Letter to the Editor

Christian Beliefs

In response to a letter to the editor which I wrote, “Gay Marriage or Civil Union: Is That the Issue” (April 20). Recent letters to the Sullivan County Democrat “All or Nothing” (April 30) “Tu Quo Que!” (July 16) “There’s No Defense for Bigotry” (July 23), “Countering Bigotry” (July 30), have suggested a variety of derogatory terms to describe me and the Bible. I want to assure you that I am not intentionally homophobic, racial, prejudiced, bigoted, intolerant, ignorant, etc., human, yes, perfect no! I am certainly not against anyone’s civil rights. I am a sinner saved by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…,” (Romans 3:23) I also “….am  not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” (Romans 1:16). It is not my responsibility to convict, (ministry of the Holy Spirit) judge, (ministry of Jesus Christ) or lay a guilt trip (deception of satan) on anyone. However, I will continue to defend, proclaim and preach the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ. My intent is not to harm anyone, but to proclaim what I believe to be truth. What if the Bible is true? Jesus commanded His disciples to,” Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19-20). I expect that many will be offended and will oppose the Bible and the one proclaiming it (John 15:20; Romans 12:14); that is their choice – civil right. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Fortunately, I still have the freedom to proclaim the Gospel in love – not to bash, hate, or coerce (Matt.22: 37-40). In as much as I am able I want to show the love of Jesus Christ to all. All have freedom of choice but choice involves consequences. If you really thought that someone was going to jump from a tall building wouldn’t you attempt to stop them? To set the record straight, I believe: The Scriptures are the inspired, authoritative, infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21); There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22); In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine; In His virgin birth, (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35); In His sinless life, (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22); In His miracles, (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38); In His substitutionary work on the cross, (1 Corinthians 15:3;  2 Corinthians 5:21);  In His bodily resurrection from the dead, (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4); In His exaltation to the right hand of God. (Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3); That though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world, (Genesis 1:26,27; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12-19); Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' - accepting Christ's offer of forgiveness for sin, (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7); Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike, ( Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12; Romans 6:1-11; Romans 6:13; Romans 8:1,2; Romans 8:13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5) ; The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin using love not hate, bias or bigotry. I believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ, (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16); A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire, (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8). For additional information on my beliefs go to our website at http://www.hankinschurch.org/.  For additional information on what the Bible says about homosexuality visit http://www.sbministries.org/. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. … He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed …”(John 3:16-18). Consider (Ezekiel 3:16-21).  What if the Bible is true?

Pastor Robert Paquet

PO Box 285, Callicoon Center, NY

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