New Creation Church or New Creation Inc ?

Image via WikipediaI read recently 2 interesting postings from Blogpastor (you can check them out here).The 2 articles have generated some discussions and these are some of my observations.

The pro NCC guys are saying that God point them to One-North and everything is results of God’s grace.

The not pro NCC camp is questioning why a church is getting into business, investment etc.. and are these in line with God’s teaching?

So, depending on which camp you are in, the opinions can be quite different. From the various comments by both sides, there are a few pointers that may be worth thinking…..

Why is the stewardship of the church being questioned in the first place? Perhaps it is because of the large spending of $500 million which also leads to questions of the leadership of the church.

One of the comments questions the background of Joseph Prince whose supporters have provided some insights. Prince is really not his real name but he has to changed “to protect his family who are still Hindu and his father being a ex Hindu priest”. However, why is there such a need? Is there anything wrong being a Hindu or Christian?

Do we all converts to Christians have to change our name “to protect our family” who has yet to do so? What’s the danger? Can someone shed some light? Hope to see the logic of this someday…

What I think is more important is where did Prince get his training from? Is he a trained pastor or self proclaimed one? I don’t seems to find this information from the website. Or is the training of the pastor not important? Are we then sure that his teachings are correct?

Speaking about teaching, my personal contacts with NCC members seems to suggest that tithes are related to blessings. The more one tithe, the more blessings one will received and that one tenth is holy and tithe is a commandment of God but is it really so?

Tithing is not enforceable on all Christians and the entire argument and proof can be found here.

So if tithing is not enforceable, should the church make it clear to the congregation that they do not need to tithe but give freely? Or if they disagree, can they defend the enforcing of tithes?

Personally, I hope that the impression that blessings are related to tithes is not the accurate one though it seems to have been preached as such. Most of my friends going to NCC seems more interested in gaining prosperity and giving to church seems like a “sure win” TOTO for them. God’s blessings are really not for sale and it is Free and Free to all (both Christians and non-Christians). Not tithing seems to weigh heavily on their minds.

But if tithing is not enforceable on all Christians and yet it is one of the main income of the church, is it still morally right?

NCC members also argue that it was God who point them to One-North. But is it? And are they really spending the money to build a church? Or is it a front to building a business enterprise?

According to the Strait Times forum page of 27 Sept 08, I quote “ Rock Production has provided a legal undertaking to JTC that the venue will be managed strictly on a commercial basis and will not be converted into a religious facility.”

So is this a Church building fund or a business investment fund? I think the answer is clear.

I think the undertaking says it all and that is the reason that they are raising eyebrows. As Blogpastor has given the example, NCC could have build “a few” churches with that kind of investment. Sure, the ROI of building a real church building may be little and slow as it will depend solely on the appreciation of the land, building as well as the usable commercial space (if any).

But with such facilities, the congregation benefits with a place to worship that they can call their own, they have access anytime throughout the week, cell group have a place to meet and share, lesson and talks can be held, wedding and funerals wake can be conducted and some churches even have columbarium!

Perhaps, more answers on such decision will come to light if NCC reveal how the salary of the pastor are based upon and their current takings. Is it depended on the amount of taking of the church?

Hope this is not a case of LK 8:14 “As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and never produce any crops.”

And for all temptations, remember Jesus too was tempted by devil in Mt4:1-11 :
8 Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 And he said to him, 'I will give you all these, if you fall at my feet and do me homage.' 10 Then Jesus replied, 'Away with you, Satan! For scripture says: The Lord your God is the one to whom you must do homage, him alone you must serve.'

Hope some light will be shed soon.

Are you a hypocrite?

Image by nick kulas via FlickrIn this week’s reading, Jesus told the chief priests and the scribes (Mt21:28-32 ) :

28 What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, "My boy, go and work in the vineyard today."

29 He answered, "I will not go," but afterwards thought better of it and went.

30 The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, "Certainly, sir," but did not go.

31 Which of the two did the father's will?' They said, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'In truth I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.

