Once upon a time, two ministers by the name of Hodge and Podge of the Hocus and Pocus churches respectively (not their real names) had an issue with one another. This caused much distress among the fellowship between their churches as well as with other churches associated with them.
What should have been kept and restricted to themselves and their respective churches was foisted upon other churches. Sungai Dua Church was dragged in this hodgy-podgy affair for no reason whatever. It called forth the following letter below... nearly 10 years ago. The letter below was written in response to a public and official letter entitled "Objection to the Setting Up of a Tribunal" issued by two churches under the oversight of Podge, and addressed to me, among others, as Pastor of Sungai Dua Church.
I came across this old letter in an old email out-box recently when I was clearing out old mails. This old letter is reproduced here for just one purpose - to show how easily the devil can cause havoc and destroys fellowship among brethren... because of the unforgiving spirit, and the manipulative scheming to destroy seen among fellow ministers. The sad effect is evident for all with seeing eyes to see. Apostle Paul warned, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another" Ga 5:15. I do abhor and despise both the unforgiving spirit, and the manipulative hypocrisy.
It was a common practice that many church leaders issue FORMAL letters in the name of their church WITHOUT the knowledge of their church members! Many church members were ignorant that their church leaders issued official and public letters without their knowledge. It is so convenient to keep them in the dark! What rotten churchmanship.
So here is the letter....
Things New and Old
Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.
Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.
Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.
There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.
Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.
Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.
There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.
