Examining Logos’ seven steps to knowing God

14.AUG.09

Editor: The floating bookstore Logos Hope which docked at Port Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines from July 27th to August 11th provided a wonderful opportunity for many Vincentians and visitors alike to stock up on reading material and other related articles. It is evident that thousands visited the ship, the crew was quite hospitable and many purchases were made.{{more}}

A booklet, “The Gospel of John”, and including “Seven Steps to Knowing God”, was distributed freely and, therefore, must be in the possession of a host of our nationals. On examination of the steps, one will, or should, recognize that if fully followed the reader will not attain unto salvation in Christ. In other words, such a person will be left with a false hope, thinking he or she is saved, added to the family of God, the church when such will not be the case.

Why would I say such a thing? Do I have the authority to make such a statement? Well, let us see. The seven steps highlighted in the booklet are as follows:

1. Recognize God loves you

2. Admit you need help

3. Believe that Jesus is the only Saviour

4. Receive Jesus as your own Saviour

5. Acknowledge that Jesus is now your Lord and friend

6. Recognize you now belong to God’s family – the church

7. Commit yourself to serve the Lord: Pray, read the Bible and witness

If we have not yet done so, we really need to appreciate that Jesus Christ is the only authority on matters concerning the salvation of man. Now what has he said in this regard?

1. ….if you do not believe that I am he; you will die in your sins. (John 8: 24)

2. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13: 3)

3. Therefore, whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10: 32)

4. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
(Mark 16: 16)

Therefore, according to Jesus Christ, when one hears the good news (gospel), he/she must believe, repent, confess Jesus and be baptized in order to be saved and thus added to his church. If Christ says so, it is dangerous to say, no. But the Logos’ steps deliberately exclude baptism. By so doing they are in “good company” such as many of the churches of human origin in the land, some mega gospel organizations and most if not all the preachers on TBN television.

I prefer to reject this “good company” and their teaching and embrace better company such as the apostles of Jesus Christ. I speak of men like Peter and Paul.

Paul said: “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10: 9)

Peter said: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2: 38)

In the Bible, thousands obeyed what the Lord said, including Saul, Simon, the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius, Lydia and the jailor of Philippi. They were baptized in order to be saved. Who gave men the authority to change it? Let us never forget who the devil is and what his purpose is. In Galatians 1: 8 the apostle, guided by the Holy Spirit, said “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”

May we, the folks on Logos and all persons, always examine what is taught in religion, in light with what the scriptures say; and remember it is better to obey God, rather than man.

Joel Jack