32 For John came to you, showing the way of uprightness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.

Wow, “tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you”! That’s a strong way to compare the lowest (least respected) people with the highest (most respected) chief priests and scribes. And what is worst to find out that people whom everyone think least of are making their way into Kingdom of God ahead of the most respected. Why?

Jesus once again tell us that to be a true disciple, it is not lip service that He wants. It must be a total conversion and total obedience to God. We need to hear what Jesus command us to do and to do it. And His commandment is really simply to love one another like how He has loved us.

As per my previous post, God is Love.

Jesus told another parable immediate after this and “ the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them (Mt 21:45)”.

Are we like these hypocrites who go round telling people that they are wrong and we are right and yet, everything we do are anti-Christ i.e. not the teaching of Christ. Cursing, swearing, baseless allegations etc…are certainly not teachings of Christ.

The other 2 readings are as follows:
Ez 18:25-28 and
Phil 2:1-11

God is LOVE!

Image by freestone via FlickrThe action of anti-Christ was a real shame and leaving some non-Christians friends having the wrong impression that Christianity is evil. However, the truth is - God is Love (Jn 4:16). Christianity is about faith, hope and love and nothing is greater than love. I will tell you why.

This is what the often quoted John 3:16 said : “For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

So who did Jesus die on the Cross for?

Even the blind knows that Jesus died on the Cross for the entire human race “as for God loved the world” – not Christians only but everybody including people from ALL other faith.

Did God create only Christians? Of course NOT….ALL human are created by God and ALL human regardless of race and religions are God’s creation and God’s children.

Most of us are converts and if God is kind only to Christians, there will be no conversions since we are non-Christians first (and God hate us first). The truth is exactly opposite as it was God who love us first – not hate.

As I mentioned many times, Jesus said (in MT 22:37-40): 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets too.'

So again, Jesus NEVER teaches us to treat others differently but to love. And throughout the gospel, Jesus is telling us how much God love us and why we must be obedient to God and follow His teachings I.E. to love one another as how I love you.

At Novena services, we see how people from all walks of life come to pray and how God answer their prayers through the petitions of our Blessed Mother. It was God’s grace that people (regardless of faith) have their prayers answered . It was such grace by God that many (non-Christians) was converted because they know and felt the love of God. This is undeniable fact from the amount of thanks giving letters and many more petitions received.

Therefore, any claims that Christians are different from others will NEVER stand. 1Jn 4:8 says "Whoever fails to love does not know God, because God is love."

To put God in a bad light by claiming that it was God’s idea to treat people without love (such as cursing, swearing, wild allegations and treat people of other faith differently) can only be work of Satan and his disciples.

Anti-Christ is alive and lurking around us.

Rebutting Anti-Christ

Image by bookgrl via FlickrThis is probably the last time I will response to you testingblog unless of course if you can provide some intelligent input for discussion.

You mentioned that you are the true light? Ha..Ha..Ha… Sorry but the only true light for us is Jesus Christ whom we are following. You are still in total darkness!

You also claimed that “This is so typical, you Catholics, when faced with the truth, OURS, retreat and used tactics like yours (Censoring comments) to shut out your own ears in hearing the truth.”

Well, I am sure all of us are still wondering what truth you have revealed to us. You revealed NOTHING!

It is not us who called you anti-Christ but you who proved to us beyond any doubts that you are anti-Christ by your words and actions. You have been asked many times to prove to us what you did was a result of Christ teaching. Did you? We hear nothing because everything you said and do are all teachings of Satan not Christ.

I have also invited you to tell us what you disagree and what you think is right and also to answer question in the Book of James. Till now, nothing heard except wild baseless allegation, seditious remarks, vulgar words, cursing or in general anti-Christ messages.

So how can you claim “Needless to say, your idiotic attempt to pretend to be polite shows YOUR hypocrisy. You are the one who was rude there” when I suggest to moderate the comments to weed out your anti-Christ message?

This is my blog and it is my responsibility to ensure that that racist remarks, seditious insults to other faith, vulgarities, cursing and swearing are weed out!
I don’t think any readers like the anti-Christ messages that you are posting in the comments in a spam like style.

