) (in Peshitta Syriac the word used instead of overseer is Episcopas)

So it is of utmost importance that the Church needs apostolic succession as well as apostolic teachings. Where can we learn this from?

From the book of Acts and other Epistles written by the apostles
From the writings of the disciples of the apostles
Apostolic traditions.

Please observe that it is a grave sin to add to or take away form what they taught. "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you other than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." (Gal 1:8). Currently many fellowships are quoting the above sentence, creating confusion among the people. Therefore it is very important that one learns the truth, and the true apostolic faith.

TOC Section 1 (Q 1-26) | Section 2 (Q 27-56) | Section 3 (Q 57-81) | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

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