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My First Episcopol Service

Saturday night I went to the Episcopol Cathedral in Boise Idaho with 4 other people including one man that goes to the one in Mountain Home. Interesting to say the least, but let me briefly summarize.

1. While very formal and liturgical, the scripture readings and worship in song was a blessing.

2. Not surprising, but there were two women priests (reverends) that read scripture and out of their books.

3. They baptized an infant. Now, it is no surprise that the presbyterians and I disagree about infant baptism. But the presbyterians I know, do not believe that the baptism of infants is salvific in any sense. This Episcopol Church proclaimed in their bulletin and verbally that the baby was born again through the baptism, a child of God forever, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Not only is that false teaching, but it is giving false hope to the parents and maybe one day to that child.

4. The Very Reverend (a man), did the homily/mini sermon. He didn't teach on the literal bodily resurrection at all. His "message" was how the "bodily weight of the resurrection" comes through our lives as we do special things and special things happen. He shared the story of a former member who was dying of cancer, and how she woke up and spoke clearly when she shouldn't have because she only had 10% oxygen. That was it. Nothing about how the resurrection of Christ guarantees our resurrection, our regeneration, power over sin not having dominion over us, and the importance of Christ's resurrection vindicating His sacrifice and being necessary for our salvation including that we must believe it to evidence our salvation.

I'm glad I went. That way I know first hand. I went to support a young man who we believe has been saved and comes to our church 2-3 weeks a month but still goes to the local Episcopol church in town with his family, as well as his friend and mother that go to our church. I also was able to spend more time with the father and talk with him.

I'm no better than the Episcopols or anyone else. It's all by God's loving sovereign grace. But false teaching is false teaching. May the Lord be pleased to change many hearts in that church and in the Episcopol denomination.

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