|
|
|
The Two Visitors
Father Franco Francisco was walking home after church services one day. He noticed there were two men with beards dressed in strange linen apparel outside his parish of Saint Paul's Catholic Church. Upon thinking that these poor unfortunates were homeless souls, he stopped to ask them if they needed anything. "Como estan mis amigos, tienen hambre?" They responded with a hearty, "Gracias pero no." The Padre then proceeded to ask them if they needed anything else, such as a place to stay or clothes. The men replied no, but they wished instead to speak to the local Shepherd and the leader of this church. The Father then asked them why? The first man said that they had a dire message of warning from God to give. Father Francisco then proceeded to ask them who they were. The first man introduced himself and said, "Hello, my name is Paul". The second man simply said that his name was Peter. They both reported that they were Christians who had lived in the first century, and after being resurrected by God, were allowed by him be in the future for three days. Then Franco thought to himself, let me guess, someone has a hidden camera somewhere and is recording this. The father laughed and said to them, "Ok guys, the joke is over, so go on home." Paul spoke first. "Really, we are who we say we are, as God is our is our witness, along with the Holy Ghost that he has given to every true believer." Franco then stated he was the man that they were looking for. "What was the message that you preached upon tonight," asked Peter? "Well, first we opened the service with many songs of praise to God. And then I spoke a brief message on the importance of faith, to be shown in our works. Finally, before we concluded our worship service by praising Mary who is the mother of our God, we asked by prayer for your guy's help in the healing of our beloved Pope. As he's Christ's representative on earth after Peter's succession, who died in Rome. But of course, you say that you are Peter and would know that Rome was the place of your death, being were crucified upside down there. Our leader the Pontifex Maximus is infallible on all matters concerning the faith. And you Paul were the one who started our Church before your death at Nero's hands in Rome. Though there have been some minor changes and modifications of worship throughout the hundreds of years, I feel that you men would at home in our Great Mother Church, even today. As we honor you not only in prayer, by also in the names of our cathedrals, libraries, and churches. All of our Catholic believers and adherents have the same Christian spirit as you had, even without the any serious wide spread persecutions." Upon hearing this Paul replied, "How is that your preaching that Mary is the mother of God, when brother Matthew plainly wrote that Jesus was conceived and born of the Holy Ghost? Which is none other than the spirit of God that came into a clay vessel which was designated to suffer, and to die once on the cross, for all of the sins of mankind forever. She was simply a servant of God who was never meant to be revered. In fact, Christ said plainly by his words that his own mother was not blessed above all in bearing him. Nor was she to receive any honor above other believers. Don't you read his words? And you should never pray to anything in false humility except to God alone, and in his name of Jesus. No saint can assist anyone here as there is the great divide between us and you. Furthermore, God alone has all power in the heavens, and in the earth. You are preaching another Gospel that will be lead to a curse, especially so upon the heads of all such organizations doing such. All who are willingly disregarding the Scriptures to teach and preach a thing from their own heart, these will receive a greater ****ation." Simon Peter then added to his friends words. Plainly telling the Padre that when he wrote his letters, he was still in Babylon. Peter then told him that he died there under terrible conditions. Never would he go there to Rome as in doing so would be a death sentence for him. From the time of his being freed from prison by an angel until his death, he was a fugitive subject to death sentence. It could be carried out upon sight by any Roman soldier or official who saw him. And the Simon who buried there was the Samaritan sorcerer, who who being in apostasy went to Rome to gain fame by the black arts, dying there. He was declared a god by the Romans. Peter then showed him by the scriptures of how God always raises up a man to lead. One who is after his own heart. That selection was not by a carnal election. How that even he committed error at one point, and was rebuke by his fellow servant Paul for it. Instead, God is the one who lifts up and selects a man to Shepherd his sheep. Peter advised Franco to do away with the statues of saints outside of his Church, as they were but idols. Telling him that the Holy Ghost was to lead every service preached in Christ's name. Upon hearing the truth of the words of God, Father Francisco fell to his knees and started to weep. He promised the two visitors that he would immediately phone the Vatican, relaying to the Holy See all of their words. Though he had doubts as to what type of reception or impact upon it would have upon the Pope, he would nevertheless deliver the truth to his doorstep, via telephone. The Padre invited the visitors into his office to wait while he proceeded to phone the Vatican with the message. After 20 minutes of explaining who he was, and the message that the apostles to both the Jews and Gentiles had, to a varied number of people who promised to tell his imminence the message, he then hung up the phone. The Father then told them that his hierarchy did not believe him nor the words that they had. He asked what should be done. Then the apostles told him to depart from this organization, and any that accepted tradition above truth. Also, they told him there was a final portion of their message that they wanted to tell the Church. But that the final part of their message was to be withheld until the hearer of it would not only believe it, but also be in right standing with God, as shown forth by being totally obedient to his word. They then asked where the nearest Baptist church was at in the city, to which Franco Francisco gladly showed them. They next day at the Born Again Baptist Church the men arrived as the Wednesday night's bible study just ended. They walked in and asked the study leader what the this night's study was on. James Justly was the study leader, and he responded that it was on baptism. He told them of the study. Jesus himself was baptized in Matthew 3:21-17. The word itself means to dip, wash, or immerse. So every good Christian must follow his