For the first time, I think Chadley boy made a good decision to leave the Christian faith because he was an ex-Evangelicals. I had told him that he was with the wrong crowd and you just proved me right. I hope that you do not represent the entire Evangelicals Christians.

You also said that “Everyday I pray for a genocide of Catholics, Muslims and others who are different from us. This will destroy all other false doctrines and makes us the real one to shine out and prevent more lost souls from going into Satan's Realm.”

There you go again, please let us know when did Jesus ever teach such a thing? Only satan and evil will harbour such thoughts and God will never grant it to you. As I said before, we have nothing to fear as God has always been on our side, still is and forever will be.

And we never need to "kill, destroy or make wild allegations" of others so that we can shine because ours is THE ONLY TRUE LIGHT that will shine brightly because it is the TRUTH.

Like it or not, that is the TRUTH and yes, we have been shining for +2000 years and will continue to shine brightly forever!

Once again, what was the 2 most important Commandments that you have learned from Jesus? And how are your actions supporting that teaching?

First is last and last is first.

Image by Loci Lenar via FlickrToday's Gospel reading (Mt 20 1:16) gives us the parable of the landowner who hired laborers to work in his vineyard. As the day went on, he continued to bring laborers to his fields even up to the last hour of the day, yet all were paid the same wage.

Those who had readily agreed to work all day for a certain wage-their reward-were not thrilled that those who had only worked an hour were given the same wage, the same reward.

If our reward for believing in God is eternal life, what is the point of bringing others into the light if they shouldn't expect the same reward?

Of all of the characteristics of the human soul, one stands above the rest - Hope. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that we as faithful followers of God are given the hope of glory in heaven if we love him and do as he directs through his word, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (CCC 1821).

In the parable of the landowner and the vineyard workers, we are given witness to hope; those laborers who were still waiting at the end of the day for a job were hopeful that they might work even for a short time in hopes that they could provide for their families. We stand at the altar with hope and faith that God will provide eternal life through him.

(extracted from the bulletin from The Church Of The Risen Christ – Colorado http://www.risenchristchurch.org).

The other 2 readings as follows:

Is 55:6-9 - Testingblog, Is 55:7 is especially for you.

and Phil 1:20-24 – Testingblog, you should read upto the end of the chapter paying extra attention to Phil 1:27.

Comments from an anti-Christ

Image via WikipediaThese are some of the things that testingblog is saying (you can read them in the comments of the previous post).

“Well-respected. I fully agree. By the Satanists of this world that is the Atheists, Agnostics, Muslims, and Buddhists.” - such statements can only come from an anti-christ. Since when did Jesus said that?

All things good come from God and most (if not all) main stream religions teaches about love.

Only satan and evil teaches division, hatred and killing like what testingblog is displaying here. One may call oneself a Christian and goes to church etc but has never really understand what it means to be one. As Paul said (rightly pointed out by JC) that it is all about faith, hope and love and nothing is greater than love.

Testingblog, what are the 2 Commandments that Jesus taught you? Are you displaying any? If so, how?

And be reminded that not all who call Jesus “Lord…Lord” will enter into heaven. Are you one of them?

You brought up a good point. Just wondering why everybody else respect Catholics except fellow Christians? Doesn’t it sound like how the Jews is treating Jesus and his disciple compared to the non-Jews during His time? By the way, I have many non-Catholics friends and I know you represent only a minority (like the Jews in Jesus time).

“Look here, if you really think that your church has the true Word of God”

I don’t think so - rather I know it as a fact which is defensible by the Bible. How about yours? Can you defend your actions of cursing, swearing and using vulgar words with the Bible? When did Jesus teaches all the things you said and do?

“come and challenge us. Go to any forums, any blogs and point to us that we are wrong and hold events to counter us.”

Already did just that at the forum you came from (although I never see your name appearing).

The problem I do not want to waste my time there any longer is simply because there are too many people like you. They are there not to discuss and discern but to attack others with whatever hearsay. Truth and facts have no meanings to them.

When they cannot even make sense of their salvation theory, even the better and more respected participant resorted to diverting attention and attacking Catholics with “wrong notion and perceptions” and with issues that has no relationship with the discussions. That’s pathetic and convinced me not to waste my time.

