The human being is a complicated combination. For example, we are very social and operate Nevertheless in groups…, also we are unique, the individual units. Some activities correctly are persecuted in the group, but some activities must be only. Like Christians, we became partly of the body of Christ -, nevertheless, we continued being an individual. God says that this way: “You are the body of Christ, and individually the members of the same.” On the other hand, It distributes to spiritual gifts “to each individually as he wants” and the places “to the members, each of them, in the body, as It wishes (s)” (1Cor 12:11,18 and 27). In this group those that really have improved their individuality - distributed by gifts. But,… we are going to back down a step.

Most important, most important, in fact the majority of the not-negotiable ones of all the actions alone, concentrates in the question of the salvation. This subject begins and finishes with the person and the Creator. There is no more activity alone. And places that us in the positions of weakest because “all the things are abiertas and put in the open to the eyes of him with whom we must do” (Hebrew 4:13). It is no wonder to hide “in the trees”, as Adam - it looks for to cover (Gn 3:8). He is ironic that the shield of the election is often… religion.

The unique religion that I am interested in the debate here is the Christian religion.

The Christian religion

In my opinion, the Christian religion and the Christian faith are two different things. It is not essential that you adopt my demarcation enters both, but you think that (so far) within the framework I am presenting/displaying, the debate that will do more feeling. When fodder in the religion, I believe that “the ceremony, the ritual, the dogma - and the formulas for these things.” When fodder in the faith, in my opinion, “the investigation, the study, the knowledge - and the persuasion than is true”.

Using this definition, the Christian religion… is easy. Formulas appear that lead to a salvation, next, define clearly the directives of “good” the Christian life. Altar called, confirmations, baptisms or soon followed by membership in the church, the tithe, and the church calendar.

It is a natural weakness by the man to fall in the religion. The reason is quite simple. Follower of the religion says all the/she must do. The directives are not for being interrogated - only obeyed - and everything will go well. Many people feel that they have obtained something, following the orders religious. This has great an attractiveness for the participants - and, often, it provides a great comfort. Nevertheless, this comfort does not finish in the life.

The Christian religion leans in two main pillars. First of all, those of the bank are ewes, that must be promoted. And the second to pound is (guessed you) - to the leaders. They are going to be obeyed. Two great errors are created by this model. In order to begin, the Christians - as ewes - it is a “rhetorical figure” (Jn 10:6). Ewes imagine Nevertheless like ingenuous, defenseless and very idiot (, to respond to the confidence of voice of their master… and only to ignore the voice of a stranger [Jn 10:1 - 5.16.27]. People would do well in imitating this. Often the “strange voices”… that take in the death). But, where Ezequiel of the verse fits in the “idiot ewe” analogy? ” ‘As far as you, my ewes, the ewes of my I graze, that are men, and I am your God “, the Gentleman declares “(Ezequiel 34:31). This is coherent with the warning of Paul to the Corintios rebel: “in its mature thought… I know that in the alert, to stay it signs in the faith, to act like men, is strong” (1 Cor 14:20 and 16:13). When it is what God calls to its children - to be stupid ewes?

Secondly, the leaders of the Christian religion are exentos of this “rhetorical figure”. They are more of the dumb ewes. Nevertheless, they themselves… are not dumb ewes. The one from the mentioned passages more often support to this position comes from Hebrew: “To obey to its leaders and that appears to them, to watch that its souls, like those who are going to give account. We are going to do this with joy and not with pain, for it would not be profitable for you” (Hebrew 13:17). At first sight, it seems the model of the religion is exact - the ovines one assumes that they obey to the leaders. Nevertheless, a simple course of language of the demand of a more exhaustive study.

This English translation (of the Greek Koine) contains at least three problems.

First of all, in the translation to the English: “to obey “it is a verb in active voice. But in Greek Koine, one is a verb in passive voice. The passive voice is understood the subject has been acted to - it does not make the action. The translated word, “to obey” (peitho) has several meaning possible (like making words English). Meaning by the root “peitho” is “the persuasion”. Obedience blinds is outside the circle.

Secondly, in the translation to the English: “leaders” are a noun. But, this it is a participle in Greek - a not noun. A participle is a verbal adjective. There is an enormous difference between “the leader” and “leaders”. In this case, “the leader who” talks about to the Christians most mature “of all you” (plural genitive). That they try to persuade to less mature by the instruction and example - and the call of the imitation. “They are imitadores of me, as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1 - and this is… the apostle Pablo to the Corintios).

Thirdly, in the translation to the English: “for them” it is a prepositional phrase. This is not in the Greek to all and must be forgotten.

Hebrew 13:17 would have to be translated rather like this: “You… and the yield Have let yourselves persuade by main those of all. ” Less mature to allow than he was sent them to be persuaded (passive) by most mature among them - and, next, to yield the passage to the precise manipulation of the word of God (the doctrine and the style of life) - not. This is totally compatible with all the other fundamental Biblical orders of the Christian faith. “To examine everything; they adhere to which is good” (1Tes 5:21). The Bereans “was nobler than those of mentality… Thessolonica to examine Scriptures daily” to see if Pablo affirmations is correct (Facts 17:11). “Test of you to see if you are in the faith; to examine you” (2Cor 13:5).

Those that they are leading must give account of the form in which it lead. Nevertheless, they are not responsible for mistaken decisions of their listeners (supposing that she had taken correctly). Pablo was not guilty before God for the election of the rebellious andante or the enchanted Corintios Gálatas. Their decisions do not bring pain to him… but not it culpability.

I cannot explain why the translators have soiled east passage of Hebrew. If you can find a student Greek that they can explain this - they let to me know it “(” Peithesthe “is not a deponent verb half to translate, or activates). By the way, Jesus speaks of a time the leaders. “He is not called leaders, by One of them is his leader - Christ” (TM 23:10). One becomes necessary to repeat the same?

The Christian faith

This it arises when the individual circumstances converge in a person - forcing to an intense search… for the Creator. If God can use the people, or even some of the structures of the religion like before mentioned, these things are secondary (in the best one). The Christian faith is the search of God. “Like the red deer of the pants water streams, reason why my soul pants for You, oh God. My being is thirsty of God - for the alive God” (Salt 42:1,2). On the other hand, He says to us, “Is going to look for and to find of me of me, when you look for me your heart yet” (Jeremías 29:13). This is hard. In fact, I do not believe that really we can know when we have really dealed with him all our heart. Duplicities, known and unknown, infest to us.

God calls to people to the Christian faith. It is called one by one…. Nobody can enter the sky on coattails of another one. Adhering to greatest of the preachers… it will not work. Support, or to participate in, the more fruitful Christian church… God does not move to accept that one. Even after not very behind a most devotee of the mother… not usher in the glory. But the Father is a Lawyer before God, who can make a successful case for the inclusion in his favor (they 1Juan 2:1). And one must deal alone with him. Nothing than is committed more and more only - and absolutely necessary.

Extreme the emergencias of the life… are single. The unique one that can help us - that is of God. When Esteban was being stoned until death, that needed the Christian faith - not some version the Christian religion (Done 6 and 7). Our situation will be different, but the reality of the necessity will be the same. The Christian faith is the spiritual independence of the spiritual man… and total dependancy of Jesus Christ.