example. As baptism is the outward sign of an inward happening. It was commanded by Christ himself in the name of the father, son, and Holy Ghost for all nations. Also, Mark 16:16 commands every believer to do it. Though salvation comes from belief apart from any action, as we are covered by the grace of God afterwards. And each believer is required to pray Christ into their heart and life. It is by accepting him in by a Sinner's prayer that the believer is born again, as stated in John 3:3. He explained to them that religion sect founder was John Smyth. While in Amsterdam in 1606, he baptized himself ("se-baptism") and then his followers, mostly from England, founding what is regarded as the first Baptist church. Thereafter this length explanation of his church's views on scriptures, the apostles looked upon him astonished. Finally, after a few minutes Peter spoke up. "I perceive the you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. As I personally instructed every believer who ever heard the Gospel from the beginning to repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of their sins. Matthew himself was there, who not only agreed to this but wrote in his Gospel that baptism was to be in the Lord's name. Not only this, but Cornelius who prayed down an angel could not be saved by that action alone. He was instructed to hear and obey my words on baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. Finally, in my first letter it clearly states that baptism now saves us through the act of obedience, clearing our conscience of dead works thereby." James looked at incredulously. No way could this man be who he claimed to be. Paul perceived this man's thought by the spirit of discernment and said, "You know how that I once persecuted the church and was a zealously effected by the law until then. Christ had to knock me off my high horse blinding me, before I repented and by belief obeyed baptism in Jesus' name. I thought the way of Jesus as strange thing until then. My main task was preach the Gospel though I baptized a few believers for salvation, and commanded all things to be done only in the name of the Lord Jesus. My name is Paul and He's Peter. We have been sent on a brief mission from God before his wrath is poured upon all nations. Though the falling away of your church denomination and other churches was prophesied by us through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we could not really appreciate the extent of it until now." Mr. Justly was speechless. The apostles then turned, and left to complete the last part of their important mission. On the following day the apostles entered into the service of Aaron's Assembly Apostolic Church. The Bishop Bernard Barney had just finished a baptism in Jesus name upon a new convert to Christ. He implored all the congregation to praise God and attempt to bring in the Tongues, to make this man's salvation complete. Everyone there got up raising their hands and praising God. They then nearly all started to speaking in unknown or garbled tongues. Upon seeing many speaking in tongues and rolling around in the aisles, the two men beckoned the Bishop with their hands to stop the service. He perceived that these were the true servants of the Most High God, and stopped the music. Peter then walked to the front and look upon the congregation. He then spoke to them."Men and brethren, ye know how that God allowed us to convert the spiritually lost. Those whom when they heard the word of the gospel, believed, and obeyed it by baptism in Jesus name. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither your fathers nor you are able to bear? Why do you require an extra portion of the Holy Ghost for salvation sake? But instead you should believe that through active faith and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you are be saved. Through the continuance of Gospel of grace by following the apostles doctrine, prayers, and fellowship with the brethren, and endurance unto the end, through doing such that we are all saved." Paul then spoke up saying, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." The jaws of the congregation dropped to the floor. They all stood shaking their heads. The apostles both turned away and walking out of the Church, said one to another, "These also are not quite ready to receive the message as of yet. For though they really believe in one God, along with the gifts of the spirit, true Holiness, and baptize in truth, their additional requirements make a stumbling block of offense. And all this has continued to happen because when their fathers received the gifts of the spirit first and then salvation by belief and baptism later. Yet still after these many years, they never could change their perception of God's requirements from blessings." They had been given three days to find a worthy heir for their God given message. The apostles had not found a someone willing to follow 100% the word of God without traditions and additions. They cried out to God, "Lord, why have we been sent in vain, and if it be yet in vain then take us home with you." They heard a voice that sounded like thunder saying to them, "Peace and be still." For about a half an hour, they waited in silence upon the Lord. Suddenly, out of nowhere came their old friend Franco Francisco to them. "My friends," he joyfully said, "I believed and obeyed the Gospel truth to the saving of my soul." The apostles smiled while looking at each other, and both said out loud, "Glory be to God." They had a prepared hand written letter and gave it to him. Soon as he grasped the document, the men simply disappeared from sight. After this, he feared God greatly but was reassured by the Holy Ghost. He looked at the note given to him by the servants of the Most High. It was with trembling hands that he read the Epistle out loud to himself. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do my commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city of God. Nevertheless I have this against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Also, ye have made the word of God of none effect through your traditions, and many such like things do ye. As well as abusing the world, and not using my name in all things. I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. Because thou hast done this, and known the depths of Satan, I will the Gospel over to the Jew. From thence shall arise the hundred forty and four thousand witnesses. Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. And the beast, false prophet, and the dragon shall rise up to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Amen."
View more Free Articles by acts2and38 at GetYourContent.com
Make some cash, Post your Free Articles today!
Tags: Misc : Entertainment
|
|
|