On the same token, why not come and share with us what you think is correct and defend it?

“I read your argument for salvation and I'm turned furious by how YOU twisted our dear Christ's words to your own sick advantage. You have taken James' verses out of context"

How have I twisted anything? You did not even say. How did I take James verses out of context? You did not say. Do you mind answering that simple question which requires only a Yes or No answer as asked by James?

“If an old man on his deathbed regretted his past sins and receives Christ as his saviour, by YOUR interpretation of your goddamn faulty scripture he would be heading to hell.”

Since when did we said that? Go and read the story of the good thief that you fellow “brother” misquoted and misused. Your wrong understanding does not make our salvation theory wrong. It certainly did not make your correct.

“your group who are equal to that of pseudo-Christian cults.“

How irresponsible of you to say that Catholics are cults. If so, they would not survive 2000+ years and still thriving. Dispute all you want but the history of Catholic Churches traces us back to the early Churches which Jesus has build with Peter as the rock. How dare you even call Jesus’s Church a cult and without any valid factual reasons?

“Unless you Catholics do something to stem the flow of apathy that I see so many of your members are afflicted with, we will call for arms and take action against your kind. We even have no qualms about executing homosexuals for sinning.”

What apathy are you talking about? Go ahead, load your guns and take actions. Catholics have no fear of you because we have God on our side. Everything you said here is anti-Christ and against teachings of Jesus and the Bible.

You are a classic example of extremist as a result of wrong teachings. That’s dangerous and you are showing every bit of it. You have the real potential of the making of a cult and terrorist.

Though I said your name did not appear in the forum, I believed that you are using another name and was on my ignore list. If you persist to use foul language and continue to display your anti-Christ antics here, I will moderate the comments and ban you forever.

For you have already shown us enough of what anti-Christ is and what wrong teachings can lead one to – you are even now displaying signs of being an extremist / cultist / terrorist.

For sure, you need plenty of prayers because you are heading the wrong way. God Bless You!

Catholics are well respected Christians worldwide - Well said and true fact.

Image via WikipediaWell, I am getting a little worried that this blog will turn into a war zone. So, JC, please do me a favour and keep your cool. I appreciate your support and willingness to stand up for what is right.

To me, nothing is personal however testingblog wants to attacks. His words and actions will prove to all what he really is and what kind of teachings he is following.

You rightly pointed out that nothing he does or said is by the teaching of Christ.

I have nothing to fear and none of his attacks can affect me since I am speaking the truth.

Now, he is also asking readers not to go to the forum because you will see people like him “contributing” with vulgarities and attacking Catholics with untruth, half-truth and outright lies. Anyone who is reasonable can tell once they read the postings there carefully.

I can moderate comments in this blog but choose not to. It’s God’s way to tell us what happen when one is not guided by God. So if anyone has young children, be careful where your children attend their Sunday schools……. living example here totally unsolicited.

I am still waiting for testingblog to come out with something that is worth a discussion or worth reflecting……. Since he disagreed with my salvation theory, what’s his? Why did he not agree? He mentioned wrong quotation of Bible, so what’s wrong and what’s right? Etc…

Well, his actions remind us of one when Jesus was persecuted when He speaks the truth, stood up for what He said. Yet, He was accused with untruth, half-truth and outright lies. Finally, He was nailed to the Cross…..Compare that to what we need to endure here is just like dealing with a wart in our behind.

So, JC you can e-mail me if you like but no need to get work up. Thanks and God Bless You!

Singapore's Richest Churches

I found this interesting posting by Blogpastor on the subject of the riches church. Read the full article Singapore's Richest Churches

Perhaps we should then relook at this past post for reflection - more-on-tithings

“Victory of the Cross”

Image by Getty Images via Daylife This week, we celebrate the “Victory of the Cross”.

In Nm 21:4-9, Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and along the way sustained them with water and manna. He also protected them from enemy forces. We would think that the Israelites should be grateful, but all the while they were grumbling, so Yahweh sent poisonous snakes.

