THE ALPHA COURSE by Neil [source The Calvary Contender, Jerry Huffman] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Col. 2:10-13)
The Scriptures above tell us a tremendous amount about the new life that begins in us when we become born again. We become complete in Christ when He circumcises our heart so the body of the sins of the flesh are
supernaturally removed, and when we declare publicly that our old life is buried with Him through baptism, and by faith, which is the operation of God, we become raised with Christ, as God raised Him from the dead, our
dead works and sins no more influence us as we are quickened together with Christ.This unfortunately is not the result with the Alpha Course when invitations are given to those unsaved: in need of salvation, because anybody is welcome to partake of the Alpha experience. Little of what needs to be taught to every new believer is not in the contents of this course.
The Alpha Course does not instill an awareness about the great sovereignty of God, it does not teach that mankind has fallen short of the glory of God; and therefore God s wrath is to our account until repentance is made
for sin and forgiveness is asked of God through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Instead, sin, according to Nicky Gumbel (the originator of this course) is more to be seen in the way we have messed up our lives (Gumbel 1994:
44,47), resulting in sadness and unhappiness (Gumbel 1994:12-22). It is without doubt that the consequences of sin will result in displeasure, but the only thing that will free us from this is our surrender to Jesus Christ as hopelessly lost sinners.Alpha fails to tell us that we have displeased God, and mankind is in need of redemption. What Alpha says about the love of God fails in presenting us the reason for God s love. "God so loved the world..." (Jn.3:16), yes, but
why did he so love the world? Because our destiny was eternally damned if Christ never paid the penalty for our sin at the cross (Rom.5:6-8), instead, Alpha portrays God as an emotional being of unconditional love giving us an emotional high to make us feel good and special about ourselves with no remorse for our past sinful life.When our emphasis should directed at glorifying Jesus Christ, this is directed at the Holy Spirit which is far from what Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John 16:13-15.
Another thing I notice is water baptism is not a requisite, although it is indicated to us as believers by Jesus example. The apostle Peter even mentioning, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us
(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" (1 Pet 3:21)I become extremely concerned that leaders are not discerning the contents of the Alpha Course, but seem to be unquestioningly going with the flow. When they do find irregularities with it they avoid the possibility of
contention. Many will say its attracting people into membership, and many are being saved - but are they saved. Has change really taken place from a past sinful life when they are taught by the contents in the Alpha Course?The very opposite was demonstrated by Jesus. He never attracted them with flowery and sugar coated messages, but rebuked them, losing most of the disciples he had made, remaining eventually with only twelve. Those
disciples that left Jesus were not sincere, they were only looking for what they could obtain from Jesus. They saw Jesus perform the miracle of multiplying the bread and fish, and followed Him with the wrong motive in
their hearts (Jn.6:26). They were looking for a bread-king, whereas Jesus was offering them the bread of life, His words (Jn.8:31,32; Heb.4:12), which would circumcise their hearts. This would require the turn about from
the old life, sacrifice, and pain. Finally Jesus rebuked them saying "...no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father" (Jn. 6:65). Read John ch.6. Christians want to avoid the process of sanctification which takes place throughout their life as God changes them day by day. In replacment of this, offered is "Instant Christianity," instant results, jolly good times, shake rattle and roll.Let's get back to biblical basic's. Let us relearn what God really intends of our lives from the Bible, and stop taking advise and opinions from the teachings of men. Neil [Source: The Calvary Contender, vol xvii May 2000 - Jerry Huffman - 1800 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35816 email jhuffman2@juno.com
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