Just wrote a blog a few days ago, and was struggling a little on what to write about. Then I had an experience yesterday that was quite, well I will let you judge...
I had just got home from school, Karlene had gone for a bike ride, so I was going to try and get ahead on some homework, make lunch and read. I had just pulled out my materials when the doorbell rang. That is unusual, as people generally won't come past the gate - they bang the metal and hope for someone to come out - so I thought it was Karlene needing to be let in. So I was surprised to see a young man outside, white shirt, and holding some bottles.
He spoke to me in Spanish, then quickly switched to English. I always responded in Spanish as I thought that this was a chance to practice. He explained he was selling his homemade salve for muscle pain to help him go to technical school. I asked a few more questions, then he asked where I was from. He was very surprised when I told him I was Canadian, as well as why we were learning Spanish. He told me his desire was to move to Canada or the USA. Why would I come here?
He then mentioned that he attended a church that has the biggest temple in the world. My attennae went up, and I asked for some detail. He belongs to La Luz del Mundo, The Light of the World. He then started to ask me questions about my faith and how I was baptized. He told me that I was baptized wrong.
Why? See if this makes sense - What is the name of God, he asked. I told him he has many titles, but to Moses he replied that He is I Am, and the Old Testament called Him Jehovah most of the time. He asked what is He called in the New Testament, and I said, mostly Father. He said, but what is His name? Eventually he said that the Father's name is Jesus Christ as well.
I asked if he believed in the Trinity, he said no. He said it wasn't in the Bible, so I mentioned the verses that name all 3 persons, he responded that he believed in the 3 persons, that they were equal and work together, but the word trinity isn't in the Bible. Sure, true, but that doesn't mean that we can't call the 3 that title, there are many doctrines and teachings that are given a title that isn't in the Bible.
He then went back to the question, what is God's name in the New Testament. After going round and round for a good while, I finally told him I had to go. He wanted me to go to church with him, and he promoised he would go with me. I haven't made any promises. I will be praying about it.
Research on the internet tells me this group started in 1926 I believe, and that it considers itself a restoration of the early church, they have the true apostle in their church, and all who have been baptized in any name other than Jesus Christ have been baptized invalidly. This means we are all lost in there eyes. It is a movement that originated right here in Guadalajara, and is now spreading internationally. I found out from our Spanish teacher that the temple is huge, a big tourist attraction, and they even have a zoo.
Besides being a great time of Spanish practice, this has spurred me of the importance of reaching the lost with the Truth that can set us free. John 8:32
I did buy the balm, as we seem to have more sore muscles than we used to:) Karlene could have used it after her bike ride...
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