The Israelites recanted and begged Moses to intercede for them. At Yahweh’s bidding, Moses created a bronze serpent and set it on a standard. Whoever gazed upon the image of the serpent would be cured. Yahweh merely took the serpent, a common symbol of fertility at that time to cure the people.

In Jn 13-17, Yahweh would replace this makeshift salvation symbol of a serpent mounted on a standard with the image of Jesus Christ nailed on the cross. The Israelites who gazed at the serpent received a cure for their physical ailments.

People of all time who gazed upon the face of Jesus on the cross will be comforted and have everlasting life. Sometimes we forget to gaze upon Jesus and instead, think that we are capable of living life without him.

About the sower parable?

Image via Wikipedia To continue on the issue of true disciples, read up on the sower parable LK 8:5-21. The seed is the word of God and the field is the world.

How did seed (word of God) end up in your case?

Read up and reflect upon it.

Again, Jesus tell us that the good harvest (true disciples) are those who “As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.” LK 8:15

For the sake of Chadley boy, I must highlight LK 8:13 “Those on the rock are people who, when they first hear it, welcome the word with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of trial they give up.”

And as a result of being with the wrong people, wrong teachings, LK 8:14 “As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and never produce any crops.”

That pretty much explained the science behind why you are still gullible Chadley boy.

True Disciple Of Christ

Image via Wikipedia If you believe in Christ, you would want to be His true disciple. So, what make one a true disciple of Christ?

Certainly not with vulgarities, curses and swearing.....That's the teaching of DEVIL!

I am sure all will agree that to be a true disciple of Christ, we need to listen and follow his words and teachings.

So what does Jesus teaches and tells us to do?

In MT 22:34-40, Jesus clearly sum up the commandments for us into 2. That is to love God and to love our neighbour. And St Paul further reinforce that teaching telling us that every commandment is about love RM 12:9

And love is about giving - not receiving. Like Jesus said, He is here to serve and not to be served. He also called on His disciples to do the same – to serve. Are you willing to that?

In MT 7:21-27 , Jesus also warned us that not all who call “Lord…Lord…” will enter into Heaven. It is not lips service that He wants. He said a true disciple are those who hear the words and act on it. Not those who hear but do nothing.

Our words amount to nothing if we do not live by them or if we do not follow God’s will in our daily living. It is easy to profess what we believe in, yet our actions are not always in line with our profession. It is not the professing that God wants but we are called to remain devoted and faithful to God’s Word in our lives.

The Last Judgment account in MT 25 reminds us that it is our actual deeds of love that matter, not mere words. Through our deeds, then we are a light to the world and messengers of Christ. We may not know that the people we know may be looking at us for some guidance or direction as they know that we are Christians.

Again, in The Last Judgement, Jesus clearly tells us that the entire human race will be grouped into Sheep and Goats. So who qualify for Sheep? Sorry it is NOT ALL Christians (who profess their faith) BUT anyone who has done actual deeds of love and all His TRUE disciple will qualify. Roman 2:13 says “For the ones that God will justify are not those who have heard the Law but those who have kept the Law.”

So not ALL Christians will be saved but only those with faith and deeds (true disciples of Christ).

So, are you a true disciple of Christ?

Hello and good to be back and ALIVE!

Image by shioshvili via Flickr Sorry guys to disappoint you – NO I am not dead but alive and well!

I thank-you guys for the comments in my blog. I also encourage readers to visist SiingaporeChristianonline forum to find out for themselves.

I am surprised that it is insisted that the salvation theory is debunked there? How? By attacking the Catholic Churches with baseless, untruth and wrong perceptions? And always with issues that are not related to what is being discussed?

It was never and can never be debunked because these are Word of God!

How would I be not confident of God’s Words and promise? Just because I choose to blog it? Or Just because someone one insist on that? You must be kidding !!!

Well, it’s not hard to understand the truth which is fully defensible with the Bible. There is no need to add non-biblical notion....It's only up to one to discern, reflect and search for it.

Why stick to one that need to add on a non-biblical notion just to make it “sound correct” (and still then, it simply does not make any sense)and not defensible by the bible?

The Gospel is all about faith, hope and love and nothing is greater than love. Do you agree?