Firstly I want to express my sincere gratitude and compliments to Mgr Anton Gauci and Mr Michael C. Spiteri (Kilin) for their reply (The Sunday Times, March 4) to my letter of February 25.

Christianity includes all people who have truly put their trust in the only Risen Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ - irrespective of denomination! There are in fact, well over 300 Christian denominations in the world, and Roman Catholicism is only one of them. This does not include all the other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Wicca, Taoism, Aztec, Judaism, and Shintoism.

I agree with Mgr Gauci that Christianity, in a 'loose' sense of the word, is a religion. However, Mgr Gauci also stated 'God hates false religions' and He wants Christianity to be pure as explained in the Scriptures, free from the influence of man's opinions which are derived from a limited knowledge of Him.

The word 'religion' was introduced around the 12th century; however being 'religious', as it is most commonly understood today, does not refer specifically to someone who is a true follower of Christ, but someone who practises any one of the above-mentioned 'religions'.

If one had to ask someone who has an intimate and personal relationship with Christ, "Are you religious?" the question would almost come across as offensive! I should know; I have had this happen to me many times, and to be honest I also understand why!

By contrast, the word 'theology' is composed of two words: 'Theos' which means God and 'Logos' which means 'Word' (God's holy word). Therefore, if we want to really keep 'our self-interests' out and keep theology pure, I strongly believe that we should diligently study God's Word and not study man's opinions about God's Word!

God's condemnation, not mine, is very clear as explained in my letter of February 25. My conclusions are based on the New Testament. In my article I was not trying to present a complicated study of the word 'religion'. The heart of my article was to draw attention to many who claim to be Christian, but have nothing in their 'religious' experience' other than customs, folklore, country and ancestral traditions, which do not save, heal, deliver or fill with the tangible power of the promised Holy Spirit - an experience with no real substance!

One can divide the Bible into three simple sections: the Old Testament (which deals mainly with God's people who were still under the Law of Moses); the New Testament - especially the four Gospels (until Jesus was crucified and rose again) and the Book of Acts and the Epistles, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and disciples - and when letters to the first Christians were written.

This progressive build-up gives the entire revelation of God's dealings with mankind. Referring only to the Old Testament gives a small part of the revelation that found its fulfilment and perfection in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In fact the Bible says in many places that in Christ is the fullness of God in one man. For example:

"I have become its (the Church's) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness - the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints (Christians)." Colossians 1: 25-26.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1: 18-20.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2: 9-11. (See also John 1: 1,14, John 10: 30).

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1: 3-4.

I want to make an important, perhaps even vital point as to why I believe many err when they teach the Bible and remain stuck only with the Old Testament.

The Bible clearly teaches that the Old Testament was a mere shadow of the things to come. Since we are in an era and time (dispensation) where we are looking back at the things that went by and used to be, we no longer need to remain stuck in the shadow, because - praise God - we are now living in the light.

Jesus is the light who has come in the world and those who have consciously chosen to accept him in their life are now in Christ and are living in the light (Matthew 5: 14, John 1: 4-9, John 8: 12, Ephesians 5: 8).

"For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never ....make perfect those who draw near." Hebrews 10: 1.

"Now if He were on earth, He (Jesus) would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things..." Hebrews 8: 4-5.

"Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day - things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ." Colossians 2: 16-18.

Jesus, being the fullness of God, brought us the true revelation of the truth which is based on the Holy Spirit and the love of God the Father; but he also warned us about falsity and hypocrisy.

My whole point remains solid and the same: if our 'Christianity' is just a form of 'religion' consisting of traditions, rules and regulations, and folklore, than we are still hopelessly lost and eternal damnation awaits us!

What I fear is that many (subconsciously) think that they are Christians just because they are born in Malta, or just go to church (any church) on Sunday. Christianity is meant to be a vibrant relationship of love with the living Son of God! (Matthew 6, John 14-16, Philippians 3, 2 Timothy 3: 5) .

I strongly encourage those who have a true hunger for a more intimate relation with Jesus, apart from 'man-made religion', to read the Bible daily (Psalm 119: 105, John 14: 23-24; 15: 7). Pray always to the Father in the name of Jesus as the one and only mediator.

Saints are our friends, just as Mr Spiteri stated, but let us not promote a 'pet' doctrine and justify what is clearly wrong biblically. God told us to always pray directly to Him; the Holy Spirit leads us to Him; the apostles, disciples and the Saints always told people to go directly to God through Jesus.

No saint ever told us to pray to himself or herself. This was clearly a man-fabricated teaching... that in the Roman Catholic religion, generates a great deal of business.

Let the fear of God be upon our lives and let us not call what is wrong as right: Isaiah 5: 20. (John 16: 23-24, 1 Timothy 2: 5, Hebrews 7: 25, John 14: 6, Romans 8: 34). Let us join a fellowship where the Word is preached uncompromisingly and Jesus the Son of God is exalted and glorified - so that the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit may come through! (See John 16: 14-15, Acts 4: 31-33; 20: 28).

I bless all those who are in any form of leadership especially in God's Church, and my heartfelt prayer and many of those like me, is that the Holy Spirit will blow mightily upon them to rise and do the work of the risen Christ! May God especially richly bless Mgr Gauci and Mr Spiteri and may His Holy Spirit continue to lead them to feed His flock!

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