Dear Friends, Many hours of prayer and Bible study have gone into our decision to no longer attend this fellowship. We felt it only right to give an answer to the hope that is within us.
We firmly believe in Jesus as the only Son of God. He was made man, yet was God and came as a perfect sacrifice for all sinners. (I Timothy 1:15) His resurrection sealed God’s promise of eternal life.
One question: “What must we do to be saved?” The answer: “Believe.” Acts 16:31, John 3:36, John 6:47, I John 4:15, I John 5:5, Romans 10:9 & 10.
We have had fellowship with many believers that would more than likely be called “outsiders”. Their testimony of coming under the blood of the lamb is true. The fruit of the Spirit is present. (Gal. 5:22,23) They study the scriptures, pray and give witness to Jesus and the atonement they have because of His shed blood on the cross.
It is our belief that the Gospel or Good News is our sins are forgiven when we acknowledge our need of forgiveness from God by what Jesus has done on the cross. He took our place. (II Cor. 5:21) Naught a homeless two by two ministry. There is nothing we can do to merit God’s forgiveness. It’s pure and simple grace. (Eph. 2:8,9)
We do not presume to have all the answers regarding, God’s will for our lives, yet scripture clearly gives us an outline of what Christ’s work in our lives should manifest. (I John 4:7-11)
Around 1901, William Irvine, a Scotsman, founded this Fellowship [that is] now registered with the United States Selective service System as Christian Conventions. We always understood we took no name. Irvine raised himself up to be a prophet from God to lead Christendom to the ”truth” as it is in Jesus. The Bible says Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Was Christ’s Work incomplete? Did God make a mistake? Was another prophet necessary to give God’s only “true way”? Why did God wait 1900 years before He revealed this condition for salvation? What about all those before Irvine who gave their lives to and for Jesus believing in salvation through Jesus’ blood? Maybe you have asked yourself these very questions.
No doubt we have placed ourselves in a position where we could be misunderstood and scorned by many of you.
Christ’s life is important. It gave creditability to who He said He was. His teachings are the very base for all Christians.
Sincerely,
Bill & Sammie Simons
April 15, 1991